(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) — Domodedovo Airport just changed hands, and that can trickle down to higher airport fees, shuffled airline schedules, and a different day-to-day experience the next time you fly through Moscow. Sheremetyevo International Airport, via its subsidiary Perspektiva LLC, has agreed to buy nationalized Domodedovo Airport after a state-run auction. If you’re booking flights to or through Moscow in 2026, plan for transition-period turbulence and watch for carrier moves between airports.
The deal is a big step toward consolidation in Moscow’s airport system. In practical terms, fewer independent airport operators can mean less pricing pressure on things like passenger charges and airline operating fees. Those costs often show up in ticket prices.
Overview of the transaction
Perspektiva LLC, a Sheremetyevo International Airport subsidiary, won the Domodedovo Airport auction on January 29, 2026. The winning bid was 66.1 billion rubles, commonly reported as roughly $850 million to $880 million depending on currency conversion.
The purchase agreement was signed February 9, 2026. The buyer worked with PSB Bank on the transaction. The auction followed a failed first attempt on January 20, when the state set a starting price of 132 billion rubles and received no bids.
Why travelers should care: Domodedovo is one of Moscow’s main commercial airports. Ownership changes often bring revised vendor contracts, new ground handling priorities, and reworked terminal plans. Those can affect queues, on-time performance, and even which airport your airline chooses long term.
Auction process and terms: what the fine print means for operations
The first auction round failed. The government then reset the starting price for the second round. That reset cleared the way for bidders, and Sheremetyevo’s subsidiary ultimately prevailed.
Here are the key terms that matter for a handover:
- The contract required signing a sale agreement within five days.
- Ownership transfer was required within 30 days after payment.
- A 26.45 billion ruble deposit was at risk if deadlines were missed.
That deposit-and-deadline structure is designed to force a clean, fast closing. For airlines and airport vendors, speed cuts both ways. It can reduce uncertainty, but it also compresses transition planning.
In the real world, carriers and on-airport businesses watch a few pressure points during an ownership switch:
- Aeronautical charges: landing, passenger, and security-related fees.
- Ground handling continuity: staffing, equipment, and training.
- Slots and gate access: how peak-hour allocations are managed.
- IT and common-use systems: check-in desks, bag systems, and DCS integration.
- Commercial terms: lounges, catering, and retail contracts.
If you’re a passenger, the earliest “tells” are usually longer lines, more manual processes, or sudden terminal reshuffles.
Before/After: what changes for the Moscow airport market
This is not a route launch or a new seat product. It’s a market-structure change. That’s why the biggest travel impact is indirect.
| Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership structure | Domodedovo operated outside Sheremetyevo’s control | Sheremetyevo-linked ownership via Perspektiva LLC |
| Competitive dynamics in Moscow | Major airports had more separate negotiating positions | More consolidated bargaining power with airlines and vendors |
| Transition risk for travelers | Stable operational playbook under existing management | Integration period with potential service and process changes |
Price variations and reporting: why the USD numbers don’t match
You’ll see multiple dollar amounts for the same 66.1 billion ruble price. That’s normal when outlets convert rubles to dollars using different dates, cutoffs, or exchange rates. Some reports round aggressively. Others use intraday rates.
It’s also easy to over-read those spreads. What matters more is the total financial load tied to Domodedovo’s recovery. Airport turnarounds require capital spending, system upgrades, and often incentive packages to retain or attract airlines.
If you’re watching what this means for fares, don’t fixate on whether the deal was “$854 million” or “$880 million.” Watch what happens next with charges and investment.
Post-auction steps and commitments: what could change first for passengers
Formal results were expected to be announced January 30, right after the auction. Then comes the operational reality of switching control.
Typical early milestones include:
- Governance changes and board appointments
- Contract reviews with airlines and vendors
- Revalidation of security and service providers
- Budget decisions for repairs and IT systems
Sheremetyevo has described a “rehabilitation” plan for Domodedovo. The stated goals include:
- Simplifying a 25-company corporate structure
- Improving service quality
- Restoring profitability
- Maintaining staff employment
For travelers, the first visible changes often show up in three areas:
- Check-in and bag drop: staffing levels and technology reliability.
- Terminal allocations: airlines may be moved to balance flows.
- Irregular operations handling: rebooking desks, hotel vouchers, and communication.
If your flight is disrupted, airport-level execution matters as much as the airline’s policies. A well-run transfer desk and functioning bag system save hours.
