Luxair S.A

In the heart of post-war Europe, as institutions promoting continental unity began to choose Luxembourg as their home, a new need arose: air travel. This led to the founding of the Luxembourg Airlines Company in 1948. By 1961, to meet the growing demand for connections to other European capitals, the company was restructured and rebranded as Luxair S.A., Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne. The airline officially commenced operations on March 31, 1962, with its inaugural flight from Luxembourg to Paris using a Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft. The company's journey was one of strategic diversification. In 1968, it established LUXAIRTOURS to cater to the rising popularity of charter flights. A pivotal moment came in 1970 when Luxair co-founded Cargolux Airlines, a dedicated air cargo company, establishing a significant foothold in the European freight sector. This was soon followed by the introduction of its first jet aircraft, a Caravelle, marking a significant fleet upgrade. A major event in its corporate story occurred in November 2015 when Lufthansa sold its long-held 13% stake, which was subsequently acquired by the State of Luxembourg. This transaction solidified the Luxembourg government's position as the principal shareholder, holding nearly 75% of the company through various state-owned entities.