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Protecting and promoting biodiversity at our airports

Beyond the built-up areas, a significant portion of the land at Groupe ADP airports consists of large airport grasslands and other open habitats that serve as a reservoir of biodiversity for their region.
In fact, a single airport can be home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, including birds, insects, amphibians, and small mammals, which find a place to live and, in some cases, to breed.
In the Île-de-France region, one of the last six colonies of Eurasian tree sparrows is regularly observed at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports, as are the white wagtail and the melodious warbler, both of which are protected species.

25 to 30% of our airports’ land area set aside for biodiversity protection

A roadmap with specific goals for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity was implemented in 2025 for the three Paris airports, with the aim of setting aside 25 to 30% of the land area for biodiversity protection. Work has also been launched internationally, notably in Amman and within TAV Airports.

Photo: Airport grasslands at Paris-Orly (©Gwen Le Bras, Groupe ADP)

More than 90 species of birds at Paris airports

There are no fewer than 100 species of birds at Paris airports, and nearly 30 agents from the wildlife risk prevention unit – commonly known as bird scarers – patrol the areas around the runways around the clock to prevent any risk of bird strikes. They are also tasked with surveying and monitoring fauna to ensure optimal coexistence between these species and aviation activity.

Photo: A flock of birds flying over airport grasslands at Paris-Orly (©Gwen Le Bras, Groupe ADP)

Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Europe’s largest “coastal” airport

Paris-Charles de Gaulle is Europe’s largest “coastal” airport, due to the size of its stormwater retention ponds, including the Renardières pond on the eastern side of the airport (see photo). This pond is permanent home to many waterfowl, located a safe distance from the runways: ducks and shorebirds. The presence of woodlands close to the water is another particularity of this area.

Photo: The Renardières pond, used for stormwater management, Paris-Charles de Gaulle (©Sylvain Cambon, Groupe ADP)

Late mowing of grasslands to encourage a full growth cycle

The implementation of late mowing – typically in late summer or fall – of airport grasslands through differentiated management plans allows some plots to complete a full growth cycle. By mowing late, the plants have time to go to seed, and pollinating insects can fully carry out their role.

Photo: Late mowing on the airport grasslands at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (©Sylvain Cambon, Groupe ADP)

Seals of approval for our management of green areas and airport grasslands

Our meadows are maintained without the use of plant protection products, and in 2025 Groupe ADP partnered with the Pariciflore nursery to promote the Végétal Local label. Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Le Bourget, and Paris-Orly have all been awarded the Aérobio label, at levels 4, 2, and 3, respectively.

A biodiversity awareness day for school groups

To mark International Biodiversity Day on May 22, 2025, Groupe ADP organized, for the second consecutive year, a biodiversity awareness day for school groups from towns neighboring Paris-Orly Airport. 450 students were able to take part in a series of educational workshops.

Photo: Educational workshop on biodiversity awareness at the Maison de l’Environnement et des Territoires de Paris-Orly (©Claire Gozlan, Groupe ADP)

Biodiversity as a driving force in the regions

To further embed their biodiversity policy in the surrounding regions, Paris airports are working to define ecological corridors across their sites, in collaboration with local towns, cities and regional organizations. In this way, Groupe ADP contributes to the sharing of ecological data to support the production of municipal biodiversity atlases. In 2025, it has worked with local stakeholders such as the Île-de-France Regional Biodiversity Agency (ARB-IDF) and the regional delegation of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO-IDF).

Protecting and promoting biodiversity at our airports

25 to 30% of our airports’ land area set aside for biodiversity protection

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