Moscow Domodedovo (DME) Airport Guide
from www.anyairportcarhire.com
SUMMARY
Domodedovo Airport is one of the main airports in the Russian capital Moscow along with Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports. It is the largest airport in Russia and dealt with more than 20 million passengers in 2008, while also transporting a lot of cargo. Moscow Domodedovo Airport is a hub for some of the biggest airlines in Russia including Transaero Airlines and was first airport in Russia to have parallel runways operating at the same time. Although the airport only has one terminal building (split into an international and domestic terminal with two piers and 22 jetways) a second terminal is being built and there are plans to build a further two terminals over the next few years. This will take passenger capacity to well over 30 million people.
HISTORY
Moscow Domodedovo Airport started life in 1964 handling domestic flights within the Soviet Union. The airport is run by a private company yet the runways are controlled by the state. In the 1990s Moscow Domodedovo Airport took over as the most important airport in Russia from Sheremetyevo airport and many international companies started using it. They included British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines and Thai Airways International. The national carrier Aeroflot also moved some of its cargo operations from Sheremetyevo to Domodedovo.
In 2003 Moscow Domodedovo Airport was renovated so that it was more suitable for large aircraft. This involved enlarging taxiways and the runway while more parking lots were created for passengers. A new air traffic control meant that over 70 flights could take off every hour. In 2009 Moscow Domodedovo Airport got the New Large Aircraft (NLA) operations approval and became the first airport in Russia which could accommodate large aircraft like the Airbus A380. Over the last five years passenger traffic at the airport has been increasing significantly.
DIRECTIONS
Moscow Domodedovo Airport is located in the Domodedovsky District of Moscow Oblast, more than 25 miles to the south east of the city centre. It is easy to get to the airport as long as you avoid the notorious Moscow traffic. You just take the Kashirskoe Highway until it becomes the Domodedovo Airport Road.
FACILITIES
Airport information desks are located throughout the international and domestic terminal where you can pick up maps of the airport. There is also an automated telephone inquiry system with both Russian and English instructions on 095 720 6666. In the main terminal you will find the head office of the Russian airline Transaero. Meanwhile the tourist information Travel Center is in the international flight arrival area at counters 73 and 74.
Moscow Domodedovo Airport is ideal for business travellers as it has five business departure lounges. Among them are the Navigator Club Lounge which is operated by BA and has Wi-Fi Internet, complementary food and drink, showers and massage chairs. There are also several meeting rooms which you can hire.
SHOPPING
Passengers should know that there are no food or shopping options on the ground floor of the main terminal(or seats for that matter), it is all located on the second floor. As well as the usual selection of beauty products you can also buy toys and gifts so it is not a bad place to stock up on souvenirs before you leave the country. There are several restaurants, cafes and bars where you can get traditional Russian food as well as Japanese food.
DUTY FREE
Russians love shopping and you will find plenty of good opportunities to buy high-quality goods for low prices at Moscow Domodedovo Airport. The company of fashion designer Coco Chanel has opened a huge shop in duty-free which offers clothes, cosmetics, perfumes and more. Duty free is only available if you are taking an international flight.
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