Moscow Domodedovo Airport

Flight date & time: 24th October, 1750 hours

For the travelogue entry, I usually will write about the stations of the trains, buses, taxis, boats and airports that we reached beside all places of attraction. Therefore, it will take me sometime to snap photos around these stations and airports after we have done with ticket check-in. The same thing I did as soon as we arrived at Domodedovo station. After the cab driver dropped us at the check-in lane, I snapped few of the external façade. We looked for a right counter, check-in the luggage and send a fragile items bag to the designated area. My children after sometime, did not had any interest for gifts from abroad. None ever requested. But Syahirah said it would be good if I can brought home some local snacks and drinks. Since we both had our boarding pass, I told Ane that we could go separate ways as I had some photo snapping and shopping to be done after an urgent business in the toilet. Wandering around this huge airport reminded me of other famous international airport like Dubai, Doha and our own KLIA.

Moscow has 4 international airport, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Ostafyevo. The airports vary in distances from the MKAD beltway. Domodedovo is the farthest at 22 km, Vnukovo is 11 km, Sheremetyevo is 10 km and Ostafievo, being the nearest located about 8 kilometres from MKAD. MKAD means The Moscow Automobile Ring Road, served as the administrative boundary of Moscow city. Domodedovo International Airport is claimed as the largest airport of Russia and Eastern Europe in terms of passenger traffic. It is Moscow's only privately owned airport, the owner is believed to be the Russian businessman, Dmitry Kamenshchik. The airport is named after the town of Domodedovo, on the territory of which it is located.

In 2014, total passenger traffic of the airport amounted to more than 33 million people. Domodedovo Airport falls into the category of the largest airports in Europe according to the ACI Europe classification. Today, 86 airlines, including 42 international operators, 28 Russian and 16 air carriers of the CIS countries, are operating regular flights to Domodedovo. Flights from Domodedovo Airport are operated in 229 destinations, 85 of which are unique for the Moscow region. A journey to reach those Moscow region is accessible only from Domodedovo Airport.

The Airport partners form the most advanced route network among the airports of the Moscow Aviation Hub ensuring the best transfer conditions. Domodedovo is the base airport in Russia for member airlines of two largest global airline alliances, Star Alliance and One World. Moscow Domodedovo Airport is the member of Airport Council International (ACI) and takes an active part in the activities of first professional association representing interests of airports from all over the world and promoting their intensive collaboration.

According to the rating of Skytrax, the independent British agency, Domodedovo Airport was ranked the best airport of Russia and CIS in 2014. Since 2007, Domodedovo Airport is the leader in the nomination “The Best Russian Airport” of the consumer award Travel.ru Star. The High-tech airport infrastructure allowed Domodedovo to accept the landing of the largest passenger super airliner Airbus A380 in October 2009, for the first time in the Russian history.

Moscow Domodedovo Airport creates an enterprises specialized in offering a full range of services for passengers and airlines. The Passenger Terminal is a modern terminal offering services that meet high international standards. Few good international restaurant and variety of fast food outlets are available at the airport. The gift shops and book stores are within reach for those who plan for a last minute shopping. The toilets are well maintained too. I kept staring at the toilet door which are uniquely designed. A job well done by the toilet designer.

There's even more shops and coffee station at the waiting gate. I reached Gate A01 quite early still. A01 boarding gate recorded my last few minutes at the Russian soil before departing home. What a pleasant journey I have been in Russian 2 important cities, Moscow and St Petersburg. I'm counting my days accompanied with a deep prayer for me to be healthy and financial capable to return to Russia with my beloved family. Till next time, Moscow... adios!