Aircraft must take off from and land at an aerodrome, helipad or airfield. However, some exceptions are allowed in case of force majeure or with the authorisation of the Director of Civil Aviation.

Take-offs and landings at a location other than an aerodrome:

• are rare manoeuvres because they are very risky;
• are warranted only if the manoeuvre is in the public interest.

Who is concerned

Any aircraft operator whose duties require them to take off and land at a location other than an aerodrome located in Luxembourg.

Prerequisites

Administrative conditions

Applications for the following operations are barred:

• commercial air transport;
• take-offs and landings performed:
  • by helicopters that are not in compliance with performance class 1; and
  • in a congested area or hostile environment;
• any repetitive activity that may cause excessive nuisances;
• any activity undertaken solely for personal reasons.

Technical and operating requirements

The following technical and operating requirements must be fulfilled:

• the take-off and landing area must be:
  • free of any object;
  • delineated;
  • if needed, marked. A procedure for securing access to the operating site must be implemented;
• the permit holder must ensure that there are support staff on-site to guarantee that the aircraft operations proceed smoothly;
• all flights must be covered by a valid insurance policy that covers the activities in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) 785/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004.

Deadlines

The Directorate of Civil Aviation (Direction de l'Aviation Civile – DAC) must receive the complete application at least 30 days before the date of the activity.

How to proceed

Filing an application

Applicants must file their permit application with the DAC by post using the corresponding form.

It must contain the following information:

• the applicant's identity; their full name and address and, if applicable, their company name;
• the type of aircraft to be used, as well as:
  • the number of engines and engine specification (turbine or piston);
  • the aircraft's performance class;
• the date and/or period of the activity;
• the purpose of the activity;
• one or more maps clearly identifying:
  • the landing location; its geographic coordinates and dimensions;
  • the approach and departure paths with an identification of the touchdown and take-off points and the places of safety in the event of a forced landing;
  • the dimensions of these places of safety;
• an analysis of the risks related to the activity, including the take-off and landing manoeuvre (positioning and lifting, if required);
• a description of the layout of the site and of the procedures implemented to accommodate and supervise the manoeuvring of the aircraft.

Supporting documents

The application must be accompanied by the following documents:

• the written consent of the owners of the land;
• the written consent of the mayor of the commune where the take-off and landing strip is located;
• proof of a valid insurance policy;
• the information from the technical application compiled in accordance with the section "Filing an application".

Duration of validity

The permit will specify:

• the date and period of the activity;
• the authorised location.

The duration of validity is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact