The International Air Transport Association has confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria has cleared foreign airlines trapped funds worth $831m from June last year to date.
The Geneva, Switzerland-based IATA said the development had brought international airlines’ trapped funds globally to about $1.8bn.
According to IATA, from the peak of about $850m foreign airlines’ funds in Nigeria last June, only $19m is left outstanding.
The association representing international airlines said the remaining $19m was awaiting the CBN verification through commercial banks.
The Director-General of IATA, Willie Walsh, announced this in a statement on Sunday. The IATA boss, however, praised the Nigerian government for their efforts in ensuring the successful repatriation of the funds by the international airlines. He said, “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 in Nigeria, which severely impacted the country’s aviation industry.”
