Republic Airways Holdings (RAH) has sought judicial approval to proceed with plans to merge its Shuttle America (Fort Wayne International) unit into Republic Airlines (Indianapolis International). The consolidation, which will also require the transition to a single Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), is crucial to the bankrupt carrier's turnaround plan.
"Consolidation of the Debtors’ flying operations through the Merger under a single Republic Airlines AOC will result in significant economic benefits and operational efficiencies for the Debtors that will begin to accrue immediately upon the Merger, and is essential to the Debtors’ ability to optimize their crew resources, which is crucial to their success following their emergence from chapter 11,” a bankruptcy court application said.
Earlier this year, the holding firm's CEO, Bryan Bedford, said RAH was looking to end the year with a single AOC and a single fleet-type.
Currently, Shuttle America's fleet entails twenty-seven E170s and sixteen E175s which it operates for Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) under the Delta Connection brand and United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) under the United Express brand.
For its part, Republic's inventory consists of twenty-six EMB 170s and ninety-two EMB 175s operated for American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) under the American Eagle brand as well as United Express.
