Air France Leaves Orly Airport: 80 Years of History End on March 28, 2026
On March 28, 2026, Air France operated its very last flight at Paris-Orly Airport. After 80 uninterrupted years since 1946, the French flag carrier now consolidates all of its operations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Here is everything that changes for passengers traveling from Africa, the French Caribbean territories and domestic French cities — and how to adapt starting today.
A Historic Page of French Aviation
It all began on June 24, 1946, with a Douglas DC-4 departing Orly for New York. Over eight decades, this airport south of Paris became a symbol of French aviation prestige: the first Caravelle jet in 1959, the arrival of the Boeing 747, the Concorde's direct Washington–Orly service in 1973, and the launch of “La Navette” in 1996 — near-hourly shuttle flights to Nice, Toulouse and Marseille that carried over 100 million passengers.
On March 28, 2026, Airbus A320 flight AF6231 Nice–Paris touched down at 9:59 PM at Orly, officially closing this chapter. Air France's presence at Orly continues only through its low-cost subsidiary Transavia.
Chronologie : 80 ans d'Air France à Orly
First Air France flight from Orly to New York aboard a Douglas DC-4.
The Caravelle, France's first civil jet, enters service from Orly.
Concorde operates direct Washington–Orly service — a symbol of prestige.
Launch of “La Navette”: near-hourly shuttles from Orly to Nice, Toulouse, Marseille.
France's Climate and Resilience Act bans domestic flights where a rail alternative under 2h30 exists. Traffic collapses.
Air France announces Orly withdrawal, citing “structural collapse in domestic demand.”.
🏁 Final flight AF6231 Nice–Paris lands at Orly at 9:59 PM. End of an era.
Why Is Air France Leaving Orly?
The reasons are multiple and have compounded since the pandemic. The rise of remote work and videoconferencing drastically reduced short-haul business travel. France's 2021 Climate Law, banning domestic flights where a train alternative exists in under 2h30, accelerated the decline. Air France had attempted to adapt by cutting Orly–Toulouse and Orly–Nice frequencies from 25 to 12 daily rotations — without success.
“We had to face reality: these flights no longer fit Air France's business model,” stated Henri Hourcade, France CEO of the Air France-KLM Group.
📌 Key Changes From March 29, 2026
- All Air France flights to Nice, Toulouse, Marseille now depart from Paris-CDG (12, 12 and 10 daily flights respectively).
- All flights to French Overseas Territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Guiana) depart exclusively from Paris-CDG.
- Transavia takes over Orly–Nice (8/day), Orly–Toulouse (8/day), Orly–Marseille (2/day).
- Exception: Corsica flights (Public Service Obligation) remain at Orly.
- Transavia opens its first lounge at Orly Terminal 2 in May 2026.
Impact on African and Caribbean Travelers
For passengers arriving from Sub-Saharan Africa or the French Caribbean who favored Orly for its proximity to central Paris (14 km south vs. 25 km for CDG), the practical change is real. However, Air France's France CEO was quick to reassure travelers: “Leaving Orly is in no way an abandonment of major regional cities or overseas territories.”
Practically speaking, flights from Cotonou, Abidjan, Dakar or Lagos will now land exclusively at Paris-CDG. The upside: CDG provides far better international connections across global hubs. Check our full guide on cheap flights to Paris from Africa 2026.
Orly Without Air France: What's Next for the Airport?
Orly is far from shutting down. Aéroports de Paris has committed a €1.7 billion investment to modernize Orly by 2031: a new 10,000 m² security and boarding zone, reduced internal shuttle connections and improved public transport links.
Transavia, Air France-KLM's low-cost subsidiary, becomes Orly's anchor carrier, expected to represent nearly 50% of total traffic. Airlines such as easyJet and Corsair will benefit from freed-up slots to expand routes, particularly to the French Caribbean.
