The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says foreign airlines’ revenue blocked from repatriation by the Nigerian government has increased to $743 million from $662m in January 2023.

The association disclosed this in a letter made available to the media on Tuesday.

The letter was addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and signed by IATA’s area manager West and Central Africa, Samson Fatokun.

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The air transport group and the global airline community in the letter seeks Nigerian government special invention for the resolution of airlines’ blocked funds in the country.
“For over a year, Nigeria has been the country with the highest amount of airline-blocked funds in the world. Please find attached the comparative table of airlines’ blocked funds by country,” the letter reads.

“Moreover, as of January 2023, airlines’ blocked funds in Nigeria have increased to $743,721,092 from $662m in January 2023 and $549m in December 2022.”