Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LIMA2095
2006-05-26 14:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lima
Cable title:
TRANSPORT MINISTER DISCUSSES FAA ASSESSMENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHPE #2095/01 1461446 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261446Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0697 RUEANHA/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 3442 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 0377 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY 3387 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0558 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 2412 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 9504
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 002095
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EB/TRA/AN, CA/OCS/AC
FAA MIAMI FOR JAY RODRIGUES
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO FAA HQ - KRISTA BERQUIST
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2016
TAGS: EAIR ECON PGOV CASC PE
SUBJECT: TRANSPORT MINISTER DISCUSSES FAA ASSESSMENT
REF: A. LIMA 1927
B. STATE 77824
Classified By: Economic Officer Samantha Carl-Yoder for reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 002095
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EB/TRA/AN, CA/OCS/AC
FAA MIAMI FOR JAY RODRIGUES
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO FAA HQ - KRISTA BERQUIST
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2016
TAGS: EAIR ECON PGOV CASC PE
SUBJECT: TRANSPORT MINISTER DISCUSSES FAA ASSESSMENT
REF: A. LIMA 1927
B. STATE 77824
Classified By: Economic Officer Samantha Carl-Yoder for reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Ambassador Struble met with Minister of
Transport Jose Ortiz on May 19 to deliver Reftel B FAA
International Aviation Safety Assessment report. Ortiz
understood the FAA's concerns in the report regarding TANS
Airlines but emphasized that, despite having an Air Operating
Certificate, the airline is not operating. Ortiz highlighted
that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has
improved enforcement of safety standards. Both the Minister
and the DGAC Director are confident that the FAA will reverse
its recommendation for Category II after consultations. The
GOP requests that the FAA visit Peru as soon as possible,
perhaps in mid-June. End Summary.
Discussing the Role of the DGAC
--------------
2. (C) The Ambassador met with Minister of Transport Jose
Ortiz to deliver the FAA's International Aviation Safety
Assessment (IASA) report on May 19. Ortiz, who was
accompanied by Director General of Civil Aviation Luis
Rivera, was well-versed with the report and on the FAA's
concerns about the resolution of safety issues. Ortiz
emphasized that the DGAC is an autonomous institution that
focuses on technical aspects rather than political
considerations.
3. (C) Ortiz noted the FAA's consternation about the
replacement of DGAC Director General Roberto Rodriguez two
hours after the FAA's assessment out brief in January but
explained that the Administration had planned on replacing
Rodriguez, who was the Acting Director for 1.5 years, before
the FAA assessment. Ortiz convinced the Administration to
wait until after the assessment, arguing that Rodriguez could
respond to any FAA concerns or questions. The Minister
commented that it would have been more difficult for the FAA
to conduct its assessment in January if a newly installed
director was not yet up to speed. While the GOP did appoint
a new Director of Civil Aviation immediately after the
assessment, Ortiz emphasized that it was not due to political
concerns but rather to ensure leadership at the DGAC. He
also underscored that the rest of the DGAC team remains the
same.
TANS: Not Flying
--------------
4. (C) Minister Ortiz also took the opportunity to address
the Air Force-owned TANS Airline issue, acknowledging that
the DGAC suspended TANS' Air Operating Certificates in
January due to safety concerns. Ortiz and Rivera emphasized
that the airline took significant measures in the following
weeks to rectify its safety problems, resulting in the DGAC
reauthorizing the company's Air Operating Certificates in
mid-February. Director Rivera also pointed out that the
DGAC's approval hinged on a restructuring of TANS' operations
and a guarantee of funding by the GOP. The airline, noted
Rivera, is currently not flying nor is likely to fly,
regardless of whether it has flight permits -- permits that
expired on May 20, 2006.
5. (C) Minister Ortiz then informed the Ambassador that the
GOP decided that it would not continue to fund TANS'
operations, although the official decision has not yet been
formalized due to the sensitivity of the issue and the
upcoming elections. The company, which has drawn down its
operations to just 30 staff, will be liquidated in the next
few months. The military will likely reestablish the
airline, which will only be allowed to fly "civic flights"
(flights for military and police to remote areas) rather than
commercial flights. As such, the new airline will not be
under DGAC authority.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Minister Ortiz appeared to understand the FAA's
concerns about the resolution of safety issues but remains
confident that, upon return, the FAA will reverse its
recommendation. The GOP has requested that the FAA return to
Peru for consultations as soon as possible, perhaps in
mid-June.
