Abta: Confidence in travel industry key during Brexit talks

Wardle told delegates that while the EU Withdrawal Bill is legally binding, political agreement on the UK’s future direction is not.

Prime minister Theresa May recently pledged to publish a white paper offering “precise explanations” on some aspects of Britain’s post-Brexit vision.

Brexit secretary David Davis said the paper was likely to be published in June and would represent the government’s “most significant publication on the EU” since the referendum in June 2016.

Wardle added little was clear regarding travel matters: “This is all about real people’s lives and businesses,” he said.

“Some details, such as on Toms (Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme), we don’t expect to be agreed before we leave We have a broad sense of what [the deal] will look like, but things aren’t clear.

"On aviation, the degree of association between the UK and the EU is still unclear – and how closely we are going to remain aligned to the EU.”

Wardle said Abta had five key demands for a Brexit deal: on aviation, market and European Aviation Safety Agency access; free movement of key workers; free flow through borders; clarity on financial matters such as Toms; and movement on issues informing consumer confidence and guaranteeing consumer rights, such as the European Health Insurance Card.