Miami Air takes over bankrupt predecessor’s licences

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has authorised the transfer of Miami Air International’s certificate of public convenience and necessity to a new Delaware-based airline incorporated under the same name. The new firm was established by Tomas Romero, the owner of Caribbean Sun Airlines, Inc., doing business as World Atlantic Airlines (WL, Miami Int’l), who acquired the “old” Miami Air International during a bankruptcy auction for USD3.3 million. The US Bankruptcy Court approved the acquisition on May 29, 2020. The DOT found that the proposed management of “new” Miami Air comprises a mix of executives from the bankrupt airline and executives of World Atlantic Airlines. It established that they hold sufficient managerial skills and technical ability to run the newly certified airline. Romero said he was willing to invest up to USD4.5 million of his private funds into the airline until it is profitable. Miami Air plans to restart as a charter specialist using a single B737-800, growing to six “large aircraft” by the end of its first year of operations. Vice-President (Operations) John Valentine said Miami Air’s first B737-800, N735MA (msn 37260), should “be returning home on or about October 1”. The aircraft was previously operated by Florida-based Miami Air International and has been stored at Orlando Sanford since May 7, 2020, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. The DOT underlined that the airline would have to apply for a permit if it wants to grow its fleet beyond the six aircraft.