France: Paris airports to reduce flights tomorrow due to snow
The French Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued urgent instructions to airlines operating in the country, requiring them to reduce their scheduled flight times for tomorrow, Sunday, as part of precautionary measures to confront the expected wave of bad weather that will hit the capital, Paris, and large areas of the north of the country.
The directorate explained in an official statement issued on Saturday that this decision comes in response to forecasts from the French meteorological service, which warned of heavy snowfall and ice formation, potentially disrupting airport operations and posing a risk to air navigation safety. Consequently, airlines have been asked to reduce their peak-hour flights by up to 30% at Charles de Gaulle Airport and by 20% at Orly Airport, the two main airports serving the French capital.
Challenges of operation in winter conditions
These proactive measures are necessary due to the logistical and technical challenges that snowstorms pose to the aviation sector. In such conditions, airports are forced to activate de-icing programs for aircraft before takeoff, a delicate process that requires additional time for each plane. This automatically reduces runway capacity and slows down the pace of takeoffs and landings. Furthermore, runways require continuous cleaning to ensure safe wheel contact with the ground, necessitating intermittent runway closures.
Potential impacts on global travel
Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of the most important air hubs in Europe and the world, connecting the continent to hundreds of international destinations. This reduction in flights is expected to have repercussions beyond France's borders, potentially including delays to connecting flights for passengers traveling to other destinations via Paris. While airlines typically prioritize long-haul flights in such circumstances, disruptions to schedules remain a strong possibility.
Important tips for travelers
In closing, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation stressed that all passengers scheduled to travel to or from Paris on Sunday must contact their airlines in advance to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. Passengers are also advised to monitor airport and airline mobile applications for real-time updates and to allow extra time to reach the airport, as road traffic may also be affected by snowfall in northern France.
