French aviation authorities requested significant flight cancellations at Paris’s two main airports on Monday following heavy snowfall in the capital. The directive, aimed at managing operations during severe winter weather, asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules for the remainder of the day.
Request from Aviation Authorities
On Monday, France’s civil aviation authority asked airlines to cancel 15% of flights at both Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports. The measure was implemented in response to heavy snowfalls that impacted the Paris region. A spokesperson stated that airlines retained the flexibility to choose which specific flights to cancel, provided they achieved the required reduction in overall takeoffs and landings.
Duration and Airport-Specific Measures
The reduction mandates were set for specific timeframes at each airport. Airlines were asked to cut flights until 8:00 PM Central European Time (CET) at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. At Paris-Orly Airport, the request to reduce operations was extended until 11:30 PM CET.
Travel Advisory
Concurrently, the French transport ministry issued guidance to travelers. It urged passengers to verify their flight status before leaving for the airport. The ministry also recommended using public transportation for airport access instead of private vehicles due to the weather conditions.
Wider European Disruption
The winter weather caused significant travel disruption beyond France. In the Netherlands, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, was also affected. According to reports from news agency ANP, the airport cancelled nearly 500 flights on Monday morning and was closed to incoming air traffic until 12:00 PM GMT due to snowfall.
