France's Airport Codes: A Guide To The Abbreviations

what is the airport abbreviationin france

France is a popular tourist destination, attracting around 90 million international visitors annually. There are more than 30 international and domestic airports in France, including the Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris (CDG), which is the second busiest airport in Europe. Each airport in France has a unique airport code, which is used to identify it. For example, the airport code for Orly Airport, the second-largest airport in France, is ORY.

Characteristics Values
Number of airports in France 136
Number of international airports in France 19
Busiest airport in France Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris (CDG)
Second busiest airport in France Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
Third largest airport in France Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
Airport serving Lyon Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport
Airport serving Bordeaux Bordeaux Merignac Airport
Airport serving Strasbourg Strasbourg Airport (SXB)
Airport serving Lille Lille Airport (LIL)

shunhotel

Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris (CDG)

Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris, also known as Roissy Airport, is the primary international airport serving Paris, France. Located in Roissy-en-France, it is situated 23 kilometres (14 miles) northeast of Paris. The airport is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970), whose initials form its IATA airport code, CDG.

Inaugurated on 8 March 1974, Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of the most important airports in France. It is ranked as the fifth-best airport in the world and is said to be the second busiest airport in Europe. The airport comprises four runways and has over 1,500 operating flights travelling across the world every day. In 2024, the airport handled 70,290,260 passengers and 460,916 aircraft movements, making it the world's ninth busiest airport and Europe's third busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers.

The airport serves as the principal hub for Air France and a destination for other legacy carriers (from Star Alliance, Oneworld and SkyTeam). It also serves as an operating base for easyJet and Norse Atlantic Airways. The complex includes the head office of Air France, Continental Square, the Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and le Dôme building. Le Dôme includes the head office of Air France Consulting, an Air France subsidiary. Continental Square has the head office of Air France subsidiary Servair and the Air France Vaccinations Centre.

Charles de Gaulle Airport has three terminals. Terminal 1 is the oldest and is situated opposite Terminal 3. Terminal 2 is located on the other side and has seven sub-terminal buildings (2A to 2G). Terminal 2 was originally built exclusively for Air France but has since been expanded to house other airlines. Terminals 2A to 2F are interconnected by elevated walkways and situated next to each other, while Terminal 2G is a satellite building connected by shuttle bus. Terminal 3 (formerly known as "Terminal 9") hosts charter and low-cost airlines. The airport terminals are served by a free automated shuttle rail system, consisting of two lines (CDGVAL and LISA).

To get to central Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport, travellers can take the RER B, a hybrid suburban commuter and rapid transit line. The service has two stations on the airport grounds: Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 station, located inside Roissypôle and next to Terminal 3, and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV station, located between Terminals 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F. The CDG Express, a direct express rail link from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport, is scheduled to open in early 2027.

shunhotel

Orly Airport, Paris (ORY)

Paris-Orly Airport, identified by the code ORY, is located approximately 13 to 14 kilometres south of Paris, between the departments of Val-de-Marne and Essonne. It is one of the busiest airports in France, serving millions of passengers every year. It is also the second-largest airport in France, second only to its neighbour, Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

Paris-Orly Airport covers 15.3 square kilometres of land, with four connected passenger terminals called Orly 1, 2, 3, and 4. The airport area, including terminals and runways, spans over seven communes: Wissous, Athis-Mons, Chilly-Mazarin, Morangis, Villeneuve-le-Roi, Orly, and Paray-Vieille-Poste. The airport is managed by the Paris Aéroport (ADP) brand, which also manages Charles de Gaulle Airport, Le Bourget Airport, and several smaller airports in the suburbs of Paris.

Paris-Orly Airport offers numerous services and amenities to accommodate travellers from all over the world. The airport has ten car parks, a gas station, and five hotels in the Cœur d'Orly area. It is also well-connected to Paris through various transportation options, including the Orlyval automated metro, shuttle buses, trains, taxis, and buses. The airport provides access to a service for people with reduced mobility (PRM), offering assistance tailored to their needs.

In addition to the usual airport services, Paris-Orly Airport provides free Wi-Fi, ticket machines, smartphone charging stations, information kiosks, customs and tax refund offices, and tourist information spaces. There are also shops, restaurants, duty-free sales areas, and seven airport lounges located throughout the terminals. Relaxation and play areas, water fountains, and hot drink vending machines are available as well.

shunhotel

Beauvais–Tillé Airport, Paris (BVA)

Beauvais–Tillé Airport, Paris, also known by the airport code BVA, is one of three international airports serving Paris, France. Situated 62 miles (100 kilometres) north of central Paris, it is the third-largest airport in the city and is a popular place to catch low-cost domestic and European flights. The airport is served mainly by Ryanair and Wizz Air, with connections to a diverse range of regional destinations.

