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Brexit
Original poster

Flights to the EU

42 replies

pamperramper · 18/09/2019 20:55

I'm confused now. Am I right in thinking that the EU will continue with flights for a period after a no deal Brexit? Is this still right, and for how long? I need to book flights to Belgium and Germany over the next few months.

OP posts:
jasjas1973 · 18/09/2019 21:12

The Eu decided that uk carriers can fly to and from EU airports but not intra EU.
The arrangement is for 12 months.

So you'll be fine, costs might go up but thats it.

jasjas1973 · 18/09/2019 21:13

oh and book a years travel insurance pre a no deal brexit, as ehic will go and post brexit, ins will go up.

Original poster
pamperramper · 19/09/2019 00:48

Someone has posted somewhere that the period the EU said flights could continue for was dated from the original Brexit date in March though? And I think it might have been for only 9 months anyway? And I suppose there's no guarantee anyhow - they may have changed their mind over the past few months. Bugger.

OP posts:
Mistigri · 19/09/2019 06:23

From the govt guidance:

The EU’s Regulation [to ensure basic air connectivity] was originally intended to apply until the end of March 2020, but a proposal to extend this to October 2020 was announced by the European Commission on 4 September 2019. The rights the Regulation provide to UK airlines are conditional on the UK granting equivalent rights to airlines from EU countries.

GreekOddess · 19/09/2019 06:26

@jasjas1973 what does Intra Eu mean? I've just googled but can't find a description.

AuldAlliance · 19/09/2019 06:34

Intra EU means between EU member states (France --> Italy, for instance).
As opposed to between the UK and an EU member state.

kingsassassin · 19/09/2019 06:35

Intra eu is flights from say Paris to Berlin so starting and finishing in the EU, not the uk.

GreekOddess · 19/09/2019 07:10

So if we crash out without a deal we can't fly between member states? Presumably if we get a deal that will be addressed? We often do fly drive holidays in Europe and fly in and out of different countries.

GCAcademic · 19/09/2019 07:13

Of course you can fly between member states. It’s U.K. based airlines that won’t be allowed to do so.

Songsofexperience · 19/09/2019 07:57

Of course you can fly between member states. It’s U.K. based airlines that won’t be allowed to do so.

Indeed but if we want book a flight with a UK airline from London to a destination that isn't served by a direct flight, won't we have to book 2 separate tickets and therefore have a nightmare having to retrieve luggage at the layover airport and having to check it in again? I'm also worried 2 separate bookings would mean if the first flight is delayed and you miss your connection flight you will have to buy a new one to get to your destination?
I'd love to know what rules will apply regarding connecting flights.

Parker231 · 19/09/2019 08:00

You would be able to fly Heathrow to Berlin on a UK airline but would need to use an EU registered airline for a connecting flight Berlin to Pisa.

Songsofexperience · 19/09/2019 08:07

I wonder if it'll be possible to book the whole trip on a single ticket though, otherwise it'll be a nightmare.

jasjas1973 · 19/09/2019 08:08

Of course you can fly between member states. It’s U.K. based airlines that won’t be allowed to do so

That's what i said!

What it will mean is UK carriers will be less profitable, so prices will go up or they go bust.

Though to be honest, cheap flights are extremely bad for the environment, so finally a brexit bonus!

Songsofexperience · 19/09/2019 08:13

Yes, and we need to adapt but it's yet another issue for business to deal with. I travel to the continent almost on a weekly basis. I doubt the business could sustain doubling my travel costs and I wonder about the impact on my job.
It's also a problem for people with elderly parents in an EU country.
We are literally about to cut ourselves off. It's really depressing.

DGRossetti · 19/09/2019 10:21

I wonder if it'll be possible to book the whole trip on a single ticket though, otherwise it'll be a nightmare.

I would be surprised, since there are two sets of contract law applying. You might be able to buy what looks like a single ticket, but under the hood it will be two stuck together. With all the scope for a bunfight between the two parties to palm any liability onto the other.

One thing which strikes me immediately is what would happen if a UK-bound flight needed to be diverted to a non-UK airport ?

But, heigh ho, they've had three years to think of something. I'm sure it will be alright.

onalongsabbatical · 19/09/2019 12:09

But, heigh ho, they've had three years to think of something. I'm sure it will be alright. mega-lolz, Dante Gabriel.

Original poster
pamperramper · 19/09/2019 12:40

I expect people will stop using UK registered airlines for non-direct flights.

OP posts:
IntoTheHoods · 19/09/2019 14:53

@Songsofexperience or you could book the whole trip on one of them forrin airlines.

Songsofexperience · 19/09/2019 15:26

Sure, but what sort of rules will apply to them? Will they be allowed to operate on a basis that is obviously disadvantageous to UK airlines?

Parker231 · 19/09/2019 15:41

If you are flying in EU airspace I imagine they can set the rules regardless of whether it disadvantages the UK?

onalongsabbatical · 19/09/2019 16:33

It's Brexit that's disadvantageous to UK airlines. Not to speak of every other darn thing.

ContinuityError · 19/09/2019 17:48

One thing which strikes me immediately is what would happen if a UK-bound flight needed to be diverted to a non-UK airport?

Similarly, I’ve wondered what happens if you’re flying into Canada but get diverted to a US airport and you don’t have an ESTA?

DGRossetti · 19/09/2019 18:00

Similarly, I’ve wondered what happens if you’re flying into Canada but get diverted to a US airport and you don’t have an ESTA?

You'll probably be OK if you're white ...

notimagain · 19/09/2019 18:08

Long term lurker checking in..

Brexit doesn't half complicate aviation, I'm certainly not a fan of it, but we need to be mindful that as well as EASA and the EU, there are also rules and agreements put in place by the likes of ICAO, particularly with regard to matters like airspace and overflight - so for example a hard Brexit doesn't mean EU27 airspace is suddenly closed to overflight by UK based aircraft.

As has been mentioned upthread flights between the UK and the EU27 post Brexit is subject to continued negotiation, but at least there is the holding position which is valid until into next year.

Intra EU27 flights - TBH that is something that is rarely relevant to anyone boarding an aircraft in the UK now, even before Brexit...the reason being British based aircraft tend operate out of the UK , turnaround and come back directly back to a UK airport. The one exception is Easyjet (based in the UK), who could have had problems with this rule and their internal European operation, but I understand they have changed their company structure to mitigate the effects.

As far as thoughts on diversions possibly becoming more difficult - I really can't see the EU27 suddenly making airports unavailable to UK aircraft so safety won't be effected. However there might be admin/customs complications on the ground if the flight cannot continue and the passengers have to get off - but probably no more complex than the situation you get if a UK to US flight diverts into a Canadian Airport.

ContinuityError · 19/09/2019 18:20

You'll probably be OK if you're white ...

How about if you’re white but can’t get an ESTA due to visiting / being born in a blacklisted and are waiting on a visa decision?