By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
A new British cargo airline, One Air, has reported that Brexit related regulations have forced it to send aircraft as far as the United States for routine maintenance and repairs, incurring significant environmental and financial costs.
Chris Hope, the CEO of One Air, criticized the previous UK government for failing to conduct a Brexit impact assessment on the aviation industry. He also expressed concerns that the Labour Party might similarly overlook this issue when negotiating a reset in the UK's trading relationship with the European Union.
One Air has voiced strong objections to post Brexit rules that mandate British pilots to undergo costly re examinations for qualifications identical to those in the EU. Additionally, engineers' licenses, once valid across Europe, are now practically worthless outside the UK.
A significant challenge stems from the lack of mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the EU and the UK, a problem also affecting other professions like architects and accountants. One Air's difficulties are further compounded by its status as the only UK company operating Boeing 747s. Maintenance infrastructure for these aircraft is dwindling as airlines shift to Airbus models post pandemic. Under the Brexit agreement, EU based aircraft engineering firms could apply for UK recognition before the end of 2022, but no companies with 747 expertise took advantage of this opportunity.
As a result, One Air is left with limited options: competing for slots at a single repair workshop in Germany recognized by the UK, or sending aircraft to the US for servicing. In the first seven months of the year, the airline had to send two aircraft to the US for servicing, each costing an additional $500,000, totaling $1 million (£780,000) so far.
Hope explained that while EU based organizations can apply for UK approval, the process is complex and costly, making it unappealing for companies, especially when dealing with a small fleet of two or three aircraft.
This issue mirrors challenges faced by other industries, such as the industrial chemical sector, where companies must comply with dual regulations, both originating from the same EU legislation, resulting in substantial costs. The UK does have a bilateral agreement with the US, which the aviation industry hopes could serve as a model for improving relations with the EU.
Aircraft require servicing every three months, with more extensive checks every two years. Routine repairs are also problematic, as components must be UK approved or covered by the UK's deal with the US. If components are sourced from an EU workshop without UK approval, they cannot be used on UK aircraft, creating further complications.
Brexit has also impacted pilots, with British qualifications losing value in the EU. Amy Leversidge, General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association, urged the government to establish mutual recognition of flight crew and engineer licenses, medical certificates, and training organization approvals. She argued that this would benefit all airlines and remove barriers for UK license holders seeking employment.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has indicated that he will address these issues as part of a broader reset in the UK's relationship with the EU, which the Labour government aims to pursue.
A government spokesperson stated, “The UK will reset the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties, secure a broad based security pact, and tackle barriers to trade.”
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