Russian aviation authorities plan to legalize overbooking on flights

Russian aviation authorities plan to legalize overbooking on flights, allowing airlines to sell more tickets than available seats, primarily on high-frequency routes, with compensation and alternative arrangements for affected passengers.

Consensus

The Russian Ministry of Transport is preparing legislative changes to legalize overbooking on domestic flights.
Overbooking will be allowed only on routes with high flight frequency.
Passengers who cannot board due to overbooking will be offered alternative flights, compensation, and comfortable waiting conditions.
The Ministry of Transport is discussing the proposal with airlines and consumer protection groups.
The process is expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Overbooking is currently not legally regulated in Russia but is widely practiced.
Airlines may benefit financially from overbooking due to expected no-shows.
The Ministry has studied international overbooking practices and considers them beneficial for passengers.
A January court ruling declared overbooking by S7 Airlines illegal due to systematic overselling beyond aircraft capacity.

Points of divergence

Airlines may offer a 50–70% discount for tickets sold under overbooking schemes and must inform passengers in advance about the risk of not boarding. — vm
Certain passenger categories, such as families with children, large families, and people with disabilities, will be protected from overbooking. — interfax
The Ministry of Transport has already concluded that overbooking is beneficial for passengers based on international experience. — novaya_eu
The Ministry of Transport also plans to more than double the number of restricted airspace zones in Russia. — fontanka

Coverage (16 sources)

Russian airlines will be allowed to sell more tickets than there are seats on a plane — The Moscow Times
It has become known when overbooking may be legalized in Russia — Вести
Ministry of Transport will begin discussion of overbooking law project in September — Интерфакс
In Russia, overbooking on flights will be legalized — Новая газета Европа
In Russia, overbooking will be legalized: how it will work — Вечерняя Москва
Overbooking on flights will be regulated in Russia — Фонтанка
Overbooking on flights will be officially allowed in Russia — Новости Москвы
Ministry of Transport wants to legalize overbooking on flights to Russia — Ведомости
Overbooking officially allowed in Russia. Airlines plan to allow selling more tickets than there are seats in the plane. — Первый Московский
Ministry of Transport plans to allow overbooking on routes with a large number of flights — Вести
Ministry of Transport of Russia plans to legalize overbooking on flights — Вечерняя Москва
Ministry of Transport prepares to legalize overbooking on flights in Russia — РИАМО
Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation plans to legalize overbooking on flights — Москва 24
Ministry of Transport plans to legalize overbooking on flights in Russia — Коммерсантъ
Nikitin: Ministry of Transport intends to legalize overbooking on flights in the Russian Federation — Вести
Ministry of Transport prepares to legalize overbooking on flights. — РИА Новости (Telegram)

Russian aviation authorities plan to legalize overbooking on flights

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (16 sources)

Key entities

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