Moscow airports had 103 delayed flights by 3:30 p.m., ministry says

Moscow's airports had 103 delayed arriving and departing flights as of 3:30 p.m. local time on October 17, Russia's Transport Ministry said after an operational meeting at Sheremetyevo.

Temporary restrictions had affected Moscow airports overnight. By the time of the statement, all were accepting and dispatching flights in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Poteshkin chaired the meeting, attended by representatives of aviation regulators, airlines and airports.

Airline managers were instructed to provide drinks, meals and hotel accommodation in accordance with federal aviation rules. Airlines were told to strengthen their airport teams, have call centres give advance notice of schedule changes and send text-message updates.

The air traffic management corporation was instructed to reassess alternative airports' equipment and capacity. The ministry said those airports had sufficient aviation fuel and transport oversight specialists were working on site.