Roberta Aguirre
In 2020, airports in France were closed during lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19. However, in June of the same year, airports around the country prepared to reopen as France eased restrictions. Orly Airport in the south of Paris, for example, reopened for commercial flights on June 26, with visitors required to wear masks at all times and social distancing markers in place. In addition, hand gel dispensers were installed, cleaning procedures were updated, and measures were implemented to reduce physical contact during security checks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | June 2020 |
| Airports | Orly Airport, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Nantes Airport, Biarritz Airport, Lille Airport, Bordeaux Airport, Pointe-a-Pitre International Airport |
| Flights | Domestic and international |
| Safety Measures | Masks, social distancing, hand gel dispensers, thermal cameras, reduced physical contact during security checks |
| Additional Information | The French Prime Minister urged citizens to vacation within the country |
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What You'll Learn
French airports closed due to COVID-19
In 2020, airports in France were closed during lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19. The French Prime Minister confirmed in a speech on May 28 that airports across the country would reopen in June as part of the second stage of deconfinement.
Orly Airport in the south of Paris, which had been closed to commercial flights since March 31, 2020, reopened on June 26. Visitors to the airport were required to wear masks at all times, and social distancing markers were introduced. Hand gel dispensers were installed, cleaning procedures were updated, and measures were put in place to reduce physical contact during security checks. Thermal cameras were also installed to check passengers' temperatures on arrival.
Other airports that reopened in June include Toulouse-Blagnac, Nice, Nantes, Biarritz, Lille, and Bordeaux. Toulouse-Blagnac began flying to eight new destinations in France, including Nice, Lyon, and Paris. EasyJet restarted internal flights in France from airports in Nice, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, Lyon, and Lille from June 15.
The French government also took steps to ensure the safety of international visitors. For example, the Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Boards worked closely with hotel partners and the PTP airport to secure the safe return of international visitors by providing the highest level of safety measures. The airport also worked with the ACI (Airports Council International) on its Airport Health Accreditation to prioritize health and safety.
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Airports reopening with increased sanitation measures
In June 2020, airports in France began to reopen after being closed during the lockdown. This reopening was part of the country's second stage of deconfinement. As airports resumed operations, they implemented increased sanitation measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
One of the key measures was the mandatory use of masks. At Orly Airport, for example, visitors were required to wear masks at all times, and staff in contact with the public at Toulouse-Blagnac airport were also obliged to wear masks. Social distancing was encouraged through the use of floor markers, signs, and audio announcements. To facilitate physical distancing, Plexiglas screens were installed between staff and passengers at counters.
Hand hygiene was also a priority, with hand gel dispensers made available throughout the airports, including at Orly and Toulouse-Blagnac. Cleaning procedures were updated, with enhanced cleaning in passenger areas. Some airports, such as Orly, also introduced thermal cameras to check passengers' temperatures upon arrival.
These measures were designed to provide reassurance and a safe travel experience for passengers. For example, American Airlines implemented its Clean Commitment to give customers peace of mind during their travel journey. Airports in France also hoped that the increased sanitation measures would encourage more people to travel and support the recovery of the aviation industry.
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Orly Airport to reopen for commercial flights
Paris Orly Airport, located 13 km (8.1 mi) south of Paris, is one of two international airports serving the city, the other being Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Orly Airport was closed to all commercial traffic from 1 April 2020 to 25 June 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, commercial flights were redirected to Charles de Gaulle Airport, while Orly remained operational for state flights, emergency diversions, and medical evacuations.
On 26 June 2020, Orly Airport reopened for commercial flights, with the first takeoff operated by Transavia, flying to Porto, Portugal. This reopening was gradual, with only the Orly 3 sector initially operational, and the remaining sectors reopened as demand increased. The airport implemented several safety measures, including mandatory masks, social distancing markers, hand gel dispensers, enhanced cleaning procedures, and thermal cameras to check passenger temperatures.
As France continued to ease lockdown restrictions, regional airports, including Nantes, Biarritz, and Lille, also resumed operations. The French Prime Minister encouraged citizens to vacation within the country, providing a potential boost to regional airports.
Looking forward, Air France plans to resume flights between Paris-Orly and New York JFK in 2022, with one daily flight. This resumption of service follows the reopening of US borders in November 2021, with Air France gradually increasing its service to the United States.
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Regional airports hope for a boost from French public
France's airports began to reopen in June 2020, following a period of lockdown and travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The French Prime Minister urged citizens to take "staycations" and spend their summer holidays in France, a move that regional airports hoped would provide a boost to local tourism.
Indeed, many regional airports did see an increase in passengers in the years following the pandemic. In 2025, several regional airports reported an increase in passengers compared to 2019, including La Rochelle (26.2%), Tarbes (23.8%), Perpignan (11.9%), Nîmes (12.1%), and Calvi (18.9%). Medium-sized regional airports with one to five million passengers were the best-performing category, up 9.7% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
However, not all regional airports have fared well. The Brittany and Normandy regions, which rely heavily on domestic traffic, have struggled, with a decrease in passengers of 37.7% and 17.13%, respectively. Additionally, some regional airports have come under scrutiny for their reliance on public funds and large state subsidies to stay afloat.
In 2024, low-cost carrier Ryanair threatened to end services to ten regional airports in France due to proposed tax hikes. Ryanair argued that the increased taxes would make many routes to and from French regions unviable, and the company could reduce traffic to France by 50%. The final decision on the tax hikes was expected to be made in the 2025 budget.
Despite these challenges, regional airports in France continue to hope for a boost from the French public. With the support of local communities and the recovery of the tourism industry, these airports play a crucial role in connecting smaller towns and cities to the rest of the country and promoting local economic development.
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Guadeloupe Islands reopen to US flights
The Guadeloupe Islands reopened to vaccinated Americans on June 11, 2021. The islands are a sought-after destination for travellers from around the world, offering pristine beaches, lush rainforests, preserved nature, world-class gastronomy, and unique cultural experiences across five different islands.
To enter the islands, US visitors must present proof of vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson), a negative PCR or antigen test result within 72 hours (PCR) or 48 hours (antigen) of boarding and arrival, and a sworn statement declaring no symptoms of COVID-19 or contact with a confirmed case.
The Guadeloupe Pôle Caraibe Airport has implemented robust safety measures to ensure the safe return of international visitors. It was the first Caribbean airport to build a COVID-19 testing centre within its facility in May 2020. The airport is working towards its Airport Health Accreditation to prioritise health and safety.
Major airlines such as JetBlue, American Airlines, and Air France offer direct flights to the Guadeloupe Islands from North American cities like New York and Miami. To accommodate increased demand during the winter peak season, American Airlines will increase the frequency of flights from Miami International Airport to Pointe-a-Pitre International Airport (PTP) in Guadeloupe, with up to four weekly rotations during the second half of December 2021 and the full months of February and March 2022.
The reopening of the Guadeloupe Islands to US flights is a positive step towards reviving tourism and the local economy, providing travellers with a captivating and safe destination to explore.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports in France began reopening in June 2020.
The first airport to reopen was Nice, France's third-biggest airport.
Airports in France implemented several measures to ensure the safety of passengers, including mandatory masks, hand gel dispensers, updated cleaning procedures, and social distancing markers. Thermal cameras were also installed to check passengers' temperatures.
Airport closures had a significant impact on the French economy, particularly in regions dependent on tourism. For example, the Nantes airport in the west of France, which serves as a gateway to the western Atlantic region, saw a 90% drop in normal activity during the closure.
