The extension project for Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is drawing fresh criticism. On July 30, 2026, the State and Groupe ADP announced an agreement for investments totaling €8.3 billion between 2027 and 2034, of which €6 billion is allocated to Paris-CDG.
This program constitutes the first phase of a redevelopment project planned through 2050. Three NGOs – Transport & Environment (T&E), Réseau Action Climat (RAC) and Rester sur Terre – are now urging the government to abandon it.
The project is intended to gradually increase the airport’s capacity. By 2050, ADP foresees 19% more aircraft movements and 38% more passengers compared with 2019, i.e. about 29 million additional passengers.
The first phase of works could enable hosting an additional 14 million passengers per year starting in 2035.
The program notably foresees more aircraft stands for large and medium-capacity aircraft, while some stands for small-capacity aircraft will be removed. This evolution is intended to accompany the development of long-haul routes.
For T&E, however, this increase in capacity runs counter to France’s emissions reduction trajectory.
This program constitutes the first phase of a redevelopment project planned through 2050. Three NGOs – Transport & Environment (T&E), Réseau Action Climat (RAC) and Rester sur Terre – are now urging the government to abandon it.
The project is intended to gradually increase the airport’s capacity. By 2050, ADP foresees 19% more aircraft movements and 38% more passengers compared with 2019, i.e. about 29 million additional passengers.
The first phase of works could enable hosting an additional 14 million passengers per year starting in 2035.
The program notably foresees more aircraft stands for large and medium-capacity aircraft, while some stands for small-capacity aircraft will be removed. This evolution is intended to accompany the development of long-haul routes.
For T&E, however, this increase in capacity runs counter to France’s emissions reduction trajectory.
A Significant Gap with SNBC Objectives
According to a new analysis by T&E, the CO₂ emissions tied to Paris-CDG’s activity could exceed 6 million tonnes per year by 2050 with the extension project.
The association estimates that this level would be 28% higher than in a scenario without the extension.
T&E compares these projections to the goals of the third National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC 3). This strategy provides for an indicative budget of 3 million tonnes of CO₂ for international travel by 2050, of which about 2.4 million tonnes would come from aviation.
Paris-CDG accounts for a little more than half of aviation emissions; T&E estimates that its emissions level should not exceed about 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by that date.
The High Council for Climate also noted, in its opinion on SNBC 3, that the substantial biomass needs required for sustainable aviation fuel production argued for stabilizing the sector rather than building new airport infrastructure.
The association estimates that this level would be 28% higher than in a scenario without the extension.
T&E compares these projections to the goals of the third National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC 3). This strategy provides for an indicative budget of 3 million tonnes of CO₂ for international travel by 2050, of which about 2.4 million tonnes would come from aviation.
Paris-CDG accounts for a little more than half of aviation emissions; T&E estimates that its emissions level should not exceed about 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by that date.
The High Council for Climate also noted, in its opinion on SNBC 3, that the substantial biomass needs required for sustainable aviation fuel production argued for stabilizing the sector rather than building new airport infrastructure.
NGOs Question the Tourism Relevance of the Extension
Beyond the climate issue, the Réseau Action Climat (RAC) highlights the tourist flows generated by French airports.
According to data cited by the organization, 62% of air traffic corresponds to French people traveling abroad, versus 38% for foreign tourists arriving in France. Between 2024 and 2025, emitter traffic would have risen by 4.1% while receptor traffic grew by 3%.
For RAC, an increase in air capacity does not guarantee an improvement in France’s tourism balance. The risk would be to boost departures to destinations such as Southern Europe, the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, or Oceania, where traffic is largely associated with French travelers leaving the country.
The associations therefore advocate a different approach to tourism policy.
According to data cited by the organization, 62% of air traffic corresponds to French people traveling abroad, versus 38% for foreign tourists arriving in France. Between 2024 and 2025, emitter traffic would have risen by 4.1% while receptor traffic grew by 3%.
For RAC, an increase in air capacity does not guarantee an improvement in France’s tourism balance. The risk would be to boost departures to destinations such as Southern Europe, the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, or Oceania, where traffic is largely associated with French travelers leaving the country.
The associations therefore advocate a different approach to tourism policy.
Focusing More on Domestic Tourism and Europe
The RAC suggests promoting holidays for French residents within France and strengthening the welcome of foreign visitors from nearby destinations.
The development of rail connections between France and other European countries is presented as a lever to increase international arrivals while reducing dependence on air transport.
The NGOs also warn about the concentration of tourism benefits in a few highly visited areas, as well as the tensions this concentration can cause on landuse and housing access for local populations.
The development of rail connections between France and other European countries is presented as a lever to increase international arrivals while reducing dependence on air transport.
The NGOs also warn about the concentration of tourism benefits in a few highly visited areas, as well as the tensions this concentration can cause on landuse and housing access for local populations.
T&E Calls for Limiting Air Traffic
For T&E, the decarbonization of aviation cannot rely solely on alternative fuels and technological progress.
The organization therefore asks the government to freeze airport extension projects and cap the number of flights, targeting in particular segments it considers to have the lowest social value, such as private jets, certain long-haul tourist flights, and low-cost connections.
Transport & Environment, Réseau Action Climat, and Rester sur Terre thus ask the government to renounce the Paris-CDG extension project and to rethink its tourism strategy in favor of the domestic market and nearby European clientele.
This stance comes five years after the government abandoned the Roissy Terminal 4 project in 2021.
The organization therefore asks the government to freeze airport extension projects and cap the number of flights, targeting in particular segments it considers to have the lowest social value, such as private jets, certain long-haul tourist flights, and low-cost connections.
Transport & Environment, Réseau Action Climat, and Rester sur Terre thus ask the government to renounce the Paris-CDG extension project and to rethink its tourism strategy in favor of the domestic market and nearby European clientele.
This stance comes five years after the government abandoned the Roissy Terminal 4 project in 2021.
