Potential Operation Challenges - Burma (Myanmar)

As the result of ongoing conflict within Burma (Myanmar), the U.S. government has issued sanctions related to the jet fuel sector of the Burmese economy. These sanctions may impact the ability to overfly or operate into this country due to limited ability to conduct financial transactions with the civil aviation authority, airport authorities or local vendors. We recommend that our customers’ operations teams communicate with World Fuel Trip Support to understand any limitations that may be in place during intended dates of operations. Below is a list of sources further detailing the current state of the Burma-related sanctions.

The World Fuel Trip Support Team is updating this article as information changes. If you need help navigating restrictions and trip requirements, email us at [email protected].

“Following the military coup in 2021, Burma’s military regime has employed brutal tactics to consolidate power and repress the people of Burma. The military has increasingly deployed aerial attacks that have destroyed villages, schools, and medical facilities. This campaign of violence has resulted in the death of more than 3,600 civilians, along with the destruction of tens of thousands of homes and other infrastructure, while also displacing nearly 1.5 million people.” - from Treasury Sanctions Burma’s Ministry of Defense and Regime-Controlled Financial Institutions

Therefore, on Jun 21, 2023 “…the United States is designating Burma’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) and two of Burma’s largest regime-controlled banks, Myanma Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB).  MFTB and MICB have been instrumental in facilitating the regime’s use of foreign currency to procure arms from abroad for the MoD.  These banks also allow Burma’s revenue-generating state-owned enterprises to easily access international markets using the banks’ offshore accounts, providing significant financial resources for the regime to exploit for military purposes.” - from Sanctioning Two State-Owned Banks and the Ministry of Defense for the Burma Military Regime’s Atrocities

As of August 23rd, “…the United States expanded the use of its Burma-related sanctions authorities to allow for sanctions to be imposed on any foreign individual or entity determined to be operating in the jet fuel sector of Burma’s economy. This expands our ability to exert pressure on Burma’s military regime while further supporting the people of Burma.” - from Expanding Burma Sanctions Authorities and Imposing Sanctions on Additional Jet Fuel Suppliers