UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001003

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EB/TRA/AN, EB/TRA/OTP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON IO DR
SUBJECT: AFTER 14 YEARS, DOMINICAN CIVAIR AUTHORITY EYES
CATEGORY ONE STATUS

REF: STATE 053163


1. (SBU) Summary. Since 1993, the Dominican Republic's
civil aviation authority (CAA) has remained on Category 2
status per the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA)
International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA). Under
Category 2, the Dominican Republic is not in compliance with
minimum international standards established by the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Within the
last two years, however, the CAA has made an about-face with
assistance from USG agencies. The quick turnaround can be
attributed to the Dominican Republic's desire to gain a seat
on the ICAO board, establish a Dominican airline with
international service, and attract more aviation business.
Aviation officials state that the CAA did very well during
the recent IASA reassessment, which concluded on April 26,
and that the Dominican Republic might be in compliance with
IASA Category 1 requirements pending further review by FAA
and other USG agencies. End Summary.


2. (U) Per reftel, the FAA conducted an initial assessment
of the level of aviation safety oversight provided by the
Government of the Dominican Republic in 1993. At that time,
the oversight was not in accordance with minimum
international standards established by ICAO.


3. (U) When the Fernandez administration took office in
2004, FAA and Embassy officials met with their CAA
counterparts to revive the aviation reform process in the
Dominican Republic. CAA's director Norge Botello signed on
to the reform process, which allowed FAA officials to provide
technical assistance to CAA in the areas of safety
inspections, regulations, and most importantly, the
development of a new aviation law.


4. (SBU) According to FAA inspectors, CAA revamped their
operations to comply with the new aviation law, which was
passed in late 2006. FAA officials conducted a technical
review in mid-March 2007 and told econoff that they were
impressed with CAA's recent turnaround and current
performance. After the recent IASA reassessment, FAA
officials stated that the Dominican Republic's CAA had done
an excellent job in the areas of training, regulations,
licenses, equipment readiness and software applications, and
implementation of the new aviation law. FAA officials
believe that the CAA could be a regional leader with some
additional FAA technical assistance.


5. (SBU) CAA wants Category 1 status in order to win a seat
on the ICAO board (elections are in September), to establish
a Dominican air carrier with international service, and to
become a more competitive international hub for travelers
seeking a Caribbean destination. International travelers
would like to see the Dominican Republic as a Category 1
country for safety purposes.


6. This report and extensive other material can be consulted
on our SIPRNET site,
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/
HERTELL