📅 Key Date: January 29, 2026 was the auction win date. The purchase agreement was signed February 9, 2026, with transfer timelines tied to payment.
Background on nationalization: why this sale happened at all
Domodedovo ended up in a state-directed sale after a June 2025 court ruling ordered nationalization. The stated rationale centered on the owners’ foreign residency status and ineligibility to manage the asset under the court’s view.
A Supreme Court challenge was filed January 23, 2026, contesting that ruling. Meanwhile, the airport operated under state management.
Domodedovo entered this transition under financial stress. Reported figures included:
- Annual losses of about 10 billion rubles
- Debt of more than 75 billion rubles
- 13.8 million passengers in 2025, about half its peak
That combination matters to your travel experience. Airports under financial strain often defer upgrades first. That can mean tired terminals, slower security infrastructure renewals, and less resilience when schedules unravel.
It also matters to airlines. If an airport is trying to stabilize finances, carriers may face pressure through higher charges or fewer incentives. Those costs can ripple into route decisions and fares.
Buyer profile and strategic context: why Sheremetyevo’s influence matters
Sheremetyevo’s ownership includes TPS Avia Holding and a 30% government stake. Governance shapes priorities. It affects everything from capital spending pace to how aggressively an airport negotiates with airlines.
Sheremetyevo’s leadership framed the Domodedovo purchase as a core business move aimed at creating opportunities for passengers and airlines, even in a challenging market.
There’s a consumer upside case here. A consolidated operator can coordinate traffic flows, standardize systems, and invest where it sees the biggest operational payoff. That can reduce missed connections and smooth peak-hour congestion.
But consolidation also carries near-monopoly risk. When fewer airports compete for airline business, it can weaken airlines’ negotiating leverage. Over time, that can contribute to:
- Higher airport charges
- Less aggressive incentive deals for new routes
- Reduced pressure to improve service quickly
Operationally, Moscow’s air system has also faced heightened disruption and security concerns in recent years, including drone-related risks. In that environment, coordination can help. It can also centralize decision-making.
Who’s affected — and who isn’t
Most affected
- Travelers who routinely fly through Domodedovo Airport for domestic connections.
- Passengers with tight turnarounds, late-night arrivals, or winter operations.
- Airlines with large Domodedovo schedules, especially those sensitive to airport fee changes.
- Lounge users and premium passengers, since lounge contracts can be renegotiated.
Less affected
- Travelers flying exclusively through Sheremetyevo International Airport who never connect at Domodedovo.
- Passengers using Vnukovo on itineraries that don’t touch Domodedovo.
- Travelers connecting in Europe or the Gulf instead of Moscow.
Schengen and investor-visa readers should also think about airport choice. If you’re transiting Moscow to reach Europe, schedule padding matters. Missed connections can collide with fixed appointment times. That includes consulate visits and visa center slots.
How to protect your trip (and your points) during the transition
If you’re booking cash tickets:
- Favor itineraries with longer layovers in Moscow, especially in winter.
- Avoid last-flight-of-the-day connections when possible.
- Consider refundable fares if you must connect at Domodedovo during peak periods.
If you’re booking with miles:
- Award tickets are great for flexibility when plans shift, but rules vary widely.
- Some programs allow free changes on awards. Others charge redeposit fees.
- Save screenshots of schedule details after ticketing.
On mileage earning, the airport transaction itself doesn’t change your earning rate. Your airline and fare class still control that. The indirect risk is schedule churn. If your flight is retimed or rerouted to a different airport, reissues can change fare buckets. That can affect elite credit on some programs.
⚠️ Heads Up: In airport transitions, airline schedule changes tend to arrive in waves. Recheck your reservation weekly if you’re traveling to Moscow in spring and summer 2026.
In the next few months, watch three signals: any announced changes to airport charges, meaningful airline schedule reallocations between Moscow airports, and whether Domodedovo’s day-of-travel reliability improves as the new operator settles in. If you’re booking a Moscow connection for March or April 2026, choose a longer layover now, before the next schedule update forces you into a tight connection you didn’t plan.
Sheremetyevo International Airport Buys Domodedovo from Perspektiva LLC
Sheremetyevo Airport has acquired Domodedovo Airport for 66.1 billion rubles, marking a strategic consolidation of Moscow’s aviation market. This follows the 2025 nationalization of Domodedovo due to ownership disputes. The new management plans to rehabilitate the airport’s finances and operations. Passengers should prepare for potential fee increases, terminal reshuffles, and service changes during the transition period throughout 2026, particularly affecting domestic and connecting flights.
