Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle-Airport
Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle-Airport, often abbreviated as CDG, is the largest international airport in France and one of the busiest in Europe. Located in the commune of Roissy-en-France, about 25 kilometers northeast of Paris, it serves as a primary hub for:
History
The airport was officially opened on March 8, 1974, named after the former French President Charles de Gaulle. Its construction was motivated by the need for a modern airport capable of handling the increasing volume of air traffic, which the older Orly Airport could no longer accommodate efficiently. Here are some key historical points:
- 1966 - The French government decided to build a new airport to replace Le Bourget Airport as the primary Paris airport.
- 1974 - The first terminal, Terminal 1, was opened.
- 1982 - Terminal 2 was inaugurated, primarily for Air France operations.
- 2003 - A major expansion was completed, including the addition of Terminal 3, which was formerly known as Terminal 9.
- 2004 - The airport saw its busiest year with over 55.4 million passengers.
Facilities
The airport has three main terminals:
- Terminal 1 - Known for its unique circular design, it serves international flights with an emphasis on non-Schengen destinations.
- Terminal 2 - The largest terminal, split into several sub-terminals (2A to 2G) mainly handling Air France and its partners.
- Terminal 3 - Used mainly for charter flights and low-cost airlines.
Additionally, CDG features:
- A TGV station allowing direct rail connections to various French cities and international destinations.
- Extensive road and highway connections, including the A1 motorway.
- A variety of shopping and dining facilities, with over 200 retail outlets.
Operations and Connectivity
Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle-Airport is a crucial node in the global air transport network:
- It connects to over 320 destinations worldwide.
- Handles approximately 72 million passengers annually.
- Has direct rail connections to central Paris via the RER B line and the TGV.
- Features RoissyBus, a bus service linking the airport to Paris.
Environmental and Infrastructure Developments
Recent years have seen efforts to modernize and make the airport more environmentally friendly:
- Expansion of the CDG Express, a direct rail link to Paris.
- Initiatives to reduce noise pollution and carbon emissions.
- Upgrades to terminal infrastructure to improve passenger experience and efficiency.
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