Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) has reduced the maximum flight altitude over Moscow's Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports from 8,250–8,550 meters to 4,900 meters — nearly halving it — and banned transit flights through the Moscow air hub, citing security concerns after a surge in Ukrainian drone attacks since spring 2026.

The corresponding Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) was discovered in a collection by the Center for Aeronautical Information, the Kommersant newspaper reported. According to the newspaper, the NOTAM is valid until August 26. Rosaviatsia confirmed the restrictions but gave a different date — August 12. The restrictions took effect on July 11.

Sources in the aviation industry told Kommersant that the Defense Ministry initiated the tightening. The ministry explained the decision as necessary to ensure flight safety amid the increased frequency of Ukrainian drone attacks since spring 2026.

The reduced altitude will allow aircraft to descend for landing more quickly in the event of a threat — previously, planes began descending from 5,400–6,700 meters. The transit ban, according to experts interviewed by the newspaper, will reduce flight intensity in the Moscow aviation hub area.

However, airlines also noted negative consequences. Due to the lower altitude, flight time may increase — different sources cite figures from 5 to 15 minutes per flight. The most significant impact, according to experts, will come from the transit ban: planes will have to fly around the Moscow region, adding at least 20–30 minutes to travel time. Fuel consumption will also rise, as crews will only be able to reach economically efficient cruising altitude outside the Moscow hub.

Kommersant's interlocutors also highlighted increased risks of bird strikes: some species, such as eagles, fly at altitudes above 2,000 meters.

At the same time, airlines believe the costs of the introduced measures are incomparable to the losses carriers incur during unscheduled airspace closures (the "Kovyor" plan) declared during drone attacks. Several sources of the newspaper did not rule out that similar restrictions could be extended to other regions — and remain in effect until the end of the war.