British planes and Eurostar trains will be STOPPED at the border in a no deal Brexit, French minister warns
- France’s Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau warned of transport chaos today
- Comes after Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will write to EU ministers
- Department for Transport remains ‘committed to getting the best deal possible’
British planes and Eurostar trains could be turned away at the French border after a no deal Brexit, France’s Europe Minster warned today.
Nathalie Loiseau told a Chatham House event that the claims were ‘correct’ amid fears of travel chaos if no agreement is in place on Brexit day next year.
Her warning comes days after Transport Secretary Chris Grayling irritated Brussels by asking all 27 EU countries to strike a backup side deal with Britain if there is no main Brexit deal.
Pro-EU campaigners said it was ‘shocking’ that Britain faced travel ‘gridlock’ because of Brexit.
British planes and Eurostar trains could be turned away at the French border after a no deal Brexit, France’s Europe Minster Nathalie Loiseau warned today
Asked about the claims of chaos today, Ms Loisea said: ‘If we reach no agreement this is what will happen, among other things.’
Labour MP and Best for Britain champion Daniel Zeichner said: ‘This is shocking and shows that Britain faces transport gridlock due to Brexit. Trains and planes could be ground to a halt and thousands of people could be left stranded.
‘The minister’s response is a hammerblow to the government.
‘Civil servants will be uttering sacré bleu this afternoon over the implications of this shock speech.’
The European Union is responsible for aviation laws across the continent, but has resisted efforts by the UK to draw up contingency plans if there is no agreement.
Mr Grayling last week urged European transport ministers to be practical and prepare for the talks collapsing.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling (pictured today in Downing Street) is preparing the UK’s aviation plans over a no-deal Brexit which are to be released next week
The papers will accept there is a theoretical possibility UK planes will not be able to take off and land on the continent after March 29 next year.
Flights from Europe would also be blocked from landing in the UK unless a new agreement is made to replace the single market for aviation.
But ministers have dismissed the idea that European air traffic will stop if there is no deal. They have already negotiated a raft of deals with non-EU countries to ensure flights can continue to those countries after Brexit.
A UK agreement with the US and Canada, to replace the EU-US Open Skies agreement, is expected to be reached imminently.
The new papers will accept there is a theoretical possibility UK planes will not be able to take off and land on the continent after March 29 next year/ Pictured: Heathrow AIrport
A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘Aviation is absolutely crucial to the UK’s economy and we are committed to getting the best deal possible for the UK. We will work closely with the international aviation community to ensure that this global industry continues to be a major success story for the UK economy.’
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