Offices & Departments
Federal Aviation Administration
The overall objectives of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are to promote safety, and efficiency in civil aviation. The FAA Embassy Dakar office is primarily involved in carrying out these objectives in the international arena focusing on western and central, eastern and southern sub-Saharan Africa. The Senior Representative is responsible for FAA relations with civil aviation authorities, air carriers, and diplomatic missions throughout a 48-country area. Responsibilities also include; tracking and responding to safety issues relating to U.S. carrier operations; promoting FAA standards for aircraft certification, operations, and maintenance; providing technical assistance and advice to host governments and U.S. diplomatic missions; and promoting aviation safety-related research and development. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) newly established Transportation Security Administration (TSA) based in Brussels, Belgium, has responsibility for conducting assessments of the effectiveness of the security measures for airports served by U.S. carriers, and assessing the security of airports from which foreign air carriers serve the United States (last points of departure). The FAA Representative assists the Brussels office of the TSA in carrying out the foregoing aviation security duties and responsibilities. These responsibilities also include oversight and enforcement of regulations related to the transportation of dangerous material and air cargo security. In addition, the Brussels office provides technical assistance to host governments in all areas of civil aviation security, serves as liaison for civil aviation security with foreign governments and airport authorities, provides technical assistance, and works to ensure implementation of mandated federal security standards.
Safe Skies for Africa Initiative. The goal of this Presidential initiative is to promote sustainable improvements in aviation safety and security in Africa, and to create the environment necessary to foster the growth of air transportation between Africa and the United States. We believe that safe skies are a prerequisite for increased trade and investment and long-term economic development in Africa. The initiative complements U.S. Government efforts to conclude "open skies" agreements with key African countries and promote code-share agreements between U.S. and African airlines.
