Uzbekistan Airways has announced a reduction in flight frequencies on several routes operating from Uzbek cities to Russia. The changes are driven by a shortage of aviation fuel and surging fuel costs, according to the carrier. The airline did not specify which exact routes would be impacted or how many flights would be cut.
When contacted, Uzbekistan Airways explained that the schedule adjustments are "highly targeted and may vary in duration depending on the specific destination." Consequently, passengers are advised to closely monitor the airline's official announcements.
"Regarding matters of aviation fuel supply and pricing, this situation is entirely driven by external factors. The airline is not providing additional commentary on this issue at this time," stated Kamola Begmatova, the company's press secretary.
Two options are available for passengers of canceled flights. They can either rebook onto the next available flights along their route free of charge without any additional fees, or obtain a full refund without penalty deductions. Refunds must be processed through the original point of purchase. Passengers who bought their tickets via the official Uzbekistan Airways website or mobile application must submit their refund requests via email.
As a reminder, Russia introduced a temporary ban on jet fuel exports in early June to stabilize its domestic fuel market. It was reported that this decision came amid tight conditions across the global jet fuel market. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aviation fuel prices spiked sharply in early 2026 following escalating tensions surrounding Iran and subsequent supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. While prices eased from their April peaks by the end of May, they remained significantly higher than late-February levels. IATA data indicates that fuel accounts for 25% to 30% of an airline's total operational expenses.
Following Russia's restrictive measures, the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan noted that an intergovernmental agreement remains in force between the two countries, meaning the export ban should not impact jet fuel imports into Uzbekistan.
A similar operational slowdown was announced by Germany's Lufthansa in April. The carrier canceled roughly 20,000 short-haul flights through October, a decision also triggered by a substantial spike in jet fuel prices.
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