Paris-Orly Airport

Paris-Orly Airport (French: Aéroport de Paris-Orly) is one of the two major international airports serving Paris, France, the other being Charles de Gaulle Airport. Situated partially in the communes of Orly and Villeneuve-le-Roi, the airport is located approximately 13 kilometers south of downtown Paris.

History

The airport, originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, opened in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport. During World War II, Orly was used by the United States Army Air Forces and later by the United States Air Force until 1947, when control was returned to France.

One of the most tragic events in the airport's history occurred on 3 March 1974, when Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed due to an improperly closed cargo door, resulting in the deaths of all 346 people onboard. This became known as the "Ermenonville Air Disaster."

Operations

Orly Airport serves as a secondary hub for Air France, primarily handling domestic and overseas territories flights. It is also a base for Transavia France. The airport operates flights to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and North America.

Despite the rise of Charles de Gaulle Airport as Paris's main international gateway, Orly remains the busiest French airport for domestic traffic and the second busiest airport overall after Charles de Gaulle.

Facilities

Orly Airport comprises several terminals. The airport was rebranded in April 2016 under the Groupe ADP strategy "Connect 2020," and the commercial brand "Paris Aéroport" was applied to all Parisian airports.

Terminal 1 & 2: Known until March 2019 as the West Terminal, these terminals feature a gate area divided into four "fingers." The ground level includes arrivals facilities with eight baggage claim belts.
Terminal 3: Inaugurated in April 2019 as a junction building between Terminals 1, 2, and 4, Terminal 3 offers 5,000 square meters of duty-free shopping, restaurants, and lounges. It includes gates D and E, providing direct access to Orly 4 departure gates.
Terminal 4: Previously known as the South Terminal, it consists of a six-floor steel-and-glass building. The ground level contains arrival facilities and various service counters and shops.

Transport Connections

The airport is well-connected to Paris and surrounding regions through a variety of transport options, including buses, taxis, and the Orlyval train service which connects to the RER B rapid transit line, facilitating quick access to central Paris.

Future Developments