Brexit continues to be a damaging process that is divisive for the Nation and the Government. There’s now under 100 days left until the Brexit countdown runs out on 29th March 2019.
Edits and additions to the UK Government’s technical notices, to say to us all that a Brexit ‘No Deal’ is no longer an ‘unlikely’ outcome do little to reassure. Now, the European Commission (EC) has adopted measures that will avoid full interruption of air traffic between the EU and the UK in the event of No Deal. These measures are subject to the UK conferring equivalent rights to EU air carriers, as well as the UK ensuring fair competition. Proposal for a “No Deal” Regulation[1] cover one year long temporary provision of basic air services between the UK and the EU. UK airlines would no longer be allowed to land and transit in the EU[2]. The freedoms of the air are described in the ICAO Manual on the Regulation of International Air Transport (Doc 9626, Part 4).
Now that we have a Withdrawal Agreement (WA) on the table, British MPs need to give it their full consideration over the Christmas holidays. However, the indications remain that the WA will not be supported in the UK Parliment. Thus, we (UK) keep putting off the time when we can move on and look beyond, to future opportunities.
A safety net that gives only ‘basic connectivity’ is not a deal and it’s an enormous degrading of current citizens’ rights. Life as a “third country” will mean that many of the benefits we take for granted will go overnight.
Lots of costly duplication will start to creep into aviation activities. Now, the UK CAA has opened advanced applications for UK organisations wishing to seek a UK Design Organisation Approval (DOA) as part of their contingency planning.
Let’s be clear; a “No Deal” outcome, accidental or otherwise, is as a result of a choice. A choice made by a Prime Minister and a minority of Conservative politicians.
There’s a different choice possible. We do not have to give up the significant advantages of EU membership. That would maintain Britain’s good jobs and earning power, but it takes a change of view. It takes action in Parliament.
[1] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-6851_en.htm
[2] https://blueswandaily.com/will-brexit-bite-for-airlines-brussels-no-deal-contingency-provides-safety-net-but-doesnt-rule-out-future-widespread-aviation-travel-and-trade-disruption/
John Vincent 