
Orly Airport, located in the southern suburbs of Paris, was originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport. The name Orly is derived from the Latin Aureliacum, meaning the villa of Aurelius. The airport is partially situated within the commune of Orly, which is also where it got its name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Orly Airport |
| Is the airport named for someone? | Yes |
| Who is it named after? | Aurelius |
| Original name of the airport | Villeneuve-Orly Airport |
| Year the airport was opened | 1932 |
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What You'll Learn
- Orly Airport is named after the commune of Orly, where the airport is partially located
- The commune of Orly was originally called Aureliacum, meaning the villa of Aurelius in Latin
- The airport was originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, named after the two communes it straddles
- The communes of Orly and Villeneuve were settled in 79 AD
- Orly Airport opened in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport

Orly Airport is named after the commune of Orly, where the airport is partially located
Orly Airport, located in Paris, France, is named after the commune of Orly, where the airport is partially located. The name Orly itself is derived from the Latin "Aureliacum", meaning "the villa of Aurelius".
Orly Airport, also known as Paris Orly Airport or ORY Airport, is situated in the southern suburbs of Paris. It was originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, named after the two communes it straddles: Villeneuve and Orly. The airport was inaugurated in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport. However, during World War II, it was controlled by the German Army and suffered extensive bomb damage.
Following the war, the airport underwent significant expansion. In 1947, a new 2,100-metre runway was constructed, marking Orly's third runway. The airport continued to grow rapidly, and by 1952, it had become the primary hub for Air France, surpassing Le Bourget in terms of passenger numbers. This expansion solidified Orly Airport's role as a major aviation hub in Paris and contributed to its recognition as the second busiest airport in France today.
The commune of Orly, from which the airport derives its name, is located 12.7 km (7.9 mi) from the centre of Paris. The commune is accessible via the Paris RER line C, with two stations: Les Saules and Orly-Ville. The commune's name, Orly, has Latin origins, with "Aureliacum" translating to "the villa of Aurelius". This historical context provides insight into the naming of the airport and its connection to the commune.
In summary, Orly Airport is indeed named after the commune of Orly, reflecting the airport's partial location within the commune. The airport's original name, Villeneuve-Orly Airport, further emphasised this connection to the commune. Over the years, Orly Airport has played a significant role in the aviation industry, both domestically and internationally, while also contributing to the rich history and development of the surrounding region.
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The commune of Orly was originally called Aureliacum, meaning the villa of Aurelius in Latin
The commune of Orly, which is located in the southern suburbs of Paris, was originally called Aureliacum, meaning "the villa of Aurelius" in Latin. The name evolved from the Latin "Aureliacum" to the French "Orly"—pronounced [ɔʁli]. The Orly Airport, also known as Paris Orly Airport, partially lies on the territory of the commune of Orly, and it is from this commune that the airport gets its name.
Orly Airport was originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, named after the two communes over which it is situated. The airport opened in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport. During World War II, it was controlled by the German Luftwaffe and suffered significant bomb damage from attacks by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).
After the war, the airport was rebuilt by the US Air Force and placed under the management of the newly established public company, Aéroport de Paris, now known as Aéroports de Paris. The airport expanded rapidly, with a new runway built in 1947, and in 1952, Air France made Orly Airport its hub. The airport continued to grow, with the introduction of the Sud Aviation Caravelle, the world's first medium-range jet airliner, in 1958, and the inauguration of a new terminal building in 1961.
Today, Orly Airport is the second busiest airport in France and consists of four interconnected terminals: Orly 1, Orly 2, Orly 3, and Orly 4. It is a hub for several airlines, including Air France, Air Caraïbes, Transavia France, and easyJet. The airport is easily accessible from the centre of Paris, located just 12.7 km (7.9 mi) away, and is well-connected by road, train, metro, and tram.
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The airport was originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, named after the two communes it straddles
Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is located in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is one of three airports in the city, the others being Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Beauvais Airport. ORY Airport is the second busiest airport in France.
During World War II, Orly Airport was controlled by the German Army and suffered extensive bomb damage. After the war, the airport was rebuilt by the US Air Force and placed under the management of a newly-founded public company, Aéroport de Paris. The airport expanded rapidly, and in 1947, a new 2,100-metre runway was built, making it the airport's third. In 1952, Air France made ORY Airport its hub, and the airport continued to expand and develop.
Today, ORY Airport has four connected passenger terminals: Orly 1, Orly 2, Orly 3, and Orly 4. The terminals offer various facilities and services, including departure and arrival halls, shops, restaurants, lounges, and duty-free shopping. The airport is easily accessible by car, taxi, train, metro, and tram from the centre of Paris.
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The communes of Orly and Villeneuve were settled in 79 AD
The Orly Airport in Paris, France, is named after the commune of Orly, which was originally settled in 79 AD. The commune of Orly, located in the southern suburbs of Paris, is said to have derived its name from the Latin "Aureliacum", meaning "the villa of Aurelius". The airport, originally known as the Villeneuve-Orly Airport, is situated across two communes: Orly and Villeneuve. It was inaugurated in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport.
During World War II, Orly Airport fell under German control and was utilised as a combat airfield. Consequently, it sustained significant damage from attacks by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Following the war's conclusion, the airport underwent reconstruction by the US Air Force before being placed under the management of the newly established public company, Aéroport de Paris.
The airport has undergone numerous expansions and developments over the years, including the addition of new runways and terminals. Today, it is a busy hub for domestic and international travel, serving as a base for several airlines and accommodating millions of passengers annually.
The history of the Orly Airport is deeply intertwined with the history of the region. The establishment and development of the airport have played a significant role in shaping the commune of Orly and its surrounding areas, contributing to their growth and connection to the rest of the world.
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Orly Airport opened in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport
Orly Airport, originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, opened in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport. Located in the southern suburbs of Paris, the airport was originally used for airship hangars, constructed by the engineer Eugène Freyssinet.
During World War II, Orly Airport was used by the German Luftwaffe as a combat airfield, stationing fighter and bomber units. As a result, the airport was repeatedly attacked by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), causing significant damage to its infrastructure. Despite the destruction, the airport continued to play a crucial role in aviation.
In the post-war years, Orly Airport underwent reconstruction and expansion. It became the main civil airport for Air France's international flights, attracting even more traffic than Le Bourget Airport. The airport's rapid growth led to the construction of a new 2,100-metre runway in 1947, marking its transformation into a bustling aviation hub.
Over the years, Orly Airport has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing demands of air travel. In 1958, the world's first medium-range jet airliner, the Sud Aviation Caravelle, was introduced at Orly, showcasing the airport's embrace of technological advancements. The airport has also undergone various development projects, including the merger of terminals and the creation of a central junction building to enhance passenger convenience.
Today, Orly Airport, known as Paris Orly Airport (ORY), remains one of two international airports serving Paris, alongside Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). It serves as a hub for Air France and several other airlines, offering flights to destinations worldwide. With its rich history and dynamic development, Orly Airport has established itself as a significant gateway to the city of Paris and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the airport is named after the commune of Orly, which is derived from the Latin name "Aureliacum", meaning "the villa of Aurelius".
Orly Airport was opened in 1932 as a secondary airport to Le Bourget Airport.
"Aureliacum" is a Latin name meaning "the villa of Aurelius".
Orly Airport is located in the commune of Orly, in the southern suburbs of Paris.











































