European airports warn of ‘major disruption and safety risks’ after Brexit

European airports have warned Brussels they face ‘major disruption and heightened safety risks’ if a Brexit deal is not agreed.

More than 6 million passengers a year who change flights in Europe after setting off from the UK face extra security and screening if the country is excluded from an EU scheme.

At present, travellers do not have to undergo extra checks before embarking on the second leg of the journey because the UK is part of the ‘one-stop’ security regime.

Airports Council International (Europe) has warned the European Commission that under a ‘no deal’ scenario, passengers would have to be re-screened at the airport where they change flights.

In a letter obtained by Sky News, the group representing European airports warns they face having to ‘purchase additional security equipment, build new security checkpoints, recruit extra security and service staff at significant costs for airlines and airports and ultimately passengers’.

ACI highlights how 2.5 million passengers transfer flights at Schipol airport in Amsterdam each year after taking off from the UK.

The group warns that if there is no deal the airport would have to undergo ‘significant and expensive terminal infrastructure modifications’ costing 100 million euros (£88 million). It would also have to more than double its fleet of transfer buses from 21 to 46.

Around six million passengers travelling through Europe would be affected every year according to a leaked memo