Russia grounds Izhavia Airlines over critical safety violations

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, has imposed restrictions on Izhavia Airlines after uncovering serious safety violations. The move follows a two-week inspection at the airline’s base in Izhevsk, where regulators identified multiple breaches of aviation rules. Izhavia now faces a deadline to address the issues or risk losing its operating licence entirely. The inspection took place from March 31 to April 13 at Izhevsk Airport. Regulators found that Izhavia had cleared aircraft for flight despite incomplete maintenance. They also uncovered flaws in the airline’s safety management system, improper crew scheduling, and excessive working hours for technical staff.

As a result, Rosaviatsia restricted Izhavia’s air operator certificate until July 28, 2026. The airline must submit a detailed corrective action plan by the same date. If the violations remain unresolved, the certificate will be permanently revoked. Izhavia CEO Alexander Sinelnikov admitted the breaches and confirmed the company is working on fixes. The airline has already set up an internal commission to review safety rules and launched an unscheduled audit of maintenance training. Additional measures include dual inspections for technical servicing, a ban on flights for aircraft with unresolved issues, and revised staff scheduling. Regulators also recommended broader changes, such as overhauling safety protocols, restructuring personnel, and conducting an internal audit of maintenance divisions.

Izhavia now has until July 2026 to implement all required corrections. The airline’s ability to continue operations depends on meeting Rosaviatsia’s demands. Failure to comply will result in the loss of its operating licence.