Following the election of a new Government in the UK last week, it now seems certain that the UK will leave the EU at midnight CET on 31 January 2020. The UK will then be subject to the “Transition Period” which is expected to last to 31 December 2020. During the Transition Period, the UK remains essentially inside the EU in all but name on the same terms that prevails until 31 January 2020. The Transition Period may be extended beyond 31 December 2020 to as late as 31 December 2022. If it is to be extended then the UK Government will need to request that the period be extended before 30 June 2020. However, the UK Government has stated that it will not extend the Transition Period under any circumstances, but we will have to see.

During the Transition Period the new arrangements for the future relationship between the EU and the UK are supposed to be negotiated. It is not known what the character or detail of these arrangements will be and so it remains impossible to predict how the arrangements will affect the customs status of aircraft that are in free circulation in the EU (including the UK) today and what their status will be beyond the Transition Period. All that can be said is “watch this space”. We will update you as and when the arrangements are known. Whatever happens, Martyn Fiddler Aviation has a solution that will meet the needs of our clients regardless of their circumstances.