Latest news with #AzgalAbichou
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Ongoing travel chaos at European hotspot as dozens of flights cancelled
Paris-Orly airport has been hit by flight cancellations and delays after the air traffic control systems suffered a malfunction, which caused widespread disruption A glitch with air traffic control systems has caused havoc at Paris-Orly airport. On Sunday thousands of passengers found themselves stuck on planes that were about to take off only to be cancelled at the last minute at the French airport. The chaos has continued today, with dozens of planes grounded. "The situation is improving," the DGAC assured, while instructing airlines to cut Monday's flights by 15%, an improvement from Sunday's 40% slash. "Despite these preventive measures, delays are expected," they warned in a fresh alert to passengers. The DGAC held back from explaining the cause of the system failure. According to La Depeche, the air traffic control issue relates to a radar malfunction. In order to ensure maximum safety, the civil aviation authority has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15% at Orly. This allows air traffic controllers to space out flights further. In addition to these cancellations, the DGAC also indicates that "despite these preventive measures, delays are to be expected." It advises all affected passengers to contact their airlines to find out the status of their flights. The situation at the French travel hub was considerably worse on Sunday than it is today. Yesterday, roughly 130 flights were cancelled, with a roughly 50:50 split on arrivals and departures. Agnes Zilouri was one of those who was caught up in the chaos. The 46-year-old was trying to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son after her flight was grounded. The family had been travelling to Morocco for a funeral, Mail Online reported. Many found themselves about to take-off only to be told their flights had been cancelled last minute. "We were on the plane, all seated and belted up, ready to leave, when they made us disembark and collect our luggage... Then we had to struggle," Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner, told AFP. "The only solution is a 300-euro flight, but there's only one seat left, and there are two of us. And we're not sure it'll take off," 22-year-old student Romane Penault lamented. So, "for now, we're going home." Others took to X to share tales of their aviation woes. One wrote: "My 7.45pm flight to Orly from Dublin was cancelled. It's been almost two hours, and still no email that informs me of a cancellation. It's ridiculous to have to find out right as I walk into the airport." Paris-Orly, the capital's secondary hub, deals with both domestic and international destinations, including to other European nations and the USA. A specific hit has been taken by flights bound for Italy, Spain, Portugal, and southern France, which saw numerous cancellations on Monday. Flight Aware, which tracks delays and cancellations across airports globally, notes that 37 flights to and from Orly have been cancelled in the past 24 hours up to 11am on Monday. Last year's passenger figures show more than 33 million voyagers passed through Paris-Orly, less than half of the traffic seen at Paris' leading airport, Charles-de-Gaulle, data from Aeroport de Paris revealed.
eNCA
19-05-2025
- eNCA
Paris airport chaos to enter second day after air traffic breakdown
PARIS - An air traffic control breakdown at Paris-Orly airport caused the cancellation and delay of hundreds of flights and the aviation authority said the chaos would extend into Monday. The breakdown hit on Sunday and has affected thousands of passengers with some already sat in planes at the French capital's second biggest airport when flights were cancelled. The control tower breakdown forced the cancellation of about 130 flights in and out of Orly Sunday, officials said. It had not been resolved by late Sunday and the DGAC French civil aviation authority said it was "asking airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15 percent" on Monday and warned that "delays are expected". "The situation is improving but still requires traffic regulation," the DGAC said. The authority blamed an air traffic control "malfunction". An airport source said there had been a "radar failure". Flights to European and North Africa destinations and across France were among those hit. Long queues formed at terminals amid a frenzied rush to find alternative transport. "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 Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner. "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." Agnes Zilouri tried desperately to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son in the terminal. The family should have taken a flight to Oujda in Morocco on Sunday evening to go to a funeral. "The flight is cancelled. Fortunately, I am with my mother," she said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-05-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Paris Airport Chaos to Enter Second Day after Air Traffic Breakdown
An air traffic control breakdown at Paris-Orly airport caused the cancellation and delay of hundreds of flights and the aviation authority said the chaos would extend into Monday. The breakdown hit on Sunday and has affected thousands of passengers with some already sat in planes at the French capital's second biggest airport when flights were cancelled, said AFP. The control tower breakdown forced the cancellation of about 130 flights in and out of Orly Sunday, officials said. It had not been resolved by late Sunday and the DGAC French civil aviation authority said it was "asking airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15 percent" on Monday and warned that "delays are expected". "The situation is improving but still requires traffic regulation," the DGAC said. The authority blamed an air traffic control "malfunction". An airport source said there had been a "radar failure". Flights to European and North Africa destinations and across France were among those hit. Long queues formed at terminals amid a frenzied rush to find alternative transport. "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 Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner. "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." Agnes Zilouri, 46, tried desperately to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six year old son in the terminal. The family should have taken a flight to Oujda in Morocco on Sunday evening to go to a funeral. "The flight is cancelled. Fortunately I am with my mother," she said. Last year Orly handled about 33 million passengers, approximately half the number of the main Paris Charles de Gaulle international airport.
