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Silver Airways Could Lose Bankruptcy Protection

The airline’s case may get dismissed as early as next month.

Silver ATR 42

A Silver Airways ATR 42 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A U.S. bankruptcy trustee has filed a motion recommending the dismissal of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases for Silver Airways and its subsidiary Seaborne Virgin Islands. The motion, filed on Thursday, cites ongoing financial losses and lack of a viable path to recovery as key reasons for recommending dismissal.

The trustee’s motion states that the airline’s assets, valued at approximately $90 million, are fully encumbered by $400 million in secured debt. Additionally, the companies owed $8 million in taxes and $27.7 million to unsecured creditors at the time of the bankruptcy filing.

Mounting Losses

According to the motion, Silver and Seaborne have suffered substantial losses totaling over $32 million since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Dec. 30, 2024. The airlines have maintained negative cash flow since at least February 2025, with losses of $467,000 in February and $1.22 million in just the first two weeks of March.

A key factor in the trustee’s recommendation is the airline’s inability to secure debtor-in-possession financing, which the motion says “clouds any prospect of a reasonable likelihood of rehabilitation.” The trustee also expressed skepticism about the carrier’s financial projections, describing them as “unrealistic and designed to avoid ending any week with a negative cash balance.”

The motion notes that Silver’s fleet has been reduced by half, from 16 aircraft at the time of filing to just seven currently under lease.

The bankruptcy court will consider the trustee’s motion and any responses from Silver and other interested parties with a hearing set for May 7. If the motion is dismissed, Silver and Seaborne would lose bankruptcy protection, potentially exposing them to creditor actions outside of the structured bankruptcy process.

Ryan Ewing
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  • Ryan Ewing

    Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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