AIR NAVIGATION FEES REMOVED FROM BILL FOR U.S. MILITARY

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001194 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS TX SUBJECT: AIR NAVIGATION FEES REMOVED FROM BILL FOR U.S. MILITARY FLIGHTS REFTELS: A) ASHGABAT 1024, B) ASHGABAT 1024 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Representatives of Ashgabat Airport have presented a newly reworked bill for use by air crews using airport services in Ashgabat. The new bill does not reflect a charge for Air Navigation fees. This is a solution that meets the needs of both sides. END SUMMARY. BACKGROUND ¶3. (SBU) Previously, AVCARD, the U.S. contractor for flight support services in Turkmenistan, received two bills from the airport. One of these bills reflected charges for fuel and a fee for fuel handling. That bill remains unchanged. The second bill previously reflected charges for landing, air navigation, security, handling, and an additional payment. The payment for air navigation fees is a violation of U.S. policy. Based on internal reviews, the United States decided to cease payment of air navigation fees as on July 1, 2008, a date which has been extended to September 30, 2008 to facilitate negotiations with Turkmen airport officials. A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE SOLUTION ¶4. (SBU) Turkmen airport officials have presented a new second bill, which reflects only a charge titled "Air company infrastructure charge." Since the new bill does not reflect a charge of air navigation fees, this bill seems to meet the US requirement not to pay air navigation fees, and also meets Turkmen billing requirements. ¶5. (SBU) U.S. air crews should start seeing the new bill soon, certainly ahead of the September 30, 2008 deadline for U.S. payment of air navigation fees. This should resolve the current issue over air navigation fees being charged to U.S. military air crews. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: From the beginning, the Turkmen approach during the entire discussion of air navigation fees has been a pragmatic one. They charge other countries air navigation fees and receive them. Although the United States decided (suddenly, from their point of view) to no longer pay, the approach has been to find a solution that worked for both sides. In the end, it seems the money was the key part for the Turkmen. Once the United States position was clearly outlined and it was clear we would continue to pay for use of the airport, the Turkmen were flexible enough to implement a solution that meets our concerns. END COMMENT. CURRAN