The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) throws
its support behind the Commission's temporary regulation to
secure basic air connectivity in case of a "no-deal"
scenario.
The European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) plays a key role in
ensuring economic growth and prosperity and in maintaining
Europe's competitiveness on the international market. As a result
of Brexit, the UK will no longer be a member of the European
single market and its aviation sector will no longer be part of
the ECAA. If the UK withdrawal agreement is not ratified – the
so-called "no‑deal" scenario – the EU legislation for air
services, in particular Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, will
cease to apply between the EU and the UK, bringing about legal
uncertainty, jeopardising planning stability and endangering
continued connectivity.
In the opinion adopted at the February plenary session, drawn up
by Jacek Krawczyk, the EESC endorses the thrust
of the Commission's proposal for a contingency regulation to
ensure basic air services in an increasingly likely "no
withdrawal agreement" scenario.
The EESC points out that the proposed regulation cannot be seen
as an extension of the current rules, or indeed even as a
unilateral withdrawal agreement, because the rights contained in
the document are rightly limited in time and purpose. "The
proposed regulation is a temporary solution and represents a
contingency plan to reduce the impact of an abrupt Brexit,"
declared Mr Krawczyk. "It is the only realistic
way to mitigate possible serious negative consequences to be
expected for the aviation sector, if the withdrawal agreement is
not ratified before 29 March 2019."
The limitation of the commercial opportunities to the third and
fourth freedom services (the core elements of connectivity)
between the EU and the UK is logical and consistent and further
commercial opportunities for EU and British airlines (fifth
freedom operations: cargo) will have to be discussed in the
negotiations on a future air service agreement (ASA).
The EESC urges the two parties to conduct these negotiations
without delay in order to re-establish a legal basis for robust
airline competition between the carriers, and stands ready to
provide valuable contributions from organised civil society
stakeholders from the EU-27.
During the transition period and whilst negotiating a new air
service agreement – in view of the serious economic and social
consequences of the "no-deal" Brexit scenario – the Commission
should also develop a transparent monitoring mechanism, allowing
for close cooperation with civil society organisations.
Notes
The European Economic and Social Committee is a
consultative body of the European Union established in 1958.
Based in Brussels, it is an advisory assembly composed of "social
partners", namely: employers, employees and representatives of
various other interests.
