After the traffic chaos on the roads, it's now the Parisian sky that is feeling the impact of winter's whims. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Paris airports are experiencing serious disruptions with widespread flight cancellations due to a snowstorm more severe than the one on Monday. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed this during a press conference on Tuesday: airlines will need to cut back on a significant number of flights to facilitate snow removal and
In practical terms, if you had plans to catch a flight on Wednesday morning from the capital or its surroundings, it's wise to check the status of your flight beforehand. At Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, France's largest airport, approximately 40% of flights will be canceled between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meanwhile, at Orly, the region's second-largest airport, about 25% of flights are scheduled to be canceled from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. These stringent measures are necessary to ensure safety during flight operations while teams work to clear runways and de-ice the aircraft.
These flight cancellations are not decisions made lightly. When snow blankets an airport's runways, it triggers a complex logistical operation. Snow removal from the runways is a carefully coordinated process that demands both time and specialized equipment. Taking off or landing an aircraft on a snow-covered runway without significant risk is simply not feasible.
This is in addition to aircraft de-icing, a crucial step to ensure flight safety. Each plane must be individually treated with specialized fluids before takeoff, which significantly extends turnaround times on the ground. With a snowstorm more severe than Monday’s forecasted, authorities opted to get ahead of the situation and implement these measures proactively rather than risk complete chaos.
It is recommended that you reach out promptly to your airline to check the status of your flight. Most carriers offer options for rebooking or refunds if your flight is canceled due to weather conditions. For real-time updates on the situation, visit the Groupe ADP website, which manages the Paris airports.
If you haven't booked your trip yet but are planning to travel on Wednesday, it's advisable to postpone your departure if possible. Disruptions are likely to continue beyond the expected timeframes, causing a ripple effect that could impact the entire day.
This new snowfall comes on the heels of an earlier episode on Monday that already disrupted transportation across Île-de-France. At that time, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) asked airlines to cut 15% of their flights at the two major Paris airports. This Wednesday, the reduction has been increased to a much higher level, indicating that weather conditions are expected to worsen significantly.
In short, if you were planning to fly out this Wednesday from Roissy or Orly, brace yourself for delays and stay in touch with your airline. Paris’s winter weather reminds us yet again that it can bring the city to a halt, both on the ground and in the skies. For the latest weather forecasts and updates on expected disruptions, check the alerts on Météo France.
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