The scope of RP3 monitoring for Luxembourg comprises the main airport (ELLX), where traffic in 2022 was still 9% lower than in 2019 regardless the increase of 46% with respect to 2021.
In accordance with IR (EU) 2019/317 and the traffic volume, pre-departure delays are not monitored at Luxembourg and the capacity performance monitoring focuses on arrival ATFM delay and slot adherence.
Average arrival ATFM delays in 2022 was 0.10 min/arr, compared to 0.14 min/arr in 2021.
ATFM slot adherence has improved (2022: 94.1%; 2021: 93.4%).
Arrival ATFM delays at Luxembourg have decreased in 2022. 67% of all delays were attributed to equipment issues and distributed along the year. 32% of the delays were due to Weather, mostly in November and January.
According to Luxembourg’s monitoring report: The terminal ATFM arrival delay is mainly due to 2 factors: restrictions based on adverse weather (MET) conditions (low visibility procedures - LVP) and restrictions due to technical (TECH) problems.
Whereas the MET conditions do not contribute, in a significant extend, to the fluctuations of the delay values (and the ANSP has no influence on this),the RADAR performance of Luxembourg surveillance (SURCHAIN )requires extended separation standard of 8NM as soon as one of the 4 sensors of ELLX RADAR network is unavailable.
This 8NM separation request has a direct influence on the delays, as the IFR arrivals are mandatorily reduced to 12 arrivals/h. (instead of max 20 arrivals/h).
Recommendations to the ANSP to rectify the situation:
Implementation of the recommendation made by EUROCONTROL in its SUR study of the actual SUR infrastructure.3. Arrival ATFM Delay – National TargetThe national target on arrival ATFM delay in 2022 was met.
According to Luxembourg’s monitoring report: The underperformance of the SURCHAIN and its operational impact is known to the NSA, which is actively monitoring the situation through its national oversight activities. A set of recommendation to improve the overall SUR infrastructure has been made through an independent study made by EUROCONTROL. These recommendations have been integrated into the ANSP Project Management. Implementation is foreseen at the latest by 2025.
Luxembourg’s ATFM slot compliance was 94.1%, a slight improvement with respect to 2021 (93.4%).
With regard to the 5.9% of flights that did not adhere, 1.8% was early and 4.1% was late.