US issues TDO for Aviastar

The US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an order temporarily denying all export privileges for the Russian cargo carrier Aviastar.

BIS said that the order had been issued due to “ongoing violations of the comprehensive export controls (EAR) imposed on Russia by the Commerce Department” in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

From March 2, the US required that any aircraft controlled, chartered or leased by Russia or a Russian national that contains more than 25% controlled US-origin content is subject to a license requirement before it can travel to Russia.

Subsequently, a US Office of Export Enforcement investigation found that Aviastar operated multiple US-origin aircraft subject to the EAR into and out of Russia to China without a license.

According to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, the airline operates five B757-200 freighters and three TU-204-100Cs.

The website shows that since the order was issued on March 21, the carrier has carried out several flights using its B757s within Russia and between Russia and China.