UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002305

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/TRA, WHA/EPSC, WHA/CEN, AND CA/OCS/ACS/WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON PGOV KPRV CASC HO FAA TSA
SUBJECT: HONDURAS FAA TECHNICAL REVIEW SURPRISINGLY POSITIVE



1. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical review
of Honduras' civil aviation oversight authority (General
Directorate of Civil Aviation, or DGAC) was "85 percent
positive," opening up the possibility of Honduras moving to
Category 1 in the FAA's International Safety Assessments
(IASA) program, which would allow Honduras to fly national
air carriers directly to the U.S. as early as January 2006.
Direct flights would give the limited number of Honduran
carriers more control over the growth and development of key
tourism areas, including the Caribbean Bay Islands and
developing resorts in the northern coast city of Tela. A
previous (and unsuccessful) technical review was held in

1994.


2. Three FAA inspectors arrived October 15 for the five-day
DGAC review, held mainly in Tegucigalpa, but which included
a day trip to La Ceiba. The inspectors focused on legal
structure, training, processes and procedures, and
licensing. Outstanding issues included a potential conflict
between some DGAC guidelines and Honduran law; a request to
separate the accident investigation function from DGAC
responsibilities; requirement of certain standards for
testing pilots; and the need to bring or train an inspector
for two older jets currently in inventory.


3. In La Ceiba, the investigators reviewed the
administration of three carriers - Islena (owned by TACA),
AeroHonduras (which currently flies using wet-leased planes
and crew from the U.S. company Falcon Air), and Atlantic
Airlines. Of the three, Atlantic was clearly in need of the
most work - issues raised included the lack of company
flight manuals and a need for generally stronger
administrative processes. Another review will be conducted
the week of December 5th by the fourth investigator who was
unable to attend this session. According to Minister of
Transportation Jorge Carranza, if Altantic is not in
compliance by that review, they face the strong possibility
of being grounded.


4. A comprehensive review of all items in need of compliance
should arrive in the DGAC by mid-November, according to the
FAA investigators. During the December review, which will
focus mainly on air worthiness, the FAA will also check to
see if the items mentioned in the first report have been
addressed. This modified report will be circulated within
the FAA, with a decision on whether Honduras is to be
certified as Category 1 expected in January 2006.

Ford