Exclusive-Sanctions-hit Belarus looks at Gambia to boost depleted fleet

Belavia eyes A330 imported via Gambia

Belavia (B2, Minsk National) is in advanced negotiations to add three A330-200s currently stored at Minsk National under Gambian registrations assigned to "Magic Air", a company which previously intermediated in the delivery of an A320-200 to sanctioned Cham Wings Airlines (SAW, Damascus), Reuters reported. The Belarusian flag carrier tentatively plans to induct the aircraft into service during the Summer 2025 season. C5-TAB (msn 525), C5-TAC (m…

SANCTIONS-HIT BELARUS LOOKS TO GAMBIA TO BOOST ITS DEPLETED AIR FLEET – The Standard Newspaper

Sanctions-hit Belarusian flag carrier Belavia is on the cusp of adding three Airbus planes to its depleted fleet after repurposing aircrafts that had previously belonged to Gambian airline Magic Air, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Western sanctions imposed on Belarus and its larger neighbour Russia after Minsk forced a Ryanair plane to land in the Belarusian capital and following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine mean the two sta…

Three planes arrived in Minsk in poor technical condition.

The Belarusian state airline plans to purchase aircraft from Gambia.

Belavia plans to expand its fleet despite sanctions. In the area there is the procurement of three Airbus A330s, which have already flown from Gambia to Minsk by detours last year.

If Belavia purchases these aircraft, it would give Russia the opportunity to bypass sanctions using non-Western aircraft.