The laughable part? The ad for these entirely new positions was posted just weeks ago. Nine months, in fact, before the UK exits the European Union.
Such a move, less than a year before Brexit, is beyond farcical. And it highlights a breathtaking lack of appreciation from the government regarding the complexities facing the aviation sector ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU.
The DfT has of course defended the new posts, insisting its exit plans are “well developed”, and the roles are “supplementary”. Given the seniority of these new positions though, it feels like a weak argument.
MORE: DfT advertises key aviation roles just nine months before Brexit
Abta and other industry bodies have campaigned tirelessly to make clear to government just how critical an aviation deal is. And suggestions this week the EU may block an emergency aviation deal even being discussed, thereby grounding thousands of flights, will serve as an uncomfortable reminder.
In spite of this, the industry remains optimistic. Aito chairman Derek Moore is confident “some sort of deal will be done”. While Abta’s director of public affairs Alan Wardle insists both the UK government and governments of EU countries “have said from the beginning they want a good deal on aviation”.
It may have been helpful, then, had the DfT appointed a head of aviation to lead us through the Brexit process a whole lot earlier.
It was Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary who first suggested last year a no-deal scenario could lead to the grounding of flights. His fears were rubbished at the time by transport minister Chris Grayling, who branded such an idea “inconceivable”. Yet so too was the idea of Brexit once. The referendum has shown us nothing should be taken for granted.
