VENEZUELA'S INAC ASKS FOR CIVAIR PARITY

UNCLAS CARACAS 001364 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLS PASS TO DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR VE SUBJECT: VENEZUELA'S INAC ASKS FOR CIVAIR PARITY REF: A. CARACAS 723 ¶B. STATE 38908 ¶C. CARACAS 573 ¶1. (SBU) Via diplomatic note, the BRV thanked the FAA for elevating Venezuela to Category 1 and mentioned the "good disposition" of the FAA team that visited on March 27-30. The BRV also communicated the desire to expand its airlines' services to more U.S. destinations, and seek "equilibrium of aero-commercial relations" within the stipulations of the current bilateral agreement. The National Institute for Civil Aviation (INAC) had hinted at this many times during the Category 1 discussions. The BRV has announced that they will begin route requests in 3-5 months, and will likely press this issue only when airlines are ready to invest in additional routes and schedules. ¶2. (U) Post received a diplomatic note from the BRV MFA dated May 20, 2005 on avation matters. Unofficial translation of diplomatic note: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Ministry of Foreign Relations Office of the Minister No. 002657 The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Office of the Minister, presents its compliments to the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America, and has the honor to inform that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is pleased to know that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, given its initials in English) has decided to modify its opinion with respect to Venezuelan air safety. In this respect, it is worthy of mentioning that our country complies and will continue to comply faithfully and strictly with the Recommended Norms and Methods (SARPS) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),as stated in the operational safety audit carried out by said organization between June and July of 2004. The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Office of the Minister, wishes to make a record of the good disposition of the representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration during the technical visit that took place from the 27th to the 30th of March of 2006, which reaffirms that the mechanisms of dialogue and effective coordination allow us to find points of understanding and effective solutions to the bilateral problem in a cordial atmosphere. The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Office of the Minister, reiterates that the decision taken will allow the expansion of commercial possibilities of this country's companies to participate in offering flights to the principal destinations in the United States of America, with the goal of recovering the equilibrium of aero-commercial relations between both countries, to develop under principles of equality of opportunity, reciprocity, and equity, in accordance with what is stipulated in the current Bilateral Agreement. The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Office of the Minister, while manifesting its confidence that in a brief time lapse Venezuelan airlines will be able to begin operations in that country, takes the opportunity to reiterate to the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America, the assurances of its highest consideration and esteem. End Text. BROWNFIELD