Easa has reportedly knocked back an attempt by the CAA to agree a transition plan in the event of a no-deal Brexit that would keep aircraft in the air after March 29 next year.
In a letter to Easa in June, cited by the BBC, CAA chief executive Richard Moriarty said a “joint transition plan” was necessary to reassure passengers that in any Brexit scenario, aviation operations between the UK and EU would continue unaffected.
Easa is responsible for civil aviation safety matters across the EU, including licensing, certification and regulation, with a view to providing common protections throughout the union.
However, Easa executive director Patrick Ky said without clarity on the withdrawal process and any future UK-EU legal framework, any discussions at this stage were “premature”. Should the UK leave the EU without a deal, Easa would no longer recognise documentation issued by the CAA.
The CAA last month forcibly rebutted claims that tens of thousands of pilots would need need to renew their licences in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
There is, however, no provision in other international agreements, such as World Trade Organisation rules, for aviation matters, meaning that if the UK left without a deal, there would be no default position for aviation arrangements, making the CAA’s negotiations with Easa vital.
A CAA spokesperson said: "We call upon the European Commission to allow EASA to hold discussions with us about the detailed technical arrangements that would apply in a no-deal scenario. We are ready to start these talks immediately."
