Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ZAGREB117
2009-03-03 15:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:  

NEW CIVIL AIR AGENCY TAKES CHARGE

Tags:  EAIR ECON HR PGOV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8076
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHVB #0117 0621514
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031514Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9046
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 0971
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEANHA/FAA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000117 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/TRA, TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA, MOSCOW FOR
FAA FIELD OFFICE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON HR PGOV
SUBJECT: NEW CIVIL AIR AGENCY TAKES CHARGE

REF: ZAGREB 73

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000117

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/TRA, TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA, MOSCOW FOR
FAA FIELD OFFICE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON HR PGOV
SUBJECT: NEW CIVIL AIR AGENCY TAKES CHARGE

REF: ZAGREB 73


1. Summary. The new Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (CCAA)
assumed authority over all civil aviation oversight
activities in Croatia on March 2, 2009. The CCAA will also
absorb 90 percent of the staff of the former civil aviation
authority within the Ministry of Transport. This key reform
in civil aviation oversight has not gone unchallenged,
however, and the Ministry reportedly continues to push for
new aviation legislation that could compromise the
independence of the CCAA. End summary.


2. The Director of the new Croatian Civil Aviation Agency
(CCAA) informed econoff on February 27 that the agency was
set to assume its statutory responsibility for all civil
aviation oversight, licensing, and certification on March 2,

2009. The CCAA will also welcome 25 employees of the old
civil air authority this week. The civil air authority will
continue to exist under the Minister of Transport and will
act as the primary agency for international agreements.


3. The director reported that the CCAA has achieved its
benchmark goals for establishing its oversight capability and
meeting international norms in all areas except one: he
reported they are well behind schedule in organization and
management of records, which until only a few years ago were
poorly kept and incomplete. They said they have been pleased
with the response to the advertisements for technical
experts, have identified several, and are in the process of
interviews for the rest. The director had previously
reported problems finding qualified pilots to act as flight
certification inspectors (see reftel) but now reports they
have engaged all necessary staff in this area, including a
pilot with over 12,000 flight hours, certified on major
commercial Boeing and Airbus aircraft in use in Croatia.


4. (SBU) The director continues to report efforts by the
Ministry of Transport to get the agency back under the
umbrella of the ministry. A draft law on aviation, which
would have decreased the independence of the CCAA, was
reportedly rejected by EU experts who are conducting their
own aviation safety assessment process. A second law is
under discussion, but the CCAA director could not tell us
what it contained because the CCAA has not been consulted or
involved in the process in any way. The director views this
as another attempt by the old civil air authority and the
ministry to subvert the reform process, and undermine the
CCAA, which this week will swallow 90 percent of its previous
staff.


5. Comment: Government inertia has been a problem
throughout this reform process, and it is not surprising to
hear that the Ministry is working to reassert control over
the CCAA, whose essential independence is a key aspect of
Croatia's civil air reform. (The CCAA told us their board of
directors was appointed 14 months after the agency was
created on paper, and they felt only then because the
Ambassador had raised the issue of civil air reform with
Prime Minister Sanader.) But it was a pleasant surprise to
hear that the EU is taking an active role to ensure the key
elements of the reorganization remain in place. The CCAA now
enters a critical month. It must quickly get on its feet,
assert its authority, and show it has the capability to
manage civil aviation oversight in line with international
norms.
BRADTKE