RIYADH, 26 July — Ministries of communication in the Arab world are exploring the possibility of releasing funds frozen from airline companies of Iraq, Libya and Sudan following an international flight ban imposed on these countries a few years ago. These funds are deposits made against different airport services, fuel consumption and insurance commitments in various Arab countries.
A source at the Saudi Ministry of Communication told Arab News that a special committee has been constituted to discuss the issue based on the recommendations of the executive office of the Arab communications and transport ministers. Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan and Morocco have been convinced of the need to make such a move, the source said.
The value of the frozen deposits of airline companies of Iraq and Libya is estimated at more than $22 million.
The US government froze a total of company assets worth $2.15 million including $360,000 remitted from Abu Dhabi to the Sudan Air account in London and $150,000 transmitted from Sanaa to Sudan Air in London in November last year, according to Ali Al-Tijani Ahmad, director of planning and development in the Sudan Air. It also froze $22,000 in City Bank in New York belonging to Sudan Air, $133,000 remitted from an Abu Dhabi bank to the company’s account in New York and another $150,000 remitted from Jeddah since November 1997.
The executive office makes studies and recommendations pertaining to transportation on land, air and sea in the Arab world. It is also studying the gradual lifting of restrictions on Arab skies for air traffic.
Besides, it is working for the establishment of an Arab federation for air transport in addition to implementation of a satellite system for the service of air traffic and communications in the Arab world and Africa.
