We had to be patient this Monday. A “national outage” lengthened waiting times at the border crossing in several airports this Monday, notably those of Paris Aéroports (Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly). The outage lasted three hours before returning to normal around 3 a.m., Paris Aéroports told Le Parisien.
“End of the national breakdown of the computer system used by the Border Police,” Paris Aéroports reported on X (formerly Twitter). We regret the inconvenience caused by this incident which affected the Parafe airlocks upon departure and arrival at our airports. »
Earlier, Paris Aéroports mentioned a breakdown “of the computer system used by the border police” which affects “the Parafe airlocks. » These devices enable automated screening of travelers entering and exiting the Schengen area. To use them, you must have a biometric passport and be a European citizen or “national of certain third countries with a biometric passport,” explains the Public Service website. This system “allows border crossing formalities to be carried out in an automated, fluid and rapid manner”, but it is not obligatory. It is also possible to go through classic checks.
The current outage was expected to lead to “an increase in waiting time at departures/arrivals”, warned Paris Aéroports. On X, an Internet user assures that “hundreds of people” find themselves waiting in line at border control. “We are sorry for this wait,” responds Paris Aéroports. At Le Parisien, it specifies that the waiting time was 40 minutes on average for an hour.
Social movement underway this Monday
The Parafe system is used in several French airports, but also in train stations and the port of Calais. Only Paris Aéroport communicated, but the outage would be national.
At the same time, air traffic is already disrupted this Monday due to a national social movement. “Cancellations and delays are expected” throughout the day, warns the general directorate of civil aviationwhich invites travelers to postpone their flights.