Russia restricts foreign airline refuelling at several airports

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya, has imposed restrictions on aircraft refuelling for foreign airlines at several airports across the country after foreign carriers increasingly purchased excess fuel to reduce operational costs, local media reported on Saturday. Rosaviatsiya said in a statement that foreign airlines are now required to coordinate fuel purchases with local suppliers, and refuelling volumes must not exceed the amount necessary for planned flights. These measures apply to airports in the cities of Mineralnye Vody, Makhachkala, and Nizhny Novgorod, as well as several other cities. In an effort to reduce operational costs, foreign airlines have been refuelling at Russian airports in volumes far exceeding their actual flight requirements, which has impacted local fuel supply planning and logistics, the agency said. The move comes amid increasing volatility in global fuel markets. Tensions in the Middle East have disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf countries, driving up global fuel prices and triggering aviation fuel shortages. In early June, the Russian government imposed a ban on exports of aviation turbine fuel, including fuel purchased through exchange trading, which will remain in effect until 30 November.