The airline industry faces $1.5B in blocked funds globally, Eritrea topping the list of outstanding defaulters and the most aged blocked airline funds with an outstanding bill of $75 million. Restricted repatriation of ticket sales cripples operations, highlighting major currency and regulatory hurdles.  Notably, Ethiopian Airlines halted all operations in Eritrea months ago, citing operational difficulties and regulatory challenges that severely impacted its performance in Asmara.