'Please do not go to the airport': Florida's Silver Airways shuts down, leaves passengers stranded

In a rather abrupt incident, Silver Airways, a Florida-based airline, took to Instagram to announce that it is halting all operations and is now advising passengers not to go to the airport. This move has left dozens of passengers stranded and flights being cancelled. The bankrupt airline also announced on Instagram that it has agreed to sell its assets to a buyer, and on the basis of this move, flight operations are now halted.

The Instagram post by the company reads, “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 refunded through your credit card company or your travel agency,” the post continues. Silver Airways' sudden closure saw some swift reactions on the Internet, with major concern increasing about the number of passengers stranded at US airports due to this unexpected crisis. 

After failing to secure a buyer during bankruptcy, Silver ceased all operations following an asset sale to Wexford Capital, which opted not to continue flights. The shutdown left passengers stranded and approximately 350 employees jobless.

More on Silver Airways

Silver Airways was a regional airline headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, founded in 2011 after acquiring assets from bankrupt Gulfstream International Airlines. It operated scheduled flights primarily from hubs in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and San Juan (Puerto Rico), serving destinations across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean with a fleet of turboprop aircraft including Saab 340s and ATR 42/72s .

The airline expanded in 2018 by acquiring Seaborne Airlines, enhancing its Caribbean network and adding seaplane operations between St. Thomas and St. Croix. Silver faced persistent financial struggles, including bankruptcy filings in December 2024 and operational cuts.