Kourou Airport

Kourou Airport is not merely an air gateway, but a true portal to the stars. Located in the very heart of the European space industry, it serves not only residents and visitors of the city but also numerous specialists of the Guiana Space Centre. This compact air harbour plays a key role in the transport system of French Guiana, connecting this unique region with the rest of the country and ensuring logistics for humanity's most ambitious projects.

The main feature of Kourou Airport is its inseparable link with the Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais). It serves as the primary base for transporting personnel, scientists, and sensitive equipment required for the launches of "Ariane", "Soyuz", and "Vega" rockets. For many travellers, arriving here becomes the first step towards a dream — witnessing a spacecraft launch with their own eyes.

The airport itself is small and functional. There is none of the hustle and bustle of major international hubs here, making it surprisingly convenient and peaceful for passengers. The main infrastructure is designed for the rapid handling of arriving and departing flights, predominantly to the capital, Cayenne. Although the airport is located in Kourou, it is also convenient for travellers heading to the neighbouring city of Sinnamary or to the natural attractions of the coast.

We have gathered the main contact information for Kourou Airport for you. Considering this is a small regional airport, many services may be combined or managed centrally.

• Official Website: Kourou Airport does not have a separate website. Official information should be sought on the portal of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Guiana (CCI Guyane), which manages the airport.
• Information Desk Phone: It is recommended to check the current phone number for inquiries on the CCI Guyane website. Often, this is a general number for all airports managed by them.
• Airport Address: Route de l'Aéroport, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana. The airport is located in the immediate vicinity of the Guiana Space Centre.
• Email: A direct public email address for general questions is usually unavailable. For communication, it is recommended to use the contact forms on the official website of the management company (CCI Guyane).
• Social Media: Dedicated pages for Kourou Airport on social networks are unlikely. News and updates may be published on the official pages of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Guiana.
• Lost Luggage Information: For issues regarding lost or damaged luggage, you should first contact the representative of your airline at the airport. If this is not possible, contact the general airport information service.
• Passenger Support Contacts: For assistance with issues related to your flight (changes, cancellations, check-in), you must contact your airline directly.

There are several ways to get from the city of Sinnamary to Kourou Airport, which serves the region. It is important to consider that the distance from the centre of Sinnamary to the airport is about 60 kilometres, so the trip should be planned in advance. The approximate travel time by car is about 1 hour.

Taxi and private transfer are the most reliable and comfortable ways to get to the airport. You can book a car in advance with one of the local taxi companies or arrange a transfer through your hotel. This guarantees that you will arrive on time, especially if you have an early or late flight. The cost of the trip will be relatively high, but it ensures convenience and predictability.

Car rental is an excellent option for travellers who value independence. In French Guiana, renting a car is a popular method of transportation. You can rent a car in Sinnamary and return it at the company's representative office at Kourou Airport. The airport has a parking lot where you can leave the car for both short and long terms. This method gives maximum freedom to explore the surroundings before departure.

As for public transport, its capabilities are limited. There are generally no direct bus routes from Sinnamary to the airport. Theoretically, one can use collective taxis (taxi-collectif or taxi-co), which run between cities. This is a more budget-friendly option, but it is not noted for punctuality or a strict schedule, so it is highly discouraged to rely on it if you are rushing for a flight. It is better to choose this method for trips not tied to a specific time.

Kourou Airport (QKR) is a small and compact regional airport, so its structure is extremely simple and understandable for any traveller. There is one passenger terminal functioning here, which serves both departing and arriving flights. Thanks to this, you will not have to worry about transfers between buildings or complex navigation.

The terminal is a single-storey building with a logical and intuitive layout. The space is clearly divided into two main zones. The Departure Zone includes several check-in counters, a security screening point, and a small waiting hall with a boarding gate. The Arrival Zone consists of a baggage claim hall and an exit to the city. All key points are within a few steps of each other, making movement around the airport quick and convenient.

One of the main features of Kourou Airport is the speed of completing all pre-flight formalities. Due to the low passenger flow, flight check-in and security screening usually take a minimum amount of time. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at the airport approximately 1–1.5 hours before departure to check in luggage and go through all procedures without haste.

The main advice for navigation is not to worry. It is practically impossible to get lost in the single terminal of Kourou Airport. All necessary information is presented on signs, and the short distances allow you to orient yourself easily, even if you are here for the first time. It is a functional airport designed for the maximum convenience of passengers travelling through French Guiana.

The history of Kourou Airport (QKR), which also serves the city of Sinnamary, is inextricably linked with one of the most ambitious projects in modern science — space exploration. The airport was built in the 1960s not as a hub for passenger transport, but as a strategic facility to serve the Guiana Space Centre, located nearby in Kourou. Its primary task from the very first day has been and remains the provision of logistics for the European space programme.

The main stages of the airport's development went hand in hand with the evolution of space missions. The runway and infrastructure have been repeatedly modernised to receive the largest and heaviest cargo aircraft in the world, such as the An-124 "Ruslan". Each reconstruction was dictated by the need to deliver increasingly large and complex components of launch vehicles, for example, the "Ariane" family, and expensive satellites.

