DCM HOSTS CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY DISCUSSION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 002240 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SP ECON PREL ICAO EAIR AORC SUBJECT: DCM HOSTS CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY DISCUSSION ¶1. (U) Summary. On November 14, the DCM along with various sections of the Embassy hosted an interagency group of key representatives from Spain's civil aviation security sector. The DCM expressed the Embassy's appreciation for GOS security efforts and pledged to continue and increase dialogue and coordination. The event received favorable reviews from our GOS contacts who appreciated the opportunity to interact with individuals from several Embassy sections and speak candidly in an informal setting. All participants indicated a willingness and interest in repeating this event on an annual or semi-annual basis. The meeting was particularly relevant given increasing numbers of passengers and flights to and through Spain. End Summary. -------------- Overtures for Increased Dialogue -------------- ¶2. (U) On November 14, the DCM hosted an interagency civil aviation security meet and greet, bringing together various Embassy sections and representatives from Spain's civil aviation sector to dialogue on security efforts. Attendees included officials from: (a) airport-assigned national police responsible for immigration as well as security on the public side, (b) the Guardia Civil responsible for security checkpoints, baggage screening, and security on the air side, (c) the Ministry of Infrastructure's civil aviation security directorate which is responsible for policy matters, (d) Spanish Airports and Navigation (AENA) which is Spain's airport and air navigation services operator, and (e) airline officials. The DCM expressed Embassy appreciation for the contributions of each organization towards international security efforts and pledged continued support and dialogue from the Embassy. ¶3. (U) Topics of discussion ranged greatly and included discussion of the increasing levels of drug-trafficking-related arrests at Spanish airports, efforts to implement biometric and facial recognition technology, and increasing passenger and flight volume. A representative from AENA said that airports in Spain were experiencing large passenger volumes, particularly in their transit traffic, and that AENA projections predicted continued and significant volume increases. (Note: the recent construction of two new runways and a new terminal at Madrid Barajas will help solidify Madrid's position as a transit destination. End Note.) ¶4. (U) Representatives from the Guardia Civil commented that drug trafficking arrests had increased greatly over the past year and that they were detecting large amounts of narcotics transiting Spain from Colombia and the Dominican Republic to the increasingly popular destination of China. Continuing the theme of law enforcement, an AENA representative added that in an effort to support its law enforcement colleagues, AENA was in the process of installing biometric and facial recognition technology at Spanish airports. Given the recent turnover of several positions at the airport, not all present were aware of this proposal. This part of the dialogue was one example the value of the event for our Spanish colleagues, whom stayed after the event broke up to exchange business cards and talk amongst themselves. -------------- -- Increasing Relevance of Spain in Civil Aviation -------------- -- ¶5. (U) Spain's relevance to the U.S. in civil aviation continues to increase. As a leading tourist destination and transit point, Spain received close to 200 million passengers in 2006 (a 6.6 percent increase from 2005). Preliminary 2007 statistics suggest that this amount will increase by over 8 percent this year. The past year was marked by an expansion of flights between the U.S. and Spain by Iberia and American Airlines, bringing the total number of carriers flying between the U.S. and Spain to 5 for an average of 13 flights a day. ¶6. (U) Airports Council International ranks the Madrid Barajas airport in 2006 as 13th in the world for passenger traffic and 18th in the world for aircraft movements overall. With the expansion of Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat airports, Spain will continue to augment its capacity and its position as a top international destination and tourist hub. -------------- MADRID 00002240 002 OF 002 Comment -------------- ¶7. (U) With increasing U.S.-Spanish civil aviation links and an ever-existing terrorism threat, this event was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the mission's support for the security work that these agencies undertake as well as to clarify the roles of various sections of the Embassy working on security and/or civil aviation issues. We received positive feedback from our counterparts on this event and will continue to build on these efforts. AGUIRRE