HETA Asset Resolution d.o.o has secured a court order freezing the bank accounts of B&H Airlines (Sarajevo) after the carrier's sole shareholder, the Bosnian government, failed to make any of the BAM1.8 million (USD1 million) in monthly payments it had committed to in February.

Following a similar account freezing in February this year, the state pledged to cover the EUR7.5 million (USD8.2 million) in outstanding dues owed by the carrier for the two ATR72-200s it leases from HETA.

However, the Buka news site says with the new Bosnian government's failure to make any of its payments, HETA has once more frozen B&H Air's accounts leading to serious concerns the airline may founder in the next few weeks should a settlement not be found.

Bosnia's Ministry of Transport and Communications has stated that they have already initiated the procedure for securing funds in accordance with local law.

B&H Air's scheduled network is currently limited to four weekly Sarajevo-Banja Luka International-Zurich flights while a charter contract offering Pescara-Mostar flights for Italian tour operator, Foggia-based G-Tours, will run until October 15.

It is uncertain whether the Bosnian state will continue with the ATR72s following the expiration of their 10-year lease at the end of the month. Sarajevo has in the past bemoaned the terms and conditions of the contract claiming they were unbeneficial to the airline. HETA inherit the lease from predecessor Austrian bank Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International AG, which is in the process of being dissolved.