Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport Facts for Kids

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport from the air

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is a very big airport in France. It is located just outside the city of Paris. Many people travel through this airport every year. In 2010, over 58 million passengers used the airport. This makes it one of the busiest airports in the world.

The airport is managed by Marc Houalla. He is in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly.

What is Charles de Gaulle Airport?
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What is Charles de Gaulle Airport?

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is also known as Roissy Airport. It is the largest international airport in France. It is also the second busiest airport in Europe. The airport is a major hub for many airlines, especially Air France. This means many flights connect through this airport to different parts of the world.

Where is the Airport Located?

The airport is in the outskirts of Paris. It is about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of the city center. The airport is so large that it spreads across three different areas. These areas are in the Île-de-France region.

How Big is the Airport?

Charles de Gaulle Airport has many runways and terminals. Terminals are like big buildings where passengers check in, go through security, and board their planes. The airport has three main terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 is the largest and has several different halls.

Getting Around the Airport

Because the airport is so big, there are special ways to get around. The CDGVAL is an automatic train system. It connects the different terminals, train stations, and parking lots. This makes it easy for travelers to move between parts of the airport. There are also train stations at the airport. You can take trains like the RER (a regional train) or high-speed TGV trains directly from the airport.

History of the Airport

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport opened in 1974. It was built to handle the growing number of flights and passengers. Over the years, the airport has grown a lot. New terminals and facilities have been added to serve more people.

Important Events

Like any big building, the airport has had its challenges. In 2004, part of Terminal 2E collapsed. This was a sad event, but the airport was rebuilt and made even safer. Safety is always a top priority at airports.