Florida Court Orders Seizure of Three MD-83 Jets from World Atlantic Airlines
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A Florida circuit court has ordered the seizure of three McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft operated by Caribbean Sun Airlines, which does business as World Atlantic Airlines. The court’s decision follows an extended legal dispute between the Miami-Dade-based charter carrier and its lessor, Blue Diamond General Investments.
Legal Dispute Origins and Allegations
The case stems from an oral agreement between the two companies, under which Blue Diamond lent its aircraft to World Atlantic for charter operations. In return, World Atlantic was expected to pay Blue Diamond a share of revenue for each flight conducted using the aircraft.
On April 11, 2024, Blue Diamond filed a complaint with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, alleging that World Atlantic breached their agreement by deploying the aircraft for other customers without proper compensation. The complaint further stated that World Atlantic failed to honor a payment schedule that had been arranged to resolve the outstanding financial obligations.
Claimed Damages and Flight Activity
Blue Diamond claimed it was owed over $1.8 million related to the use of its aircraft. Invoices submitted with the complaint showed that the aircraft were used for charter flights to several Cuban destinations, including Havana (HAV), Matanzas (VRA), and Santiago (SCU), as well as other Caribbean airports. The invoice totals amounted to more than $1.3 million.
Aircraft Seizure and Operational Impact
The legal dispute reached a turning point on March 21, 2025, when the court approved a prejudgment writ of attachment and garnishment, authorizing the seizure of the aircraft until the debt is paid or the order is overturned. According to The Business Journals, which first reported the development, the enforcement action has grounded World Atlantic Airlines’ operations.
The aircraft in question are being held at Miami International Airport (MIA) under the custody of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. They cannot be flown or released while the court order remains in effect.
Aircraft Details
The three MD-83 aircraft subject to seizure are registered under Caribbean Sun Airlines and listed in the FAA aircraft registry with the following details:
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Tail Number: N801WA, Serial Number: 53291, Year of Manufacture: 1987
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Tail Number: N802WA, Serial Number: 53052, Year of Manufacture: 1990
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Tail Number: N804WA, Serial Number: 49345, Year of Manufacture: 1992
Bottom Line
The court-ordered seizure of three MD-83 aircraft from World Atlantic Airlines marks a significant development in the ongoing legal conflict with Blue Diamond General Investments. With operations halted and assets grounded at Miami International Airport (MIA), the case underscores the serious financial and operational risks that can arise from unresolved contractual disputes in the aviation leasing sector.
