A Miami-Dade investment firm has reclaimed its loaned jets after a breach of agreement with World Atlantic Airlines.
A World Atlantic Airways MD-80 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
A Florida circuit court has ordered the seizure of at least two aircraft from charter company Caribbean Sun Airlines, operating under the name World Atlantic Airlines.
The decision comes after a nearly year-long legal battle between the Miami-Dade-based company and its lessors at Blue Diamond General Investments.
The lawsuit stems from a spoken agreement between the two companies, allowing Blue Diamond to lend its aircraft to World Atlantic for charter flight services. In return, World Atlantic was expected to compensate Blue Diamond for each flight.
On April 11, 2024, Blue Diamond filed a complaint in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, stating that World Atlantic breached their agreement by using the aircraft for other customers and not paying the investment firm its share.
The complaint also alleged that World Atlantic failed to adhere to a payment schedule in order to resolve the matter.
In total, Blue Diamond contended it was owed over $1.8 million for services rendered and the use of its aircraft. Invoices attached to the complaint listed flights to Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago in Cuba, as well as other Caribbean airports, and added up to over $1.3 million.
The lawsuit came to a climax on March 21, when the court ordered a prejudgment writ of attachment and garnishment allowing Blue Diamond to seize its aircraft from World Atlantic until its debts were paid.
According to reporting by The Business Journals, which broke the story, the seizure has stopped World Atlantic’s operations. The report stated the aircraft are being held at Miami International Airport by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s office and can’t be flown until the debt is paid or the writs are overturned.
The jets listed for court order for seizure included McDonnell Douglas MD-83 jets under the following tail and serial numbers: N801WA (53291), N802WA (53052), and N804WA (49345).
According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s aircraft registry, the respective serial numbers for each MD-83 listed matches a 1987, 1990, and 1992 model all registered under Caribbean Sun Airlines.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8:55 a.m. ET to accurately reflect the number of aircraft seized.
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