Luxcargo Handling SA is set to take over Luxair's ramp and warehouse handling operations at Luxembourg Airport in Findel.

Luxembourg's Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, this week awarded two cargo ground handling licences to Luxcargo Handling SA, a subsidiary of Cargolux, and Goldair Handling SA, respectively.

The Ministry of Mobility and Public Works explained that Minister Backes had awarded these licences, as part of a European tender procedure, based on a proposal from the lux-Airport managing entity and after consultation with the airport users' committee.

Cargolux reported that its licence for ramp handling at Luxembourg Airport also permits Luxcargo Handling to handle third party airlines.

"The takeover of Luxair's ramp and warehouse handling services by LCH [Luxcargo Handling] is a great opportunity for Cargolux to strengthen its position in the air cargo industry and to further enhance its service offering to its customers," said Richard Forson, Cargolux President and CEO. "LCH also looks forward to continuing the relationship Luxair had with other airlines besides Cargolux. We look forward to commencing operations in 2024." He added: "Cargolux and Luxair's cargo ramp and warehouse handling teams have been working hand in hand for decades and I am confident that the transition will proceed smoothly."

Trade unions in Luxembourg responded quickly to the news. In a joint press release, the LCGB, OGBL and NGL-SNEP unions described the situation as "a major conflict [...] looming" at Luxair's CargoCenter. They said that "the situation has been untenable for Luxair staff at CargoCenter" in recent months - earlier this year, Luxair decided to no longer participate in the tender concerning cargo ground handling licences, the allocation deadline for which was 31 October - and argued that "the transfer of activity and staff to a new company raises fundamental questions".

The unions called for "stability" for the 1,200 Luxair CargoCenter employees and reiterated their request for a meeting with Minister Backes, urging her "to do everything possible to facilitate negotiations as quickly as possible with the companies concerned aimed at safeguarding the achievements and existence of employees of the CargoCenter."