Air TransportAborted flight of new Embraer E195-E2 sparks debate in Luxembourg
An aborted flight involving a newly delivered Embraer E195-E2 has triggered public debate in Luxembourg after a Luxair aircraft returned to its departure airport shortly after takeoff on Monday, January 19.
The aircraft had entered commercial service only days after an official inaugural flight on Saturday. Scheduled to operate a service to Milan, the jet turned back to Luxembourg soon after departure. Luxair described the return as a precautionary measure and declined at the time to provide further details.
The incident gained wider attention after the Luxemburger Wort reported that Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the authority responsible for certifying Embraer aircraft, had issued operational guidance for the E195-E2 under specific weather conditions. According to the report, ANAC stated that the aircraft should not operate in freezing fog, with visibility below 110 metres, or at temperatures under 3°C.
ANAC cited cases of compressor shutdowns involving Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines in freezing fog and low-visibility conditions during ground operations, adding that an investigation into the issue is ongoing. The authority warned that such shutdowns could lead to reduced engine thrust during takeoff if no corrective measures are applied.
The warning was published only days after Luxair celebrated the introduction of the E195-E2 with a ceremonial flight to Vienna attended by Luxair chief executive Gilles Feith and Luxembourg transport minister Yuriko Backes.
“Purely precautionary operational decision”
In a statement issued later on Monday, Luxair said the Milan-bound flight returned as a “purely precautionary operational decision” and stressed that the event was not linked to any engine malfunction or safety incident. The airline added that the operational limitations cited by ANAC are part of a broader industry issue affecting Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines and are not specific to the Embraer E195-E2.
According to Luxair, the restrictions apply only under very specific meteorological conditions and are less restrictive than those imposed on other aircraft types using comparable engine technology. The airline also noted that Pratt & Whitney GTF engines power thousands of aircraft worldwide, including models in the Airbus A220 and A320neo families.
Feith echoed that position in public comments, stating that the E195-E2 was included in the guidance “by similarity” with other aircraft types using the same engine family, and that no issue had occurred on the Embraer jet itself. He described the situation as a normal aspect of aviation safety oversight.
Separate reporting by RTL said Luxair reiterated its confidence in the E195-E2 after the incident. The airline told the broadcaster that precautionary returns to the departure airport are routine in commercial aviation and do not necessarily indicate technical faults. Passengers from the Milan flight were later rebooked on another aircraft.
Luxair has six Embraer E195-E2 aircraft on order, with options for three more, as part of its fleet renewal program.
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Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
