Connect France Launches ‘Short Connection Pass’ to Improve Transit Flow at Paris-Charles de Gaulle
At the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show (SIAE) in June, Air France-KLM and Groupe ADP announced the Connect France partnership, which aims to enhance the passenger experience at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. This summer, they are launching the first initiative under this collaboration: a system designed to facilitate smoother connections for passengers with short transfer times.
Air France transports up to 140,000 passengers daily, with nearly half connecting through its hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. To help streamline transit, Groupe ADP has introduced a dedicated connection route supported by newly updated multilingual signage throughout the airport.
While Air France’s flight schedules are coordinated to support smooth transfers, delays and other factors can reduce connection times. The newly introduced “Short Connection Pass” system automatically prioritizes passengers with limited time between flights—without requiring any manual action.
For example, if a passenger has less than 45 minutes to connect (e.g., between a flight from Toulouse and a departure to New York JFK), a priority process is triggered. Upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle, affected passengers receive an SMS and email alerting them that they qualify for fast-track access at security and border control. Notifications will soon be expanded to the Air France app and WhatsApp.
Once at the checkpoint, scanning the passenger’s boarding pass automatically alerts the service provider, who grants priority access. The system is designed to reduce wait times and help ensure passengers reach their gates on time.
This initiative is supported by real-time data sharing between Air France, Groupe ADP, and its service partners, including:
Estimated walking time between gates
Time needed for security and border control
Live wait times at checkpoints
Updated departure times for ongoing flights
Connect France’s first project demonstrates a practical effort to improve operational efficiency and the transfer experience at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
“This launch reflects our joint aim with Air France-KLM to manage passenger flows better and make Paris-Charles de Gaulle a more accessible and coordinated hub,” said Régis Lacote, Director of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
“Helping our customers move more easily through the airport remains a key focus. This step supports our goal to further develop Charles de Gaulle’s position in international air travel,” added Alain-Hervé Bernard, Executive Vice President of Operations and Cargo at Air France.
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