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Runway 1 at Paris-Charles de Gaulle: a model renovation
A first since the opening of Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Located on the northern runway pair of the airport, primarily used for takeoffs to North America in particular, runway 1 (code 09R-27L) is one of the four runways at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. It is also one of the longest, at 4,200 meters, and has a width of 45 meters.
Subjected to heavy wear and tear from the weight of aircraft and repeated takeoffs, landings, and braking, this runway had already undergone partial repairs but had never been fully renovated since the airport opened in 1974.
Photo : © Antoine Doyen for Groupe ADP
One major worksite, with several projects carried out simultaneously
To ensure compliance with European standards, runway 1 was completely renovated and returned to service on schedule on December 8, 2025, following five months of extensive work.
To minimize the impact on airport operations and inconvenience to nearby residents, several projects were carried out simultaneously. During this period, the runway was closed around the clock, and traffic was diverted to runway 3, used for both landings and takeoffs.
Photo : © Antoine Doyen for Groupe ADP
Five months of work, 650 workers, and more than 200 sensors
Led by teams from the Engineering and Capital Projects (ECP) division of Groupe ADP, the renovation of runway 1 took five months to complete and involved more than 650 workers.
This massive project involved the installation of more than 200 sensors in the concrete slabs of the taxiway, in partnership with NTSG, an Italian company specializing in the research and development of control and measurement systems. Several types of sensors were installed: deformation sensors, humidity sensors, temperature sensors and piezometers (to detect the presence of water). The data collected is used to feed into a new digital reference model and enhances understanding of the service life of airport pavements.
Photo : © Arnaud Gaulupeau for Groupe ADP
In the spirit of the green transition
The renovation of runway 1 was selected through the OLGA (hOListic & Green Airports) program, funded by the European Union, as a pilot project to improve environmental considerations in airport pavement renovation projects.
A carbon audit based on life cycle assessment was conducted at each stage of the design phases, and environmental criteria accounted for 30% of the overall score used to determine the winning bidder for the construction contract.In particular, the project team implemented an environmental incentive and penalty system.
Photo : © Arnaud Gaulupeau for Groupe ADP
A reduced carbon footprint through the reuse of materials
To reduce the project’s carbon footprint, the aggregates were transported by train, and the fleet of trucks used ran exclusively on biofuel. To minimize transportation, two mobile asphalt mixing plants were set up at the construction site, and the concrete was produced directly on site.
By setting up a recycling platform, approximately 95% of the waste was recycled, and 76% of the recovered materials were reused.
Photo : © Nadir Kecili for Groupe ADP
Final tests after the construction work
Once the runway had been rebuilt, around twenty employees from the airside division, working closely with the Infrastructure and Energy project teams from the Engineering and Capital Projects (ECP) division, conducted a series of checks. n particular, they ensured that the infrastructure was compliant and tested, adjusted, and configured the lighting systems for the runway and the 23 associated taxiways.
Photo : © Antoine Doyen for Groupe ADP
New runway renovation projects coming soon
Renovating runways and taxiways is one of the routine tasks that every airport operator must carry out. Following runway 1 at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, other renovation projects are planned. In 2026, runway 4 (code 06—24) at Paris-Orly and one of the runways at Paris-Saclay-Versailles Aerodrome will be renovated; then, in 2027, it will be the turn of runway 2 (08L–26R) at Paris-Charles de Gaulle,which is part of the northern runway pair.
Photo : © Nadir Kecili for Groupe ADP