Ross confirms short-term fix on flights crisis

SHANE Ross has announced a temporary fix to the Brexit air travel crisis has been agreed.

There were fears thousands of Irish services could be grounded in the event of a hard Brexit as strict aviation rules would ban routes into and out of UK flight zones.

A solution to the nightmare has not been found yet but it has been agreed a 12-month extension of existing arrangements will continue for 12 months after March 29 – the formal Brexit date.

At the same time, negotiations will continue to find a more permanent solution.

Minister Ross was appearing before an Oireachtas committee where he was answering questions about preparations for a hard or soft Brexit in the transport sector.

He said: “The measures proposed will, subject to reciprocity, provide a large degree of certainty to the Irish aviation sector and to the travelling public.

“The proposals will help to minimise disruption to air services for business, trade and tourism and have been welcomed by our key aviation stakeholders.”