WASHINGTON – Aeronautical Repair Station Association Executive Vice President Christian A. Klein issued the following statement in response to the Obama administration’s announcement that it was updating Cuba sanction rules to facilitate the maintenance of aircraft flying in and out of Cuba. The new paragraph of Sec. 515.572 of the U.S. Treasury regulations authorizes persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction “to provide
civil aviation safety-related services to Cuba and Cuban nationals, wherever located, to ensure the safety of civil aviation and the safe operation of commercial aircraft.” ARSA is the international trade association representing aviation maintenance and manufacturing companies.
We applaud President Obama for putting aviation safety ahead of politics and moving forward with this important policy change. The new Treasury rule will allow American mechanics and U.S. companies to more easily and efficiently ensure the safe operation of aircraft flying in and out of Cuba. That’s good news for the aviation maintenance industry and even better news for aircraft passengers.
While this is another important step towards more commerce between the United States and Cuba, until Congress fully lifts the embargo, U.S. aviation companies remain at a disadvantage vis-à-vis those from countries that are allowed to trade freely with the island. Congress needs to reconsider the embargo in light of growing public opinion against it and the economic harm it’s doing to both Cubans and Americans.
ARSA is the only association devoted to the unique needs of the global civil aviation maintenance industry. It is committed to helping member companies operate more efficiently and effectively, while continuing to ensure the safety of aircraft worldwide. To learn more about the association’s dedicated work on behalf of both industry stakeholders and the flying public, please visit ARSA.org.
Luxaviation Group
