IATA AGM 2015: Industry calls on Venezuela to release airline funds
The International Air Transport Association has called on the Venezuelan government to address the problem of the $3.7 billion in airline funds the government is withholding from the airlines.
The blocked money was generated from airline ticket sales in Venezuela and is being withheld in breach of international treaties.
Venezuela has a complex system of currency controls in place by which the government dictates when and how much revenue airlines can repatriate from the country.
Venezuela’s difficult economic situation is not an excuse to delay addressing the issue, which is unfair to airlines and inconvenient to passengers, who are the victims of a debilitated air network.
IATA called on the intervention of the Venezuelan government in three areas:
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“The Venezuelan government must take action to resolve this untenable situation with the airlines.
“In Latin America, aviation supports over 4.9 million jobs and generates $153 billion in economic activity.
“Air connectivity in Venezuela has suffered because of the lack of progress over the blocked funds issue and the deterioration in the operating environment.
“I urge the government to work with the airline industry to resolve the problem once and for all,” said IATA director general Tony Tyler.