STRUBLE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EB/TRA/AN, CA/OCS/AC
FAA MIAMI FOR JAY RODRIGUES
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO FAA HQ - KRISTA BERQUIST
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2016
TAGS: EAIR ECON PGOV CASC PE
SUBJECT: TRANSPORT MINISTER DISCUSSES FAA ASSESSMENT
REF: A. LIMA 1927
B. STATE 77824
Classified By: Economic Officer Samantha Carl-Yoder for reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Ambassador Struble met with Minister of
Transport Jose Ortiz on May 19 to deliver Reftel B FAA
International Aviation Safety Assessment report. Ortiz
understood the FAA's concerns in the report regarding TANS
Airlines but emphasized that, despite having an Air Operating
Certificate, the airline is not operating. Ortiz highlighted
that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has
improved enforcement of safety standards. Both the Minister
and the DGAC Director are confident that the FAA will reverse
its recommendation for Category II after consultations. The
GOP requests that the FAA visit Peru as soon as possible,
perhaps in mid-June. End Summary.
Discussing the Role of the DGAC
--------------
2. (C) The Ambassador met with Minister of Transport Jose
Ortiz to deliver the FAA's International Aviation Safety
Assessment (IASA) report on May 19. Ortiz, who was
accompanied by Director General of Civil Aviation Luis
Rivera, was well-versed with the report and on the FAA's
concerns about the resolution of safety issues. Ortiz
emphasized that the DGAC is an autonomous institution that
focuses on technical aspects rather than political
considerations.
3. (C) Ortiz noted the FAA's consternation about the
replacement of DGAC Director General Roberto Rodriguez two
hours after the FAA's assessment out brief in January but
explained that the Administration had planned on replacing
Rodriguez, who was the Acting Director for 1.5 years, before
the FAA assessment. Ortiz convinced the Administration to
wait until after the assessment, arguing that Rodriguez could
respond to any FAA concerns or questions. The Minister
commented that it would have been more difficult for the FAA
to conduct its assessment in January if a newly installed
director was not yet up to speed. While the GOP did appoint
a new Director of Civil Aviation immediately after the
assessment, Ortiz emphasized that it was not due to political
concerns but rather to ensure leadership at the DGAC. He
also underscored that the rest of the DGAC team remains the
same.
TANS: Not Flying
--------------
4. (C) Minister Ortiz also took the opportunity to address
the Air Force-owned TANS Airline issue, acknowledging that
the DGAC suspended TANS' Air Operating Certificates in
January due to safety concerns. Ortiz and Rivera emphasized
that the airline took significant measures in the following
weeks to rectify its safety problems, resulting in the DGAC
reauthorizing the company's Air Operating Certificates in
mid-February. Director Rivera also pointed out that the
DGAC's approval hinged on a restructuring of TANS' operations
and a guarantee of funding by the GOP. The airline, noted
Rivera, is currently not flying nor is likely to fly,
regardless of whether it has flight permits -- permits that
expired on May 20, 2006.
5. (C) Minister Ortiz then informed the Ambassador that the
GOP decided that it would not continue to fund TANS'
operations, although the official decision has not yet been
formalized due to the sensitivity of the issue and the
upcoming elections. The company, which has drawn down its
operations to just 30 staff, will be liquidated in the next
few months. The military will likely reestablish the
airline, which will only be allowed to fly "civic flights"
(flights for military and police to remote areas) rather than
commercial flights. As such, the new airline will not be
under DGAC authority.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Minister Ortiz appeared to understand the FAA's
concerns about the resolution of safety issues but remains
confident that, upon return, the FAA will reverse its
recommendation. The GOP has requested that the FAA return to
Peru for consultations as soon as possible, perhaps in
mid-June.
STRUBLE