Heavy snow wipes out 140 flights at Paris-CDG and Orly—companies reminded of EC 261 obligations

Winter weather linked to Storm Goretti forced airlines to cancel roughly 100 flights at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and 40 at Orly on 8–9 January, while dozens more departed late after de-icing queues lengthened. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) added snow-clearance crews but warned carriers to expect rolling slot reductions until runways are fully cleared.

Long-haul operators such as Air France and Delta opted to retime U.S. departures, while easyJet and Transavia scrubbed multiple short-haul rotations. Missed connections stranded transit passengers overnight, stretching hotel capacity around the airports.



Consumer-rights firm AirHelp reminded travellers that ‘extraordinary circumstances’ like snow waive EC 261 compensation but do entitle passengers to care: meals after two hours, accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary, and rerouting or refund options. Employers relocating staff were urged to verify that visas, ETIAS waivers and temporary-housing bookings remain valid for new travel dates.

Ground-transport alternatives held up better: the RER B ran every 15 minutes, and TGV Air accepted disrupted passengers between Paris and Lyon, although at reduced frequencies. Business-travel managers advised employees to keep receipts for taxis and meals not provided by carriers, as these can be reclaimed later.

The disruption underscores the value of flexible booking policies and real-time travel-risk alerts—particularly during France’s increasingly volatile winter season.