Passengers left stranded after airline suddenly ends all operations
Florida-based regional carrier, Silver Airways, left passengers stranded when they unexpectedly announced that they would cease operations.
In an Instagram post published on June 11, the airline declared it would no longer operate any flights, effective that same day.
"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," they explained.
"Please do not go to the airport. All credit card purchases should be refunded through your credit card company or your travel agency," they added.
Because of the late notice, many passengers arrived at the airport only to discover their flights were canceled. They learned of Silver Airways' closure on the spot, leaving them stranded and unable to reach their destinations.
"I woke up at 4 a.m., saw a notification, looked at it, thinking it was a reminder again to check in, and that's when we were told that it was canceled," Melissa Helfer, a passenger who was traveling to Key West, told ABC Action News.
She said that she and her fellow travelers had to "scramble to figure out how we're getting there."
In December last year, the airline bared their plans to file for bankruptcy, reasoning that it would help them achieve a "stronger future."
"This decision allows us to secure additional resources and restructure for long-term success, ensuring we continue to deliver safe, reliable, and comfortable travel experiences," the company wrote in a statement.
Silver Airways was founded in 2011 and was headquartered in Hollywood, Florida. They primarily operated flights to other cities in Florida as well as to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
