Charles de Gaulle Airport

Charles de Gaulle Airport
Name	Charles de Gaulle Airport
IATA	CDG
ICAO	LFPG
Owner	Groupe ADP
Operator	Groupe ADP
City-served	Paris
Location	Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise, Île-de-France
Opened	8 March 1974
Hub	Air France, Air France-KLM, FedEx Express, easyJet
Metric-elev	119
Coordinates	49, 00, 35, N...
Website	https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en

Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is the largest international airport in France and a major European aviation hub, located in Roissy-en-France, northeast of Paris. Named after the French statesman Charles de Gaulle, it opened in 1974 and is operated by Groupe ADP. The airport serves as the primary hub for the Air France-KLM alliance and is a critical gateway for global air travel.

History

Planning for a new Parisian airport began in the 1960s to relieve congestion at Orly Airport and Le Bourget Airport. The site in Roissy-en-France was selected, and construction commenced in 1966 under the direction of architect Paul Andreu. The first terminal, renowned for its innovative circular design, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pierre Messmer and welcomed its inaugural commercial flight operated by TWA from New York City. The airport expanded significantly with the addition of Terminal 2 in 1982, initially built for Air France, and further growth coincided with major events like the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. Subsequent developments included the high-speed TGV station and the massive Terminal 2E, which opened in 2003.

Terminals and facilities

The airport complex is divided into three main terminal groups. The original Terminal 1 features a distinctive circular satellite design with seven satellites connected by underground moving walkways. Terminal 2, the largest, is composed of several sub-terminals (2A through 2G) arranged in a linear layout and primarily serves SkyTeam alliance members, including Air France and Delta Air Lines. Terminal 3 handles charter and low-cost carriers. Notable facilities include the Charles de Gaulle Airport TGV station, which provides direct rail links, and the on-site Sheraton Hotel. The airport also features extensive cargo areas operated by companies like FedEx Express and is a maintenance base for Air France Industries.

Airlines and destinations

As a global hub, it hosts over 100 airlines connecting to more than 300 destinations worldwide. The primary tenant is Air France, which operates a vast network of flights across Europe, Africa, North America, Asia, and South America. Other major carriers include Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Lufthansa, and American Airlines. The airport is a key focus city for easyJet and serves as a freight hub for FedEx Express and UPS Airlines. Long-haul destinations include New York–JFK, Dubai International Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport, and São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport.

Ground transportation

Multiple transport options connect the airport to Paris and beyond. The RER B line provides a direct rail link to central Paris stations like Gare du Nord and Châtelet–Les Halles. The high-speed TGV station offers services to cities including Lyon, Marseille, and Brussels. Several bus companies, such as Le Bus Direct, operate coach services to key locations like Orly Airport and Place de l'Étoile. The airport is also accessible via major road networks, including the A1 autoroute and the Francilienne motorway, and features extensive parking facilities.

Statistics

It is the busiest airport in France and the European Union's second-busiest by aircraft movements. In 2023, it handled over 67 million passengers and more than 2 million metric tons of cargo, making it one of Europe's leading freight airports. The United States, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom are among its top destination countries. The airport employs approximately 100,000 people directly and indirectly, contributing significantly to the economy of the Île-de-France region.

Incidents and accidents

The airport has experienced several notable safety incidents. In 1992, an Air Inter Flight 148 crash during approach to Strasbourg originated from here. A significant structural failure occurred in 2004 when a portion of the roof at Terminal 2E collapsed, resulting in fatalities. In 2005, the airport was a departure point for the ill-fated West Caribbean Airways Flight 708. Security incidents have included a 2017 attack on soldiers patrolling the terminal, linked to terrorism investigations by the Direction générale de la sécurité intérieure.

Category:Airports in France Category:Buildings and structures in Val-d'Oise Category:Transport in Île-de-France