18 December 2018 - The representatives of the United Kingdom and Montenegro have announced that the two countries have signed bilateral agreements that will allow uninterrupted air traffic after Brexit.
UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the open skies deal would ensure the country remained a leading global aviation hub once it has left the European Union. "These agreements will ensure Britain continues to prosper as we leave the EU and I’m confident the UK will reach a mutually beneficial deal, while we continue to prepare for all eventualities," Grayling said in a statement.
The Government in London pointed out that the goal was to replace the current framework under EU regulations.
The United Kingdom has also reached agreements in this area with Kosovo, Albania, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Morocco, Switzerland, and the United States, but deals with other countries from the former Yugoslavia have yet to be concluded.
The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) said December 4 that it had written to the European Commission, urging it to “reach a solution as soon as possible that will allow airlines to continue operating as they do today” after Brexit. The ERA warned of “disastrous consequences for the aviation industry” if the UK and EU are unable to finalize a withdrawal agreement ahead of the UK’s planned departure from the bloc.
Separately, the European Commission has confirmed that UK citizens will have to pay to secure pre-travel authorization to visit EU countries after Brexit. Whereas now UK passport-holders can travel freely within the EU, in a post-Brexit world they will have to pay for approval under the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
The UK is due to formally leave the European Union on March 30, 2019.
Source: Air Transport World Online
