Air France has rolled out a new digital service designed to assist passengers with tight flight connections at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
The “Short Connection Pass,” launched in collaboration with airport operator Groupe ADP, aims to ensure travellers with limited transfer time can make their connecting flights without unnecessary delays.
The system automatically activates when a passenger’s connection window falls below a pre-set threshold. Upon arrival at CDG, eligible passengers receive a text message and email informing them they qualify for “priority access” at security and border control checkpoints.
Air France has confirmed the notification system will soon expand to include WhatsApp alerts and in-app notifications through the Air France mobile app.
This new service is powered by real-time information sharing between Air France and Groupe ADP. The system takes into account several factors: estimated walking time between terminals, current wait times at security screening and border control, and the scheduled departure time of the connecting flight.
By combining this data, the service determines which passengers face a short connection and automatically grants them expedited processing.
When these passengers reach the designated checkpoints, they simply present their boarding pass for scanning. This triggers an alert to the airport’s ground services team, enabling them to facilitate immediate priority access.
The aim, according to both companies, is to minimise time spent in queues and help travellers reach their gates on schedule. “The goal is to minimise time spent at checkpoints and ensure passengers can reach their gate within the allotted time,” Air France and Groupe ADP stated in a joint announcement.
The Short Connection Pass is the first innovation to emerge from “Connect France,” a strategic partnership launched in June between Air France-KLM and Groupe ADP. The partnership focuses on improving passenger flow management and enhancing Paris CDG’s competitiveness as a global transit hub.
Regis Lacote, Director of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, described the initiative as both “simple for passengers and operationally effective.”
He added, “This initiative perfectly illustrates our shared ambition with the Air France-KLM Group: to streamline passenger flows and make Paris-Charles de Gaulle an even more efficient and attractive hub. The Short Connection Pass is a real step forward in improving the travel experience.”
The launch comes as major European hubs face increasing passenger volumes, particularly during peak travel periods. For airports like CDG — which handles millions of connecting passengers annually — reducing missed connections is a critical aspect of maintaining traveller satisfaction and airline punctuality.
By integrating real-time operational data with passenger communication tools, Air France and Groupe ADP hope the Short Connection Pass will not only reduce stress for travellers but also strengthen Paris CDG’s position as one of the leading transit airports in Europe.
If successful, the model could serve as a blueprint for other airports seeking to modernise transfer experiences in the face of growing air traffic and tighter schedules.