The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is extending sanctions against the Belarusian national airline, Belavia, for another year due to violations of export control measures. The corresponding decision was announced on Thursday on the bureau’s website. The document specifies that it “takes effect immediately and will be in force for one year.”
The U.S. agency reminded that in April 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce included Boeing-737 aircraft owned by Belavia in the list of aircraft for which servicing violates U.S. export controls. Approval from the BIS is required for any form of maintenance for these aircraft.
In June of the same year, the BIS accused Belavia of violating export control measures. This led to the tightening of sanctions for a period of 180 days, and this measure was subsequently extended twice for the same duration. Under these restrictions, Belavia is prohibited from exporting from the U.S., re-exporting, or transferring goods and services subject to export control. Companies worldwide are forbidden from servicing, repairing, or otherwise using U.S.-made parts for maintaining the Belavia fleet.
The BIS notes that the Belarusian airline continues to disregard the imposed restrictions, operating vessels whose servicing violates U.S. export controls on flights to Russia, Egypt, Georgia, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
