Russian prosecutors have been ordering bars and restaurants in Moscow airports to stop selling strong alcohol, a Russian business newspaper reported on Thursday.

Officials have been quietly carrying out inspections of restaurants and bars in Moscow's major airports since early September, the Vedomosti daily reported, citing sources in the alcohol industry and an unnamed Moscow prosecutor.

The establishments have been told that under Russian law they may not sell drinks containing more than 15 percent alcohol in places with high concentrations of people or potential sources of danger.

They have been given 60 days to fix the problems or face closure for a three-month period, Vedomosti said.

Although the law has long been on the books, it has previously been ignored in Moscow's airports, and the newspaper did not explain why it was suddenly being enforced.

"According to the sources who spoke about the inspections, prosecutors would like to limit the sale of spirits in duty free stores, but so far have not found a basis for this," it said.

Excessive consumption of alcohol has often led to troublesome passengers causing problems aboard Russian flights.

In November 2008, a drunken Russian passenger threatened to hijack a flight from Cuba to Moscow and had to be subdued by the crew.