THE ROLE OF A CIVAIR REGULATOR - TAAG AND ANGOLA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000204

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDEE FAA UPDATED)

SIPDIS

FAA FOR CONNIE HUNTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2013
TAGS: EAIR ECON AO
SUBJECT: THE ROLE OF A CIVAIR REGULATOR - TAAG AND ANGOLA
STILL DON'T GET IT

REF: A) 07 LUANDA 1237 B) 07 LUANDA 872

LUANDA 00000204 001.4 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Dan Mozena for Reasons 1.5 (B&D).


1. (U) This is an action message. See para 6.


2. (C) Summary: Contrary to recent press accounts, European
Ambassadors in Luanda report the EU ban on TAAG flights to
Europe will continue at least into November. A recent EU
inspection of Angola's civil aviation system found some
regulatory improvements (in line with a recent International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) inspection reported ref
A),but TAAG remains deficient in maintenance of its
aircraft. With Angola's new civil aviation law in place,
sector watchers are waiting for evidence the National Civil
Aviation Institute (INAVIC) will be allowed (or understand
how) to use its expanded authority to regulate safety and
airworthiness. Until TAAG has demonstrated effective
maintenance of its aircraft, post recommends that USG
personnel not fly TAAG and that the Consular Information
Sheet for Angola be revised to inform the public of this
recommendation. End Summary.

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TAAG Not Flying to Europe Anytime Soon
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3. (C) During a pair of separate discussions on March 6, the
EU and German Ambassadors to Angola told Ambassador Mozena
that a visiting EU aviation inspection team again found
serious violations of international safety standards by TAAG
airlines. Contrary to press reports indicating TAAG would
soon be flying again to Europe, the Ambassadors said while
some progress had been made on regulatory oversight (related
to the passage and promulgation of ICAO-compliant
regulations),TAAG still had a serious problem with
"maintenance of its aircraft." Prior briefings by U.S.
consultants hired by Boeing to work with INAVIC revealed TAAG
had a systemic deficiency in the documentation of aircraft
repairs and maintenance, including gaps in the repair logs of
its newest 777 aircraft. According to the consultants,
INAVIC was not allowed (by the Ministry of Transportation) to
take appropriate corrective action against the airline. The
European Ambassadors said the EU will review blacklisted
airlines in April, July, and November this year. They said
the earliest Angola could be reviewed was in November, but
that Angola should only invite the inspectors back if all
remaining areas of concern have been addressed.

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New Laws Require New Thinking
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4. (C) Sector watchers are encouraged that Angola now has in
place a new civil aviation law and ICAO-compliant regulations
regarding INAVIC. The question now is whether INAVIC will
exercise its new authority. Press reports in January
indicated the GRA would convene an interagency commission to
review options related to TAAG, including the consideration
of liquidating the company and starting over with a new
national flag carrier. Meanwhile, INAVIC has yet to take any
action concerning TAAG following the EU blacklisting of the
airline.

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Current Aviation System Inhibits Growth
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5. (C) According to sector experts, including U.S.
contractors working closely with the civil aviation
authority, INAVIC's track record on oversight and regulation
of the maintenance of aircraft is deeply problematic. In
addition, INAVIC has not properly regulated the certification
of pilots in Angola, or updated approach routes to take into
account potential new construction or other changes to the
approach landscape. INAVIC has not regulated compliance with
flight schedules, which has resulted in cancellations of
domestic scheduled service being the rule rather than the
exception. Together, these concerns have cast doubt on the
ability of Angola's civil aviation regulatory body to perform
its role satisfactorily. Whether a newly-empowered INAVIC
will perform more effectively is an open question, according
to these experts.


LUANDA 00000204 002.4 OF 002


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Comment and Action Request
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6. (C) During Ambassador Mozena's initial call, Minister of
Transportation Andre Brandao requested additional U.S.
support for Angola's civil aviation program through the Safe
Skies for Africa program. Brandao said the GRA has pursued
discussions with Boeing concerning continued technical
assistance (the Boeing contractors recently received an
extension and an expanded mandate - we think that
relationship is working well). As we consider additional
assistance for Angola, we should look towards INAVIC for
indications the regulator is prepared to use its legal
authority to advance compliance with international standards.
Post urges concerned U.S. agencies to consider an expanded
assistance program of professionalization for INAVIC staff.
Meanwhile, until TAAG has demonstrated effective maintenance
of its aircraft, post recommends that USG personnel not fly
TAAG and that the Consular Information Sheet for Angola be
revised to inform the public of this recommendation. End
Comment.
MOZENA