Paris - Cayenne, October 8, 2025
France’s Ministry of Transport (DGAC) has officially awarded the 30-year concession for Cayenne-Félix Eboué Airport to a consortium led by Egis Airport Operation, alongside Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, Alyse Guyane, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of French Guiana (CCIRG), and Entreprise Générale Léon Grosse. The new concession agreement, valued at €1.6 billion, marks a strategic milestone in the modernization and long-term management of the principal international gateway to French Guiana.
A Major Airport Modernization Initiative
Under the newly signed Concession Contract No. 2022DTA01, the Egis-led consortium will oversee the operation, financing, maintenance, and development of Cayenne-Félix Eboué Airport for a duration of 360 months (30 years) - from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2055.
The agreement, approved by Decree No. 2025-968 on September 23, 2025, and published in the Journal Officiel de la République Française on September 24, 2025, formalizes the transfer of operational responsibility to the newly created Société Concessionnaire Aéroport de Cayenne (SCAC). SCAC, whose shareholders are the members of the winning consortium, will act as the designated concessionaire.
Contract Scope and Responsibilities
The concession covers an extensive range of airport functions, including:
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Financing, design, and implementation of initial modernization works (“Travaux Initiaux”)
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Operation and maintenance of airside and landside infrastructure
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Commercial and real-estate development of airport facilities
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Compliance with aviation safety, security, and environmental standards
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Sustainable management and technical adaptation of the airport’s assets to evolving needs
The concessionaire assumes full operational and financial risk, as defined by Articles L.1121-1 to L.1121-4 of the French Public Procurement Code, and must ensure service continuity, adaptability, and equal access in line with public-service principles.
Award Criteria and Selection Process
The Ministry’s Directorate-General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) evaluated proposals on a combination of technical, economic, and strategic criteria, emphasizing:
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Quality of initial works and infrastructure management (30%)
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Airport attractiveness and development potential (20%)
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Quality of operations and sustainable management (20%)
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Minimization of public financial contributions (15%)
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Economic robustness and risk-sharing capacity (15%)
A total of four tenders were submitted, reflecting strong market interest in this flagship infrastructure project.
Key Entities and Roles
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Contracting Authority:
Ministère chargé des Transports – Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC)
50 Rue Henry Farman, 75720 Paris Cedex 15
Email: pmi-dgac.sg@aviation-civile.gouv.fr -
Concessionaire:
Groupement Egis Airport Operation / Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations / Alyse Guyane / Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Région Guyane / Entreprise Générale Léon Grosse
Registered address: 15 Avenue du Centre, 78280 Guyancourt -
Review Body:
Tribunal Administratif de la Guyane, Cayenne
Strategic and Regional Impact
This concession represents a transformative investment in French Guiana’s air transport infrastructure, reinforcing Cayenne-Félix Eboué’s position as the primary aviation hub in the Guiana Shield region. The project will modernize passenger terminals, improve operational resilience, and support the region’s growing demand for both passenger and cargo traffic.
The involvement of Caisse des Dépôts ensures strong institutional backing, while Egis, with its extensive experience managing airports across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, brings technical expertise and operational excellence. The collaboration with local stakeholders, notably Alyse Guyane and the CCIRG, also ensures that economic benefits and job creation are rooted within the local community.
Looking Ahead
Beginning in October 2025, the SCAC is expected to launch its first phase of investments focused on infrastructure upgrades, sustainability initiatives, and digital transformation of airport operations. These enhancements are anticipated to boost regional connectivity and position Cayenne-Félix Eboué as a model for sustainable airport management in the French overseas territories.
As the concession progresses, the airport is set to play an increasingly vital role in supporting tourism, logistics, and business growth in French Guiana, aligning with France’s broader strategy for overseas economic development and transport modernization.
Tags:
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