Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the busiest airport in France and one of the largest in Europe. Located in the northeast of the Paris region, it is named after Charles de Gaulle, the first president of the Fifth French Republic.
Recognized as a "Tier 1" airport on Vatsim, CDG is known for its size and complexity, along with its unique layout and operational procedures.
This document will detail the key features of the airport.
The use of charts is strongly recommended for any pilot flying to or from CDG. Several versions of these charts (in their latest version) exist and are available from the following sources :
Generally speaking, as a pilot, you must be able to follow IFR procedures based on current charts and navigational data (VATSIM Code of Conduct, B14).
There are many sceneries adapted for different simulators for CDG; some of them are free and others are not. To help you find the correct one for your need, we provided you a list of available and/or recommended sceneries.
| Simulator | Editor | Link | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| P3D / FSX | Taxi2Gate | P3D V4 FSX & P3D V3 |
Payware |
| P3D | Robert Catherall | AVSIM Library | Free |
| FSX | Ray Smith | AVSIM Library | Free |
| X-Plane 11 | Skydiver Biker | X-Plane Forums | Payware |
| X-Plane 11 | Tai Models | X-Plane Store | Payware |
| MSFS 2020 | Asobo | Flightsim.to | Free |
Paris Charles-de-Gaulle airport can be divided into 2 different "zones":
If needed (especially during periods of high traffic) and weather conditions permit, each zone can operate independently.
CDM or Collaborative Decision Making is a European project whose objective is to fluidify departures. It allows an airport to maintain a fluid traffic flow in nominal situations but also in cases of very high demand.
CDM is based on information sharing by all actors involved. It calculates a departure sequence from the stand allowing an orderly flow while optimizing runway capacities.
The benefits of CDM are both economical and environmental because it reduces taxi time by limiting holding point waiting times.
CDM usage is mandatory for all aircrafts, with or without a slot. Make sure you read this pilot brief before your flight.
If you have a slot out of Charles De Gaulle, you will be assigned a TSAT according to your slot time. All pilots are requested to be ready for pushback at least 5 minutes prior to their TOBT to ensure a smooth departure.
When pushing back from Terminal 2, pilots can expect to be assigned a colored line (orange or blue) according to their location to avoid ground congestion. All pilots need to comply with the clearance within 1 minute. If unable or need further information, advise ATC immediately.
Taxiing in Paris can seem complex, so it is important to have a general understanding of the main taxiways. To do this, consider reviewing the ground movement charts before your flight. If in doubt or if you get lost, don’t hesitate to ask ATC for help. They will gladly assist you in navigating the airport. However, this should be seen as a helpful resource, not a replacement for actual charts usage.
The allocation of parking is made out as realistically as possible, respecting the regular operations, but not always taking into account the particular modifications due to real events (except for long-term closures).
Nevertheless, if you have preferential parking, please inform the controller(s) who will take the necessary steps to allocate it to you.
Terminal 1 : All Nippon Airways, Aegean, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Air China, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, Eurowings, Icelandair, LOT Polish Airlines, Egyptair, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), Singapore Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines,, United Airlines.
Terminal 2A : American Airlines, Air Canada, Hainan Airlines, Air Algérie, El Al, Ethiopian, Royal Jordanian.
Terminal 2B : EasyJet, Norwegian, Air Austral.
Terminal 2C : Aeroflot, Air India, Gulf Air, Etihad, Emirates, Jet Airways, Saudia.
Terminal 2D : Air Malta, Ukraine International, British Airways, Air Baltic, Croatia Airlines, Easyjet, Finnair, Play.
Terminal 2E : Skyteam (non-Schengen flights), Air France, Aeromexico, China Eastern, China Southern, Xiamen Airlines, Delta, Vietnam Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, MEA, LATAM, Tarom, Westjet.
Terminal 2F : Skyteam (Schengen flights), Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, ITA Airways, Corsica, KLM, Luxair, Transavia.
