Air France-KLM CEO Urges Improvements at Charles de Gaulle Airport
Air France-KLM's CEO, Ben Smith, has urged Aeroports de Paris (ADP) to enhance Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport in Paris. He pointed out that a shortage of jetways (bridges connecting aircraft to terminals) has caused daily challenges in finding parking spaces for aircraft and increased operating costs.
Speaking on the 20th anniversary of the Franco-Dutch airline group, Smith highlighted that during the morning peak, many planes are left without a jetway or "contact" gate. This forces passengers to take buses to the terminal. Smith expressed frustration over the need to negotiate with ADP every morning to secure parking positions for their fleet.
Call for Better Facilities
In 2021, President Emmanuel Macron's government asked ADP to develop new proposals after scrapping plans for a new terminal at CDG. Smith supported the government's decision to cancel Terminal 4 due to a costly 15-year transition and lack of connectivity to a proposed new rail line to the capital. Instead, he called for investing in existing facilities.
"We're not talking about new capacity. We're talking about improving what's already there. It's really important for us," Smith emphasized. Discussions have already begun with ADP regarding potential changes.
Long Towing Times and Border Control Issues
Smith also pointed out other issues like the long distances to maintenance hangars, which result in extended towing times for planes. He mentioned the shortage of border control staff and outdated baggage systems. These comments come as both ADP and Air France prepare to handle thousands of visitors for the Olympics. Both parties assure they are well-prepared and cooperating well.
Edward Arkwright, ADP's deputy CEO, stated, "The infrastructure is ready, the staff have been recruited, and processes have been defined," during the Paris Air Forum last week.
Competition and Contributions
Smith's comments reflect fierce competition among hubs in Paris, London, Frankfurt, Istanbul, and the Gulf. He noted how some airports have closer maintenance facilities, avoiding CDG's long towing times. Air France operates a hub at CDG's Terminal 2 and constitutes 55% of ADP's traffic. A study commissioned by the company indicated that it contributes 3.2% to regional GDP.
Design Challenges
Terminal 2, officially opened in 1982, was designed with a different focus and is now "quite difficult to operate," according to Air France CEO Anne Rigail. The pandemic left the area mostly silent, but with traffic back to normal, Air France is forced to park 10% of medium-haul flights and 5% of long-haul ones on remote stands, meaning extra transit time for passengers and less efficiency for the airline.
Future Investments
For 2024-25, regulators have approved a 4.5% average increase in the fees airlines pay for using the airport, coupled with a 3% reduction in the fees for using remote aircraft-parking areas. ADP has planned investments for 2023-25 that include renovating the baggage sorting system, improving connections, and reducing taxiing times.
Charles de Gaulle Airport, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, remains the EU's largest airport with 67 million passengers in 2023.
