The state-owned airline of Belarus strongly denies that it is involved in any trafficking of vulnerable groups to the border with the European Union because it is expected to impose sanctions on airlines and officials involved in the illegal movement of people.
Belavia is responding about it in some way with Belarus-Poland border crisis While accusing the authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko of transporting people to the EU border in retaliation for EU sanctions on his regime.
In a statement to The Guardian, Belavia stated that it cannot refuse passengers with correct documents, nor does it conduct business in the countries of origin of many.
“Belavia does not operate and does not operate, arrange or charter flights to any of the following countries in the 2021 calendar year, which Belavia believes are the targets of allegations of migrant trafficking: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan and Syria,” it said.
The airline continued: “Based on sales analysis, Belavia has blocked the booking and ticketing capabilities of certain travel agencies deemed risky. [of making] Sell tickets to citizens from high-risk countries. “
The statement was issued after the world’s leading regional aircraft leasing company stated that it was monitoring the crisis “very carefully”.Sources close to SAS Capital (NAC), which is headquartered in Ireland, Stating that it will “comply with all restrictions introduced by the government or regulatory agencies” and keep in touch with customers “to ensure the highest level of compliance.”
Ireland is responsible for about half of the world’s leased aircraft, and at least two companies have leased it to the Belarusian national airline. NAC’s website stated that it has provided five aircraft to Belavia, the last of which is the Embraer E175, which was delivered in September last year.
The Irish government confirmed on Wednesday that it has held talks with aircraft leasing companies on possible sanctions against Belarus.
“At the invitation of the Ministry of Transport, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in an online meeting with representatives of several aircraft leasing companies on October 27. The officials explained the background of the proposed new sanctions against Belarus and answered questions,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Said in.
The Lithuanian government recently called for sanctions on the Belarusian flag carrier because it increased the number of flights between Turkey and Minsk Border to retaliate for the first four rounds of sanctions.
However, the possibility of signing a contract with any airline found to be involved in trafficking is unlikely.
Although many people seem to travel to Minsk via private Syrian and Iraqi airline charters, European officials and the media have provided some evidence that they say Belavia is also involved in transporting asylum seekers.
In July, Lithuanian officials stated that they had found documents concerning detained Iraqi immigrants, including visas applied for through two Belarusian travel agencies and four boarding passes for Belarusian flights from Istanbul to Minsk.
The German broadcaster DW said this month that a Baghdad-based travel agency directs people to Istanbul or Dubai, from where they can take a Belavia flight to Minsk. “You just need to get there,” the travel agency reportedly said. “Although it’s a bit expensive, it’s still possible.”
Belarusian Transport Minister Artem Sikorsky said this week that Belarusian Airlines has increased the number of flights to Istanbul because the airline has been turned away from most parts of Europe. Ryanair flights grounded in May.
“How does the airline distinguish between immigrants and non-immigrants?” he said. “Buying a ticket alone-why should we forbid him to fly?”
A Belavia spokesperson stated that it is not a border agency and “cannot legally deny boarding the passenger.”
