Responding to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, European airport trade body ACI Europe calls for the EU and UK aviation markets to remain fully integrated in the future to safeguard and promote vital air connectivity for consumers as well as continued economic development.
Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, said, “The EU and the UK are faced with the challenge of establishing a new relationship. While there is, for now, much uncertainty as to what the model, structure and modus operandi for this new relationship will be, it will be essential that it allows for the UK and EU aviation markets to remain fully integrated and based on totally aligned, if not common, rules.
“The EU’s single and fully liberalized aviation market has delivered tremendous benefits for consumers and businesses across Europe – with increased air connectivity at lower fares at its core. By putting so many airports not just on the European but also the global aviation map, the single European aviation market has transformed them into engines of growth for their communities, especially in the regions. We simply cannot afford to go backward on what is now one of the backbones of our economies.
“Securing legal certainty over the continued integration of the EU and UK aviation markets must be one of the key priorities of the future EU and UK relationship,” added Jankovec. “This is about avoiding any risk in terms of connectivity and business disruption. As the voice of Europe’s airports both within and beyond the EU, ACI Europe will pursue this agenda on behalf of its members.”
ACI Europe is also urging the UK and the EU to keep a common aviation security agenda – with a focus on reinforcing cooperation on intelligence and data sharing to effectively address terrorism threats.
