Uzbekistan Airways reduces flight frequencies to Russia due to jet fuel shortage

Photo: Domodedovo Airport

Uzbekistan Airways, the nation’s flagship carrier, has announced a reduction in flight frequencies on several routes to Russia. The airline’s statement, issued on June 12, attributes the decision to a shortage of jet fuel and its rising costs.

Russia represents the primary international market for Uzbekistan Airways. Currently, the carrier operates flights to 17 Russian cities from the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, as well as from Andijan, Bukhara, Karshi, Fergana, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand, Termez and Urgench.

The frequency reductions and cancellations of certain flights on Russian routes are temporary measures, an aviation industry source in Uzbekistan told CentralAsia+Aero. The full recovery of the route network is expected in late July.

The jet fuel shortage in the Russian market became evident in early June when the Russian government imposed an export ban effective until November 30, 2026. On June 13, the state news agency RIA Novosti cited recommendations from the Federal Air Transport Agency that refueling for foreign carriers in Mineralnye Vody, Makhachkala, Nizhny Novgorod, and several other cities is subject to prior approval and restricted to the exact volume required for the flight.