Area The Size Of Belgium To Be ‘No Fly Zone’ During Olympics

British and European passengers will have to brace for mass disruptions in air travel due to a no-fly zone the size of Belgium being imposed because of the 2024 Olympics.

Travelers are advised to keep an eye on any potential developments as it can affect travel plans.

When and where?

The Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) of France ordered a massive Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that spans 28,922 square miles on Friday, 26th July. The TFR will be active for more than five hours during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Photo: Service de L’Information Aeronautique

The TFR has been ordered due to an increased fear of a possible terrorist attack during the ceremony. The DGAC says the operation is a “creation of a temporary prohibited zone (ZIT Ceremonie) for the specific aviation security system, linked to the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games.”

The TFR includes two major Parisian airports, Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) and Paris Orly Airport (ORY), as well as the smaller Beauvais–Tillé Airport (BVA). From 6.30 pm to 12 midnight local time, the TFR will ban all aircraft within an 80-nautical-mile radius of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

According to the Independent, all aircraft will be rejected starting at 5:30 p.m. local time. Aircraft that receive special permission might be able to depart CDG by 11.30 p.m. local time.

Thousands inconvenienced

July represents peak summer travel for millions of passengers from Britain, the EU, and worldwide. On a normal Friday in July, CDG welcomes more than 350,000 passengers. Many passengers must rearrange their travel plans around the ceremony and the TFR.

Photo:  Service de L’Information Aeronautique

In addition to passengers flying to these airports, hundreds of flights traveling through the airspace will have to be rerouted around the TFR, including many heading to London Heathrow International Airport (LHR). These aircraft will need to be diverted over western France or through Belgium. The increased traffic in these areas will pressure short-staffed European air traffic controllers.

The ripple effect

Britain’s easyJet has already reported that it’s had to cancel 96 flights that would’ve carried more than 18,000 passengers because of the TFR.

Photo: Photofex_AUT | Shutterstock

An easyJet spokesman reported the change, saying:

“Like all airlines operating to and from Paris, easyJet has been requested to reduce its flying programme for duration of the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony on Friday 26 July 2024. This resulted in the cancellation of 96 flights at both Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly.”

RyanAir will also have to cancel flights as it is the largest operator at BVA, with flights from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Manchester.

The carrier didn’t specify how many flights it’s had to cancel and had this to say about the TFR:

“Due to the closure of the Paris airspace on 26 July, we, like all airlines, have been forced to cancel/reschedule a number of flights operating to/from Beauvais airport that day. Affected passengers have been notified and advised of their options. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused as a result of this Paris airspace closure, which is entirely beyond airlines’ control.”

Wizz Air, on the other hand, has only had to cancel two flights. The TFR affects only commercial traffic. Military, police, medical, and other emergency aircraft are free to move through it.

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Aircraft retrofits will also continue.