More than 130 passengers on FlyDubai flight FZ-xxx from Moscow to Dubai found themselves stranded at Vnukovo airport as a delay stretched far longer than expected. The situation began unfolding in the late hours as travelers waited for a resolution, and the event quickly drew attention from local observers through a Telegram channel known as Attention, Moscow. The channel reported the incident and helped spread word among passengers and followers who were curious about the delay, highlighting the impact on travel plans and the mounting frustration among those waiting at the gate.
Sources connected with the airline indicated the departure from Moscow would be postponed by a significant period, with the new estimate showing a 17-hour wait before the aircraft could finally push back for Dubai. Officials cited diagnostic sensors as the source of the trouble, describing the issue as technical in nature and limited to maintenance-related checks that needed to be completed before the flight could proceed. The hold became a test of endurance for the passengers, and the airline administration faced questions about how to communicate delays and manage the expected wait time with minimal disruption to the travelers’ plans. [Citation: Attention, Moscow Telegram channel]
Several travelers waiting to board voiced concerns about the handling of the situation. One passenger noted that the carrier had not issued a formal apology at any point during the delay, a point that seemed to amplify the sense of disappointment among travelers who were already dealing with an uncertain schedule. The absence of a formal apology or a clear, proactive update left some passengers feeling that the airline had not fully acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the delay. [Citation: Attention, Moscow Telegram channel]
As the hours passed, some travelers described the mood inside the terminal as a mix of fatigue and reluctant accommodation. A number of passengers cited efforts to salvage their travel plans, including arranging alternative routes or bypassing the original itinerary where possible. In an environment where schedule integrity matters a great deal, the lag in information and the inconsistent timing of updates added to the sense of unpredictability around this journey. A food voucher worth 900 rubles was reportedly offered as a small gesture to assist those affected, but many travelers felt it did not compensate for the disruption or the length of the delay. The impression from several accounts was that the situation had turned into a mark of holiday disruption rather than a routine delay. [Citation: Attention, Moscow Telegram channel]
Despite the ongoing delay, the airline later announced a new departure target time of 19:20. Passengers were not actively invited to reboard, which raised questions about the logistics of the boarding process and how updates were conveyed to travelers who remained seated in the terminal area. The incident underscored the complex challenges airlines face when technical issues surface while a flight is already en route to the gate. [Citation: Attention, Moscow Telegram channel]
In a separate note from the aviation sphere, February 17 saw an incident in Novosibirsk where an Alrosa aircraft sustained damage after colliding with ground support equipment at the airport, illustrating a different kind of risk faced by airport operations. The event added to the broader narrative of how weather, equipment, and human factors can influence the safety and efficiency of air travel in the region. [Citation: Attention, Moscow Telegram channel]
Earlier that same period, an Aeroflot aircraft managed to land in Novosibirsk after a lightning strike. The quick response by air traffic services and the crew ensured a safe landing despite the adverse weather conditions, serving as a reminder of the resilience and readiness of aviation professionals to handle unexpected meteorological events. These occurrences, while distinct from the FlyDubai delay, contribute to a regional picture of air travel activity and the continuous emphasis on safety and operational integrity across major Russian hubs. [Citation: Attention, Moscow Telegram channel]