There were 71,991 movements at Luxembourg Airport in 2018 Shutterstock

There were 71,991 movements at Luxembourg Airport in 2018 Shutterstock

Responding to a parliamentary question from CSV MP Serge Wilmes, published on Wednesday, mobility minister François Bausch said the fee was still in the discussion stages and would be presented soon to the committee of airport users.

“The fee will be used to finance services provided by the airport to its users, notably the airlines and passengers,” he wrote, adding: “It is therefore a necessary revenue for the airport to cover its costs, but also to invest in its infrastructure and guarantee the development of the airport platform. For this reason, revenues from the fee will not be distributed among local residents.”

Cargo and passenger traffic at Findel airport has grown steadily in recent years, reaching a peak of 71,991 movements in 2018. While it may be good news for business, Wilmes reminded the government of its impact on local residents, particularly when flights arrive at night. In 2015, Luxembourg introduced quotas to limit the number of exceptional landing permissions being issued.

In 2018, Cargolux signed a charter with air traffic navigation administrator, Ana, to reduce night flights. This resulted in 46 fewer night flights arriving in 2018. That same year 3% of all flight movements took place at night, compared to 3.35% in 2017, 3.2% in 2016 and 3.17% in 2015. Under existing law, the airport operator is allowed to apply airport charges for services provided on the ground. While air traffic providers can charge for its services provided at night.

The Luxembourg government recently announced that it also supports the principle of introducing of an aviation tax in Europe to combat the effects of climate change.