Republic Airways Holdings
| Industry | Transportation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters |  Indianapolis, IN, USA |
Area served | North America |
Key people | Bryan Bedford (CEO) (Chairman) & (President) |
| Services | Airline Services |
Number of employees | In holding company (450) In all subsidiaries(10000+) |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Website | rjet.com |
Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RJET) is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana,[1] which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation.
Chautauqua operates regional jet (RJ) aircraft with up to 50 seats, Shuttle America operates Embraer 170 and 175 aircraft airliners with 70-76 seats, and Republic Airlines operates Embraer 170, 175 and 190 aircraft with 70-99 seats.
History
The company traces it roots to Chautauqua Airlines which was founded in 1973 in Jamestown, New York by Joel and Gloria Hall. Joel had been a pilot for Mohawk Airlines. Chautauqua was one of the first airlines to fly under code shares initially with Allegheny Airlines (which became USAir. [2]
In 1988 an affiliate of Guarantee Security Life Insurance Company bought the airline. In 1991 the Florida Department of Insurance took over the insurance company and its airline subsidiary after the insurance company was declared insolvent. [2]
On May 8, 1994, Chautauqua swapped routes with Jetstream International which had been owned by USAir. Chautauqua then moved its headquarters to Indianapolis. [2]
In 1996 the company formally organized as a holding company.[3]
Wexford Management, Greenwich, Connecticut investment company bought the company on May 15, 1998. Wexford had also owned National Airlines (N7) [2] and also invested heavily in Midway Airlines (1993–2003). Wexford's interest in distressed airline firms date back to 1995 when the assets of MarkAir were purchased in a bankruptcy auction.
On May 26, 2004, an IPO was launched on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol RJET with Wexford Capital remaining the majority shareholder.[4] The holding company capitalizes on the name Republic rather Chautauqua because Republic Airlines (1979–1986) has better national recognition even though the earlier Republic Airlines has no historic ties to the new company other than the name.
On May 9, 2005 it acquired Shuttle America from Wexford affiliate Shuttle Acquisition LLC. .[5]
In September 2005, Republic purchased 113 slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 24 at LaGuardia Airport, and 10 Embraer 170 aircraft from US Airways with an agreement to lease those assets back to US Airways. The deal was necessary for US Airways to emerge from bankruptcy protection.
On July 31, 2009 it acquired 89 percent of Mokulele Airlines.[6]
On July 31, 2009 it acquired financially troubled Midwest Airlines from TPG Capital,[4] and on October 1, 2009 it acquired Frontier Airlines which was being liquidated along with Frontier Airlines Holdings Lynx Aviation in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[4] On April 13, 2010, Republic announced that Midwest and Frontier would combine into a single airline, keeping the Frontier Airlines name.[7]
On October 23, 2009, it announced a joint venture with Mesa Air Group in which E170 routes operated by Shuttle America were transitioned to smaller Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet aircraft provided by Mesa Airlines.[8]
Scope clauses
The separation of the four contract airlines is due to "scope clauses" between mainline pilots and each major carrier Republic feeds. These clauses regulate the size of regional jet aircraft that affiliate carriers may operate; the intent behind such clauses is to protect mainline pilots from being replaced by lower-paid regional pilots. In 2005, Republic paid a $6.6 million settlement to the Allied Pilots Association after placing Embraer 170s in service with Chautauqua Airlines as United Express, because such aircraft violated the scope clause in the pilots' contract at American Airlines, which also contracts with Chautauqua for regional service as American Connection. To avoid further liability, Republic moved all of its Embraer 170 aircraft to Shuttle America, an airline that previously only operated Saab 340 turboprops.
