GOU SAYS AMERICAN AIR COMPANIES VIOLATING UZBEK

UNCLAS TASHKENT 001582

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND EB
DUBAI FOR FAA REPRESENTATIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR UZ
SUBJECT: GOU SAYS AMERICAN AIR COMPANIES VIOLATING UZBEK
AIR TRAFFIC REGULATIONS


(U) Sensitive but Unclassified - Please handle accordingly.


1. (U) This is an action message. Please see paragraph 4.


2. (SBU) Post received a diplomatic note (No. 03/14406) from
the MFA alleging that U.S.-flagged aircraft belonging to
American and Continental Airlines violated Uzbek air traffic
control regulations on four occasions in May and June.
According to the note, these aircraft did not provide
sufficient notice to air traffic controllers that they were
entering Uzbek airspace. The note requests Embassy
assistance in ensuring that violations of this type do not
continue. Post's unofficial translation of the note is at
paragraph 3.


3. (SBU) Begin unofficial translation:

-- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Uzbekistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the
United States of America in the Republic of Uzbekistan and
has the honor to inform that, according to the responsible
agencies of Uzbekistan, in May-June 2006 U.S. aircraft have
committed the following violations of regulations while
crossing the State Border of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

-- 1. On May 2 and June 14, the crew of American Airlines 293
enroute from New Delhi to Chicago contacted air traffic
control five minutes and four minutes respectively before
crossing (at 20.57 UTC) the State Borders of the Republic of
Uzbekistan.

-- 2. On May 15 and June 22, the crew of Continental Airlines
83 enroute from New Delhi to New York contacted air traffic
control five minutes before crossing (at 20.09 UTC) the State
Borders of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

-- According to the requirements of paragraph 91 of the
"Regulations for Using the Airspace of the Republic of
Uzbekistan," the aircraft crew must request permission to
enter Uzbek airspace from air traffic control no less than
ten minutes before crossing the State Border, and must
provide information on its call number, location, altitude
and the estimated time remaining before crossing the State
Border of Uzbekistan. The Ministry requests that the Embassy
convey this information to the appropriate U.S. officials and
take measures to prevent such violations in the future. The
Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the
Embassy assurances of its highest consideration.

-- End unofficial translation.


4. (SBU) Action Request: Post requests that the Department
bring this information to the attention of appropriate
American and Continental Airlines officials.
PURNELL