AVIATION FEES WITH REGARD TO ASECNA MEMBER STATES

UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000464

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/ISO AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR KREC MARR MOPS MR
SUBJECT: AVIATION FEES WITH REGARD TO ASECNA MEMBER STATES

Ref: STATE 43720


1. Responses are keyed to Paragraph 6, reftel for the airports of
ATAR (GQPA) and NOUAKCHOTT (GQNN) in Mauritania:

- IS THE AIRPORT OPERATED BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT OR A NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT AGENCY? (IF THE AIRPORT IS PREDOMINANTLY OR EXCLUSIVELY
OPERATED BY ASECNA, PLEASE NOTE THAT SUCH IS THE CASE.)

Response: Both airports (Atar and Nouakchott) are operated by SAM
(Socit des Aroports de Mauritanie),assisted by ANAC (Agence
Nationale d'Aviation Civile),a government agency under the
authority of the Ministry of Transportation. SAM is a semi-private
agency that handles the management, exploration and development of
the airports. In Mauritania, airports are not predominantly or
exclusively operated by ASECNA; this regional agency just handles
issues related to the navigation security and airports safety.

- IF OPERATIONS ARE CONDUCTED BY AN ENTITY WHICH IS NOT CLEARLY THE
GOVERNMENT OR AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT, HOW MUCH OF THE ENTITY'S
FUNDING (ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS) COMES FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT?

Response: The Mauritanian State is a major shareholder of SAM;
accordingly, about 51 percent of its funding comes from the
Government.

- IF THE AIRPORT OPERATES ON A FOR-PROFIT BASIS, IS A PORTION OF THE
REVENUES (NOT INCLUDING TAXES) RETURNED TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT?
IF SO, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE REVENUE IS RETURNED TO THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT?

Response: Yes, if the SAM makes a profit, the portion of the
revenues is returned to the government and is included in the
government budget revenues. The percentage of the amount is the
share of the government in the company and the amount is fixed by
the Board of Directors (Conseil d'Administration) of SAM.

- IS THE ENTITY OPERATING THE AIRPORT SUBJECT TO DAY-TO-DAY
OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT?

Response: There are three entities involved in the airport
operations: the SAM is the entity in charge of the commercial
management of all aspects linked to the regular flights; ASECNA is
in charge of managing the irregular flights, for example, an
unscheduled flight; and ANAC is a government agency that prepares
regulations, gives guidance and follow up their implementation. So,
ANAC provides instructions and guidance to the SAM but not on a
day-to-day basis, just when it is necessary, such as when some
incident occurs or the government introduces some changes in the
management rules or regulations. ANAC follows very closely SAM
management procedures and the officials of the companies meet
regularly to discuss about the ways of improving the airport
management.

- WHAT PAYMENT METHODS ARE CURRENTLY ALLOWED OR REQUIRED BY AIRPORT
AUTHORITIES FOR PAYMENT FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: FUEL; PARKING
AND LANDING FEES; GROUND SERVICES; AND AIR NAVIGATION FEES.
SPECIFICALLY, WILL AIRPORT AUTHORITIES ACCEPT THE DOD AIR CARD, A
VALID FUND CITE, OR CASH FOR PAYMENT FOR EACH OF THE LISTED GOODS OR
SERVICES. PLEASE BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE REGARDING THE PAYMENT
REQUIREMENTS.

Response: For fuel, the usual payment method at the airport is by
cash in foreign exchange; there is one fuel company, Total, that
accepts DOD air card. Fund cites can be used for fuel purchase
through the Management Office of the American Embassy for USG
official flights. For parking and landing, ground services, and air
navigation fees, the payment is made through bank transfer to SAM
bank account in foreign exchange, if it is a regular flight. For
irregular flights, all fees are collected by ASECNA, in cash.


2. Post believes that that the OEF-TS SOFA in force with Mauritania
is in line with USG policy as outlined reftel. However, ASECNA
attempts to assess landing fees each tie a USG official flight
arrives here, and in each circumstance the case is resolved only
after Embassy intervention at a high level.

Koutsis