Ryanair has moved to gain a UK operating permit as it seeks to maintain domestic flights in the country in the face of a hard Brexit.
The Irish budget carrier applied last month for a UK Air Operator’s Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The airline’s operations are currently governed by European Union laws.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary has previously warned that flights between the UK and the EU could be grounded for months after Brexit.
The airline said: “Ryanair today (January 2) confirmed that a subsidiary company Ryanair UK filed an application on December 21 for an Air Operator’s Certificate with the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK.
“This may be required for Ryanair’s three UK domestic routes in the event of a hard Brexit in March 2019.”