Luxair and lux-Airport are pleased to announce the positive outcome of an operational test conducted between 18 and 20 December 2025 at Luxembourg Airport.
The joint initiative aimed to improve the punctuality of early-morning departures and enhance the passenger experience by optimising airport and airline processes before the first wave of flights.
Luxembourg Airport faces a unique operational challenge: the majority of Luxair’s aircraft are parked overnight, leading to a concentrated wave of departures shortly after the airport opens. As runway operations commence at 06:00 due to curfew restrictions, the first 90 minutes of operations are critical for adherence to Luxair’s daily operational schedules.
With continued growth in passenger numbers, fleet renewal, and increasing traffic demand expected in the coming years, Luxair and lux-Airport jointly launched this pilot project to assess how small operational changes, implemented in coordination with multiple airport partners, could improve efficiency and smooth passenger processes during the early hours.
The test covered several operational aspects across three consecutive mornings:
• Earlier opening of passenger processes
– Check-in began at 03:45, allowing travellers to drop off baggage and complete formalities earlier.
– Security screening opened at 04:00, giving passengers smoother, faster access to the gate areas.
• Adjustment of flight preparation organization
– Selected Luxair flights had their off-block times moved forward from 06:00 to 05:45, ensuring aircraft and crews were fully ready for departure as soon as runway operations opened at 06:00. (No take
-offs occurred before 06:00 in compliance with curfew regulations.)
• Enhanced coordination across airport partners
– Luxair, lux-Airport, Luxair Services, and other airport stakeholders worked closely together to ensure that terminal operations, ground handling, and passenger flows were synchronised for the test period.
Positive and encouraging results
The findings from the three-day test were clearly positive. Both companies have observed measurable improvements in passenger flow, process stability, and departure readiness:
• Smoother passenger journey: Earlier check-in opening significantly reduced congestion later in the morning.
• Higher on-time readiness: Aircraft were better positioned for punctual off-block departures and take-off once operations began at 06:00.
• Improved passenger distribution: Early communication of adjusted times helped spread passenger arrivals more evenly, reducing queues and pressure at key checkpoints.
• Positive passenger feedback: Travellers appreciated the calmer atmosphere and smoother experience in the terminal during early hours.
Joint statements
Gilles Feith, CEO of Luxair, said: “Together with lux-Airport, we’ve demonstrated that early, well-coordinated preparation can make a real difference to both our passengers and our operations. The positive results confirm that teamwork and proactive planning are key to ensuring smooth and punctual early-morning departures. We are very encouraged and ready to implement the learnings to improve the travel experience even further.”
Alexander Flassak, CEO of lux-Airport, added: “This test once again highlights the value of collaboration between airport partners. The results are very promising and show that with targeted adjustments, we can achieve smoother passenger flows and better operational efficiency. lux-Airport remains fully committed to working with Luxair and all stakeholders to bring these improvements into daily operations.”
Next steps and implementation
Based on the successful results, both Luxair and lux-Airport intend to continue the testing, and where appropriate, integrate the key learnings into regular operations. Planned follow-up actions include:
Continue testing and exploring new solutions for Luxair check-in setup with clearly defined zones for economy, priority, and drop-off services.
• Continuing to encourage online and evening check-in options to reduce early-morning processing times.
• Maintaining the presence of floorwalkers and passenger service staff during the early hours to guide travellers efficiently.
• Aligning check-in and baggage screening opening times to allow an earlier check-in and/or baggage drop-off process.
• Exploring options for better signage, communication, and wayfinding within the check-in area to create a clearer passenger journey.
A detailed analysis of the collected data will continue, with both companies continuing to share data to refine the conclusions and prepare the next steps. An additional test will be conducted jointly during the Easter holidays 2026 to further deepen the learnings and support a final decision for the Summer 2026 operations. Luxair and lux-Airport would like to sincerely thank all passengers for their understanding and cooperation throughout this initiative.
The insights gained will feed into broader efforts to ensure a seamless, efficient, and pleasant airport experience for all travellers at Luxembourg Airport.
