According to news agency Reuters, The U.S. Commerce Department is said to be broadening the export controls on Belarus's national airline, Belavia, for providing flights on Boeing aircraft in violation of restrictions issued after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Companies around the world are now prohibited from maintaining, repairing and otherwise using U.S. parts or equipment to service Belavia's fleet, according to a Commerce Department order issued against the airline, reports Karen Freifeld.
Belavia violated U.S. regulations by flying Boeing aircraft after April 8 into and out of Belarus to and from Russia, Turkey, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Georgia, the UAE and Egypt, the department said.
On April 8th, Washington restricted flights on Belarusian-owned, controlled, or operated aircraft manufactured in the United States or made in a foreign country with more than 25% controlled U.S. content from flying into Belarus or Russia.
"Just as Belarus is lawlessly supporting Russia's unjust war in Ukraine, its national airline Belavia is failing to obey our export laws," Matthew Axelrod, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, said in a statement.
The order "will prevent Belavia from leveraging any U.S. technology to operate its fleet of aeroplanes, thus making it more difficult for the airline to keep flying."
The order affects both the Boeing and Embraer aircraft in Belavia's fleet, if they need U.S. parts or services, officials said. It also broadens the items restricted to Belavia. Boeing is based in the U.S. Embraer is a Brazilian manufacturer.
The U.S. has taken similar action against major Russian airlines, including Aeroflot, Aviastar, Azur Air, Rossiya and Utair, after identifying Boeing aeroplanes that were operating in violation of U.S. sanctions.
Reporting by Karen Freifeld; editing by David Evans and David Gregorio
Following pressure from U.S. Authorities, the Israel Aviation Authorities refused Belavia to service aircraft at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv and so the carrier has now cancelled the services. Previously, to get around restrictions imposed by the Americans, officials in Tel Aviv advised Belavia to schedule a technical stop in Baku and would approve the route, however, the sudden decision of Israel to cancel the previous agreement means the flights are cancelled at least until the end of October.
