Florida-based Silver Airways is plotting a new course with an enlarged fleet and a potential merger aiming to ‘become a major US airline.’
The carrier also announced a new chief executive with Steven Rossum replacing Sami Teittinen who has stepped down for personal reasons.
Silver plans to order 20 ATR 42-600 aircraft with an option to increase that to 50 new jets, worth up to $1.1 billion.
It will become ATR’s first customer in North America for its 600 series turboprops.
It will take delivery of the first four by the end of 2017 with the remainder arriving by 2020.
They will gradually replace the current fleet of 34-seat Saab 340B turboprops.
Silver Airways also announced talks under way with Puerto Rico-based Seaborne Airlines over a possible ‘combination’ of commercial operations.
Seaborne serves several Caribbean destinations including the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Anguilla via its San Juan hub.
Silver serves the Bahamas from Florida.
"Silver is at an exciting and very promising point in its ongoing strategic plan, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join this excellent team of aviation professionals," new CEO Steven Rossum said."
"The momentum of our airline – as demonstrated by the order for new ATR-600 series aircraft, the potential for Caribbean expansion, and our amazing team members – were key reasons I decided to join Silver.
