U.S. moves to ground Aeroflot, two other Russian airlines

The first enforcement actions taken by the Bureau of Industry and Security under the stringent export controls imposed by the United States are the tDOs. One of the department's strongest civil penalties is in place for 180 days, but could be renewed.

The actions are part of a larger coordinated campaign with allies aimed at punishing Russia by denying it access to critical technologies needed to run a modern economy.

The decrease in US exports to Russia is due to new licensing requirements, according to the deputy commerce secretary.

More than 30 nations have joined the United States in imposing export controls, and hundreds of companies have stopped doing business with Russia.

The airlines could face criminal sanctions if they defy the Commerce Department order.

A department official said that they take action if people violate their rules. These are denial orders. Under our civil and administrative authority, we can deny people and companies their export privileges. Depending on the conduct, there are criminal consequences as well.

All three Russian airlines have violated the export controls, which bar any U.S.-origin aircraft or any foreign aircraft that includes more than 25 percent U.S. controlled parts from operating. The 34 planes of Azur Air are all U.S. origin, as are 48 of UTair's 63 planes and 59 of Aeroflot's 187 planes.

The department said that Aeroflot operated flights between Moscow and cities in China, India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as domestic flights and between Moscow and two Russian cities.

The department said that Azur Air violated U.S. export controls on flights between Moscow and cities in Turkey, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

UTair had violations on flights between Russia and Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.

The U.S. export controls apply to parts that are needed to maintain the aircraft.

Matthew Axelrod, Commerce assistant secretary for export enforcement, told reporters that it was difficult to keep flying if you couldn't service your plane. The three airlines will be unable to continue flying over time, according to the department.

The Commerce Department said that Boeing is not in violation of U.S. export controls.

The department put the Russian owners of more than 160 airplanes on notice that they may have violated U.S. export controls by flying into Russia. The airlines hit with the new TDOs are: