Government confirms flights to continue if no-deal Brexit
Today the UK government confirmed details of measures that will ensure flights will continue if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
This follows the publication of technical notices in October 2018 which clearly stated that the UK would adopt a pragmatic approach to securing flights.
This announcement comes as the EU is also about to finalise its no deal aviation regulation that will protect UK airlines flying into Europe. Both these proposals will ensure continued aviation connectivity in any scenario.
Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said: "Measures put forward by the UK and the EU will ensure that flights can continue in any scenario; deal or no deal.
"This is good news, not only for the industry but most importantly it reaffirms the fact that passengers can book flights with confidence, as normal.
"We expect these contingency measures will never be needed and our efforts remain focused on securing a deal from the EU."
The government has set out how it will reciprocate to EU airlines the rights granted to UK airlines by the regulation.
Around 164 million passengers travel between the UK and the EU each year so these measures will ensure that passengers can continue to take business and leisure flights in a no deal scenario.
This announcement gives industry certainty and the public the assurance needed to book and fly with absolute confidence. These proposals are a no deal contingency measure and will only come into force if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Commenting on the Department for Transport’s announcement published today, re-confirming that the UK will reciprocate and in places go beyond the EU’s no-deal regulation for aviation, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, Karen Dee said:
“The measures put forward by the UK and the EU will ensure that flights between the UK and the EU will be able to continue in a no-deal scenario without restrictions on capacity, as well as UK domestic routes currently operated by EU airlines.
“This means that travellers planning their 2019 holidays, family visits and business trips can rest assured that there will be no disruption to their flights, whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
“This comes on top of the important steps the UK Government has taken in concluding UK bilateral agreements with non-EU countries like the US and Canada where we currently fly to under an EU-level agreement.
“While an orderly transition period remains airports’ top priority, today’s announcement alongside the EU’s no-deal contingency regulations, should reassure passengers that the UK’s essential air connectivity will continue to operate.”