Located just 13 kilometers south of Paris, the Paris Orly Airport (ORY) serves as one of the two major international gateways to the French capital alongside Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). As the second-busiest airport in France, Orly has played a significant role in shaping aviation history while continuing to serve millions of travelers annually with its efficient layout and convenient proximity to central Paris.
ORY History
Orly’s aviation history begins in 1932 when it opened as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, designed as a secondary facility to the then-primary Le Bourget Airport. The site had earlier connections to aviation, with two massive airship hangars built there by engineer Eugène Freyssinet in 1923.
During World War II, the airport was requisitioned by the German Luftwaffe, making it a target for Allied bombing that severely damaged its infrastructure. Following the liberation of Paris in 1944, American engineers partially repaired the airport, and it served as a tactical airfield for the US Air Force until October 1945.
The post-war era marked Orly’s rise in French aviation. In 1948, the airport resumed civilian operations, and by 1952, Air France had transferred its main operations from Le Bourget to Orly. That year, the airport handled 1.2 million passengers, double the traffic of Le Bourget.
The 1960s represented a golden age for Orly, beginning with the 1961 inauguration of the innovative South Terminal (now Terminal 4) by President Charles de Gaulle. By 1962, Orly attracted more visitors than the Palace of Versailles, welcoming 3.4 million visitors annually. The West Terminal (now Terminals 1, 2, and 3) opened in 1971, while the 1974 inauguration of Charles de Gaulle Airport shifted much of Orly’s international traffic to the newer facility.
Recent modernization efforts include a 2019 rebranding, with the West and South terminals renamed as Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 as part of creating a unified passenger experience.
ORY Quick Facts & Statistics
- IATA Code: ORY
- ICAO Code: LFPO
- Location: 13 km south of Paris, in Orly and Villeneuve-le-Roi
- Elevation: 89 meters (292 feet) above sea level
- Size: 15.3 square kilometers (5.9 square miles)
- Ownership: Aéroports de Paris (ADP)
- Runways: Two parallel runways
- Passenger Volume: 33,123,027 passengers (2024)
- Status: Second busiest airport in France
- Economic Impact: Provides approximately 28,360 direct jobs
- Terminals: Four terminals (1, 2, 3, and 4) operating as a single connected facility
- Special Distinction: Busiest French airport for domestic traffic
Terminals and Facilities
Orly Airport has transitioned from the traditional West and South terminal configuration to a unified four-terminal structure under a single roof, improving the passenger experience while increasing capacity.
Terminal Overview
Since March 2019, the airport operates as a single terminal divided into four distinct zones:
- Terminal 1: Formerly part of the West Terminal, primarily serves easyJet, Vueling, and other European carriers.
- Terminal 2: The smallest terminal, serving select Air France flights, ITA Airways, and TUIfly.
- Terminal 3: Handles primarily Air France and Transavia flights, as well as British Airways. It’s the most spacious of the former West Terminal sections.
- Terminal 4: The original South Terminal building from 1961, recognizable by its distinctive architecture. It primarily serves long-haul flights and destinations in North Africa.
The terminals are connected by pedestrian walkways for adjacent terminals and a free shuttle service for more distant connections.
Passenger Amenities
Throughout the terminals, passengers can access:
- Over 60 retail outlets offering everything from high-end fashion to French delicacies
- Numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars, including Terminal 4’s unique “La Terrasse” bar with grass floor and parasol-covered tables
- Premium lounges including the Air France Lounge in Terminal 3 with a champagne bar, and independent options like PrimeClass Lounge and Extime Lounge
- Free unlimited WiFi throughout the airport
- Currency exchange, banking facilities, pharmacies, and baggage storage
- Prayer rooms and beauty treatment options including seated massage services
- “Gulli” discovery zones for children
- Meeting rooms and work areas for business travelers
Airlines and Destinations
Orly Airport serves as a hub for several carriers and offers routes across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
Major Airlines
The airport serves as a base or focus city for:
- Air France: Primarily for domestic routes and services to French overseas territories
- Transavia France: The low-cost subsidiary of Air France-KLM
- easyJet: Significant presence with numerous European routes
- Vueling: Spanish low-cost carrier with substantial operations
In October 2023, Air France announced plans to largely cease operations at Orly by summer 2026, maintaining only one public service obligation flight to Corsica, which will reshape the airport’s airline landscape.
