Transport minister Grant Shapps has signed a deal with the US to ensure that transatlantic flights to and from the UK will continue from 1 January when Britain’s transition agreement with the EU comes to an end.
The air services agreement will replace the existing EU-US deal, which will no longer apply to the UK from 2021.
Mr Shapps described the agreement, which was also signed by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and transportation secretary Elaine Chao as ‘just one of many steps we’re taking as we move towards a bright new future at the end of the transition period’.
However, it appears to be the same deal that was secured by his predecessor Chris Grayling two years ago.
And there is still no air service agreement between the UK and the EU, which throws into doubt the continuation of flights after 31 December.
