Silver Airways (3M, Fort Lauderdale International) launched scheduled ATR42-600 flights on April 22, 2019, having finally successfully certified the type in the United States.
The regional specialist operated its first ever flight with the type from Fort Lauderdale International to Key West International. The aircraft, N400SV (msn 1214), subsequently flew to Orlando International and Huntsville International.
Previously, the routes were operated with Saab 340B equipment.
According to schedule data at hand, Silver Airways plans to also deploy the ATR from Fort Lauderdale to Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional and internationally to North Eleuthera.
Silver Airways already took delivery of its first ATR42-600, N400SV (msn 1214) in mid-April 2018. Since then, the carrier has taken deliveries of a further two units - N401SV (msn 1216) and N402SV (msn 1217) which have yet to enter into revenue service.
In total, Silver Airways plans to take up to fifty new ATR -600 series aircraft. Of the fifty, twenty have been secured by Silver Airways via lease financing. According to Nordic Aviation Capital, the twenty aircraft include sixteen ATR42-600s and four ATR72-600s.
The introduction of the type has been slowed down by the US certification requirements with Silver Airways being the launch operator of ATR -600 Family turboprops in the country. In summer 2018, the airline announced its decision to scrap plans for a Branson, MO, base due to the delays.
Besides the ATRs, Silver Airways also operates twenty-one Saab 340B(Plus) turboprops. The ATRs will collectively replace Saabs operated by Silver Airways and its Puerto Rican sister carrier Seaborne Airlines (BB, San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin).
Seabourne Airlines will use its ATR-600s to run services out of San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin, Puerto Rico and St. Croix SPB and St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen in the US Virgin Islands to destinations throughout the Caribbean.
