IATA encourage currency repatriation ban to be lifted
The IATA have reported that over 1.2 billion USD of airline funds have been blocked from repatriation by governments, majority located in Africa and the Middle East.
With a marginal improvement of 100million USD repatriated since April 2025, the IATA encourage government bodies in Africa and the Middle east to lift restrictions where 93% of funds are withheld.
Restriction on airline funds mean procedures to claim the revenue back will become burdensome, and airlines need the funds for daily operations, cargo sales and more.
“Airlines need reliable access to their revenues in U.S. dollars to keep operations running, pay their bills, and maintain vital air connectivity. Governments have committed to unfettered repatriation of funds in bilateral agreements.” shares Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
Repatriation challenges across Africa and the Middle East
Ten countries reported by the IATA to have the most funds restricted are:
Algeria with 307 million USD
XAF Zone (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon) with 179 million USD
Lebanon with 138 million USD
Mozambique with 91 million USD
Angola with 81 million USD
Erirtrea with 78 million USD
Zimbabwe with 67 million USD
Ethiopia with 54 million USD
Pakistan with 54 million USD
Bangladesh with 32 million USD.
Algeria sits at number one in the list for this very first time due to a recent change in the ministry of trading laws, which the IATA encourage Algeria to revise and lift restrictions on airline funds.
“With low margins and significant dollar denominated costs, airlines depend on governments fulfilling that commitment. It is also in the interest of governments to foster the economic catalyst that airlines provide by connecting their economies globally. That’s why we urge governments to facilitate the efficient repatriation of airline funds and prioritize this in foreign exchange allocations, even when currency is in short supply,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
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