Naked man attempts to board Moscow flight, claims clothes affect 'agility'

Aerodynamic: The man who was a native of Yakutsk claimed his clothing impaired his ability to fly. Photo / RT

In Russia, a naked passenger has been arrested for stripping down in preparation for his flight.

The 38-year-old man was captured in the buff at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, videotaped by fellow passengers.

Queueing for the Ural Airlines flight in nothing but his birthday suit, a chase ensued when airport police pursued the man onto the air bridge, reported the The Moscow Times.

Fellow passengers seemed either oblivious or undisturbed to the man's lack of clothes.
The police were less relaxed about his public nudity.

The video captures the moment the man is handcuffed, still naked, by airport security.

Talking to REN TV, one of those waiting for the plane said: "He shouted that he was naked because clothing impairs the aerodynamics of the body. He flies with more agility when undressed."

Witnesses claim, apart from the odd statement about "aerodynamics", the passenger appeared sober and completely lucid.

In a statement issued by the Presse Service of the Interior Ministry says the man "was taken to the airport's medical room and then was hospitalized in a medical facility.

"The offender is a native of Yakutsk but lives in the Moscow region."

Domodedovo is one of three major airports serving the Russian Capital and is the second busiest in Russia.

At the beginning of the month the airport announced a new partnership with the animal welfare charity Second Life, launching a therapy dog programme to alleviate flight anxiety.

The airport has created a dedicated area to house four dogs for passengers to visit.

"Our airport invited four-legged friends to de-stress travellers. We are planning on conducting several similar meetings during the year," said Daria Korshonuva, PR director for the airport.

It is not clear if the naturist passenger passing through Domodedovo was suffering from flight anxiety but the episode was definitely "barking".