Airways Aviation Group issues this statement to provide clarity and transparency to all stakeholders (including students, cadets, staff, airline partners, regulators, suppliers and creditors) regarding the current position of Airways Aviation Academy France following the criminal arson attack at Montpellier–Méditerranée International Airport in May 2025.
Background
In the early hours of 20 May 2025, Airways Aviation France was the victim of a serious criminal attack following an unlawful breach of the secured airside perimeter at Montpellier–Méditerranée International Airport. As a direct consequence, multiple Airways Aviation Group aircraft were destroyed, together with associated operational and technical equipment.
The incident caused significant disruption to local operations, with the European segment of the Group experiencing an immediate and material operational and financial impact. Airways Aviation France bears no responsibility for the incident and is a direct victim of a criminal act, the consequences of which were both severe and enduring and continue to compound.
The nature, scale and location of the attack (occurring within the secured confines of an international airport) are without precedent in France and, potentially, within Europe. The matter remains subject to an ongoing police investigation, and the Company is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did the incident arise from, or relate to, any failure in the Company’s Safety Management System (SMS), training governance, operational control or regulatory compliance obligations. All approvals, oversight arrangements and safety assurance processes applicable to approved training organisations (ATO) remained in force, and the Company has continued to engage proactively and transparently with regulators and the relevant competent authorities throughout.
Operational and Financial Impact
The measures implemented relate solely to the French entity and arise directly from the consequences of the criminal arson attack and unlawful airside breach in May 2025. These events resulted in a material and immediate reduction in operational capacity and revenue, while fixed and ongoing costs continued to accrue, creating a consequential impact on certain parts of the Group’s European operations.
The resulting cash-flow pressures were initially localised within France but over subsequent months, have progressively affected other European operations, principally in relation to the timing and sequencing of settlement of both external creditor obligations and intra-group balances. These effects are a direct and foreseeable consequence of the incident and the losses sustained, rather than any deficiency in operational management.
In this context, the Group’s Finnish operations have been disproportionately affected by the downstream consequences of the May incident. The Finnish entity sustained the loss and severe damage of training aircraft and has experienced constraints on anticipated inter-company cash flows arising from the disruption within the French entity. These circumstances are directly attributable to the incident and its continuing effects.
More broadly, the incident has had a notable impact on available training resources and liquidity across parts of the Group, as aircraft destroyed or severely damaged were owned by multiple legal entities, including entities incorporated in France, Finland and the United Arab Emirates. Insurance and recovery claims in respect of these losses remain ongoing and unresolved.
Notwithstanding the significant operational disruption, liquidity pressure and temporary reduction in training capacity experienced within parts of Europe, these impacts do not reflect the underlying and overall asset strength, operational resilience or long-term strategic outlook of the Airways Aviation Group globally. The Group expressly reserves all rights in respect of recovery, indemnification and compensation arising from the incident.
Legal Rights and Recovery Process
Airways Aviation France, together with relevant entities within the Airways Aviation Group, has reserved and continues to reserve all legal rights arising from the events of 20 May 2025. The Group is actively pursuing appropriate legal, contractual and insurance remedies in respect of the very substantial losses and consequential damages sustained.
In accordance with established practice and to protect the interests of all affected parties, the Group will not comment publicly on the detailed substance or procedural status of ongoing or prospective proceedings. It is, however, appropriate to confirm that legal claims have been served and that the quantum of losses being pursued is material and measured in the tens of millions of euros.
The Group is taking all necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard its position, preserve its rights of recovery and ensure that responsibility for the losses suffered is properly addressed. All rights are expressly reserved.
Commitment to Students, Staff and Partners
The safety, education and career progression of students and cadets remain paramount. The Group aims to continue to engage directly, transparently and constructively with students, staff, airline partners and other stakeholders to ensure continuity of training, clarity of communication and appropriate academic, operational and pastoral support.
Notwithstanding the financial and operational pressures arising from the May incident, Airways Aviation Group remains fully committed to delivering high-quality, regulatory-compliant aviation training across its global network. Student progression, examination integrity, certification standards and instructor oversight continue to be maintained in accordance with applicable regulatory approvals.
While the French entity and, by extension, the Group's Nordic entity and operations have experienced the brunt of the significant cash-flow and revenue constraints, these pressures do not compromise the Group’s ability to practically meet its regulatory, safety, governance or over sight obligations across its other approved training organisations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. All required compliance, safety management and quality assurance frameworks remain fully effective.
Appropriate mitigation and continuity measures have been implemented to safeguard compliance, protect training outcomes and support students and staff while recovery and claims processes continue.
Global Group Position
Airways Aviation Group remains a leading international aviation education and training leader, with a strong global footprint and long-standing relationships across airline, defence and government sectors. The Group continues to deliver regulatory-approved training across its international network and to engage constructively with industry partners and regulators.
The events in France do not diminish the training standards, regulatory approvals, global partnerships or long-term strategic objectives. Rather, they demonstrate the Group’s resilience, willingness and capacity to respond to exceptional circumstances while maintaining continuity and compliance.
Looking ahead, the Group is actively undertaking planning and restructuring within its European operations, including the re-ordering of administrative, operational and training activities, to ensure an efficient, sustainable and appropriately scaled European platform. These measures are designed to optimise resource allocation, and positioning, strengthen oversight and support long-term stakeholder obligations and stability, while continuing to meet all applicable regulatory, safety and quality requirements.
At a global level, the Airways Aviation Group remains focused on constructive engagement with students, airline partners and regulators, maintaining operational and training continuity, and pursuing future growth opportunities across its international network.
The Group’s European entities particularly thanks its students, cadets, staff, airline partners and the wider aviation community for their professionalism, support and understanding during this challenging period.
Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
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