Responding to the BEIS Select Committee report on 'The impact of Brexit on the aerospace sector', Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham said:

“Aviation is a vital part of the UK economy and naturally relies on close cooperation across borders to allow access and maintain the high safety standards that protect staff and give the public the confidence to fly.

“As a leading aviation union Prospect has long been warning that leaving the European Aviation Safety Agency would be a hugely damaging step, especially given that cuts to the Civil Aviation Authority have reduced its capacity to take on the safety role that EASA has played.

“This important report from the BEIS committee adds more weight to the argument that the UK should be seeking to stay in EASA as we leave the EU, it is now up to the government to negotiate a deal that protects UK aviation, reassures the industry, and keeps the public safe.”