Seaborne Cancels Two Dozen Flights, Stranding Passengers in USVI

(US VIRGIN ISLANDS) Seaborne Airlines canceled about two dozen flight cancellations on August 21–22, 2025, disrupting travel across the U.S. Virgin Islands and leaving hundreds of passengers stuck in Christiansted (St. Croix) and Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas). The airline’s official status page showed multiple scrubbed services on the core seaplane route between St. Thomas (SPB) and St. Croix (SSB), with knock-on effects for connections to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean points. The breakdown caps a rocky summer marked by its parent company’s bankruptcy, shifting ownership plans, and fragile schedules that have kept residents, tourists, and small businesses on edge.

Seaborne urged customers to recheck their itineraries before heading to the seaplane terminals. The carrier’s website lists day-of changes and shows which flights remain active. Travelers trying to rebook or request help can reach customer support at 1-801-401-9100 or by email at [email protected]. Seaborne also tells customers to use its online booking tool to see the most current flight options.

Safety inspections, bankruptcy, and sale process

In late spring, the carrier paused all seaplane flights between St. Thomas and St. Croix from May 31 to June 6 to complete mandatory corrosion checks on its aircraft. Management stressed that this was a routine safety step but warned that restoring full service could take time.

Soon after, in June, Silver Airways—Seaborne’s parent—filed for bankruptcy, pulling Seaborne deeper into uncertainty and fueling recurring schedule changes.

Court documents spelled out a possible lifeline. A “stalking horse” bidder, STK I US LLC (affiliated with Nella Airlines), agreed to seek control of Seaborne and keep service going, with a sale hearing set for July 1, 2025. The bid included a commitment to assume payroll and ongoing operating costs, intended to reduce further interruptions and keep crews and ground teams in place.

“We’re encouraged that Seaborne has attracted interest from investors who not only want to preserve service in the U.S. Virgin Islands but help it grow. That’s not something we saw with Silver,” — restructuring adviser Philip Lambrechts.

The transition plan contemplated a competitive auction if other offers emerged, with a goal of a quick restart under new leadership. If the transaction closed on schedule, Seaborne expected a return to more normal flying by August 24, 2025, though the airline warned that short-term adjustments would likely continue as the new owner worked through logistics, cash flow, and fleet demands.

Impact on travelers and the local economy

The August cancellations hit hard. Families trying to return home were split across islands, business travelers missed meetings, and vacationers scrambled to change hotels and flights. For many, the short hop between St. Thomas and St. Croix turned into overnight stays and extra costs.

Local officials raised alarms about how repeated disruptions can slow tourism and limit inter-island access to health care, courts, and schools. Small companies that rely on same-day travel for supplies and services also reported delays.

Passengers described long lines and full flights on other carriers. While Seaborne has been rebooking where seats are available, the combination of peak summer demand and limited regional capacity made same-day alternatives rare.

Those with tickets during the suspension and bankruptcy window face a different challenge: refunds may depend on payment method and timing.

• Travelers who paid with credit cards or booked through travel agencies were advised to ask those companies to start refund claims.
• Airline bankruptcy often places individual travelers low on the repayment list, so card issuers or agencies may be faster routes for refunds.

Seaborne’s customer team continues to take calls and emails, but many customers prefer to work with their card issuers for faster results.

Aviation analysts say Seaborne’s trouble mirrors a wider crunch across Caribbean short-haul flying this month. Reports point to:

• Aging fleets
• Spare parts delays
• Tight cash positions
• Vulnerability to weather, maintenance, and crew shortages

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, any of these issues can ripple for days in small markets.

What affected passengers can do now

1. Check flight status often. Seaborne’s website shows real-time changes to St. Thomas–St. Croix service and any connections. Look for same-day options if cancellations open earlier or later departures.
2. Contact customer support for rebooking or assistance:
   • Phone: 1-801-401-9100
   • Email: [email protected]
   • If you booked through a travel agency or online platform, contact them first; they can sometimes act faster.
3. Seek refunds through your payment method when eligible. For tickets tied to the bankruptcy period, card issuers and travel agencies may be the most direct route to a refund claim.
4. Review federal consumer protections. The United States 🇺🇸 Department of Transportation explains airline obligations and passenger rights for canceled flights here: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/flight-delays-cancellations.
5. Keep records. Save screenshots of canceled flights, emails, and call logs. A clear paper trail helps if you later need to document a claim.
6. Monitor local news and airport updates. St. Thomas (SPB) and St. Croix (SSB) seaplane terminals serve short-haul routes with quick turns, so schedules can change within hours as aircraft and crews shift.

Behind the scenes — what to watch next

The promised sale to the stalking horse bidder remains the key test. If the buyer takes over as planned and funds payroll and operations, Seaborne could rebuild trust with steady schedules and better recovery options when a flight cancels.

Regional partners and tourism boards are watching closely because stable, frequent seaplane service is a backbone for the islands’ day-to-day life. Any improvement will likely start with:

• On-time performance on the core St. Croix–St. Thomas corridor
• Reliable links to Puerto Rico for medical visits and onward connections

Seaborne’s message is direct: check status, call or write if you need help, and be ready for changes. The company has encouraged travelers to rely on its official channels for same-day updates rather than social media or third-party posts.

Small moves—like a delayed regulatory sign-off, a maintenance inspection that runs long, or a shift in a court timetable—can cascade into fresh adjustments during bankruptcy transitions.

Human and economic toll

The emotional and economic consequences are tangible:

• Parents with young children have spent unplanned nights away from home.
• Hourly workers lost shifts while waiting for rebooking.
• Students missed orientation or classes.
• Hotel clerks in Christiansted reported last-minute calls for rooms.
• Taxi drivers in Charlotte Amalie saw late-evening demand spikes as passengers sought new lodging.

When regional air links falter, island life feels it immediately.

Seaborne Airlines faces daily challenges: enough aircraft, enough pilots and mechanics, enough cash to cover spares, and enough market confidence to sell tickets tomorrow. If the sale closes and funds flow as promised, the airline’s bet is that a steadier schedule—starting with the short sea crossings—will bring back customers and ease the strain built up over months of disruptions.

Until then, travelers across the Virgin Islands remain in wait-and-see mode, hoping the next update brings not another cancellation but a confirmed seat.