Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA20
2008-01-14 10:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
how-toVZCZCXRO1153 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0020 0141018 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 141018Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECTATE WASHDC 9383 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0132 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1570 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1748 RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0091 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0691 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000020
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2018
TAGS: EAIR PTER PREL ER SU XW
SUBJECT: SUSPICIOUS NASAIR
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000020
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2018
TAGS: EAIR PTER PREL ER SU XW
SUBJECT: SUSPICIOUS NASAIR
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) An Asmara-based European ambassador told the
ambassador January 11 that Nasair, a relatively new and
shadowy airline based in Massawa, Eritrea, is owned and
controlled by Sudanese intelligence. Nasair, which operates
scheduled flights to Kenya, Sudan, Chad, and UAE, is a
registered Eritrean airline, although it appears to be a
subsidiary of an unknown UAE-based entity. The European
ambassador, who is something of an airline buff, says the
1975 vintage 737-200 owned by Nasair is operated and
reasonably well maintained by Russian crews. He added that
he has flown Nasair several times and would do so again.
2. (C) Nasair flights often have only a handful of paying
passengers, leading observers to question its commercial
viability. Emboffs recently in Massawa failed to secure an
appointment with Nasair officials and were denied by Eritrean
authorities a requested orientation visit to the newly
refurbished Massawa International Airport, which currently
handles no regularly scheduled commercial flights.
3. (C) Post would appreciate from addressees any additional
information on or experience with Nasair. Several other
African countries also have registered airlines called
Nasair, according to some airline databases. Are they
related?
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2018
TAGS: EAIR PTER PREL ER SU XW
SUBJECT: SUSPICIOUS NASAIR
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) An Asmara-based European ambassador told the
ambassador January 11 that Nasair, a relatively new and
shadowy airline based in Massawa, Eritrea, is owned and
controlled by Sudanese intelligence. Nasair, which operates
scheduled flights to Kenya, Sudan, Chad, and UAE, is a
registered Eritrean airline, although it appears to be a
subsidiary of an unknown UAE-based entity. The European
ambassador, who is something of an airline buff, says the
1975 vintage 737-200 owned by Nasair is operated and
reasonably well maintained by Russian crews. He added that
he has flown Nasair several times and would do so again.
2. (C) Nasair flights often have only a handful of paying
passengers, leading observers to question its commercial
viability. Emboffs recently in Massawa failed to secure an
appointment with Nasair officials and were denied by Eritrean
authorities a requested orientation visit to the newly
refurbished Massawa International Airport, which currently
handles no regularly scheduled commercial flights.
3. (C) Post would appreciate from addressees any additional
information on or experience with Nasair. Several other
African countries also have registered airlines called
Nasair, according to some airline databases. Are they
related?
MCMULLEN