Until 2009 when Republic acquired Midwest and Frontier, all of its planes flew in the colors of other airlines through code share agreements. Following is a breakdown of traffic upon all Republic Airways Holdings airlines as of December 31, 2008.[9]
| Airline Marketing Banner Carrier "Commuter" Brand | Parent | % of Republic Traffic | Notes |
| Delta Connection | Delta Air Lines | 29% | |
| US Airways Express | US Airways Group / US Airways | 25% | |
| United Express | United Continental Holdings / United Airlines | 20% | |
| AmericanConnection | AMR Corporation / American Airlines | 10% | |
| Continental Express | United Continental Holdings / Continental Airlines | 12% | |
| Shell corporation Frontier Airlines ("F9" Branding) |
Republic Airways Holdings / Frontier Airlines | 2% with-Frontier Airlines operated by Lynx Aviation branding |
Acquired in 2009 from Chapter 11. Merger with the surviving remains of the FAA/DOT Certificated Midwest Airlines and the remaining "YX" branded operations are to be completed by 2011. |
| Frontier Airlines operated by Lynx Aviation | Republic Airways Holdings / Lynx Aviation | 2% (with-"F9" Branding) |
Acquired in 2009 from Chapter 11. Lynx Aviation and "Frontier Airlines operated by Lynx Aviation" in process of being shut down by Republic Airways Holdings |
| Shell corporation Midwest Airlines ("YX" Branding) |
Republic Airways Holdings | 1% with-Midwest Connect |
Acquired in 2009. FAA/DOT Operating Certificate surrendered in 2009 and just becomes a marketing brand with the "YX" branding IATA code and aircraft liverys. |
| Midwest Connect | Republic Airways Holdings | 1% (with-"YX" Branding) |
Acquired in 2009. |
| Mokulele Express | Republic Airways Holdings / Mokulele Airlines | 1% | 89% of Mokulele Airlines was acquired in 2009 and has most recently been partially acquired by Mesa Air Group in a joint venture with Republic Airways Holdings under the new company name of go! Mokulele, as Mesa Air Group is technically in bankruptcy while the joint venture is not. |
Fleet Overview
The airlines currently employ approximately 5,000 aviation professionals and operate 226 regional jet aircraft including 34 Embraer 175 aircraft, 76 Embraer 170 aircraft, 60 Embraer 145 aircraft, 15 Embraer 140 aircraft, 17 Embraer 135 aircraft and 24 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft.
In February 2010 Republic Airways Holdings became the launch customer for the 100-150 seat Bombardier C-Series.[1] Thus far Republic Airways Holdings has not indicated which airline subsidiary unit they would be placed with.
Republic Airways Holdings Frontier Airlines
| Republic Airways Holdings Operates Frontier Airlines as | (F9) Frontier Airlines Operates with its own range of Flt #s | Number and type of aircraft operated | Number of seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Republic Airways Holdings) Frontier Airlines | (F9) | 9[10] Airbus A318-111 | 120 | Launch customer In July 2003, Frontier became the first airline to operate the Airbus A318 All Airbus A318 aircraft will eventually be replaced with Airbus A320 Aircraft |
| (Republic Airways Holdings) Frontier Airlines | (F9) | 38[10] Airbus A319-100 | 136 | 5 Airbus A319 to be flown for Midwest Airlines |
| (Republic Airways Holdings) Frontier Airlines | (F9) | 5[10] Airbus A320-214 (2 orders) |
162 | One originally owned by LTU International Airways; one by USA3000 Airlines[10] |
As of April 2010, the Frontier Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:
As of April 2010, Frontier's average fleet age was 5.8 years.[11]
Republic Airways Holdings Chautauqua Airlines
| Republic Airways Holdings Operates Chautauqua Airlines as | Flight number range | Number and type of aircraft operated | Number of seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmericanConnection | 15 ERJ-140 | 44 | ||
| Continental Express | CO5500-5789 CO5800-5989 |
0 CRJ-200 15 ERJ-145 |
50 | |
| Delta Connection | DL6000-6099 | 22 ERJ-145 0 ERJ-135 |
50 37 |
|
| US Airways Express | US3000-3099 | 9 ERJ-145 | 50 | |
| Midwest Connect | 7 ERJ-145 6 ERJ-135 |
50 37 |
Republic Airways Holdings Lynx Aviation
| Republic Airways Holdings Operates Lynx Aviation as | Flight Number Range | Number and type of aircraft | Number of seat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Frontier Airlines operated by Lynx Aviation" | 5 Bombardier Q-400 |
Republic Airways Holdings Mokulele Airlines
