Article Review
The article “How will Brexit send flight prices soaring higher?” is devoted to the impact which Brexit might produce on the aviation market in the UK and EU. The article suggests three different scenarios that are available for the UK to follow. Some parts of the article are written in a rather humorous manner, although the general tone of it appears to be serious since the matter proves to be topical and involves much consideration.
Airlines would like the UK to make this decision as soon as possible. At the moment, due to the single aviation market which was created in the 1990s, any airline with a base in the EU has a right to fly from any country to any other country. Brexit implies reconsidering this access. The British PM claims that the country is willing to be free from the influence of the European Court of Justice. This is likely to be achieved using excluding access to the single aviation market.
Besides, European authorities are acknowledged to have informed airlines which are located in the UK, including EasyJet and Ryanair, that they will have to open their headquarters on the continent or sell their controlling stakes to Europeans in case they are willing to continue being operational on the European routes after Brexit. It is clear that for EasyJet and Ryanair, flights within the EU are the most important source of profits. Such changes in the structure of the airlines and their compelled presence on the continent might result in serious consequences for the UK. The airlines are likely to prefer the possibility to have internal flights on the continent by new European rules. This could entrain staff reductions in the UK. Plane tickets to the UK might have a higher price due to the growth in their cost price. If the UK limits free movement for EU citizens, it could hurt the volume of air transportation.
Moreover, due to a stricter visa regime, airlines will have to hire new employees and make redundant those who do not comply with visa requirements. Apart from that, cheap labor is expected to be said goodbye to, whereas training new staff will result in the need for extra funds. Therefore, airlines will be forced to increase airfares to compensate for their losses.
Another problem that is likely to appear is a flight timetable for the summer of 2019 when the UK will have exited from the EU. Working out a timetable is stated to take time, and it is supposed to be planned. Therefore, the flying schedule for 2019 is expected to be outlined in 2018.
As for the British, expensive plane tickets to other countries might make them stay on the island and visit different places in their motherland. This is unlikely to compensate to the full extent of the potential loss of European travelers. However, a sharp reduction in the number of foreign tourists does not appear to be the outcome since Britain has many attractions.
In conclusion, it is necessary to underline that whether the final decision might be, it could influence not only local markets but also the world aviation market. Higher airfare will affect those people who enjoy traveling either for leisure or on business. What is more, any changes in the visa regulation connected with the issue entrain additional problems for both businessmen and tourists.