US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA2305

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002305 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB/TRA, WHA/EPSC, WHA/CEN, AND CA/OCS/ACS/WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR, ECON, PGOV, KPRV, CASC, HO, FAA, TSA 
SUBJECT: HONDURAS FAA TECHNICAL REVIEW SURPRISINGLY POSITIVE 
 
 
1. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical review 
of Honduras' civil aviation oversight authority (General 
Directorate of Civil Aviation, or DGAC) was "85 percent 
positive," opening up the possibility of Honduras moving to 
Category 1 in the FAA's International Safety Assessments 
(IASA) program, which would allow Honduras to fly national 
air carriers directly to the U.S. as early as January 2006. 
Direct flights would give the limited number of Honduran 
carriers more control over the growth and development of key 
tourism areas, including the Caribbean Bay Islands and 
developing resorts in the northern coast city of Tela.  A 
previous (and unsuccessful) technical review was held in 
1994. 
 
2. Three FAA inspectors arrived October 15 for the five-day 
DGAC review, held mainly in Tegucigalpa, but which included 
a day trip to La Ceiba.  The inspectors focused on legal 
structure, training, processes and procedures, and 
licensing.  Outstanding issues included a potential conflict 
between some DGAC guidelines and Honduran law; a request to 
separate the accident investigation function from DGAC 
responsibilities; requirement of certain standards for 
testing pilots; and the need to bring or train an inspector 
for two older jets currently in inventory. 
 
3. In La Ceiba, the investigators reviewed the 
administration of three carriers - Islena (owned by TACA), 
AeroHonduras (which currently flies using wet-leased planes 
and crew from the U.S. company Falcon Air), and Atlantic 
Airlines.  Of the three, Atlantic was clearly in need of the 
most work - issues raised included the lack of company 
flight manuals and a need for generally stronger 
administrative processes.  Another review will be conducted 
the week of December 5th by the fourth investigator who was 
unable to attend this session.  According to Minister of 
Transportation Jorge Carranza, if Altantic is not in 
compliance by that review, they face the strong possibility 
of being grounded. 
 
4. A comprehensive review of all items in need of compliance 
should arrive in the DGAC by mid-November, according to the 
FAA investigators.  During the December review, which will 
focus mainly on air worthiness, the FAA will also check to 
see if the items mentioned in the first report have been 
addressed.  This modified report will be circulated within 
the FAA, with a decision on whether Honduras is to be 
certified as Category 1 expected in January 2006. 
 
Ford