The head of the European airports’ association has warned of the risks to aviation of no deal on Brexit “are real”.
Michael Kerkloh, president of ACI Europe (Airports Council International) told a reception of the European Parliament: “The political dynamics shaping these negotiations are very much at odds with business interest.
“The risks of a no-deal scenario are real, and we still remain completely in the dark as to what will happen at the end of the transition.”
Kerkloh expressed relief at the UK-EU agreement on the first phase of negotiations on Britain’s exit from the EU.
But he said: “Anything more restrictive than the current Single Aviation Market will come at a cost. There is no winning alternative.”
The next phase of talks on Brexit are not due to begin until March, just a year ahead of the UK’s exit.
ACI Europe has warned pan-European air passenger numbers could be reduced by 30 million a year by 2026 without an agreement to maintain UK membership of the Single Aviation Market.
ACI Europe leaders met representatives of the EC taskforce 50 on Wednesday of this week to express their concerns about Brexit.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has repeatedly warned of the risks of a failure to reach a post-Brexit deal on flying rights, suggesting all flights between the UK and EU could be grounded from March 2019.