Lufthansa's Belarus Flights: What's The Status?

In May 2021, Lufthansa suspended its operations in Belarus in response to the forced landing of a Ryanair flight by Belarusian authorities, which led to the arrest of a dissident journalist. The suspension included the airline's narrowbody service between Frankfurt and Minsk, as well as flights overflying the country. However, as of June 2023, Lufthansa seems to have resumed its flights to Belarus, with flights available from Hannover to Minsk for as low as €474.

Lufthansa suspends flights to Belarus

On May 25, 2021, Lufthansa announced it was suspending its operations in Belarus in response to an incident involving a Ryanair flight. The German airline confirmed that it would no longer fly through Belarusian airspace, affecting its narrowbody service between Frankfurt and Minsk, as well as other overflying operations. This decision was made following the forced landing of a Ryanair jet by the Belarusian government, which resulted in the arrest of a dissident journalist, Roman Protasevich.

Lufthansa's suspension of flights to Belarus was a direct response to the incident involving Ryanair flight 4978. On May 23, 2021, the Ryanair plane travelling from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted to Minsk, Belarus, due to a reported bomb threat. Upon landing in Minsk, Protasevich, a journalist known for his criticism of the Belarusian government, was arrested. This incident sparked international outrage and condemnation, leading to Lufthansa's decision to avoid Belarusian airspace.

In a statement, Lufthansa expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the suspension of flights to Belarus but reaffirmed that safety is always their top priority. They also noted that they are monitoring the situation and are in constant contact with their authorities. The suspension of flights by Lufthansa and other airlines had a significant impact on travel between Europe and Belarus, affecting approximately 400 civilian flights that usually fly over Belarus each day.

Lufthansa's decision to suspend flights to Belarus was in line with the European Union's response to the incident. The EU banned Belarus airlines from flying over EU territory or landing in EU airports and prohibited European Union airlines from flying over Belarus. This decision aimed to demonstrate the EU's disapproval of the Belarusian government's actions and to ensure the safety of passengers and crew flying through the region.

While Lufthansa initially suspended flights to Belarus in 2021, it is currently advertising flights to Minsk, Belarus, on its website as of October 2024. It is unclear whether Lufthansa has resumed flights to Belarus or if these advertised flights are subject to change based on ongoing evaluations of the situation.

EU bans Belarus airlines

On May 23, 2021, Belarusian officials forced a Ryanair flight from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, to make an emergency landing in Minsk, Belarus, under the pretense of a bomb threat. Onboard was Roman Protasevich, a journalist and opposition figure known for his criticism of the Belarusian government, who was arrested after the plane landed, along with his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega.

In response to this incident, the European Union banned Belarus-flagged carriers from the airspace and airports of the 27-nation bloc, and prohibited EU airlines from flying over Belarus. This affected about 400 civilian flights that usually fly over Belarus every day, including 300 overflights and about 100 operated by EU or UK carriers. The ban came into effect at midnight Central European Time on June 4, 2021, and was part of a wider sanctions package targeting Belarus.

The European Union Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) stated that the ban was necessary "to reduce the potential risk to passengers and crews that could arise from operations in this airspace." However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) chief Willie Walsh criticized both Minsk and the EU for politicizing civilian air travel.

Lufthansa, along with other airlines such as airBaltic and KLM, also suspended its operations in Belarusian airspace following the incident. On May 25, 2021, a Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed that the airline had canceled its Frankfurt to Minsk service and would not fly through Belarusian airspace until further notice.

EU reroutes flights around Belarus

On May 23, 2021, Belarusian authorities forced a Ryanair plane flying from Greece to Lithuania to make an emergency landing in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The forced landing was made under the pretence of a bomb threat. After the plane landed, journalist and activist Roman Protasevich, who was on board the flight, was arrested. Protasevich had been critical of the Belarusian government and was known for running a channel on a messaging app used to organize demonstrations against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

In response to the incident, the European Union approved a plan to ban Belarus airlines from flying over EU territory or landing in EU airports. European Union airlines would also be prohibited from flying over Belarus. This decision affects about 400 civilian flights that usually fly over Belarus every day, according to European air traffic control agency Eurocontrol.

Following the EU's decision, several airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, SAS, and Singapore Airlines, announced that they would reroute their flights to avoid Belarusian airspace. For example, Lufthansa's LH1452 from Frankfurt to Moscow was seen overflying Lithuania and Latvia instead of its normal routing over Belarus.

The rerouting of flights has had some impact on travel times and costs for airlines, but these have been minimal, as airlines can use Lithuanian or Latvian airspace instead without adding significant time or fuel costs to flights.

Russia approves new airline routes avoiding Belarus

On May 29, 2021, Russia approved new airline routes for Air France and Lufthansa that avoid Belarusian airspace. This came after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advised airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace following the forced landing of a Ryanair jet en route to Lithuania from Greece on May 23, 2021. The Ryanair plane was diverted to Minsk, where Roman Protasevich, a dissident journalist, and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, were arrested.

In response to the incident, the EU leaders urged airlines not to use Belarusian airspace, and the UK's Civil Aviation Authority suspended Belavia's operating permit, requesting airlines to avoid flying through Belarus. Several European airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and airBaltic, announced that they would avoid entering Belarusian airspace.

Lufthansa confirmed that it would suspend operations in Belarusian airspace, including its narrowbody service between Frankfurt and Minsk, as well as overflying the country. The airline's flights began to skirt Belarus, with the LH1452 from Frankfurt to Moscow taking an alternative route over Lithuania and Latvia.

Air France and Lufthansa received approval from Russia for their new flight routes, which they had been scrambling to agree on with other airlines after the EU's advice. Air France said that its new flight path to Moscow started on Saturday and had been authorized for the weekend, but it was still awaiting confirmation for the following week. Lufthansa also stated that it had been given approval for its new routes on flights from Frankfurt to Moscow and St. Petersburg for the foreseeable future.

The approval of these new routes by Russia is a significant development in the aftermath of the Ryanair incident, as it allows Air France and Lufthansa to continue their operations while adhering to the EU's advice to avoid Belarusian airspace.

International condemnation of Belarus

On May 24, 2021, Lufthansa announced it was suspending its operations in Belarus in response to the Ryanair incident. The fallout from this incident, which involved Belarusian authorities forcing a Ryanair flight to divert to Minsk to arrest a dissident journalist, led to international condemnation and a series of actions from other countries and organisations.

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suspended Belavia's operating permit and requested that airlines avoid Belarusian airspace. Other airlines, such as airBaltic and KLM, also announced they would avoid entering Belarusian airspace. IATA strongly condemned the actions and demanded a full investigation.

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 16 individuals and five entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13405, taking action against those who have harmed the people of Belarus through election fraud, violent suppression of peaceful protests, and attacks on independent voices. These designations were made in collaboration with international partners such as Canada, the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom (UK), demonstrating a transatlantic commitment to supporting the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people.

The US government, through the US Embassy in Belarus, has also explicitly condemned the Lukashenka regime's raids, detentions, human rights abuses, and attempts to thwart the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. They have vowed to hold the regime accountable through sanctions and other means.

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