US Department of Commerce extends sanctions against Belavia for six months

The US Department of Commerce has extended export restrictions on the Belarusian national airline Belavia, informs TASS with reference to the department’s documents.

The Ministry of Commerce believes that the Belarusian air carrier continues to violate the sanctions restrictions imposed earlier by operating flights on US-made aircraft.

Last April, Washington banned flights to Belarus or Russia on republic-owned, controlled, or operated aircraft made in the United States. In June of the same year, the United States tightened Sanctions against Belavia: Since then, companies around the world have been prohibited from maintaining, repairing or otherwise using American parts or equipment to service the fleet of the Belarusian airline.

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, Western countries imposed sanctions, which, among other things, affected the Russian aviation industry. Unfriendly countries have closed the skies for Russian aircraft, Russia has introduced mirror measures. Russian carriers were forbidden to purchase foreign-made aircraft and spare parts for them, as well as to carry out maintenance and insurance of aircraft. Foreign lessors demanded that domestic airlines return the leased aircraft, but by decision of the Russian authorities, most of the aircraft remained inside the country.

In June 2022, the US Department of Commerce withdrew export privileges from Nordwind Airlines, Pobeda and S7, and at the end of May, Rossiya. In April of the same year, the United States imposed export sanctions against Russian airlines.AeroflotAzur Air and Utair for violating export controls imposed in response to a special operation in Ukraine. In May 2023, similar measures were introduced against Smartavia.