Luxair fully stands by strong and fair passenger rights and remains committed to supporting its passengers, especially in situations of disruption. At the same time, as a responsible airline, Luxair also believes that passenger protection must go hand in hand with preserving the regional connectivity that passengers, communities and economies rely on.
This is why Luxair expresses its strong support for the new study published by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), Regional aviation at risk: The socio-economic impact of the proposed revisions
of EU261, which highlights the potential impact of the proposed EU261 revision on regional airlines, passengers and the communities that rely on vital air links.
The study, prepared for ERA by Oxera, warns that the proposed changes could significantly increase the financial burden on airlines and ultimately affect passengers through higher fares, reduced frequencies or the withdrawal of routes, particularly in regional markets where air services are already operated on thin margins. According to the study, the current EU261 regime already represents an estimated annual cost of €8.1 billion for the sector, while the European Parliament’s proposals could almost double this burden to more than €15 billion.
The ERA study also underlines that regional aviation is not simply a commercial activity, but an important part of Europe’s economic and social infrastructure. It estimates that regional aviation supports €228 billion in gross value added and 4.8 million jobs across Europe, while enabling access to healthcare, education, employment, tourism and public services in many regions.
Luxair plays a key role in connecting the country and the Greater Region to major European destinations and international hubs. These air links are essential for business, tourism, education, family connections
and the overall attractiveness of Luxembourg and the Greater Region as a European and international destination.
For Luxair, the issue is clear: passenger rights and regional connectivity must not be seen as opposing objectives. Future regulation must take into account the operational reality of regional aviation. Regional
airlines often operate thinner routes, smaller fleets and more limited networks, with fewer immediate alternatives available when disruptions occur. Rules that do not reflect this reality risk placing disproportionate pressure on essential air links.
Gilles Feith, CEO of Luxair, said: “Luxair is a responsible airline, and we fully stand by fair passenger rights. But passenger protection must go hand in hand with preserving access to air travel. If regulation makes regional routes less viable, passengers and communities will ultimately be the ones affected. A balanced EU261 reform is therefore essential to protect both travellers and the connectivity they depend
on.”
Luxair supports ERA’s call for a balanced reassessment of the proposed EU261 revision and remains committed to working constructively with ERA, policymakers and industry partners to support a passenger rights framework that is fair, proportionate and adapted to the realities of regional aviation.
