Indianapolis based, Republic Airways Holdings Inc., which operates several airlines, recently announced that they will be adding to the 40 regional jet aircraft which they currently operate for Delta Airlines. The company has signed a six year outsourcing agreement with Delta to fly 8 more EMB-170, 70-seat, aircraft as Delta Connection flights.
The company was in the news recently for operating the same aircraft, in their Shuttle America fleet, for Continental/United. The operation is a violation of the Continental pilot’s contract and an arbitration ruling from the end of last year.
The new aircraft for Delta are being pulled from the Frontier Airlines operation which Republic recently purchased. To replace the aircraft in the Frontier operation, Republic will shuffle some smaller 50 seat EMB-145 aircraft, currently flying for Continental in their Chautauqua Airlines group, over to Frontier along with some 70 seat Turboprop Q400 aircraft.
In addition to Shuttle America, Chautauqua Airlines and Frontier Airlines, the company also owns and operates Lynx Aviation and Republic Airlines. Republic operates approximately 1500 flight per day through outsourcing agreements with five major U.S. airlines.