Terminal 2G : Luxair, Hop! , Skyteam (Schengen flights), Air France, Chalair.
Terminal 3 : EnterAir, Iberia, Nouvelair, Pegasus Express, Smartwings, Sky Express, Volotea, Vueling, Norse, Eastern Airways, ASL France.
Fedex apron : Fedex, ASL Belgium/UK
Cargo terminal : Air France cargo, UPS, DHL, other cargo airlines (except FEDEX)
All Paris hubs operate with different runway utilization strategies, based on traffic load and the opening of different positions. This is mostly due to the close proximity of the 3 main airports (CDG, ORY and LBG) from each other.
When necessary, the ground controller might ask you to taxi to one of the Apron entry points, called “stops” (eg. TB2, TE3 …).
You need to stop and wait for proper clearance before proceeding.
To ensure smooth ground traffic flow, there are various restrictions on taxiway directions. This is why the "Apron" or "Ground" controller might assign a taxi or pushback route slightly different from what you had initially planned.
When convenient, GND may ask a pilot to “Hold at Middle 1/2/3/4”.
Positioned respectively on taxiways N,F,B,Q, they are visible on the ground charts presented in the previous section. For Navigraph users, they are visible on chart 20-9B.
These points are located at the boundary between GND sectors, just before major intersections; as much as possible, pilots should comply with the holding instruction until receiving further instruction from ATC.
Alternatively, frequency change can happen while taxiing on taxiway N,F,B,Q (depending on the direction) without any holding instruction. In this case, contact with ground should be done before reaching taxiway E or A/QB12 depending on the direction of taxi.
Arrivals in CDG are structured in 3 differents phases :
During a "standard" arrival, the en-route controller will clear you for an arrival procedure (STAR) to follow. Unlike in some other countries, this DOES NOT authorize the pilot to descend to a lower level; only the controller can issue clearance for descent. Once you begin your descent and approach the Initial Approach Fix (end of STAR), the en-route controller will hand you off to approach controller. The approach controller will clear you for the approach procedure (sometimes referred to as a transition), and provide the expected landing runway. Before completing this initial approach, you will be transferred to the final approach controller who will provide vectors to intercept the ILS.
Note : Be advised that a change of arrival runway may occur at the last minute. In this case, be prepared to follow the controller's instructions.
In Paris, when following a transition or when under radar vectors to an approach starting at 4000ft, a minimum descent rate of 1300 ft/min is required.
The following speeds should be expected for ILS interceptions in Paris :
Crossing a runway extended centerline unexpectedly can have adverse consequences for the whole sector. Therefore, when inbound to the final axis at an angle of less than 70°, you should intercept the Localiser even without ATC instruction. This covers cases where the frequency might be too busy for an aircraft to get their clearance in time.
In LFPG, anticipated landing clearances are used as a default (see French AIP AD2 LFPG 22.2.1.7). This means that, even if there are other aircraft ahead of you on final, you can be cleared to land.
The clearance will be given as follows:
“BlueAir 3A, Number 2 (3) , 6 miles behind an A320, Wind XXX° YYY kts, Runway 09L, Cleared to land.”
You then read back the clearance to land as per usual. ATC can still issue a go-around instruction should it become obvious that the runway may still be occupied by the time the next arrival reaches the threshold.
Note 1: After landing, once you have vacated the runway, you should continue to taxi (without instructions from the controller) in order to clear the high-speed turnoff for the next inbound aircraft. After that, hold at the closest holding point of the inner runway waiting for further instructions.
It is strictly forbidden to cross any runway without ATC instruction!
Note 2: De Gaulle approach (LFPG_APP) is responsible for top down on every Paris airport when the stations covering these airports are unmanned. Thus, Paris Orly (LFPO), Paris Le Bourget (LFPB), Beauvais (LFOB), … are covered by LFPG_APP when their respective ATS positions are not online. However, remember that topdown service might be downgraded according to the traffic load.
Note 3: Find out more information about how to fly an IFR approach in LFPG here: