The European Commission has warned diplomats that the
aviation sector should be prepared for a no-deal Brexit on March 29, reported
Politico.
The warning came during a June 12 meeting chaired by Felip
Cornelis, the director of aviation for the transport department of the European
Commission and attended by representatives of the 27 EU member countries in
continental Europe. Cornelis told attendees that they should prepare for
impacts on security, market access and customs requirements, among other
issues. Politico sourced its report to three unnamed officials who were at the
meeting.
Ahead of Brexit, the European Commission has issued a series
of preparedness notices outlining potential ramifications across various
economic, technological and regulatory sectors in case the Brexit date passes
without a deal.
The worst-case impact to the aviation sector would be a
cessation of all flights between the EU and the U.K. pending the implementation
of an air transport agreement between the parties. Currently, because the U.K.
is an EU member state, airlines fly uninhibited between the U.K. and the 27
other EU nations.
Brexit will also require the creation of a new regime of U.K.
aviation safety regulations and air passenger rights.
In an email to Travel Weekly on Tuesday, a European
Commission spokesman confirmed that the commission discussed the aviation
preparedness notices during a June 12 meeting, but didn't elaborate further.
In March, the U.K. and EU agreed on a Brexit transition
period through the end of 2019, during which the U.K. would continue to abide
by EU law but not participate in EU decision-making. However, the transition
arrangement has yet to be finalized as debate continues over the future of the
border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, among other issues.
Airlines have expressed various levels of concern about
Brexit. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has warned of a temporary cessation of
UK-EU flights, while International Airlines Group CEO Willie Walsh has been far
less alarmist.
Earlier this month, IATA said that uncertainty over Brexit
is a risk factor for the short-term future of airline profitability. Carriers
have warned that they need to know the terms of a Brexit agreement six months
before it takes effect in order to properly schedule flights.