Air travel disruptions expected to last several weeks, says Aéroports de Paris

Monday 02 - 20:05

Air traffic disruptions linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East are expected to persist for several weeks, according to Aéroports de Paris. The warning comes after a wave of flight cancellations that began over the weekend and continues to affect international routes.

Philippe Pascal, Chief Executive Officer of ADP, said the consequences would extend well beyond the immediate crisis. Even if the situation were to stabilize quickly, restoring full operations would take time. Airlines and airports must reorganize air corridors, reposition aircraft and crews, and reestablish coordination between international hubs.

The group, majority-owned by the French state, operates major Parisian airports including Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Orly Airport, in addition to managing or partnering in more than twenty platforms worldwide. These include facilities in Amman, Delhi and other strategic transit points.

According to company figures, some airports in the Middle East have experienced sharp declines in passenger traffic. In Jordan, volumes have reportedly fallen by around half, while operations in Medina have seen significant reductions over recent days. Knock-on effects have also been observed in India, particularly at Delhi Airport, one of ADP’s largest hubs in terms of passenger numbers.

In Paris, traffic at Charles de Gaulle has dropped by approximately seven percent, while Orly has seen a smaller decline. Hundreds of flights are expected to be cancelled by the end of the week if the crisis continues. Over the past weekend alone, more than one hundred flights were grounded, affecting tens of thousands of travelers.

The renewed conflict once again highlights the aviation sector’s vulnerability to geopolitical instability. The International Air Transport Association, which represents the majority of the world’s commercial air traffic, has urged all parties involved to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft and airport infrastructure.

Data from aviation analytics firms indicate that thousands of flights scheduled to arrive in the Middle East have been cancelled in recent days, representing a substantial reduction in available seats. Meanwhile, Air France has extended the suspension of several routes to the region, signaling continued uncertainty for airlines and passengers alike.

Industry experts warn that even after hostilities subside, restoring normal flight schedules could take considerable time, as airlines adjust routes and rebuild operational capacity.