Planning a trip between the United Kingdom and Spain? Your best bet is to go, now!
If no Brexit deal is reached, travel routes between the UK and Spain will be at risk. According to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), there are high numbers of travelers between the two countries, with over 5,000 flights a week.
Former Brexit secretary David Davis committed the UK to leaving the European Union and all other EU-negotiated agreements in 2016, according to the Guardian. Aside from losing control of their economic policies, this will cause the UK to end partnerships with 28 other European countries.
The UK is scheduled to leave the European Union in March 2019. If the UK leave the EU without a deal by March 2019, flights could be halted immediately. Without a deal, major British airlines will be unable to schedule flights for the next year or continue transatlantic flights. This would include International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian UK.
The British government has stressed that a no-deal Brexit is likely, causing a huge collapse in the economy. However, IATA’s Director General and Chief executive Alexandre de Juniac is highly concerned for travelers and tourists. He believes the no-deal Brexit could potentially lead to travelers being grounded at airports after the UK leaves EU, calling it a “nightmare” for the UK and European airports.
Surrounding air travel between two nations, the complicated nature of the regulations framework has to consider safety, security and immigration controls.
The Uk’s Civil Aviation Authority and the EU have arranged a “bare bones” agreement to ensure a basic level of service provided after March 29.
Meanwhile, A 21-month transition period has been agreed upon to ease into Brexit. It would allow the UK to continue living under EU rules and laws. UK Prime Minister Theresa May of suggested possibly extending the transition beyond 2020, with preparations beginning next month.