The deputy director of the Civil Aviation Board Jesusita Hernández told El Siglo that the government is taking important steps so that the US government may lift the Category 3 restriction that impedes national airlines from flying to the US. The Category 3 impediment has resulted in the demise of several airline start-ups, as well as has impeded the advancement of others, such as Air Santo Domingo, which had the support of Air Europe. The government has been criticized for moving at a turtle’s pace to eliminate the ban. The government is far behind on the fulfillment of the multimillion Programa de Cooperación Técnica signed with the Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional. Meanwhile, Dominican aviation authorities granted Dominicana Airlines, the bankrupt state airline, monopoly rights for seven years to fly to the US. The airline is expected to be privatized within weeks, which could coincide with the lifting of the ban. Deputy director Hernández announced that the government has issued three decrees in the direction of overcoming the ban and setting the parameters that will regulate aviation in the DR. These are: Decree 86-00 that approves the ruling of the aviation information services of the Civil Aviation Board. Decree 87-00 that makes the use of Dominican aviation rulings obligatory. Decree 88-00 that makes the use of manuals for aviation licenses, aeronautical navigation, norms and procedures of operation departments and operation inspectors obligatory. (1 March 2000)
