Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (30 Aug) announced that it has joined Airlines UK (AUK), the industry body representing UK-registered carriers.

Ryanair will carry over 44 million customers to / from the UK this year, and joins AUK as an “international airline member”, a new tier of membership that allows non-UK carriers to join the association.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

“As Europe’s largest airline carrying over 131 million customers, we are pleased to join Airlines UK. We remain concerned at the uncertainty which surrounds the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU in March 2019 and we understand how critical it is that all airlines come together as an industry to lobby for an effective solution for air travel that allows UK-EU flights to operate after April 2019. We look forward to working closely with Airlines UK on Brexit and the many other common issues we face including ATC delays, APD and airport charges.

Airlines UK Chief Executive Tim Alderslade said:

“Ryanair is the largest airline in Europe with a substantial presence in the UK. With so much happening on the policy and regulatory front currently we’re delighted to be able to work more closely with them on issues of mutual interest, including the impact of Brexit on the aviation market access across Europe, campaigning against the damaging and counterproductive Air Passenger Duty, and engaging with industry and Government to resolve the growing problem of disruptive behaviour caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. Their membership will further strengthen our ability to advocate on behalf of a sector that is such a vital UK and European success story and we look forward to working with them.”