The association issued the statement in the wake of prime minister Theresa May’s announcment today in which she ruled out membership of the single market.

In a speech outlining the government’s plans for the UK’s exit of the European Union, May insisted she would seek to make Britain an “empowered trading nation” and hoped to avoid taking businesses near a “disruptive cliff-edge” with a period of lengthy and uncertain negotiations.

She added that a final Brexit deal agreed between the EU and the UK would be voted on by both Houses of Parliament before it came into law, and that the UK would maintain the "common travel area" between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, while she said she would also create a bespoke customs agreement with Brussels.

In response, Abta said it would continue to “work proactively” with Westminster in order to “raise awareness of the priorities for travel businesses, and UK travellers" as a future trading relationship was decided upon.

The association’s director of public affairs, Alan Wardle, added that Abta would “continue to press for government action” to remove barriers to trade including ensuring the UK has sufficient airport capacity to handle demand and the reduction of Air Passenger Duty.

“The EU is the main market for UK travel companies and in its negotiations the government must make it possible for travel businesses to continue to operate in the EU,” Wardle said.

“People want to continue to easily holiday and conduct business meetings in the EU. Amongst other things this means access to the liberalised aviation market in Europe, ensuring the public can still have visa-free travel and ensuring that travel businesses can access and place the staff they need to run effective businesses across the EU.”