Bolivia joins the list of countries whose governments block airline funds, warns IATA | Bolivia ingresa a la lista de países cuyos gobiernos bloquean fondos de las líneas aéreas, advierte IATA

By Brujula Digital, El Dia:

According to the organization, which represents most of the world’s airlines, the amount blocked in Bolivia totals $42 million.

Illustrative image. Photo: Internet.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced on Monday that Bolivia has joined the list of countries whose governments block airline funds. According to the organization, the blocked amount in Bolivia totals $42 million.

In a statement, IATA, which represents most of the world’s airlines, explained that Bolivia’s situation is due to “a deterioration in the availability of foreign currency, particularly U.S. dollars,” according to an EFECOM report cited by Infobae.

IATA Calls Fund Blocking “Unacceptable”

IATA Director General Willie Walsh described these practices as “unacceptable” and urged governments to “remove all barriers preventing airlines from repatriating their revenues from ticket sales and other activities, in accordance with international agreements.”

Walsh warned that if airlines cannot recover their funds, “they cannot be expected to offer their services, and economies will suffer if connectivity collapses.”

Bolivia and Other Countries Blocking Foreign Exchange

According to EFECOM, globally, blocked airline funds have slightly decreased from $1.8 billion in April to $1.7 billion six months later.

Eighty-three percent of these blockages are concentrated in nine countries or monetary zones: Pakistan ($311 million), followed by the CFA franc nations of Central Africa ($235 million), Bangladesh ($196 million), Algeria ($193 million), and Lebanon ($142 million).

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