The US Department of Commerce has authorized Boeing to resume direct support for Belavia, according to the Belarusian flag carrier, potentially restoring its access to spare parts, components and software after years of restrictions.
Belavia CEO Igor Cherginets said the authorization allows the state-owned airline to obtain those products directly from Boeing for aircraft already in its fleet. He also said the decision opens the way for negotiations to acquire new aircraft directly from the US manufacturer.
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Neither the Department of Commerce nor Boeing has publicly confirmed the new license or disclosed its conditions. US export licenses are not necessarily made public, and the authorization described by Belavia would be consistent with a gradual easing of restrictions that Washington began in 2025.
The decision is particularly significant for Belavia's Boeing fleet. The carrier operates several 737 variants, including the 737-800 and 737 MAX 8, making the US manufacturer an important source of parts, technical support and software for its operations.
Sanctions gradually eased
US restrictions on Belavia developed in several stages. The airline was already affected by Western measures following the forced diversion of Ryanair flight FR4978 to Minsk in May 2021 and the subsequent arrest of opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich.
Restrictions became more extensive after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Belarus allowed Russian forces to use its territory during the invasion, and the US introduced export controls covering aircraft and aviation technology destined for Russia and Belarus.
In June 2022, the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a temporary denial order against Belavia after determining that the carrier continued operating US-origin aircraft in violation of those controls. The measure severely restricted the airline's access to products and technology subject to US export regulations.
The US Treasury separately designated Belavia in August 2023 as an entity controlled by the Belarusian government. By then, restrictions imposed by the United States and European countries had substantially reduced the airline's access to Western aircraft, financing and support.
Belavia had already felt the effects of its growing isolation in 2021. Its three Embraer E195-E2s were flown to Kazakhstan for storage after sanctions complicated the airline's operations. The aircraft were subsequently returned to their lessor and eventually found a new operator in Belgium.
Washington changes course
The US began easing restrictions on Belavia in September 2025 as Washington and Minsk resumed diplomatic contacts. The move came as Belarus released 52 political prisoners following talks with US representatives.
BIS subsequently authorized flights, servicing, maintenance, repairs and overhaul involving specified Belavia aircraft. In November 2025, the agency expanded the authorization to cover certain equipment, supplies and materials intended for the carrier's aircraft.
At the same time, BIS established a case-by-case licensing policy for other exports and transfers supporting Belavia's commercial passenger fleet. The agency specifically said applications would be assessed to guard against the diversion of equipment to unauthorized end users or uses.
The US Treasury also removed Belavia from its Specially Designated Nationals list in November 2025.
The authorization announced by Cherginets would remove another obstacle by allowing Boeing itself to deal directly with the Belarusian carrier. According to the CEO, direct sourcing should reduce both the cost and time required to obtain parts and software.
Belavia remains subject to European Union sanctions, meaning the US decision does not restore the airline's access to the wider Western aviation market.
