Orly Airport: Is the short-term drop-off area about to close, and will private cars soon be banned?

This could mark a major shift in travelers' routines: access to the short-term drop-off zones at Paris-Orly Airport might soon be off-limits for private cars. The goal? Easing traffic congestion and encouraging the use of public transportation. Find out what these changes could mean for your upcoming departures.

The group Aéroports de Paris intends to close access to the short-term drop-off parking areas for individual vehicles at Paris-Orly Airport. This measure, expected to take effect soon, aims to improve traffic flow, reduce pollution, and encourage the use of public transportation, such as the extension of Line 14 of the metro, along with the upcoming launch of Line 18.

A project currently open for public consultation until February 24th. Construction is set to begin at the end of 2026, with operational launch planned for 2029 and 2030.

A Major Overhaul of Traffic Flows

Access to the short-term parking zones closest to terminals Orly 1, 2, 3, and 4 is now strictly limited to professionals (taxis, VTC services), individuals with reduced mobility, and official shuttles. Private vehicle drivers will no longer be allowed to stop there to drop off passengers or their luggage.

This decision aims to ease congestion around the airport terminals, which are often overwhelmed during peak hours, and to curb illegal parking that compromises safety.

What options are available for support staff?

To offset this closure, ADP is directing travelers toward alternative options:

Shuttle Services: Drivers will need to arrive at the new 90-space drop-off zone, located along the Eco Parking lot, while travelers will be invited to take a shuttle covering 3.6 km, reaching their terminal within 15 minutes.
Official Parking Lots (P2, P3, P4): These will remain open for short-term parking, with a 10-minute free grace period maintained to allow travelers to unload their luggage.
Public Transit: With the arrival of Line 14 and strengthened bus connections, the aim is to encourage travelers to prefer collective transportation to reach the airport. However, these options are not always available for very early or late flights and can be less practical when carrying multiple suitcases.

A Green and Urban Transformation

This initiative reflects a growing trend among major airports worldwide to eliminate private cars from the immediate areas surrounding their terminals. An 800-space parking lot is set to be developed south of the airport, in Athis-Mons, near the Orlyparc business park, reports Le Parisien.

ADP is also planning a nature-powered bus line running on a roughly 9 km loop, with the journey lasting no more than fifteen minutes. A new highway interchange is also in the works to the north, "connecting with the A106, N7, and D7." This project aims to separate taxis, shuttles, and private cars to help reduce traffic congestion.