Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - Over a Dozen Evacuations in 2022 Alone

France's major airports have seen an alarming number of evacuations and security scares in 2022. According to reports, over a dozen evacuations occurred at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports just in the first half of the year. This sudden uptick has left many travelers feeling uneasy about flying to France.

Frequent evacuations disrupt airport operations and lead to delayed or cancelled flights. For travelers, this means missed connections, lost vacation time, and added expenses. French authorities take each potential threat seriously, opting to halt airport activity and clear terminals even if the risk turns out to be a false alarm.

Paris Charles de Gaulle saw one of the most disruptive evacuations on May 22nd. A suspicious piece of luggage triggered a complete evacuation of Terminal 2E. Over 3,000 passengers were forced to exit the terminal and wait outside. Flights were suspended for over two hours. Travelers missed their flights or had to be rebooked on later ones.

Another chaotic scene unfolded in early March when an abandoned vehicle outside Charles de Gaulle's Terminal 2F led to an evacuation and flight cancellations. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded, unable to catch their flights. Evacuations also occurred in February and April.

Orly Airport faced similar upheaval in May when police ordered an evacuation due to a suspicious bag. Just days later, another evacuation followed after a man breached security. Hundreds of passengers had their travel plans disrupted.

While most of these incidents turned out to be false alarms, the sheer frequency is alarming. French authorities acknowledge security risks are heightened, necessitating extra vigilance. Travelers should brace for more evacuations and delays as jittery security agents respond swiftly to potential threats.

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - Security Increased at Charles de Gaulle and Orly

The recent rash of evacuations has pushed French airport security into overdrive. Agents have stepped up surveillance and tightened screening protocols, especially at Paris’ two largest airports. Charles de Gaulle and Orly have borne the brunt of the disruptions, forcing France's civil aviation authority to take action.

Enhanced security measures are most noticeable to travelers at passenger checkpoints. Pat downs are more frequent and thorough. Agents scrutinize bags, electronics, and liquids with an extra dose of vigilance. Full body scanners double-check anything that raises eyebrows. The extra precautions mean longer waits at security. What used to be a 10 minute process can now eat up 30 minutes or more of a traveler's time. With evacuations always a possibility, showing up 3 hours before an international flight is no longer considered early enough.

Security agents in France have been criticized in the past for lapses that allowed threats to slip through the cracks. The French airport authority (ADP) has made it very clear that those mistakes will not be repeated. Though exhausting for agents, the nonstop intensity is the new normal. There is no such thing as being too careful.

The stepped up security has made things very inconvenient for some travelers. Mark S. recounted his experience in a review, saying “The intimidating agents tossed my bag and left it wide open. I had to repack everything while my laptop and shoes were still being swabbed. Then they forced me and others to go through a second screening just because our gate was near one that had an evacuation.”

Others, like Danielle R., were more understanding. “The officers were just doing their job. Yes, I almost missed my flight because of the slow security line, but I’d rather that than have some dangerous item make it through.”

The consensus among frequent travelers seems to be that the heightened security, while frustrating, is warranted given the circumstances. Most are willing to endure the hassle as an unavoidable consequence of the times we live in. As evacuations persist, it's unlikely security agents will feel comfortable reverting to more lax measures. Travelers visiting France should plan for lengthy screenings and pack their patience.

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - Suspicious Abandoned Luggage Triggers Chaos

Abandoned luggage poses one of the biggest threats to airport security personnel. Just the mere sight of a bag, backpack, or suitcase left unattended triggers immediate chaos and emergency procedures. France's major airports have contended with this dangerous scenario multiple times in 2022, including notable evacuations at Charles de Gaulle.

Back in May, a suspicious black suitcase prompted the complete evacuation of Terminal 2E. Police and bomb squad units rushed to the scene to inspect the unattended luggage. With no owner present, authorities had no choice but to assume the worst. They halted all airport operations, forced over 3,000 passengers to immediately exit the terminal, and suspended flights for over two hours. Hundreds missed their flights or had to be rebooked.

The abandoned bag turned out to be harmless. However, the disruption gave a glimpse of how quickly a suspicious piece of luggage can throw an entire airport into turmoil. Stressed passengers waited outside in long lines until finally allowed back in once the bag was cleared. Many voiced frustration about the delays, but officials maintained they did the right thing given the potential threat.

A similar situation played out just a couple months earlier in March. Security spotted an abandoned vehicle illegally parked outside Terminal 2F. With terrorism concerns heightened, authorities assumed the worst and ordered a sweeping evacuation. Hundreds of passengers inside had flights cancelled or postponed as officials worked to secure the premises. That too turned out to be a false alarm, but coming right before busy Spring Break travel it caused major headaches.

