Belarus Introduces New Air Travel Service for Passengers
In a significant development, the parking lot R3 at National Airport Minsk has resumed operation on July 11, 2025, following its closure for repairs since April 2024. The parking lot, located to the left of the terminal building, boasts a modern automated system for controlling vehicle movement and storage time, with a capacity of 1,283 spaces.
Meanwhile, new rules for aviation services in Belarus have been approved by the Ministry of Transport, aiming to improve the quality and safety of services provided at the airport. These rules cover the entire cycle of ground handling, including passenger check-in, baggage handling, delivery, storage, and transportation of cargo and mail.
The rules also stipulate that the first 4 hours in the parking lot R3 cost Br5, with each additional day costing an additional Br10. Fees and payments in the parking lot are calculated and made automatically.
However, it is important to note that the document does not specify which organizations are included in the ones registered in Belarus with a contract with National Airport Minsk, nor does it clarify if the parking lot R3 is among them. Similarly, the document does not provide details on the specific methods or tools for digitizing services and optimizing cargo and mail handling.
The key innovations in the document include digitization of services and optimization of cargo and mail handling. For the first time, the document also includes provisions for more effective interaction between airlines, airport services, and postal operators.
While no clear new regulations are specified for Belarus airport services, cargo, and mail handling as of July 11, 2025, the broader context of visa restrictions, sanctions, and airspace safety concerns likely influence operational conditions and requirements. The visa policies for Belarus continue to allow visa-free access for citizens of 35 European countries until December 31, 2025, which may affect passenger arrivals at Minsk Airport.
Belarusian nationals, including those involved in airport and cargo operations, may face increased immigration scrutiny and visa/permitting restrictions in some European countries, which might indirectly impact cargo and mail operations involving Belarus. The UK, EU, and US have intensified sanctions on Russia and Belarus, including bans on transactions with certain Russian ports and airports and restrictions on investment and technical services. While not explicitly mentioning Belarusian airport services or cargo, these sanctions likely affect trade and logistics operations involving Belarus due to the regional links.
Safety and risk concerns exist for Belarus airspace, with bans or warnings from the US, Canada, and other countries against their operators using Belarusian airspace, primarily due to conflict-related risks near Belarus-Ukraine borders. This can impact cargo and mail air transport routes and airport operations in Belarus.
For precise and official regulation details, consultation with Belarusian civil aviation authorities or government communications would be necessary.
- The new regulations in aviation services aim to improve not only the quality and safety of services provided at the airport but also extend to aspects of lifestyle, such as the cost of parking in R3, with the first 4 hours costing Br5 and each additional day costing an additional Br10.
- As individuals plan their travel, it is crucial to consider the broader context affecting airport operations in Belarus, including visa restrictions, sanctions, and airspace safety concerns, which may indirectly impact cargo and mail operations involving Belarus.
