Russia Imposes Flight Altitude Limits and Transit Bans Over Moscow

Russia’s federal aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, has cut the maximum flight altitude over Moscow’s airports to 4,900 meters (16,080 feet) and banned transit flights through the zone, as reported by the Russian business daily Kommersant.

These restrictions apply to civil, experimental, and state aviation, affecting both Russian and foreign airlines. They are in effect within the Moscow Terminal Control Area, which includes Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Domodedovo airports. Rosaviatsia stated that the restrictions were introduced from July 11 through August 12 “to ensure flight safety.”

Sources indicate that Russia’s Defense Ministry pushed for these restrictions in response to an increase in Ukrainian drone attacks since spring. Experts and sources polled by the outlet identified several potential consequences: the ban on transit flights will significantly reduce traffic through the Moscow airports zone; the lower altitude will increase fuel consumption and add 5–15 minutes to flight times per route; transit detour times will increase by at least 20–30 minutes; and the lower permitted flight altitude raises the risk of bird strikes.

Experts believe the Moscow restrictions are unlikely to be lifted before the war ends and may spread to other regions. In June, Rosaviatsia, at the Defense Ministry’s request, also banned flights by light and ultralight aircraft, as well as civilian drones, at altitudes up to 5,200 meters in several regions of central Russia, a ban that remains in effect “until further notice.”