CIVAIR: DIPNOTE AUTHORIZING NEW ROUTE FOR COLOMBIAN AIRLINE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003541 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION OFFICE OF AVIATION NEGOTIATIONS EEB/TRA/AN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ETRD CO SUBJECT: CIVAIR: DIPNOTE AUTHORIZING NEW ROUTE FOR COLOMBIAN AIRLINE AEROREPUBLICA ¶1. (U) Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a diplomatic note dated December 9 stating that Colombia's civil aviation authority Aeronautica Civil (AeroCivil) has authorized seven new weekly frequencies for Colombian airline Aerorepublica between Bogota and Miami. A copy of the diplomatic note and accompanying letter from AeroCivil has been emailed to DOT and EEB/TRA/AN. ¶2. (U) BEGIN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE: The Ministry of Foreign Relations of Colombia - Office of Territorial Sovereignty and Border Development - sends its greetings to the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America, with the opportunity to pass along a communication from Aeronautica Civil dated 3 December 2009. We would be grateful if the Embassy could send this communication to the Department of Transportation, Office of Negotiations, notifying Aeronautica Civil's authorization of service to the airline "AEROREPUBLICA." The Ministry of Foreign Relations, Office of Territorial Sovereignty and Border Development, takes this opportunity to reiterate to the United States Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration. END TEXT OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE. ¶3. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF LETTER FROM AERONAUTICA CIVIL: December 3, 2009 Doctor Jaime Bermudez Merizalde Minister of Foreign Relations RE: Designation of the Colombian airline AEROREPUBLICA Dear Mr. Minister: I most respectfully request that by means of a diplomatic note, that the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia in the United States of America communicate to the Department of Transportation of the United States, DOT (Office of Aviation Negotiations),that the Colombian Aeronautical Authority has authorized the company "AEROREPUBLICA" to provide the following service: Type: Regular international air transport services for passengers, mail, and cargo. Routes: Bogota-Miami-Bogota Frequencies: Seven (7) weekly Right of Way: Up to the fourth freedom Aircraft: Boeing 737-700 and/or 800, or other authorized aircraft under the Specifications of Operations of the company. I would also ask that the same diplomatic note indicate that this designation is authorized under Article 3 and Annex 2 of the Air Transportation Agreement of October 24, 1956, together with its amendments and annexes, specifically, as addressed in the last amendment that went into effect via the exchange of notes on September 28 and November 26 of 2007. As such, this designation is the effective authorization of the company Aerorepublica to operate between Colombia and the United States. Finally, I take this opportunity to reiterate the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration. Col. Donall Tascon Cardenas Acting Director General END TEXT. NICHOLS