A DEXEU press release (HERE) is full of warm words about the UK aviation industry but notably doesn't say we will be able to continue membership of the EASA. Professor Hussein Kassim of UK in a Changing Europe says it's "unlikely" that we will be offered even affiliated membership of the EASA.
He says (HERE):
"It appears unlikely that the UK will be able to remain affiliated to EASA, so the CAA will assume responsibility for certifying aircraft and parts, and licensing pilots and maintenance engineers. However, the CAA has explicitly refused to make any plans for assuming the functions of EASA, on the publicly stated grounds that “it would be misleading to suggest [that] that’s a viable option” – which is an astounding position for a UK government agency to take.
"The stakes for aviation in the negotiations are high. The most likely scenario is that market access will be lost by both sides, and that UK industry and consumers will be hit especially hard".
I am sure we will get some sort of agreement that will allow airlines to continue to fly into the EU but it won't include a seat on the agency, otherwise other third countries will demand it. Steve Baker and Chris Grayling, Brexiteers both, are quite shameless. Having put the entire aviation industry at risk through Brexit, they are now struggling to get the same level of access to the European aviation market that they urged us to give up in 2016.
Meanwhile in a Notice to Stakeholders (HERE) on the EASA, the EU say:
In accordance with Article 20 of the Basic Regulation, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) carries out the functions and tasks of the state of design on behalf of Member States with regard to the type certificates for products, certificates for parts and appliances, and certificates for design organisations. Such certificates issued by EASA to persons and organisations located in the United Kingdom will therefore no longer be valid in the EU as of the withdrawal date. The products, parts and appliances concerned will no longer be considered as certified in accordance with Article 5 of the Basic Regulation.
Meanwhile in a Notice to Stakeholders (HERE) on the EASA, the EU say:
In accordance with Article 20 of the Basic Regulation, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) carries out the functions and tasks of the state of design on behalf of Member States with regard to the type certificates for products, certificates for parts and appliances, and certificates for design organisations. Such certificates issued by EASA to persons and organisations located in the United Kingdom will therefore no longer be valid in the EU as of the withdrawal date. The products, parts and appliances concerned will no longer be considered as certified in accordance with Article 5 of the Basic Regulation.
Rolls Royce are thinking about shifting their engine certification office to Germany because of Brexit and Airbus is discussing how to respond to Brexit and may well cut future investment in UK plants. They want the same frictionless access to the EU and the freedom to move staff as they wish, things they are unlikely to get. And this will damage the very industry Grayling and Baker are now claiming to support. What hypocrisy.
