Russian President Medvedev orders investigation into airport travel chaos

[News_Editor]

Russian President Medvedev orders investigation into airport travel chaos

2010-12-28 18:56:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday instructed Prosecutor General Yury Chaika to inspect Moscow airports which were hit by lengthy delays and scores of cancellations last weekend.

The severe disruptions at Moscow's airports were the result of poor weather conditions during the weekend, leaving hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed at Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports. There was also a serious power outage, further delaying flights.

Thousands of stranded passengers were again forced to spent the night at the two Moscow airports and have complained about the lack of clear information from the airport and airlines. "Things are getting tough here," London-bound passenger William Bennetts, 63, told RIA Novosti after almost 24 hours waiting for a BMI flight. "No info, hardly any food."

RIA Novosti also reported that several Aeroflot employees, including women, had been beaten up while trying to calm down standed passengers. A source told the news agency that Sheremetyevo was lacking security personnel.

The Presidential instruction for Chaika calls for an investigation into the operation of Moscow airports and companies involved to ensure that they fully comply with the legislation regulating air travel and passenger services in Russia.

Russia is not the only country which faced extreme disruptions this month. Thousands of flights have been cancelled across Europe and North America due to severe winter weather conditions.

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