Silver Airways marks milestone

It’s been a year since Silver Airways launched itself as an independent carrier with the rollout of its own reservations system and an enhanced website to allow travelers to purchase tickets directly fromthe carrier.

Before Silver launched the new marketing tools in early June 2013, passengers using its old website were redirected to United Airlines or a partner website to complete their bookings, the Fort Lauderdale-based regional carrier said.

Now travelers can plan trips, research fares, purchase tickets and even check in using its new website, silverairways.com. A new tollfree reservations number — 800-229-9990 — connecting customers with its reservations center was also part of the upgrade.

“We’re truly an independent business,” Silver President and CEO David Pflieger said Monday of the merits of the new technology.

With the addition of its TRAX software, Silver also successfully integrated its aircraft and parts inventory and maintenance activity information into a single system enabling it to run amore

organized, efficient, reliable and cost-effective operation.

During the period, the carrier also launched itsown marketing campaigns featuring radio ads on National Public Radio and billboards to “raise the level of awareness,” especially among Floridians about its intra-state routes, Pflieger said.

To mark the one-year milestone, and as a “Thank You” to customers, Silver is giving away two round trip tickets daily through July 8 at SilverDaysGiveaway.com. Thetickets are valid for travel on any of its Florida and Bahamas flights.

Additionally, Silver is offering fares from $19 oneway through 11 a.m. ET Wednesday, for nonstop travel between June 14 and Dec. 17.

In the past year, Silver has grown its Florida and Bahamas network and nowoffers flights between more Florida cities, and more flights between Florida and the Bahamas than any other U.S. carrier, airline officials said.

The carrier operates its signature 34-seat Saab 340B plus aircraft on its Florida and Bahamas routes. The planes feature leather seats, large overhead bins, flight attendant service and an active noise reduction system. It has 28 of the fuel-efficient aircraft in its fleet.

From Fort Lauderdale, Silver flies nonstop to Key West, Orlando and Tampa and to several destinations in the Bahamas, including Bimini, Freeport, George Town and Marsh Harbour. It plans new service to Jacksonville inAugust.

Silver also operates nonstop flights fromPalm Beach International Airport to Orlando, Tampa and North Eleuthera and Freeport in the Bahamas.

In February it secured up to $73 million in additional financing and recapitalization from GB Credit Partners LLC. That financing is earmarked for partial repayment of owner investments, and up to $25 million will be used for future growth.

Silver is privately owned by Chicago-based investment firm Victory Park Capital, which launched the airline in May 2011 after acquiring select assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines.