Regulatory News:
Pierre Graff, Chairman and CEO of Aéroports de Paris (Paris:ADP) (Pink Sheets:AEOPF) and Jean–Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and CEO of Air France–KLM today inaugurated the new terminal 2G at Paris–Charles de Gaulle, in the presence of Christine Lagarde, Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment.
The decision to build Terminal 2G corresponded to two fundamental requirements, i.e., Air France and its regional subsidiaries, Brit Air, City Jet and Régional, wanted to consolidate their traffic in a single location, and Aéroports de Paris wanted to increase its handling capacity to support the growth in traffic within the Schengen area.
Within four years of drawing up these specifications, Aéroports de Paris has delivered a new terminal representing an investment of 94 million euros, in line with expectations. This efficient cooperation illustrates the Aéroports de Paris´ rapid response to supporting the growth of its client airlines.
"With this new investment, Aéroports de Paris offers an efficient tool for handling short and medium–haul traffic to and from French and European destinations at Paris–Charles de Gaulle. Terminal 2G will offer optimum operating conditions for small–capacity aircraft operated by regional airlines. Thanks to exemplary cooperation between Aéroports de Paris and Air France–KLM, Paris–Charles de Gaulle benefits today from a major competitive asset to support the growth of Schengen traffic and reinforce the hub´s position as a benchmark airport in Europe "stated Pierre Graff.
"Air France´s regional operations are one of the key factors in the airline´s hub strategy", stated Jean–Cyril Spinetta. "Thanks to a well–organized hub, our customers benefit from a wide choice of regular and convenient services between French and European destinations and the rest of the world. Moreover, by serving Paris–CDG, we are able to offer connections between French and European destinations and the particularly buoyant Northern Paris area. In this context, the inauguration of terminal 2G provides an opportunity to reinforce Air France´s strategic positioning, by offering customers improved quality of service and optimizing our operating conditions and resources".
The site chosen for Terminal 2G is located east of Terminals 2F and 2E and is consistent with Air France´s expanding activity in this part of the airport.
Terminal 2G can accommodate up to 3 million passengers annually and 18 aircraft per hour.
The benefits of Terminal 2G
The new facilities at Terminal 2G have been designed to enable Air France and its regional subsidiaries to handle the expanding growth of Schengen traffic through Paris.
- More gate parking stands
At terminal 2G, nearly all passengers board or disembark directly in the terminal. With the reopening of the Terminal 2E boarding pier and the implementation of Terminal 2G, 70% of aircraft – representing 80% of passengers - will arrive at/depart from parking stands at the terminal by 2008.
- Improved connections for passengers
For connecting passengers, a regular shuttle service connects T2G to the other terminals every 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer baggage is automatically routed between aircraft, avoiding the need for passengers to collect their baggage between flights.
- Minimum taxiing time
The proximity of a new lane reserved for aircraft (called "Echo 4") minimizes taxiing time and the number of stops and reduces fuel consumption, ensuring a positive impact both in terms of the environment and cost.
- Reduced operating costs
Gate–parked aircraft, easier international connections, rapid baggage check–in system, simplified access, etc.
An user–friendly terminal
- Streamlined design for optimum efficiency
The terminal comprises three buildings set out in a fan shape: the first building houses the check–in facilities, the second the boarding lounge and shops. The third building houses the baggage claim area. The boarding lounge is linked with two boarding piers giving passengers access to a total of 26 aircraft parking stands. Moreover, a car park with 750 parking spaces (called "PG") is located close to the terminal. Terminal 2G is easily accessed by the A1 motorway and is also located near to the Paris ring road (A104).
- A terminal tailored to the needs of disabled and reduced mobility passengers
In cooperation with associations, Air France and Aéroports de Paris have made every effort to ensure that disabled and reduced mobility passengers receive the same levels of service and assistance, while ensuring that their special needs are taken into consideration for their comfort and well–being. The entire terminal is fully accessible to these passengers, from arriving at the car park to boarding the plane. They can access the whole range of services available for passengers in the terminal, including check–in, self–service kiosks, shops, etc. They also use the same circuits as other passengers.
- New services tailored to business customers
At Terminal 2G, a range of efficient, personalized services are offered to customers who frequently fly to and from Paris–CDG mainly on business and who seek maximum convenience and wish to save time.
