A statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about increased risks for flights in Russian airspace was followed by a large-scale cancellation of international flights at Moscow airports.
On Wednesday, September 2, 27 flights operated by foreign airlines were canceled at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports, according to the Russian outlet Agentstvo. Turkish carrier Pegasus accounted for the largest share of the cancellations, with the airline operating flights from Vnukovo.
Turkish Airlines canceled two flights each between Istanbul and Vnukovo. Flights operated by Flydubai between Dubai and Moscow and by Nesma Airlines between Sharm el-Sheikh and Vnukovo were also canceled. Shirak Avia canceled all four scheduled flights between Yerevan and Moscow. At Domodedovo, Kuwait Airways canceled flights to Kuwait and back, while Somon Air canceled one scheduled flight to Dushanbe.
According to Agentstvo, Pegasus left only two of its eight scheduled Moscow flights in the timetable. Turkish Airlines canceled three of 25 scheduled flights, while Flydubai canceled one of seven and Nesma Airlines one of eight. By comparison, the number of cancellations was significantly lower on September 1: two flights failed to arrive at Vnukovo and one at Domodedovo. No foreign airline flights were canceled at Sheremetyevo on either September 1 or 2.
The previous day, Zelenskyy warned airlines and insurance companies about increasing risks associated with flights over Russian territory due to Ukrainian drone activity. At the same time, he said Ukraine did not intend to attack civilian aircraft. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by calling the warning a “bid for state terrorism.”
Leave a comment