Tens of thousands of aircraft could be grounded if a Brexit deal is not in place by March next year

Brussels has banned aviation regulators from holding backstop talks with Britain to keep Europe’s planes flying in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

In a move to raise pressure on No 10, the European Commission has said it will not discuss a no-deal aviation contingency plan before March next year.

Airlines, manufacturers and regulators across Europe have said that they would need about nine months to draw up plans to minimise disruption if Brexit talks collapse. They have told the commission that unless a deal is in place between the UK and the EU by March then tens of thousands of aircraft could be automatically grounded.

Production at Europe’s largest aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, could also be halted as parts made in Britain would no