How did Belarus circumvent sanctions in purchasing three Airbus aircraft?

The sanctioned state airline of Belarus, "Belavia," has found a way to replenish its fleet with Airbus aircraft. According to Reuters, the airline is preparing to sign a contract to purchase three Airbus A330 aircraft currently owned by Gambia's Magic Air private airline. These aircraft were brought to Belarus on August 17, 2024.

Airbus A330 aircraft and their condition

According to data from Flightradar24 and other monitoring services, Magic Air has sent three aircraft to Minsk from Cairo, Istanbul, and Moscow. According to the Gambian Civil Aviation Authority, these aircraft were previously sold to a buyer from the UAE and were deregistered from the Gambian registry on August 19, 2024. At the same time, sources indicate that the aircraft are in very poor technical condition and are currently undergoing maintenance work.

Previously, since "Belavia" only used Boeing aircraft, pilots had to undergo retraining to operate the Airbus A330. According to one source, these aircraft are expected to begin flights in the spring-summer season of 2025.

Airbus and international sanctions

Airbus has emphasized its strict compliance with all applicable international laws and sanctions. Company representatives have stated that it is illegal to supply aircraft, spare parts, or services to sanctioned countries. At the same time, Airbus has indicated that it cannot prevent third parties from violating sanctions and cannot control the market for used aircraft.

Sanctions against Belavia and their impact

In 2021, due to the forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft by the Belarusian government, the European Union banned Belarusian airlines from flying over EU territory. Brussels also prohibited "Belavia" from entering into new leasing agreements with European companies. In August 2023, the EU banned the supply of goods and technologies to the Belarusian aviation sector. Additionally, the US and the UK have imposed sanctions against "Belavia."

Belarus's "Belavia" airline is attempting to replenish its fleet with Airbus A330 aircraft under sanctions. This purchase made through Gambia raises questions about the potential circumvention of international sanctions through indirect means. At the same time, "Belavia" is facing significant technical and logistical challenges in utilizing the new aircraft.