Airlink Optimistic Mozambique Will Release Funds
Airlink says it is hopeful Mozambican authorities will soon unblock millions in trapped ticket revenues, following high-level talks with government and banking officials. The South African airline has struggled to repatriate funds from Mozambique, warning earlier this month that it might halt ticket sales through local travel agents if the issue persisted.
CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht described the recent meetings as constructive. “On the basis of these good faith and frank discussions, we are optimistic that Mozambique’s authorities will swiftly provide a solution enabling Airlink to expedite the repatriation of its revenues generated from sales in that market,” he said in a statement.
Airlink currently operates 58 weekly return flights between South Africa and Mozambique. These include 21 weekly flights between Johannesburg and Maputo, four from Cape Town to the capital, and connections from Johannesburg to Beira, Nampula, Pemba, Tete, and Vilanculos, plus services from Mbombela to Vilanculos.
The airline’s frustration reflects a wider industry concern. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Mozambique as the worst offender globally in withholding airline funds, with $205 million trapped by April 2025, up from $127 million in October 2024.
IATA director general Willie Walsh has warned that blocking repatriation violates bilateral agreements and undermines air connectivity. “Governments must realise that it is a challenge for airlines to maintain connectivity when revenue repatriation is denied or delayed,” Walsh said.
Mozambique’s government maintains the matter is managerial, not political, but airlines say urgent action is needed to safeguard operations.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com