airBaltic Denies Russian Fuel Breach Allegations
airBaltic has firmly refuted recent claims by a news website that it purchased Russian fuel in violation of EU sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. According to an article published on March 13, 2025, by Verstka, the airline allegedly attempted to purchase Russian fuel on 28 separate occasions between February 2022 and March 2024. Verstka’s report asserts that while airBaltic was successful on 13 of those occasions, 15 transactions were reportedly cancelled. The report even cited a customs expert who warned that a cancellation did not necessarily confirm that no fuel had been released abroad.
However, airBaltic has vehemently denied these allegations. The airline stated to AeroTime that “the aforementioned database does not provide complete and verifiable information about the company’s transactions,” distancing itself from what it deems unfounded claims. In its official statement, airBaltic emphasized that “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 clarified that the last payments made to Gazpromneft-Aero occurred in March and April 2022 for services rendered in March 2022—prior to the implementation of sanctions. Similarly, regarding allegations involving Tatneft, airBaltic explained that the “last payment was made in November 2021, i.e. before the start of the war.”
EU sanctions banning the transportation of fuel originating in Russia were introduced in June 2022 as part of a broader package intended to weaken President Vladimir Putin’s government. The original sanction document explicitly prohibits the purchase, import, or transfer of crude oil and petroleum products originating from Russia, although it does include an exception for “one-off transactions for near-term delivery” concluded before February 5, 2023. Notably, Verstka’s article mentioned that some transactions alleged to have taken place in early 2022—before the sanctions were in effect—were highlighted in the report. Verstka claimed that airBaltic purchased fuel from Gazpromneft-Aero in February and March 2022 and subsequently from Tatneft on 11 occasions in 2023, while also noting 15 cancelled purchases spanning 2022 to 2024.
The Russian news website stated that its information was sourced from two databases: ImportGenius and an unnamed system that logs Russian foreign economic activity. It also suggested that, according to a customs expert, cancelled transactions might not preclude the possibility that Russian fuel was exported to a third country and then delivered to Latvia by alternate transport methods.
airBaltic’s response has been unequivocal. In an additional statement posted on social media, the airline reiterated: “We would like to inform that airBaltic does not make fuel payments to companies from Russia. Furthermore, airBaltic does not cooperate with and has no contractual relations with Russian fuel suppliers.” The carrier stressed that since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent implementation of EU fuel import sanctions, it has maintained strict adherence to the restrictions.
By denying any involvement with Russian fuel suppliers and clarifying the timeline of its fuel transactions, airBaltic aims to safeguard its reputation and reinforce its compliance with EU sanctions. As the dispute continues, the airline remains confident that its record and transparency will dispel the allegations, ensuring that its operations remain fully compliant with international regulatory standards.
Related News : https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/?s=airBaltic