OFAC Issues General License for Belarusian Airline Sanctioned in 2023

The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a new general license this week to authorize certain transactions with Belavia Belarusian Airlines, the state-owned flagship carrier of Belarus, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2023 (see 2308090025). General License No. 11 authorizes certain transactions with the airline -- and any entity it owns by 50% or more -- that would normally be prohibited by the Belarus Sanctions Regulations.

An OFAC spokesperson didn't say why the agency issued the license, and they referred questions to the State Department. A State Department spokesperson didn't respond to a request for comment.

OFAC had issued a previous general license, which expired in September 2023, to authorize certain transactions with the airline related to civil aviation safety.