LIGHTER BAN DEMARCHE - AUSTRIAN REACTION

UNCLAS VIENNA 001340

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EB/TRA/OTP AND EUR/AGS
DEPT ALSO PLEASE PASS TO TSA
FRANKFURT FOR TSA/ABROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR PTER AU
SUBJECT: LIGHTER BAN DEMARCHE - AUSTRIAN REACTION

REFS: A) VIENNA 1186 B)STATE 66181 C) STATE 41383


1. This message includes a request for guidance in
paragraph 3.


2. On April 21, Manfred Bialonczyk, Civil Aviation
Director General in the Ministry of Transportation,
Innovation and Technology, told us that the GoA is taking
a pragmatic view of the lighter ban and accepts the ban
of lighters on flights to and from the U.S. As a follow-
up to TSA notification to foreign carriers operating
flights to and from the U.S. (ref C),Bialonczyk said his
office would reinforce the USG position with Austrian
Airlines to ensure passengers are aware of the new ban.


3. Request for Guidance: Bialonczyk enquired whether the
ban applied to all aircraft arriving and leaving the
U.S., including private aircraft. Post would appreciate
confirmation that the lighter ban also applies to private
aircraft.

BROWN