Belarus ready to resume air traffic with Europe. But on what condition?

Belarus can resume the air traffic with Europe, but only as soon as political obstacles are removed, Director of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications Igor Golub told reporters at the presentation of a new regular flight of Belavia Airlines, BELTA reports.

Igor Golub noted that interaction through the international organization ICAO has not ceased. "The decision is only up to politicians. Of course, we will be ready to resume air traffic with Europe as soon as political obstacles are removed," said the Director of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

He added that European countries are also interested in resuming flights. "Overflying Belarus and the Russian Federation is a very big expense for airlines. Having the opportunity to fly directly from Europe to the East via Belarus and the Russian Federation - of course, the airlines are interested in not overflying and not spending extra money. And we are interested in this. Our skies are open. We have never put any obstacles in anyone's way, we are always ready to resume both dialogue and air traffic with European countries."

While the European route is closed, new routes are being developed. In 2024, Minsk signed intergovernmental agreements on organizing air traffic with the Seychelles and Saudi Arabia. The signing of an intergovernmental agreement with Venezuela and Kenya is at a high level of readiness on the Belarusian side.

"The plans for next year include opening a number of other destinations," said Igor Golub.

Belavia Airlines will operate the first regular flight on the Minsk - Urumqi - Minsk route on December 16. Passengers will be able to travel on this route once a week with departure from Minsk and Urumqi on Mondays. Departure from Minsk is at 11:10, the arrival in Urumqi is at 22:10, the flight time is 6 hours.

The return flight from Urumqi is scheduled for 23:20, passengers will land in Minsk at 1:00, the flight time is 6 hours 40 minutes.