UKRAINE: NO RESPONSE YET FROM SAA ON DELTA PARKING

UNCLAS KYIV 001073 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/AN - TROBL, MFINSTON DOT FOR SHATLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON ETRD PREL PTER UP SUBJECT: UKRAINE: NO RESPONSE YET FROM SAA ON DELTA PARKING Ref: STATE 63947 Sensitive But Unclassified. Not For Internet Distribution. ¶1. (SBU) On June 22 we delivered reftel points on Delta Air Lines' request for authorization to park its aircraft overnight in Kyiv on five nights between August 8 and September 6. SAA Deputy Chairman Dmytro Babeichuk stated he would check with SAA Chairman Davydov on the proposed consultation dates and the authorization for Delta to park its aircraft overnight. Babeichuk remained insistent that overnight parking can be allowed only upon mutual agreement between each country's aviation administration and that the GOU would like to discuss overnight parking during the consultations. He reiterated the Ukrainian position that the restrictions on Ukrainian carrier Aerosvit's operations are not allowed under the agreement's parity rules and described the present situation as "deadlock." He said the Ukrainian side does not understand the restriction on Ukrainian traffic under American regulations. ¶2. (SBU) We stressed that Delta needs an answer as quickly as possible in case the airline needed to make adjustments to its service and that a negative answer would significantly burden Delta and Delta's customers. We also explained that a negative answer would cause the USG to review its options, including those that could impact Ukrainian carriers' services in the US. Babeichuk promised to speak with Davydov and give us an answer on both issues by June 23. PETTIT