Air travel disrupted in Sochi as 38 flights face extended delays PHOTO

A total of 38 flights were delayed at Sochi International Airport on July 25 morning, with both departures and arrivals affected.

The disruptions included 20 outgoing flights and 18 incoming ones, each delayed by more than two hours, says a statement published on the airport’s official Telegram channel, Caliber.Az reports.

The delays come in the wake of temporary flight restrictions imposed earlier by the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya). While those restrictions have since been lifted, the residual impact has continued to affect scheduling and operations at the resort city's main air hub.

“At the moment, 20 flights are delayed (more than two hours) and 18 flights are delayed (more than two hours). Flights at Sochi Airport are being operated according to the order and readiness of the aircraft,” the airport's management stated.

To recall, a total of 56 flights were delayed at Sochi International Airport on July 24. The Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya) announced the implementation of these restrictions earlier this morning, citing the need to enhance flight safety measures at the southern air hub. The specific reasons for the heightened safety protocols have not been disclosed at this time.

According to the Operational Headquarters of the Krasnodar Region, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was intercepted and shot down during the night of July 24 in Sochi’s Adler district. Debris from the downed UAV fell on Aviatsionnaya Street, resulting in the tragic death of one individual and leaving another seriously injured.

Despite the incident, the situation within Sochi International Airport’s terminal remains stable. All essential infrastructure— including food and beverage outlets, rest areas, drinking fountains, and dedicated facilities for mothers and children—continues to operate without disruption. Airline representatives and airport hospitality staff are actively assisting passengers affected by the delays. Travelers are urged to closely monitor flight information displayed on digital boards and terminal screens.

The ongoing delays stem from the temporary airspace restrictions imposed in response to the UAV incident. These restrictions have directly impacted operations at Sochi airport.

On July 22, the airport experienced widespread delays and flight cancellations, which the press service at the time attributed to similar airspace limitations and the cascading effects of operational disruptions at airports within the Moscow aviation hub.

By Vafa Guliyeva