The UK Department of Transport (DfT) has today (7 March) set out measures that it said will ensure flights will continue if the UK leaves the European Union (EU) without a deal.
This follows the publication of technical notices in October 2018 by the DfT, which 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. The DfT said these proposals will ensure continued aviation connectivity in any scenario.
The government has set out how it will reciprocate to EU airlines the rights granted to UK airlines by the regulation.
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.”
Around 164 million passengers travel between the UK and the EU each year and the government said these measures will ensure that passengers can continue to take business and leisure flights in a no deal scenario.
The government said 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 bloc without a deal. The UK government said it “remains committed to securing a deal” but continues to prepare for all scenarios.
