No longer content with its status as a little-known commuter airline that only flies for major airlines, Republic Airways has embarked on a mission to become a major player in the industry. Republic began its journey with a surprise victory in bankruptcy court that allowed it to purchase Frontier Airlines, but it has not finished yet.
 
Last month, Republic purchased Midwest Air Group, Inc., a Milwaukee airline that had long been struggling in today’s unfavorable economic situation, and followed up its purchase with a risky bid for Frontier. As it continues to acquire new airlines, it faces even competition from its …read more

After Southwest Airlines made a $170 million bid for Frontier Airlines, many expected Southwest to win the bidding — especially considering that the next highest bid was $108.8 million by Republic Airways. On Thursday, however, Republic Airways was named as the winner in bankruptcy court. Southwest’s bid was reportedly nixed due to concerns of how the two companies would merge.
Republic Airways, on the other hand, won’t exactly have to merge. Instead, the company plans to run Frontier Airlines as a stand-alone subsidiary.
Gary Kelly, the CEO and President of Southwest Airlines, said that the end result shows that Frontier Airlines and …read more

In a move that significantly outpaces Republic Airways Holdings’ bid of $108.8 million for Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines has decided it can spend $170 million to acquire Frontier and bring it out of bankruptcy. As far as whether or not Southwest can maintain its bidding lead, Republic has not lost hope in acquiring Frontier.
 
Republic’s spokesperson, Carlo Bertolini, stated that his company will be present at the next bankruptcy court auction, but did not suggest that Republic was dead set on bidding. Southwest, though, hopes to win control of its rival uncontested, allowing it to give service to several more cities …read more