UK: Airlines can handle Brexit but frustrated by the politics, chiefs say

Airlines will be able to withstand the impact of Britain leaving the EU, even without a deal, but the lack of political progress is frustrating and has dampened consumer demand, airline chiefs said Monday. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, and PM Theresa May has yet to seal a deal that has the approval of lawmakers in Westminster. “I don’t think it’s concern that we’ve expressed — it’s frustration ... We do really need the politicians to resolve this,” said Willie Walsh, CEO of BA and Iberia parent IAG. “The industry manages (these uncertainties) better than any other industry ... I’m fairly confident that IAG and other airlines will be able to manage this situation whatever happens.” Ryanair CE Michael O’Leary said that even if a deal is passed, it would only clinch a transition arrangement until the end of 2020, with further political instability delayed but not resolved. “(A deal) is good news in the short term but fixes nothing over the medium term because they are still going to have to negotiate the trade deal. And what the UK government have demonstrated in the last two years is that they are incapable of negotiating the purchase of a packet of crisps,” he said. “So short term I think the threat of a cliff edge is moving away but it is only going to be postponed for another 21 months and now we are back to the same situation all over again.” Britain and the EU have said that flights will continue, even in the event that there is a no-deal Brexit. <br/>