Revised Relationship With American Secures Republic’s Viability And Is A Critical Step In Republic’s Reorganization

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. has reached an agreement with American Airlines that secures a long-term relationship between the two airlines and today has filed a motion for its approval in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

“This is a major milestone in our journey towards a successful restructuring. Our amended agreement with American Airlines secures a majority of our flying commitments and importantly secures the size and scope of our ongoing Ejet fleet,” said Bryan Bedford, Chairman, President and CEO of Republic. “American’s participation in our restructuring program is paramount to our ability to implement our strategy of consolidating our air carrier operating certificates. American is a long-standing strategic partner of Republic and our relationship extends back to our initial capacity purchase agreement for regional jet operations at US Airways. We look forward to continuing to provide high levels of safe and reliable operations to American and its customers,” Bedford added.

The amended agreement provides for:

• a single capacity purchase agreement that prescribes the flying commitments and obligations of Republic and American related to the legacy American and US Airways capacity purchase agreements;
• permitting the removal of certain aircraft, an extension in duration of Republic’s flying for certain aircraft for American, which will facilitate Republic’s ability to favorably restructure the remaining aircraft financing obligations, and allowing for the potential restoration of service of a certain number of aircraft, subject to Republic’s ability to secure suitable financing of the aircraft;
• facilitates Republic’s transition to a single air carrier operating certificate by reconfiguring 80-seat aircraft to 76-seat configuration.

The parties anticipate that the motion will be heard before the Honorable Sean H. Lane on September 21, 2016. The new agreement will become effective in accordance with the terms of the Amendment following issuance of the approval order by the court.

(Source: Republic Airways Holdings news release)

FMI: www.rjet.com