UK passengers concerned about European flights after 31 October 2019.
With the Brexit deadline of 31 October 2019 looming, many airline passengers that have booked flights to European destinations are concerned about flights scheduled after the deadline. Recent research by Which? Travel showed that “a third of flyers are worried that European flights could be disrupted once Britain leaves the EU”.
For the near future those passengers can have their fears alleviated. In place is EU Regulation 2019/502 that provides for common rules ensuring basic air connectivity with regards to Brexit, allowing UK planes to fly to European destinations. Article 16 4(b) of the Regulation extended the operation of this Regulation until 30 March 2020; recently the European Commission released a statement on 4 September 2019 extending the effect of the Regulation:
“Basic air connectivity (Regulation (EU) 2019/502): the Commission has today proposed to extend this Regulation until 24 October 2020, reflecting the logic and duration of the original Regulation.”
As such, UK-based airlines may continue to operate European flights until 24 October 2020.
Passengers will be reassured to know that they can continue to make travel arrangements for the future. However, what must be considered is that whilst the flights will continue to operate, there will be an increased scrutiny on passports for passengers travelling from the UK to an EU country. The increased scrutiny will require that passengers “have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).”
© 2019 Whitestone Chambers