Belarus airline Belavia plans to add three Airbus planes that once belonged to Magic Air from Gambia. Three sources told Reuters about this deal. These planes might help Belarus work around Western restrictions that limit its aircraft supply.
These wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft can carry about 250 passengers each. Flight tracking records show they landed in Minsk on August 17, 2024, registered under Magic Air. According to one source, Belavia wants to start flying these planes during the spring and summer.
If Belavia succeeds with this plan, Russia might copy this method to bypass sanctions through planes from countries not aligned with Western rules. The United States recently made agreements with both Ukraine and Russia to stop attacks against energy targets and sea operations.
Western countries tried to block Belarus and Russia from getting aircraft parts, but many nations haven't joined these restrictions. Gambia remains free from aviation sanctions, although some ships with Gambian registration face penalties for helping Russia sell oil despite trade limits.
Magic Air operates as a private company handling aircraft leasing and airline services. The Gambian justice ministry's companies registry confirms this information. The small African nation doesn't have rules preventing such aircraft transfers.
Aviation Week published information in August 2024 about Magic Air sending three Airbus planes to Belarus from Cairo, Istanbul, and Muscat. Reuters learned additional details about Belavia's plans to operate these aircraft from three sources who requested anonymity.
The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority explained that the planes were sold to buyers from the United Arab Emirates. They arrived in Minsk, and officials removed them from Gambian registration on August 19, 2024. Director General Fansu Bojang provided this information to Reuters.
The European Union banned Western businesses from sending aviation goods and technology to Belarus in August 2023. This action came because Belarus continues to support Russian military actions against Ukraine. EU airspace has remained closed to Belarusian airlines since 2021.
That ban happened after Belarus forced a Ryanair flight carrying a journalist critic to land in Minsk. A fighter jet escorted the passenger plane down. European leaders called this action a hijacking at that time. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 made things harder for Belarus.
Aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing stopped providing parts and maintenance support for planes in both countries. Airbus told Reuters they follow all sanctions against any country. They cannot prevent third parties determined to break these rules or control used aircraft trading.
The Magic Air planes arrived needing significant repairs, according to two sources. One described the interior as "shabby." Belavia pilots must learn Airbus systems because they usually fly Boeing aircraft. The planes may join the fleet as early as March with new Belavia paint.
Belarus needs more planes because passenger numbers grew 13.5% last year compared to 2023. Russian airlines face similar problems meeting travel demand due to parts shortages. Russia delayed the production of its new airliners until 2025-2026 instead of 2024.
Jordanian businessman Tareq Ziad Abdel Hamid Al Ajami, according to Gambian records, owns 99% of Magic Air and an Albanian holding company. Despite multiple attempts through his Albanian business, Reuters couldn't reach him for comments.
Magic Air previously operated another Airbus A320 that landed in Minsk on August 17, 2024. Five days later, Syrian carrier Cham Wings Airlines received this plane. It flies today with the tail number YK-BAC. The European Union has placed financial sanctions on Cham Wings.
These wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft can carry about 250 passengers each. Flight tracking records show they landed in Minsk on August 17, 2024, registered under Magic Air. According to one source, Belavia wants to start flying these planes during the spring and summer.
If Belavia succeeds with this plan, Russia might copy this method to bypass sanctions through planes from countries not aligned with Western rules. The United States recently made agreements with both Ukraine and Russia to stop attacks against energy targets and sea operations.
Western countries tried to block Belarus and Russia from getting aircraft parts, but many nations haven't joined these restrictions. Gambia remains free from aviation sanctions, although some ships with Gambian registration face penalties for helping Russia sell oil despite trade limits.
Magic Air operates as a private company handling aircraft leasing and airline services. The Gambian justice ministry's companies registry confirms this information. The small African nation doesn't have rules preventing such aircraft transfers.
Aviation Week published information in August 2024 about Magic Air sending three Airbus planes to Belarus from Cairo, Istanbul, and Muscat. Reuters learned additional details about Belavia's plans to operate these aircraft from three sources who requested anonymity.
The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority explained that the planes were sold to buyers from the United Arab Emirates. They arrived in Minsk, and officials removed them from Gambian registration on August 19, 2024. Director General Fansu Bojang provided this information to Reuters.
The European Union banned Western businesses from sending aviation goods and technology to Belarus in August 2023. This action came because Belarus continues to support Russian military actions against Ukraine. EU airspace has remained closed to Belarusian airlines since 2021.
That ban happened after Belarus forced a Ryanair flight carrying a journalist critic to land in Minsk. A fighter jet escorted the passenger plane down. European leaders called this action a hijacking at that time. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 made things harder for Belarus.
Aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing stopped providing parts and maintenance support for planes in both countries. Airbus told Reuters they follow all sanctions against any country. They cannot prevent third parties determined to break these rules or control used aircraft trading.
The Magic Air planes arrived needing significant repairs, according to two sources. One described the interior as "shabby." Belavia pilots must learn Airbus systems because they usually fly Boeing aircraft. The planes may join the fleet as early as March with new Belavia paint.
Belarus needs more planes because passenger numbers grew 13.5% last year compared to 2023. Russian airlines face similar problems meeting travel demand due to parts shortages. Russia delayed the production of its new airliners until 2025-2026 instead of 2024.
Jordanian businessman Tareq Ziad Abdel Hamid Al Ajami, according to Gambian records, owns 99% of Magic Air and an Albanian holding company. Despite multiple attempts through his Albanian business, Reuters couldn't reach him for comments.
Magic Air previously operated another Airbus A320 that landed in Minsk on August 17, 2024. Five days later, Syrian carrier Cham Wings Airlines received this plane. It flies today with the tail number YK-BAC. The European Union has placed financial sanctions on Cham Wings.
