Paris-CDG to become travelers’ favorite hub in Europe with “Connect France”

France has the ambition to turn Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport into Europe’s BEST hub for air travelers.

On the occasion of the Paris Air Show – and in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron – Benjamin Smith, CEO of the Air France-KLM Group, and Philippe Pascal, Chairman and CEO of Groupe ADP, announced the launch of “Connect France”. The initiative is an ambitious approach aims to promote both national and European sovereignty while positioning Air France’s hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport as a global leader.

Reclaiming the passenger transfer market

Connect France is seen as essential to strengthen the existing collaboration between Air France and ADP. It aims to positioning the Air France hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport as a global reference.

While France remains the world’s foremost tourist destination, its connectivity is gradually being taken over by non-European players that benefit from a more attractive regulatory and tax framework. A decisive turnaround is necessary for France to maintain control of its connectivity through a powerful global hub. “Connect France” will work in various fields to improve its performances. That includes customer experience, operational performance, and decarbonization.

Swift initiatives will focus on performance, differentiation, and the decarbonization of the hub—all in service of passengers.

Fluidity • Implementation of a “short connection pass”, a dedicated access to streamline the journey of passengers with very short connections. This service will be offered at check-in to travelers facing connections of less than one hour, prioritizing them for security checks with a dedicated route based on real-time information. The program is due to enter into service this summer 2025.

Operational performance • Joint initiatives to enhance operational performance to better manage CDG capacity, particularly during peak times. It also looks at improving baggage handling and sorting systems with the goal of reducing baggage delivery times and enhancing punctuality.

Smoother access to aircraft • Increase direct boarding via jet bridges to minimize bus transfers, especially for long-haul international passengers and those with connecting flights. Currently, the contact rate for the hub’s wide-body aircraft is around 95%. Through operational optimization, the objective is for reaching the best contact rate in Europe. Target is 2026.

Intermodal passenger transport • Revamp the air/rail passenger transport offering and design a train station better suited to intermodal connectivity.

CAPITALIZING ON PARIS IMAGE

Readability • Renaming the hub terminals to enhance readability for passengers and facilitate navigating through the terminal, especially during connections. Target of the new naming plan is for 2026.

Attractiveness • Launch a distinctive joint stop-over (tourist layover) offer to showcase the best of Paris and the Île-de-France region. This offer’s objective, ranging from a few hours up to several nights, is to capitalize on the strengths of Paris and its region (leisure, culture, history, entertainment, gastronomy, etc.). Target by the end of 2025.

Flagship for France • Transform Terminal 2E, Hall K into the world’s most beautiful terminal. It will showcase the best of French know-how: gastronomy from top chefs, fashion, jewelry, beauty, and cultural heritage. Retail areas, waiting areas, as well as Air France’s Business and La Première lounges will also show France’s excellence. Unveiling of the “flagship France” project at the end of 2025 with the initial opening phase expected in early 2026.

Sustainability • Structure a joint support initiative for the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Air France is already one of the world’s leading buyers of sustainable aviation fuel. Groupe ADP is positioning itself as a facilitator of low-carbon energy supply across its airports. Target by the end of 2025.

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