Lukashenka’s Aircraft Remain Under U.S. Sanctions

Lukashenka’s aircraft. Source: lenta.ru

Some relief has been granted to Belavia under U.S. sanctions, but the airline itself remains on the SDN list. The personal aircraft of Lukashenka, included in the SDN list based on proposals from NAM, remain under sanctions.

The U.S. has allowed flights of eight Belavia aircraft subject to license servicing to any destination and from any point of origin, including from Belarus, except for flights to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, or temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Nevertheless, European airspace remains closed to aircraft from Belarus.

Belavia has also been permitted technical servicing, routine and major repairs, and/or restoration of certain aircraft under a number of restrictions, as well as the export, re-export, or transfer of certain equipment, consumables, and materials intended for use with specific Belavia aircraft, subject to conditions and limitations.

This authorization applies to aircraft subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including eight Boeing planes owned by Belavia. The authorization does not apply to Boeing aircraft used by dictator Lukashenka, which the U.S. has included in the SDN list based on NAU’s proposals and justifications:

• Boeing 767, registration EW-001PB

• Boeing 737, registration EW-001PA

The Boeing 767 with registration EW-001PB is one of the planes Lukashenka uses during official visits. This aircraft was purchased in 2012 and previously belonged to former Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov. Source: news.zerkalo.io

Belavia is prohibited from using the aircraft to transport items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including any items intended to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Belavia is allowed to carry out maintenance, repair, restoration, and refurbishment of aircraft, including the use of items subject to export control, provided these items have been separately authorized for export or re-export to Belarus or for use by Belarusian aircraft.

The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will monitor the supply of parts for Belavia aircraft on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they are intended for servicing and operating Belavia’s commercial passenger fleet, and to prevent the risk of diversion to other unauthorized end uses or end users, including Russia.

Illustrative photo

As noted by the Deputy Head of the UTC and Head of NAM, Pavel Latushka: "Overall, these relaxations can be seen as a limited step toward the Belarusian national carrier, but they maintain strict control and sanctions frameworks. Before the propaganda of Lukashenka’s regime starts boasting in the future about ‘successes’ in lifting sanctions, proper expertise must be applied to evaluate these decisions. The measures taken by the U.S. regarding Belavia are aimed solely at ensuring the safety of civil aviation and passengers, and in no way imply a cessation of sanctions pressure on the Lukashenka regime — two of Lukashenka’s Boeing aircraft remain under U.S. sanctions".

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