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While a range of outcomes, including
a departure under the terms of the current Withdrawal
Agreement, remains possible, it is important for businesses to
plan for a no-deal Brexit, in which the UK leaves the EU
without a withdrawal agreement or other deal. Here we look at the
potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on aviation law.
Traffic rights
Legislation is now in place protecting basic
aviation connectivity between the UK and EU in the event of
no-deal, covering the interim period before a comprehensive air
transport agreement is reached between the UK and the EU-27.
For a UK airline to continue to operate in the EU, the
legislation requires operators to obtain an operating authorisation
from each member state where it wants to operate, and submit to
that member state flight programme details.
Nationality of airlines
Airlines currently owned by UK nationals will no longer retain
EU carrier status. Airlines should apply for Third Country
Authorisation to continue to fly in the EU after Brexit.
Aircraft design and maintenance
Certificates and approvals for aircraft productions, aircraft
conformity, and release of new parts issued by the Civil Aviation
Agency (CAA) will no longer be valid in the EU following the
UK's EU departure. However, EU legislation is now in place to extend the
validity of certain aviation safety licences.
Pilots and cabin crew
Crew training, licences and medicals will be under the control
of the UK authorities and will no longer be recognised as
equivalent in the EU.
Security
The EU Commission has confirmed that security requirements for
all direct passenger flights to and from the UK will remain as they
are today and it will recognise UK passenger and baggage screening.
UK cargo security regimes will also be recognised as equivalent to
those of the EU. However, additional security requirements could
apply to UK aircraft arriving into the EU.
Consumer protection
Passengers' rights to compensation in connection with
delayed or cancelled flights under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 will
not be affected. However, the UK will cease to be bound by
decisions in this regard by the Court of Justice of the European
Union.
Safety regulations
While the standards of the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) will continue to apply, the UK will lose its ability to
influence the development of the EASA legal framework going
forward. Even if the standards developed by EASA remain the same
for aircraft certification, aircraft operations and aircraft
maintenance requirements in the UK, the UK entities concerned
(manufacturers, operators, MROs) will be governed by the UK
authority for civil aviation (CAA), rather than EASA.
Ownership and control limitations
As EU nationals are required to have majority ownership and
control of EU airlines, UK nationals will no longer fulfil this
requirement following the UK's EU departure.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
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