The CEO of the budget Irish airline is due to meet with Chris Grayling to discuss the future of Open Skies.
Brexit will be firmly on the agenda, as the March 2019 date marks the end of the Open Skies Agreement, unless another deal is struck.
Michael O’Leary has been vocal in recent months about the real possibility of no flights between the UK and EU once Britain leaves.
Ryanair and other airlines have called on the UK government to reach an aviation agreement with the bloc as a matter of urgency.
The Transport Secretary meeting will be an opportunity for Mr O’Leary to further push this agenda.
What has the government said about aviation post-Brexit?
The Government insists it is “committed to getting the best deal possible” for UK aviation in a post-Brexit world.
A spokesperson told Express.co.uk last month: “We will work closely with the international aviation community to ensure that this global industry continues to be a major success story for the UK economy.”
Today’s talks will put more pressure on the Government to strike a deal for March 2019.
Last month Mr O’Leary claimed meetings so far have failed to make any real progress.
He said: “There are communications between us and the UK Government. I am sorry to report, they don’t have a bulls notion what they’re doing.”
A spokesman for the Department for Transport (DfT) said: “Aviation is absolutely crucial to the UK’s economy and we are committed to getting the right deal for Britain.
“Our aviation industry is the largest in Europe, and both we and the EU benefit from the connectivity it provides.
“That’s why we are pursuing liberal access to European aviation markets – including all the benefits that brings for consumers.”
Will there be flights after 2019?
Negotiations are underway for Britain to formally the exit the European Union, a deadline of which has been set for March 2019.
One of the many questions that remains unanswered is the future of the aviation industry. As a member of the EU, Britain currently operates under the Open Skies agreement.
Airlines have repeatedly called on the Government for clarity on how the industry can proceed in 2019. Ryanair has threatened no flights between the UK and Europe after 2019 if a deal isn’t struck.
According to The Times, airlines are already considering adding new clauses for 2019 fares to cover them if flights have to be cancelled.
Ryanair told Express.co.uk it’s “too early to speculate” on these post-Brexit conditions.
