According to a statement by IATA the total locked funds at the end of April, stood at approximately $1.8 billion, a reduction of $708 million (28%) since December 2023.

The main driver of the reduction was a significant clearance of funds blocked in Nigeria. Egypt also approved the clearance of its significant accumulation of blocked funds.

However, in both cases, airlines were adversely affected by the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound and the Nigerian Naira.

Meanwhile IATA reiterated the call for governments to remove all barriers to airlines repatriating their revenues from ticket sales and other activities in accordance with international agreements and treaty obligations.

IATA said:

“The reduction in blocked funds is a positive development. The remaining $1.8 billion, however, is significant and must be urgently addressed. The efficient repatriation of airline revenues is guaranteed in bilateral agreements.

According to Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, even more importantly, it is a pre-requisite for airlines who operate on thin margins to be able to provide economically critical connectivity. No business can operate long-term without access to rightfully earned revenues.”

For instance, at its peak in June 2023, Nigeria’s blocked funds amounted to $850 million, significantly affecting airline operations and finances in the country.

Carriers faced difficulties in repatriating  revenues in US dollars, and the high volume of blocked funds led some airlines to reduce their operations and one carrier to temporarily cease operations to Nigeria, which severely impacted the country’s aviation industry.

However, as of April 2024, 98% of these funds have been cleared. The remaining $19 million is due to the Central Bank’s ongoing verification of outstanding forward claims filed by the commercial banks.

“We commend the new Nigerian government and the Central Bank of Nigeria for their efforts to resolve this issue. Individual Nigerians and the economy will all benefit from reliable air connectivity for which access to revenues is critical.

“We are on the right path and urge the government to clear the residual $19 million and continue prioritizing aviation,” said Walsh.

It is significant to note that the situation has become severe in Pakistan and Bangladesh with airlines unable to repatriate $731 million ($411 million in Pakistan and $320 million in Bangladesh) of revenues earned in these markets.

Thus,

“Pakistan and Bangladesh must release the $731 million in blocked funds immediately to ensure airlines can continue providing essential air connectivity. In Bangladesh, the solution is in the hands of the Central Bank, which must prioritize aviation’s access to foreign exchange in line with international treaty obligations.

The solution in Pakistan is finding efficient alternatives to the system of audit and tax exemption certificates, which cause long processing delays,” said Walsh.

This was revealed on Thursday, August 18, in a statement by the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which cited its inability to repatriate its foreign exchange revenues from Nigeria.

​​Over 20 foreign airlines worth at least $600 million have had their flights to Nigeria barred since the year began.

Emirates had stated two weeks prior that around $85 million of this cash were in Nigeria.

Emirates has requested Nigeria’s minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, to help with the repatriation of its $85 million in earnings.

The airline had reduced its 11 weekly frequencies into Lagos Airport to 7 as of Monday, August 15.

The airline said the suspension would “limit further losses and reduce the impact on its operational costs that continue to accumulate in the Nigerian market”.

​Emirates Airlines said in a statement: “Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective September 1, 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market.”

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our customers. However, the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.

“Should there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeri​​a, we remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations provide much-needed connectivity for Nigerian travelers, providing access to trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai, and to our broader network of over 130 destinations.”