More mixed messages from the government. Recently we have heard that preparations are being made for leaving the EU without a deal but then up pops Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, who tells us it is the government's intention to continue the Open Skies agreement (HERE) after Brexit and that planes being grounded on March 30th 2019 is "inconceivable".
So, the government is preparing to leave without a deal but also with a deal. Or to put it another way we will leave with a deal but also without one as well. All clear?
Of course it's inconceivable planes will not fly to Europe after Brexit. But this is only because the UK is in an incredibly weak position. We will eventually have to accept whatever deal the EU offer. This is the only way we can be sure of continuing with the Open Skies agreement - and plenty of other agreements too.
In fact the number of bilateral agreements that will have to be put in place, plus the withdrawal and trade deals will make it look as if we are still members of the EU but without any means of influencing any decisions. The "gain" may be in lower immigration but the losses in trade and influence will make the "gains", if indeed that's what they are, will shrink to nothing in comparison.
