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Will BIS Sanction Istanbul, Turkiye-Based TAV Subsidiary Of EU-Domiciled Paris, France-based Groupe ADP?  Impact AYT, BJV, ESB, DLM, IST?

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the United States Department of Commerce is poised to implement sanctions upon operators of airports in Turkiye. Targets include:

  • Istanbul, Turkiye-based Istanbul Grand Airports (iGA)

  • Istanbul, Turkiye-based TAV Airports Holding (TAV), a subsidiary of Paris, France-based Aeroports de Paris (Groupe ADP).

Airport targets: Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST); the capital, Ankara (ESB); and resort areas of Antalya (AYT), Bodrum (BJV), and Dalaman (DLM).

These airports have thus far refused to suspend authorization for Moscow, Russian Federation-based PJSC Aeroflot Airlines and Minsk, Belarus-based Belavia Airlines to operate absent a license from the BIS aircraft manufactured Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing Company.

Istanbul, Turkiye-based Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları) which is 49.12% owned by the government of Turkiye through which the [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan Administration (2014- ) retains operational control, maintains a critical transportation lifeline for citizens, business representatives, and government officials of the Russian Federation to connect through IST with other countries. 

Turkish Airlines flights operating to Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) in Moscow are the only efficient means for official and unofficial conduits to engage with the [Vladimir] Putin Administration (2000-2008; 2012- ). 

Turkish Airlines has not since 24 February 2022 sought to resume operations to Boryspil International Airport (KBP) in the capital, Kyiv.  The government of Ukraine has closed its airspace to commercial aviation and general aviation. 

President Erdogan did secure on 20 December 2022 authorization from President Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, for two aircraft owned by the armed forces of Turkiye to depart KBP where the aircraft had remained since 24 February 2022.