Belarusian flag carrier Belavia has confirmed that it is in negotiations with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to restore cooperation, following the removal of sanctions that had been in place since 2022.
Belavia’s CEO Igor Churhinets made the announcement during an interview on the state television channel First Information. According to him, representatives of the airline have already held direct talks with senior Boeing executives, including a meeting with one of the company’s vice presidents.
Fleet expansion and operational recovery
Churhinets said discussions focused on how Belavia plans to rebuild and expand cooperation with Boeing as the airline prepares to increase its fleet in 2026. An expanded fleet would significantly simplify aircraft maintenance, spare parts procurement, and access to licensed software, areas that were heavily constrained under sanctions.
He also noted that the lifting of sanctions has eased financial operations, particularly the ability to conduct payments in US dollars, which had previously complicated transactions with Western suppliers.
Belavia currently operates a fleet that includes Boeing aircraft, and Belarusian authorities have previously stated that the country has sufficient Boeing planes but was unable to source parts and support during the sanctions period.
Prospects for US–Belarus air services
The airline’s chief executive also addressed speculation about the potential launch of direct flights between Belarus and the United States. He stressed that such services remain impossible without a formal intergovernmental air services agreement.
According to Churhinets, the absence of such an agreement is the key obstacle, and any route planning can only begin once a bilateral aviation framework is negotiated and signed by both governments. He expressed hope that such an agreement could emerge in the foreseeable future.
Sanctions rollback and broader aviation plans
The United States initially imposed sanctions against Belavia in June 2022. In September, a representative of US President Donald Trump confirmed during a visit to Minsk that sanctions on the airline had been lifted. In November, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control formally removed Belavia from its sanctions list.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has previously stated that Minsk intends to resume purchasing spare parts for Boeing aircraft following the sanctions rollback. He has also confirmed agreements with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the acquisition of Russian-built aircraft as part of a broader fleet diversification strategy.
The talks with Boeing signal a potential reorientation of Belavia’s international partnerships as the airline seeks to stabilise operations, modernise its fleet, and re-enter global aviation supply chains after several years of isolation.
