FLIGHTS between the UK and Europe will be grounded next year if a Brexit aviation deal is not struck, EU officials have warned.

The plane restrictions could see Brit holidaymakers miss out on sunshine breaks to the likes of Spain, France and Italy.

2 Flights to Europe will be grounded if a Brexit aviation deal isn't reached Credit: Alamy

A senior Brussels chief branded PM Boris Johnson’s time frame for agreeing all areas of our “future relationship” by Dec­ember 31 — the current transition period deadline — as “incredibly challenging”.

And he said a decision may have to be made about “what we go ahead with before the end of the year and what continues beyond the end of the year”.

The official warned last night: “If there is no agreement on aviation by the end of the year then aircraft are grounded.

“That is a simple consequence of there not being an agreement on aviation rules.”

2 SNP MP Gavin Newlands said the remarks make for grim reading Credit: Lesley Martin 2015

No10 is preparing to start negotiations after Britain’s official exit day on Friday.

But it is understood the EU will not be able to start talks until at least the end of next month — leaving just ten months to secure agreements on areas such as trade, security and aviation.

Nats MP Gavin Newlands said: “These remarks make grim reading and confirm Brexit uncertainty is not over by a long shot.”

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Downing Street said: “It’s in the interests of both the UK and EU to agree a future partnership that keeps services being provided.”

Meanwhile, a report has identified 137 potential consequences of our EU exit on Scotland’s most vulnerable.

The Social and Equality Impacts of Brexit document highlights threats to food, job laws, funding opportunities and healthcare rights.

christine.lavelle@the-sun.co.uk

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