Paris, May 19 - Paris-Orly Airport, the second-largest aviation hub in the French capital, on May 18, 2025, descended into chaos following a significant air traffic control system breakdown. The malfunction, described by the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) as a radar failure, led to the cancellation of approximately 130 flights and widespread delays, affecting thousands of passengers. As the disruption extends into its second day, Monday, May 19, the ripple effects continue to challenge airlines, travelers, and airport operations, with no immediate resolution in sight.
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The breakdown began early Sunday afternoon, crippling the control tower’s ability to manage air traffic effectively. Flights to domestic destinations across France, as well as international routes to Europe and North Africa, were among the hardest hit. Passengers, some already boarded on planes, faced abrupt cancellations, while others endured long delays with limited information. The DGAC reported that the issue necessitated a 40% reduction in flight operations on Sunday evening, a measure that underscored the severity of the technical failure. By late Sunday, the problem remained unresolved, prompting the DGAC to instruct airlines to cut their flight schedules by an additional 15% on Monday. This ongoing restriction has fueled expectations of further delays and cancellations, compounding the frustration of stranded travelers.
Paris-Orly, which handled over 33 million passengers in the previous year, serves as a critical hub for both domestic and international travel. The airport’s role in connecting France to destinations like Spain, Italy, Germany, and Morocco makes the current disruption particularly disruptive. The radar failure not only halted departures and arrivals but also strained the broader European aviation network, as flights rerouted to avoid French airspace added pressure to other regional airports. The DGAC has stated that its teams are working tirelessly to restore normal operations, but the lack of a clear timeline for recovery has left airlines and passengers in limbo. The chaos at Orly comes at a challenging time for France’s aviation sector, which has faced recurring disruptions. While the current incident is attributed to technical issues rather than labor actions, France has a history of air traffic controller strikes that have caused significant cancellations and delays. For instance, a strike in April 2024 saw 75% of flights canceled at Orly and 65% at Charles de Gaulle. The memory of such events lingers, amplifying passenger anxiety during the current crisis. Travelers like Agnes Zilouri, a 46-year-old attempting to reach Morocco for a funeral with her elderly mother and young son, exemplify the human toll. Stranded with their luggage, they struggled to secure alternative travel options, highlighting the personal stakes of the operational failure.
As Monday unfolds, the DGAC’s acknowledgment that the situation is “improving but still requires traffic regulation” offers little reassurance. Airlines have been advised to prioritize passenger communication, urging travelers to check real-time updates through airline apps or contact customer service for rebooking options. Meanwhile, the incident raises questions about the resilience of air traffic control infrastructure, especially with the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics looming, when France expects an influx of visitors. For now, passengers at Orly face another day of uncertainty, navigating a disrupted travel landscape as authorities race to restore order.