The EU Open Skies Agreement and Brexit: What it Means for Air Travel

The EU Open Skies Agreement is a crucial aspect of air travel in Europe, enabling airlines to operate freely between EU member states and achieve competition within the industry. However, with the UK`s departure from the European Union, the future of this agreement has become uncertain. In this article, we`ll explore what the EU Open Skies Agreement is, how Brexit affects it, and what this means for air travelers.

What is the EU Open Skies Agreement?

The EU Open Skies Agreement is a cooperative agreement between the European Union and the United States, signed in 2007. It aims to liberalize the transatlantic air market, removing restrictions on airlines` access to routes and airports, and granting greater pricing freedom. As of 2021, the agreement covers 36 European countries and the United States.

How does Brexit Affect the EU Open Skies Agreement?

As a former EU member state, the UK automatically adopted the EU Open Skies Agreement. However, after Brexit, the UK is no longer a part of the EU`s single market and customs union, meaning it can no longer benefit from the agreement`s provisions.

Negotiations between the UK and the EU on air travel rights have been ongoing since Brexit negotiations began. In December 2020, a preliminary agreement was reached, granting UK airlines access to EU airspace, but not providing the same freedom of operation as the EU Open Skies Agreement.

What Does this Mean for Air Travelers?

The impact of Brexit on air travel for UK and EU citizens is still being determined as air travel slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are several areas that may be affected:

– EU-based airlines may need to seek UK air operator certificates to operate flights to and from the UK, potentially leading to increased airfare costs.

– UK carriers may lose access to “fifth freedom” routes, which allow an airline to fly between two foreign countries, such as New York to Paris via London.

– Increased bureaucracy at border control could lead to longer wait times and potentially affect holiday and business travel.

Conclusion

The EU Open Skies Agreement has been a crucial factor in the growth of air travel within the EU, and the UK`s departure from the agreement puts the future of air travel in Europe in doubt. While negotiations are ongoing, the full impact of Brexit on air travel remains to be seen. Air travelers should continue to monitor any changes to air travel regulations and restrictions to ensure they are compliant and can travel safely and efficiently.