ACI-NA International Aviation Issues Seminar Tackles Wide Range of International Air Service Issues

On Nov. 30, ACI-NA held its 18th Annual International Aviation Issues Seminar in Washington, DC. The Seminar, which provides a great opportunity for airports to review and preview international aviation developments, highlighted the impact that a variety of U.S. government agencies can have on the success or failure of international air services.

Andrew Steinberg, the new Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation and International Affairs, kicked-off this year's Seminar as the keynote speaker. He discussed aviation relations with the European Union including the DOT Rulemaking on the Actual Control of U.S. Air Carriers, draft EU/U.S. agreement and proposed EU actions on emissions. However, he also addressed continued U.S. efforts to liberalize its markets with China and Japan. In response to an audience question, Steinberg suggested that DOT is trying to move quickly on the DOT rulemaking (see summary on DOT withdrawal of proposed rule), Virgin America's application for a U.S. carrier license and the Competitive Proceeding on U.S. airline frequencies to China, but noted that DOT has suffered a loss of staff dealing with these kinds of issues.

Daniel Calleja, Director of Air Transport highlighted the European Commission's key priorities. Internally, the Commission is focused on developing a strong competitive industry; enhancing aviation safety and security; preparing an airports package dealing with capacity, airport charges, and ground handling; and environmental issues. Externally, the Commission is looking to bring its agreements into line with Community law and to create a European Common Aviation Area by 2010. In response to a question, Calleja indicated that if the EU/U.S. agreement is not concluded soon, the Commission faces a serious legal problem as the European Court of Justice ruled four years ago that current U.S. agreements with the member states are inconsistent with EU law. Also responding to a question, Calleja stated that the Commission will seek the permission of the EU Transport Ministers to launch more ambitious discussions with Canada.

The Seminar included a lively airline panel discussion on the international aviation developments from the perspectives of Deutsche Lufthansa (Wolfgang-Joachim Weber)  Kingfisher Airlines (Sudan Thomas) and United Airlines (Michael Whitaker). Also featured were Derwood Staeben, the Senior Advisor on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs who addressed WHTI, Rich-Chertoff Joint Vision, model airports and visa issuance.

Deborah Meehan, President and COO, SH&E provided a wide-ranging international market update and insights. Lt Cmdr Jason Thomas, Officer-in-Charge, Washington Quarantine Station, Centers for Disease Prevention and Control outlined the role of the CDC, quarantine stations and airports in responding to an ill passenger and a report of a communicable disease. Carl Burleson, Director, Office of Environment and Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, explained the current differences between the EU and the U.S. (and the rest of the world) on the situation regarding aviation emissions and emissions trading which has potential implications on EU/U.S. aviation relations.

Alfonso Martinez-Fonts, the Assistant Secretary for the Public Sector at DHS provided an overview of the Department's efforts on cargo, screening aviation employees, and the Rice-Chertoff Joint Vision. In response to questions, he explained that the Departments of Homeland Security and State are looking at upgrading the level of security necessary for countries to be in the Visa Waiver Program and allowing new countries to enter the Program at the higher security standards. As part of these efforts, the Departments are also looking at receiving information on passengers when they make the reservation as is done in Australia. He was accompanied by Bob Cammaroto and Rochelle Lipsitz, Transportation Security Administration, who covered domestic and international airport security developments.

For more information, contact ACI-NA's Diane Peterson, (dpeterson@aci-na.aero), or A.J. Muldoon, (amuldoon@aci-na.aero). Seminar presentations will be available soon via the ACI-NA E-Library