Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin criticized the management of the Domodedovo airport and air carrier Aeroflot on Tuesday over their handling of flight delays caused by a recent ice storm.
Power outages and icing at Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports near Moscow have severely disrupted passenger traffic in the past two days. The association of Russian travel companies said flight delays have affected more than 20,000 people.
"After the power failure at Domodedovo, the airport should have been closed for the arrival of outbound passengers. I have some questions to the management in that respect," Levitin told reporters in Moscow.
"I also have questions to the management of Aeroflot, which failed to foresee the shortage of antifreeze in emergency situations," the minister said.
Aeroflot, Russia's largest air carrier, has cancelled dozens of flights and reportedly failed to provide adequate services and information to thousands of passengers stranded at the Sheremetyevo airport.
An Aeroflot source earlier told RIA Novosti that enraged passengers had stormed the company's flight registration desks and even beaten up several Aeroflot officials at Sheremetyevo.
President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered prosecutors to check whether airport authorities and air carriers have taken "all necessary measures" to comply with legislation on air transport and passenger services in emergency situations.
Levitin also suggested that air carriers should cancel all flights to St. Petersburg and offer passengers an option to travel by train in exchange for their air tickets.
He said that the Russian Railways company had confirmed the availability of 2,000 train seats and could open registration counters at Moscow airports in the next few hours.
Russian air traffic authorities earlier said the situation at the airports could be normalized in the next two to three days.
The Domodedovo airport expects to serve up to 350 departing flights later on Tuesday, including 100 flights delayed on Sunday and Monday.
MOSCOW, December 28 (RIA Novosti)
