Passengers Await Departure from Nizhny Novgorod Airport, Numbering 400
Nizhny Novgorod Airport, also known as Strigino, is currently grappling with a severe disruption in its operations, resulting in extensive flight delays and cancellations that have lasted for over a day as of early July 2025. This situation has left passengers, including families with children, stranded in the terminal for over 20 hours, forcing many to sleep on the floor due to a lack of seating. The airport's food provisions have been minimal, and there is a notable presence of foreign students unable to leave or return to their accommodations.
The disruption at Nizhny Novgorod Airport is primarily due to security threats from Ukrainian UAV (drone) attacks, which have led to the implementation of the "Carpet plan" security protocol, causing a suspension and severe restriction of flights. As of July 6, the airport remains heavily affected by these security concerns.
This crisis at Nizhny Novgorod Airport is not isolated. Other major Russian airports are also experiencing similar disruptions. For instance, Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport is heavily impacted with over 170 flight delays and nearly 50 cancellations, resulting in severe overcrowding and passengers waiting for many hours, sometimes on the floor or even on planes after landing. St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport has also seen more than 30 cancellations and about 100 delays, with temporary shutdowns due to drone attack threats, only recently reopening. Cities like Yekaterinburg and Kaliningrad are also reporting delays and cancellations due to the same security concerns.
The Russian Ministry of Transport has acknowledged that regional airports, including Nizhny Novgorod, have faced dozens of canceled flights, but airports are gradually resuming planned operations after lifting some restrictions. However, queues and disruptions persist, and there is an emphasis on ensuring passenger care during delays or cancellations.
Here is a summary of the flight disruptions across these airports:
| Airport | Flight Delays | Flight Cancellations | Cause | Passenger Situation | |-----------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Nizhny Novgorod | Significant | ~12 canceled recently | Drone attack threats (security) | Stranded >20 hours, overcrowded, minimal provisions[2][4] | | Moscow Sheremetyevo | >170 delayed | ~50 canceled | Drone attack threats | Severe overcrowding, long waits, some stranded on planes[1][3] | | St. Petersburg Pulkovo| ~100 delayed | >30 canceled | Temporary shutdown due to drones| Overcrowded, recent reopening[1][3] | | Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad | Delays and cancellations | Not specified | Security concerns | Similar disruptions noted[1][3] |
In conclusion, the disruptions at Nizhny Novgorod Airport are part of a nationwide crisis at Russian airports caused by drone attack threats, with operations significantly hampered and passenger conditions difficult. While Sheremetyevo faces the greatest number of flight cancellations and delays, Nizhny Novgorod is also severely affected, with passengers stuck for prolonged periods and limited facilities, reflecting a nationwide transport chaos[1][2][3][4].
Notably, Nizhny Novgorod Airport resumed operations after a 36-hour restriction on accepting and sending aircraft. The airport is ensuring prompt aircraft service, and there are approximately 400 passengers from delayed flights currently in the passenger terminal. The airport has reopened for flights to St. Petersburg, Samara, and Antalya. Restrictions on accepting and departing flights continue in Ivanovo, Tambov, and Yaroslavl airports.
Sources: [1] TASS News Agency, 2025. [2] Nizhny Novgorod Airport Press Service, 2025. [3] Interfax News Agency, 2025. [4] Russian Ministry of Transport, 2025.
- Despite attempts to resume operations, Nizhny Novgorod Airport is still experiencing long waits and limited facilities due to the nationwide flight disruptions caused by Ukrainian UAV attacks, impacting passengers' lifestyle with travel plans upended.
- The challenging weather conditions, with no immediate relief in sight, further compound the situation for stranded passengers at Nizhny Novgorod Airport, adding uncertainty to their travel plans and lifestyle adjustments.
