EU/UK: EU could dash hopes for UK to remain in aviation safety agency

Britain could be excluded from the EASA after it quits the EU, raising the prospect of increased certification costs for airlines and manufacturers and dashing London's hopes of keeping its membership. EASA ensures airlines respect safety rules and certifies aerospace products across the bloc, helping to bring down the costs of development and production within the industry. In addition, the EU has a bilateral agreement with the United States under which they accept each other's certifications. The EU is preparing its negotiating position for its future relationship with Britain and appears to be taking a hard line on aviation. "UK membership of EASA is not possible," the EC said in slides presented to member states last week which will inform its negotiating position for a transitional agreement and the future relationship with Britain. The EC sketched out a vision of the UK having an aviation agreement with the EU along the lines of those the bloc has with the US and Canada. Membership of EASA is contingent upon accepting the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU, something Britain has ruled out.<br/>