This article is about the Republic Airlines that was founded in 1979, and purchased by Northwest Airlines. For the Republic Airlines that is currently operating, see
Republic Airlines.
Republic Airlines (IATA: RC, ICAO: REP, Call sign: REPUBLIC) was a United States airline formed on July 1, 1979 by the merger of North Central Airlines and Southern Airways. Its headquarters were at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in what is now Fort Snelling in unincorporated Hennepin County, Minnesota.[1][2] The former headquarters is now called Delta Air Lines Building C.[3]
[edit] History
Republic Airlines began in 1979 with the merger of North Central Airlines and Southern Airways. The new airline's headquarters was at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport though its largest hub was at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Republic was then the sixth largest airline in the United States. In 1980, following its buyout of Hughes Airwest, Republic became the largest airline in the United States by destinations served. The route network was served with the world's largest Douglas DC-9 fleet and also Boeing 727s.[4]
On January 23, 1986 Northwest Orient Airlines announced that it would purchase Republic for $884 million in response to United Airlines' purchase of the Pacific routes of Pan American World Airways and to provide domestic feed. The merger was completed on October 1, 1986 with Northwest dropping the word Orient from its name after the merger. Republic operated hubs at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Memphis International Airport, and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. These airports became the backbone of Northwest's domestic route network.
Despite Northwest's efforts to remove all remaining presence of any Republic-branded imagery, it is still possible to find a few old Republic logos around Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and Memphis International Airport. The logos can no longer be seen at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport because Northwest's old terminal has been demolished. Northwest subsequently merged with Delta Air Lines, with Delta to be the surviving brand.
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