11 Apr
2019

Brexit extension provides certainty about travel arrangements for Summer holidays 2019 

The Government has today confirmed that the deadline for when the UK will leave the European Union has been extended to 31 October 2019. 

ABTA expects today’s announcement to provide a boost to holiday bookings as it provides certainty that people will be able to continue to travel to the European Union exactly as they do today, at least until the end of October 2019. 

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“The Brexit extension provides certainty for people’s travel plans going into the Summer, meaning they can continue to book and travel without the uncertainties that come with a no-deal Brexit. 

“While many people have already made their holiday plans for this Summer, booking early to get the holiday of their choice, others have been waiting to see what happens with Brexit. Today’s announcement should give people total confidence to book their holidays and travel arrangements. 

“Easter is traditionally a popular time to book a Summer holiday. The return to popularity of Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, not to mention the rise of Bulgaria, is making prices really competitive, including in popular destinations throughout the Western Mediterranean.” 
ABTA has updated its Brexit advice page – abta.com/Brexit - confirming that current arrangements, such as the European Health Insurance Card and pet passports, will remain in place during the extension. 

There are plans in place if the UK leaves the EU without a deal at the end of October, meaning flights will still be able to operate and a visa won’t be required for short-trips to the EU. ABTA has been advising travellers on steps they may need to take in advance to help avoid unnecessary future disruption in the event of a no-deal scenario.

Ends

For further information, contact:
ABTA press office, press@abta.co.uk or 020 3117 0596

Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via landline: 020 3693 0183
Web: www.abta.com
Twitter: @ABTAtravel

Notes to editors
ABTA has been a trusted travel brand for over 65 years. Our purpose is to help our Members to grow their businesses successfully and sustainably, and to help their customers travel with confidence. 
The ABTA brand stands for support, protection and expertise. This means consumers have confidence in ABTA and a strong trust in ABTA Members. These qualities are core to us as they ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members. 

We help our Members and their customers navigate through today's changing travel landscape by raising standards in the industry; offering schemes of financial protection; providing an independent complaints resolution service should something go wrong; giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.

ABTA has around 1,200 Members, with a combined annual UK turnover of £38 billion. For more details about what we do, what being an ABTA Member means and how we help the British public travel with confidence visit www.abta.com.