Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed on Sunday at Paris’ Orly airport due to a major air traffic control failure, with French aviation authorities confirming the disruption would continue into Monday.
The unexpected breakdown—described by France’s civil aviation authority (DGAC) as a “malfunction,” and by airport sources as a “radar failure”—affected thousands of passengers, many of whom were already seated on planes when operations were abruptly halted.
Around 130 flights in and out of Orly were cancelled on Sunday, causing long queues and confusion as travellers scrambled for alternative transport. The DGAC later announced that airlines had been asked to cut their Monday schedules by 15 percent, warning that more delays were likely.
“The situation is improving but still requires traffic regulation,” the DGAC said in a statement late Sunday.
The breakdown has impacted domestic routes across France as well as flights to European and North African destinations. Orly is Paris’s second busiest airport after Charles de Gaulle, handling around 33 million passengers last year.
Passengers described scenes of chaos and frustration. “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,” said 63-year-old business owner Azgal Abichou.
Romane Penault, a 22-year-old student, said she and her companion were forced to abandon their journey after being unable to secure affordable alternative flights. “The only option is a 300-euro flight—and there’s only one seat left,” she said. “So for now, we’re going home.”
Others, like Agnes Zilouri, were stranded while trying to travel for urgent personal reasons. Zilouri had been hoping to fly with her elderly mother and young son to Oujda in Morocco for a funeral. “The flight is cancelled. Fortunately, I am with my mother,” she said, speaking from the crowded terminal.
Authorities have not yet indicated when full services will resume.
