FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Newly transformed and customer focused Silver Airways made history today with the launch of regularly scheduled flights aboard its new ATR-600 series aircraft. The first ATR aircraft (N400SV, serial number 1214) was christened “Mile Marker Zero” in honor of the iconic Key West landmark in a Silver Airways employee naming contest and the first flight appropriately departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 10:40 a.m. and arrived at Key West International Airport at 11:55 a.m.
Silver Airways, America’s leading independent regional airline, has undergone a complete operational and customer service transformation and in doing so is reinventing the regional flying sector by being the first U.S. carrier to operate the newly redesigned and technologically advanced, customer friendly ATR-600 series aircraft. The aircraft is specifically designed for short-haul markets, but with the same look, feel and customer amenities of larger jetliners. It has been nearly 25 years since a new ATR has flown in the U.S. Today marks 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 aircraft are allowing Silver to expand its service in the Southeastern United States, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. By initially introducing the mission-specific ATR-42-600 aircraft, with seating for 46, Silver now 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.
“This is truly a great day for Silver Airways, ATR, Nordic Aviation Capital and our customers that would not have been possible without the hundreds of dedicated men and women of Silver Airways and Seaborne Airlines who have worked tirelessly over the past year to arrive at this historic moment,” said Silver Airways and Seaborne Airlines CEO Steve Rossum. “The new ATR-600 series aircraft will be transformational for Silver Airways and is ideal for our short-haul domestic and nearby international operations. The state-of-the art aircraft allows for a safe, highly reliable and efficient fleet operation and a superior overall experience for our guests.”
The new ATR-600 series features the widest cabin in the regional aircraft market with a new ergonomic design and lightweight slim seats offering passengers maximum comfort. Silver’s ATR fleet will be configured with 46 seats in a 2-2 seating configuration with up to a 32-inch pitch offering more legroom than many mainline aircraft. In addition, Silver’s ATR fleet will have spacious full-size overhead bins for carry-on bags along with full-size lavatories, bright LED lite cabins and is quieter than regional jets. The new ATR-600 series also features the latest innovations in cockpit technology with simplified, integrated LCD advanced functions, enhancing safety and improved handling for pilots, as well as the latest in avionics technology. The state-of-the-art, all-glass cockpit further reduces flight crew workload and enhances situational awareness while providing better reliability, maintenance cost savings and weight reduction.
Silver Airways has codeshare and interline relationships with most of the leading airlines in the U.S. and many worldwide. The new ATRs will provide superior air transportation with a level of comfort and quietness commensurate with the service of Silver’s worldwide airline partners.
“We are proud to see the ATR-600 aircraft take flight in the U.S. and to introduce the most modern standards of passenger experience and regional aircraft with our valued partner Silver Airways,” said ATR Chief Executive Officer Stefano Bortoli. “We are grateful to our friends at Silver for being our U.S. launch customer and leading what we expect to be a new wave of eco-responsible and passenger-friendly regional travel in the U.S. and the return of the ATRs in North America.”
“Nordic Aviation Capital is proud of its relationship with Silver Airways and we are particularly pleased to be part of their great success story,” said Martin Moller, Chairman of Nordic Aviation Capital. “The introduction of the ATR-600 series represents an essential milestone for them. We congratulate Silver Airways on their service expansion and look forward to continuing our outstanding relationship with them for many years to come.”
Silver Airways has taken delivery of three of up to 50 new ATR-600 series aircraft, including an initial order for 20 ATR-42-600 aircraft split among the 46-seat ATR-42s and the 70-seat ATR-72s. As the world’s leading regional flying aircraft, the new ATRs will provide Silver’s passengers unparalleled experience and reliability and pilots the industry’s most advanced cockpit.
Silver intends to take delivery and begin operating five more ATR-42-600s in 2019, and subject to regulatory approval, the airline is planning to take delivery of at least three ATR-72-600s this year. All of the initial 20 aircraft are expected to be in service by 2020.
About Silver Airways
Silver Airways operates the most routes within Florida and between Florida and the Bahamas from its hubs in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa, and also flies between Boston and Bar Harbor, Maine. Silver is the official airline of the Minor League Baseball team Daytona Tortugas and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. In addition, Silver owns and cooperatively operates Seaborne Airlines with flights in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. Silver is a codeshare partner with United, JetBlue and Avianca, and has interline agreements with American, Delta, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Bahamasair, Hahn Air, Azul and Emirates. Members of United’s MileagePlus® and JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty programs can also earn frequent flyer awards for travel throughout Silver’s network. Silver operates a fleet of highly-reliable Saab 340 aircraft and is also currently renewing and expanding its fleet with up to 50 new eco-friendly ATR-600s. Silver is honored to be the North American launch customer for the all new, redesigned ATR-600 offering best-in-class quiet cabins, premium leather seats with more legroom, and spacious overhead bins that accommodate full-size, carry-on roller bags. Silver is owned by affiliates of Philadelphia-based investment firm Versa Capital Management, LLC. To learn more about Silver’s refined passenger experience, visit www.silverairways.com/destinations/atr42.
About ATR
Founded in 1981, ATR is the world leader in below-90-seat regional aircraft. Since its creation, ATR has sold over 1,500 aircraft. ATR aircraft equip the fleets of some 200 airlines in nearly 100 countries. ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Airbus and Leonardo. Based in Toulouse, France, ATR is well established worldwide with a large customer support and sales network, including Customer Service Centers, training centers and warehouses. Additional information about the ATR-600 series aircraft, including photos, can be found at www.atr-aircraft.com.
About Nordic Aviation Capital
NAC is the industry’s leading regional aircraft lessor serving over 76 airline customers in 51 countries. The company provides aircraft to well-established carriers such as British Airways, Air Canada, LOT, Azul, Lufthansa, Garuda, Flybe, Aeroméxico and airBaltic as well as major regional carriers including Air Nostrum and Widerøe. NAC’s current fleet of almost 500 aircraft includes ATR 42, ATR 72, Bombardier Dash 8, CRJ900, CRJ1000, A220, E170, E175, E190 and E195. Visit www.nac.dk.
