[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19908-19911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06907]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Industry and Security


Order Renewing Temporary Denial of Export Privileges; Azur Air, 
Sharypovo Airport, 404/1 Kozhevnicheskiy Land, Moscow, Russia

    Pursuant to section 766.24 of the Export Administration 
Regulations, 15 CFR parts 730-774 (``EAR'' or ``the Regulations''),\1\ 
I hereby grant the

[[Page 19909]]

request of the Office of Export Enforcement (``OEE'') to renew the 
temporary denial order (``TDO'') issued in this matter on October 3, 
2022. I find that renewal of this order is necessary in the public 
interest to prevent an imminent violation of the Regulations.
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    \1\ On August 13, 2018, the President signed into law the John 
S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, 
which includes the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, 50 U.S.C. 
4801-4852 (``ECRA''). While section 1766 of ECRA repeals the 
provisions of the Export Administration Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et 
seq. (``EAA''), (except for three sections which are inapplicable 
here), section 1768 of ECRA provides, in pertinent part, that all 
orders, rules, regulations, and other forms of administrative action 
that were made or issued under the EAA, including as continued in 
effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 
50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (``IEEPA''), and were in effect as of ECRA's 
date of enactment (August 13, 2018), shall continue in effect 
according to their terms until modified, superseded, set aside, or 
revoked through action undertaken pursuant to the authority provided 
under ECRA. Moreover, section 1761(a)(5) of ECRA authorizes the 
issuance of temporary denial orders. 50 U.S.C. 4820(a)(5).
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I. Procedural History

    On April 7, 2022, I signed an order denying Azur Air's (``Azur'') 
export privileges for a period of 180 days on the ground that issuance 
of the order was necessary in the public interest to prevent an 
imminent violation of the Regulations. The order was issued ex parte 
pursuant to section 766.24(a) of the Regulations and was effective upon 
issuance.\2\ This temporary denial order was subsequently renewed in 
accordance with section 766.24(d) of the Regulations.\3\ The renewal 
order issued on October 3, 2022 and was effective upon issuance.\4\
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    \2\ The TDO was published in the Federal Register on April 12, 
2022 (87 FR 21614).
    \3\ Section 766.24(d) provides that BIS may seek renewal of a 
temporary denial order for additional 180-day renewal periods, if it 
believes that renewal is necessary in the public interest to prevent 
an imminent violation. Renewal requests are to be made in writing no 
later than 20 days before the scheduled expiration date of a 
temporary denial order.
    \4\ The October 3, 2022 renewal order was published in the 
Federal Register on October 7, 2022 (87 FR 60983).
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    On March 7, 2023, BIS, through OEE, submitted a written request for 
renewal of the TDO that issued on October 3, 2022. The written request 
was made more than 20 days before the TDO's scheduled expiration. A 
copy of the renewal request was sent to Azur in accordance with 
sections 766.5 and 766.24(d) of the Regulations. No opposition to the 
renewal of the TDO has been received.

II. Renewal of the TDO

A. Legal Standard

    Pursuant to section 766.24, BIS may issue an order temporarily 
denying a respondent's export privileges upon a showing that the order 
is necessary in the public interest to prevent an ``imminent 
violation'' of the Regulations, or any order, license or authorization 
issued thereunder. 15 CFR 766.24(b)(1) and 766.24(d). ``A violation may 
be `imminent' either in time or degree of likelihood.'' 15 CFR 
766.24(b)(3). BIS may show ``either that a violation is about to occur, 
or that the general circumstances of the matter under investigation or 
case under criminal or administrative charges demonstrate a likelihood 
of future violations.'' Id. As to the likelihood of future violations, 
BIS may show that the violation under investigation or charge ``is 
significant, deliberate, covert and/or likely to occur again, rather 
than technical or negligent[.]'' Id. A ``lack of information 
establishing the precise time a violation may occur does not preclude a 
finding that a violation is imminent, so long as there is sufficient 
reason to believe the likelihood of a violation.'' Id.

