Britain matches EU offer to maintain flights in no-deal Brexit scenario

Britain said Thursday that flights to and from the European Union would continue after Brexit, even if it leaves without a deal, as it agreed to match an offer by the European Union to protect flying rights. The Department for Transport said the government was still working to secure a withdrawal and transition deal with Brussels but that as part of its preparations for all eventualities, it had agreed to reciprocate EU plans. The EU executive has proposed allowing British airlines to fly to and from EU airports for 12 months after March 29, assuming Britain offers equivalent rights to EU airlines. Britain said Thursday for the 12-month period it intended to grant EU air carriers a level of access to the UK at least equivalent to the rights that would be granted to UK airlines under the EU’s regulation. “This includes traffic rights, ownership and control, leasing of aircraft, cooperative marketing arrangements and fair competition,” the transport department said. It would also go further and allow member state airlines to operate wholly within the UK for the IATA summer season 2019, which ends on Oct. 27, to maintain connections between regional bases.<br/>