All news

Poor visibility? Pilots re-route landing to other Moscow airports instead of Domodedovo

According to a Domodedovo spokesperson, the airport’s runway is certified for use in severe weather conditions

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Six flight commanders decided to land at alternate airports instead of Moscow’s Domodedovo on Wednesday, the airport’s press service told TASS.

According to earlier reports, due to fog, pilots decided to land at Sheremetyevo instead of Domodedovo.

"Flights continue to arrive in and depart from Domodedovo Airport but it is the flight commander who makes decisions about landing depending on the meteorological minimum - critical weather conditions under which a particular flight commander is allowed to take off and land. A total of six flight commanders have so far decided to land at alternate airports," the press service said.

According to a Domodedovo spokesperson, the airport’s runway is certified for use in severe weather conditions. Flights can take off and land as long as the runway’s visibility is no less than 200 meters and the decision altitude is at least 15 meters. The current runway visibility is 300 meters. The press service added that the airport had served more than 88 flights since 07:00 Moscow time (04:00 GMT) on December 26.

A source from Sheremetyevo Airport told TASS that the weather had not disrupted the airport’s operations. According to the Sheremetyevo press service, the airport received two flights that were initially planned to land at other airports.

The press service of Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport said that runway visibility was four kilometers and the runway’s traction was good. An airport source added that Vnokovo had received five flights that were supposed to have landed at Domodedovo Airport.