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Belarus's national carrier connecting the country to the world.
Founded
1996
Headquarters
Minsk, Belarus
Belavia Belarusian Airlines is the flag carrier and largest airline of Belarus, wholly owned by the Belarusian government. Founded following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it operates scheduled passenger services from its main base at Minsk National Airport to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the CIS.
The airline has faced significant operational challenges since May 2021, when European Union member states closed their airspace to Belavia following the forced diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 and the arrest of dissident journalist Roman Protasevich. This led to a dramatic reduction in the airline's European route network.
Despite these restrictions, Belavia continues to operate domestically and to destinations in countries that have not imposed bans, including Russia, Turkey, the UAE, and several CIS states. The airline has adapted its network accordingly and remains the primary air transport provider for Belarus.
Hubs & network
Belavia operates primarily from Minsk National Airport (MSQ), which serves as its sole major hub.
Fleet
Belavia operates a mixed fleet consisting mainly of Boeing 737 series aircraft and Embraer E175 regional jets.
Notable facts
- ›Belavia is 100% state-owned by the Republic of Belarus.
- ›Following the 2021 Ryanair diversion incident, the EU banned Belavia from operating in European airspace.
- ›The airline was established in 1996 as a successor to Byelorussian Civil Aviation.
- ›Belavia significantly expanded its Russian routes after the 2021 EU airspace closure.
- ›The airline's ICAO callsign is BELARUS AVIA.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
