On Wednesday 16 December, Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (Coreper) approved the measures presented last week by the Commission to avoid an abrupt interruption of road and air traffic and to guarantee air safety in the event of the United Kingdom leaving without an agreement on 1 January 2021 (see EUROPE 12620/6).
With regard to air connectivity, the Regulation will have to allow UK carriers to continue to fly over the EU and make technical stopovers for 6 months, provided that the UK ensures similar conditions for European carriers.
Regarding road connectivity, the Regulation should allow basic connectivity for road freight and road passenger transport to be maintained for 6 months, again on the condition that the UK guarantees the same for EU carriers.
Finally, the proposed Regulation on aviation safety will have to ensure that certificates for certain aeronautical products, parts, appliances and undertakings will remain valid, in particular to avoid grounding of EU aircraft.
MEPs are expected to back these regulations in a final plenary vote on Friday 18 December. The three legislative acts can then be adopted in the first reading on time before the end of the year. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)