Parliament ensures continuity of transport services between the EU and the UK in case of a no-deal Brexit
On Wednesday, MEPs approved measures to avoid major disruptions in air and road transport services between the UK and the EU in case of the UK leaving without a negotiated agreement.
The contingency measures that would allow UK airlines for a limited period to provide services between the UK and the EU in case of a no-deal Brexit as long as the UK provides equivalent access to EU companies were approved with 653 in favour, 21 against, 5 abstentions. The measures would apply until 30 March 2020 or until an air transport agreement between the EU and the UK enters into force, whichever is earlier.
Parliament also approved a temporary mechanism for the European Aviation Safety Agency to issue aviation safety certificates for UK companies with 658 in favour, 8 against, 4 abstentions.
To avoid serious disruptions in road freight and bus and coach transport, MEPs approved Parliament’s position for allowing UK road haulage and bus and coach operators to provide services between the UK and the EU until the end of 2019, as long as the UK confers the equivalent rights to EU operators, with 623 votes in favour, 35 against, 21 abstentions.
MEPs also approved a 9 month extension of the validity of rail safety authorisations to ensure continuity of train services between the EU and the UK with 661 in favour, 5 against, 5 abstentions.
To ensure new maritime connections between Ireland and other EU countries and continuity of port infrastructure funding, MEPs backed the proposal on realigning the Trans-European Transport Network, with 573 votes in favour, 21 against and 25 abstentions.
Next steps
The measures now need to be formally approved by the Council of the EU.
Background
At the request of the European Parliament and the Council, the European Commission proposed contingency measures to mitigate the effects of a withdrawal of the UK from the EU without an agreement.
The contingency measures do not replicate the benefits of membership or of a transition period. They are limited in time and adopted unilaterally by the EU under the condition that the UK adopts similar measures.