Pakistan blocks airspace for Russian nuclear fuel flight to Bangladesh: Rooppur delivery delayed

PTC Web Desk:  Bangladesh’s plans to receive another consignment of nuclear fuel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant have been delayed after a Russian cargo flight failed to secure the required airspace clearance from Pakistan.

The shipment was scheduled to reach Dhaka on September 24, but the aircraft could not operate on the planned route. Bangladesh has now been told that the delivery will begin in October. Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation handling the project, said fuel supplies for Rooppur Unit-2 will continue through December.

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Why was the flight delayed?

Bangladesh’s Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said the aircraft did not receive permission to use Pakistani airspace. He said the exact reason for the lack of clearance was not known.

Bangladeshi officials had completed preparations at Dhaka airport when they were informed that the flight could not proceed. The original route was expected to pass through several countries before reaching Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s High Commission in Dhaka later described the matter as involving technical and procedural issues, while stressing that Islamabad attaches importance to its relations with Bangladesh.

Rosatom changes delivery schedule

Rosatom has now revised the schedule. Fuel deliveries for Unit-2 are expected to start in October and continue until December 2026, with several cargo flights planned. The company has said the shipments will follow the project’s contractual schedule.

Bangladeshi officials have indicated that the first shipment could arrive in the first week of October.

The delay is not currently expected to stop the wider Rooppur project, although the shipment has been pushed back from the original September schedule.

Why Rooppur is important for Bangladesh

The Rooppur project is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant and is being built with Russian assistance along the Padma River in Pabna.

The facility has two VVER-1200 reactors, with a combined planned capacity of 2,400 MW. The first unit has already entered the fuel-loading and commissioning stage, while work continues on Unit-2.

The project is important for Bangladesh as the country faces pressure on its electricity supply and remains heavily dependent on gas and imported energy.

Fuel loading for Unit-1 began earlier this year, marking a major step towards Bangladesh generating nuclear power for its national grid.

A setback, but not a project halt

The September 24 flight was an important delivery, but Rosatom’s revised plan means the remaining fuel will be transported in multiple consignments rather than through the original schedule.

For now, Bangladesh is waiting for the first October shipment while officials and Rosatom work on the revised logistics.