EC to EU27 : Prepare airports and aviation sector for ‘no-deal’ Brexit
4892 Mins Read
POLITICO: EU countries should prepare their airports and aviation sector for a “no-deal” Brexit, the European Commission told diplomats at a briefing earlier this month.
The warning came during a June 12 meeting chaired by Filip Cornelis, the director of aviation at the Commission’s transport department, attended by EU27 diplomats and representatives of their civil aviation authorities, according to three officials present.
He advised countries to be ready for the possibility of the U.K. crashing out of the EU without a deal on March 29 next year, saying that they should consider their customs handling capacity and prepare for impacts on security, market access, safety regulations and passenger rights.
Brexit negotiators in March agreed on a standstill 21-month transition period during which the U.K. will continue to abide by EU laws. But the transition period is contingent on a broader deal, and with progress in the talks currently stalled over the future of the Northern Ireland border and other issues that are far from certain.
If the U.K. leaves the EU without an aviation agreement, flights would immediately cease between the islands and the EU27 since EU-issued operating aviation licenses would no longer be valid, and British airlines would no longer have the right to fly to EU countries. The U.K. would also cease being a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which issues the certification and licenses EU aircraft require.
The Commission told officials and diplomats at the briefing about the problems that additional customs checks on cargo would impose on airports under a no-deal Brexit.
