Izhavia stops flying: what happens to tickets and how the empty routes will be filled

Why Izhavia had to close the skies

At the beginning of August 2024 Rosaviation officially cancelled the operator’s certificate for the Udmurt carrier. The move followed an inspection carried out at the end of July, which uncovered serious shortcomings in the flight‑safety management system. Although a three‑month grace period was granted in April to fix the findings, the critical issues remained, and the regulator refused to restore the document.

How the situation unfolded

• In March 2024 Rostransnadzor started an audit; Rosaviation then limited the certificate’s validity until 28 July, giving the airline time to make corrections.
• A follow‑up inspection still found violations, and on 31 July the certificate was annulled.
• Izhavia’s finances were already under pressure: in 2025 the carrier moved about 683 thousand passengers, but in the first half of 2026 the flow dropped by almost a quarter, to roughly 245‑250 thousand people.
• At the moment of closure almost 46 thousand tickets had been sold for flights scheduled up to February 2027, including routes from Izhevsk to Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi, Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg.

What happens to the tickets

The certificate is cancelled, but tickets already purchased stay valid. Passengers whose flights are scheduled after 1 August can expect rebooking onto other carriers. Information about the new flights and the rebooking procedure will be provided by the airlines that have agreed to take over part of the routes, as well as by the agencies through which the tickets were bought.

Who will get the “freed‑up” routes

Rosaviation has already struck deals with several big players:

• Aeroflot announced temporary discounts to accommodate Izhavia’s passengers.
• S7 Airlines, Red Wings and Nordwind also said they are ready to pick up the flights.
• In addition, a few regional carriers have been brought into the process to cover part of the schedule. These companies will use their own aircraft and timetables, so travelers may notice slight shifts in departure or arrival times, but the overall ability to reach the intended city will remain.

What ticket holders should do

1. Check the flight status – log into your account on the agency’s website where you bought the ticket, or call their support line.
2. Find out the new carrier – usually you’ll receive a letter or SMS indicating which airline will operate your flight.
3. Request a refund if the new plan doesn’t work for you – for a fully cancelled flight you are entitled to a full refund without penalties.
4. Stay tuned to the news – additional details about schedules and fares may appear during the week after 1 August.

Possible scenarios for Izhavia

• Sale of the legal entity – some sources suggest the company could be sold as a legal entity with its staff, which would simplify obtaining a new certificate for a future owner.
• Asset liquidation – the most immediate talk is about the aircraft, which could be transferred to new owners or leasing firms.

How Izhavia’s shutdown will affect regional air service

Izhevsk Airport, the carrier’s base, will now be served mainly by federal airlines. That means flight frequency may change: large carriers usually optimise schedules to fit their own networks, so some routes could become less frequent while new connections – for example, extra flights to major hubs – may appear.

A similar case in the industry

In March of the same year Rosaviation imposed comparable restrictions on Azur Air after an unscheduled inspection. The episode shows that the regulator consistently applies strict measures to airlines that fail to remedy identified violations, regardless of their market position.

Practical advice for travelers

• Build in extra time – if your flight is moved, allow for possible schedule adjustments.
• Keep confirmations – emails and screenshots will speed up rebooking or refund processes.
• Watch for promotions – major airlines often run discounts for redirected passengers, which can be a pleasant bonus.

Bottom line

The revocation of Izhavia’s certificate resulted from a prolonged audit that never resolved the critical safety‑system flaws. Passengers who already hold tickets can be rebooked onto other airlines, and the regional market will gradually be taken over by federal carriers. Keep an eye on official channels for updates, and remember that a cancelled flight gives you a full right to a refund.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru, frequentflyers.ru.