US Says Sanctions Waiver for Belarusian Airline Is 'Limited'; Commerce Will Authorize Exports
The Office of Foreign Assets Control's new general license for Belavia Belarusian Airlines (see 2509110029), the state-owned flagship carrier of Belarus, was issued last week because Belarusian authorities recently released dozens of political prisoners, "demonstrating their desire to re-engage with the West," a State Department spokesperson said in an email Sept. 12.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Export Compliance Daily combines U.S. export control news, foreign border import regulation and policy developments into a single daily information service that reliably informs its trade professional readers about important current issues affecting their operations.
Belarus reportedly freed 52 political prisoners last week as part of a deal brokered by the U.S. "OFAC’s issuance of a General License recognizes the constructive steps taken in recent months," the spokesperson said. "There is much more to be done, and we hope to see continued progress."
The spokesperson also said the sanctions relief for the Belarusian carrier is "limited." It will allow Belavia to "service and buy component parts for its existing fleet, which includes Boeing aircraft." The Commerce Department will authorize "certain export activity allowing Belavia’s use and maintenance of its aircraft."
The Bureau of Industry and Security in 2022 issued a temporary denial order against Belavia to suspend its export privileges after the agency said the carrier violated U.S. export controls against Belarus (see 2206160015). BIS last renewed that order for one year in December 2023 (see 2312060022).