21 Mar
2019

Brexit latest plus ABTA’s updated contingency planning document

Even though we are just days away from the UK’s scheduled departure from the EU, the outcome of Brexit – and what happens on 29 March – is still unknown.  To say that this is an entirely unsatisfactory situation doesn’t come close to expressing the level of frustration businesses feel at the continued political deadlock.

Today the Prime Minister, Theresa May, will be going to the European Council to request a short extension of the Article 50 process, which would delay the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU), to June 30 at the latest. The UK’s request will need to be agreed by all 27 Members of the EU, and it is unclear that there is support for the extension, especially in the absence of a clear path to a longer-term solution.

At this point the UK Government has made it clear it intends to seek another vote on the current deal in the week ahead. What will happen subsequently is not clear. There are a range of options, which include MPs approving the current deal, thus enabling the EU to approve a short extension for ratification, a further rejection of the deal, which could lead to parliament voting in favour of another outcome, such as a longer extension, or leaving without a deal on 29 March.

With that in mind ABTA Members need to continue to plan for any eventuality, and to make sure customers are aware of any actions they may need to take in order to avoid unnecessary disruption in the event of a no-deal.

To support Members, ABTA’s contingency planning document has been updated with additional information on borders and visas, aviation and roads. You can download the latest version from the Member Zone.

We have also provided some additional materials to help you make customers aware of ABTA’s Brexit advice, including social media assets and template posts, which you can download here.

An updated version of the Department for Transport’s toolkit for industry is also available for download from the Member Zone.

Advertising campaign

ABTA’s radio advertising campaign – offering reassurances around travelling after Brexit – launched on Sunday and will be broadcast to 2.8 million people on Heart and Classic. You can listen to the advert here. We have also launched a third burst of advertising on Facebook, directing people to abta.com/Brexit for more advice on travelling after we leave the EU. 

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive