What happens to UK aviation if UK votes to leave the European Union?
What happens to UK aviation if UK votes to leave the European Union?
So, June 23rd, the UK votes to leave the European Union, we have a few years of transition and negotiations and then we face the consequences.
There must be a multitude of implications for the UK aviation industry as a whole, but more interested here in private and business aviation - GA. Assuming we are still compliant with EASA requirements when operating a UK-registered aircraft, but a non-EU country, what impact may that have on border protocols, passenger inconvenience, taxes, duties, security protocols, screening, aircraft import, export, leases, financing, legal and contractual matters etc.
Exchange rates will definitely shift and global industry players will either see the UK as a complete pain in the proverbial or a great hub to centre their European aspirations, perhaps? Will Air Passenger Duty (APD) go or stay? Where will it place us on our emissions regulations? Will we have more restrictive noise limitations, or less? Will the extensive use of aircraft registers of convenience be extended or curtailed if we are out – IoM, Jersey, Guernsey, Malta etc.
The list is endless really.
So, bottom line, will bailing out of the EU likely be better or worse for the UK-based business aviation sector? Or, more or less convenient, more or less costly for overseas visitors in private/business aircraft coming to the UK? Will we see an exodus of UK-based operators (or their aircraft) back into the EU, or onto EU registers?
Thoughts and commentary are welcome. The clock is now ticking.