B. The TDO and BIS's Request for Renewal

    The U.S. Commerce Department, through BIS, responded to the Russian 
Federation's (``Russia's'') further invasion of Ukraine by implementing 
a sweeping series of stringent export controls that severely restrict 
Russia's access to technologies and other items that it needs to 
sustain its aggressive military capabilities. These controls primarily 
target Russia's defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors and are 
intended to cut off Russia's access to vital technological inputs, 
atrophy key sectors of its industrial base, and undercut Russia's 
strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage. Effective 
February 24, 2022, BIS imposed expansive controls on aviation-related 
(e.g., Commerce Control List Categories 7 and 9) items to Russia, 
including a license requirement for the export, reexport or transfer 
(in-country) to Russia of any aircraft or aircraft parts specified in 
Export Control Classification Number (``ECCN'') 9A991 (section 
746.8(a)(1) of the EAR).\5\ BIS will review any export or reexport 
license applications for such items under a policy of denial. See 
section 746.8(b). Effective March 2, 2022, BIS excluded any aircraft 
registered in, owned, or controlled by, or under charter or lease by 
Russia or a national of Russia from being eligible for license 
exception Aircraft, Vessels, and Spacecraft (``AVS'') (section 740.15 
of the EAR).\6\ Accordingly, any U.S.-origin aircraft or foreign 
aircraft that includes more than 25% controlled U.S.-origin content, 
and that is registered in, owned, or controlled by, or under charter or 
lease by Russia or a national of Russia, is subject to a license 
requirement before it can travel to Russia.
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    \5\ 87 FR 12226 (Mar. 3, 2022). Additionally, BIS published a 
final rule effective April 8, 2022, which imposed licensing 
requirements on items controlled on the Commerce Control List 
(``CCL'') under Categories 0-2 that are destined for Russia or 
Belarus. Accordingly, now all CCL items require export, reexport, 
and transfer (in-country) licenses if destined for or within Russia 
or Belarus. 87 FR 22130 (Apr. 14, 2022).
    \6\ 87 FR 13048 (Mar. 8, 2022).
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    This OEE request for renewal is based upon the facts underlying the 
issuance of the initial TDO and the renewal order subsequently issued 
in this matter on October 3, 2022, as well as other evidence developed 
during this investigation. These facts and evidence demonstrate that 
Azur continues to act in blatant disregard for U.S. export controls and 
the applicable TDO. Specifically, the initial TDO, issued on April 7, 
2022, was based on evidence that Azur engaged in conduct prohibited by 
the Regulations by operating multiple aircraft subject to the EAR and 
classified under ECCN 9A991.b on flights into Russia after March 2, 
2022, from destinations including, but not limited to, Nha Trang, 
Vietnam, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Antalya, Turkey, without the 
required BIS authorization.\7\ Further evidence submitted by BIS 
indicated that Azur was continuing to operate aircraft subject to the 
EAR domestically on flights within Russia, potentially in violation of 
section 736.2(b)(10) of the Regulations.
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    \7\ Publicly available flight tracking information shows that on 
March 6, 2022, serial number (SN) 27612 flew from Nha Trang, Vietnam 
to Moscow, Russia and on March 10, 2022, SN 27909 flew from Dubai, 
UAE to Vladivostok, Russia. In addition, on March 17, 2022, SN 21614 
flew from Antalya, Turkey to Kazan, Russia.
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    As discussed in the October 3, 2022 renewal order, evidence 
presented by BIS indicated that, after the initial order issued, Azur 
continued to operate aircraft subject to the EAR and classified under 
ECCN 9A991.b on flights both into and out of Russia, in violation of 
the Regulations and the TDO itself.\8\ Specifically, the October 3, 
2022 renewal order detailed Azur's continued operation of aircraft 
subject to the EAR, including, but not limited to, on flights into and 
out of Russia from/to Antalya, Turkey, Dalaman, Turkey, and Bodrum, 
Turkey.\9\
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    \8\ Engaging in conduct prohibited by a denial order violates 
the Regulations. 15 CFR 764.2(a) and (k).
    \9\ Publicly available flight tracking information shows that SN 
29377 flew from Antalya, Turkey to Moscow, Russia on September 21, 
2022. In addition, on September 20, 2022, SN 26271 flew from Bodrum, 
Turkey to Moscow, Russia and SN 30045 flew from Dalaman, Turkey to 
Yekaterinburg, Russia.
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    Since that time, Azur has continued to engage in conduct prohibited 
by the applicable TDO and Regulations. In its March 7, 2023 request for 
renewal of the TDO, BIS submitted evidence that Azur

[[Page 19910]]

is operating aircraft subject to the EAR and classified under ECCN 
9A991.b, both on flights into and within Russia, in violation of the 
October 3, 2022 TDO and/or the Regulations. Specifically, BIS's 
evidence and related investigation demonstrates that Azur has continued 
to operate aircraft subject to the EAR, including, but not limited to, 
on flights into and out of Russia from/to Hurghada, Egypt, Goa, India, 
and Phuket, Thailand. Information about those flights includes, but is 
not limited to, the following:

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                                                                   Departure/arrival
            Tail No.              Serial No.     Aircraft type          cities                   Dates
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RA-73071.......................        29377  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Adana, TR/Moscow,   March 13, 2023.
                                                                   RU.
RA-73071.......................        29377  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Sharm el-Sheikh,    March 14, 2023.
                                                                   EG/Moscow, RU.
RA-73071.......................        29377  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Dubai, AE/Moscow,   March 15, 2023.
                                                                   RU.
RA-73071.......................        29377  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Hurghada, EG/       March 18, 2023.
                                                                   Moscow, RU.
RA-73077.......................        30045  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Goa, IN/Perm, RU..  March 3, 2023.
RA-73077.......................        30045  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Rayong, TH/         March 6, 2023.
                                                                   Kemerovo, RU.
RA-73077.......................        30045  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Phuket, TH/         March 12, 2023.
                                                                   Novosibirsk, RU.
RA-73077.......................        30045  757-2Q8 (B752)....  Rayong, TH/         March 16, 2023.
                                                                   Kemerovo, RU.
RA-73079.......................        24947  767-3Y0 (ER) B763.  Male, MV/Moscow,    February 18, 2023.
                                                                   RU.
RA-73079.......................        24947  767-3Y0 (ER) B763.  Colombo, LK/        February 28, 2023.
                                                                   Moscow, RU.
RA-73079.......................        24947  767-3Y0 (ER) B763.  Dubai, AE/Moscow,   March 1, 2023.
                                                                   RU.
RA-73079.......................        24947  767-3Y0 (ER) B763.  Phuket, TH/Moscow,  March 5, 2023.
                                                                   RU.
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III. Findings

