ERA Urges for Action in Light of Continued Brexit Uncertainty

The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) has urged the European Commission and UK Department of Transport to finalize the forthcoming aviation plans for Brexit as a matter of urgency, according to a recent announcement.

ERA is the voice of European aviation and represents the interests of 52 airlines, 22 airports and 120 aviation suppliers and manufacturers.

Following the recent collapse of ERA member flybmi, the association has written to the European Commission and UK Department of Transport urging for action.

“It is imperative that they put in place a comprehensive agreement for aviation that mirrors the current situation with the UK as the highest priority, and that they reach a solution that will allow airlines to continue operating as they do today, enabling Europeans to continue benefiting from affordable and stress-free travel,” ERA Director General Montserrat Barriga said.

According to ERA, the challenges caused by Brexit are unsurmountable and as this shows, airlines have not had time to prepare, plan and react.

Photo source: ERA

“I was deeply saddened to learn that ERA member British Midland Regional Limited, which operated as flybmi, had filed for administration… Rising fuel and carbon costs coupled with the uncertainty, unfairness and challenges surrounding Brexit has led to the airline ceasing all operations,” Barriga added, referring to “a sad day” for European aviation and a clear example of the impact of a too long uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

He had previously wrote to the European Commission in late November 2018 calling for urgent action in advance of the UK leaving the European Union and has once again written to persuade them to take immediate action.

ERA underlines that the “disastrous consequences” for the aviation industry, both in the UK and the rest of Europe, will be significant. The association believes that flybmi’s failure is only the beginning if the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit agreement is not resolved.