An abnormal situation on an abnormal road to an abnormal airport in an abnormal country

It's really no joke to say that everything is harder in Russia. Take getting to the airport. This week, the main road that leads to Sheremetyevo Airport northwest of the city -- and still the major one -- has had to have emergency road work done. Since it is chancey to drive there as it is, this development has been catastrophic. The Moscow Times reports that there have been huge delays, and even Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has had to get involved.

And then there's this nugget:

Sheremetyevo director Mikhail Vasilenko said on his blog Wednesday that City Hall had intentionally blocked off the roads in order to undermine Sheremetyevo and support rival airport Vnukovo, which is opening a new terminal in July.

Vasilenko sent a complaint to the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service, which has opened an investigation into whether the traffic problems are linked with the Vnukovo terminal opening.

“In a normal economy, this would be an abnormal situation,” said Andrei Golomozin, the service’s deputy director, Interfax reported. “Those who are responsible should be punished. I am not sure whether it will fall into the realm of anti-monopoly law.”

“An intervention by the country’s top officials will normalize everything quickly.” Vasilenko said Thursday.

All very amusing, especially as we are supposedto fly out of there next week.