Mineralnye Vody Airport Temporarily Suspends Flights

Mineralnye Vody Airport has suspended the acceptance and departure of flights due to deficiencies in the runway, according to РИА Новости, citing the Federal Air Transport Agency.

“At 17:59 Moscow time, a small section of the concrete slab in the middle of the artificial runway at Mineralnye Vody Airport was damaged. The likely cause of the damage (swelling due to surface cracking) is thermal expansion in conditions of high outdoor temperatures,” the agency reports.

“To ensure flight safety, Mineralnye Vody Airport has decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance and departure of aircraft. Flights with schedules to Mineralnye Vody are being redirected to Makhachkala, Grozny, Vladikavkaz, and Stavropol,” the Federal Air Transport Agency informs.

The agency notes that airport services have begun restoring the identified deficiencies. All necessary measures are already being taken to eliminate the runway issues and resume flights. Operational readiness of the runway is expected to be restored by 23:00 Moscow time.