SAN JUAN — Silver Airways will launch its newest aircraft in the region.
The Fort Lauderdale-based carrier, which has a network of flights to The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean (the latter out of its hub in Puerto Rico), is set to launch four new ATR-600 series planes in the Caribbean this year.
That includes one 72-seat ATR 72-600 that launched this week, along with three 42-seat ATR 42-600 planes, which will launch over the next four months.
“This is an exciting time for Silver Airways and regional airline flying as we continue our fleet transformation and focus on providing the highest level of safe, reliable and customer-friendly service,” said Silver Airways CEO Steve Rossum. “Starting operations of the new ATR 72-600 aircraft in the Caribbean from our San Juan gateway is another great milestone for Silver Airways, ATR, our customers, our airline partners, the communities we serve and our team members.”
Silver Airways said it would be focusing the new planes on routes to the US Virgin Islands, particularly for San Juan to St. Thomas and St. Croix, before rolling them out to routes to destinations like Dominica and Sint Maarten, among others.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Silver Airway’s new fleet to Puerto Rico. The use of the ATR-600 series in their Caribbean flight network strengthens the Island’s position as the main air access hub in the region. Promoting new air access options, the creation of new routes and increasing flight frequency availability is a priority for Puerto Rico’s Governor, Wanda Vázquez Garced, and part of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s strategies to maximize the potential of the travel and tourism industry and to continue positioning the Island as a world-class destination,” said Carla Campos, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
On April 5, 2020, Silver will introduce a second ATR, an ATR 42-600, on the following routes: San Juan – St. Croix, St. Croix – St. Thomas, St. Thomas – San Juan, St. Croix – San Juan, St. Kitts – San Juan, San Juan – Tortola, Tortola – San Juan, San Juan – St. Kitts.
On June 5, 2020, Silver will introduce a third ATR, an ATR 42-600, on the following routes: Dominica – San Juan, San Juan – Santiago, Dominican Republic, Santiago, Dominican Republic – San Juan, San Juan – St. Maarten, St. Maarten – San Juan, San Juan – Dominica.
On July 5, 2020, Silver will introduce a fourth ATR, an ATR 42-600, on the following routes: San Juan – St. Croix, St. Croix – St. Thomas, St. Thomas – San Juan, St. Kitts – San Juan, San Juan – Anguilla, Anguilla – San Juan, San Juan – Antigua, Antigua – San Juan, San Juan – St. Croix, St. Croix – St. Thomas, St. Thomas – San Juan, San Juan – St. Kitts.
Silver Airways first launched its new ATR fleet in the U.S. last year with the 46-seat ATR 42-600, making history as the first U.S. carrier to operate the newly redesigned and technologically advanced, customer friendly ATR-600 series aircraft. It had been nearly 25 years since a new ATR had flown in the U.S. It marked the first time revenue passengers have flown an ATR-600 operated by a U.S. carrier and the first time a fully independent U.S. regional airline has taken delivery of a new aircraft in many decades. The new ATRs provide Silver’s guests with an unparalleled flying experience and reliability, and pilots with the industry’s most advanced cockpit.
To date, Silver Airways has taken delivery of its first 10 of up to 50 ATR-600s, including seven ATR 42-600s and three ATR 72-600s. Future ATR-600 deliveries will be comprised of both ATR 42-600s and ATR 72-600s.
The new ATR-600 series aircraft are allowing Silver to expand its service in the Southeastern United States, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. By introducing the mission-specific ATR 42-600 aircraft with seating for 46 and ATR 72-600 with seating for 70, Silver has the unique ability to offer quicker direct flights to even more short and medium-haul leisure and business destinations in both domestic and nearby international markets.