Ryanair issues Brexit warning: UK flights to Europe could be grounded
Ryanair is warning that the UK might be left without any flights to and from Europe for a period from March 2019 unless Brexit negotiators come up with a quick deal on aviation.
Once Britain leaves the EU, it will no longer be party to the ‘open skies’ agreement, which allows any European carrier to fly to and between any EU countries.
Unless the UK government manages to negotiate a new bilateral flights agreement with the EU soon, UK carriers will have no right to fly to Europe and European airlines won’t be allowed to fly to the UK.
Ryanair warned that a new deal must be reached quickly because airlines plan their schedules a year in advance, so they need to know by the middle of next year where they will be able to fly from March 2019, the start of that year’s summer schedule.
Ryanair spokesman Kenny Jacobs said: "Some nine months on from the Brexit referendum, we are no closer to knowing what effect it will have on aviation.
"With Britain planning to leave the EU and its Open Skies agreement there is a distinct possibility that there may be no flights between the UK and Europe for a period of time after March 2019.
"We worry that Britain may not be able to negotiate such a bilateral deal in time for the release by airlines of summer 2019 schedules in mid-2018."
Meanwhile, easyJet has confirmed that it plans to keep its headquarters in Luton, but it will apply for new air operators’ licences in Switzerland and the EU to enable it to continue with its existing operations.
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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