After months of debate and empty promises, it was announced this morning that EU leaders have agreed to extend Brexit until January 31st 2020. The UK was due to leave the EU on Thursday, but can now leave anytime up to the new deadline if a deal is agreed by parliament.
If a deal is agreed, the UK will be leaving the EU on the first date of the month following the agreement. For example, if a deal was agreed on the 15th December 2019, Brexit will take place on the 1st January 2020.
Boris Johnson, who promised to see the UK leave the EU on Halloween with or without an agreement, asked for another extension of Article 50 after a law was passed by MPs to stop the UK leaving without a deal.
The extension is allowing MPs ample time to reach an agreement on Article 50. A decision they have failed to reach on numerous occasions.
The Brexit extension also means a possible early general election will take place on December 12th 2019, if parliament agree to it. The general election poses a risk to Boris Johnson’s position as Prime Minister. If he is unable to secure a Brexit agreement before the election, his votes could take a hit.
Understandably, the travel industry will be greatly affected by the delay. In 2019, travel giant Thomas Cook and several other travel companies and airlines blamed Brexit as a partial reason for their collapse. Those who were waiting until after October 31st to book their summer holidays, with hope of having more certainty on how travel will be affected, will now be in limbo about whether to risk making a booking or hold off until February.
So far, the effects Brexit will have on travel are surrounded by uncertainty, but as more information comes to light, we will be regularly updating our information.
