The Bureau of Industry and Security of the US Department of Commerce explained the details of the cancellation of sanctions against Belarusian air carrier Belavia. Washington representative John Cole reported about the lifting of restrictions at a meeting with Aliaksandr Lukashenka in Minsk on 11 September.
According to the U.S. agency, eight Belavia aircraft are allowed to perform international flights and undergo maintenance. The Boeing 737-8ev, used by Lukashenko, as well as the cargo Boeing 747-300 EW465TQ of Transaviaexport remain under restrictions.
In a letter to Belavia CEO Igor Cherginets, the bureau explained that the lifting of sanctions provides for the possibility to operate flights to and from any destinations, including Belarus (but there are restrictions on some countries), as well as repair, modernisation and supply of components.
Flights to Russia, Iran, Syria, DPRK, Cuba and the occupied territories of Ukraine remain prohibited.
Sanctions against Belavia have been imposed since 2021 and repeatedly extended. In 2023, the company was included in the U.S. sanctions list as controlled by the Belarusian government.
The EU sanctions against Belavia are still in force.