airBaltic Refutes Allegations of Breaching EU Fuel Sanctions
airBaltic Denies Allegations of Purchasing Russian Fuel Amid EU Sanctions
In a strong rebuttal to recent claims, airBaltic has categorically denied allegations from the news website Verstka, which suggested that the airline violated EU sanctions by purchasing Russian fuel. These sanctions were implemented following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The dispute highlights the ongoing scrutiny of airlines and their compliance with international regulations regarding fuel sourcing.
According to Verstka’s article published on March 13, 2025, airBaltic allegedly attempted to acquire Russian fuel on 28 occasions between February 2022 and March 2024. The report claims that the airline successfully completed 13 transactions but canceled 15 others. However, it is essential to note that a customs expert quoted by Verstka indicated that cancellation of a transaction does not necessarily imply that the goods were not exported.
Understanding EU Sanctions on Russian Fuel
The EU imposed sanctions banning the purchase and transportation of fuel from Russia in June 2022, aimed at diminishing the resources available to President Vladimir Putin’s government. As outlined in the original EU sanction document, it is prohibited to purchase, import, or transfer crude oil or petroleum products originating from Russia. However, the sanctions did allow for "one-off transactions for near-term delivery" that were finalized before February 5, 2023.
It remains unclear why Verstka is emphasizing transactions purportedly made before the sanctions were enacted. The article alleges that airBaltic procured fuel from Gazpromneft-Aero in early 2022 and from Tatneft in 2023, despite the sanctions in place.
airBaltic’s Response to the Allegations
In response to these claims, airBaltic provided a statement to AeroTime asserting that the database referenced by Verstka lacks comprehensive and verifiable information about their transactions. The airline stated, "Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the entry into force of EU sanctions, airBaltic has not been cooperating with Russian fuel suppliers and has not made any payments to Russian companies."
The airline further clarified that its last payments to Gazpromneft-Aero occurred in March and April 2022 for services rendered prior to the sanctions. Regarding Tatneft, airBaltic confirmed that the last payment was made in November 2021, well before the war began.
airBaltic emphasized its commitment to adhering to EU sanctions, stating, "The EU sanctions restrictions on aviation fuel entered into force in June 2022, and airBaltic strictly adheres to them."
Conclusion
In light of these allegations, airBaltic reassured its customers and stakeholders through social media, stating, "airBaltic does not make fuel payments to companies from Russia and has no contractual relations with Russian fuel suppliers." The airline remains steadfast in its commitment to comply with international regulations and maintain transparency in its operations.
For more insights on airBaltic and its operations, or to learn more about the implications of EU sanctions on the aviation industry, feel free to share your thoughts or explore our related articles.
