Global airlines’ blocked payments up 47% to $2.3bn, Iata says – The National

Global airlines’ blocked payments up 47% to $2.3bn, Iata says – The National

Global airlines are owed $2.3 billion by governments around the world, depriving the aviation industry of much-needed cash, risking reduced air connectivity and damaging investors' perceptions of these economies, the International Air Transport Association (Iata) said on Sunday.

The amount of airline revenue prevented by governments from repatriation has jumped by 47 per cent in the last 12 months, the industry body said at a press briefing in Istanbul.

Nigeria remains the top country where airlines' revenues are stuck, with $812.2 million. Bangladesh followed with $214.1 million, Algeria with $196.3 million, Pakistan with $188.2 million and Lebanon with $141.2 million, Iata data showed.