Between 1 and 14 March, the estimated fall in passenger traffic and the number of aircraft movements accelerated at the Paris hubs, according to ADPwith an estimated growth of – 29 % for cumulative two airports. But this fall has since accelerated, with the authorities estimating that air traffic has fell by more than 80% this past week. On Tuesday, ADP reported that passenger traffic was down by 92% to Orly and 89% at Roissy compared with the same day in 2019.
Paris airports has therefore decided to reduce its operating costs by completely closing Orly airport to scheduled traffic from midnight on 31 March. The measure is of course temporary, but could last at least until mid-MayDuring this period, the airport authorities believe that traffic could tentatively pick up again. During this period, Orly will only receive flights in the event of an emergency.emergency. The terminals will therefore be maintained so that they can be reactivated as soon as necessary.
A Roissy-Charles de Gaullethe airport authorities have decided to maintain the terminal 2E (hall K) as well as part of terminal 2F and 2A. On 2F, only one of the two "peninsulas", which is in fact the boarding hall, while 2A should remain open in its entirety for airlines other than Air France. Terminal 1 is therefore closed in turn, after Terminal 2G and Terminal 3.
According to ADP, passenger traffic should represent between 10% and 15% of normal activity from March to the beginning of May, with a recovery in May with an estimate of around 30% of normal passenger volume, then a return to around 50% during the summer compared with the same months of the previous year. These are, of course, only expectations in the event of an end to the current health crisis.
It should be noted that Beauvaiswhich mainly welcomes low-cost flightsclosed its doors on 26 March. Six airlines, including Ryanair and Wizzair, served the hub. Bus services to Paris were suspended in the wake of the closure.
