Aeroflot not observing any 'emergency surge' in jet fuel prices - CEO

MOSCOW. June 29 (Interfax) - Aeroflot has not been observing any so-called emergency surges in prices for jet fuel, and the group's expenses for the item are currently growing at a 7% year-on-year rate, as previously reported, CEO Sergei Aleksandrovsky said.

"We have remained within the same range regarding growth in costs. There have not been any emergency spikes thus far," Aleksandrovsky told reporters.

"As I said earlier, we have been operating within the inflation corridors in terms of passing [any additional fuel costs] onto ticket prices. We have maintained this goal. I would like to indicate that [Aeroflot's] current economic conditions allow us to do this. Therefore, we do not expect any spikes in prices," Aleksandrovsky added.

Aeroflot Group is fully supplied with fuel across the entire route network, though has seen a rise of roughly 7% in fuel costs since the beginning of the year, Aleksandrovsky said in early June.

The Russian government imposed a temporary ban on exporting jet fuel on June 1. The restrictions are valid for five months until November 30. The government's press service said that the purpose of the decision is to ensure stability on the domestic fuel market. There is currently no jet fuel shortage in Russia, Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said.