    Under the applicable standard set forth in section 766.24 of the 
Regulations and my review of the entire record, I find that the 
evidence presented by BIS convincingly demonstrates that Azur has acted 
in violation of the Regulations and the TDO; that such violations have 
been significant and deliberate; and that given the foregoing and the 
nature of the matters under investigation, there is a likelihood of 
imminent violations. Therefore, renewal of the TDO is necessary in the 
public interest to prevent imminent violation of the Regulations and to 
give notice to companies and individuals in the United States and 
abroad that they should avoid dealing with Azur, in connection with 
export and reexport transactions involving items subject to the 
Regulations and in connection with any other activity subject to the 
Regulations.

IV. Order

    It is therefore ordered:
    First, Azur Air, Sharypovo Airport, 404/1 Kozhevnicheskiy Lane, 
Moscow, Russia, when acting for or on their behalf, any successors or 
assigns, agents, or employees may not, directly or indirectly, 
participate in any way in any transaction involving any commodity, 
software or technology (hereinafter collectively referred to as 
``item'') exported or to be exported from the United States that is 
subject to the EAR, or in any other activity subject to the EAR 
including, but not limited to:
    A. Applying for, obtaining, or using any license (except directly 
related to safety of flight), license exception, or export control 
document;
    B. Carrying on negotiations concerning, or ordering, buying, 
receiving, using, selling, delivering, storing, disposing of, 
forwarding, transporting, financing, or otherwise servicing in any way, 
any transaction involving any item exported or to be exported from the 
United States that is subject to the EAR except directly related to 
safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) 
of the Regulations, or engaging in any other activity subject to the 
EAR except directly related to safety of flight and authorized by BIS 
pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) of the Regulations; or
    C. Benefitting in any way from any transaction involving any item 
exported or to be exported from the United States that is subject to 
the EAR, or from any other activity subject to the EAR except directly 
related to safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to section 
764.3(a)(2) of the Regulations.
    Second, that no person may, directly or indirectly, do any of the 
following:
    A. Export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) to or on behalf of 
Azur any item subject to the EAR except directly related to safety of 
flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) of the 
Regulations;
    B. Take any action that facilitates the acquisition or attempted 
acquisition by Azur of the ownership, possession, or control of any 
item subject to the EAR that has been or will be exported from the 
United States, including financing or other support activities related 
to a transaction whereby Azur acquires or attempts to acquire such 
ownership, possession or control except directly related to safety of 
flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) of the 
Regulations;
    C. Take any action to acquire from or to facilitate the acquisition 
or attempted acquisition from Azur of any item subject to the EAR that 
has been exported from the United States except directly related to 
safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) 
of the Regulations;
    D. Obtain from Azur in the United States any item subject to the 
EAR with knowledge or reason to know that the item will be, or is 
intended to be, exported from the United States except directly related 
to safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to section 
764.3(a)(2) of the Regulations; or
    E. Engage in any transaction to service any item subject to the EAR 
that has been or will be exported from the United States and which is 
owned, possessed or controlled by Azur, or service any item, of 
whatever origin, that is owned, possessed or controlled by Azur if such 
service involves the use of any item subject to the EAR that has been 
or will be exported from the United States except directly related to 
safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) 
of the Regulations. For purposes of this paragraph, servicing means 
installation, maintenance, repair, modification, or testing.
    Third, that, after notice and opportunity for comment as provided 
in section 766.23 of the EAR, any other person, firm, corporation, or 
business organization related to Azur by ownership, control, position 
of responsibility, affiliation, or other connection in the conduct of 
trade or business may also be made subject to the provisions of this 
Order.
    In accordance with the provisions of sections 766.24(e) of the EAR, 
Azur may, at any time, appeal this Order by filing a full written 
statement in support of the appeal with the Office of the 
Administrative Law Judge, U.S. Coast Guard ALJ Docketing Center, 40 
South Gay Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4022.

[[Page 19911]]

    In accordance with the provisions of section 766.24(d) of the EAR, 
BIS may seek renewal of this Order by filing a written request not 
later than 20 days before the expiration date. A renewal request may be 
opposed by Azur as provided in section 766.24(d), by filing a written 
submission with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export 
Enforcement, which must be received not later than seven days before 
the expiration date of the Order.
    A copy of this Order shall be provided to Azur, and shall be 
published in the Federal Register.
    This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for 
180 days.

Matthew S. Axelrod,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2023-06907 Filed 4-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DT-P