Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 11, 2025 — Florida-based regional airline Silver Airways has officially ceased operations, bringing an abrupt end to its 14-year run connecting Florida, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. The closure, confirmed just after midnight on June 11 via the airline’s social media, leaves passengers stranded and employees jobless, marking another emotional chapter in U.S. regional aviation history.
“Please do not go to the airport,” the airline urged travelers in a post on Wednesday morning, adding that refund processing for credit card bookings will be handled through customers’ card issuers or travel agencies.
Bankruptcy and Sudden Shutdown
The shutdown follows months of uncertainty after Silver Airways filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 30, 2024. The airline had hoped to restructure its operations and secure new capital, but those efforts ultimately failed. The final blow came when Wexford Capital, a financial group that acquired Silver’s assets in a bankruptcy auction, opted not to continue flight operations.
As of June 11, all of Silver’s flights—domestic and international—are suspended, and only a small team remains to manage the asset wind-down process. Its Caribbean affiliate, Seaborne Airlines, will continue flying for now.
A Regional Niche That Couldn’t Survive the Storm
Founded in 2011 following the collapse of Gulfstream International Airlines, Silver Airways built a niche operating turboprop aircraft between smaller Florida cities and remote island destinations. At its peak, it held Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts and partnerships with major carriers like United Airlines and JetBlue.
Silver was known for its quirky branding, flamingo-pink accents, and fleet of Saab 340s and ATR 42/72 aircraft. The airline even became the first U.S. carrier to operate ATR 72-600s in 2019 and briefly launched service to Cuba.
However, cracks had been forming for years. Operational delays, a shrinking route map, and financial strain were evident long before its Chapter 11 filing. In 2023, the airline nearly lost its Fort Lauderdale base over $1.4 million in unpaid fees. By late 2024, its network had shrunk to just 20 cities.
What This Means for Travelers and Staff
Passengers with upcoming Silver Airways reservations are urged not to travel to the airport. Instead, they should contact their travel provider or credit card company for refund assistance. Silver has not provided a rebooking option with other airlines.
For employees—pilots, mechanics, gate agents, and customer service teams—this marks a painful loss. Silver’s CEO Steven Rossum acknowledged the emotional weight of the closure in an internal memo, stating, “Our journey at Silver Airways is coming to an end for most of us… Wexford Capital has informed us they will no longer support operations or retain employees, except for a few to assist with records and assets.”