Republic has enough on it's plate. In this economy would it really be wise to be EXPANDING WITH 16 AIRPLANES (25-9)? That's a lot of new markets and a lot of new growth.

Not only that does Republic really have the money to buy two complete airlines and buy (forgive debt... whatever) 25 aircraft all inside of a few months? That's a lot of $$$.

Yes this is all speculation and will not be surprised if any of this does not happen.

But Doug himself said these aircraft are in high demand. The way I see it they also just happen to be in high demand by a airline that said they are replacing an entire fleet with them in the very near term yet have none on order.