Luxembourg Airport has been accused of unfair competition

The French region of Grand Est on Luxembourg’s Findel Airport, accusing it of creating conditions of unfair competition. According to the region’s vice-president, Brigitte Torloting, the main problem lies in the difference in tax burdens. Whilst in France the charge is €20 per passenger — a significant sum for airlines — there are no such airport charges in Luxembourg. As a result, the more attractive conditions offered by the Luxembourg airport are hindering the conclusion of contracts that could improve the French airport’s situation.

However, a recent report by the Regional Court of Auditors has revealed that the French airport is running a structural deficit of over €4 million. Despite these figures, Brigitte Torloting, who also serves as mayor of the commune of Louvigny, emphasises that closing the facility is not currently under consideration. Instead, the regional authorities are proposing a solution that seems paradoxical given the current complaints: developing cooperation with players in Luxembourg’s aviation sector. The idea is to resume domestic flights to France, for example to Nice, which is particularly relevant given the traffic problems on the A31 motorway. Such a partnership could also reduce the risk of congestion at Luxembourg Airport, which handled 5.2 million passengers in 2025.

However, there has been no sign of enthusiasm for this project from Luxembourg as yet. The country’s Ministry of Mobility, headed by Yuriko Backes, refuses to engage in the debate, stating that airport charges are set in strict accordance with European and national legislation. Alexander Flassak, CEO of lux-Airport, added that all applicable tariffs are publicly available on the airport’s official website. For its part, the national carrier Luxair stated that a partnership with the French airport is not currently a priority for the company. The carrier cited difficult operating conditions linked to significant regulatory and energy pressures, which have effectively brought the long-running negotiations to a standstill.