New air travel rules in Russia: what has changed for Ashgabat passengers

New federal aviation regulations expanding passenger rights have come into force in Russia. The new rules will also apply to citizens of Turkmenistan using the services of Russian airlines, ATOR reports.

One of the key changes is the official equalization of electronic tickets with paper ones. Now, airlines are obliged to indicate tariff conditions more transparently and clearly at the time of booking: this includes the amount of fees for changes and refunds, as well as the procedure to follow if a flight segment cannot be completed.

The list of grounds for involuntary ticket refunds has been clarified. It includes flight cancellation, delays of more than 30 minutes, flight departure earlier than the time indicated on the ticket, and airline errors in documentation.

The new rules establish clear timeframes for providing assistance to passengers in case of delays. For a 2-hour wait, water must be provided within 1 hour; for a 5-6 hour wait, hot meals must be provided; and for a delay of 9-10 hours during the day or 7-8 hours at night, hotel accommodation must be ensured.

Benefits for families with children have also been introduced. The airline is obliged to provide free adjacent seats for children under 12 traveling with adults. For children aged 2 to 12 who are Russian citizens, a 50% discount on the fare has been introduced for domestic flights. This benefit does not apply to business class or state-subsidized routes.

The possibility of retaining subsequent flight segments in case of missing the first flight has been separately regulated. The passenger must notify the airline within 2 hours of missing the flight, provided the next flight is at least one day later.

The new rules apply to passengers using flights of Russian airlines. The Russian carrier S7 Airlines already operates direct flights on the Moscow – Ashgabat route, and from March 31, 2026, a new route — Novosibirsk – Ashgabat — will open.