Cannes Aviation Academy
Cannes Aviation Academy is an EASA-certified flight school based at Cannes Mandelieu Airport in France, founded in 1995, that trains aspiring commercial airline pilots through a 2-year integrated ATP program and modular CPL-MEP-IRME, ATPL theoretical, APS MCC, MCC, UPRT, and PPL courses, serving both ab initio candidates and existing PPL holders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersLa Bocca, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Cannes Aviation Academy does
Cannes Aviation Academy is a French EASA-certified flight training organization (FTO/ATO) based at Cannes Mandelieu Airport, founded in 1995, training aspiring commercial airline pilots. The academy serves both ab initio candidates and existing PPL holders through two principal pathways: a 2-year integrated ATP program delivered entirely in English (with intakes in January, May, and September), and a modular CPL-MEP-IRME program for private pilots progressing at their own pace, plus ATPL theoretical, APS MCC, MCC simple, UPRT, and PPL courses. Annual cohorts are sized to approximately 50 students to maintain instructional quality.
The school's training infrastructure centers on a purpose-built equipment stack: an FNPT II MCC Entrol A32 simulator (a genuine Airbus A320 cockpit replica) for APS MCC and MCC courses, Diamond DA42 multi-engine aircraft for instrument/multi-engine training, and an Extra 200 tandem-seat aerobatic aircraft for UPRT. UPRT was integrated into the ATP program in 2014 per European AirCrew regulation, and the APS MCC training (including an accompanying pedagogical module designed with aviation industry experts) was added in 2021. The academy reports strong outcomes for 2024: a 92% first-attempt pass rate on ATPL theoretical exams (across 600+ exams), a 95% first-presentation pass rate on practical exams, and a 98% student recommendation rate.
Revenue mechanics come primarily from one-time program tuition (detailed pricing not publicly disclosed, accessible via brochure), supplemented by recurring rental income on furnished student apartments starting at €590/month. The go-to-market is sales-led: candidates submit application dossiers, undergo selection tests, and may attend periodic open days (JPO). Student financing is supported through a partnership with Société Générale, and student housing is supported through a partnership with Foncia. The academy is privately held with no identified parent company, external investor, or institutional backing.
Cannes Aviation Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cannes Aviation Academy
- Legal name
- Cannes Aviation Academy
- Website
- https://cannes-aviation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cannes Aviation Academy is an EASA-certified flight school based at Cannes Mandelieu Airport in France, founded in 1995, that trains aspiring commercial airline pilots through a 2-year integrated ATP program and modular CPL-MEP-IRME, ATPL theoretical, APS MCC, MCC, UPRT, and PPL courses, serving both ab initio candidates and existing PPL holders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cannes Aviation Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Flight Training Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where Cannes Aviation Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Bocca
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cannes Aviation Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Flight Training Programs: Revenue generated from professional pilot training programs including ATP integrated (2-year), modular CPL-MEP-IRME, ATPL theoretical, and APS MCC courses. Programs are priced through detailed brochures not publicly listed on the website.
- Student Housing: Furnished apartments offered at 590€/month+ charges, providing additional revenue stream for students requiring accommodation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Furnished apartment housing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Cannes Aviation Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cannes Aviation Academy is a private EASA-certified flight school that trains aspiring airline and business aviation pilots from ab initio through integrated and modular ATPL pathways. Coursework is delivered using a Diamond DA42 multi-engine aircraft, an Extra 200 trainer, and an FNPT II MCC Entrol A32 simulator configured as an Airbus A320 cockpit for jet-orientation and multi-crew cooperation training.
Product overview
Cannes Aviation Academy operates as a pilot training school offering a portfolio of EASA-certified aviation training programs. The core offering includes the 2-year ATP Intégré integrated program for ab initio students seeking airline pilot careers, and modular pathways (CPL-MEP-IRME, ATPL Théorique) for PPL holders. Specialized add-on modules include UPRT training on Extra 200 aircraft, APS MCC and simple MCC courses using FNPT II Entrol A320 simulators, and PPL training. Programs are delivered in English with three annual intakes (January, May, September) at Cannes Mandelieu Airport, with approximately 50 students per cohort.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Integrated ATPL (ATP Intégré) Structured integrated EASA ATPL course that takes ab-initio cadets with no prior flight experience through ground school, simulator, and flight training to a frozen ATPL, using the academy's DA42, Extra 200, and FNPT II A32 simulator resources. Designed for candidates targeting direct airline type-rating entry.
- Modular CPL-MEP-IR (CPL-MEP-IRME Modulaire) Modular commercial pilot course combining Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine Piston, and Instrument Rating modules for existing PPL holders seeking a staged route to ATPL.
- ATPL Theory (ATPL Théorique) Classroom-based EASA ATPL theory (ATPL Théorique) preparation covering the knowledge requirements needed for both integrated and modular cadets to sit the ATPL theory exams.
- APS MCC Multi-Crew Cooperation course (APS MCC) delivered on the academy's FNPT II MCC Entrol A32 Airbus A320 simulator, providing jet-orientation, multi-crew line-orientation training required before airline type rating.
