AGP Executive Report

Space & Launch Services: Amazon will send 36 Amazon Leo broadband satellites on an Ariane 64 launch from French Guiana on June 17, using upgraded P160C solid rocket boosters that boost low-Earth-orbit payload capacity by more than two metric tons. Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal letting passengers book combined itineraries on one ticket, with baggage checked through—linking LIAT’s Eastern Caribbean network (including Guyana) with Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana to Paris-Orly. Local Industry & Space Investment: PLD Space announced a €35m investment to develop and deploy its launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, with €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana companies and jobs tied to future orbital launches. Trade Infrastructure Watch: France is pushing Guyana to fast-track its deepwater port, arguing it will improve trade and connectivity—while local voices urge Guyana to scrutinize who benefits most. Legal & Social History: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, a 1685 slavery decree that had remained on the books despite abolition in 1848.

Aviation & Tourism: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal letting passengers book one itinerary on one ticket across both networks, with baggage checked through to the final destination—linking LIAT’s Eastern Caribbean hub (Antigua) with Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, plus its long-haul link to Paris-Orly. Transport Connectivity: Air France also keeps an A320 “island-hopping” route running from Miami to Guadeloupe, then onward via Martinique and French Guiana to Brazil, supporting regional travel even as it adjusted operations after Haiti security and aviation restrictions. Space & Local Industry: PLD Space announced a €35m investment to develop and deploy its orbital launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, with €22m spent in France and €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms, aiming to boost European sovereign launch capacity. Trade Infrastructure Debate: France urged Guyana to fast-track its deepwater port, while a separate commentary warns Guyana to scrutinize who benefits most from the project—an issue that directly touches regional logistics for French Guiana. Legal & History: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, a slavery-era decree that had remained on the books despite abolition in 1848.

Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes have signed an interline agreement letting passengers book one itinerary on a single ticket across both airlines, with baggage checked through to the final destination—linking LIAT’s Eastern Caribbean network (including Guyana) with Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, plus onward connections to Paris-Orly. French Guiana & Regional Trade: France is pushing Guyana to fast-track its deepwater port, arguing it will boost European trade and connectivity—while local observers warn Guyana should scrutinize who benefits most. Space & Local Jobs: PLD Space announced a €35m investment to develop and deploy its launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, with €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms and a projected boost to local value added and jobs. Policy & History: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, formally removing the 1685 slavery decree from French law (next step: Senate approval). Air France Route Watch: Air France is operating a Miami–Guadeloupe A320 service that feeds an island-hopping network including stops in Martinique and French Guiana before continuing to Brazil.

Parliament Repeal: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, ending a slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property.” The bill now heads to the Senate, with lawmakers calling it a necessary symbolic step after the law stayed on the books long after slavery was abolished in 1848. Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes launched an interline agreement for single-ticket Caribbean travel, with through-checked baggage and easier links between English- and French-speaking islands—covering Guyana and Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, plus onward connections to Paris Orly. Air France Route: Air France is running a distinctive Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 service that feeds an island-hopping network including stops in Martinique and French Guiana before continuing to Brazil, with the Haiti segment suspended due to security and an FAA ban. Space & Local Jobs: PLD Space announced a €35m investment to expand its Guiana Space Centre launch complex in Kourou, with €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms and a projected boost to local value added and jobs. Trade Infrastructure Debate: France is pushing Guyana to fast-track a deepwater port, arguing it will unlock trade—while a local editorial urges Guyana to scrutinize who benefits most, given the connectivity gap and likely foreign interests.

Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes have launched an interline agreement to let passengers book on one ticket, check baggage through to the final destination, and transfer more smoothly across the Caribbean—linking LIAT’s Eastern Caribbean network (including Guyana) with Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, plus onward connections to Paris Orly. Air France Route Watch: Air France is also keeping an unusual Airbus A320 “island-hopping” service running from Miami to Guadeloupe, then onward via Martinique and French Guiana to Brazil, after suspending a Haiti stop due to security and an FAA ban. Space & Local Industry: PLD Space says it will invest €35m in its Guiana Space Centre launch complex at Kourou (2025–2026), with €22m staying in the French industrial ecosystem and €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms, aiming to strengthen Europe’s sovereign access to orbit. Trade Infrastructure Debate: France is pushing Guyana to fast-track a deepwater port, arguing it will boost trade and regional integration—while a local editorial urges Guyana to scrutinize who benefits most. Legal & Social Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted 254–0 to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 slavery decree that kept enslaved people legally classified as property; the bill now heads to the Senate.

