Winter weather brought major disruption to air travel across the French capital on Sunday, as heavy snow and freezing temperatures forced widespread flight cancellations and delays at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris-Orly Airport.
Snowfall, frost, and persistent icing risks created hazardous operating conditions from early morning, reducing visibility and complicating runway maintenance. The wintry mix led to lengthy queues on taxiways, slower aircraft turnaround times, and mounting delays that rippled through domestic and international schedules.
In response, Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile enacted emergency measures to limit airport traffic and protect operational safety. The regulator announced pre-emptive capacity reductions to give ground teams enough time for de-icing aircraft and clearing runways.
Airlines were instructed to reduce flights by up to 30 percent at Charles de Gaulle between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. local time. At Orly, carriers were told to trim schedules by 20 percent between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., easing congestion during peak snowfall.
Officials said the steps were necessary to prevent gridlock and ensure safe departures and landings. Forecasts had warned of snow accumulations of up to five centimeters, along with freezing rain that could quickly form dangerous ice layers on aircraft and airfield surfaces.
The restrictions proved more stringent than similar reductions imposed earlier in January, reflecting the severity of Sunday’s weather system. Authorities stressed that safety remained the overriding priority, even if it meant substantial inconvenience for travelers.
By mid-morning, flight information boards at both airports showed rows of cancellations and delays. Short- and medium-haul routes were hardest hit, as airlines consolidated operations and prioritized long-haul and essential services.
Data from flight tracking services indicated that Charles de Gaulle bore the brunt of the disruption. Dozens of European routes were grounded, while many departing aircraft waited extended periods for de-icing clearance before takeoff.
Orly, which primarily handles domestic and regional traffic, reported fewer outright cancellations but faced long delays. Some passengers waited hours as crews worked to manage icy taxiways and slow ground movements.
Across France, nearly 200 flights were ultimately cancelled, with roughly 196 disruptions tied directly to the Paris region. Travelers described crowded terminals and limited rebooking options as airlines struggled to accommodate stranded customers.
Major carriers including Air France-KLM and easyJet adjusted schedules throughout the day. Both companies advised passengers to check flight status online and offered flexible rebooking policies.
Air France-KLM said teams were working around the clock to minimize the impact, adding extra staff to customer service desks and prioritizing connections for long-haul travelers. EasyJet similarly cited “weather-related operational constraints” and encouraged early airport arrivals.
Ground crews faced demanding conditions. De-icing procedures, which involve spraying aircraft with heated glycol solutions to remove frost and prevent ice formation, significantly extended preparation times between flights.
Each aircraft required individual treatment, often multiple times during the day as temperatures remained below freezing. This slowed departures and reduced the number of aircraft that could safely operate each hour.
Meteorologists noted that such disruptions are common when snowfall coincides with freezing rain, a combination that rapidly coats surfaces in ice. Even small accumulations can sharply reduce braking effectiveness on runways.
The DGAC said it would continue monitoring conditions and adjust capacity as needed. If temperatures rise or precipitation eases, operations could gradually return to normal, though backlogs may persist into the following day.
For thousands of passengers, however, the immediate reality was missed connections, extended waits, and reshuffled travel plans. Hotels near both airports reported increased bookings from stranded travelers seeking overnight accommodation.
As winter continues across the Île-de-France region, authorities urged passengers to stay informed and allow extra time for travel. Sunday’s disruptions served as a reminder of how quickly severe weather can bring one of Europe’s busiest aviation networks to a standstill.