Thousands of passengers were left stranded at Paris Orly Airport on Sunday after a major radar failure brought flight operations to a standstill, causing widespread delays and cancellations that are expected to continue into Monday.
The disruption, which hit the French capital’s second-largest airport, resulted in the cancellation of approximately 130 flights in and out of Orly. Some passengers had already boarded aircraft and were preparing for take-off when the incident occurred.
The French civil aviation authority (DGAC) confirmed on Sunday that a technical malfunction in the air traffic control system was to blame. Though officials did not provide specifics, an airport source attributed the disruption to a “radar failure.”
The breakdown has significantly affected domestic and short-haul international flights, particularly those bound for destinations across Europe and North Africa.
As of late Sunday, the issue had not been fully resolved. DGAC announced that it was asking airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15 percent on Monday and warned that passengers should prepare for further delays. “The situation is improving but still requires traffic regulation,” the authority said in a statement.
Scenes of chaos unfolded at Orly’s terminals as travelers scrambled to make alternate arrangements. Long queues formed at airline counters, and many passengers described the ordeal as confusing and exhausting.
Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner, recounted how he had been seated and strapped in on his flight when the announcement came to disembark. “We were in the aircraft, all seated and strapped in, ready to go, when they made us disembark and collect our bags … then began the ordeal,” he said.
Others were faced with limited and expensive alternatives. “The only option is a 300-euro flight — and there’s only one seat left, but there are two of us and we are not even sure it will take off,” said Romane Penault, a 22-year-old student. “So for now, we’re going home.”
For many, the disruption meant missing critical engagements. Agnes Zilouri, 46, tried desperately to rebook a flight for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son to attend a funeral in Morocco. “The flight is cancelled. Fortunately, I am with my mother,” she said, as she searched for alternative options to reach Oujda.
The sudden failure also raised concerns over the reliability of air traffic infrastructure. Orly Airport, which handled about 33 million passengers last year, serves as a crucial hub for both domestic and regional travel, acting as a secondary gateway to Paris after Charles de Gaulle Airport.
As airlines work to restore operations and manage the backlog, passengers are being advised to check with carriers before heading to the airport and to allow for extra time due to longer queues and revised schedules.
With the cause of the radar failure still under investigation, DGAC and airport authorities have assured the public that contingency plans are being enacted to minimize further disruptions.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
