Government contingency planning for the aviation sector in the event of no-deal Brexit emerged yesterday with airlines playing down fears that flights between the UK and EU would be grounded.
The comments came as the Department for Transport issued six documents on the potential impact of a no deal Brexit with a warning of potential flight disruption.
The DoT admitted that airlines wanting to operate flights between the UK and the EU would have to seek individual permissions to operate from the respective states
“In this scenario the UK would envisage granting permission to EU airlines to continue to operate. We would expect EU countries to reciprocate in turn,” the department said.
“It would not be in the interest of any EU country or the UK to restrict the choice of destinations that could be served, though, if such permissions are not granted, there could be disruption to some flights.”
The government’s preference would be to agree a basic arrangement or understanding on a multilateral basis between the UK and the EU. Alternatively, bilateral arrangements between the UK and an individual EU country could be put in place, specifying the conditions under which air services would be permitted.
The European Commission has already said as part of its preparation for a no deal exit by the UK that it would put in place a ‘bare bones’ aviation agreement to provide for connectivity and to cover safety issues.
Airlines are also proposing a one-year adjustment period to cover a no-deal Brexit covering safety regulations so regulators would continue to recognise relevant safety permits issued by both the EU and the UK.
The same passenger rights as apply today would continue to apply after the UK left the EU.
“EU passenger rights legislation will be retained in domestic law by the Withdrawal Act,” the DoT said.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, the industry association that represents 13 UK-registered carriers, said: “Airlines are confident that there will be a new agreement on aviation between the UK and the EU.
“Whilst we don’t support a no-deal Brexit, we welcome that both the UK and the EU are proposing in this event a minimum agreement that would cover flight and safety requirements for the benefit of both passenger and cargo services.”
The British Airline Pilots’ Association said government guidance for the aviation industry on what would happen in a no-deal Brexit has brought some “much-needed clarity”.
The pilots’ union said that while a deal is still preferable, it is relieved that the government is helping the industry to understand what will be needed if the UK leaves the EU without a deal in March 2019.
General secretary Brian Strutton said: “For pilots in particular we are pleased to see some clarity on the government’s intentions on pilot licences in a no-deal scenario which we have been seeking for some time.
“The level of detail in the plans shows the government is taking the future of aviation seriously and gives grounds for confidence that contingencies are in hand for even the worst case scenarios.
“However, a deal or partial deal that keeps the UK in EASA [European Aviation Safety Agency] is the government’s primary objective and would remove the need for much of this planning.”
But he added: “The other side to all this is the sheer scale of the administrative burden required to keep planes flying if there is no deal on anything with the EU.
“On pilot licences alone, if some UK licence holders have to switch to an EU licence this can take each one several months and so an efficient, fast track approach is needed for all these processes and the authorities need to be properly resourced to carry them out.”
In the scenario where a provisional deal is agreed for air services, airlines will continue to be required to apply for the following associated permissions.
A Civil Aviation Authority said its “absolute priority” is to play its role in maintaining safety and maximising continuity and stability for passengers and the aviation and aerospace industries.
“Our long-standing preference, and the government’s, is that the UK remains part of the EASA aviation safety system following EU exit. But as a responsible regulator, we must plan for the possible outcome of a non-negotiated withdrawal,” a spokesman said.
“In this scenario, the UK government would incorporate all current EU air transport safety regulations into UK law on March 29, allowing the CAA to continue to recognise safety licences and approvals issued through EASA for up to two years after this date.
“This step would support our aim of providing continuity and stability for aviation and aerospace organisations by avoiding unnecessary or disproportionate regulation.
“We urge the EU to follow suit by ensuring there is mutual recognition of aviation approvals issued under both EU and UK regimes. This is strongly in the interests of consumers and businesses in both the EU and the UK.
“Bringing EU aviation legislation into UK law would also mean that we maintain existing levels of consumer protection for passengers.
“We call upon the European Commission to allow EASA to hold discussions with us about the detailed technical arrangements that would apply in a no-deal scenario. We are ready to start these talks immediately.”
The CAA has developed a microsite to be a central source of information for the aviation and aerospace industries about the actions they would need to take to be prepared for a no deal withdrawal from the EU and no continued mutual recognition at info.caa.co.uk/EUExit
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