Tempers fray as Moscow flight disruption persists

Tempers have flared as thousands of angry passengers remain stuck at Russia’s biggest airport after another day of weather-related flight chaos.

Riot police were deployed at Domodedovo in Moscow after passengers stormed passport control on Monday.

Many are still going nowhere and food shortages, rising restaurant prices and lost luggage are proving an explosive mix.

“People are really desperate. There are fights,” one woman at Domodedovo told Vesti 24 television, saying she had not seen any police.

“There is no help at all. There is no air to breathe.”

The situation is improving but slowly. Domodedovo was plunged into darkness over the weekend when freezing rain triggered power cuts.

At Moscow’s second airport, exasperated passengers chanted angrily after shortages of de-icing fluid grounded flights. Some irate holidaymakers reportedly attacked staff.

As prosecutors launched an inquiry into the travel chaos, this is one festive season many in Moscow will never forget.

Copyright © 2012 euronews