Brexit: Tension mounts but no panic (as yet) — October 2018

As described in previous Aviation Strategy articles, Brexit raises numerous complex issues for air transport. Aviation has its own, unique international regulatory regime, distinct from World Trade Organisation rules, is highly regulated at several levels and attracts more than its fair share of public attention. It is little wonder that there is such confusion and gloom when it comes to one of the most important negotiations the industry has faced for a long time.

Michael O’Leary of Ryanair has been particularly pessimistic about the post-Brexit future. In an interview with CNN in March, for example, he again stressed the risk of all flights between the UK and the rest of Europe being grounded from next spring. “Six months before Brexit is when the airlines will really be panicking and customers will…  [be asking] ‘Are these flights going to operate?’”