Aviation security regimes

If the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) without an agreement in place on aviation security, the existing aviation security regulations and procedures will be retained in domestic law under the EU Withdrawal Act. This will ensure that the UK continues to have a robust aviation security system no matter what our future relationship with the EU is.

The EU has stated in its:

• contingency planning notice, 13 November 2018
• Brexit preparedness seminar on transport, 30 November 2018

that it intends to recognise the UK aviation security regime and include it in the One Stop Security system for passengers and cargo. This recognises the continued high security standards applied by the UK.

Passenger security

The security screening requirements for all direct passenger flights to and from the UK will remain as they are today.

The EU has stated that it will recognise UK passenger and baggage screening. This means that passengers flying from the UK will continue to be able to transfer at an EU airport for an onward flight without experiencing additional security rescreening procedures.

Cargo security

Cargo from the EU to the UK

The UK intends to recognise EU cargo security from the outset, and will not require new cargo security designations for carriers from EU airports. This recognises that security standards are already aligned and equivalent. It will minimise disruption to the European and global cargo networks.

Cargo from the UK to the EU

The EU has stated that it intends to recognise the UK cargo security regime as equivalent and allow cargo to continue to fly into the EU. This means that cargo can fly from the UK to the EU without a security designation.

Cargo from the rest of the world into the UK

The EU’s ‘ACC3’ inbound cargo regime requires that carriers flying cargo into the EU, including the UK currently, must hold a security designation. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK would not be part of the EU ACC3 scheme.

We are taking steps to ensure that there will not be a reduction in our control over our security standards. To this end, the UK will operate a separate UK-only inbound cargo regime, which will mirror the EU scheme.

To ensure that we do not put any barriers in place to international trade, we intend to grant UK-ACC3 designations immediately following EU Exit. These UK-ACC3 designations will mirror all existing EU ACC3 designations for cargo flying into the UK from third (non-EU) countries. This will permit all cargo currently flown to the UK from third countries to continue while maintaining existing inbound aviation security standards.

More about possible aviation changes

• The aerospace sector and preparing for EU Exit
• 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
• Prepare to work and operate in the European aviation sector after Brexit

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 security technical notice published in September 2018.