Republic Airways Holdings is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana which owns three regional airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America.

Overview

Chatauqua operates regional jet (RJ) aircraft with up to 50 seats, Shuttle America operates aircraft with more than 70 seats, and Republic Airlines operates aircraft with more than 72 seats.

The separation of the three 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 had to move all of its Embraer 170 aircraft to Shuttle America, an airline that previously only operated Saab 340 turboprops.

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.

Further reading

• Sandra Arnoult, "Three Heads are better than One," Air Transport World January 2006, p. 60.

External link

• Republic Airways Holdings

Airline companies of the United States | Companies based in Indiana