Passengers at Paris Orly Airport faced severe delays and cancellations after a control tower failure disrupted air traffic operations. The breakdown, which occurred in the afternoon, led to approximately 130 flight cancellations, affecting both domestic and international routes.
Radar System Failure Causes Havoc
The French civil aviation authority (DGAC) reported that the disruption was caused by a malfunction in air traffic control systems, with aviation sources citing a radar breakdown as the primary issue. As a result, 40% of flights—both departures and arrivals—had to be canceled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Passengers Left Searching for Alternatives
Travelers heading to destinations such as Spain, Italy, Germany, and North Africa scrambled to make alternate arrangements as frustration mounted. Agnes Zilouri, one of the affected passengers, shared her struggles in securing a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son after their flight to Oujda, Morocco, was abruptly canceled.
Uncertainty Over Flight Resumption
The DGAC has yet to confirm whether normal flight schedules will resume by Monday, leaving travelers uncertain about their next steps.