Russian airports have restricted aircraft refueling due to the fuel crisis
Russia is imposing widespread restrictions on aircraft refueling due to the fuel crisis. Such measures are already in effect at 26 airports—from Kaliningrad to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
According to data from the air navigation information system, the first restrictions were introduced back in June, and a new wave of restrictions took effect in September.
The duration of these measures varies by airport and ranges from one to nearly seven months.
Specifically, at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, until March 2027, aircraft may refuel only in accordance with their flight plans, without additional fuel.
Similar rules have been established at Khorobrovo Airport in Kaliningrad, where the restrictions will remain in effect until December.
Thus, even major Russian aviation hubs are forced to adjust their aircraft refueling procedures due to fuel shortages.
At 15 of the 26 airports, the restrictions apply exclusively to foreign airlines.
Airport announcements state: “Refuelling of aircraft operated by foreign companies is limited to the amount necessary for a single flight.”
These rules are in effect, in particular, at airports in Kazan, Ufa, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Tyumen, Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, and Yakutsk.
Under these conditions, foreign aircraft can receive only enough fuel to complete their scheduled flight, without building up an additional reserve.
The widespread introduction of refueling limits indicates serious problems with the availability of aviation fuel in Russia.
This is reported by Russian media.
Russia is unable to cope with the fuel crisis in its domestic market, caused by strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on its oil infrastructure. According to ISW estimates, attacks on Russian oil refineries are having an increasingly severe impact on the country’s fuel supply.
Russian dictator Vova Putin called the country’s fuel crisis “inconveniences” and shifted the blame onto the government.
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