Control Tower Failure Disrupts Paris Orly Airport Operations
ORLY, France — A control tower failure led to the cancellation of nearly 130 flights at Paris Orly Airport on Sunday, causing significant disruption for thousands of travelers. This unexpected breakdown forced passengers to seek alternative travel options as flights across France, Europe, and North Africa were affected.
According to a spokesperson for Aeroports de Paris, which manages the city’s second busiest airport, approximately 40 percent of scheduled arrivals and departures for the day were canceled. Local aviation authorities confirmed that the disruption stemmed from a failure in the air traffic control systems at Orly’s tower during early afternoon hours.
Radar System Breakdown Behind Flight Cancellations
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that a radar malfunction was the root cause of the widespread cancellations. The airport representative noted that out of the 130 canceled flights, about half were outbound while the remaining half were inbound.
The DGAC, France’s civil aviation authority, acknowledged the significant reduction in flights but has not yet confirmed when normal operations will resume.
Passengers Face Difficulties Amid Flight Disruptions
Among those affected was Agnes Zilouri, 46, who stood beside a row of suitcases struggling to find seats for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son. Their planned flight to Oujda, Morocco, scheduled for Sunday evening to attend a funeral, was abruptly canceled.
“The flight is cancelled. Fortunately I am with my mother,” she shared, highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges faced by affected passengers.
Paris Orly’s Role in French Air Traffic
Last year, Paris Orly handled roughly 33 million travelers, serving about half the volume of the main Charles de Gaulle International Airport. This incident highlights the critical role Orly plays in France’s air travel network and the impact a technical failure can have on international and regional flights.
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