Silver Airways Named ATW Regional Airline of the Year

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Silver Airways Corp. announced today that it has been named 2013 Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World (ATW), the leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry. The Fort Lauderdale-based carrier is being honored in recognition of its outstanding growth and achievements, as well as its contributions toward elevating the overall regional aviation industry. Notably, Silver Airways is the first U.S.-based airline to win the coveted ATW Regional Airline of the Year award since 2008.

Matthew Ray, Chairman of the Board for Silver Airways, praised the Silver Airways’ team members for the award, saying: “ATW awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in aviation. Aside from the continued support and appreciation of our passengers, there is no higher honor. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the nearly 800 Silver Airways team members across the United States and the Bahamas for their hard work and dedication that made this award possible. We started this airline with the goal to build the number-one regional airline in the world. The incredible team at Silver Airways joins me in the privilege of thanking the editors of Air Transport World for recognizing that we are on the right track.”

Since its launch in May, 2011, Silver Airways has enjoyed dramatic growth. The carrier welcomed 21 advanced, fuel-efficient Saab 340BPlus aircraft into its fleet, while also doubling its route network with the opening of new hubs in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta to serve communities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. At the same time, Silver Airways expanded its Florida routes to become the state’s largest carrier, serving more gateways with more daily flights there than any other airline. The Bahamas service also was bolstered, strengthening the airline’s position as the largest U.S. carrier to the multi-island country. Silver Airways also opened a new, state-of-the-art 61,000 square-foot maintenance facility in Gainesville in 2012, hired and trained nearly 500 new team members, and made improvements to facilities, technologies and employee travel and healthcare benefits.