Flights departing from Sochi Airport face a delay of 13.
Sochi International Airport is experiencing delays in departures and arrivals to various cities across Russia, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Nizhnekamsk, Samara, Kazan, and Krasnoyarsk. These delays were also reported on August 13, affecting additional cities such as Tbilisi, Volgograd, Magnitogorsk, and Orenburg.
The current and primary cause of these flight disruptions is a series of drone attacks in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region, which have led to the temporary closure of airspace over Sochi, resulting in numerous delayed and cancelled flights. Other affected cities include Perm, Surgut, and international destinations like Antalya (Turkey) and Sharjah (United Arab Emirates).
On August 13, a total of 13 flights were delayed for both departure and arrival at Sochi Airport, including 9 departures and 4 arrivals. Among the delayed arrival flights were those from Moscow, Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, and Tbilisi. As of 8:55 AM on August 14, 78 flights are delayed for departure at Sochi International Airport.
Additionally, flight disruptions may also be attributed to cyberattacks on Russian airlines, such as Aeroflot, which have caused cancellations and schedule adjustments. However, these factors are separate from the drone-related airspace shutdowns.
The drone attacks are part of a broader series of attacks reported by Russian defense authorities, who have been actively shooting down multiple drones over Krasnodar Krai. Authorities claim that Ukraine is responsible for designing drone flight paths near major airports to force emergency protocols and disrupt Russian civil aviation.
The ripple effects of these disruptions have been felt in other Russian regions, with around 1,000 passengers affected in cities like Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Novokuznetsk, and Norilsk.
Unfortunately, no specific information is available regarding the expected duration of these flight delays or the specific flight numbers and airlines involved. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates.
Travelers planning a trip to or from Sochi International Airport may experience delays due to the ongoing drone attacks in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region. The disruptions have led to the temporary closure of airspace over Sochi, affecting numerous flights to cities like Moscow, Kazan, and Tbilisi, as well as international destinations such as Antalya (Turkey) and Sharjah (United Arab Emirates). Moreover, these flight delays and cancellations have caused changes to lifestyles for many travelers, given the unpredictable nature of air travel in the region at present.
