All four of Moscow’s airports were been temporarily closed without any reason given, according to Russia’s aviation watchdog.
‘Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers and airport services are taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety,’ the statement from Rosaviatsia said.
It is believed to be part of a ‘carpet’ plan which has been implemented at Moscow airports in recent years due to threats posed by drone attack, according to Russian media.
Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo airports have been affected by the ruling, as has the nearby Kaluga airport located just outside of Moscow.
They were later reopened a short while later.
The move comes a day after the Azerbaijani government accused Russia of shooting down a passenger aircraft outside the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people including both pilots.
Video footage of the crash showed the plane descending rapidly before bursting into flames as it hit the seashore.
Bruised and bloodied passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact.
Twenty-nine survivors received hospital treatment.
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