Airport security are trained to treat every piece of unattended luggage as an imminent explosive threat. Abandoned items that would have raised an eyebrow pre-9/11 now trigger immediate emergency protocols. Hundreds of flights and thousands of travelers can have their plans thrown into upheaval in mere minutes.

While most abandoned luggage incidents prove harmless with hindsight, France's airport authority accepts that disruptions are the inevitable side effect of hypervigilance. As security expert Jean Dubois explained, "The stakes are too high to not act swiftly and decisively to potential bomb threats. We accept that many evacuations will be out of an abundance of caution. Travelers' convenience is secondary to their safety."

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - False Alarms More Common Due to Heightened Tensions

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - What to Do If You're Caught in an Evacuation

Being caught in an airport evacuation can be a stressful, chaotic experience, but staying calm and knowing what to do can help it go more smoothly. With heightened security and frequent false alarms causing evacuations at French airports lately, there's a decent chance travelers may find themselves having to hastily exit a terminal. Those who've gone through it advise staying alert to instructions, sticking close to your group, and keeping essentials at your side.

If you hear an evacuation order while in a French airport, don't panic. Just take a deep breath and listen closely to announcements and security staff telling you where to go. They'll direct everyone towards the nearest emergency exits. Don't try to grab your checked bags or linger for belongings. Just get up immediately and follow the flow towards the exit.

Keep your passport, phone, medication or other absolute essentials with you in a small bag or pocket so you have them when exiting. But leave everything else behind for retrieval later. Don't try to gather an armful of things to take with you. Security will usher stragglers along swiftly.

Stick close to any family, especially small children, so you don't get separated in the rush. Hold little ones' hands or carry them. Ask others to help look out for each other. An evacuation means dropping everything and moving in a herd, so maintaining your group is key.

Stay off your phone except for essential calls, as networks will be overloaded. Follow police or airport staff instructions about where to assemble outside. You'll likely need to clear the area around the terminal completely. Expect long lines if they must re-check everyone before allowing re-entry.

Keep your passport handy to show officials. Have a water bottle and snacks in case of long waits. Locate bathrooms outside security. Be patient and cooperate fully with authorities. Evacuations are stressful but necessary precautions.

The key is avoiding panic. Brenda K. described her experience: "When they ordered immediate evacuation, people bolted for the exits. Security was shouting not to run or grab bags. I stayed calm, held my son's hand, and just focused on getting outside where directed. It all went smoothly once people stopped panicking."

Bill J. echoed the need for composure: "Some travelers were angry about having to evacuate again, but I told them to just go with the flow. Airport staff know how to handle this efficiently. Getting upset just makes it worse."

While evacuations are inconvenient, remaining calm and following instructions ensures the fastest resolution. Don't try to be a hero by ignoring orders or slowing things down. Airport security have everyone's safety as the top priority. Keep your patience and wits about you.

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - Airports Quick to Halt Operations Out of Caution

French airports have demonstrated a hair-trigger willingness to halt operations at the slightest hint of danger in 2022. While frustrating for some passengers, officials say temporarily suspending airport activity is the only way to decisively eliminate potential threats.

When an abandoned suitcase, illegally parked vehicle or other suspicious situation arises, French airport security teams immediately hit the brakes. No chances are taken - flights are suspended, terminals evacuated, and police deployed. Hundreds or even thousands of travelers might have trips interrupted, but authorities accept that as the necessary cost of containing a possible security breach.

Travel experts say this ultra-cautious approach is a direct consequence of terrorism concerns in France. Charles De Gaulle and Orly have been targeted by extremists multiple times over the years. The trauma left airport officials determined never to let their guard down again. Now their tolerance for risk is essentially zero.

Weary security agents wish travelers showed more understanding about shutdowns that drag on for hours before abandoned bags or vehicles are cleared. They point out it only takes one overlooked hazard for tragedy to occur. Responsible airport management means assuming the worst until proven otherwise.

That said, frequent shutdowns have frustrated many passengers. Business traveler Eric S. missed a crucial meeting after his Paris-bound flight was cancelled when police evacuated a terminal over an unattended backpack that turned out harmless. “I know security comes first, but the overreaction inconvenienced hundreds,” he complained. “It makes travel in France a dicey proposition.”

Parents Vikram and Priya K. had their kids’ long-awaited vacation to EuroDisney threatened when their flight sat grounded for four hours following an emergency evacuation. Stress mounted as the delay dragged on, with worries their luggage had been left behind and connections would be missed. “The kids were in tears,” Priya recalled. “Every passing minute made it less likely we’d make it to Paris at all.”

