Passengers will have to follow a series of measures and procedures that Luxairport and Luxair have implemented to guarantee the health and security of travellers and staff alike.
The first step begins at home, said René Steinhaus, director of Luxairport, as passengers are entreated to check in online to avoid contact at the airport.
Prior to arriving at the airport, passengers must complete a document confirming the state of their health before travelling. The form is made up of four questions to check if passengers have symptoms, tested positive, have been quarantined or in contact with positive cases.
Laurent Jossard, vice-president of LuxairGroup, said anyone replying yes to one or more questions would not be allowed to board their flight.
In such cases, Luxair would rebook the flight for free to another date within the next twelve months.
Passengers unable to fill out the form before arriving at the airport will have to do it before security checks.
Passengers at the airport are obliged to wear masks or face coverings in the terminals, or other areas where a 2 metre distance cannot be guaranteed. This applies to passengers and staff members alike.
Signs on the ground will indicate the distances to be respected in queues, whether for check-in, security, or boarding.
Plexiglass or Perspex panes will be installed at counters to separate staff from passengers, and disinfectant will be provided.
Luxairport has guaranteed a strict programme for sanitising and disinfecting areas, as well as regular cleaning of luggage trolley and trays at security.
Luxair will distribute hygiene kits to all passengers, containing a mask, antibacterial gel and a disinfecting wipe.
The aircraft are thoroughly cleaned between each flight by a dedicated team specially trained for this job. The filtration and air circulation system all meet high efficiency criteria.
On board, wearing a mask will always be compulsory. A flight attendant said if a passenger refused, they would likely be removed and FFP2 masks issued to those sitting in the vicinity. All on-board personnel have been trained to deal with such eventualities.
Although there will be no regular catering service on board, passengers will receive a drink and sandwich, with the recommendation to eat at separate times in order to prevent mass removal of masks.
Passengers landing at Findel will have to maintain distances when collecting their luggage.
Passengers arriving in Luxembourg will receive a voucher for voluntary testing, with the option to be tested directly at the airport where a laboratory will be installed, or in one of the sampling centres of the country’s three private medical analysis laboratories.
Luxair has opened up five destinations ready for the weekend, followed by Faro with LuxairTours. Other destinations will depend on other companies opening up.
Joe Schroeder, spokesperson for LuxairGroup, said the company were trying to be creative in finding destinations where the public could visit attractions, bars and restaurants.
Over the coming weeks, destinations in northern Germany or the south of France could be added to the list. Flights to Berlin are set to resume from 1 June.
Schroeder said the flights to Portugal had proved popular, with seats filling up rapidly. However, hygiene measures will be applied.
