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The story is not over yet. On Monday, February 2, the Pointe-à-Pitre Commercial Court placed Air Antilles in receivership. This decision is accompanied by a six-month observation period. According to the judges, this is due to a "particularly poor cash flow." The company's managers therefore have this period of time, which is similar to a reprieve, to find solutions to ensure the survival of the company and the preservation of 118 jobs.
If the receivership lasts six months, the company's management will have to present a viable recovery plan to the judges within the next two months. At the same time, the procedure is accompanied by a temporary suspension of debt repayments. In short, a freeze on claims.
According to Agence France-Presse, the magistrates of the mixed commercial court consider that the airline is "unable to meet its liabilities with its available assets." However, the court believes that "despite the difficulties mentioned, there is a prospect of recovery." All hope is therefore not lost.
Louis Mussington's hopes and regrets
"I am convinced that Air Antilles has a future," said Louis Mussington, chairman of the board of directors of Air Antilles. "It takes goodwill, but also a competent management team. The situation has had a major impact on the company's operations. It has been over a month since the DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority, December 8, 2025) grounded our aircraft and deprived us of all operational activity." For the president of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin, who has invested more than €16 million (€20 million with the contribution of the other shareholder, Edeis) in the company since the partial takeover in 2024, the entry of private investors into the capital, as well as the participation of the Guadeloupe authorities, are essential to ensure the survival of Air Antilles. "What I regret is that on three occasions I requested the intervention and participation of our elected colleagues from the department and the Guadeloupe Region, but they did not deem it useful to come to our aid, to support us in rectifying the situation," said Louis Mussington. "This is despite the fact that the staff, or at least the majority of them, are based in Pointe-à-Pitre. What I am asking for is financial participation to reassure our partners."
According to figures presented by the company's board of directors when filing for receivership, after the declaration of insolvency dated January 16, the company carried more than 121,000 passengers for a turnover of approximately €18 million in 2025.
As part of its decision on February 2, the joint commercial court appointed SELARL AJAssociés as the judicial administrator. This is "to assist the debtor in all matters relating to management." The magistrates also requested SCP BR Associés as the judicial representative, whose task will be to represent the creditors.
For Air Antilles' management, the few weeks of respite granted by the commercial court will be crucial. The aim is to save 118 jobs and secure the future of the company, which, until December 9, 2025, operated routes between Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy. The objective will also be, of course, to recover the air carrier certificate (CTA, suspended on December 8) and the air transport license (LTA, suspended on December 9).
