Media: US moves to restrict Belarus Airline’s access to Russia despite lifting of sanctions

The United States is attempting to prevent Belarusian flag carrier Belavia’s decision to lift sanctions from becoming a backdoor for aviation spare parts to reach Russian airlines, which remain under heavy Western sanctions. Although the US recently allowed the sale of parts to Belavia, it is seeking to block the carrier from flying to Russia, a measure experts say may be difficult to enforce.

The US-Belarus agreement was finalized on September 11, following the release of 52 political prisoners detained in Minsk. The next day, the US Department of Commerce sent a letter to Igor Nikolaevich Cherginets, general director of Belavia, outlining conditions for regaining access to spare parts for its fleet, which includes nine Boeing aircraft out of 16 total. The authorization explicitly forbids flights to Russia, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea, and the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, POLITICO reports.

Belavia has not publicly confirmed whether it will cease operations to Russia. However, on September 15, the airline announced a 50 percent discount on flights to St. Petersburg, signaling continued engagement with the Russian market.

Elina Ribakova, leader of the international program at the Kyiv School of Economics and a fellow at the Brussels-based Bruegel think tank, criticized the US restrictions as largely symbolic. “This prohibition is a pro forma note. There is no way to check what happens in [the] Russia+ customs union of which Belarus is a part,” she said. “I see Belarus and Russia as fully cooperating states with fully porous borders.”

The US move has also exposed tensions with the European Union, whose sanctions on Belarus prohibit EU operators from providing services or economic resources to Belavia. EU Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque emphasized the EU’s responsibility for sanction enforcement but highlighted challenges in tracking shipments of spare parts transiting EU territories.

Ribakova added, “EU countries definitely could stop aircraft technology destined for Belavia, but the issue is how to identify the shipment.”

Ultimately, the decision rests with US manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Airbus affirmed it is committed to compliance with international laws and sanctions and conducts thorough reviews before sales. Boeing did not respond to requests for comment.

By Vafa Guliyeva