| Republic Airways Holdings Operates Mokulele Airlines as | Flight number range | Number and type of aircraft operated | Number of seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mokulele Express | MW100-999 MW1000-1999 |
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan |
Republic Airways Holdings Republic Airlines
| Republic Airways Holdings Operates Republic Airlines as | Flight number range | Number and type of aircraft operated | Number of seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Airlines | YX1500-1999 | 14 Embraer 170 14 (6 Orders) Embraer 190 |
76 99 |
E190's being introduced summer 2009 to fly out of MKE and MCI
E190 fleet planned to be a total of 20+ aircraft by the end of 2010. 10 aircraft to be purchased from US Airways with 4 expected to enter service in November-December 2009 and the remaining 6 sometime in the first half of 2010[12] |
| US Airways Express | US3100-3499 | 36 Embraer 175 18 Embraer 170 |
86 76 |
Republic Airways Holdings Shuttle America
| Republic Airways Holdings Operates Shuttle America as | Flight number range | Number and type of aircraft operated | Number of seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Connection | S5 5900-5999 S5 7500-7699 |
0 Embraer 170 15 Embraer 175 |
6+64 12+64 |
175s will replace the 170s |
| United Express | UA7500-7774 | 36 Embraer 170 | 6+64 | 38 Planned |
Merged and Discontinued Certificated Airlines
Current fleet
As of November 2009[update], Midwest Airlines operates no aircraft, the final flight operated with a Boeing 717 and staffed with Midwest Airlines flight crews landed in Milwaukee on November 2, 2009.[13] Effective November 3, 2009, Midwest Airlines ceased to exist as an actual operating airline (allowing its DOT air carrier operator certificate to lapse). However, the airline's parent Republic Airways Holdings plans to operate flights by its other subsidiary airlines under the Midwest Airlines brand.
Through outsourcing other airlines operating under the Midwest Connect branding Midwest can advertise and maintain a route system similar to what existed prior to Midwest Air Groups takeover by the TPG - Texas Pacific Group:[14] The Boeing 717 aircraft were replaced by 5 Airbus A319 flown by Frontier Airlines and 10 Embraer 190 aircraft purchased from US Airways in addition to the 5 Embraer 190s, as of November 2009 flown for Midwest Airlines by Republic Airlines
Retired fleet
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Economy) |
Year Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonnell Douglas MD-81 | 2 | 143 (12/131) | 2008 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 6 | 139 (12/127) | 2008 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-88 | 4 | 139 (12/127) | 2008 | Replaced by Frontier Airlines Airbus A319 |
| Boeing 717 | 25 | 99 (40/59) | 2008+2009 | Aircraft returned to lessors; now flying for MexicanaClick Replaced by Republic Airlines Embraer E-190 |
Further reading
- Sandra Arnoult, "Three Heads are better than One," Air Transport World January 2006, p. 60.
References
- ^ "Contact Us." Republic Airways Holdings. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.
- ^ a b c d International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 38. St. James Press, 2001 via fundingunivese.com
- ^ Republic Airways Holdings - marketwatch.com - Retrieved February 12, 2010
- ^ a b c Republic Airways History - republicwairways.com – Retrieved February 12, 2010
- ^ Republic Airways History - republicairways.com – Retrieved February 12, 2010
- ^ Segal, Dave (2009-07-31). "Republic Air increases its stake in Mokulele url=http://www.starbulletin.com/business/20090731_Republic_Air_increases_its_stake_in_Mokulele.html". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing pipe in:|title=(help) - ^ Daykin, Tom (2010-04-13). "New name for Midwest-Frontier airline: Frontier". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
- ^ Republic Airways History - republicairways.com – Retrieved February 12, 2010
- ^ Profile: Republic Airways Holdings Inc (RJET.O) - reuters.com - Retrieved February 13, 2010
- ^ a b c d "Frontier Airlines". CH-Aviation. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
- ^ Frontier Airlines Fleet Age
- ^ Republic Airways to Acquire 10 Embraer 190AR Aircraft from US Airways
- ^ End Of Era Arrives: Midwest's Boeing 717 Lands For Good
- ^ Midwest Airlines Plane Types
