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 
 
¶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