RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HANOI
TELNO 81
OF 051033Z MAY 93
HKC 181/17
AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, BANGKOK
CISTRY
ри
031645
MDHOAN 2421
Hykalven
ASAS
н
YOUR TELNO 181: REGIONAL AIR NAVIGATION MEETING: VIETNAM FIR
1.
ONLY information we have is contained in Sparkes' (Bangkok) teleletter of 29 April to Hewitt (SEAD) which was copied to you by bag but may not have reached you yet. This contains an account by Mills (UKCAA) of the Vietnam FIR issues. Main points are that UK Delegation supported policy of recommending a detailed study of requirements with respect to reintroduction of Vietnam's FIR. Hong Kong concerns are reported to be that reversion to the 1979 control situation is not (not) satisfactory given vast increase in air traffic. They would prefer the present system (responsibility shared between Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok) to remain on grounds of safety and efficiency. UK Delegation is supporting a call for no change until air routes, traffic densities, etc have been identified by a group of aviation specialists who are to meet soon.
2. UK Delegation also reports apparent pressure being applied to Thailand and Singapore by ICAO secretariat not to rock the boat on Vietnam's application. There are indications that ICAO are pushing hard for reinstatement of vietnam's FIR for political reasons. UK delegation's view is that if Singapore and Thailand interface with Vietnamese controllers supported by new French supplied equipment then Hong Kong will comply although they will feel that safety standards could be lowered and that a change in air traffic control is unnecessary anyway.
3. We assume that UK CAA Delegation who are in Bangkok until 7 May can amplify on this and confirm whether the Hong Kong
Our delegation indeed took as strong a position as is reported. telno 123 to Bangkok confirmed that this is a technical question and we do not wish to get drawn into other aspects.
HURD
1
PAGE RESTRICTED