Sheremetyevo International Airport

Sheremetyevo International Airport
Name	Sheremetyevo International Airport
IATA	SVO
ICAO	UUEE
Owner	International Airport Sheremetyevo
City-served	Moscow
Location	Khimki, Moscow Oblast
Hub	* Aeroflot * Nordwind Airlines * Royal Flight
Elevation-m	192
Coordinates	55, 58, 22, N...
Website	https://www.svo.aero/

Sheremetyevo International Airport is one of the primary international airports serving the Moscow metropolitan area and a major hub for air travel in Russia. Located in Khimki, Moscow Oblast, approximately 29 kilometres northwest of central Moscow, it is a key operational base for the national flag carrier Aeroflot and several other airlines. The airport complex consists of multiple passenger terminals and two parallel runways, handling a significant portion of Russia's international passenger traffic and serving as a vital gateway between Europe and Asia.

History

The airport's origins trace back to 1957 when it was initially constructed as a military airfield for the Soviet Air Forces. It was officially opened for civilian use in 1959, with its first scheduled international flight operated by Aeroflot to Berlin Schönefeld Airport. The facility was significantly expanded for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, which included the construction of the iconic Terminal F (Sheremetyevo-2), designed to handle international traffic and showcase Soviet modernity. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the airport underwent a major modernization and privatization process, leading to the development of new terminals like the modern Terminal B and the integrated Terminal C complex to meet growing demand.

Terminals

The airport's passenger facilities are organized into several terminal complexes, primarily grouped into the Northern Terminal Complex and the Southern Terminal Complex. The Northern Complex includes Terminal B, which handles domestic and some international flights for Aeroflot and its partners, and the adjacent Terminal C for international services. The Southern Complex is centered around the older Terminal F and the newer Terminal E, which together form a single operational unit for international flights. These terminals are connected by the Aeroexpress railway and an internal shuttle bus system, with Terminal D also serving as a major hub for Aeroflot's international network.

Airlines and destinations

As the main hub for the SkyTeam alliance in Russia, the airport is dominated by Aeroflot, which operates an extensive network to destinations across Russia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Other significant resident carriers include Nordwind Airlines and Royal Flight, which focus on charter and scheduled leisure travel. Major international airlines serving the airport include Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates, connecting Moscow to global hubs like Charles de Gaulle Airport, Frankfurt Airport, and Istanbul Airport. Prior to 2022, the airport also hosted numerous other European and North American carriers.

Operations and statistics

The airport operates two main parallel runways, 06R/24L and 06L/24R, capable of handling all types of aircraft, including the Antonov An-225 Mriya (when operational) and the Airbus A380. Historically, it has consistently ranked among the busiest airports in Europe by passenger traffic, often competing with Domodedovo International Airport for the top position in Russia. In 2019, it served over 49 million passengers, making it one of the top twenty busiest airports in Europe. Its cargo operations are significant, with facilities handling freight for airlines like AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Airlines.

Ground transportation

The primary rail link to central Moscow is the dedicated Aeroexpress service, which connects the terminals to Belorussky railway station in approximately 35 minutes. Numerous public bus and marshrutka routes connect the airport to various Moscow Metro stations, including Planernaya and Rechnoy Vokzal. Taxi services are widely available, and the airport is accessible via the Leningradskoye Highway, a major arterial road that connects to the Moscow Ring Road and the city center.

Accidents and incidents

A notable accident in the airport's history was the Aeroflot Flight 3352 disaster in 1984, where a Tupolev Tu-154B collided with maintenance vehicles on the runway, resulting in significant fatalities. In 1982, Aeroflot Flight 411 crashed shortly after takeoff due to an engine failure, killing all on board. A more recent serious incident occurred in 2019 when an Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 operating Aeroflot Flight 1492 made an emergency landing and caught fire at the airport, resulting in multiple fatalities. These events have influenced aviation safety procedures in Russia.

Category:Airports in Russia Category:Buildings and structures in Moscow Oblast Category:Transport in Moscow