Uzbekistan Airways scales back flights to Russia amid severe fuel shortages

According to company officials, the decision to trim the flight schedule stems directly from an ongoing deficit and the rising cost of aviation fuel. The optimization measures will affect a portion of routes servicing several Russian cities, including selected flight frequencies to major transit hubs such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Passengers holding tickets for any of the canceled flights will be eligible for compensation and alternative travel arrangements. Uzbekistan Airways is offering complimentary rebooking services, allowing travelers to transfer their departure to the next available scheduled flight on the same route without any additional fees. Alternatively, affected customers can claim a full monetary refund without facing cancellation penalties.

Refund processing is handled at the original point of purchase. For passengers who booked their travel directly through the official website or mobile application of Uzbekistan Airways, requests for refunds must be submitted formally via email to [email protected]. The airline noted that real-time scheduling updates and new ticket purchases remain accessible through its digital platforms.

The operational scale-back comes as commercial carriers globally grapple with severe fuel constraints. Airlines worldwide have been forced to cancel thousands of flights due to jet fuel prices more than doubling, a trend heavily exacerbated by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The escalation has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint responsible for the transit of 20%–25% of global maritime oil supplies. Local private operators are experiencing similar financial strains; earlier this spring, Uzbek private airline Centrum Air introduced higher fuel surcharges on select international routes to offset the impact of volatile global energy markets on its direct operating expenses.

Compounding the regional supply crunch, the Russian government implemented a temporary ban on the export of aviation kerosene, effective until November 30. The restriction covers all fuel shipments, including volume units purchased through open commodities exchange auctions.

However, the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan clarified that the temporary Russian export ban will not directly disrupt fuel shipments bound for the domestic market. Under a standing intergovernmental agreement between Tashkent and Moscow, fuel deliveries destined for Uzbekistan are covered by a specific regulatory exemption, shielding the country from direct supply cutoffs despite broader regional market volatility.