Compensations for flights delayed past due time totaled over 600 million rubles
In recent months, Russian airports have been hit by a series of drone attacks, causing significant disruptions to flights and resulting in millions of rubles being paid out in insurance claims.
According to data from SberInsurance, a total of 306 million rubles was paid out over eight months this year, with a substantial 220 million rubles being paid between May and August. This trend was mirrored by AlfaInsurance, which paid out over 270 million rubles to passengers, with 205 million rubles being paid in the same period.
The disruptions at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport were particularly severe. Around 80 flights were delayed by more than two hours, and 42 aircraft were redirected to alternate airports due to drone attacks. On August 23-24 alone, 90 flights were cancelled at the airport, with the restrictions due to the attacks lasting nearly 20 hours.
Similar incidents were also reported at Moscow's airports, with flights being delayed or cancelled due to drone activity.
The impact of these disruptions extends beyond the immediate inconvenience for passengers. In total, payments amounting to 536 million rubles were made to travelers this year, with Renaissance Insurance recording 65,000 insurance claims for flight delays. AlfaInsurance reported a sevenfold increase in the number of insurance claims since the beginning of the year, with nearly 65,000 people receiving payouts.
Renaissance Insurance also reported 53 insurance claims for flight delays, significantly more than last year. This increase in claims highlights the growing impact of drone attacks on the aviation industry in Russia.
Restrictions on arrivals and departures were also imposed at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport due to drone attacks, adding to the disruption caused by these incidents.
As the number of drone attacks continues to rise, the aviation industry and insurance companies are facing increasing challenges. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before travelling and to ensure they have appropriate travel insurance to cover any potential delays or cancellations.
