Luxair has become one of the world's "dirtiest" airlines
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In the Atmosfair Airline Index (AAI) 2024, which rates airlines on CO₂ emissions per passenger-kilometre, Luxair ranks 104th, falling into category F (low efficiency). Efficiency scores vary considerably depending on the range of flights:
Short-haul flights
Medium-haul flights
Long-haul flights:
TUI Airlines Nederland (1st place) and Starlux Airlines (2nd place) scored more than 85 points thanks to modern aircraft and route optimisation. Only a few airlines are in the A or B performance category, emphasising the difficulty of achieving high standards.
- Luxair is behind major EU airlines such as Iberia (12th place, Class C) and Air France (57th place, Class E), which are investing in fleet modernisation.
- Low-cost carriers like TUI Airways and Jet2.com are leading the way due to high aircraft utilisation and efficient resource management.
The company's main challenges remain: an outdated fleet of aircraft and limited resources. Recommendations for companies with low efficiency usually boil down to three basic rules: modernise the fleet, optimise the flight load so that each aircraft is maximally staffed, and use alternative energy sources.
While the first two requirements are clear, the introduction of sustainable or alternative fuels is still questionable. Such fuels are either much more expensive or not efficient enough for small airlines. And there are not yet so many test flights to speak confidently about the sustainability of substitutes for aircraft fuel.
