Everything you must know about Paris Orly airport

Introduction

The Airport of Paris Orly is one of the two main airports serving Paris, France. Most international air traffic is handled by Charles de Gaulle airport from Orly, with the bulk of national passengers making the airport the 2nd busiest in France. Paris Orly Airport, known by the airport code ORY, serves around 28 million passengers each year.

History of the orly airport

Orly Airport played a role in World War II. During the German occupation of France, the Luftwaffe used the land for air operations and was attacked by Allied air forces. Later in that war, when France was free, the field was used by the American and the British forces and attacked by the Germans. After the war, the US Air Force continued to use the land until 1947, when it was returned to the French control for use as a civilian commercial airfield.

The airport has played a role in several episodes in aviation history. Several record-breaking long-haul flights were operated from the airfield inaugurating flights to destinations such as Los Angeles and Tokyo in the 1950s.

Terminals

The airport uses two passenger terminals labeled West and South with a combined 225 check-in counters and 72 gates. This configuration allows the airport to handle around 30 million passengers per year. Visitors making connections involving an international flight should allow at least an hour between arrival and departure. Domestic air connections generally take at least 50 minutes. Airport terminals offer the usual amenities for passengers but do not include free internet. The Internet terminals offer paid connectivity around the airport.

Airport amenities

Young visitors will appreciate the play areas set up in the terminals of Paris Orly airport. The play areas are designed to provide educational and fun activities to help children passing the time. Teens and young adults will enjoy the game rooms offering video games and other forms of entertainment. Adults can enjoy massages and spa treatments available at each terminal.

Airport operations

Paris Orly Airport uses three runways, all capable of accommodating planes of all sizes. The runways vary in length from approximately 3,600 meters or 12,000 feet to 2,400 meters or 7,800 feet. All runways are equipped for night operations and include instrument landing systems. The airfield operates from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. local time with noise restrictions in place.

The cargo terminal at Orly Airport can load or unload up to four Boeing 747s at a time. The facility includes standard air freight and express freight facilities, including customs posts. The freight terminal has a capacity of approximately 800,000 tonnes per year.

Future plans for Paris Orly Airport include a major upgrade costing nearly 500 million euros. The expansion will modernize much of the airport, including the ability to handle the Airbus

A380 Super Jumbo aircraft. It will also increase passenger capacity to around 40 million people per year and improve transport infrastructure within the airport.

Parking at Paris Orly airport

Parking is a challenge at most major airports and Paris Orly Airport is no exception. The airport offers nearly 20,000 parking spaces, most of which is dedicated to short-term parking. The airport offers shuttle services between the terminals and the car parks. Also, you can find a range of long-term parking offers near Orly airport including packages, which allow you to control your budget.