The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said on Wednesday it had launched legal proceedings against two airlines suspected of violating federal aviation rules.

Russia’s second largest airline, Transaero, and the Urals-based Orenair “failed to provide passengers of delayed flights with the services required by federal aviation rules,” a statement on the Prosecutor General’s Office website said.

“People were not provided with drinks and hot meals. Most had no opportunity to make use of a mother-and-child room or a hotel,” the statement read.

Prosecutors also summoned representatives of S7 Airlines and Utair, both among Russia’s top five leading airlines, as well as Moscow-based VIM Airlines, who are suspected of similar violations.

Thousands of passengers were stranded at Moscow airports following an ice storm over the weekend. Hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed as severe freezing rain caused serious power outages.

Some 20,000 passengers were affected by the flight chaos, according to the Russian Tourism Association, while airport authorities put the number at 10,000.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

Some 20,000 passengers were affected by the flight chaos, according to the Russian Tourism Association, while airport authorities put the number at 10,000.
Russia’s second largest airline, Transaero, and the Urals-based Orenair “failed to provide passengers of delayed flights with the services required by federal aviation rules,”.
Most had no opportunity to make use of a mother-and-child room or a hotel,”.