POINTE a PITRE:--- The future of Air Antilles and its 118 employees now rests with the Commercial Court of Pointe-à-Pitre, which will deliver its verdict on February 2. The hearing on January 22 brought a significant development: the public prosecutor has officially requested that the airline be placed into judicial reorganization. This recommendation provides a crucial thread of hope for the troubled regional carrier, signaling a potential path to survival over immediate liquidation.
The court session, held behind closed doors, represents a critical juncture for an airline that has been paralyzed since early December 2025. For the employees and the wider Caribbean community, the prosecutor's support for a recovery plan is the most positive news in weeks. This article will break down the latest developments, the significance of the prosecutor’s request, and what comes next for Air Antilles.
The Prosecutor's Stance: A Lifeline for Air Antilles
At the closed-door hearing on January 22 at the Commercial Court of Pointe-à-Pitre, a pivotal development occurred: the public prosecutor explicitly requested that Air Antilles be placed into judicial reorganization. This recommendation, delivered after swift and focused exchanges among the small group of attendees, carries significant weight—even if the ultimate decision rests with the court itself. With 118 jobs at stake across Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint-Martin, the prosecutor’s call for reorganization sent a vital signal that the authorities see a viable path for recovery if a credible restructuring plan can be implemented.
The emotional response from employees underscored the gravity of the moment. Séverine Louisor, coordinator at the Pointe-à-Pitre station, captured the uncertainty and hardship faced by staff over the past months: “What keeps a company alive are the passengers and the money they bring. Without that, we cannot live.” The situation has bred both hope and sadness, as employees acknowledge the mounting pressure and the long shadow cast by the company's temporary license and mounting losses.
Brieuc Hardy, union delegate for the SNPL and member of the employee committee, echoed these mixed emotions. He spoke of the sadness that the airline had reached such a precarious point but also acknowledged that both the court and the prosecutor seem genuinely committed to prioritizing job preservation through reorganization rather than liquidation.
This rare alignment between the prosecutor’s recommendation and the airline’s own plea for judicial reorganization considerably strengthens Air Antilles' chances of avoiding total closure. The prosecutor’s backing not only offers hope to the workforce but also marks an official recognition of the regional and economic stakes embodied by the airline.
The hearing was called as a direct result of the carrier’s insolvency filing, a step made inevitable once the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) suspended Air Antilles’ Air Transport Certificate on December 8, 2025, due to safety issues. The grounding instantly halted flights and cut off all income, leaving the company unable to meet its obligations.
Now, the court must decide between two stark outcomes:
- Judicial Reorganization: Supported by both the defense and the prosecutor, this would see Air Antilles protected by the court and allowed to restructure its debt and operations—provided it secures the renewal of its operating license.
- Liquidation: Should the court find the business unsalvageable, the airline’s assets would be sold, and its 118 employees would lose their jobs, marking the end of Air Antilles.
The human toll was palpable at the courthouse. Anxiety, sadness, and fragile hope blended among the staff, who have already weathered months of uncertainty and now wait on the court’s decision, buoyed by the prosecutor’s crucial show of support.
The survival of Air Antilles is about more than just one company. The Collectivity of Saint-Martin, as the majority shareholder, has invested nearly €20 million of public funds into the airline since its takeover in late 2023. A liquidation would mean a near-total loss of this investment.
Furthermore, the airline plays a critical role in regional connectivity. Before its grounding, Air Antilles transported over 121,000 passengers in 2025 between key destinations like Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Barthélemy. Its disappearance would create a significant void in the regional air transport market, likely leading to reduced flight availability and higher prices for travelers due to decreased competition.
What's Next?
All eyes are now on February 2. The court’s decision will be the first major domino to fall. Even with a favorable ruling for reorganization, the airline faces another urgent deadline: its provisional operating license is set to expire on January 31. Securing a renewal is essential for any recovery plan to succeed.
The hope for survival also hinges on securing new investment. A consortium of investors is reportedly finalizing a takeover offer to present to the court. The viability of this offer, combined with a clear strategy to address the DGAC’s safety concerns, will be central to convincing the court that Air Antilles has a future.
For the 118 employees, the prosecutor's recommendation is a reason for cautious optimism, but the wait is far from over. Their fate, and that of a vital regional airline, hangs in the balance.
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