Debt Crisis at Portugal Flight School Lusofly Academy: Students and Staff Victimized

Lusofly Academy, an aviation school operating in the municipality of Bragança in Portugal, is facing a severe crisis due to thousands of euros of unpaid debt. Former flight instructors, local authorities, and various service providers have resorted to legal action to collect their receivables from the company. It has been reported that the process of seizing the school's operating license, granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), is ongoing. Notably, despite collecting a fee of 70 thousand euros from each of the total 36 students who enrolled in the school between 2022 and 2025, none of the students were able to complete their training. It was learned that the company's former name was Pull Up Academy and that it was managed by former TAP pilot João Roque.

In interviews with former instructors, it emerged that the company had not paid salaries for months and had deprived staff of their rights. One of the victimized instructors stated that he had a receivable of 45 thousand euros, which was also recognized by the court, and expressed that the company had no other assets left to seize. It was learned that only a minibus belonging to the company could be seized in the first quarter, and it was reported that affiliated companies are also experiencing similar financial difficulties. It was emphasized that as a result of the school plunging into a debt quagmire, all flight instructors went on strike and left the company. It was conveyed that the scale of the situation is quite broad, involving tens of thousands of euros in unpaid salaries and compensation.

The school's practical training processes have completely collapsed, and it was noted that the last flight training took place in February. The pilotage course, which was supposed to be completed within two years, has unfortunately come to a complete standstill due to the lack of instructors and the absence of aircraft. Due to these negative conditions, half of the 36 students have either entered the transfer process to other aviation schools or completely left the system. Young pilot candidates have experienced great disappointment in this training, which they entered with high hopes and under significant financial burdens. The students' failure to receive any return on the high amounts they paid has paved the way for the matter to be taken to a legal dimension.

The Bragança Municipality similarly ranks among the institutions to which Lusofly Academy is in debt. In a statement made by municipal officials, it was confirmed that rent has not been paid for months for the office spaces in Brigantia EcoPark and the municipality-owned hangars. Furthermore, it was stated that airport usage fees and late interest charges have accumulated, and the company has failed to fulfill its legal obligations. The administration, led by Mayor Isabel Ferreira, emphasized that all legal avenues would be pursued to protect the public interest and that the process would be closely monitored. While the municipality acknowledged that aviation activities are of strategic importance to the region, it stated that this situation could not justify the compromise of public resources.

The school's financial crisis has negatively affected not only local institutions and staff but also international commercial relations. It was learned that the Spanish company from which the company rented its flight training aircraft came to Bragança to repossess two aircraft due to hundreds of thousands of euros in debt. Additionally, hospitality businesses in the region and fuel suppliers such as Prio have also suffered significant losses as a result of the school halting payments. A fuel company summarized the situation by stating that the school did not pay its fuel debt of approximately 2.800 euros and that debt collection efforts were fruitless. João Roque, the school administrator reached by the Lusa News Agency, stated that he would only make a statement on the matter through his lawyer and expressed that the process would continue within a legal framework.