The transport secretary has admitted that disruption to flights post-Brexit is possible.
Speaking at an aviation conference, Chris Grayling said that although disruption to flights would be “unlikely”, the relevant talks had not yet started.
“It is theoretically possible that EASA [the European Aviation Safety Agency] could refuse or delay the certification of UK-certified planes. I think it is highly unlikely,” said Grayling at the Airport Operators Association annual conference in London.
“I’ve offered the commission to prepare a barebones deal if there is no broader agreement. They are not yet ready to begin but the commission has said very clearly it expects there to be an agreement.”
Despite there only being five months until the UK’s departure from the EU, Grayling pointed to Ryanair who was “selling tickets for next summer and expanding the number of routes between the UK and the European Union”.
Ryanair (LON: RYA) has repeatedly warned that it may have to suspend flights for “weeks or months” if no deal is reached.
“In the worst-case scenario there will be no flights in or out of the UK to Europe for a period, for all carriers,” said the company’s chief financial officer, Neil Sorahan.
“There could be a situation where you’re going to have get comfortable with staycations for the summer of 2019: those trips down to Portugal and Spain, unless you can swim, aren’t really going to happen.”
On Monday, Heathrow revealed it had raised £1.6 billion from investors as a buffer in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
“We have taken an extremely responsible approach to both operational and financial planning,” said the airport in a statement.
“Extensive contingency plans have been developed, which will help to minimise any potential impact on passengers. [The debt-raising] ensures the airport has sufficient financial firepower to cope with a no-deal Brexit.”
“This extends our liquidity horizon until the end of 2020 and ensures the airport has sufficient financial firepower to cope with a no-deal Brexit and still meet its obligations – including progressing our expansion plans,” it added.