ON TO BAGHDAD: JORDAN-IRAQ CIVAIR AGREEMENT SIGNED

UNCLAS AMMAN 004249 SIPDIS FAA WASH DC HQ COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BAGHDAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ETRD JO SUBJECT: ON TO BAGHDAD: JORDAN-IRAQ CIVAIR AGREEMENT SIGNED ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Jordanian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Director Hanna Najjar signed a Letter of Agreement July 10 regarding air traffic control and airway establishment between Jordan and Iraq. While communications and service issues have yet to be ironed out, the LOA paves the way for resumption of commercial air traffic between Amman and Baghdad, perhaps as early as July 15, if RJ's application is approved by CPA. END SUMMARY -------------- OFF WE GO -------------- ¶2. (U) CAA Director Najjar signed a Letter of Agreement outlining air traffic control procedures and reestablishing the airway between Jordan and Iraq. He signed the LOA following discussions between Jordanian CAA officials and US CENTAF aviation authorities, acting on behalf of the Coalition Provisional Authority of Iraq (CPA),regarding the reopening of Iraqi air space to commercial traffic. Jordanian assent to the LOA, one in a series of regional agreements opening Iraqi air space to its neighbors, will permit national carrier Royal Jordanian Airlines to resume service from Amman to Baghdad, if its currently pending application is approved by CPA. ¶3. (U) Although extremely satisfied with the terms of the agreement itself, Najjar stressed that the CAA would not be able to authorize resumption of service from Amman until land line communications were established, a condition that CPA Chief of Operations Air Traffic Control Major Joseph Fetsch was confident would be realized by July 15. In addition, Najjar said he wanted to be sure that fueling, ground and baggage handling, immigration, and customs services would be available. To that end, Najjar said that RJ would want to send a team to Baghdad soon to assess the condition of the airport and the availability of services. CPA officials agreed that such a visit could be arranged. GNEHM