Air Antilles, the regional carrier serving the French Caribbean, has been placed into judicial liquidation by the commercial court of Pointe-à-Pitre on April 27, 2026, with immediate cessation of operations. The decision marks the end of a revival attempt that began in mid-2024 but was ultimately doomed by severe safety deficiencies, a debt exceeding €56 million, and persistent operating losses. The airline had been grounded since December 2025, when the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) revoked its air operator certificate (AOC) due to "very significant failures" in safety processes. Despite a restructuring effort backed by the Collectivity of Saint-Martin, which invested around €20 million, the company could not recover. The court rejected all takeover bids, including a proposal from the Pewen consortium (project Air Kalinago) that would have saved only 13 of 116 jobs, deeming it insufficient. Another offer targeting a single aircraft without staff retention was also dismissed. For ATPL and ATC students, this case underscores the non-negotiable nature of safety management systems (SMS) and the direct impact of regulatory compliance on an airline's viability. The DGAC's decision to revoke the AOC, based on safety deficiencies, effectively ended the airline's ability to generate revenue, leading to its collapse. This illustrates how safety lapses can cascade into financial ruin, a key lesson for future pilots and controllers who will be responsible for upholding safety standards. Moreover, the liquidation leaves Air Caraïbes as the sole operator on several intra-Caribbean routes, raising concerns about reduced connectivity and potential fare increases. For students studying airline economics, this example demonstrates how market concentration can result from a competitor's failure, affecting regional transport dynamics. The 116 employees now face unemployment, and the case serves as a stark reminder that even with political and financial support, an airline cannot survive without a robust safety culture and sustainable business model. Aspiring aviation professionals should analyze this case to understand the real-world consequences of operational and regulatory failures.