OREANDA-NEWS. December 09, 2009. The Moscow Arbitration Court confirmed validity of the decision and determination of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) regarding "Avianeft" CJSC, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

On 10th June 2009, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) found that "Avianeft" CJSC abused its dominant position (in breach of Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition").

"Aeroflot - Russian Airlines" OJSC asked "Avianeft" CJSC about a possibility to independently supply company's own aviation fuel at the cost below the cost of fuel offered by "Avianeft" CJSC for refueling the company's aircrafts in the airport of Kaliningrad. However, "Avianeft" CJSC refused "Aeroflot - Russian Airlines" OJSC a possibility to deliver its own fuel.

"Avianeft" CJSC explained its refusal by absence of a license for fuel storage; however, this kind of activity does not require licensing. When "Avianeft" CJSC supplies aviation fuel to "Aeroflot - Russian Airlines" OJSC and at the same time provides refueling services (that include fuel storage services) no such problems emerge.

"The actions of "Avianeft" CJSC prevented free entry to the aviation fuel market, - pointed out Deputy Head of FAS Russia Anatoly Golomolzin. - It infringed the interests of "Aeroflot - Russian Airlines" OJSC, because it leads to unjustified growth of aviation fuel prices. In its turn, it affects the passenger air fare. In 2008-2009 FAS Russia and its regional offices considered around 80 antimonopoly cases, including the cases against oil companies, particularly, against oil companies, resellers of aviation fuel, and operators of refueling facilities in airports. The total amount of fines was around 5.6 billion Rubles. At the moment prices for aviation fuel are down by 1.5 times in comparison with summer 2008".