On the morning of December 12, a snapshot of disruption at Moscow’s air hubs emerged from data tracked by the service On Yandex. Calendar, which recorded 26 flight cancellations or delays across three major airports in the capital. This situation reflects a broader pattern of weather-induced interruptions that often ripple through the airport network during winter months in Russia’s largest metro area.
As of 6:55 Moscow time, the tally showed eight delayed flights and two cancellations at Vnukovo Airport, twelve delays at Domodedovo, and three cancellations along with four more delays at Sheremetyevo. In contrast, Zhukovsky Airport near Moscow reported no cancellations or delays at that moment, highlighting how disruption can vary within a metropolitan system that includes multiple airfields, each with its own operational rhythm and capacity constraints.
The Hydrometeorological Center forecasted wintry conditions for December 12, with snow, and at times blizzards, plus ice and temperatures dipping to around minus 6 degrees Celsius. Such weather creates a demanding environment for takeoffs and landings, elevating the likelihood of runway contamination, slower ground handling, and occasionally airspace restrictions that ripple through schedules across all three major airports.
Over time, delays of up to two hours have become a familiar feature at Moscow’s airports during adverse weather. The pattern of cancellations and postponements tends to intensify when winter storms are in play, with crews, ground services, and air traffic control all balancing safety with efficiency in real time. The recurring nature of these disruptions underscores the importance of resilient scheduling, real-time communication with passengers, and adaptive contingency planning by airlines and airport authorities during periods of inclement weather.
For context, a total of 34 flights were either cancelled or delayed on December 9 as operations at Moscow airports faced similar constraints from weather and related factors. Earlier reports indicated substantial disruption around December 4, with occurrences of delays and cancellations affecting a significant portion of the day’s departures and arrivals. These snapshots illustrate how weather-driven risks can accumulate over several days, influencing traveler planning, crew duty rosters, and gate assignments across the region’s aviation network.
There have been broader discussions about how airborne incidents in the past, including bird-strike events, have interacted with the Russian fleet’s operational profile. While such reports highlight aviation safety considerations, they also emphasize the need for robust bird hazard management, enhanced runway inspections, and swift response protocols to minimize downtime and maintain reliability for national and international travelers alike.