Russia turns off the tap: foreign airlines face refueling restrictions — no more extra kerosene
Mineralnye Vody, Makhachkala, Nizhny Novgorod — three airports are now subject to the new rules. The reason: carriers were buying excessive fuel, disrupting local logistics. At the same time, Russia banned aviation kerosene exports until November 30.
As reported by CCTV+, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) has imposed restrictions on refueling foreign airlines at several Russian airports after foreign carriers increasingly began purchasing excess fuel to reduce operating costs, local media reported on Saturday. Rosaviatsiya stated that foreign airlines must now coordinate fuel purchases with local suppliers, and refueling volumes must not exceed the amount needed for the scheduled flight. The measures apply, among others, to the airports of Mineralnye Vody, Makhachkala and Nizhny Novgorod.
The agency said that in an effort to cut operating costs, foreign carriers were refueling at Russian airports in volumes significantly exceeding their actual fuel needs, affecting local fuel supply planning and logistics. The move comes amid growing volatility in global fuel markets. Tensions in the Middle East have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key waterway for oil and LNG exports from Gulf countries — leading to higher global fuel prices and a shortage of aviation fuel. In early June, the Russian government imposed a ban on aviation kerosene exports, including fuel purchased on exchange, effective until November 30.
Aviation fuel (kerosene) is a critical resource for aviation. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint through which about 20% of global oil passes. Disruption there affects global supply chains. Russia, as a major energy producer, is trying to protect its domestic market from shortages. The export ban and restrictions on foreign carriers are measures to keep fuel for domestic use.
When foreign planes land in Russia and take on more kerosene than they need, they save their own money. But Russian logistics pays the price: fuel that could serve domestic flights flies away in the wings of foreign airliners. Now Rosaviatsiya says: enough.
Only as needed, only coordinated, no reserves "just in case." In a world where fuel prices rise before your eyes and straits are blocked by missiles, every ton of kerosene is worth its weight in gold. Russia is solving its problems with tough rules.
Foreign airlines will have to get used to it: cheap "refuel anywhere" is no more.
