Air Antilles must provide evidence of sufficient financial guarantees to get back her licence

On December 9, Air Antilles had its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) suspended by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) due to serious safety breaches, resulting in the suspension of its operating license. A ministerial decree was drafted to formalize this suspension. Published the following week, the document does not mention any period, simply that the license is suspended from December 9, 2025, at 4 a.m. UTC (midnight local time in the Antilles).

However, the French Ministry of Transport points out that the company had a deadline to implement corrective measures in order to have its air carrier certificate reinstated.

“To date, discussions between the DGAC and the company are ongoing. Some evidence of the implementation of the proposed corrective actions is missing,” the ministry said Friday. It added that “demonstrating Air Antilles' ability to finance these actions and guarantee their sustainability is an important prerequisite for lifting the suspension of the AOC.” And then the license.

As a reminder, in early April 2025, the French Civil Aviation Authority converted Air Antilles' operating license to a temporary license “due to its deteriorated financial situation.” The license has been extended several times. On September 30, it was extended until January 31 of this year. But that was without taking into account the consequences of an audit that was to be carried out and would result in the suspension of the AOC and the license.

In order to regain its flying authorization, the company must provide evidence of sufficient financial guarantees in terms of equity and cash flow, enabling the DGAC to consider the business plan's assumptions realistic and then extend the operating license. But it must also obtain a favorable decision from the commercial court to which it has filed for receivership. The court is due to rule on February 2.