Aircraft From Mesa Air Group Bring the Fleet Total to 310 E-Jets

Republic Airways Holdings has officially sealed its merger with Mesa Air Group, forming a regional giant with a record-setting fleet of 310 Embraer E-Jets. Mesa shareholders approved the deal on November 17, completing a transaction first announced in April.

The final arrangement gives Republic stockholders roughly 88% ownership of the new entity. Mesa shareholders will hold between 6% and 12%, depending on the final settlement of pre-closing obligations.

The merged carrier will support more than 1,300 daily departures across North America. Republic Airways will continue serving American, Delta, and United under existing capacity purchase agreements, while Mesa takes on a fresh 10-year CPA with United. The agreements primarily lock down long-term flying for the consolidated fleet, offering efficiencies that neither airline could fully achieve independently while navigating pilot shortages and cost pressures.

“This merger establishes a combined company with a common mission to provide safe, clean, and reliable service to connect people and communities across America,” said David Grizzle, CEO of Republic Airways. “The transaction will create value for all of our stakeholders and strengthen the regional aviation industry.”

Culturally, the two companies claim the fit is straightforward. Both airlines and the more than 8,000 aviation employees they bring together have spent decades operating under major-airline brands with a focus on professional development and internal promotion. The merger, Republic President Matt Koscal says, merely “continues a growth trajectory that stretches back more than five decades, makes us a stronger and more capable partner for our customers, will create new job and career opportunities for our people, and offers a compelling investment opportunity in an essential industry.”

Although the merger is complete, the airlines will continue operating separately for the time being. Integration work is underway to align procedures, training programs, and backend systems before eventually transitioning to a single operating certificate. That process historically takes months to years for regional carriers.

FMI: www.rjet.com