Russian air transport regulator Rosaviatsia has imposed restrictions on the operations of leisure carrier Azur Air following an unscheduled inspection of the airline.

The inspection – from 19 February to 5 March – was undertaken over concerns about excessive flight delays and cancellations, technical issues with aircraft, and treatment of affected passengers.

Rosaviatsia is limiting the airline’s activities for a three-month period, until 8 June – and warns that the carrier faces revocation of its air operator’s certificate if the issues are not addressed.

It says the inspections paid particular attention to the state of the aircraft fleet, compliance with mandatory requirements for flight preparation and maintenance, and respect for passengers’ rights.

Rosaviatsia says the examination, by transport supervisory agency Rostransnadzor, identified a “number of violations”.

It adds that the airline’s chief, Evgency Korolev, has been informed of the situation and instructed to draw up a “clear plan” to rectify the problems.

This requires improving the level of flight safety “in the shortest possible time”, and conducting a “thorough” internal audit of its airworthiness and aircraft maintenance department.

Azur Air, which flies to 20 Russian cities and several international holiday destinations, will also have to reduce its flight schedule.

Rostransnadzor will monitor progress. Rosaviatsia says that, if the violations are not corrected by 8 June, the AOC “will be revoked”.

“An uncompromising approach to violators of flight safety regulations will always be the foundation of the agency’s work,” says Rosaviatsia chief Dmitry Yadrov.

Azur Air says it will “promptly” prepare a remedial plan and submit comprehensive data on its implementation to the regulator.

It claims its flight punctuality at the end of last year was over 90% and that the “unsatisfactory” situation in the first few weeks of 2026 is the result of “a series of unrelated aviation events”.

“In each case of unscheduled landings or returns to the departure airport, the crews’ priority was to ensure the complete safety of the flight, aircraft, and passengers,” it adds.

Azur Air insists that the restrictions imposed by Rosaviatsia will not affect the flight schedule, and all obligations to passengers are being met “in full”.