Republic Airlines injected another $2.5 million into its partnership with Hawaii’s Mokulele Airlines on May 1 and this month plans to send a fourth Embraer E170 to the islands as it stages a more serious effort to raise its profile in the market.
Republic became half owner in the company, which also flies four Cessna Caravans, when it converted into equity $3 million of an $8 million loan to the Hawaiian airline and invested another $3 million in cash. “We are fully committed to the Mokulele operation,” said Republic CEO Bryan Bedford last month.
“We’re very encouraged by the revenue build that we’re seeing and the traction that we’re gaining with airline partners, distribution channels and the wholesalers.
Republic Airlines is owned and operated by Republic Airways Holdings (RAH), based in Indianapolis, Indiana. RAH is an airline holding company that also owns Chautauqua Airlines and Shuttle America. The airlines offer scheduled passenger service on approximately 1,200 flights daily to 105 cities in 36 states, Canada, Mexico and Jamaica through airline services agreements with seven U.S. airlines. All of the airlines’ flights are operated under their airline partner brand, such as AmericanConnection, Continental Express, Delta Connection, United Express, Midwest Connect, Mokulele Airlines and US Airways Express. The airlines currently employ approximately 4,500 aviation professionals and operate 215 jets.
