U.S. and U.K. forge ‘open skies’ agreement for post-‘Brexit’

London, United Kingdom - With the United Kingdom negotiating its exit from the European Union – “Brexit” – Brits and Americans alike got some good news when the UK government announced this week that a bilateral agreement between their country and the United States has been reached to keep their respective skies open for air travel.

The so-called “open skies” agreement allows for the continuation of trade, business, and tourism traffic across the Atlantic between both countries. The U.S. holds such an agreement with the E.U., but with the U.K. leaving the union, a separate agreement was needed to maintain easy travel between the two nations.

“The UK and United States have a special relationship which has helped shape the modern world and there is no better example of this than in aviation,” said UK transport secretary Chris Grayling. “Our transatlantic flights have helped to bring our countries even closer together, strengthening our ties and boosting our economies…This new arrangement and those concluded with 8 other countries around the world are proof that the UK will continue to be a major player on the world stage after we leave the EU.”