The UK transport secretary Chris Grayling has revealed the conclusion of a new ‘open skies’ air services arrangement with the USA, ensuring the UK remains a leading aviation hub after Brexit for both travelers and businesses.
The arrangement will replace the existing EU aviation agreement with the USA, as the UK attempts to continue its global ties ahead of Brexit.
The new agreement will guarantee the continuation of the vital transatlantic routes used by tens of millions of passengers a year, ensuring people can continue to travel easily between the UK and USA and maintaining choice and good value travel. It also protects the £50bn (US$64bn) trading relationship between the two countries that is supported by air travel.
The announcement is positive news for the UK’s airports, as there is still uncertainty about what Brexit exactly means for the aviation sector.
The deal ensures that planes flying from the UK will have the same access they currently have with the USA. These arrangements will allow airlines to continue to operate undisturbed and aid the development of new services for the future.
Tim Hawkins, chief strategy officer at MAG, which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, told Passenger Terminal Today, “The government’s new aviation deal with the US government is hugely positive for passengers and businesses flying on US routes from our airports – because it gives clear reassurance on flights post-Brexit and provides an open skies agreement that will encourage competition and choice in the long term.”
Grayling commented, “The UK and USA have a special relationship which has helped shape the modern world and there is no better example of this than in aviation.
“Our transatlantic flights have helped to bring our countries even closer together, strengthening our ties and boosting our economies. This new arrangement and those concluded with eight other countries around the world are proof that the UK will continue to be a major player on the world stage after we leave the EU.”