- MCC Single-pilot (MCC Simple) Single-pilot Multi-Crew Cooperation course (MCC Simple) covering crew resource management and multi-crew procedures on the academy's A320-class simulator for ATPL cadets.
- UPRT Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) delivered on academy aircraft to satisfy EASA requirements for unusual attitude prevention and recovery.
- PPL (Private Pilot Licence) Entry-level EASA Private Pilot Licence course for individual learners seeking recreational pilot certification, typically the first step before modular progression to ATPL.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% first-attempt pass rate on ATPL theoretical exams across 600+ exams
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cannes Aviation Academy
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cannes Aviation Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cannes Aviation Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FonciaminorReal estate partnership for student housing. Foncia provides furnished apartments near the school as an alternative to the school's own accommodation options.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Cannes Aviation Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CAE: CAE is the world's largest civil aviation training company, operating multiple flight academies (including in Europe) and the largest simulator fleet. It is the most directly comparable end-to-end pilot training peer, with integrated cadet programs and APS MCC-equivalent offerings for major airlines.
- Airways Aviation: Airways Aviation is a UK-founded group operating EASA flight academies in multiple European locations, offering integrated ATPL, modular CPL, and MCC training. It competes with Cannes Aviation for the same English-speaking, EASA-track student demographic.
- Lufthansa Aviation Training: Lufthansa Aviation Training, including the European Flight Academy, is a major European pilot training group offering integrated ATPL, MCC, and type-rating programs from multiple European bases. It directly competes with Cannes Aviation for European ab initio students and airline cadet pipeline partnerships.
- BAA Training: BAA Training is a Lithuania-headquartered aviation training group with integrated ATPL and APS MCC programs across European bases. It competes head-to-head with Cannes Aviation for EASA-certified ab initio and modular CPL trainees, and operates a similar mix of full-motion simulators and multi-engine training aircraft.
- OSM Aviation Academy: OSM Aviation Academy, based in Scandinavia, offers integrated and modular pilot training under EASA standards and has its own airline group as a parent. It is a comparable European ab initio academy targeting the same international English-speaking student pool as Cannes Aviation.
- Flight Training Europe (FTE): Flight Training Europe, based in Jerez, Spain, offers EASA integrated ATPL and modular training with a similar profile to Cannes Aviation. It is one of the most direct regional competitors for French and broader European ab initio pilot candidates.
- Skyborne Airline Academy: Skyborne (formerly known as Skyborne Resilience) operates integrated ATPL and APS MCC training in the UK and US, with strong airline partnerships. It is a direct peer in the integrated, English-medium, EASA-aligned pilot training segment.
Broad incumbents
- FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International (a Berkshire Hathaway company) is a global aviation training incumbent with a large simulator network focused on type-rating and advanced training. While broader in scope, it overlaps with Cannes Aviation in MCC and advanced crew resource training, and is a major reference point for training quality in the industry.
- Pan Am International Flight Academy: Pan Am International Flight Academy is a long-established US-based pilot training group with international reach. While primarily US-focused, it competes for international ab initio students and offers a comparable portfolio of integrated and modular pilot training.
Others
- ATR Training Center: ATR Training Center provides type-rating and recurrent training on ATR turboprop aircraft, an adjacent but adjacent service within the same EASA training ecosystem. It is comparable as a France-based aviation training provider serving the same regional pilot market, though its offering is post-license rather than ab initio.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cannes Aviation Academy social profiles
Digital presenceCannes Aviation Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cannes Aviation Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cannes Aviation Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cannes Aviation Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cannes Aviation Academy
What does Cannes Aviation Academy do?
Cannes Aviation Academy is a private EASA-certified flight school that trains aspiring airline and business aviation pilots from ab initio through integrated and modular ATPL pathways. Coursework is delivered using a Diamond DA42 multi-engine aircraft, an Extra 200 trainer, and an FNPT II MCC Entrol A32 simulator configured as an Airbus A320 cockpit for jet-orientation and multi-crew cooperation training.
Is Cannes Aviation Academy a public or private company?
Cannes Aviation Academy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cannes Aviation Academy founded?
Cannes Aviation Academy was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cannes Aviation Academy based?
Cannes Aviation Academy is headquartered in La Bocca, France, in the Europe region.
How does Cannes Aviation Academy make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Flight Training Programs are the primary driver. The others are student Housing.
Who are Cannes Aviation Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CAE, Airways Aviation, Lufthansa Aviation Training, BAA Training, OSM Aviation Academy, Flight Training Europe (FTE) and Skyborne Airline Academy. Broad incumbents are FlightSafety International and Pan Am International Flight Academy. ATR Training Center is listed as an others.
Does Cannes Aviation Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cannes Aviation Academy.
What industry is Cannes Aviation Academy in?
Cannes Aviation Academy's product category is Flight Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAFAJ, Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services, with a secondary code of EDABALAC, Aviation & Aerospace. Its NAICS code is 611512.