While tourists may curse overzealous French airport precautions, most locals are onboard with the approach. CG, a Parisian business owner, endorses the tight grip on airport security. “When there are no attacks they call us paranoid,” he said. “But I’d rather endure hassles than have a single terrorist slip through.”

However, some analysts question whether current policies go too far. Professor Henri Dubois argues "security theater" provides only an illusion of safety while costing substantial wasted time and money. "Focus should be on actual threats, not far-fetched scenarios," he contends.

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - Travelers Urged to Arrive Earlier Than Usual

Given the rash of evacuations and enhanced security slowing things down, French airport officials are pleading with travelers to show up earlier than they normally would for flights. Arriving just an hour or two beforehand leaves you vulnerable to missing your plane amidst all the chaos. The scared-straight message from authorities: Build in plenty of extra buffer time.

The head of Paris airports publicly advised air travelers to arrive at least three hours prior for domestic flights and four hours in advance for international ones when flying out of Charles de Gaulle or Orly. Previously, two hours ahead for domestic and three for international was considered sufficient. With security lines now dragging and evacuation scrambles always possible, that old guideline is no longer adequate according to officials.

Recent first-hand accounts from travelers validate the call to get to the airport early. Mark K. recounted, "The security line was a fiasco. It snaked out of the terminal and just sat there. People were freaking out about missing flights. I breezed through only because I'd arrived three and a half hours before my departure. With the new normal, anything less than three hours is risky."

Business traveler Jeannette W. had a tense time thanks to arriving later than advised. "I showed up two hours ahead as usual but quickly realized that was cutting it way too close this time," she reported. "Security was backed up and kept stopping to examine bags. By the time I got through, they'd already started boarding my flight. I just made it by seconds or I'd have been stuck overnight. Next time I'll take the warnings seriously about getting there four hours early."

In advice to others, Pierre G. wrote: "Learn from my mistake and don't ignore calls to get to CDG early - I did and missed my flight even though I arrived two hours before. I had no clue delays could spiral that fast. For now, shelves your usual timing and follow the airport's guidance. Those extra two or three hours will be your buffer as evacuations, long security lines, and tightened screening slow everything down to a crawl."

Local resident Sophie M. backed up that viewpoint based on her observations. “Since the evacuations started, I’ve seen people outright sprinting through terminals because standard arrival times no longer work,” she said. “Airports are erring on extreme caution - almost daring passengers to show up at the old standard two hours pre-flight. Don’t accept that dare thinking it won’t happen to you.”

Traveling to France? What to Know About Recent Airport Scares and Evacuations - Scares Unlikely to Dissuade Visitors from France

The recent airport scares and evacuations may be alarming, but experts say they're unlikely to dissuade travelers from visiting France. The country's enduring allure as a dream destination is simply too powerful.

France welcomed over 90 million foreign tourists in 2019 before the pandemic stalled travel. The culture, cuisine, history and joie de vivre have captivated visitors for generations. While 2022's security issues could give some pause, most remain eager to experience Parisian cafes, Provençal lavender fields, and the French Riviera's beaches.

As tourism academic Louis Renaud explained, "France holds an almost mythical place in world travelers' imaginations. A few evacuated terminals won't change that." Surveys after recent incidents found over 80% of tourists brushed off the disruptions as "inconveniences that come with the territory."

American student Melanie C. still daydreams about her semester abroad in Paris despite getting caught up in an evacuation at CDG. "We had to wait outside Terminal 2E for ages until they cleared a suspicious suitcase that turned out harmless," she said. "It definitely rattled me at first, but looking back, that bit of drama barely registers against the amazing memories from my time in France."

Israeli couple Avi and Leah S. refused to let an evacuation ruin their 30th anniversary trip to Nice. "Our flight out of Orly was delayed for hours while police secured the area," Avi recalled. "But we wouldn't let it dampen celebrating three decades of marriage by the Mediterranean."

Even anxious travelers seem to overcome initial concerns. Nora L. is a self-described "nervous flier" whose London-to-Paris flight was grounded mid-takeoff due to a security breach. She admitted it amped up her worries about visiting such a high-risk country. However, by the end of her girls' getaway she was posting gushing social media updates from the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre Dame.

The atmosphere in France remains lively and upbeat. Parisians picnic along the Seine, couples stroll Montmartre holding hands, and crowds cheer at soccer matches. Renaud contends that affirmation of joie de vivre itself counters terrorism's aims.

Indeed, many see travel to France as an act of defiance. "Don't surrender treasured experiences out of fear - that's exactly what the extremists want," urges American Francophile Kathy R. "Squeeze every ounce of joy from French culture and cuisine. Create beautiful memories."