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Florida-based Silver Airways says it will keep flying after bankruptcy filing

Dec. 31, 2024
3 min read
Silver Airways ATR 72-600 Orlando Fort Lauderdale
Florida-based Silver Airways says it will keep flying after bankruptcy filing
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Silver Airways, a regional airline that serves Florida and the Caribbean, continues flying after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on Monday.

The Hollywood, Florida-based airline plans to secure new capital and restructure its debt through bankruptcy, Silver said in a statement. It aims to emerge from bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2025 as a stronger, more competitive airline.

All existing bookings, including those made via partners JetBlue Airways and United Airlines, “remain valid,” and all customers “will experience no disruptions to their bookings or services," Silver said.

Several U.S. airlines continue to struggle following the pandemic. While travelers have returned in record numbers, the cost of many items from aircraft to labor increased dramatically during the recovery. The largest U.S. ultra low-cost carrier, Spirit Airlines, filed for bankruptcy protection in November amid mounting bills and weak revenue.

Silver faces similar cost challenges. In a bankruptcy court filing, the airline disclosed numerous unpaid debts. It owes nearly $4.5 million to aircraft lessor Azorra for its fleet of ATR turboprops and $2.1 million to the Internal Revenue Service in unpaid taxes or fees. Silver also lists unpaid bills at some of its busied airports, including the operators of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU).

The airline has also struggled to expand in recent years. Attempts to add flights outside of Florida and the Caribbean have all ended unsuccessfully. Silver exited its last two U.S. destinations outside of Florida — Georgia's Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) and South Carolina's Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) — in March, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium Diio shows.

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And, in March, American Airlines ended its loyalty partnership with Silver.

Silver serves 22 destinations in Florida and the Caribbean today, primarily from bases in Fort Lauderdale and San Juan, Cirium schedules show. It operates a fleet of eight ATR 42 and six ATR 72 turboprops.

Silver subsidiary Seaborne Airlines also flies Twin Otter seaplanes between St. Thomas and St. Croix in the Caribbean.

Related reading:

Featured image by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.