The regional airline Air Antilles has been placed under court-ordered administration by the mixed commercial court of Pointe-à-Pitre. This decision opens a six-month observation period, during which the company must attempt to rectify its financial situation and find new investors to ensure the continuation of its operations.
Summary
A financial situation deemed critical
According to L'Écho Touristique, the court justified its decision by citing a "particularly deteriorated cash flow." The court set the date of cessation of payments as December 9, 2025, concluding that the company was no longer able to meet its liabilities with its available assets. The ruling also emphasizes that this situation jeopardized the payment of December 2025 salaries.
Air Antilles filed its declaration of cessation of payments on January 16, 2026. The company is majority owned by the Collectivity of Saint-Martin, the central shareholder of the project since the relaunch of the brand.
Planes grounded for safety reasons
Since December 8, 2025, Air Antilles aircraft have been grounded by order of the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC). The DGAC determined that the airline had "very significant deficiencies" in its safety procedures and was no longer able to guarantee the safety of its passengers and staff.
This suspension of activity greatly complicates the prospects for a short-term restart, as the resumption of flights is conditional upon a thorough audit and prior validation by the aeronautical authorities.
A prospect of recovery deemed possible
Despite these difficulties, the court considered that a prospect of recovery existed. This analysis justified the opening of a six-month observation period, designed to allow for the search for industrial and financial solutions.
In an interview with the newspaper Le Pélican, Louis Mussington, president of the Collectivity of Saint-Martin, expressed his satisfaction with the extension granted. He indicated that "promising avenues" were being explored to attract investors, and also called for the mobilization of the Caribbean territories affected by the regional air service.
A direct impact on inter-island connectivity
The cessation of Air Antilles operations directly affects connections between Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Barthélemy. The airline played a central role in inter-island connectivity, both for resident travel and tourist flows.
In 2025, Air Antilles had transported over 121,000 passengers and generated revenue of approximately €18 million. Its closure weakens an already strained ecosystem, where regional air transport alternatives remain limited.
A judicial procedure under surveillance
The court appointed SELARL AJAssociés as judicial administrator, tasked with assisting the company in its management, and SCP BR Associés as judicial representative. Their mission is to stabilize the financial situation and examine the conditions for a possible continuation or takeover plan.
The outcome of the procedure will now depend on Air Antilles' ability to secure financing, meet the requirements of the DGAC and restore the confidence of institutional and economic partners.
Sources
https://www.lechotouristique.com/article/air-antilles-est-placee-en-redressement-judiciaire
https://www.lepelican-journal.com/air-antilles-la-compagnie-est-placee-en-redressement-judiciaire/
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