Sheremetyevo Airport, near Moscow, sent 40 percent of its staff, about 7.000 people, on vacation. The decision was announced by the general manager of the airport Mikhail Vasilenko. Air traffic at Russia's largest airport has fallen sharply since late February, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions by the European Union and the United States.
Russian airlines can only operate domestically and in a few countries that have not imposed flight bans. The airport has also announced the suspension of all future investments and the closure of the third terminal in addition to the already closed E and F terminals.
Staff working at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport are being transferred on a part-time basis as the airport suffers less due to declining air operations.
Employees sent on leave will still receive 2/3 of their salary and can keep their job. They still have social protection and other support, a union member said.