The UK Government has announced that it has agreed a new “open skies” deal with the US for post-Brexit flights, which means that routes currently operating between the two countries under the present US-EU skies open treaty will continue to have the same access.
The agreement comes after many American airlines had warned that flights could be grounded if no post-Brexit agreement was reached with the UK. The UK has also secured air service arrangements with the governments of Albania, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, Morocco and Switzerland, with further talks continuing elsewhere.
Theresa May’s Brexit deal states that the UK and EU will negotiate a “comprehensive air transport agreement” with exact details on what this means remaining unknown.
Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary said that the agreements were “proof that the UK will continue to be a major player on the world stage after we leave the EU”, as Theresa May continues to face opposition over her Brexit deal.
The negotiation of the deal with the US appears positive and could see the prospect of flights being grounded after Brexit less likely.
