Vnukovo to acquire 25% of Domodedovo airport

Moscow«s Vnukovo Airport will become a co-owner of Domodedovo and will manage it jointly with Sheremetyevo. First, media sources reported the deal, then it was officially confirmed. MSK1.RU discussed with an aviation expert what will change for passengers, whether prices will rise, and the state of Russian aviation.

Deal details

Vnukovo is buying 25% of the shares of Perspektiva LLC (a subsidiary of Sheremetyevo), which controls Domodedovo. As reported in a joint statement by Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo, the transaction amount will be 16.5 billion rubles (approximately $174 million at current exchange rates).

Sheremetyevo CEO Mikhail Vasilenko stated that the decision is aimed at «revitalizing the Moscow aviation hub».

«Domodedovo remains an extremely complex facility with chronic problems, high risks, significant debt burden and losses,» noted Mikhail Vasilenko.

Indeed, the airport«s current debt is 75 billion rubles (approximately $789 million at current exchange rates).

As explained by Vnukovo board chairman Vitaly Vantsev, the deal was made to increase the efficiency of the Moscow aviation hub and ensure a high level of service for passengers and airlines.

«It is worth noting that Vnukovo and Domodedovo are close in a number of parameters, including passenger traffic volume and size. We can share our experience in aircraft maintenance, cargo complex management, catering and baggage handling systems. The horizons for cooperation are wide,» he said.

One source from RBC reported that Vnukovo expects to recoup the investment in about 10 years. At the same time, the airport refused to buy Domodedovo in January when Sheremetyevo raised the price at auction.

Perspektiva LLC acquired Domodedovo airport in January at a repeat auction for 66.1 billion rubles (approximately $696 million at current exchange rates). That turned out to be half the initial valuation.

Domodedovo was sold after it was nationalized in the summer of 2025 due to «foreign influence».

What will change for passengers

MSK1.RU asked Andrey Patrakov, founder of the flight safety and certification service for unmanned and light aircraft RunAvia.ru, whether passengers will feel the changes from the deal. According to him, the new partnership will allow the renovation of Domodedovo airport, which needs reconstruction.

As for ticket prices, the combined owners may start dictating rates to airlines, but the cost still depends largely on the overall state of the industry. It is currently not in the best shape, says the aviation expert.

«We don«t have enough aircraft, the situation is exacerbated by sanctions and the fuel crisis. This affects much more than rates associated with airport services,» said Patrakov.

MSK1.RU recently reported on how import substitution is progressing in Russian aviation. Manufacturers promise to replace all aircraft with domestic ones, but again are cutting plans.