Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PORTLOUIS80
2009-03-05 10:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Louis
Cable title:
MAURITIUS NOT READY FOR OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHPL #0080 0641056 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051056Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4464
UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000080
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/ANN DAN HUTCHENS AND TIM ROCHE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS NOT READY FOR OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
REF: A. 08 Port Louis 390
B. Port Louis 005
UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000080
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/ANN DAN HUTCHENS AND TIM ROCHE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS NOT READY FOR OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
REF: A. 08 Port Louis 390
B. Port Louis 005
1. (SBU) On February 24, Charge d'Affaires met with Premila Roy,
Permanent Secretary at the External Communications Division of the
Ministry of Tourism, Leisure and External Communications. One of
the issues raised during the meeting was the U.S. proposal for an
Open Skies agreement with Mauritius. Ms. Roy told Charge that the
GOM is not ready to enter into such an agreement at the present time
given the current global economic slowdown and the financial
problems facing Air Mauritius. Ms. Roy also pointed out that the
liberalized air cargo policies that are already in place in
Mauritius should prove adequate to ensure the free movement of cargo
in and out of the country.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: Post believes that the recent fuel hedging losses
suffered by Air Mauritius (see ref B),along with a downturn in
tourism revenues that began shortly after the financial crisis, will
prevent the GOM from entering into an Open Skies agreement for at
least some months and possibly much longer. Post recommends against
continued lobbying on the issue for the time being. END COMMENT.
BLASER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/ANN DAN HUTCHENS AND TIM ROCHE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS NOT READY FOR OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
REF: A. 08 Port Louis 390
B. Port Louis 005
1. (SBU) On February 24, Charge d'Affaires met with Premila Roy,
Permanent Secretary at the External Communications Division of the
Ministry of Tourism, Leisure and External Communications. One of
the issues raised during the meeting was the U.S. proposal for an
Open Skies agreement with Mauritius. Ms. Roy told Charge that the
GOM is not ready to enter into such an agreement at the present time
given the current global economic slowdown and the financial
problems facing Air Mauritius. Ms. Roy also pointed out that the
liberalized air cargo policies that are already in place in
Mauritius should prove adequate to ensure the free movement of cargo
in and out of the country.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: Post believes that the recent fuel hedging losses
suffered by Air Mauritius (see ref B),along with a downturn in
tourism revenues that began shortly after the financial crisis, will
prevent the GOM from entering into an Open Skies agreement for at
least some months and possibly much longer. Post recommends against
continued lobbying on the issue for the time being. END COMMENT.
BLASER