Silver Airways has successfully closed the acquisition of Seaborne’s business and assets, creating an independent airline to serve the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida areas.
The combined airline will continue operating Silver’s route network in the Bahamas, Florida and beyond under the Silver Airways banner and Seaborne’s route network throughout Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean under the Seaborne name.
Silver Airways CEO Steve Rossum, who will serve as CEO of the combined airline, said this transaction “will benefit our guests, team members, and the communities we serve, as well as both airlines’ valued codeshare and interline partnerships with most major US carriers.”
Seaborne CEO Bun Munson said that despite the “devastating impact” of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, employees have successfully restructured the company, adding, “We are well positioned to grow with an airline that shares our common goals of success, and are very pleased that San Juan and the US Virgin Islands will continue to be significant for Silver and Seaborne.”
The total fleet now consists of 31 aircraft, including Saab 340 and de Havilland Twin Otter seaplane aircraft. Silver is the North American launch customer for the eco-friendly ATR-600 aircraft in the US. The airline also took delivery of the first 46-seat ATR-42 earlier this month, and has a firm order for 19 additional ATR-600s and up to 30 additional purchase rights.
Initially, Seaborne will continue to operate under its own certificate as a standalone operating subsidiary of Silver. The merger of the two airlines’ operating functions, joint branding and streamlining the guest experience is expected to take place during the next year.
