Last month, low-cost airline Silver Airways announced it ceased operations. In its brief statement on the official website, the airline said, “Silver was unsuccessful in its effort to restructure in bankruptcy. Please do not go to the airport. All credit card purchases should be refundable through your credit card company or your travel agency.”

The airline’s last flight traveled from Tampa International Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

The regional airline, founded in 2011, was based near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and connected Florida, Georgia and other states to each other and some Caribbean destinations.

Last December, the airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with initial plans to continue operations. Silver Airways intended to exit bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2025, but things continued to sour. Several Florida airports sued Silver Airways for unpaid fees. The airline also lost the right to fly into the British Caribbean territory of Anguilla around the same time.

Silver Airways abruptly ended operations out of Orlando March 2, and, on June 11, the airline sold itself to investment firm Wexford Capital. Wexford Capital chose not to maintain flight operations, forcing the airline to suddenly cease operations.

That said, on June 30, start-up airline Argentum, an affiliate of Wexford Capital, announced plans to restart operations via a filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation. In this filing, the Connecticut-based airline (its name meaning “silver” in Latin) requests the expedited approval by DOT to transfer Silver Airways’ FAA certificates and exemptions. Argentum also seeks to reinstate former Silver Airways employees. If successful, the brand would relaunch as Argentum Airways using Silver Airways assets. This would see potential routes reinstated, including service between The Bahamas and Florida. The relaunch might also involve service within Alaska.

Argentum continues to be the only bidder for Silver Airways.

Silver Airways isn’t the first North American airline to go under recently. In February 2024, Canadian airline Lynx Air shut down after less than two years of service due to financial pressures.

Have you flown with Silver Airways before? What are your thoughts on this news? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.