The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the launch of the USD line of business under the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in Ethiopia, effective June 2, 2025. Airlines and agents are now able to perform transactions in either Ethiopian Birr, as primary currency and USD, as secondary currency. This comes as part of IATA’s ongoing commitment to enhance services and support the growth of the aviation industry in Ethiopia, and across Africa.
“This new development marks a significant milestone in the modernization and facilitation of financial transactions within the Ethiopian aviation market. The introduction of a USD settlement option provides airlines and travel agents with greater flexibility, efficiency and alignment. This enhancement will further strengthen the BSP framework in Ethiopia and contribute positively to the local aviation ecosystem,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and Middle East.
The BSP is a global system that facilitates the financial transactions between airlines and travel agencies. It is designed to simplify and secure the selling, reporting, and remitting procedures of IATA-accredited travel agents.
IATA’s BSP spans 207+ countries and territories, and currently serves over 59,000 of the world’s largest travel brands, including over 400 airlines worldwide, with an on-time settlement rate of 99.999%. In 2023, it processed over $240 billion.
