EU refuses CAA’s attempts to start no-deal Brexit transition talks
The UK’s attempt to negotiate a transition plan for airlines in the event of a no-deal Brexit have been knocked back by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Richard Moriarty wrote to the EASA in June, pointing out that a joint transition plan was necessary to ensure flights between the UK and the EU would be unaffected by Brexit.
The EASA is responsible for aviation safety across the EU, including licensing and regulation, and there is a danger that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, EASA wouldn’t recognise licences and certificates issued by the CAA.
This could mean that British pilots flying EU-registered aircraft would have to apply for new licences from an EU state, or that aircraft parts made and approved in the UK, such as at the Airbus plant, couldn’t be fitted to EU aircraft.
However, EASA executive director Patrick Ky said such discussions can’t take place until there is clarity on any future UK-EU legal framework.
In a statement, the EASA said that talks would not be useful at this state since the framework for which they need to prepare is not known.
It went on to say that it would ‘be open to engaging in technical discussions’ once the future framework is clearer.
In contrast, the CAA said: "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."
It said the UK would recognise safety licences and approvals issued by EASA and it urged EASA to recognise its own after Brexit.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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