In accordance with European legislation, a certificate is required for certain aerodromes in Luxembourg that are open to the public and use instrument approach or departure procedures.

In principle, this certificate applies to both the aerodrome and its safety equipment. It is issued by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (Direction de l'Aviation Civile – DAC).

When an aerodrome's annual traffic does not exceed 10,000 commercial-flight passengers and 850 aircraft movements related to freight operations, the DAC may opt to exempt from this certification:

• the design;
• the technical maintenance;
• the operation of an aerodrome;
• the safety equipment used at this aerodrome.

This exemption is possible only if it does not violate the requirements established by European legislation.

Who is concerned

Organisations concerned

Organisations considering operating a commercial aerodrome.

Aerodromes concerned

Any aerodrome:

• that is located in Luxembourg;
• that is open to the public;
• where commercial air transport services are available;
• that is equipped with:
  • paved instrument runways at least 800 metres long; or
  • runways used solely by helicopters that use instrument approach or departure procedures.

Prerequisites

A certificate will be issued upon request when the applicant proves compliance with the provisions of:

• Regulation (EU) 2018/1139; and
• Regulation (EU) 139/2014.

Preliminary steps

An organisation considering operating a commercial aerodrome may contact the Aerodrome Department of the DAC for assistance with the application procedure.

Deadlines

The application must be submitted at least 12 months before the operations are scheduled to begin.

Costs

Applications are free of charge.

How to proceed

Filing an application

The organisation's accountable manager must file a signed application with the DAC using the corresponding form.

The applicant must provide the DAC with the following information:

• their official name, commercial name, address and postal address;
• the location of the aerodrome, the type of operations planned at the aerodrome and the aerodrome's design and facilities;
• any proposed deviation from the certification specifications issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA);
• documentation showing how they will comply with the requirements established in Regulation (EU) No 2018/1139 and its implementing rules. This refers particularly to a procedure describing how changes that do not require prior approval will be handled and disclosed to the competent authority;
• proof of possession of sufficient resources to operate the aerodrome in accordance with the applicable requirements;
• documented proof of the relationship between the applicant and the aerodrome owner and/or the property owner;
• the name of and relevant details about the accountable manager and other appointed persons (paragraph ADR.OR.D.015 of Regulation (EU) 139/2014);
• a copy of the aerodrome manual (paragraph ADR.OR.E.005 of Regulation (EU) 139/2014).

Supporting documents

Applicants must attach several documents to their application:

• an updated copy of the aerodrome manual;
• the certification basis along with any supporting documents establishing the aerodrome's compliance with the requirements listed in the certification basis (including the "certification specifications, CS");
• the qualifications and competencies of the aerodrome personnel, particularly the accountable manager, the operations manager, the maintenance manager and the person responsible for the management system;
• a description of the operator's organisation structure;
• supporting documents proving possession of sufficient financial resources to fund the planned operation;
• a copy of the formal agreement between the aerodrome operator and the air navigation services;
• where applicable, copies of agreements entered into with subcontractors or service providers performing services on behalf of the aerodrome operator.

Application processing time

The DAC will confirm receipt of the application within 3 months and notify the applicant as to whether the application is complete.

The DAC will then notify the applicant as to what steps they must take to prove compliance before a certificate is issued.

The final decision on the issuance of the certificate will be communicated to the applicant within 12 months of the filing of the application.

Validity period

The aerodrome operation certificate is valid for an open-ended period.

The certificate will remain valid provided that:

• the aerodrome operator continues to comply with the applicable requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and its implementing rules;
• the aerodrome continues to comply with the certification basis, including the provisions on the handling of findings (paragraph ADR.OR.C.020 of Regulation (EU) 139/2014);
• the DAC is granted access to the aerodrome operator's organisation to determine the operator's continued compliance with the applicable requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and its implementing rules;
• the certificate is not surrendered or revoked.

In the event that the certificate is surrendered or revoked, it must be returned immediately to the competent authority.

Obligations

The aerodrome operator must continue to comply with the applicable requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and its implementing rules.

The aerodrome must continue to comply with the certification basis, including the provisions on the handling of findings (paragraph ADR.OR.C.020 of Regulation (EU) 139/2014).

Sanctions

The certificate may be limited, suspended or revoked when the aerodrome or its safety equipment no longer complies with the rules and procedures for issuing and maintaining such a certificate.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact