Airport Guide

History of Moscow Domodedovo International Airport

Built with the aim of handling long-distance air traffic within the Soviet Union, rather than as an international hub, Moscow's Domodedovo airport was officially opened in 1965.

While political systems have changed over the following decades, the airport's growth has been consistent, with a second runway completed just month's after its opening, and complemented over the years by new terminals and passenger lounges.

However, it is only recently that Domodedovo has grown to become one of the world's major airports, with a number of leading national carriers moving their operations there from neighbouring Sheremetyevo Airport in the past few years.

Furthermore, a state-of-the-art control tower was opened in 2003, while work is currently being carried out aimed at doubling total terminal space within the next couple of years, largely through the construction of the ambitious domestic T3, though this looks set to be finished in 2012.

Travelling to Moscow Domodedovo International Airport

Located some 22 miles south of the historic centre of the Russian capital, Moscow Domodedovo International Airport benefits from excellent transport links.

The best means of getting between downtown and the airport is the non-stop Aeroexpress Train, which regularly links the terminals and the Paveletsky Rail Terminal for a minimal cost.

What's more, rail passengers traveling to the airport can save time and effort by checking themselves and their luggage in for their flight at the city centre train station.

Also accessible by train from the airport is the central Belorussky Rail Terminal, well-placed for many of the best hotels, and Kalanchevskaya station, though these services are less frequent than the special express.

Buses also run between the airport and Moscow Metro's Domodedovskaya station, while affordable share taxis are also available from this point.

Airlines flying from Moscow Domodedovo International Airport

While Russia's national carrier, Aeroflot, still operates mainly out of Sheremetvevo Airport, opting only to use Domodedovo for cargo flights, it is nevertheless a major international and domestic hub and easily Russia's leading air terminal in terms of numbers.

Among the biggest names operating services out of the airport are British Airways, Emirates, BMI, Thai Airways International, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and Royal Jordanian.

These are complemented by numerous flights operated by smaller national carriers, including services to Georgia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Cheap flights across the rest of Russia and the former Soviet Union are also easy to find, with budget carriers including VIM Airlines and S7, while western Europe can be reached on a budget through services offered by the likes of Windjet (Bologna, Turin and Verona, for example) and Clickjet (Barcelona.

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