MOSCOW — A surge in reported drone threats brought air traffic across the Russian capital to a virtual standstill on Friday, leaving Moscow’s airspace entirely clear of commercial traffic and causing widespread disruption for thousands of passengers.
Flight operations across all four of Moscow’s primary international hubs (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky) were severely restricted or temporarily suspended as aviation authorities enacted emergency airspace security measures.
According to flight tracking data and initial reports, at least 120 flights have been delayed across the region, while more than 10 incoming aircraft were forced to divert to secondary airfields or abort their landings altogether.
High-Profile Diversions and Severe Holds
Among the international flights impacted was Emirates Flight EK133, an flagship Airbus A380 (registration A6-EEM) operating from Dubai International Airport to Moscow Domodedovo Mikhail Lomonosov Airport.
The superjumbo departed Dubai at 09:17 GST and was scheduled to touch down in Moscow at 14:50 MSK. However, upon entering the region, the aircraft was forced into an extended holding pattern for approximately two hours south of the capital as controllers managed the escalating security situation.
Widespread Operational Fallout
Air traffic maps showed a stark contrast to typical Friday traffic, displaying an almost complete absence of aircraft over Moscow proper as controllers routed incoming long-haul and regional flights toward alternative hubs, including Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and St. Petersburg.
Russian transport authorities have not yet specified the exact timeline for fully reopening the airspace, noting only that safety remains the top priority. Ground crews at all major airports are currently bracing for significant backlogs and secondary delays once normal flight clearances resume.
Drones debris
Unverified reports also describe balloons carrying payloads and drone debris near Sheremetyevo Airport.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.
Udpates
13:25 UTC
The flight EK133 is now out of holding pattern at 32,000 feet.
