What afmae does

AFMAÉ (Association pour la Formation aux M\u00e9tiers de l'A\u00e9ronautique et de l'Espatial), operating commercially as "AFMA\u00c9, CFA des m\u00e9tiers de l'a\u00e9rien", is a French non-profit apprenticeship training centre (CFA) registered as an association d\u00e9clar\u00e9e under SIREN 409 895 927. Founded in 1996 by Air France, Groupe ADP, FNAM and GIFAS, the organisation delivers vocational and continuing training for aviation maintenance technicians, aerospace production workers, cabin crew (PNC), airport ground agents (Agent d'escale), and other aeronautical trades. Its portfolio spans Baccalaur\u00e9at Professionnel A\u00e9ronautique (three options: Avionique, Structure, Syst\u00e8mes), BTS A\u00e9ronautique, EASA Part 66 B1.1 and B2 maintenance licences, Certificat de Sp\u00e9cialisation (Avionique, AMT, AT), and a series of CQP/CQPM qualifications covering cabin integration, structure assembly, quality inspection, wiring integration, aerospace painting, composite materials and mechanised systems assembly. It also offers the only manufacturer-attested Pipistrel Velis Electro electric aircraft maintenance programme in France, plus bespoke enterprise training delivered through a commercial service.

The organisation operates from two campuses — the main site at Bonneuil-en-France near Paris-Le Bourget (Europe's largest business airport) and a second site at Toussus-le-Noble on the Paris-Saclay-Versailles aerodrome. Technology infrastructure comprises the YMAG NetYPar\u00e9o student information system (afmae.ymag.cloud) for enrollment, scheduling and candidate management, the 360Learning LMS for blended learning delivery, and physical training plateaus with aircraft sub-assemblies, specialised workshops, laboratories and cabin mock-up rooms. Core regulatory credentials include EASA Part 147 approval (FR.147.0023) — the European benchmark for Part 66-aligned training — alongside Qualiopi, Certimetal and ProTarmac certifications.

AFMA\u00c9's revenue is generated through three streams: apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage) contributions from partner companies, quote-based bespoke corporate training, and in-kind equipment donations eligible for tax deduction since the January 2020 reform. Distribution is primarily sales-led, with airlines, MROs and manufacturers (15+ named partners including Airbus, Safran, Daher, Dassault Falcon Service, Transavia, HOP!, Air Corsica, Sabena Technics, IGOsolutions, Air France Industries, Groupe Europe Handling and Eurostar) acting both as apprenticeship hosts and as enterprise training customers. Event-driven acquisition via Speed Meeting A\u00e9ro, Open Door days and the Salon des Formations et M\u00e9tiers A\u00e9ronautiques (SFMA) at Le Bourget drives student recruitment. The organisation is governed by its founding consortium rather than external investors and reports no funding rounds, M&A activity, or executive leadership turnover.

Name

afmae

Legal name

AFMAé, CFA des métiers de l'aérien

Website

https://afmae.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AFMAÉ is a French non-profit apprenticeship training centre (CFA) delivering vocational and continuing training in aeronautical maintenance, aerospace production, cabin crew, and ground operations. It serves airlines, MROs, manufacturers and job seekers from two campuses near Paris-Le Bourget and Paris-Saclay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aeronautical Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE)

Keywords

• Aeronautical maintenance training
• EASA Part 147 training
• Aviation apprenticeship programs
• Cabin crew certification
• Aerospace vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonneuil-en-france

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship (Contrat d'Apprentissage) Training Fees: AFMAÉ functions as a CFA (Centre de Formation d'Apprentis), primarily funded through the apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage) collected from partner companies. Apprentices sign contracts with enterprises, which co-invest in training delivery. This is the core revenue stream for diploma and certificate programs.
2. Custom/Bespoke Enterprise Training: AFMAÉ offers tailor-made training programs to aeronautical companies on a quoted-price basis. Tariffs are defined after needs analysis and sent on request to the commercial service. This covers continuing professional development and upskilling for existing employees.
3. Tax Deduction for Training Equipment Donations: Since January 2020, AFMAÉ as a CFA can no longer receive direct apprenticeship tax payments. However, it remains eligible for in-kind equipment donations from companies, which serve as tax-deductible contributions supporting training infrastructure quality.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AFMAÉ is a French Centre de Formation d'Apprentis (CFA) delivering EASA Part 147-approved vocational and continuing training for the aeronautical sector. It offers diploma programs (Bac Pro, BTS), EASA Part 66 aircraft maintenance licences (B1.1, B2), CQP/CQPM professional certificates (cabin crew, avionics, structures, composites), and bespoke corporate training delivered through alternating work-study arrangements at its two campuses near Paris-Le Bourget and Paris-Saclay-Versailles.

