Luxair
Encyclopedia
Luxair S.A., Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne, operating as Luxair, is the flag carrier
airline
of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
. It operates scheduled services to 50 destinations in Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean and Middle East, plus charter and seasonal summer services. Its head office is located on the grounds of Luxembourg - Findel Airport in Sandweiler
. Its main base is Luxembourg - Findel Airport.
In 1962, Luxair began flights by launching a Luxembourg-Paris route with a Fokker F27
Friendship. From 1964 to 1969, Luxair operated three Lockheed L-1649A Starliner aircraft in a co-operative agreement with Trek Airways
, from Luxembourg to Johannesburg
. The Starliners were painted in Luxair livery along with Luxair registrations. By 1967, Luxair's fleet consisted of three Fokker Friendships and one Vickers Viscount
. The latter was written off in a non-fatal accident in 1969 and replaced the following year by the airline's first jet airliner
, a Caravelle
built by Sud Aviation
in Toulouse. The first Boeing
aircraft, a Boeing 737-200, joined the fleet in 1977. Over the years, Luxair gradually introduced further jet aircraft Boeing 747SP
(for routes to South Africa), Boeing 737-400 and Boeing 737-500 as well as Fokker 50 turboprops and Embraer
jets. In an effort to move to an all-jet fleet, the last Fokker 50 aircraft was withdrawn from service in April 2005.
In March 2003, Luxair ordered two new Boeing 737-700 to replace its older Boeing aircraft. The first of the new aircraft was delivered on 18 February 2004. A third aircraft was ordered in August 2003 and delivered in January 2005.
In the last few years, the rising cost of oil made operating regional jet
s increasingly difficult. To lessen its exposure, Luxair therefore decided to reintroduce turboprop aircraft. In June 2006, it signed a firm order with Bombardier
for three Dash 8-Q400, plus three options. The last of these aircraft was delivered in September 2007. In the meantime, 2 additional Q400s have been ordered. The fifth aircraft is expected to join the fleet by 2010.
In October 2008, Luxair decided to place an order for its first Boeing 737-800. This aircraft will replace the last Boeing 737-500 in Luxair's fleet and facilitate increasing Luxair's offer on its holiday destinations.
The airline is owned by the State of Luxembourg (26.85%), Banque et Caisse d'Épargne de l'État
(21.81%), Dexia/BIL (13.14%), Deutsche Lufthansa
(13.00%), Panalpina World Transport
(12.09%) as well as Luxair Group and others (13.11%). It had 2,210 employees (at March 2007)
In 2009, the airline was awarded as the most punctual scheduled operator at London City Airport
during 2008 by Flight on Time, based on CAA statistics.
The Luxair fleet includes the following aircraft as of February 2011:
As of February 2011, the average age of the Luxair fleet is 6.1 years.
Flag carrier
A flag carrier is a transportation company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given country, enjoys preferential rights or privileges, accorded by the government, for international operations. It may be a state-run, state-owned or private but...
airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
. It operates scheduled services to 50 destinations in Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean and Middle East, plus charter and seasonal summer services. Its head office is located on the grounds of Luxembourg - Findel Airport in Sandweiler
Sandweiler
Sandweiler is a commune and town in southern Luxembourg. It is located east of Luxembourg City., the town of Sandweiler, which lies in the south-west of the commune, has a population of 2,474...
. Its main base is Luxembourg - Findel Airport.
History
Descended from the Luxembourg Airlines Company, founded in 1948, Luxair was set up in 1961 to meet the growing demand for air links between Luxembourg and other European cities.In 1962, Luxair began flights by launching a Luxembourg-Paris route with a Fokker F27
Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
Friendship. From 1964 to 1969, Luxair operated three Lockheed L-1649A Starliner aircraft in a co-operative agreement with Trek Airways
Trek Airways
Trek Airways was an airline based in South Africa that operated from August 1953 until April 1994.-Company history:Founded in 1953, Trek Airways was the only South African airline apart from SAA to fly international services. At the beginning, flights were operated from Europe to South Africa with...
, from Luxembourg to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. The Starliners were painted in Luxair livery along with Luxair registrations. By 1967, Luxair's fleet consisted of three Fokker Friendships and one Vickers Viscount
Vickers Viscount
The Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
. The latter was written off in a non-fatal accident in 1969 and replaced the following year by the airline's first jet airliner
Jet airliner
A jet airliner is an airliner that is powered by jet engines. This term is sometimes contracted to jetliner or jet.In contrast to today's relatively fuel-efficient, turbofan-powered air travel, first generation jet airliner travel was noisy and fuel inefficient...
, a Caravelle
Caravelle
Caravelle may be a reference to:* Caravelle, the French marketing name for the typeface Folio* Sud Aviation Caravelle, the short/medium-range jet airliner, produced by Sud Aviation...
built by Sud Aviation
Sud Aviation
Sud-Aviation was a French state-owned aircraft manufacturer, originating from the merger of Sud-Est and Sud-Ouest on March 1, 1957...
in Toulouse. The first Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
aircraft, a Boeing 737-200, joined the fleet in 1977. Over the years, Luxair gradually introduced further jet aircraft Boeing 747SP
Boeing 747SP
The Boeing 747SP is a modified version of the Boeing 747 jet airliner which was designed for ultra-long-range flights. The SP stands for "Special Performance". Compared with its predecessor, the 747-100, the 747SP retains its wide-body, four-engine layout, along with its double-deck design, but...
