Silver Airways Kicked Out Of Anguilla, Makes Up Absurd Lie To Shift Blame

Silver Airways and the government of Anguilla are getting into a bit of a spat, and I’ve gotta say, it’s not a very good look for the airline.

Silver Airways suspends Anguilla flights indefinitely

Regional Florida-based Silver Airways seems to be discontinuing its seasonal service between San Juan (SJU) and Anguilla (AXA) earlier than planned. The public first became aware of this thanks to a note posted on Silver Airways’ social media channels, when the carrier provided the following bizarre explanation:

We are suspending our operations in AXA (Anguilla) effective immediately. Unfortunately, we have been put in this difficult position because the government of Anguilla is asking Silver to violate US law and we refused to do so.

We regret inconveniencing our loyal customers and harming the citizens of Anguilla who rely on tourism for their livelihoods, we have been given no other choice by the Anguillan authorities.

Initially we didn’t have the other side of the story, though honestly, Silver Airways’ explanation immediately made me assume the government of Anguilla was in the right. What kind of an explanation is it to tell your customers that you have to cut a route because a destination is asking you to “violate US law,” without explaining what law they’re asking you to violate?

Keep in mind that Silver Airways recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, so I figured that wasn’t totally unrelated. Well, it didn’t take the government of Anguilla long to respond…

Silver Airways racked up $103K+ in unpaid fees in Anguilla

The government of Anguilla has put Silver Airways on blast… good for them! The government announced that Silver Airways’ winter 2025 seasonal permit to fly to the airport has been revoked. The reason? Over $103,000 in unpaid fees to the airport, and this goes back to long before the airline filed for Chapter 11.

Prior to Silver Airways filing for Chapter 11, numerous unsuccessful attempts were made to settle the outstanding debt that Silver Airways has accrued since May 2023. On September 3, 2024, Silver Airways was informed that failure to settle the debt, or part thereof, would cause the carrier’s seasonal permit to be eliminated.

Silver Airways didn’t settle any of the outstanding debt before the company determined it was necessary to file for Chapter 11, and has now informed the government that it’s not legally permitted to make payments or sign repayment agreements, and is thereby incapable of settling the debts incurred.

The airline has also failed to provide the government with any further information about its ability to repay the debt in the future, but has still sought permission to continue operating to Anguilla.

Yeah, I’m sorry, but this is really low on Silver Airways’ part. The carrier has a history of not paying airports (it almost got kicked out of its Fort Lauderdale hub due to unpaid fees). Over nearly two years, it racked up over $103,000 in unpaid fees with this small airport.

The government repeatedly warned the airline that not paying fees would cause it to be kicked out of the airport. While it’s probably true that Silver Airways is not permitted to repay those fees while in bankruptcy, the carrier is conveniently glossing over the root cause of the issue. It’s not that Anguilla is asking Silver Airways to violate US law, but rather that Silver Airways has refused to pay its debts prior to filing for bankruptcy.

How low of the airline to apologize for the harm being caused the citizens of Anguilla after being “given no other choice.” You know what would help the citizens of Anguilla? Paying the fees you owe them! Honestly, the way the airline is handling this is just super sketchy, in my opinion.

Bottom line

Silver Airways has suspended flights to Anguilla. The company claimed this was because the government of Anguilla was trying to force the airline to violate US law, and the airline patriotically refused to do so. However, the reality is that the airline has racked up a lot of debt at the airport over the past couple of years.

The airline did nothing to address this debt before or after filing for bankruptcy, and the government has had enough.

What do you make of this Silver Airways & Anguilla situation?