Luxembourg will invest €1 billion to expand Findel Airport's terminal and repair its runway, a major overhaul driven by a doubling of passenger traffic that has pushed the current infrastructure to its brink.

Findel Airport is poised for a significant expansion of its current terminal to future-proof its operations. While this €1 billion upgrade is moving forward, the prospect of constructing an entirely new airport remains undecided.

The push for modernisation is driven by a sharp increase in passenger traffic. Over the past decade, annual passenger numbers have doubled, exceeding 5 million and stretching existing infrastructure beyond its capacity. This strain is most evident during peak periods, such as the summer holidays and most notably in August, the airport's busiest month.

€1 billion for Findel Airport by 2032

If passenger growth continues at this rate, the airport's capacity is projected to reach its limits in the near future. Additional operational challenges, such as recurring damage to the runway that has caused delays and cancellations, have further highlighted the need for investment.

In response, the government and LuxAirport have committed to a major investment plan. By 2032, a total of €1 billion will be invested – €800 million from LuxAirport and €200 million from the state. According to Minister for Mobility Yuriko Backes, the goal is to ensure the current airport remains efficient and effective for the next 20 to 30 years.

For travellers, the most visible change will be the expansion of the terminal. A new extension is planned for the left side of the existing building. This addition is designed to provide more space, enhanced passenger comfort, and improved security facilities. Crucially, it will allow for the installation of new EU-mandated 3D security scanners, for which there is currently insufficient room.

To further free up capacity within the terminal, various activities will be relocated to the nearby Skypark building. The newly gained space will then be converted into additional gates, enabling the airport to offer more flights. The exact number of new gates has not been finalised, as the detailed plans are still under development.

Plans for a second runway deemed unfeasible

For the foreseeable future, Findel will remain a single-runway airport. When questioned on the potential for a second runway – specifically on the land now occupied by the Skypark business centre, Minister Backes stated clearly that this was not a viable option. The primary constraint is the requirement for a "contingency runway", which is longer and would demand a significant amount of space.

The immediate priority is the comprehensive repair of the current runway. Despite a complete refurbishment in 2021/22, the runway has continued to experience recurring problems. Until now, repairs have been conducted overnight to minimise disruption to air traffic. However, more extensive work is fundamentally required. The Minister has stated that closing the airport for this work is not a feasible option, noting, "we cannot afford that". Authorities will await a final report to determine responsibility for the existing damage before planning the necessary repairs.

No new airport planned for the time being

Regarding the possibility of constructing a second airport for Luxembourg, the Minister said she could not provide any specific details. This deliberation is set against a backdrop of projected growth, with passenger numbers expected to double by 2050.

Highlighting the airport's critical economic role, Minister Backes cited its contribution of over €9 billion to GDP. "We're talking about 90,000 jobs for Luxembourg and the Greater Region – that's enormous, and it will continue to grow", she stated.

Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)