Airports within Russia have implemented fuel loading controls for both domestic and foreign airlines. Only the amount of aviation fuel necessary to complete the current flight is permitted to be refueled.
For example, at Pulkovo Airport, fueling is strictly carried out according to flight operation plans, with no additional fuel provided. This restriction took effect on September 2, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until March 16, 2027. Similar regulations have been introduced at other airports—some apply universally to all airlines, others target only foreign carriers, while some prohibit over-fueling even after prior negotiation.
Oleg Panteleev, Director of Aviation Portal "AviaPort" and an aviation expert, revealed to the media that such measures had already been under consideration earlier this summer due to constraints on aviation fuel production capacity at certain refineries. Fueling facility operators still maintain fuel reserves, and the imposition of restrictions aims to prevent premature depletion of inventory and ensure the smooth execution of flight schedules.
Panteleev stated that this measure does not threaten flight safety and primarily targets the practice of "cross-station fuel arbitrage." Some airlines previously over-fuel at airports where fuel prices are lower, leveraging price differences between airports to reduce operating costs. Required mandatory fuel reserves for weather changes, holding patterns, and diversion to alternate airports will still be maintained during fuel calculations. According to Panteleev’s assessment, this policy is unlikely to lead to a significant increase in ticket prices.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876077983582220/
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