The layout of the building along with Air France´s ground service chain have been specially designed to facilitate departures and arrivals and provide fast connecting channels for customers in transit.
As a result, travellers who are looking to be fully independent have access to many self–service check–in and transfer kiosks. The distances to cover are very short. Customers will find it quicker and easier to get around the airport thanks to clearer and more visible signage.
Terminal 2G also provides passengers access to the latest innovative services including a work area, a free Playstation gaming area and a relaxation area. PC power outlets have been installed at each row of seats, enabling passengers to recharge their electronic devices. 153 AEO screens (Aéroports de Paris´ internal video channel), flight information screens, 3 nurseries, 2 automatic cash dispensers and a smoking area complete the offer of services in the regional terminal.
- A "business" area
A "Bert´s" area spanning 200 sq. m. features three themed atmospheres to suit passengers´ varying preferences: club sofas and seats in a cosy setting, restaurant tables for dining and bar stools for a quick snack. "Bert´s" offers quality fast–food menus specially created by a nutritionist.
A multi–store covering 300 sq. m. containing the key products on offer in Aéroports de Paris shops (perfumes, alcohol, tobacco and gourmet foods) and a Press boutique covering 120 sq. m. complete the shopping offer in the terminal 2G boarding lounge. All these shops adjoin the boarding lounge.
- A colourful and Feng Shui environment at terminal 2G
The architects at Aéroports de Paris have designed windows in shades of orange, red and blue. The Air France and Aéroports de Paris project teams have called on a Feng Shui specialist to coordinate the building´s facilities so as to ensure the well–being of its passengers. The boarding lounge offers seating for 600 customers in a varied range of colours and styles (lounge area with club seats, high bar stools overlooking the runways, etc.).
Terminal 2G - pioneering a new sustainable development approach
The regional terminal is an experiment in sustainable design. In cooperation with Certivéa, a subsidiary of CSTB (Scientific and Technical Centre for the Construction Sector), Aéroports de Paris is working on an airport–specific HQE standard, which will be the future reference for this type of building in France. Terminal 2G is the first building concerned by this new High Environmental Quality process.
- Optimum energy performance
The thermal inertia of the building has been improved by insulating the outside of the building and minimizing air infiltration. Heating inside the terminal is adapted to the different areas and the air ventilation system adjusts automatically in line depending on the number of passengers inside the terminal. Inside the building, light energy per square metre is reduced by almost 50% compared to a traditional terminal, while ensuring optimum comfort. Out on the ramp, Aéroports de Paris has also invested in energy–saving boundary lights (L.E.D., or Light Emitting Diodes) which consume three times less energy than conventional halogen bulbs.
- Integrating the building into its natural environment
Aéroports de Paris architects have integrated Terminal 2G infrastructure into the remarkable natural setting of the Vallon des Ranardières, located at the eastern tip of the hub. To maintain the site, a viaduct bridge has been specially built to span the rain water collecting tank.
Once terminal 2G enters into service, flights will be operated to the following 20 destinations
- France: Clermont–Ferrand (Brit Air & Régional), Limoges (Airlinair for Brit Air), Mulhouse–Basle (Régional), Pau (Régional), Rennes (Airlinair for Brit Air), Strasbourg (Brit Air).
- Germany: Bremen (Régional), Hanover (Régional), Leipzig (Régional) Munster (Régional), Nuremberg (Régional).
- Spain: Bilbao (Brit Air), Vigo (Régional)
- Italy: Florence (City Jet), Genova (Brit Air), Pisa (Brit Air), Trieste (Brit Air), Verona (Régional),
- Slovenia: Ljubljana (Régional)
- Sweden: Gothenburg (City Jet, Régional).
Key figures for terminal 2G
- A car park with 750 parking spaces adjoining the terminal,
- 18 self–service check–in kiosks,
- 10 self–service transfer kiosks,
- 12 baggage drop–off points including 1 specially designed for reduced mobility passengers,
- 8 customer information points including 1 specially designed for reduced mobility passengers,
- 20 boarding gates and 12 disembarkation gates,
- Flight handling capacity once terminal is brought into operation: approx. 70 flights per day,
- 70 Air France station personnel attend to the needs of customers.
Press kits, photos and videos available on http://corporate.airfrance.com and http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr
