A leading travel industry figure has slammed the “lack of clarity and progress” in Brexit negotiations.
Mark Tanzer, the chief executive of ABTA, the UK travel trade association for tour operators and travel agents, told a conference in London: “A year ago, I set out a number of areas in which we needed to see urgent progress – aviation access, movement of key workers, VAT and consumer rights.
“Twelve months on, and we still don’t have any clarity on any of these.”
He was particular critical of the lack of progress on aviation access. Currently British passengers have access to a wider range of flights than any other European country, as a result of the “open skies” agreement across the EU.
A deal between Brussels and Washington also governs flights between the UK and US.
Immediately after the EU referendum result two years ago, Britain’s travel industry urged immediate action to safeguard aviation access. Yet as The Independent reported, the key role of “Head of Aviation EU Exit Negotiations” has only just been advertised.
Mr Tanzer said of EU negotiators in Brussels: “They’ve been warming up on the pitch for two years, and we’re still in the changing room.”
The aviation minister, Baroness Sugg, said: “Aviation, tourism and travel have never been more important to this country.
“Our future prosperity will depend even more on reaching out to global partners.
“Securing a good deal for aviation with the best possible access to Europe remains one of our key Brexit priorities.”
She said that aviation would continue operating on current terms until the end of 2020.
The ABTA boss also rebuked attacks on business from senior politicians, saying: “It is right that businesses are speaking out against a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU, or a ‘cliff-edge’.
“We are surely approaching a crunch time, when hard choices will have to be made,” said Mr Tanzer. “The government should listen to those who have knowledge on their side, rather than just ideology.”
The government says it has agreed to a transitional period for leaving the EU until the end of 2020, providing certainty for industry.
