Britain seals deal with US to keep planes flying after Brexit

BRITAIN has secured a new deal to keep passenger planes flying to and from the US after Brexit.

The arrangement ensures airlines flying from the UK to the US will continue to enjoy the same access they currently have, the Department for Transport said.

2

Flights between the countries operate under the US-EU open skies treaty.

The deal with the US is one of nine bilateral air services arrangements secured by the UK.

The others are with Albania, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, Morocco and Switzerland.

Discussions with Canada are at "an advanced stage", according to the DfT.

2

Mr Grayling said transatlantic flights have helped bring the UK and US "even closer together, strengthening our ties and boosting our economies".

He went on: "This new arrangement and those concluded with eight other countries around the world are proof that the UK will continue to be a major player on the world stage after we leave the EU."

Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways' parent company IAG, described the agreement with the US as "a significant positive development which we welcome".

MOST READ IN POLITICS

EUROPEAN UNION

All about Nigel Farage's wife Kirsten - plus find out about his kids

END OF THE LOAN

Brexit saving taxpayers more than £300m a year in unpaid EU student loans

EU'RE JOKING

France & Germany will NOT extradite criminals to the UK after Brexit

EU TONGUE TIED

Moaning France complain that the EU is still using English despite Brexit

He said it "facilitates strong competition and is clearly pro-consumer".

Theresa May's Brexit agreement with Brussels states that the UK and EU have agreed to negotiate a "comprehensive air transport agreement" for UK-EU flights.

• GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]