France 24
19-05-2025
- France 24
Paris-Orly airport set for second day of travel chaos after air traffic breakdown
An air traffic control breakdown at Paris-Orly airport caused the cancellation and delay of hundreds of flights and the aviation authority said the chaos would extend into Monday. The breakdown hit on Sunday and has affected thousands of passengers with some already sat in planes at the French capital's second biggest airport when flights were cancelled. The control tower breakdown forced the cancellation of about 130 flights in and out of Orly Sunday, officials said. It had not been resolved by late Sunday and the DGAC French civil aviation authority said it was "asking airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15 percent" on Monday and warned that "delays are expected". "The situation is improving but still requires traffic regulation," the DGAC said. The authority blamed an air traffic control "malfunction". An airport source said there had been a "radar failure". Flights to European and North Africa destinations and across France were among those hit. Long queues formed at terminals amid a frenzied rush to find alternative transport. "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 Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner. "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." Agnes Zilouri, 46, tried desperately to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son in the terminal. The family should have taken a flight to Oujda in Morocco on Sunday evening to go to a funeral. "The flight is cancelled. Fortunately I am with my mother," she said. Last year Orly handled about 33 million passengers, approximately half the number of the main Paris Charles de Gaulle international airport.
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First Post
19-05-2025
- First Post
France: Paris airport disruption enters 2nd day after air traffic control breakdown
The disruption at the Paris' Orly airport, which has caused hundreds of flight cancellations, has entered its second day on Monday. It began on Sunday with a breakdown of the air traffic control. read more A traveller looks at flights informations boards during a breakdown in air traffic control systems at Paris-Orly airport in Orly, South of Paris, on May 18, 2025. Around 130 flights were cancelled on May 18, 2025 at Paris-Orly airport, affected by a breakdown in air traffic control systems. (Photo: AFP) An air traffic control breakdown at Paris-Orly airport caused the cancellation and delay of hundreds of flights and the aviation authority said the chaos would extend into Monday. The breakdown hit on Sunday and has affected thousands of passengers with some already sat in planes at the French capital's second biggest airport when flights were cancelled. The control tower breakdown forced the cancellation of about 130 flights in and out of Orly Sunday, officials said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It had not been resolved by late Sunday and the DGAC French civil aviation authority said it was 'asking airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15 per cent' on Monday and warned that 'delays are expected'. 'The situation is improving but still requires traffic regulation,' the DGAC said. The authority blamed an air traffic control 'malfunction'. An airport source said there had been a 'radar failure'. Flights to European and North Africa destinations and across France were among those hit. Long queues formed at terminals amid a frenzied rush to find alternative transport. '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 Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner. '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.' Agnes Zilouri, 46, tried desperately to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son in the terminal. The family should have taken a flight to Oujda in Morocco on Sunday evening to go to a funeral. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The flight is cancelled. Fortunately, I am with my mother,' she said. Last year Orly handled about 33 million passengers, approximately half the number of the main Paris Charles de Gaulle international airport.
