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Republic Airways to operate large regional jets for American Airlines
American Airlines and Republic Airways announced Thursday that Republic will begin operating 76-seat regional jets for American beginning in mid-2013 as American launches a significant expansion in its use of commuter partners.
Such an arrangement has been prohibited by American’s contract with its pilot union, the Allied Pilot Association. But a new contract reached in late 2012 permits American to farm out much more of its flying, using many more large regional jets than previously allowed.
Chuck Schubert, American’s vice president of network planning, called the deal “a significant milestone in our company’s history.”
“Establishing a large regional jet fleet has long been part of our business plan, and this agreement is another example of how we are executing on that plan in a way that benefits our business and our customers,” Schubert said.
“We will offer more flights at the right intervals throughout the day in key markets while providing more opportunities for customers to travel in the first class cabin to key business markets,” he said.
The agreement provides that Republic Airways’ Republic Airlines unit will operate 53 Embraer E175 airplanes, using the American Eagle name. American said the American Eagle-branded jets “are expected to be phased into operation at approximately two to three aircraft per month beginning in mid-2013 through the first quarter of 2015.”
The “capacity purchase agreement,” which requires bankruptcy court approval, would run for 12 years from the delivery date of each aircraft. With the last of the 47 airplanes to arrive in 2015, that means American’s deal with Republic continues into 2027.
Republic will also have options with manufacturer Embraer to buy another 47 aircraft, with deliveries to begin in 2015 if the options are exercised.
Prior to the pilots’ ratification of a new contract in December, American was limited to only 47 regional jets of more than 50 seats to be operated by commuter partners, and the airplanes could have a maximum of 70 seats.
The new deal raises the maximum seats to 76 airplanes. In addition, the number of such airplanes can be as high as 65 percent of American’s own mainline fleet of single-aisle airplanes.
As of Dec. 31, American operated 487 single-aisle airplanes, a number which would allow 316 regional airplanes.
“We are thrilled that American has selected Republic and the Embraer E175 to expand their network with large regional jets,” Republic chairman, president and chief executive Bryan Bedford said. “The Embraer E175 is an outstanding aircraft and the interior design American has selected will provide a world-class, seamless product for their customers flying on Republic.”
American will have the airplanes configured for 12 first-class seats and 64 coach seats.
American said the new Republic deal “is designed to offer customers more choices with the right-size aircraft to match market demand, strengthen service from American’s hubs and diversify its partnership with regional carriers.”
The carrier didn’t say where the airplanes will be deployed. Republic’s Chautauqua Airlines unit currently provides regional service for American out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
American recently turned over its American Eagle flying at Los Angeles International Airport to SkyWest.
Prior to 2012, only the airlines owned by parent AMR’s AMR Eagle Holdings’ subsidiary – American Eagle Airlines Inc. and Executive Airlines Inc. – flew under the American Eagle brand. Non-owned partners used the American Connection brand.
But American is now putting the American Eagle name on all commuter flying, owned or not. AMR and American have not yet announced if they plan to go ahead with previous plans to spin off AMR Eagle as an independent company.
AMR, American, AMR Eagle and various other subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy on Nov. 29, 2011. AMR is aiming for an exit from bankruptcy proceedings in the first part of 2013, although its exit may be delayed somewhat if it decides to merge with US Airways as is being contemplated.
http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/...rge-regional-jets-for-american-airlines.html/
American Airlines and Republic Airways announced Thursday that Republic will begin operating 76-seat regional jets for American beginning in mid-2013 as American launches a significant expansion in its use of commuter partners.
Such an arrangement has been prohibited by American’s contract with its pilot union, the Allied Pilot Association. But a new contract reached in late 2012 permits American to farm out much more of its flying, using many more large regional jets than previously allowed.
Chuck Schubert, American’s vice president of network planning, called the deal “a significant milestone in our company’s history.”
“Establishing a large regional jet fleet has long been part of our business plan, and this agreement is another example of how we are executing on that plan in a way that benefits our business and our customers,” Schubert said.
“We will offer more flights at the right intervals throughout the day in key markets while providing more opportunities for customers to travel in the first class cabin to key business markets,” he said.
The agreement provides that Republic Airways’ Republic Airlines unit will operate 53 Embraer E175 airplanes, using the American Eagle name. American said the American Eagle-branded jets “are expected to be phased into operation at approximately two to three aircraft per month beginning in mid-2013 through the first quarter of 2015.”
The “capacity purchase agreement,” which requires bankruptcy court approval, would run for 12 years from the delivery date of each aircraft. With the last of the 47 airplanes to arrive in 2015, that means American’s deal with Republic continues into 2027.
Republic will also have options with manufacturer Embraer to buy another 47 aircraft, with deliveries to begin in 2015 if the options are exercised.
Prior to the pilots’ ratification of a new contract in December, American was limited to only 47 regional jets of more than 50 seats to be operated by commuter partners, and the airplanes could have a maximum of 70 seats.
The new deal raises the maximum seats to 76 airplanes. In addition, the number of such airplanes can be as high as 65 percent of American’s own mainline fleet of single-aisle airplanes.
As of Dec. 31, American operated 487 single-aisle airplanes, a number which would allow 316 regional airplanes.
“We are thrilled that American has selected Republic and the Embraer E175 to expand their network with large regional jets,” Republic chairman, president and chief executive Bryan Bedford said. “The Embraer E175 is an outstanding aircraft and the interior design American has selected will provide a world-class, seamless product for their customers flying on Republic.”
American will have the airplanes configured for 12 first-class seats and 64 coach seats.
American said the new Republic deal “is designed to offer customers more choices with the right-size aircraft to match market demand, strengthen service from American’s hubs and diversify its partnership with regional carriers.”
The carrier didn’t say where the airplanes will be deployed. Republic’s Chautauqua Airlines unit currently provides regional service for American out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
American recently turned over its American Eagle flying at Los Angeles International Airport to SkyWest.
Prior to 2012, only the airlines owned by parent AMR’s AMR Eagle Holdings’ subsidiary – American Eagle Airlines Inc. and Executive Airlines Inc. – flew under the American Eagle brand. Non-owned partners used the American Connection brand.
But American is now putting the American Eagle name on all commuter flying, owned or not. AMR and American have not yet announced if they plan to go ahead with previous plans to spin off AMR Eagle as an independent company.
AMR, American, AMR Eagle and various other subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy on Nov. 29, 2011. AMR is aiming for an exit from bankruptcy proceedings in the first part of 2013, although its exit may be delayed somewhat if it decides to merge with US Airways as is being contemplated.
http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/...rge-regional-jets-for-american-airlines.html/
