The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a warning that in the previous six months, the amount of airline money for repatriation that have been blocked by governments increased by more than 25% ($394 million).
The total amount of frozen funds is already very close to $2 billion.
In more than 27 countries and territories, airline cash cannot be repatriated.
Nigeria ($551 million), Pakistan ($225 million), Bangladesh ($208 million), Lebanon ($144 million), and Algeria ($140 million) are the top five markets with blocked funds (excluding Venezuela).
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, noted that: “Preventing airlines from repatriating funds may appear to be an easy way to shore up depleted treasuries, but ultimately the local economy will pay a high price. No business can sustain providing service if they cannot get paid and this is no different for airlines. Air links are a vital economic catalyst. Enabling the efficient repatriation of revenues is a critical for any economy to remain globally connected to markets and supply chains.”
Total airline funds blocked from repatriation in Nigeria are $551 million. Repatriation issues arose in March 2020 when demand for foreign currency in the country outpaced supply and the country’s banks were not able to service currency repatriations.
Despite these challenges Nigerian authorities have been engaged with the airlines and are, together with the industry, working to find measures to release the funds available.
“Nigeria is an example of how government-industry engagement can resolve blocked funds issues. Working with the Nigerian House of Representatives, Central Bank and the Minister of Aviation resulted in the release of $120 million for repatriation with the promise of a further release at the end of 2022. This encouraging progress demonstrates that, even in difficult circumstances, solutions can be found to clear blocked funds and ensure vital connectivity,” said Kamil Al-Awadhi as Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.
IATA , therefore, called on governments to remove all barriers to airlines repatriating their revenues from ticket sales and other activities, in line with international agreements and treaty obligations.