Airports of French Guiana
French Guiana's airport network is almost entirely a one-hub story. CAY — Félix Eboué Airport, usually called Rochambeau — handles all the serious international traffic out of Cayenne, connecting the territory to mainland France, the Caribbean, and a handful of regional neighbours. The remaining five airports are small operations serving interior communities that roads simply can't reach. This isn't a network shaped by competing cities. It's shaped by jungle.
The shape of French Guiana's aviation network
What makes flying here structurally interesting is that the interior airports aren't just convenient — they're often the only option. Maripasoula and Grand-Santi aren't served by roads worth the name, so those three non-stop routes each airport offers aren't a luxury product. They're the supply chain. Rochambeau punches above its weight by regional standards, with nine non-stop destinations making it a legitimate spoke for connections into the Caribbean and across the Atlantic to Paris. But the real character of this network shows up in the smaller airfields. Saul Airport (XAU), serving a village of a few hundred people in the heart of the Guiana Highlands, has three routes. That's not a coincidence — that's a community staying connected to the coast by the only means available.
Airport tiers in French Guiana
Regional airports (1)
- CAY Cayenne — 9 destinations
Minor airfields (5)
- GSI Grand-Santi — 3 destinations
- MPY Maripasoula — 3 destinations
- XAU Saul — 3 destinations
- OYC Camopi — 2 destinations
- LDX Saint Laurent du Maroni — 1 destinations
Tips for using French Guiana's airports
Fly into CAY for Cayenne, the coast, and the space centre at Kourou — it's the only airport with meaningful international connections, so you're routing through here regardless. For the interior — Maripasoula, Grand-Santi, Saul — expect small propeller aircraft and weight restrictions on luggage, so pack accordingly. Domestic legs are genuinely necessary if you're heading inland; don't assume you can drive it. Ground transport between airports isn't really a concept here in the traditional sense. These aren't rival hubs connected by a motorway. They serve entirely different worlds.
Frequently asked questions
How many airports are in French Guiana?
French Guiana has 6 commercial airports serving the territory. These airports provide connections to various destinations across the region.
What is the biggest and busiest airport in French Guiana?
Rochambeau International Airport (CAY) in Cayenne is the largest and busiest airport in French Guiana. It serves as the main hub for both domestic and international travel to the territory.
Can I fly internationally from regional airports in French Guiana?
International flights are primarily concentrated at Rochambeau International Airport (CAY). Regional airports in French Guiana mainly handle domestic connections and limited regional services.
What is the distance and transit between the main airports in French Guiana?
Rochambeau International Airport (CAY) is the primary hub, with regional airports distributed across French Guiana's territory. Specific transit times vary depending on which regional airport you are traveling to or from.
Which airport should I fly to when visiting French Guiana?
Most visitors should fly into Rochambeau International Airport (CAY) in Cayenne, as it handles the majority of international arrivals and offers the best connections. From there, you can arrange onward travel to other parts of French Guiana via regional airports or ground transportation.