Travelling to and from the airport by bus or shuttle is a popular option. Official shuttle buses run by the airport depart from Porte Maillot every 15-20 minutes during the day, taking around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Shuttle buses provided by Transports Urbains du Beauvaisis also serve Beauvais town centre, with Line 12 connecting the airport to Mairie, Zone d'activités des Tilleuls, and other destinations. Additionally, shuttle services are available to and from Disneyland Paris (Chessy/Marne-La-Vallée bus station) and Paris La Villette. However, travellers should be aware that bus schedules do not always align with flight schedules, and bus tickets are typically non-refundable or changeable, even in cases of flight delays.

Taxis are another common choice for travellers, particularly those in groups. Taxis are available directly from central Paris to the airport, with a travel time of around 60 to 90 minutes. Taxis can also be used to reach the closest train station to the airport, Beauvais Ville, from where buses or additional taxis can be taken to the airport. Trains from Paris Gare du Nord can also be taken to Beauvais Ville, but travellers with limited mobility may find this option less ideal due to the need to change at Beauvais. For those with restricted mobility or wheelchair users, official airport shuttle buses from Porte Maillot guarantee assistance and can accommodate bulky luggage.

Beauvais–Tillé Airport offers various services and facilities for travellers. The airport consists of two passenger terminals and provides essential amenities such as toilets, Wi-Fi, airport reception, lost and found, baggage service, ATMs, baby changing rooms, parking payment machines, airline counters, PRM facilities, telephone charging stations, and vending machines. Additionally, there are shops, duty-free shopping areas, restaurants, and cafés. A lounge, the Beauvais Lounge, is also available, offering snacks and drinks.

shunhotel

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS, ICAO: LFLL), formerly known as Lyon Satolas Airport, is an international airport serving Lyon, France's third-largest city. It is situated in Colombier-Saugnieu, 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) southeast of Lyon's city centre. The airport is recognised for its fan-shaped structure, which has been described as a magnificent architectural design. It is considered the most beautiful airport in France by many.

The airport was inaugurated by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing on 12 April 1975 and opened to passengers shortly after. It replaced the old Lyon–Bron Airport, which now caters only to general aviation. In 1994, the LGV Rhône-Alpes high-speed rail line was introduced, providing direct trains to Paris and Marseille. The airport's most notable architectural feature is the fan-shaped canopy of the Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupéry, designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport consists of two interconnected passenger terminals. Terminal 1 caters to other national and low-cost airlines, while Terminal 2 serves low-cost airlines and domestic flights. The terminals are connected landside by a central building that features a footbridge to the nearby Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupéry high-speed railway station and the Rhônexpress terminus. The Rhônexpress tramway, which began operating in August 2010, connects the airport with Lyon's city centre in approximately 30 minutes.

The airport is also well-connected to other towns in the region, including Grenoble, Saint-Étienne, and Chambéry, through coach links. Additionally, bus operators provide shuttle services to popular French ski resorts, such as Tignes, Val d'Isere, and Val Thorens. Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is a significant transport hub for the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, facilitating seamless travel for millions of passengers each year.

shunhotel

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)

France attracts approximately 90 million international visitors annually, so it's no surprise that its airports are busy! Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is an international airport located 3.2 nautical miles (5.9 km; 3.7 mi) southwest of Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It is the third busiest airport in France, serving as a focus city for Air France and an operating base for easyJet. The airport is positioned 7 km (4 mi) west of the city centre and is the main gateway to the Côte d'Azur and the French Riviera. It is also the closest airport to Monaco, which is located 20 km (12 mi) away, and offers a helicopter service to the principality.

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport was established in 1955 and is located 8.4 km from the city of Nice. It is the primary airport serving the French Riviera region. The airport is situated on the western end of the Promenade des Anglais, a famous boardwalk in Nice. The airport has two terminals, with Terminals 1 and 2 being linked by shuttle buses. It covers an area of over 3.70 km2 (1.43 sq mi), with 2.70 km2 (1.04 sq mi) used by its two parallel runways and three passenger terminals, as well as a freight terminal.

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is a busy facility, serving over 10 million passengers per year. It is a modern airport, offering air travel to and from the Provence region of France and almost 100 international destinations. The airport is easily accessible, with Nice tramway line 2 connecting it to the Port of Nice (Lympia Port) via the Grand Arénas interchange. The Nice Saint Augustin train station is also located at this interchange, just 400 meters from the airport. Trams run every 8 minutes during the day, and a separate tram line runs from the airport to the western suburbs. Additionally, bus route 12 connects the airport with Promenade des Artes via the old town.

Nice, located in the scenic Baie des Anges, is a popular visitor destination in its own right, offering a wealth of history and natural beauty. The city is particularly well-known for its cultural delights and historic architecture along the Promenade des Anglais and around the Old Port, including the Notre Dame du Port church. Annual celebrations, such as the 'carnaval' in February and the Jazz Festival in July, also attract many visitors to the city.

Frequently asked questions

CDG.

ORY.

BVA.

No abbreviation found, but its IATA code is LYS.

NCE.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment