R 311557Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8595
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC
FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC
DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS BANJUL 000098 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BTIO EAIR ETRD EXIM PGOV GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA SEEKS AIRCRAFT TO LAUNCH NATIONAL 
AIRLINE 
 
1.(U) SUMMARY: President Jammeh directs Finance Minister Bala 
Gaye to contact US Embassy to assist with the purchase of 
aircraft for the Gambia International Airlines to launch 
flights to Europe and the US. 
 
 
2.(U) In a hastily called meeting, Secretary of State 
(Minister) for Finance Musa Bala Gaye made a strong plea to 
Ambassador for Embassy assistance in obtaining information on 
the purchase of aircraft for Gambia International Airlines to 
commence overseas operations. Gaye reported that in Cabinet 
meeting the previous day, President Jammeh stated he was 
"tired of dealing with middlemen" and directed the finance 
minister to seek assistance from the Embassy as it was time 
Gambia International Airlines (GIA) had its own planes. He 
indicated that this would facilitate investment and tourism. 
Gaye said his reclama to the president that he knew nothing 
about buying aircraft was dismissed. Jammeh reportedly said 
he had no confidence in the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority 
(GCAA) and directed Gaye to proceed immediately. 
 
3.(U) Gaye reported that Jammeh said he wanted GIA to have 
direct flights to London and the US from Banjul. He further 
said he wanted to commence flights within the region. Gaye 
said that Jammeh specifically identified his desire to 
acquire a Boeing 737-300, a Boeing 737-400 and a 75 passenger 
Dash 8. These would be used for overseas and West Africa 
regional routes to be developed.  He further indicated 
specifically they did not want wet leasing, but instead 
wanted The Gambia to own the equipment. Ambassador asked if 
The Gambia had trained crew to operate the aircraft since 
they did not want the wet lease arrangement. He replied that 
they would plan to hire experienced foreign pilots and felt 
this would not be difficult as former military and commercial 
pilots were readily available.  Gaye reported that he had 
conversations with the management of Air Rep Ground services 
here in The Gambia who indicated they were prepared to 
provide all essential ground services required for these 
plans. 
 
4.(U) Ambassador asked if The Gambia had considered 
approaching airlines flying these routes out of Dakar to 
divert one plane a week to Banjul for overseas direct flights 
as a test of the viability of the route. Gaye said it was a 
good idea, but they did not know appropriate points of 
contact with Delta or South Africa Airlines for this purpose. 
 
5.(U) Gaye indicated he would be in Washington April 20-28 
for IMF/WB meetings and asked if Embassy could facilitate 
meetings with the EX-IM Bank to discuss loans for the 
aircraft purchase and with companies with planes to sell. 
(comment: EX-IM Bank has a master guarantee agreement with 
Trust Bank Limited which was signed in September 2004. This 
provides a loan facility at Trust Bank that Gambian 
businesses can access at US interest rates.) 
 
6.(U) COMMENT: GIA has been a paper airline for a number of 
years. Operations have been limited to primarily providing 
flights to Mecca for the Hajj through wet lease arrangements. 
 Jammeh's assignment of Bala Gaye to this project is curious, 
as transportation - including aviation - is part of the 
Minister of Works portfolio.  Jammeh's dissatisfaction with 
GCAA (which falls under Works) was made clear with the 
announcement the following day of the firings of the Managing 
Director and Director of Finance of GCAA. Named Acting MD is 
Paul Bass, a well-respected former GCAA head who was involved 
in assisting The Gambia in pursuing Category One 
certification with the FAA.  Several local business people 
have been in contact with the embassy over the last several 
months seeking information on purchasing commercial aircraft 
for delivery in The Gambia; these may be the "middlemen" to 
which Jammeh refers.  Embassy will assist in identifying 
contacts for Gaye. 
 
 
WELLS