European Aviation Looks To ‘Preserve’ Single Market After Brexit

As the date approaches that will mark 60 years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome, thereby creating the European Union, nine aviation associations in Europe have come together to “stand up for the European Union” by issuing a joint statement underlining the benefits it has brought in terms of travel and trade for Europe’s citizens—now from 28 nations, if one includes the UK.

The nine associations—ACI, ASD, A4E, CANSO, EBAA, EHA, ERA, IACA and IndustriAll—represent respectively airports, the aerospace industry, airlines, ANSPs, business aviation, helicopter operators, regional airlines, charter airlines and trade unions.

Clearly a reaction to the UK’s intention to notify the EU that it will leave the bloc in what has become known as Brexit, the move includes the associations sending a joint declaration to “all 27 heads of government and transport ministers,” leaving out the UK, as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50 on Wednesday, March 29. Article 50 formally starts the process by which the UK plans to exit the EU two years later.

“With the EU project facing unprecedented criticism and existential threats, the aviation sector today wishes to remind people of the EU’s achievements within air transport,” said the statement announcing the joint declaration.

“The Single Aviation Market established by the EU during the 1990s removed regulatory and market barriers and created a fully integrated market for aviation,” it added. “This has been instrumental in increasing connectivity and productivity, as it provided greater access to markets and lowered prices for air travel and air freight services.

“We cannot afford to lose the freedom, legal certainty, connectivity and prosperity enabled by the Single Aviation Market...This is why we are calling on [EU] member states to preserve, reform and strengthen the EU.”

The declaration does not state why the associations chose to address only the 27 EU members that will remain when the UK leaves. The omission appears to lend credence to the belief that the EU would “cut off its nose to spite its face” by negotiating the exit of the strongest and most significant aviation nation in Europe.