“The figures show the extent to which the airport contributes to the country’s economic development,” says , board chair of Lux-Airport, referring to a report called “The Economic Impact of Luxembourg Airport” published on 26 February 2025. Alongside CEO and two experts from SEO Amsterdam Economics--Martin Adler and Christiaan Behrens--Fonck presented the study.
The analysis is part of a wider study commissioned by ACI Europe from the Dutch scientific institute for economic research (SEO), which measured the economic impact of more than 500 European airports between 2004 and 2019. The study presented by Fonck has taken these results and focused them on the economic impact of the Findel in particular--in Luxembourg and in its neighbouring countries.
The report uses data from 2019 because it was the last year before Covid, explains Behrens. Aviation then suffered an unprecedented shock that would distort any comparison. Passenger levels, which rose from 4.4m in 2019 to 5.1m in 2024, and current connectivity, which are close to those prior to the health crisis, nevertheless “ensure the reliability of the analysis,” says Adler.
€9.2bn and 90,000 jobs
The study is based on the input-output model developed by Nobel Prize winner Wassily Leontief. It quantifies the effects of airport expenditure and investment on the national economy in four categories:
—direct impact: gross domestic product (GDP) and employment linked to the operation and management of the airport and the companies that operate there (airlines, ground handling, maintenance, repair, security, etc.)
—indirect impact: activity generated by companies that supply or support the airport’s activities
—induced impact: economic spin-offs from spending by direct and indirect employees
—catalytic impact: economic activity generated by air connectivity, particularly through tourism and access to international markets
When these effects are added together, the survey reveals that Lux-Airport generates almost €9.2bn in GDP and 90,000 jobs. In other words, 13% of national GDP is linked, directly or indirectly, to air connectivity, underlining its importance for the national economy. On average, each passenger in Luxembourg contributes €300 directly to the airport and €1,300 to the Luxembourg economy.
An impact beyond borders
The airport’s direct impact is estimated at €1.7bn and 7,000 jobs, a significant proportion of which comes from Société de l’aéroport de Luxembourg, which generates €400m in added value and more than 1,000 jobs. Ground handling services and airlines follow, each contributing €350m and 1,200 jobs.
To this can be added €585m in GDP and 3,000 jobs linked to the indirect impact. Most of the indirect impact is concentrated in the food-related sectors, with food products, beverages and tobacco contributing €41m to GDP and supporting 326 jobs. Administrative and support services also make a significant contribution to GDP (€40m) but require much less labour (113 jobs).
The airport also influences the economies of neighbouring countries. Almost three quarters of the indirect impact is outside Luxembourg, bringing the GDP generated to €2.2bn and the total indirect cross-border impact to 24,000 jobs. “Luxembourg’s size explains why many of its services come from abroad, given that a substantial proportion of inputs are not available domestically,” the report states.
€700m of investment to come
The salaries paid by the aerospace sector also benefit the local economy. This induced impact represents €1.4bn and 16,000 jobs in Luxembourg, explain the economists.
As for the catalytic impact, it amounts to €1.7bn and 25,000 jobs in tourism. Productivity gains associated with trade and innovation amount to €1.1bn and 4,500 jobs. “The airport also plays a very important role for Luxembourg’s financial centre,” Adler points out.
“If you look at Luxembourg’s economic history over the last 50 years,” adds Fonck, “the airport has accompanied the development of European institutions, the financial sector and major Luxembourg companies. It is the country’s only external border with the EU. These results confirm the relevance of our investments.”
Aware of this strategic challenge, the airport intends to continue its development. “The progressive extension of the terminal, the improvement of security chains, the renovation of taxiways and the construction of a new cargo centre are all underway,” explains the board chair. In all, €700m will be injected between now and 2030 to strengthen the airport’s competitiveness and improve the passenger experience.
This article in French.