U.S. Dept of Commerce issues temporary denial order for Belavia over breach of export controls

MINSK. June 17 (Interfax) - The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a 180-day denial order for the Belarusian national airline Belavia over a breach of export control regulations endorsed in April, the department said in a statement on its website.

The bureau explained the decision with about 30 flights performed by Belavia-operated Boeing 737 aircraft to Russia, Turkey, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt since the imposition of sanctions on April 8.

It said that for the next 180 days Belavia will be denied exports from the United States, re-exports or the transfer of goods and technologies that fall under export control regulations. Companies worldwide will be prohibited from servicing, repairing or using U.S.-made parts in any other way in the maintenance of the Belavia fleet.

At the beginning of April, the U.S. Department of Commerce listed the first seven Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Belavia as those serviced in violation of U.S. export controls. Any kind of service provided to these aircraft requires permission from the BIS.

On March 2, the BIS imposed extended control over aviation goods shipped to Belarus, including goods for particular types of aircraft or aircraft parts. Similar measures were taken in regard to Russia on February 24, 2022. Any plane made in the United States, as well as any plane made in another country with over 25% of U.S.-made parts subject to export control, requires licensing if this plane is meant for Belarus or Russia.