We just learned that Silver Airways, the quirky, fuchsia-liveried airline ceased all operations as of June 11, 2025. Silver Airways originally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on 30 December 2024 but was unable to navigate their way through the restructuring process like so many other airlines.
As a regional carrier mostly flying its Caribbean routes and throughout Florida was founded in 2011. Silver Airways had hoped to streamline operations in bankruptcy and focus on core routes, but mounting debt, rising costs, and competition from jet operators like Breeze Airways and Florida’s Brightline high-speed rail proved too much. We have heard that a would-be buyer backed out, and at a recent auction, no one outbid the “stalking horse” offer from a Wexford Capital affiliate, which will now take control of Silver’s assets, including its 14 ATR aircraft.
Hopefully, Seaborne Airlines, a subsidiary of Silver Airlines in the Caribbean, will keep flying.
Silver Airways CEO Steven Rossum shared the news:
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the difficult news that, after months navigating through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, our journey at Silver Airways is coming to an end for most of us. Wexford Capital—our DIP lender—has informed us they will no longer support operations or, except for a few, retain our employees. As a result, Silver Airways will cease operations on Wednesday, June 11, and begin the wind-down process. A small group will be asked to stay on temporarily to assist with asset management and records. Those individuals will be contacted directly. Seaborne will continue to operate as scheduled.”
The airline business can be brutal for startups while they find their niche. The big carriers tend to squash their startups over time. Let’s hope that Breeze Airways and Avelo Airlines, both recent startups, can be successful!
Breeze Airways: Founded by David Neeleman (also known for founding JetBlue), Breeze began flying in May 2021.
Avelo Airlines: Founded by Andrew Levy (former Allegiant Air president), Avelo started flying under its current name in April 2021, though it had operated under different names as a charter airline since the 1980s.