For years, the flight simulation community has asked the same question whenever a major European hub was released: “What about Charles de Gaulle?” It has been one of the few glaring gaps in the high-fidelity scenery map for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Now, as we settle into 2026, the situation is flipping completely. We have gone from zero contenders to three, with Azrsim officially throwing their hat in the ring this week alongside Aerosoft and Pilot Experience Sim.
Here is a breakdown of the “Paris Race,” what each developer is bringing to the table, and where they currently stand.
The new challenger: Azrsim
The catalyst for the latest round of forum discussions was Azrsim’s roadmap announcement this week. Fresh off their release of Baku (UBBB) and Riyadh (OERK), the developer revealed plans to tackle Paris Charles de Gaulle (LFPG) as part of their 2026 lineup.
While details are still thin compared to their competitors, Azrsim has been gaining traction for rapid development cycles and functional interiors. If their previous releases are any indication, we can expect a focus on modern terminal modeling and potentially a faster release timeline than the legacy studios. However, the community will surely be watching closely to see if they can match the optimization needed for such a massive airport, something that has historically plagued complex sceneries in the Paris photogrammetry region.
The long-time contender: Pilot Experience Sim
Pilot Experience Sim (PESIM) has been teasing their LFPG project for the better part of a year. In their recent development updates from late 2025, they showcased significant progress on the distinct circular Terminal 1 and the complex ground layout.
PESIM says their version will feature a custom “parallax library” to simulate window depth without the performance cost of fully modeled interiors in every building. They have also highlighted their work on the specific lighting systems used at CDG, such as the Runway Entrance Lights.
The studio has been transparent about the scale of the task, admitting that terraforming the unique slopes and bridges of Charles de Gaulle has been one of the most technically challenging aspects of the project.
The heavyweight: Aerosoft
Aerosoft’s entry is being led by industry veterans Jo Erlend and Lukas Vezyroglou, the duo behind the highly praised Oslo and Brussels sceneries. For many simmers, this pedigree makes Aerosoft the “safe bet” for high-end fidelity.
However, development has hit a few speed bumps. In an update last month, Aerosoft mentioned they were “not 100% happy” with the progress and had placed certain sections on hold while they secured a local contact to verify specific details. They have confirmed a 2026 release window, but this pause indicates that they are not looking to rush the project to reach the market and rather aim for an accurate rendition.
Aerosoft states that their goal is to offer a “native” MSFS 2024 experience from day one, rather than a port of older assets, which may explain the longer development cycle.
2026: the year of LFPG for Microsoft Flight Sim?
The “LFPG War” is good news for simmers. Competition usually forces developers to sharpen their pencils, not only on quality but also on pricing and performance optimization.
Paris is notoriously heavy on system resources due to the dense photogrammetry of the city nearby. The developer that wins this race won’t necessarily be the one with the highest texture resolution, but the one who can deliver a smooth approach into Runway 27R without the simulator turning into a slideshow.
For now, we’ll continue to follow these projects to see how they evolve. But after years of relying on the default scenery or freeware mods, it looks like 2026 will finally be the year we get the Paris hub the simulator deserves.
