Russian airports closed nearly 1,000 times in August as foreign airlines suspend flights

Russian airports suspended operations nearly 1,000 times in August amid Ukrainian drone attacks, according to a report cited by aviation media, as foreign airlines reduced exposure to Russia over mounting safety concerns. The disruptions affected 32 airports, including facilities around Moscow and St. Petersburg, and were much higher across the summer overall, with another report placing closures above 2,000 times. August also saw around 16,000 Ukrainian drones enter Russian airspace. The article says Aeroflot delays occurred Sept. 3 on routes from Bishkek to Moscow and to Novosibirsk, while Tajikistan canceled three Ural Airlines flights and Uzbekistan Airways modified routes after restrictions prevented flights from reaching Moscow. Rosaviatsia said airports continue operating normally, but Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Sept. 1 that attacks would intensify and notified ICAO, prompting some Turkish cancellations.