Product overview

AFMAÉ (Association pour la Formation aux Métiers de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espatial) operates as a CFA (Centre de Formation d'Apprentis - apprenticeship training center) providing vocational and professional training for the aviation and aerospace industry. Founded in 1996 by Air France, Groupe ADP, FNAM, and GIFAS, the organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs ranging from Baccalauréat Professionnel (vocational high school diplomas) in three aeronautical specializations (Avionique, Structure, Systèmes) through BTS Aéronautique (higher technician diploma) and EASA Part 147-approved Part 66 aircraft maintenance licenses (B1.1 and B2 categories). The training portfolio includes specialized certificates in cabin integration, quality inspection, wiring integration, aerospace painting, composite materials, and aircraft structure assembly (CQPM/CQP series), as well as cabin crew (PNC), ground operations (Agent d'escale), and turbine engine specialization. Customized corporate training programs addressing specific company needs are also offered. Programs are delivered through work-study (alternance) arrangements and in-company placements, with two campuses located near Paris-Le Bourget Airport and Paris-Saclay-Versailles aerodrome.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Baccalauréat Professionnel Aéronautique Option Systèmes Vocational high school diploma (level 4) in aeronautical systems maintenance covering mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Delivered over 24 months (1400 hours) in alternating work-study format, leading toward EASA B1.1 aircraft maintenance licence.
• Baccalauréat Professionnel Aéronautique Option Structure Vocational high school diploma (level 4) in aeronautical structures covering metallic and composite structures. Delivered over 24 months in alternating work-study format.
• Baccalauréat Professionnel Aéronautique Option Avionique Vocational high school diploma (level 4) in avionics covering electrical, electronic, optical and computer systems on aircraft. Delivered over 24 months in alternating work-study format.
• BTS Aéronautique (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) Higher technician diploma (level 5) in aeronautics covering production organisation and maintenance process engineering. 2-year program (1460 hours) in work-study format, preparing graduates for positions in aircraft production and maintenance companies.
• Licence Maintenance d'aéronefs catégorie B1.1 (Partie 66) EASA Part 66 Category B1.1 aircraft maintenance licence for turbine-powered airplanes covering airframe, engines, and mechanical/electrical systems. 441-hour program (63 days), customised to candidate or company needs. Certifies holders to approve aircraft for return to service.
• Licence Maintenance d'aéronefs de catégorie B2 (Partie 66) EASA Part 66 Category B2 aircraft maintenance licence for avionics and electrical systems on turbine-powered aircraft. 420-hour program (60 days), customised to candidate or company needs.
• Certificat de Spécialisation Aéronautique Option Avionique (CS AVIONIQUE) Advanced specialisation certificate (level 4) in avionics maintenance building on the Bac Pro Aéronautique. 430 hours over 12 months in work-study format. Combined with Bac Pro, fulfills EASA B1.1/B1.2/B1.3/B1.4 and B2 licence training requirements.
• Certificat de Spécialisation Aéronautique Option Avions à Moteurs à Turbines (CS AMT) Advanced specialisation certificate (level 4) in turbine engine aircraft maintenance building on the Bac Pro Aéronautique Option Systèmes. 614 hours. Enables progression toward Part 66 B1.1 licence with experience.
• Certificat de Spécialisation Accueil dans les Transports (CS AT) - Agent d'escale Specialisation certificate for transport ground operations and airport ground handling agents. 455 hours over 1 year in work-study format. Covers passenger reception, check-in, boarding management, and safety/surety procedures, with cross-modal applicability to rail and aviation.
• CQP Personnel Navigant Commercial (PNC) - Cabin Crew Professional qualification certificate for commercial flight attendants. Approximately 300 hours over 1 year in work-study format. Covers safety, security, passenger service, crew communication, and customer relations for airline cabin crew.
• CQP Intégrateur cabine aéronautique Professional qualification certificate for aircraft cabin integrators. 280 hours (40 days). Covers installation, assembly and connection of cabin systems (water, air, oxygen, electricity) in aircraft during maintenance or assembly operations.
• CQP Ajusteur(se) assembleur(se) de structure d'aéronefs Professional qualification certificate (CQPM 187) for aircraft structure fitter-assemblers. Covers fitting, drilling, assembly, riveting, and finishing operations on metallic and composite aircraft structures, including minor repairs and surface protection.
• CQP Inspecteur qualité (CQPI) Professional qualification certificate (CQPM 306) for quality inspectors in aeronautical manufacturing/maintenance. 57 days (399 hours). Covers product inspection, documentation management, non-conformity handling, and quality improvement recommendations in high-safety-impact industrial environments.
• CQP Intégrateur câbleur aéronautique Professional qualification certificate (CQPM 206) for aircraft wiring integrators. 280 hours (40 days). Covers harness installation, electrical/systems integration, connection operations, and anti-FOD procedures for aircraft electrical systems.
• CQP Peintre aéronautique et spatial Professional qualification certificate (CQPM 207) for aerospace painters. 210 hours. Covers surface preparation, paint application, decoration masking, quality control, and retouching for aircraft and spacecraft, following Part 21/145 and REACH regulations.
• CQP Opérateur Matériaux Composites Hautes Performances (CQPM 007) Professional qualification certificate (CQPM 007) for high-performance composite materials operators. Covers manufacturing and repair techniques including prepreg layup, dry fabric lamination, resin infusion/injection, and polymerisation for carbon fibre, fibreglass, and aramid composites.
• TPFP Monteur(se) assembleur(se) de systèmes mécanisés (CQPM 082) Interprofessional vocational certificate (TPFP CQPM 082) for mechanised systems assembly technicians. 399 hours. Covers assembly, integration, and testing of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical mechanisms in various industrial sectors including aeronautics.
• Attestation constructeur - Maintenance électrique sur Velis Electro (Pipistrel)

