Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Air France Gears Up for a Surge of New Arrivals of Paralympic Athletes as New Olympic Village Grand Opening Nears
Thursday, August 22, 2024
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Air France, the official partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, marks a significant moment today, Wednesday, 21 August 2024, as the Athletes’ Village opens its doors. The airline is set to welcome a large influx of Paralympic athletes on its flights, with peak arrivals expected today and tomorrow.
On 21 August 2024, nearly 300 athletes will be arriving on Air France flights from major cities such as Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Santiago de Chile. The following day, 22 August 2024, will see another 200 athletes arriving, notably from Nairobi, Bogota, and Manchester.
The first Paralympic delegations began arriving in Paris on 12 August, and the steady stream of athletes has continued. Air France is expected to carry around 35% of the Paralympic athletes, alongside numerous representatives of disabled sports delegations, members of the Olympic family, and enthusiastic sports fans.
Reflecting its crucial role during the Olympics, where Air France transported over 11,000 customers with Olympic accreditation, the airline will continue to see arrivals throughout the Paralympic Games, with a peak in departures anticipated on 9 September, the day after the closing ceremony.
During these two days, 21 and 22 August, Air France is preparing for the arrival of large volumes of sports equipment, including more than 250 wheelchairs. Paralympic athletes in wheelchairs typically travel with two chairs, including one designed specifically for competition.
All of Air France’s operational teams, along with SAPHIR, the airline’s dedicated service for passengers with disabilities, have been diligently preparing for months to ensure these arrivals are seamless.
