Industry gives cautious welcome to Brexit White Paper

The travel industry has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s Brexit White Paper.

Although the paper gives more clarity on a number of issues, including a liberalised approach to maintaining open skies, industry bodies say there is still considerably more work to be done, and quickly.

Chief executive of the Airport Operators Association Karen Dee said: "We welcome confirmation in the Government’s Brexit White Paper of its proposal to seek an aviation agreement that matches as closely as possible today’s traffic rights and aviation regulation arrangements. Such a liberalised approach will maintain outstanding connectivity and choice, which will benefit consumers, businesses and trade across the UK and the EU."

But she added: "It is vital that both sides now secure the implementation period by finalising the withdrawal agreement and enabling its early ratification. This will provide consumers and businesses – both in the UK and the EU – with the necessary confidence about future arrangements."

Faced with such a complex task, she called for discussions to get underway as soon as possible between the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other relevant authorities.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said he was pleased to see the Government recognises the importance of maintaining open skies access, remaining part of EASA, ensuring visa-free travel, and keeping the EHIC system, and its intention to maintain high levels of consumer protection.

But he said further clarity is still needed on other important areas, such as the future of posted workers and the TOMS regime for VAT.

"It is also important to remember that this is a two-sided negotiation, and the EU will have their own ideas on what a future relationship should look like," he said.’¨

"ABTA will continue to engage proactively, and to call for a pragmatic approach to the negotiations from both sides – seeking a deal that prioritises the needs of the travelling public and the travel industry. We’d also encourage the Government to continue to engage with business as they discuss the details of the proposals with the EU."

UKinbound chairman Mark McVay said: "We have consistently argued that frictionless arrangements before, during and at arrival at the UK’s borders are vital to an industry which in 2017 brought in an estimated £25 billion to the UK economy and £10 billion from EU tourism alone.

"Whilst we are pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns, there remains a lot of work to be done on this and other outstanding issues. We will continue to make the case that it is vital that our future relationship with the EU protects the tourism industry in the UK."