- Flight Disruptions
- Pulkovo Airport disruption affects 65 flights after drone attacks near St. Petersburg
Pulkovo Airport disruption affects 65 flights after drone attacks near St. Petersburg
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 29 July 2026
65
Affected flights
1
Affected airports
65
Affected flights
1
Affected airports
Disruption overview
Passengers traveling through Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg faced disruption on 24 July 2026 after overnight drone attacks in the region delayed around 50 flights. Another 15 aircraft that had been diverted to alternate airfields were still waiting for permission to return, bringing the number of directly affected flights to about 65 and increasing the risk of knock-on delays through the rest of the day. Because the disruption was tied to a security event outside the airline's control, compensation is usually unlikely under EC 261, but airlines should still provide care and assistance during long delays.
Disruption details
Flight operations at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg were disrupted on 24 July 2026 after overnight drone attacks in the region delayed about 50 flights arriving at and departing from the airport.
Another 15 aircraft that had been diverted to alternate airfields were still waiting for permission to return, bringing the number of directly affected flights to around 65.
For passengers, that meant a morning of uncertainty and longer waits. Travelers were advised to keep checking updated schedules and to expect knock-on delays through the rest of the day.
No outright cancellations were reported, but the volume of delays points to a several-hour interruption to normal traffic at St. Petersburg's main airport.
Airport officials said the restrictions were precautionary while security assessments and airspace coordination with Russian aviation authorities continued. No exact time was given for normal operations to fully resume.
What travelers were dealing with included:
Around 50 delayed arrivals and departures
15 diverted aircraft waiting for clearance to return
Knock-on delays expected through the rest of 24 July
The disruption followed multiple overnight drone strikes on Wildberries warehouse facilities. Two warehouses in St. Petersburg were hit, and another Wildberries site in Simferopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, caught fire.
Wildberries said its staff had been evacuated in line with safety procedures.
Local social media also circulated reports that an oil storage facility near St. Petersburg may have been struck, although damage assessments and casualty figures were still being verified at the time.
The attacks came after similar drone raids targeted Wildberries logistics centers in Russia's Krasnodar and Stavropol regions just 2 days earlier. Moscow Oblast was also hit by a large drone attack on 20 July.
If your journey through Pulkovo Airport was affected, it's understandable to feel frustrated. Delays like this can quickly turn a straightforward trip into hours of waiting and last-minute changes.
Because this disruption was linked to a security event outside the airline's control, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely. Even so, your airline should still provide care and assistance during long delays, including food and drinks, and accommodation if you need to stay overnight. Depending on what happens to your flight, rebooking or a refund may also be available.
Although compensation is unlikely here, that doesn't mean you're without support. If you want to understand what may apply to your flight, AirHelp's free flight checker is a simple place to start.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour. No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays
Cause
Other
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
Not eligible for compensation
Flights affected
65
Airports affected
Pulkovo Airport
Cities affected
St. Petersburg, Saint Petersburg
Countries affected
Russia, Russian Federation
Start date
2026-07-24
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
29 July 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
