MOSCOW, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsiya has introduced restrictions on aircraft refueling for foreign airlines at several airports across the country after overseas carriers increasingly purchased excess fuel to reduce operating costs, local media reported Saturday.
Rosaviatsiya said in a statement that foreign airlines are now required to coordinate fuel purchases with local suppliers, and refueling volumes must not exceed the amount necessary for the planned flight. The measures apply to airports in the cities of Mineralnye Vody, Makhachkala and Nizhny Novgorod, among others.
In a bid to reduce operating expenses, foreign carriers are refueling at Russian airports in volumes far exceeding their actual flight needs, which is impacting local fuel supply planning and logistics, said the agency.
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 liquefied natural gas exports from the Gulf countries, driving up global fuel prices and triggering aviation fuel shortages.
In early June, the Russian government introduced a ban on the export of aviation kerosene, including fuel purchased through exchange trading, which will remain in effect until Nov. 30. ■