Quantifiable outcome

• CS Avionique: 96% pass rate, 93% insertion rate
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Air FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Co-founding partner of AFMAÉ (1996) alongside Groupe ADP, FNAM, and GIFAS. Air France is the primary airline partner providing apprenticeship positions across PNC (cabin crew), maintenance, and ground operations. Students alternate between AFMAÉ campus and Air France operational environments. The partnership is institutional and foundational to AFMAÉ's existence.
• Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Co-founding partner of AFMAÉ (1996). Hosts AFMAÉ's main campus on Paris-Le Bourget airport premises. The strategic proximity enables real aircraft access and practical training environments unmatched by inland competitors.
• FNAM (Fédération Nationale de l'Aviation et de ses Métiers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Co-founding partner of AFMAÉ (1996). FNAM is the national federation representing French aviation companies. As a founding member, FNAM ensures AFMAÉ's training aligns with industry-wide competency standards and facilitates broad sector representation.
• GIFAS (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Co-founding partner of AFMAÉ (1996). GIFAS, the French aerospace industries association, connects AFMAÉ with the broadest network of French aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, including Airbus, Safran, Dassault Aviation, and their extensive supply chains.
• Transavia FrancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLow-cost airline partner for CQP PNC (cabin crew) training. Transavia recruits and selects candidates, then sends them to AFMAÉ for the commercial cabin crew certification. This is an apprenticeship pipeline where the airline acts as the primary talent selector.
• HOP! (Air France HOP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional airline partner for CQP PNC training. HOP! sources cabin crew candidates and channels them to AFMAÉ for certification. The partnership follows the same apprenticeship pipeline model as Transavia.
• ATAF (African Training Academy for Aeronautics)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean/African collaboration. ATAF is an aeronautical training academy. AFMAÉ collaborates with ATAF to promote aeronautical careers beyond France's borders and to exchange best practices in aeronautical education.
• YAAPA (Young Aviation Professionals Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to promote aeronautical careers among young professionals. YAAPA is an international network connecting young aviation professionals across the industry.
• Air EmploiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench aeronautical employment and skills agency. Supports AFMAÉ's career promotion and student placement efforts, particularly for the 'Féminisons les métiers' diversity initiative.
• Région Île-de-FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary regional authority partner. Provides funding and institutional support for AFMAÉ's operations. Invests in AFMAÉ's modern infrastructure and contributes to making Île-de-France the leading French aeronautical region.
• Département des YvelinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal departmental authority supporting AFMAÉ's Toussus-le-Noble campus. Provides institutional backing and co-investment in training infrastructure at the Paris-Saclay-Versailles aerodrome.
• Département du Val-d'OiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal departmental authority supporting AFMAÉ's Bonneuil-en-France campus near Paris-Le Bourget. Contributes to the regional training ecosystem and talent pipeline.
• HanvolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation supporting the professional integration of people with disabilities in the aeronautical sector. Partners with AFMAÉ to promote inclusive training and employment in aviation.
• FACE Yvelines / FACE Val d'OiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate foundation against discrimination (Fonds pour les Actions en faveur de l'Environnement et du quartier / FACE). Supports AFMAÉ's diversity and inclusion initiatives, particularly in economically challenged areas near training campuses.
