News story

Flights protected in no deal Brexit scenario

Plans reaffirm the fact that passengers can book flights with confidence.

• From: Department for Transport, Civil Aviation Authority and Baroness Sugg CBE
• Published: 7 March 2019

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

• UK government sets out detailed plans confirming protection for flights in a no deal scenario
• EU no deal aviation regulation also about to be finalised to ensure UK airlines can continue to operate to Europe
• contingency measures provide industry and holidaymakers with the certainty they need and ensure flights will continue after 29 March 2019

Today (7 March 2019) 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. The UK remains committed to securing a deal but continues to prepare for all scenarios.

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Published 7 March 2019