The Ministry of Transport of Russia plans to complete work on legalising flight overbooking by the end of the year, Minister Andrey Nikitin said.
Speaking to state news agency TASS on August 30, Nikitin stated that the department will hold talks in September with airline representatives and consumer protection groups to discuss potential rules.
Nikitin emphasized that protecting passenger rights and creating transparent regulations for air carriers remain the primary goals of the project. He had previously disclosed the ministry's plan to establish a legal framework for ticket oversales earlier on August 30.
Understanding airline overbooking
Overbooking is a practice in the aviation industry where airlines sell more tickets than the available seat capacity on an aircraft. Commercial air carriers rely on historical statistical data to estimate the proportion of booked passengers who will fail to show up for their scheduled flights.
When more passengers arrive at the boarding gate than expected, airlines must deny entry to ticket holders. In established travel markets, bumped travelers are entitled to financial compensation, hotel vouchers, or seats on alternative flights. In Russia, the absence of explicit statutory rules has caused ongoing regulatory uncertainty for both travelers and airlines.
Role of transport regulators
The Ministry of Transport of Russia is the government department responsible for creating policy and statutory standards for civil aviation, maritime shipping, railways, and road networks across the nation. State news agency TASS, headquartered in Moscow, is Russia's primary national news provider for government announcements and legal developments.
Consumer protection organisations in Russia advocate for traveler rights, seeking clear rules regarding compensation, ticket refunds, and carrier obligations during flight disruptions. Their participation in the upcoming talks aims to ensure passenger interests are represented during rule drafting.
Following the planned September consultation sessions with airlines and consumer advocates, ministry officials will refine the draft regulations. The ministry expects to complete the entire legislative and regulatory process before the end of December 2026.
