21 November 2023
Robin Aircraft has gone into compulsory liquidation and ceased trading.
The commercial court in Robin’s home town of Dijon yesterday, 20 November, issued the judicial liquidation of the French aircraft manufacturer with immediate effect.
It means a liquidator will be appointed who will be looking to raise as much as possible to repay creditors such as suppliers.
According to one report in French newspaper Les Echoes, a Paris based receiver has been looking for a buyer since September 2023, with three candidates coming forward. However, the judges at the commercial court did not accept any of the recovery plans proposed.
The decision follows a difficult year for Robin Aircraft which started in December 2022 when the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) regarding a faulty wing spar.
The AD grounded aircraft affected which was caused by a manufacturing problem. They were allowed to fly again by early 2023, with restrictions, but by then the company was in financial difficulty resulting in some workers being laid off.
In February, Robin Aircraft was placed in a special ‘safeguarded’ regime to allow it to recover from the wing spar issue.
In September, the Dijon commercial court changed the safeguard status into a judicial recovery but it has not worked.
Robin uses time-honoured techniques to manufacture its wood aircraft
Casimir Pellissier, CEO of Robin Aircraft, issued this statement today: “The Dijon Commercial Court has just ordered the liquidation of Robin Aircraft and declined, for insufficiency or incompatibility, the three proposed takeover bids.
“A cold shower falls on the shoulders of all those who participated in or encouraged the adventure. The harshness of the times and the human limitations of the crew force us to get down on one knee. But they don’t force us to give up.
“CEAPR (Centre Est Avions Pierre Robin) is standing fast, serving all the proud owners of Robin and Cap aircraft.
“CEAPR will take on board everyone from Robin who can and will continue to cherish, take care and promote the unique know-how amassed over so many years by so many highly talented craftsmen.
“And when tomorrow the community of DR400 and Cap10 enthusiasts requests it and when market conditions allow it, we shall be ready.”
CEAPR is a separate company from Robin Aircraft and supplies spares and support. CEAPR also owns the rights to Robin Aircraft.
Casimir Pellissier is the boss of both companies. He spoke to FLYER‘s Ed Hicks back in April at AERO Friedrichshafen:
