How Luxairport prepared for the launch of the Luxembourg-China route

As terminal supervisor, Jordan Viratelle oversees all aspects of arrivals and departures at the airport. His responsibilities include ensuring timely staffing at various checkpoints, from passport control conducted by the police to assistance provided by Luxairport personnel for travellers. The primary objective is to facilitate a seamless flow of passengers. The arrival of the largest airliner currently touching down at Findel necessitated several adjustments:

"We've all had to adapt, spanning every sector of the airport. This influx represents a new passenger category for us, necessitating specific adjustments. For instance, the police have encountered longer processing times due to visa-related checks. We [Luxairport] have also had to adapt and look for Chinese-speaking staff to simplify communication with passengers."

Since 21 December, China Southern has been operating a weekly round trip between China and Luxembourg, using an Airbus 350-900 with a seating capacity of 300 passengers. Until now, the flight has not been fully booked, but passenger numbers have surged in recent months and continue to climb. Christian Steichen, the head of the airport's police unit, notes the impact of this rise in passenger traffic on police checkpoint operations:

"We are already streamlining our procedures, considering that simultaneous arrivals of other flights may coincide with the China route. That means we have to make sure that all available counters remain operational and that we can accommodate as many people as possible."

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To pre-empt any potential issues, Luxairport, under the leadership of CEO Alexander Flassak, ensured from the outset there would be no scheduling conflicts with flights originating from third countries. The non-Schengen zone remains exclusive to the airport—a strategic measure among several undertaken following China Southern's announcement of its intent to operate at Findel Airport. The air link was prepared for months as part of joint negotiations.

Since its inception, the surge in traffic has also significantly increased the workload for customs, notably at the VAT refund office. Tourists from third countries visiting Luxembourg can reclaim VAT on purchases made within the Grand Duchy. A quarter of all tax refunds now occur on flights bound for China. To manage this upsurge and prevent prolonged wait times, customs staffing at the refund counters has been bolstered every Friday morning. Jeff Jungels from the Customs Authority elaborates on the diverse range of purchases made by travellers:

"We have people coming in with two thermoses. Others arrive with expensive watches. The minimum value of goods that we refund is €74; below that, we don't refund. The most we've ever had on a flight to China was €39,800."

From airport operations to police oversight, customs procedures, handling services, and airline operations—each entity has its designated responsibilities. Terminal supervisor João Fernandes underscores the importance of identifying evolving needs and adjusting services accordingly. Collaborative efforts have intensified among all stakeholders since the launch of the long-haul flight:

"We have regular meetings with customs or the police, for example. The flight to China is always on the agenda. We have a briefing or debriefing to discuss how the last flight went. It's obviously a work in progress because there's always something that can be improved. But to date, we're really satisfied with the system we've put in place."

Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)