Air France Announces First Passenger Figures for Paris 2024 Olympics

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

As an official partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Air France has unveiled the first passenger figures expected for the world’s biggest sporting event.

With 45 days until the Olympic Games opening ceremony, Air France anticipates carrying 20% of all athletes and para-athletes traveling to Paris and France, equating to 1 in 5 athletes. These athletes primarily hail from Brazil, the United States, Italy, and Japan.

In detail, Air France expects to transport 15% of Olympic athletes and 35% of Paralympic athletes. Additionally, 13% of the “Olympic family,” which includes members of the National Olympic Committees and the International Organizing Committee, will also travel on Air France.

In the summer of 2024, Air France anticipates carrying up to 125,000 customers daily, matching the volumes seen in summer 2019. Athletes, delegations, and supporters will arrive in large numbers on July 24, 25, and 26, and depart on August 11, 12, and 13, with a peak in traffic expected on August 12. Similar peaks are anticipated during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with supporters primarily flying in from the United States, UK, Italy, Germany, and Japan.

All aircraft in the fleet will be operational, with an unprecedented number of “reserve” aircraft. Seven long-haul and eight medium-haul aircraft will be assigned to this reserve fleet, ready to be used if an aircraft becomes unavailable.

While overall traffic levels will remain stable throughout the summer, the proportion of “local” traffic, referring to customers whose final destination is Paris, will rise during the Games. This number is expected to exceed 60% during peak periods, compared to normal circumstances where traffic is split evenly between local and connecting customers.

In terms of human resources, Air France has made over 2,000 hires in 2023, including 500 pilots and 400 mechanics on permanent contracts. To restore activity levels to those seen in 2019, pilot and mechanic hiring efforts will continue throughout 2024. Anticipating the summer peak and the Paris 2024 Games, Air France has also bolstered its teams with over 1,000 additional seasonal recruits (800 cabin crew and 250 ground staff).

A dedicated check-in facility will be available for athletes and delegations within the Olympic and Paralympic Village. They can check in their bags the day before departure and use a dedicated route to the airport. This off-airport check-in process will be open for three days before and after the closing ceremonies on August 11 (Olympic Games) and September 8 (Paralympic Games). A team of up to 125 Air France airport agents will handle the check-in of delegations’ baggage, including those traveling with Air France’s Skyteam partner airlines.

With Olympic athletes traveling with an average of four items of baggage, including one oversize item, Air France has reinforced its operational processes and established dedicated support centers to manage and coordinate operations. The airline expects to carry up to ten times more oversize baggage and sports equipment (e.g., kayaks, athletics poles, competition bikes) on peak travel days.

Para-athletes, who typically travel with two wheelchairs, including a competition wheelchair, will also receive prioritized care. Additional staff have been integrated into the SAPHIR assistance teams to ensure that disabled customers can leave and collect their wheelchairs at the aircraft door.

Air France has been preparing for the Paris 2024 Games for over a year, with 75 dedicated ambassadors from various company entities coordinating the actions of operational and administrative staff. The airline demonstrated its efficiency during the World Para Athletics and Rugby World Cup, held in France in 2023.

Leading up to the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony on July 26, several full-scale test days are planned in coordination with the ADP Group to oversee the implementation of the remote check-in system at the Olympic and Paralympic Village.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games offer Air France the opportunity to showcase the best of France to international visitors. From July 27 to August 11, 2024, the airline will open a dedicated space at the Palais de Tokyo, later moving to SPOT24 for the duration of the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8, 2024.