On January 26th, 2004 Air Transport World announced the selection of Chautauqua Airlines as regional Airline of the Year. This marks the first time in the 30 year history of the Air Transport World Airline Achievement Awards program that an a senior management team has received this recognition at two different airlines. Several members of the current senior management team at Chautauqua worked together at Mesaba Airlines in 1997 when Mesaba Airlines was selected for this award.
On February 12, 2003, Chautauqua Airlines announced that it had reached agreement with America West Airlines to end the marketing agreement for the twelve ERJ 145’s operating under the America West Express program. The aircraft will transition to the Delta Connection program beginning in April of 2003 with all 12 aircraft entering Delta Connection service by July of 2003. On the same day, Delta Connection, Inc. announced new service from Port Columbus International Airport including 11 new daily departures. This transition allows Chautauqua to keep its current employee levels in Columbus. The additional flights offered under the Delta Connection program positions Chautauqua Airlines as the largest operator at Port Columbus International Airport.
On March 2, 2004 Delta Connection announced Chautauqua Airlines will receive an additional 13 Embraer regional jet (ERJ) aircraft for 2004 and 2005, bringing Chautauqua’s total Delta Connection flying to 47 regional jet aircraft.
On March 8, 2004 United Airlines announced that Chautauqua Airlines and Republic Airlines have joined United Express. Under a new agreement, Chautauqua will operate sixteen 50-seat regional jets for United Express. In addition, United has authorized Republic to fly sixteen 70-seat regional jets under the United Express livery.
On April 30, 2004, Regional Airline World announced the selection of Chautauqua Airlines as regional Airline of the Year. This is the first time a carrier has won Airline of the Year honors by two industry publications in the same year. In addition, Regional Airline World announced the selection of Bryan Bedford as Airline Executive of the Year.
On May 26, 2004, Republic Airways completed its initial public offering of 5.0 million common shares at a price of $13 per share. The Company retained approximately $39 million after paying offering expenses, underwriters’ discounts and repaying debt. The company trades on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol of RJET.
On July 12, 2004 Republic Airways announced that its primary subsidiary Chautauqua Airlines is the first airline in the United States and second regional airline in the world to be registered with IOSA.
On October 26, 2004 Republic Airways announced that its subsidiary Chautauqua Airlines has begun scheduled passenger service with two, new seventy-passenger Embraer 170 aircraft in the United Express system. The aircraft are operating between Washington Dulles and Houston, Washington Dulles and Indianapolis, and Chicago and Indianapolis.
On December 22, 2004 Republic Airways announced the addition of 17 firm and 35 option EMBRAER 170’s to its order book. This brings Republic’s order book for EMBRAER 170s to 40 firm and 60 options of Embraer 170 aircraft.
Also on December 22, 2004 Republic Airways announced that its Republic Airlines subsidiary had agreed with Delta Air Lines, Inc. to operate the Embraer 170 aircraft as a Delta Connection partner.
On March 14, 2005 Republic Airways announced that along with its majority shareholder Wexford Capital LLC, had reached agreement with US Airways Group, Inc. on an omnibus agreement which includes provisions for the affirmation of an amended Chautauqua Airlines Jet Service Agreement (JSA); a potential new jet service agreement with a Republic subsidiary for the operation of Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft; and up to $110 million in asset related financing.
On April 21, 2005 Republic Airways announced that it has made a conditional offer to purchase Shuttle America Corporation from Shuttle Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Wexford Capital LLC, for the purchase price of $1 million plus the assumption of less than $1 million in debt.
On May 9, 2005 Republic Airways announced that it has completed the purchase of Shuttle America Corporation from Shuttle Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Wexford Capital LLC, for the purchase price of $1 million plus the assumption of less than $1 million in debt to Wexford Capital LLC.
On June 1, 2005 Republic Airways subsidiary, Shuttle America commenced scheduled Embraer 170 operations under the United Express brand.
On June 23, 2005 Republic Airways announced today that it has amended its airline services agreement with United Airlines to provide an additional five 70-seat Embraer 170’s. This amendment brings the total number of 170’s to be operated in the United Express program to 28 aircraft, including two spares.
On August 29, 2005 Republic Airways announced t it’s Flight Attendants represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has ratified a new four year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement passed by an overwhelming majority. Over 90% of the ballots received were in favor of ratification of the agreement.
On August 29, 2005 Republic Airways announced that its Republic Airlines subsidiary has received its Part 121 Airworthiness Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
On August 30, 2005 Republic Airways announced today that its pilots represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have ratified a side letter with the company for the operation of larger regional jet aircraft with US Airways in accordance with its labor scope restrictions. The amended agreement with the pilots union will allow Republic Airways to complete its proposal to US Airways for the operation of up to 25 Embraer 190’s.
On September 4, 2005 Republic Airlines commenced scheduled passenger service operating 3 Embraer 170’s under a code-share agreement with US Airways Express. The airline currently plans to operate 28 aircraft on behalf of US Airways.
On February 24, 2006 Republic Airways Holdings reported that its Chautauqua Airlines subsidiary was selected as the first recipient of the Aviation Excellence Award from Flight International. The selection was announced at an awards gala in Singapore. Chautauqua Airlines won the Flight Operations category of the Aviation Excellence Award.
On July 21, 2006 Republic Airways reported that its Chautauqua Airlines subsidiary was selected by Continental Airlines to provide and operate 44 50–seat regional jets as a Continental Express carrier beginning in January 2007.
Additionally on July 21, 2006 Republic Airways today announced that it had reached an agreement for the purchase of 30 firm 86-seat E175 aircraft for its Republic Airlines operation. This brings to 106 firm and 75 options the total number of E-Jets on order for Republic Airways. These 30 aircraft were originally options under the amended and restated aircraft purchase agreement between US Airways and Embraer. With the consent of Embraer, US Airways has assigned 30 of its 50 E175 delivery positions to Republic. Republic Airways will purchase and finance these aircraft.
On July 24, 2006 Republic Airways the parent company of Republic Airlines, announced that its Republic Airlines subsidiary had signed an amendment to its jet services agreement with US Airways which calls for Republic to operate thirty 86-seat Embraer 175 aircraft as US Airways Express. These aircraft are in addition to the twenty-eight 72-seat Embraer 170 aircraft currently in service. The new Embraer 175s will replace 20 existing 50-seat Embraer 145s operated for US Airways Express by Republic Airways Chautauqua Airlines subsidiary. The remaining 10 Embraer 175 deliveries will either replace other retiring regional aircraft or be used for limited growth in 2008