'Major Modernization Project' Unveiling Presents The Future Face Of The Airport

Pierre Graff, Chairman and CEO of Aéroports de Paris and Franck Mereyde, Managing Director of Paris-Orly airport has unveiled a major modernisation project for Paris-Orly Airport, planned as part of the Horizon 2020 initiative.

Paris-Orly Airport has already been the subject of several development projects in recent years. Now, in order to better respond to passengers and airlines new expectations, Aéroports de Paris is launching an ambitious 6-year renovation program. This project will result in the unification of the two existing terminals, Orly South and Orly West, the construction of a brand new international departure lounge and the complete redevelopment of all the terminal entrances.

The nature of traffic at Paris-Orly Airport has changed considerably in recent years. The number of national flights has fallen and the percentage of flights outside France has risen from 14 percent in 2000 to 28 percent in 2012. This would suggest that passengers are spending more time in the terminals. It has therefore become necessary to provide them with additional passenger concourses, so that their airport experience is as pleasant and smooth as possible.

Paris-Orly Airport currently comprises two terminals and six departure lounges. By 2018, passengers will have a single terminal and three departure lounges at their disposal.

Combining Orly South and Orly West is this project's flagship development. This building, to be commissioned by 2018, will alone provide a large new passenger welcome areas. More space, more fluidity, more service. It will concentrate all functions within a single terminal: check-in, security, baggage handling, retail facilities, etc. Passengers will be able to enjoy dedicated areas with shops, services and waiting areas, with a level of comfort and a quality of materials equivalent to the most recently constructed hall in terminal 2E of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. With this unique terminal in Orly, 10 remote aircraft stands will be replaced by contact stands directly connected to the departure lounges.

By 2015, the date of commissioning, 80 percent of the international passengers using the South Terminal will be welcomed into a new international departure lounge, located to the east of the South Terminal. There too, Aéroports de Paris hopes to offer passengers - but also airlines - facilities with a level of quality op to the highest international standards. In order to streamline checking procedures (security, border control), the number of checkpoints will be increased. The baggage reclaim area will benefit from the installation of a third baggage carousel.
 
In order to make accessibility to the two terminals more fluid, Aéroports de Paris will also completely redevelop the terminal entrances between 2013 and 2014. Thus, a new urban space, with quality facilities and rebalanced road and pedestrian areas will be created. For example, the footpaths will be enlarged, and a drop-off area will also be created outside the West Terminal.

This major construction project will, over the course of the 6 years, create 750 full-time jobs. Once the developments are complete, almost 5,000 jobs will be directly created within the airport over time.

FMI: www.aeroportsdeparis.fr