Florida, June 13 - Silver Airways, a regional airline based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on June 11, 2025, abruptly ceased all flight operations, leaving passengers stranded across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. The airline, which had been a key player in connecting smaller markets in the region since its founding in 2011, announced the shutdown as part of its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The closure came after a failed attempt to restructure its finances through a sale of assets to another airline holding company, which ultimately decided not to continue Silver’s flight operations. This sudden halt disrupted travel plans for countless passengers and resulted in significant job losses for approximately 350 employees.
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Silver Airways, established following the acquisition of assets from the defunct Gulfstream International Airlines, operated a fleet of eight ATR turboprop aircraft, primarily serving routes from its hubs in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Tampa, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The airline provided essential connectivity to destinations such as Bimini, Nassau, Key West, and St. Thomas, often being the only carrier servicing certain routes, particularly in the Bahamas. Its subsidiary, Seaborne Airlines, acquired in 2018, operated seaplane services between St. Thomas and St. Croix, which will reportedly continue despite Silver’s collapse. The airline’s network included approximately 52 daily flights to 16 destinations, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, making its sudden cessation a significant blow to regional travel.
The airline had been grappling with financial difficulties for years, exacerbated by rising fuel and maintenance costs and the lingering effects of reduced travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Silver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 30, 2024, with debts exceeding $400 million to secured and unsecured creditors. At the time, the airline expressed optimism about securing additional capital and restructuring to emerge stronger. However, a court-authorized auction in May 2025 failed to attract competitive bids, and a “stalking horse” offer from an affiliate of Wexford Capital fell through when the buyer declined to fund ongoing operations. This led to the immediate grounding of all flights, with the final flight landing in Fort Lauderdale from Tallahassee just before midnight on June 10, 2025.
Passengers were advised not to go to airports, as no flights would operate, and were instructed to seek refunds through their credit card companies or travel agencies. Those with bookings faced the challenge of rebooking on other airlines, such as American Airlines, JetBlue, or Cape Air, which serve many of Silver’s former routes, often at higher costs due to last-minute fares. The shutdown left travelers scrambling, particularly in markets like Bimini and North Eleuthera, where Silver was a primary carrier. Employees, including nearly 100 flight attendants, faced abrupt job losses, with unions working to secure final paychecks and benefits. The collapse of Silver Airways highlights the fragility of regional airlines, which operate on thin margins in a competitive industry. While larger carriers often absorb or restructure struggling airlines, Silver’s failure to secure a buyer marks a rare instance of a U.S. airline ceasing operations entirely. The void left by Silver’s exit may prompt other carriers to fill the gap, but for now, travelers and communities in Florida and the Caribbean face significant disruptions.