‘Please do not go to the airport': Silver Airways ceases operations immediately; asset sale during bankruptcy collapses

Time of India

a day ago

Florida-based regional carrier Silver Airways abruptly shut down all flight operations on Wednesday, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling for refunds and alternative travel.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The announcement came via a statement on the airline's website: 'We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025... Please do not go to the airport.'
The sudden suspension follows a failed attempt to restructure under bankruptcy. Silver had entered a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, but the buyer opted not to continue operations in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
Dozens of flights scheduled for Wednesday and later this month have now been cancelled, according to data from FlightRadar.
Silver Airways in a statement on its website said: "We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025. In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined to not continue Silver's flight operations in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Please do not go to the airport.
All credit card purchases should be refundable through your credit card company or your travel agency."
Silver Airways advised customers to seek refunds through their credit card companies or travel agencies. 'All credit card purchases should be refundable,' the statement noted.
The airline, once a key connector for Florida and Caribbean routes, operated flights in and out of hubs like Fort Lauderdale and Puerto Rico using short-haul ATR turboprop aircraft.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Silver had been reducing its operations in recent months, halving its fleet and halting Orlando services in March. Flights continued through Tuesday, just one day before the shutdown.
Silver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2024, citing over $100 million in debt. It had hoped the process would be completed by early 2025, putting the airline on stable financial footing. A $5.7 million stalking horse bid had been offered, but a recent bankruptcy court auction drew no new offers, dashing hopes for a viable turnaround.
Founded in 2011 out of the remnants of Gulfstream International Airlines, Silver Airways became a popular carrier for regional travel in the southeast US and the Caribbean. However, high fuel and maintenance costs, worsened by the Covid-19 travel slump, strained its finances.
Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, said the airline had provided 'essential connectivity' but that 'they couldn't make the concept of 'domestic airline' for the Sunshine State financially sustainable.' He added that while most passengers should get their money back via credit card protections, 'the problem is going to be finding alternative transport.'
Silver's collapse coincides with another regional airline shutdown—Jetstar Asia, operated by Qantas, which will wind down over the next seven weeks and cease operations entirely by July 31.