The United Kingdom and the United States have signed an agreement allowing air passengers to travel freely between the two countries even after the turn of the year. A new treaty was needed because the existing treaty with the European Union will no longer apply to the British after 31 December. After 2020, the transitional phase after the Brexit, in which the United Kingdom is still largely bound by European rules and treaties, will end.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday by the British Transport Minister Grant Shapps. His American match Elaine Chao and foreign minister Mike Pompeo signed the agreement last week. Among other things, it has been agreed that there will be no restrictions between countries on the frequency and capacity with which airlines fly back and forth.

According to Shapps, tens of millions of people travel by air each year between the United States and the United Kingdom, although Aviation has collapsed due to the pandemic at the moment. The treaty thus contributes to the US-British trade relationship, which according to the Ministry of Transport accounts for GBP 230 billion (EUR 257 billion) a year.