Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) September 2025 Flight Statistics Report (Flight Volume, On-Time Performance, Cancellations)

Flight Volume and Growth Trends

In September 2025, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) handled 21,131 departing flights, a year-over-year increase of +12.57%. Growth was driven by steady long-haul recovery and robust European feeder flows across CDG’s banked connection waves. Added capacity on transatlantic and selected Asia routes, combined with high short-haul utilization, lifted peak-day throughput without requiring major timetable extensions. Weekday dispersion was broadly balanced, while weekend leisure peaks continued to test stand and gate resources. Airlines optimized frequency on core city pairs and upgauged during slot-constrained periods to improve seat efficiency, keeping turnaround times broadly stable. The September profile reaffirms CDG’s role as a central hub for France and Western Europe, with traffic expanding at a sustainable pace and connectivity restored across key business and leisure markets.

On-Time Performance Analysis

The on-time performance rate at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) was 50.96%, a decline of -5.52 percentage points from a year earlier. Delay pressure concentrated in late‑afternoon and late‑evening banks where overlapping arrival complexes and pushback queues built up. Air traffic control (ATC) flow management across parts of Western and Central Europe, compounded by localized convective weather and knock‑on inbound delays, reduced schedule adherence. Remote-stand ground congestion and towing bottlenecks added a few minutes to average off‑block times. Although carriers increased schedule buffers, limited network slack tempered overnight recovery. Looking ahead, further refinement of taxi‑out sequencing, earlier readiness for de‑icing, and improved widebody stand allocation are expected to stabilize performance around the main connection waves at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

Cancellations and Operational Stability

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) recorded 179 cancellations in September 2025, a year‑over‑year change of -9.60%. The level remained contained relative to traffic, with most cases clustered around short‑lived weather disruptions and upstream maintenance‑driven aircraft substitutions. Proactive pruning of a small number of rotations limited ripple effects across banks, while partner capacity and spare frames supported re‑accommodation. Following convective activity, affected stands normalized quickly and overnight restoration protected the first wave of the following day. Overall operational control proved resilient, costs were localized, and cross‑terminal bussing was used only when operationally necessary, helping CDG maintain stability despite punctuality headwinds.

Overall Assessment and Outlook

September’s combination of strong flight growth and softer punctuality reflects a familiar trade‑off at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Throughput expanded at a healthy clip while the on‑time performance rate settled at 50.96%, underscoring tight airspace capacity and concentrated peaks. As schedules transition toward the winter timetable, lighter midday banks and more granular runway use should ease taxiway congestion. Selective investments in stand availability and towing plans, alongside gradual improvements in air traffic control (ATC) flow programs, are expected to improve schedule stability. Barring exceptional weather, CDG enters the next period with solid traffic momentum and a reasonable path to narrow delays around the heaviest evening connection banks.

Travel Recommendations and Passenger Tips

For connections via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), allow a comfortable buffer, particularly during late‑evening banks when queues tend to lengthen. Whenever feasible, choose off‑peak departure windows and add extra time for inter‑terminal transfers. Use the NextFly App to monitor airport weather, the on‑time performance rate—recently around 50.96%—and to receive gate change alerts and delay alerts. Arrival reminder and baggage carousel reminder features can shorten post‑landing ground time. On weather‑sensitive routes, consider earlier departures and avoid the tightest connections. Prepare documents for security in advance, and be aware that evening operations may be sequenced under air traffic control (ATC) flow programs that adjust pushback order at short notice.