GOI TRANSPORT MINISTRY TO PRESIDE OVER AIRPORT

UNCLAS ROME 004617

SIPDIS


BRUSSELS FOR JKESSLER, PLEASE PASS TO FAA - PFELDMAN; FAA
PLEASE PASS TO CARL BURLESON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON ETRD IT AVIATION
SUBJECT: GOI TRANSPORT MINISTRY TO PRESIDE OVER AIRPORT
NOISE IMPLEMENTATION

REF: A. ROME 02595


B. SECSTATE 115832

C. SECSTATE 29193


1. GOI TRANSPORT MINISTRY DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS ALDO SANSONE, ALSO A MEMBER OF THE ITALIAN
DELEGATION TO THE EU-U.S. CIVIL AVIATION NEGOTIATIONS,
CONFIRMED THAT THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION IS NOW FIRMLY
IN CONTROL OF IMPLEMENTING THE EU'S AIRPORT NOISE DIRECTIVE
DESCRIBED IN REFTELS.


2. ECONOFF ACCOMPANIED VISITING FAA REGIONAL DIRECTOR TO THE
MEETING, IN WHICH ANY REMAINING DOUBT ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT WAS ERASED. THE ROLES DESCRIBED
IN REFTEL (A) ARE REVERSED - THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
IS NOW REDUCED TO AN ADVISORY ROLE, WITH THE MINISTRY OF
TRANSPORTATION ASSUMING PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR
IMPLEMENTING THE AIRPORT NOISE DECREE.


3. COMMENT: THIS SHIFT IN IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITY IS
GOOD NEWS FOR U.S. CARGO AIR TRAFFIC TO ITALY. SANSONE
EXPLAINED THAT A BAN ON NIGHT FLIGHTS IN ITALY HAD BEEN A
POSSIBILITY WHEN THE ISSUE WAS STILL UNDER THE MINISTRY OF
THE ENVIRONMENT. SANSONE AND THE VISITING FAA DIRECTOR
AGREED THAT THIS ISSUE WAS BEST MANAGED BY THE MINISTRY OF
TRANSPORTATION, SINCE "IT KNOWS AVIATION" AND CAN GRASP THE
IMPLICATIONS OF ANY SUCH REGULATORY STEP UPON THE INDUSTRY AT
LARGE. END COMMENT.
SEMBLER

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2003ROME04617 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED