Problems with timely baggage handling at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport may persist all summer. Passengers planning to fly through the airport should avoid checking bags if possible, according to a Travel.ru correspondent.
As is well known, numerous complaints about delays and lost baggage at Sheremetyevo began with the start of the peak summer season, around the end of May. It turns out that the airport, through its subsidiary Sheremetyevo Handling, has taken on the lion's share of baggage handling (previously handled by Aeroflot on its flights), but has suffered a severe shortage of baggage handlers. The Russian Ministry of Transport stated that a "local improvement" in the situation is possible by the end of July, and a "drastic" one by August 15. This requires eliminating a shortage of 400 baggage handlers.
In other words, the risk of lengthy delays or even lost baggage will remain high at Sheremetyevo Airport for virtually the entire peak summer season. This applies particularly to transfer passengers who transfer at Sheremetyevo and check in baggage for the entire journey. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that some airlines based at the airport—for example, Nordwind Airlines, PegasFly, and Royal Flight—have extremely limited carry-on baggage allowances (5 kilograms, often small), encouraging passengers to check in more baggage for a fee. Aeroflot, Sheremetyevo's flagship carrier, has a significantly better allowance: 10 kilograms, with a generous size of 55x40x25 centimeters.
Passengers with limited personal belongings should try to avoid carrying baggage. As a reminder, in addition to the standard carry-on baggage allowance, all Russian and some foreign airlines allow certain personal items to be carried in the cabin free of charge. For Russian carriers, the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) also guarantee the right to carry a briefcase or handbag of unlimited size (or a backpack with restrictions), outerwear, a garment bag, and items required for medical reasons.
The Ministry of Transport's statement also mentioned a number of measures being taken to optimize baggage handling at the airport. These include the transfer of certain international flights to other terminals (specific flights were not specified), as well as the rescheduling of some flights (likely primarily charter flights) from the peak 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM time slot to other times. Passengers should closely monitor their flight schedule for any changes and check its status before leaving for the airport.
As a reminder, another type of baggage collapse occurred at Sheremetyevo last summer. Back then, it was caused by the prolonged inoperability of the baggage tunnel under the airfield.
Source: travel.ru