• Pipistrel AircraftTechnology or IntegrationSlovenian aircraft manufacturer of the Velis Electro — the world's first type-certified fully electric aircraft. AFMAÉ holds manufacturer-attested training status for maintenance on the SW128 Velis Electro, enabling it to deliver the only electric aircraft maintenance training of its kind in France.
• Groupe Europe HandlingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGround handling company providing apprenticeship positions for CS AT (Agent d'escale) training. Recruits and channels candidates to AFMAÉ for certification in airport ground operations.
• EurostarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCross-modal transport partner for CS AT certification. While primarily a rail operator, Eurostar's station operations and customer service roles align with the cross-modal escale agent qualification, creating non-aviation career pathways for AFMAÉ graduates.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: Global aviation training organisation delivering pilot, maintenance and cabin crew training across a network of centres. Comparable as a large-scale, multi-modality aviation training provider targeting enterprise customers in airlines, MROs and OEMs.
• CAE: Global aviation training leader (pilot, cabin crew, maintenance) serving airlines, MROs and OEMs worldwide. Comparable as an aviation training provider but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio; competes for enterprise training wallet and is a structural benchmark for scale training delivery.
• Lufthansa Technik Training: European MRO with a dedicated training division delivering Part 66-aligned maintenance training to internal staff and external customers. Comparable as a European Part 147 training provider with similar regulatory framework and enterprise customer overlap.
• Airbus Services / Training: OEM (and AFMAÉ partner) that delivers type-rated maintenance training, pilot training and crew training through its own academies. Comparable as an EASA-aligned aeronautical training provider but with structural advantages as the aircraft manufacturer, including direct access to type-rated content.

Direct peers

• ESMA Aviation Academy: French aviation training academy delivering pilot, cabin crew and ground operations training. Comparable as a French aviation vocational training provider with overlapping customer segments (airlines, individual learners) and similar apprenticeship/work-study delivery model.
• IPSA: French aerospace engineering school offering bachelor and master programs in aeronautics. Comparable as a French aerospace training provider serving similar enterprise customers and feeding the same talent pipeline, with overlap in aviation maintenance and production curricula.
• Sabena Technics Training: Major French MRO provider (and AFMAÉ partner) that also runs internal maintenance training programs for its own workforce. Comparable as an EASA Part 147-equivalent training provider targeting B1/B2 licence content, with the difference that Sabena's programs are primarily captive.
• ISAE-SUPAERO: French aerospace engineering school (Toulouse) training aerospace engineers, with programs touching maintenance and production disciplines. Comparable as a French aerospace training institution addressing industry workforce needs, though more academically oriented than AFMAÉ's vocational/apprenticeship focus.
• ICARE (Institut Catholique d'Arts et Métiers): French aeronautical and aerospace vocational training school offering BTS, licences and professional certifications in aviation maintenance. Closely comparable in product offering (BTS Aéronautique, Part 66 tracks), regulatory positioning (EASA-aligned) and French enterprise customer base.
• ENAC (École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile): France's national civil aviation school, delivering initial and continuing training for aviation professionals (pilots, ATCOs, engineers, technicians). Directly comparable as a French public aeronautical training institution serving similar enterprise customers (airlines, DGAC, MROs) with overlapping regulatory alignment (EASA frameworks).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cfadelaerien
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/afmae
• Instagraminstagram.com/afmae_

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about afmae