FOLLOW-UP ON FAA RECOMMENDATIONS ON AVIATION

UNCLAS ANKARA 004488 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FAA ROME FOR JOYNER FAA BRUSSELS FOR AEU-1 DEPARTMENT FOR EB AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR PGOV TU SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON FAA RECOMMENDATIONS ON AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT REF: 300852Z_ FAA ROME ¶1. (SBU) EconCouns met with Transportation Deputy U/S Kemal Albayrak July 16 to reiterate FAA concerns resulting from its May 21 consultations in Ankara, and to urge the GOT to revise its legislation to give the Directorate General for Civil Aviation the authority needed to operate in compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices. While welcoming the improvements the FAA team found, EconCouns highlighted concerns (reftel) regarding the turnover of DGCA personnel and Turkish Airlines replacement of key operations and safety personnel without consultation with DGCA. He specifically noted that DGCA's inability under current legislation to hire and fire personnel without the Ministry's approval appeared to be the main cause of DGCA's personnel problems. ¶2. (SBU) Albayrak emphasized the GOT's seriousness on air safety issues and its willingness to work with the FAA, including welcoming an FAA assessment of DGCA's safety oversight capability later this year. While politely questioning the assertion that most of the DGCA staff have limited experience, Albayrak acknowledged most of the concerns raised by FAA. He said the Ministry expects to address most if not all of these issues via new legislation, which he has drafted and which is now circulating within the government. PEARSON