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. -------------- TAAG Not Flying to Europe Anytime Soon -------------- ¶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. -------------- New Laws Require New Thinking -------------- ¶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. -------------- Current Aviation System Inhibits Growth -------------- ¶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 -------------- Comment and Action Request -------------- ¶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