Ryanair warns UK govt on urgency over Brexit deal

Ryanair has accused the UK govt of failing to grasp the urgency of striking a deal for post-Brexit aviation, saying the industry needs a year’s notice to plan schedules after Britain leaves the EU. Kenny Jacobs, the airline’s chief marketing officer, also painted a gloomy picture of the prospects of securing a deal. He cautioned that other EU member states could block the UK’s continued access to the EU’s “Open Skies” area. The warning is the starkest yet from an airline about the potential consequences of Brexit. EU regulation is deeply embedded in the UK’s aviation agreements. Jacobs acknowledged that the UK govt had said it was inconceivable the UK would leave the liberalised European Open Skies area following the Brexit negotiations. But Jacobs warned: “There isn’t a plan and we need to see a plan.” <br/>