Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO2127
2005-09-15 14:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

CIVAIR COMMUNITY EAGERLY AWAITS NEW GPS PROCEDURE

Tags:  EAIR PGOV EC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

151445Z Sep 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002127 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR PGOV EC
SUBJECT: CIVAIR COMMUNITY EAGERLY AWAITS NEW GPS PROCEDURE


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002127

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR PGOV EC
SUBJECT: CIVAIR COMMUNITY EAGERLY AWAITS NEW GPS PROCEDURE



1. Summary. Global Positioning System (GPS) procedures for
Quito's Mariscal Sucre airport are close to becoming a
reality. GOE civil aviation regulators, the airlines, and
the Quito Airport all see positive benefits to introducing
GPS procedures. Benefits include preventing frequent
weather-related diversions, facilitating the airport's
transition to 24-hour operation, and rehabilitating the
airport's reputation. Although local regulators see the
introduction of GPS as a foot up in their effort to regain
Category 1 status, the connection between the two is
essentially non-existent. End Summary.

ON THE CUSP OF GPS
--------------


2. Triggered by a $300,000 investment by an American
carrier, the regulatory process necessary for implementing a
GPS procedure at Quito's Mariscal Sucre airport is nearing
its end. Drawing on available, on-board technology, pilots
would utilize GPS procedures to help them land aircraft when
weather-related conditions limit line-of-sight capacity.
Ecuador's Direccion General de Aviacion Civil (DGAC),which
has regulatory oversight on the matter, has agreed in
principle to implementing the GPS procedure. The DGAC
currently is awaiting a technical review by FAA to give
carriers and the Quito Airport the green light. FAA has
completed the review and is preparing an official, positive
response to the DGAC. A parallel regulatory process between
American carriers and the FAA also is nearing completion.

GPS A POTENTIAL SAVIOR
--------------


3. A number of GPS-derived benefits drive interest in the
procedure. Most importantly, an approved GPS procedure
would allow airplanes to land at Quito's main airport under
disruptive weather conditions. For years, shifting winds,
heavy fog and other weather-related problems have diverted
incoming air traffic to Guayaquil, neighboring Colombia or
Panama. Passenger traffic -- some 80 flights per year are
diverted -- has garnered a majority of the attention, but
cargo flights are also affected. The diversions disrupt
passenger itineraries and generate fuel and passenger
accommodation costs for the airlines.


4. GPS procedures also would allow authorities to expand
airport operations to 24-hours. While a shift to around-the-
clock operations does not directly influence passenger
schedules, cargo carriers will benefit. Profiting the most

is Ecuador's floral industry, which relies on timely
shipments for its cut flower exports.


5. A less tangible benefit of the GPS procedure is one of
status. In discussions with EconOff, DGAC Director William
Birkett frequently has expressed concern about the airport's
reputation, which is negatively affected by both weather-
related diversions and limited operation schedules. A GPS
procedure addresses both concerns while also allowing
airlines to utilize the newest available technology. With
slight adjustments, these GPS procedures also could be used
at the new Quito airport, scheduled to open in 2009.
Birkett believes that the GPS procedure, by helping reduce
uncertainty, also will have a positive spillover effect on
investment across Ecuador's economy.

INTEREST IN CATEGORY ONE CERTIFICATION PERSISTS
-------------- --


6. Less certain is any positive impact the implementation
of a GPS system would have on the GOE's efforts to regain
Category 1 certification of its safety oversight system.
Ecuador lost Category 1 status in 1994 and with it the right
for Ecuadorian airlines to fly directly to the U.S. and to
maintain beneficial code-sharing relationships with American
carriers. The first step toward regaining Category 1 is the
passage of an adequate Civil Aviation Law, which currently
is up for a second debate in Congress. Despite FAA review
of draft legislation based on FAA standards, over the past
year special interests have watered down language in the
proposed law.


7. Meanwhile, inspections last year by the Transportation
Safety Administration (TSA) of safety protocols at Quito and
Guayaquil airport revealed no substantial security
violations. Despite the positive nature of the inspections,
the FAA notes that regaining Category 1 would still require
a formal technical review of airport safety once an adequate
Civil Aviation Law is passed. Birkett, who is working with
a timetable that ends in December 2006, has expressed
frustration over the need for a technical review. In turn,
he has suggested that productive steps forward on matters
such as GPS procedures should suffice toward satisfying
further Category 1 concerns.

COMMENT
--------------


8. Regaining Category 1 status appears to be a top priority
for Birkett, a former Air Force General and former President
of the Ecuadorian military-owned airline TAME. He takes the
status of civil aviation in Ecuador personally.
Unfortunately, his belief that progress on GPS can
facilitate the Category 1 process is misguided. However,
Birkett seems to have brought a new sense of purpose to the
DGAC and cooperation with the Civil Aviation Commission has
been much improved. Still, despite Birkett's productive
work, the GOE's legitimacy on civil aviation is hampered by
its previous lackluster effort to help Category 1
legislation pass, even as the USG expended a lot of energy
toward that end.

JEWELL