Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential loss of cabotage rights within the EU for UK airlines following the UK's exit from the EU.

The UK is entering negotiations with the EU from a position of complete harmonisation with EU regulations. This will be the foundation upon which the UK will negotiate a bespoke relationship. We do not want to simply adopt a model already used by other countries, like Switzerland.

The importance of air services to the UK economy is recognised across Government and we continue to work closely with the aviation sector to ensure its ongoing success. Securing liberal market access to EU and global markets is a high priority for the Department for Transport.

My officials are in discussion with third countries regarding post-Brexit air services arrangements. They are on course to reach an understanding with each of those countries well before the UK leaves the EU.

The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including upon cabotage rights, and plans to negotiate the best possible relationship between the UK and EU in the field of aviation. It will be in the interests of both sides in the negotiation to maintain closely integrated aviation markets.