Silver Airways, a key player in Caribbean air travel, has announced the cessation of all flights to Dominica amid its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. The decision, disclosed following the airline’s voluntary bankruptcy filing on December 30, 2024, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, marks a strategic contraction of its regional footprint, impacting several routes, including those to Orlando.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Consortium reports that Silver Airways has begun cancelling reservations for affected travelers, some of whom had bookings through August 2025. The airline’s exit is particularly alarming for the U.S. Virgin Islands, where it has been a cornerstone of inter-island travel. For the Dominican diaspora in the territory, this development disrupts a crucial travel link for business, tourism, and family visits.
Silver Airways and the Caribbean: A Historical Perspective
Silver Airways expanded its Caribbean operations in 2018 by acquiring Seaborne Airlines, a San Juan-based carrier with a legacy of regional service.
While Seaborne had undergone its own Chapter 11 restructuring that same year, its presence between St. Thomas and St. Croix continued under Silver’s operations, reinforcing the airline’s role as a regional transportation hub.
For Dominica, Silver Airways had steadily strengthened its presence. By 2019, its San Juan-Dominica route was increased to daily flights, providing a critical gateway for North American travelers. The airline later expanded service frequency, upgrading its fleet on the route by 2023. Its departure now creates a gap in accessibility, particularly for those relying on San Juan as a connecting hub.
Impact on Travelers & Regional Connectivity
Silver Airways’ withdrawal complicates travel logistics for passengers who depended on its network, particularly for seamless connections between the U.S. mainland, the Virgin Islands, and Dominica. The absence of its service is expected to:
- Reduce travel options for Dominicans residing in the U.S. Virgin Islands, many of whom used Silver Airways for convenient connections.
- Increase reliance on alternative carriers, such as American Airlines (Miami-Dominica) and regional airlines like LIAT (2020) Limited, WINAIR, and Caribbean Airlines, which operate through Antigua, St. Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands.
- Potentially drive up airfare costs on competing routes due to reduced competition in the sector.
Silver Airways’ Bankruptcy Restructuring: A Path Forward?
Despite these setbacks, Silver Airways remains optimistic about its restructuring process. The airline emphasized that the move is part of a broader strategy to secure additional capital and strengthen financial stability. “This decision will allow us to undertake a financial restructuring that ensures our long-term competitiveness,” the company stated.
Silver Airways’ departure from Dominica reflects the fragility of regional aviation, bringing renewed attention to the need for sustainable and efficient air travel solutions in the Caribbean.
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