One of Russia's major airlines says it is running short of jet fuel
A Russian airport (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Russian airline Azimuth has complained of a critical shortage of aviation fuel. The deficit and sharp rise in prices threaten widespread flight disruptions, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
Since the beginning of June, procurement prices for aviation kerosene in Russia have risen by an average of 17%. At the same time, actual supply volumes have fallen by about one-third compared to the amounts agreed upon in contracts.
The largest increase was recorded at Makhachkala Airport. There, fuel prices surged by 64%. The airline has already warned that fuel shortages could lead to flight cancellations on routes to the Caucasus.
The company sounds the alarm over fuel shortages
At the beginning of summer, Azimuth's key supplier reduced fuel deliveries by 30%. It explained the move by citing "force majeure circumstances" at several oil refineries.
The airline itself links the current situation to logistics problems and repair work at oil refineries. Attempts to find alternative suppliers have failed: the company's requests are either ignored or it is offered fuel at prices several times higher than normal.
The airline described the situation as paradoxical. While aviation fuel prices worldwide have been falling for a third consecutive month, they are rising sharply in Russia.
Fuel problems in the aggressor country emerged several months ago. Earlier, dozens of Russian regions introduced restrictions on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel due to growing shortages.
Reuters reported that, due to gasoline shortages, Russia is considering importing fuel by sea. Fuel shortages have already been officially acknowledged in occupied Crimea and in a number of regions in Siberia.
