IATA warns South Africa over “turning a blind eye” to airlines owed millions in blocked funds

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has cautioned that South Africa should be more proactive in protecting local airlines owed money from blocked funds abroad, even though the country itself does not appear on IATA’s latest list of nations restricting repatriation of airline revenues.

- BANELE GININDZA

IATAs newly released global report shows that $1.2 billion in airline revenues remain trapped by governments worldwide, with only a marginal $100 million improvement since April 2025. A striking 93% of these blocked funds are located in Africa and the Middle East (AME).

Kamil Al-Awadhi, regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, on Wednesday said South Africa should be “concerned” that its carriers are being supplied and sustained by revenue that is effectively inaccessible.

"There is no blocked funds in South Africa. However, the country should be worried about its airlines being supplied by money that's blocked in other countries. For example, there are private airlines in SA that are owed money by other countries," Al-Awadhi said.