Minor technical issues affecting new Embraer aircraft, a crack in the cockpit window of an older Boeing, an emergency landing and several turnarounds are, he said, unrelated incidents.
Luxembourg’s national airline is currently undergoing a fleet transition. The De Havilland Q400 models are being replaced by Embraer aircraft, while older Boeing jets are being phased out in favour of new aircraft of the same brand. However, some older aircraft remain in service and are more likely to experience minor technical problems than brand new planes, Colling explained.
According to the operations director, none of the recent incidents posed a danger. A pilot for more than 30 years himself, Colling described the measures taken as purely preventive and insists that pilots followed procedures correctly in every case. In the emergency landing in Nice on 23 January, prompted by a problem with the right landing gear of a De Havilland Canada Q400, and in the case of the cracked cockpit window, the aircraft could theoretically have continued flying without risk. Nevertheless, pilots adhered strictly to safety protocols.
The Boeing 737-700 on which the crack was discovered was the airline’s oldest aircraft. It has since been withdrawn from commercial service after 22 years. According to Colling, this retirement had already been planned by the board last year. The crack occurred during what was almost its final commercial flight. As cockpit windows consist of seven layers and the damage was confined to the outer layer, there was no safety risk.
Colling acknowledged that communication with passengers affected by irregularities could be improved. Work is already under way on 38 new measures to improve customer service, he said.
Last year, Luxair scheduled 32,000 flights. In 160 cases, aircraft were unable to operate, resulting in a dispatch reliability percentage of 99.5 per cent, which is considered strong in the industry. So far this year, the rate stands at just over 98 per cent, leaving room for improvement. Colling believes this target is achievable as the fleet renewal progresses.
Out of more than 120 commercial flights operated with the new Embraer aircraft, technical issues arose on three occasions. On 20 January, for example, a flight to Milan returned to Findel shortly after departure due to a sensor warning.
Per Colling, this incident was unrelated to known issues affecting certain engines used on the model. A faulty sensor had sent irregular messages, forcing the pilot to return as a precaution. An Embraer mechanic is currently based at Findel.
He acknowledged that engines produced by Pratt & Whitney can encounter difficulties in sub zero temperatures and adverse conditions. More than 2,300 aircraft worldwide use these engines, he noted, adding that this is not an issue specific to Embraer, as comparable Airbus models are equipped with the same engines.
In Colling’s view, Embraer remains the right choice for Luxair’s fleet renewal. As an experienced pilot, he said he is confident in that decision.
