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