Abstract | The United Kingdom (UK) accounts for almost 41 per cent of Irish passenger travel between the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Europe, and the continent's busiest international air route is between London Heathrow and Dublin Airport. While elements of the regulation of strong air transport links between these two countries have been affected by the UK's departure from the European Union (EU), a Common Travel Area (CTA) exists between the UK and ROI, which gives Irish and UK citizens the right to live, travel, work, and study within the CTA. Irish and UK citizens travelling by air between the two countries are not subject to routine passport controls. In this chapter, a critical review is undertaken of the governance and regulatory framework elements guiding key activities and operations of the UK and Irish airports. Topics covered will include structure, ownership, governance, regulation, competition, safety/security, and overall strategic approach. Aviation, economic, noise, public service obligations, and slot regulatory frameworks are reviewed. The impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic on these factors is assessed from an airport perspective throughout the chapter. |
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