Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 19 July (HL1088), in developing their plans to negotiate the best possible relationship between the UK and the EU in the field of aviation what steps they intend to take to provide clarity and certainty regarding access to the Single Aviation Market for (1) airlines that intend to make decisions about whether to increase capacity in the UK, and (2) passengers intending to plan holidays, for the 18 months leading up to March 2019; and whether they are taking steps to avoid the risk of uncertainty by seeking an early interim agreement with the EU-27 on UK-EU aviation traffic rights by the end of this year.

It will be in the interests of both sides in the negotiation to maintain closely integrated aviation markets. The Government continues to work closely with the aviation sector to ensure this industry continues to be a major success story for the British economy. Air transport and aerospace add at least £22 billion to the UK economy each year.

The Government plans to negotiate the best possible relationship between the UK and EU in the field of aviation with a smooth and orderly transition. We will approach the discussions with ambition, giving citizens and businesses as much certainty as possible, as early as possible.

The opening up of access to air services helps to deliver connectivity, choice and value for money that benefits consumers and businesses both here and abroad. Seeking new aviation arrangements is a high priority for the Department for Transport, not just with the EU but also with those states where we currently rely on EU-negotiated arrangements for market access.

However, a responsible government should prepare for all potential outcomes, including the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached. That is exactly what we are doing across the whole of Government.