Luxembourg Airport is entering a new phase in its development, with the Friday presentation of two initiatives aiming to strengthen the airport’s role as both a technological leader and a showcase for Luxembourg’s culture. The first was a model of the new hybrid control tower, which is scheduled to oversee air traffic at Findel from 2032 and combines the latest in physical and digital infrastructure. The second initiative was the inauguration of the "Luxembourg House Pop-up Store", a temporary shop designed as a showcase for locally made products and Luxembourg’s unique cultural identity.
The concept behind the new pop-up store is to encourage travellers to discover, buy, and take home a piece of Luxembourg, either as a personal souvenir or a gift. Located within the airport, the shop offers exclusively Luxembourgish products and is seen as an invitation to engage with local craftsmanship and flavours. The opening was attended by ministers Lex Delles and Yuriko Backes, underlining the project’s political significance.
With more than five million people passing through Findel each year, the potential for such an initiative is significant. Minister of the Economy Lex Delles expressed high hopes for the location dedicated to local goods. As an advocate for local business, he emphasised the diverse selection found in the new "Luxembourg House" pop-up, which will operate at the airport until December.
Each item offered at the Luxembourg House pop-up is carefully selected as a representative of Luxembourg, easy to transport, and closely connected to both the language and producers of the country. At the end of the year, the airport shop will close its doors, while a new Luxembourg House will open in the heart of Luxembourg City.
Luxairport CEO Alexander Flassak said discussions were ongoing with ministries on how to better showcase Luxembourg at the airport, improve the passenger experience, and position Findel as a "boutique airport" for the Greater Region. Flassak said the shop was designed to attract travellers' attention and encourage them to "take a little piece of the country with them" when they leave.
Travellers at Findel will now also benefit from two new digital information displays, which offer an at-a-glance overview of public transport connections. These screens make it easier for passengers to navigate to buses, the tram, and other onward connections, improving accessibility for all visitors and residents.
In recent years, the idea of a fully virtual control tower has sparked debate. Luxembourg is now opting for a hybrid approach, combining traditional and state-of-the-art digital technologies. The newly presented model serves as a "mock-up", allowing engineers to test and visualise the future working environment, technical systems, and digital tools in advance. With this infrastructure, Luxembourg aims to better prepare for future air traffic challenges while prioritising safety and efficiency at the airport.
Andrea Drescher, Director of the Administration de la navigation aérienne (ANA), explained that the hybrid tower is only the most visible stage of a wider modernisation effort, with substantial changes to all of ANA's equipment – including radar technology and surveillance systems – planned over the next six years.
The future hybrid control tower will feature advanced technologies, including high-resolution cameras with powerful zoom capabilities and screen displays that provide air traffic controllers with supplemental information beyond what is visible from the tower’s windows. This hybrid system will ensure that controllers are not solely reliant on virtual technology, but benefit from a combination of direct visual oversight and digital information, which is especially valuable in poor weather or low-visibility conditions.
Drescher added that Artificial Intelligenge will not be implemented in the short term, stating that "in our field, human judgment is fundamental to decision-making and oversight, so the air traffic controller will always have the final say."
