Silver Airways shuts down after bankruptcy and failed asset sale
Silver Airways regional airline officially ceased operations on June 11, following the collapse of its Chapter 11 restructuring process. The decision came after the company failed to attract sufficient bids in a court-supervised asset sale.
In an announcement shared on social media and its website, Silver instructed passengers not to go to the airport, as all flights were canceled. Travelers were advised to request refunds through credit card companies or travel agencies.
Silver filed for bankruptcy in December 2024, seeking to restructure debt and continue operations. However, a bankruptcy auction failed to reach the minimum US$ 5.7 million valuation, and the buyer ultimately declined to maintain operations. As a result, the carrier is shutting down entirely.
With a fleet reduced to just eight ATR aircraft and a staff cut to 350 from over 600, Silver had long struggled with financial pressure, pandemic-related travel downturns, and aircraft delivery delays.
Rare regional turboprop operator in the US
Silver Airways was founded in 2010 and was one of the few regional airlines in the US to invest in passenger turboprops after the introduction of larger-capacity jets.
The carrier operated regional flights across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, including prior connections to Latin America through its affiliate Seaborne Airlines, which is based in Puerto Rico and continues to operate for now.
The shutdown ends the airline’s two-decade presence in the U.S. regional market. The sector faces growing challenges, including rising operating costs, pilot shortages, and mounting competition from low-cost carriers.
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Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