Ocean & Hospitality: Ahead of World Ocean Day (8 June), Novotel published its second Ocean Impact Report with WWF France, detailing progress on ocean-focused operations, sustainable food, and marine conservation across its 600+ hotels. Aviation Connectivity: Air France is running an unusual Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 service that links onward to French Caribbean islands and can include French Guiana on an island-hopping network, after suspending a Haiti stop due to security and an FAA ban. Caribbean Air Links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes launched an interline agreement for single-ticket travel, through-checked baggage, and easier connections between English- and French-speaking Caribbean routes, including services tied to French Guiana and onward to Paris-Orly. Trade Infrastructure Watch: France urged Guyana to fast-track its planned deepwater port to unlock wider European trade, while also pointing to growing regional ties across the Caribbean and French overseas communities. Space & Local Industry: PLD Space announced a €35m investment to expand its Guiana Space Centre launch complex in Kourou, with €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms and jobs tied to future MIURA 5 operations. Legal & Historical Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 slavery decree that kept enslaved people legally classified as property; the bill now heads to the Senate.

Ocean & Hospitality: Novotel, in partnership with WWF France, published its second Ocean Impact Report ahead of World Ocean Day, detailing progress on ocean-focused operations, sustainable food, marine conservation support, and ocean awareness across its 600+ hotels. Aviation Connectivity: Air France is running an unusual Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 service that links onward to Martinique and French Guiana before reaching Brazil, with the route adjusted after Haiti security and flight bans. Caribbean Air Links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes launched an interline agreement for single-ticket travel, through-checked baggage, and smoother connections across English, French and Dutch-speaking Caribbean routes into Paris-Orly. Trade Infrastructure (Guyana): France urged Guyana to fast-track its planned deepwater port, arguing it’s key to unlocking wider Europe–Guyana trade and improving connectivity. Space Investment (Kourou): PLD Space announced a €35m investment to expand its Guiana Space Centre launch complex, with €13m earmarked for 20+ local French Guiana firms, supporting European sovereign launch capacity. Local Business/Policy (French law): France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery-era law, moving the bill to the Senate after nearly two centuries it remained on the books.

Aviation & Connectivity: Air France is keeping an unusual Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 service running, with the island-hopping network linking onward to Martinique and French Guiana before reaching Brazil; the route now flies direct after Air France suspended a Port-au-Prince stop tied to Haiti security and an FAA ban. Regional Air Links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes have signed an interline agreement to sell one-ticket journeys across their combined Caribbean networks, with through-checked baggage and easier connections into Air Caraïbes’ Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana services plus long-haul to Paris-Orly. Space & Local Jobs: PLD Space says it will invest €35m in its Guiana Space Centre launch complex for MIURA 5, with €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms (including SMEs) and an expected boost to local value added and jobs during construction and recurring operations. Politics & Law: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery decree (1685), a symbolic legal cleanup that still needs Senate approval, as France confronts the colonial-era legacy in its overseas territories. Diplomacy & Trade: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a limited trade relationship, with talks expected to cover new sectors and trade facilitation.

Aviation & Tourism: LIAT (2020) Limited and Air Caraïbes signed a new interline agreement to make Caribbean travel easier with one ticket and one point of sale, plus through-checked baggage to the final destination. The deal links LIAT’s Eastern Caribbean network (including Guyana) with Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, and its long-haul connection to Paris Orly. Space & Local Industry: PLD Space announced a €35m investment to expand its launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, with €22m staying in the French industrial ecosystem and €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms, aiming to strengthen Europe’s sovereign launch access. Law & Society: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a 1685 decree that treated enslaved people as property; the move is symbolic but seen as a major step toward confronting colonial history. Regional Diplomacy: France reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty amid the Venezuela border dispute, highlighting expanding ties including a French embassy in Georgetown.

Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) Limited and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement for seamless Caribbean travel on a single ticket, with baggage checked through and coordinated bookings via travel agents and global distribution systems—linking LIAT’s Eastern Caribbean network (including Guyana and French Guiana) with Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, plus its Paris-Orly long-haul. Space & Local Industry: PLD Space announced a €35m investment to develop and deploy its Guiana Space Centre launch complex at Kourou (MIURA 5), with €22m spent across the French industrial ecosystem and €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana-based firms, aiming to boost local value added and jobs. Sovereignty in the Spotlight: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a 1685 decree that treated enslaved people as property—now headed to the Senate, with the move framed as a major symbolic step for France’s colonial reckoning. Regional Trade Talks: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand their trade agreement, aiming to broaden sectors beyond today’s limited, mostly Brazilian-export-heavy trade. Guyana-France Ties: France reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the Venezuela border dispute, highlighting cooperation and diplomatic links as Guyana marks 60 years of independence.

Space & Local Industry: PLD Space says it is investing €35m in its Kourou launch-complex at the Guiana Space Centre, with €22m spent in the French industrial ecosystem and €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms (including SMEs). The build-and-deploy push runs over 2025-2026 and is expected to generate about €21m in local value added and 250-275 indirect jobs during construction, plus 35 direct jobs tied to recurring MIURA 5 operations. Politics & Social Impact: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, the slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property.” The move is largely symbolic but seen as a step toward confronting France’s colonial past, with calls for more action beyond the legal change. Regional Connectivity: LIAT (2020) Limited and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement to sell combined itineraries on one ticket, with through-checked baggage, linking Air Caraïbes services in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana to LIAT’s wider Eastern Caribbean network (including Guyana) and onward connections to Europe. Diplomacy & Trade: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a limited trade relationship, aiming to add new sectors and trade-facilitation measures, alongside business talks in energy, logistics, transport, agriculture and communications.

