Luxair said in a press statement issued on 23 April that it will bring back Dubai for the autumn/winter programme for flights only or packages as a result of “strong customer demand”. The World Expo was originally scheduled for 20 October 2020, but was put back to 1 October 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Luxair will begin flights from 30 September 2021.

In addition, the airline will offer ten new routes while its tour branch LuxairTours, will offer six new destinations.

Passenger numbers down 75% in Q1 2021

Like most passenger airlines, Luxair was severely impacted by measures to reduce the spread of covid-19. During the first quarter of 2021, it reported a 75% decrease in the number of passengers served, compared to Q1 of 2019. Reservations for the first part of the year fell 80% compared to the same period in 2019. For the second part of the year the airline forecasts a decrease of 48%.

Package holiday subsidiary of the group LuxairTours saw its traveller numbers decrease by 64% compared to the same period in 2019, “certainly due to uncertainty about the measures and the situation,” the group said.

It forecasts a 19% decrease for the second half of the year, compared to the same period in 2019.

It recorded growth in a single activity—its cargo division. During the month of March 2021, Luxair Cargo, handled 274,200 tonnes, an increase of 36% compared to 2020 and 27% compared to 2019.

The group said: “The rest of 2021 will likely remain impacted by the covid-19 crisis. The trust and desire of the customers let Luxair and LuxairTours hope for a recovery from this summer 2021 season.”