(for routes to South Africa), Boeing 737-400 and Boeing 737-500 as well as Fokker 50 turboprops and Embraer
Embraer
Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and executive aircraft and provides aeronautical services....
jets. In an effort to move to an all-jet fleet, the last Fokker 50 aircraft was withdrawn from service in April 2005.
In March 2003, Luxair ordered two new Boeing 737-700 to replace its older Boeing aircraft. The first of the new aircraft was delivered on 18 February 2004. A third aircraft was ordered in August 2003 and delivered in January 2005.
In the last few years, the rising cost of oil made operating regional jet
Regional jet
A Regional jet , is a class of short to medium-range turbofan powered airliners.-History:The term "Regional jet" describes a range of short to medium-haul turbofan powered aircraft, whose use throughout the world expanded after the advent of Airline Deregulation in the United States in...
s increasingly difficult. To lessen its exposure, Luxair therefore decided to reintroduce turboprop aircraft. In June 2006, it signed a firm order with Bombardier
Bombardier Aerospace
Bombardier Aerospace is a division of Bombardier Inc. and is the third-largest airplane manufacturer in the world. It is headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, Canada.- History :...
for three Dash 8-Q400, plus three options. The last of these aircraft was delivered in September 2007. In the meantime, 2 additional Q400s have been ordered. The fifth aircraft is expected to join the fleet by 2010.
In October 2008, Luxair decided to place an order for its first Boeing 737-800. This aircraft will replace the last Boeing 737-500 in Luxair's fleet and facilitate increasing Luxair's offer on its holiday destinations.
The airline is owned by the State of Luxembourg (26.85%), Banque et Caisse d'Épargne de l'État
Banque et Caisse d'Épargne de l'État
In Luxemburgish Spuerkeess, in French Banque et Caisse d'Épargne de l'État , is a Luxembourgish bank, established and owned by the Luxembourgish government...
(21.81%), Dexia/BIL (13.14%), Deutsche Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
(13.00%), Panalpina World Transport
Panalpina
Panalpina is a Swiss company, provider of forwarding and logistics services, specializing in intercontinental air and ocean freight and associated supply chain management solutions. It operates a network of some 500 branches in more than 90 countries; in a further 60 countries, the group cooperates...
(12.09%) as well as Luxair Group and others (13.11%). It had 2,210 employees (at March 2007)
In 2009, the airline was awarded as the most punctual scheduled operator at London City Airport
London City Airport
London City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
during 2008 by Flight on Time, based on CAA statistics.
Fleet
| Aircraft | Total | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-700 | 3 | 0 | 141 | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 1 | 2 | 186 | To be delivered in 2012-2015 |
| Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 | 5 | 4 | 72 | Plus 4 options |
| Embraer ERJ 135 Embraer ERJ 145 family The Embraer ERJ 145 family is a series of regional jets produced by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. Family members include the ERJ 135 , ERJ 140 , and ERJ 145 , as well as the Legacy business jet and the R-99 family of military aircraft. The ERJ 145 is the largest of the group... |
2 | 0 | 37 | To be sold |
| Embraer ERJ 145 Embraer ERJ 145 family The Embraer ERJ 145 family is a series of regional jets produced by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. Family members include the ERJ 135 , ERJ 140 , and ERJ 145 , as well as the Legacy business jet and the R-99 family of military aircraft. The ERJ 145 is the largest of the group... |
6 | 0 | 49 | |
| Total | 17 | 6 |
As of February 2011, the average age of the Luxair fleet is 6.1 years.
1970
| Aircraft | Total |
|---|---|
| Boeing 707-320 Boeing 707 The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on... |
1 |
| Fokker F27 Fokker F27 The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner... |
3 |
| Sud Caravelle | 1 |
| Vickers Viscount 800 Vickers Viscount The Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world... |
1 |
| Total | 6 |
Incidents and accidents
- On 22 December 1969, a Vickers Viscount (registration LX-LGC) arriving from Frankfurt hit a snowbank on the runway while landing at Luxembourg airport in severe weather. No passengers were killed, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was scrapped in May 1970.
- On 6 November 2002, Luxair Flight 9642Luxair Flight 9642Luxair Flight 9642 was a flight from Tempelhof International Airport, Berlin, Germany, to Luxembourg-Findel, Niederanven, Luxembourg, near Luxembourg City....
, Fokker 50 (registration LX-LGB) was flying from BerlinBerlinBerlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and crashed in a field near the village of NiederanvenNiederanvenNiederanven is a commune and town in Luxembourg. Its population is 5,440 and it is located north-east of Luxembourg City, adjacent to the Luxembourg-Findel International Airport .-Overview:...
during its final approach to Luxembourg airport. 20 passengers and crew lost their lives, including artist Michel MajerusMichel MajerusMichel Majerus was a Luxemburgian artist whose work combined painting with digital media.His work was featured in a number of solo and group exhibitions in Europe and North America, most notably the "Pop Reloaded" exhibition in Los Angeles....
. This was the first and currently, the only fatal accident in Luxair's history.