Turkish Airlines has received an exception in Russia allowing flights bound for Vnukovo to use Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo as alternates when Vnukovo cannot accept arrivals, instead of diverting to St Petersburg. The change was already being used on Wednesday night for several flights from Turkey, easing disruption for the carrier’s Moscow operation.
The arrangement follows temporary operating restrictions affecting Vnukovo’s role as a diversion airport and was put in place after a request from Rosaviatsiya. Until now, Turkish Airlines aircraft had typically been sent to St Petersburg when Vnukovo was unavailable, and in some cases onward to Minsk if needed.
Several Turkish Airlines flights from Turkey landed at Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo overnight, while two Antalya services were diverted to Pulkovo during temporary airspace restrictions that were later lifted at 03:34. The new setup keeps more disrupted Turkish Airlines traffic within the Moscow airport system, reducing longer diversions and the operational knock-on effects for passengers.