Government confirms smooth continuation for air travel from the EU post-Brexit

With a feared downturn in tourism could this be good news for the taxi industry

The government has confirmed details of measures that ensure flights and road haulage will continue to run smoothly after the UK leaves the EU on 31 October, whatever the circumstances. 

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps also revealed that the Department for Transport (DfT) will extend the UK’s air traffic rights for EU airlines until October 2020. The extension builds on arrangements announced in March this year, which ensured that air services between the UK and the EU could continue to operate as usual until March 2020, regardless of whether a new Brexit deal is agreed.

The move comes as the EU finalises its post 31 October aviation regulation that will continue to protect UK airlines flying into Europe.

The DfT have said that both the UK and the EU’s actions will ensure continued confidence for passengers across the continent as they travel on their holidays or conduct business in the year ahead. The announcement could be seen as positive news for the taxi and transport industry given the concerns that tourism and business travel from countries within the EU bloc could see a downturn. Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said: "We welcome these proposals from the European Commission to extend arrangements allowing flights and road haulage to continue between the UK and EU after Brexit. "Connectivity is at the forefront of this government’s vision for a global, outward-facing Britain and these extensions between the UK and EU ensure that it will be business as usual when travelling and trading for the foreseeable future." According to the DfT, over 160 million passengers travel by air between the UK and the EU each year. In addition to flight services, the European Commission has proposed extending the regulation, ensuring basic road freight and road passenger connectivity between the UK and the EU until 31 July 2020.  

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