Requirements for aviation businesses operating in Europe after the UK leaves the EU

In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), aerospace businesses, airlines and aviation personnel may need new or changed certification, licences and documentation to undertake activities involving the design, production, maintenance and operation of aircraft between the UK and the EU and EEA.

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will take over many functions currently performed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in relation to aviation safety approvals and certifications.

Aviation personnel safety licences

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), if there is no EU exit deal, personnel working in the aviation industry may need to take action to ensure they continue to hold appropriate safety certificates. This applies to the operation of aircraft registered in any EASA member state. Actions required would depend on individual circumstances. Each business and individual should consider the possible actions for:

• commercial pilots (Part-FCL licence).
• cabin crew (attestation)
• aircraft maintenance engineers (Part 66 licence)
• air traffic controllers
• approved training organisations
• engineering training organisations (Part 147)
• flight training examiners
• private pilots
• UK-registered aircraft: qualified owners

Airline operating licences and certificates

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), if there is no EU exit deal, holders of airline operating licences and air operator’s certificates (AOC) would need to take action to ensure they can continue to operate in and out of the UK and the EU. Actions required would depend on individual circumstances. Each business and individual should consider the possible actions for:

• airlines and AOC holders including possible actions for:
  • flight operations permissions, approvals, variations and exemptions (PAVEs)
  • market access
  • national and UK AOC
  • operating, route and air transport licences
  • ownership and control requirements of UK and EU airlines
  • requirements for consumer information
  • security arrangements for cargo and mail carriers and supply chain entities
  • security screening arrangements for passengers transferring between flights at EU airports
  • third country operators (Part-TCO)
  • wet-leasing aircraft
• apply for a foreign carrier permit
• declared entities
• drones

Aircraft certification

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), if there is no EU exit deal, aerospace design, production and maintenance organisations might need to take action to ensure they continue to hold appropriate safety certificates. Actions required would depend on individual circumstances. Each business and individual should consider the possible actions for:

• aerospace design organisations
• aerospace production organisations
• aerospace maintenance organisations
• continued airworthiness management organisations

Airports

The certificates issued to airports by the CAA would remain valid from 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020). Airports and aerodromes should be largely unaffected by the changes to the safety regulatory regime.

• airports

More about possible aviation changes

• The aerospace sector and preparing for EU Exit
• Aviation security for passengers and cargo if there’s no Brexit deal
• Draft regulation proposed by the European Commission on certain aspects of aviation safety for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union
• Draft regulation proposed by the European Commission on ensuring basic air connectivity for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union
• European Commission communication on preparing for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union
• Flights to and from the UK if there’s no Brexit deal
• Ports and airports – what to expect on day one of a ‘no deal’ scenario

See also

• Importing, exporting and transporting – EU Exit guidance for your business
• Passenger consumer rights when travelling to the EU after Brexit
• Passenger travel to Europe by air, rail or sea after Brexit
• Transport – EU Exit guidance
• UK nationals in the EU: guidance for UK nationals living in the EU

This guidance expands on the aviation safety technical notice published in September 2018.