Space & Industry: Portugal is pushing a faster route into space with a Santa Maria spaceport in the Azores, aiming for European Space Rider landings in 2028 and rocket launches around 2030, backed by 2,000 workers and €200m turnover in its growing space sector. French Guiana in the spotlight: Amazon Leo satellite shipments are heading to French Guiana for the next Ariane 6 mission, as the company juggles launch capacity after recent rocket setbacks and shifts in its launcher strategy. Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to sell one-ticket, through-checked itineraries across the Caribbean, linking islands including French Guiana to routes into Europe. Regional diplomacy: France reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty as the Essequibo dispute with Venezuela continues at the ICJ, highlighting deepening ties and cooperation. Trade talks: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a still-small trade relationship, with talks covering energy, logistics, agriculture and connectivity. Law & society: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 slavery-era rules that treated enslaved people as property, with the bill now moving to the Senate.

Space & Industry: Portugal is pushing a spaceport in the Azores (Santa Maria), aiming for satellite launches by 2030 and European missions landing there by 2028—backed by a growing local space workforce and EU cooperation. Local Space Economy: In French Guiana, Ariane 6 is feeding Amazon’s Leo satellite program, with the next batch shipped for an upcoming launch that also brings higher payload capacity. Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to sell one-ticket, through-checked itineraries across the Caribbean and into Europe via Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Regional Trade: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a limited trade relationship, with talks covering new sectors and trade facilitation. Diplomacy for the Guiana Shield: France reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty amid the Venezuela border dispute, highlighting deeper ties and cooperation. Law & History: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a legal text that also applied to French Guiana.

Space & Connectivity: ULA successfully launched 29 Amazon Leo internet satellites from Cape Canaveral on May 29, following a Blue Origin New Glenn test-fire explosion the day before—raising questions for Amazon’s mixed launch plans as it builds toward a ~3,000-satellite constellation. Aviation & Tourism Links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to sell combined itineraries on one ticket, with through-checked baggage, linking Air Caraïbes services in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana to LIAT’s wider Eastern Caribbean network and onward connections to Europe. Regional Trade & Business: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a limited trade agreement, aiming to grow flows beyond a narrow set of products and add new sectors; the Suriname visit also includes business talks in energy, logistics, transport, agriculture and communications. Local Economy Angle (Guiana Shield): France reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty amid the Venezuela border dispute, highlighting deeper cooperation and the French embassy opening in Georgetown. Politics & Law (France/Overseas): France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the Code Noir, removing a slavery-era legal framework that treated enslaved people as property—an issue with direct historical reach to French Guiana.

Space & Connectivity: ULA resumed commercial momentum after a Blue Origin New Glenn test-fire explosion, launching 29 Amazon Leo internet satellites from Cape Canaveral on May 29, with Amazon’s broader plan to build a ~3,000-satellite network that could be affected by recent rocket disruptions. French Guiana Space Industry: In French Guiana, Ariane 6 is set to keep feeding Amazon Leo with additional satellite batches, including an upgrade aimed at higher payload capacity—another sign the region remains central to Europe’s commercial space push. Regional Air Links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to let passengers book one itinerary on a single ticket across the Caribbean and onward to Paris-Orly, including connections via Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Trade Talks: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a still-small trade relationship, with talks expected to cover new sectors and trade facilitation, alongside business meetings in energy, logistics, transport, agriculture and communications. Diplomacy & Borders: France reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty as Venezuela’s border dispute with Essequibo continues, highlighting deepening ties including a French embassy in Georgetown. Law & Society: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the Code Noir, removing a slavery-era legal framework that treated enslaved people as property—an issue with direct relevance to overseas territories including French Guiana.

France-Guyana Ties: As Guyana marks its 60th Independence anniversary, President Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Essequibo dispute, pointing to ongoing ICJ proceedings and highlighting expanded cooperation in justice, security and defence. Slavery Law Repeal: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, a decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property”; the bill now heads to the Senate, with Macron calling the long silence “a form of offense.” Space for Business in French Guiana: Amazon is shipping new satellite batches to French Guiana for upcoming Ariane 6 launches for Amazon Leo, as the company balances rocket availability with growing satellite production. EU Trade Deal Watch: EU and Mexico signed an expanded free trade pact covering services and farm produce, plus steps to ease cross-border investment and let European firms bid on some Mexican government contracts. Suriname-Brazil Deals: Suriname President Geerlings-Simons is on a state visit to Brazil, with expected agreements on defence, energy, security and connectivity amid rising interest in Suriname’s oil and gas potential. Space Science Launch: ESA’s SMILE mission lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on a Vega-C rocket to study space weather, with Teledyne sensors supplying key soft X-ray imaging.