The dues of airlines to third parties in 20 countries in the world have reached about one billion dollars, at a time when governments are seeking to stop the exchange of hard currency owed to these companies, according to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The Federation indicated that Lebanon, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Zimbabwe are among the countries most indebted to airlines, as they represent about 60% of the total arrears of airlines amounting to $963 million.