‘Please do not go to the airport’: Florida-based regional airline Silver Airways abruptly shuts down after filing for bankruptcy, leaving travelers stranded — what to do if you’re affected

What went wrong?

Silver Airways has officially flown its last mile. Roughly five months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Florida-based airline grounded all flights — and not because of stormy weather.

In a recent statement, the company revealed it had sold its assets to another airline holding company as part of a restructuring effort. But instead of reviving the brand, the new owner decided to ground all operations.

“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,” the airline wrote in a statement.

Silver had hoped the bankruptcy would help secure new capital and offer a path toward financial recovery. Instead, the collapse has left travelers stranded and staff without jobs — a costly detour for everyone involved.

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What about the travelers?

If you’re one of the many people left grounded by Silver’s sudden shutdown, don’t expect a refund from the airline itself. In its final Instagram post, the company made it clear that customers won’t be reimbursed directly.

But all hope isn’t lost.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you might be able to recover your money depending on how you paid. If you bought your ticket with a credit card, you can file a dispute with your card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Be sure to include a copy of your ticket and receipt, and clearly explain that the airline has ceased operations and failed to deliver the service you paid for.

Just don’t wait too long. You typically have 60 days from the date your statement was issued — the one that includes the airfare charge — to file the dispute.

If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site, it’s worth reaching out to see if they can help secure a refund or offer any alternatives. Some agencies have extra protections or recourse built into their services.