Instead of records for passenger traffic, the achievements of Kourou Airport are measured by the successful space launches it helped to ensure. One of the landmark events in its recent history was the delivery of components for the James Webb Space Telescope — an extremely complex logistical operation that required the highest precision. Each satellite or rocket stage arriving here is a separate chapter in the history of this unique aviation hub of French Guiana.

Among interesting facts — Kourou Airport possesses one of the longest runways in the region, capable of accepting practically any existing aircraft. At the same time, it serves almost no regular passenger flights — most travellers arrive in the country through the capital airport of Cayenne. Kourou Airport remains, above all, a gateway to space, a vital link in the chain connecting Earth and the distant stars.

Kourou Airport (QKR) is a compact regional airport that provides passengers with all the basic services necessary for a comfortable journey. Although the range of amenities here is not as wide as in major international hubs, you will find everything needed while waiting for your flight.

In the terminal building, there is a small café where you can order light snacks, sandwiches, and beverages. For those looking for souvenirs or travel goods, there is a small shop. There are no dedicated business lounges or VIP zones at the airport, but the main waiting hall is clean and comfortable.

Passengers can use free Wi-Fi for internet access, as well as find sockets to charge their gadgets. Regarding financial services, there is usually an ATM at the airport, but currency exchange points may be absent, so it is recommended to take care of money exchange in the city beforehand. A first aid point is also available.

Basic amenities are provided for passengers with children, for example, a mother and child room. Travellers with reduced mobility are provided with assistance in moving around the airport, boarding, and disembarking. It is strongly recommended to contact your airline in advance to book assistance services. There are no hotels within the airport territory, however, many accommodation options are located in the city of Kourou itself, just a few minutes' drive away. Specialised business centres and conference rooms are absent at the airport.

Kourou Airport (QKR) is a small regional airport, and dining options here are quite limited, which corresponds to its size. Passengers departing from Kourou are advised to plan their lunch or dinner in advance, especially if they have specific dietary preferences.

In the single terminal of the airport, a small snack bar or café usually operates. This is the main and, typically, the only place where one can have a snack. It is located in the public zone (landside), before passing security control. As in most airports, one should expect prices here to be somewhat higher than in city establishments.

The assortment typically includes:

• Hot beverages: coffee, tea.
• Cold beverages: water, juices, carbonated drinks.
• Pastries: croissants, buns.
• Light snacks: sandwiches, chips, chocolate.

For a full meal or to experience local Creole cuisine, it is best to visit one of the restaurants in the city of Kourou before travelling to the airport. Finding hot meals or a wide selection of gastronomic delights at the airport itself is unlikely. Regarding special dietary options (vegetarian, Halal, gluten-free, etc.), their availability in the snack bar is extremely unlikely. Travellers with special needs are strongly advised to bring food with them. The café's opening hours are usually tied to the flight schedule but may be irregular.

Planning a departure from Kourou Airport? To ensure your journey through French Guiana and departure from the city of Sinnamary begin without hassle, we recommend arriving at the airport in advance. The optimal time is 2-3 hours before an international flight and 1.5-2 hours before a domestic one. This will give you enough time to check in and go through screening without haste.

To save time, use online check-in for your flight if such a service is available with your airline. Screening procedures at Kourou Airport are standard. Remember the rules for carrying liquids: all containers must be no more than 100 ml in volume and packed in one transparent resealable bag. Large electronics, such as laptops and tablets, will likely need to be removed from your bag for separate scanning.

When choosing a seat on the plane, if possible, opt for a window seat. It may offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic coast or dense tropical forests during takeoff or landing. If legroom comfort is important to you, choose seats by the emergency exit, but note that certain restrictions may apply to them.

Regarding hand luggage, ensure there are no prohibited items: sharp objects, weapons, and flammable substances. All portable charging devices (power banks) and spare batteries must strictly be in your hand luggage; their carriage in checked baggage is prohibited for safety reasons.

If you have a transfer at Kourou Airport, check with your airline in advance whether your luggage will be automatically transferred to the next flight or if you will need to collect it and check it in again. Also, find out if you will need to undergo security screening again between flights.

Customs control upon entry into French Guiana is subject to European Union rules. If you are arriving from a country outside the EU, be prepared to declare large sums of cash and certain categories of goods. Upon departure, pay attention to restrictions on the export of local products, alcoholic beverages, as well as any items of flora and fauna.

To make the trip more economical, check in for the flight online, take an empty water bottle with you (it can be filled after screening), and light snacks. It is better to book a transfer from the airport in advance to avoid inflated prices from taxi drivers on site.

In case of a flight delay or cancellation, first contact your airline representative for information about the new departure time and your rights. Passengers departing from EU airports (to which French Guiana belongs) are often protected by special regulations that provide for compensation and assistance. Be sure to keep all receipts for food, drinks, or accommodation if you had to incur additional expenses.