Luxaviation Provides Proof of Concept of Vineyards Drone Spraying

Luxaviation Group, one of the largest private aircraft operators worldwide headquartered in Luxembourg, has successfully developed the drone spraying activities of Luxaviation Drones S.A. in the Luxembourg Mosel wine region.

The project for the spraying of Luxembourg vineyards by means of drones, initially launched as a pilot in mid July 2019 in cooperation with Domaine L&R Kox of Remich, has become increasingly successful with local winegrowers. One year after the launch, seven winemakers joined the project to pioneer this new service, with another larger group actively attending the respective drone spraying flights to familiarise for next season. 

By using the data-driven agriculture and viticulture provided by Luxaviation Drones, today's 20 local wine sites (covering the entire Luxembourgish wine region) under operations are achieving higher efficiency and accuracy, reduced erosion, preservation of the environment, reduction of the noise pollution to the neighbourhood and potentially a proven enhancement of the quality of the final product.

Similar to maintaining the highest certification standards in the manned fixed and rotary wing business, Luxaviation is engaged in working with civil aviation authorities to enhance the operations capacity, certification standards and training procedures for drone operations. As of May, experienced pilots with expertise in aerial spraying flew again and started spraying the vineyards with organic phytosanitary products.

Currently Luxaviation is only working with Luxembourg winemakers but the company aims to extend the service to Germany as well.

Christophe Lapierre, President of the Services division of the Luxaviation Group, commented: “We are impressed by the interest of local winemakers and their willingness to contribute to the enhancement of the service and the capabilities together with us, by investing into unmanned aircraft. This smarter and more sustainable viticulture will provide winemakers an instant competitive advantage on those relying on conventional helicopter usage”.

Following the successful operations in 2019, Luxaviation Group is planning to expand its services to cross-border regions along the Mosel, with evolving regulation in Germany about drone spraying flights.