Luxembourg launched the Luxembourg Drone Centre at the National Centre for Continuous Vocational Training (CNFPC) in Esch this week, a new national hub focused on drone training, experimentation, and innovation to meet the growing professional demand in the sector.
The popularity of drones has skyrocketed, with the number of registered users in Luxembourg rising by 85% over the past two years. Today, more than 4,000 people are registered with the Directorate of Civil Aviation and authorised to fly drones.
Laurent Goedert, head of the CNFPC in Ettelbruck, explained that their training sessions are focused on real-world application. In addition to learning to fly safely, trainees gain the skills to interpret and use drone-generated data in practical ways, whether in surveying, imaging or specialised tasks like thermography.
Education Minister Claude Meisch sees drones as a future-facing technology, highlighting their wide range of applications. He emphasised that with anything that flies above our heads, the public rightly expects safety, which is why regulation and training are critical. The Luxembourg Drone Centre, he said, aims to deliver that training, foster collaboration, and help build a national ecosystem for drones, whether for professional development or for those simply curious to learn more.
Mobility and Public Works Minister Yuriko Backes underlined that the rapid rise in drone use necessitates a clear and coherent national strategy, which her team is currently developing. To make drone regulations truly effective and ensure air safety, she stressed, proper training is essential. She welcomed the CNFPC’s proactive approach in developing a broad training offer that complements the DAC’s existing courses.
Whether beginner or pro, everyone benefits
Drones are already being used in sectors such as construction, agriculture, and emergency services. Media outlets often use drones for photography and video, while firefighters rely on them during natural disasters to gather images from above. Farmers use drones to monitor crops, and construction sites benefit from aerial oversight.
Until now, formal drone training in Luxembourg was only available through the Directorate of Civil Aviation. With the launch of the Luxembourg Drone Center, the CNFPC now complements this by offering practical, terrain-based sessions, tailored to various levels of experience. Whether a beginner or professional, anyone can benefit.
Gilles Rock, president of the Luxembourg Drone Federation, noted an important distinction: an operator can be a private individual or a company that employs drone pilots. Much like cars, operators are assigned a unique identification number.
Meanwhile, pilots are those who control the drone directly and need strong reflexes and the ability to react quickly under pressure, especially during high-stress situations. That, Rock said, is where the real danger lies, making regular training essential.
The newly launched Luxembourg Drone Centre is open to both professionals and newcomers. While drone flying is more accessible than ever, this also increases the risks. It is clear, as Rock emphasised, that people cannot simply fly any drone, anywhere, at any time. Regulations apply, and proper training is now indispensable, he states. The CNFPC’s courses can also be adapted depending on demand, ensuring flexibility to suit different users and professional contexts.
More information can be found on the website.
Video report in Luxembourgish:
