Russian airports in Yaroslavl, Kaluga and others repeatedly restrict flights, 16-20 Oct
In short
Russia's aviation agency Rosaviatsia introduced temporary restrictions on receiving and releasing aircraft at several airports between 16 and 20 October, including Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Moscow's Sheremetyevo, Cherepovets, Kaluga and Pskov. Restrictions at Yaroslavl were introduced and lifted more than once. The latest documents, from 20 October, report restrictions at Kaluga.
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Russia's aviation agency Rosaviatsia announced temporary restrictions on receiving and releasing aircraft at a series of airports between 16 and 20 October, according to TASS, RIA Novosti and Interfax. The outlets repeated that the restrictions were introduced to ensure flight safety and gave no further explanation. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 8 , 12 , 13 , 15 ]
On 16 October RIA Novosti reported, citing Rosaviatsia, that temporary restrictions at Yaroslavl airport had been lifted. In the early hours of 17 October TASS reported restrictions at the airports of Kostroma, Sheremetyevo and Yaroslavl, while RIA Novosti's headline named only Kostroma and Yaroslavl. Interfax, citing a Rosaviatsia message in the agency's channel in Max, listed Kostroma (Sokerkino), Sheremetyevo and Yaroslavl (Tunoshna) and said the airports had suspended work. Both TASS and RIA Novosti reported at about 09:25 to 09:29 that the restrictions at Kostroma and Yaroslavl had been lifted. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
On 18 October, at 01:18 and 01:19, TASS and RIA Novosti reported that Yaroslavl airport had again suspended receiving and releasing aircraft. About four hours later TASS reported that restrictions at the airports of Cherepovets and Yaroslavl had been lifted, and RIA Novosti reported the same for Yaroslavl. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
Later on 18 October TASS reported that Kaluga airport had suspended receiving and releasing aircraft, and on 19 October it reported restrictions at Kaluga again. On 20 October Interfax reported, citing Rosaviatsia, that the airports of Kaluga and Pskov were temporarily not serving flights. TASS and RIA Novosti reported Kaluga restrictions again that evening. The documents do not say whether the restrictions at Kaluga or Pskov were lifted. [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]
Why it matters
The documents say only that the restrictions were introduced to ensure flight safety and give no cause, duration or effect on passengers. They show repeated short-term interruptions at airports in several Russian cities, Sheremetyevo among them.
Key facts
- On 16 October Rosaviatsia said temporary restrictions on receiving and releasing aircraft at Yaroslavl airport had been lifted. [ 1 , 2 ]
- On 17 October restrictions were introduced at the airports of Kostroma (Sokerkino), Yaroslavl (Tunoshna) and Moscow's Sheremetyevo. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Later on 17 October TASS and RIA Novosti reported that restrictions at Kostroma and Yaroslavl had been lifted. [ 6 , 7 ]
- On 18 October Yaroslavl airport again suspended receiving and releasing aircraft, and restrictions on Yaroslavl and Cherepovets were later reported lifted. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- Restrictions were reported at Kaluga airport on 18, 19 and 20 October, and Interfax reported Kaluga and Pskov suspended work on 20 October. [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]
- Outlets said the restrictions were necessary to ensure flight safety. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 8 , 12 , 13 , 15 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Rosaviatsia introduced temporary restrictions on receiving and releasing aircraft at Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sheremetyevo airports on 17 October. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Restrictions at Kostroma and Yaroslavl airports were lifted on 17 October. [ 6 , 7 ]
- Yaroslavl airport was restricted again on 18 October and the restrictions were lifted the same morning. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- Kaluga airport was subject to restrictions on 20 October. [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]
Still unclear
- Why the restrictions were introduced The documents say only that they were needed for flight safety and give no specific cause.
- Whether restrictions at Sheremetyevo were lifted The documents report Sheremetyevo only among the airports restricted on 17 October. The report of lifting that day names only Kostroma and Yaroslavl.
- Whether restrictions at Kaluga and Pskov were lifted The documents do not report any lifting at Kaluga or Pskov.
- When restrictions were introduced at Cherepovets A TASS item on 18 October reports Cherepovets restrictions lifted, but no document in this set reports them being introduced.
- Effect on flights and passengers The documents give no figures on delayed, cancelled or diverted flights.
- Whether Kaluga's restrictions of 18, 19 and 20 October were one continuing episode or separate ones Each document reports restrictions being introduced, and none reports them being lifted in between.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 16 October: RIA Novosti reports, citing Rosaviatsia, that restrictions at Yaroslavl airport are lifted. [ 2 ]
- 17 October: TASS reports restrictions at Kostroma, Sheremetyevo and Yaroslavl airports. [ 3 ]
- 17 October: Interfax reports the three airports suspended work, citing Rosaviatsia. [ 5 ]
- 17 October: TASS reports restrictions lifted at Kostroma and Yaroslavl airports. [ 6 , 7 ]
- 18 October: TASS reports Yaroslavl airport suspended receiving and releasing aircraft. [ 8 , 9 ]
- 18 October: TASS reports restrictions lifted at Cherepovets and Yaroslavl airports. [ 10 , 11 ]
- 18 October: TASS reports Kaluga airport suspended receiving and releasing aircraft. [ 12 ]
- 19 October: TASS reports restrictions at Kaluga airport. [ 13 ]
- 20 October: Interfax reports Kaluga and Pskov airports not serving flights, citing Rosaviatsia. [ 14 ]
- 20 October: TASS and RIA Novosti report restrictions at Kaluga airport. [ 15 , 16 ]