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