ORY Terminals
Airlines are distributed among the four terminals based on alliances and operational considerations:
- Terminal 1: Air Europa, easyJet, Iberia, TAP, Volotea, Vueling, Wizz Air
- Terminal 2: Select Air France flights, ITA Airways, TUIfly
- Terminal 3: Air Corsica, Air France, British Airways, Transavia
- Terminal 4: Air Algérie, Air Caraïbes, Corsair, French Bee, Royal Air Maroc, Tunisair
Ground Transportation
Orly benefits from excellent transportation links to Paris and beyond.
Rail
Several rail options connect the airport to Paris:
- OrlyVal: An automated shuttle connecting to Antony station on the RER B line, with departures every 5-8 minutes and a journey time of 8 minutes.
- RER C: Accessible via shuttle bus to Pont de Rungis–Aéroport d’Orly station.
- Tramway T7: Connects Terminal 4 with Villejuif–Louis Aragon station on Paris Métro Line 7.
- Metro Line 14: The southern extension of Line 14 now provides a direct metro connection from the airport to central Paris.
Bus
Multiple bus services operate from the airport:
- RATP Bus: Routes 183 and 91-10 provide connections to various parts of Paris and suburbs.
- OrlyBus: Direct service to Denfert-Rochereau in Paris.
- Disneyland Paris Shuttle: Direct connection to the Disneyland Paris Resort.
Road
The airport is easily accessible by car:
- Highways: Direct connection to the A106 autoroute, which links to the A6 (Autoroute du Sud).
- Taxis: Official taxis with fixed fares introduced in 2016: €36 from Orly to the Left Bank of Paris and €44 to the Right Bank.
- Car Rental: All major rental companies have counters at the airport.
- Parking: Five main parking areas serving the different terminals, with both short-term and long-term options.
Future Development Plans
Orly Airport continues to evolve to meet changing passenger needs and industry trends. Several significant development initiatives are underway or planned.
Terminal Integration Project
Building on the 2019 terminal renaming, Orly is in the process of fully integrating its terminal facilities:
- An 80,000-square-meter connecting building between the former South and West terminals has been completed, creating a seamless passenger experience.
- The goal is to increase capacity to handle up to 40 million passengers annually while allowing the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including the A380.
- The project, launched in 2012 with an investment of approximately €450 million, represents one of the most significant transformations in the airport’s history.
Multimodal Transportation Hub
Enhancing ground transportation access is a key priority:
- A new multimodal station is being developed to improve public transportation options, with the goal of reducing the current 80% rate of road access.
- The station will integrate various transportation modes, including rail, bus, and potentially future metro connections.
- A new 10-story P0 car park with over 2,000 spaces is planned, including dedicated areas for electric vehicles.
Passenger Experience Enhancements
Improvements to customer service and the overall travel experience include:
- Reconfigured security checkpoints to improve efficiency and passenger flow.
- A new baggage handling system capable of processing 2,500 bags per hour with comprehensive tracking using OCR technology.
- Enhanced retail areas inspired by typical Parisian avenues to create an authentic shopping experience.
Sustainability Initiatives
Environmental considerations play an increasing role in development plans:
- A tree-planting project along the route nationale 7 involves 900 tree species and 14,000 forest seedlings, anticipated to capture 329 tonnes of carbon annually.
- Energy efficiency improvements in terminal buildings and operations.
- Noise reduction measures to minimize impact on surrounding communities.
As Paris prepares to host major international events in the coming years, these developments will help Orly Airport meet growing demand while providing an improved experience for travelers. The airport’s evolution from separate West and South terminals to an integrated Orly 1-2-3-4 complex represents a significant step forward in creating a modern, efficient gateway to the City of Light.
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