Republic Firms Six Embraer 190s in Contract for up to 48

Republic Airways Holdings, which operates the largest fleet of E-Jets in the world, has completed contract negotiations for the purchase of up to 24 Embraer 190s.

The deal includes options on 24 more Embraer 190s and gives Republic conversion rights to Embraer 195s. The firm-order contract follows a previously announced Letter of Intent (LOI), which Republic signed at the Farnborough Airshow International 2010 in July.

Republic has signed a firm order for six of the 24 E-Jets. Embraer says the other 18 aircraft should be confirmed on or before April 15, 2011. The new E-Jets – the 99-seat Embraer 190AR and the 116-seat Embraer 195AR – will be operated by Frontier Airlines, Republic’s low-cost carrier, which was acquired by the group in 2009. Both aircraft types will be configured with Embraer’s new slim seats, which are less bulky and offer more space to passengers.

“This latest order from Republic for larger aircraft demonstrates not only its confidence in the future but also its endorsement of the versatility of our E-Jets product line,” says Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer’s executive vice president, airline market. “After delivering 700 E-Jets to carriers around the world, it’s gratifying to see the largest E-Jet operator continuing to find new opportunities for our airplane family.”

Republic Airways Holdings Inc subsidiary operated 15 Embraer 190s as of October 2010 and its parent company has ordered up to another 24 Embraer 190s and Embraer 195s for Frontier, as well as taking options on 24 more

Republic Airlines has been an Embraer customer for more than 10 years, with one of its subsidiaries, Chautauqua Airlines, taking delivery of its first ERJ 145 in 1999. The Indianapolis-based company currently has 144 E-Jets and 78 ERJ-145-family aircraft in its fleet. The aircraft are operated by a network of subsidiaries, including Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, and Frontier Airlines.

“We are pleased to build on our well-established partnership with Embraer through this latest order for the Embraer 190 aircraft,” says Bryan Bedford, chairman, president and CEO of Republic Airways Holdings. “The E-Jets are a favorite among our passengers because of their comfort and amenities. They play an integral and growing role in our Frontier Airlines operations.”

Based in Indianapolis, Republic Airways Holdings owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Lynx Aviation, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Shuttle America. These companies offer scheduled passenger service on approximately 1,600 flights daily to 123 cities in 44 U.S. states as well as Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico, under branded operations with Frontier Ailrines and Midwest Airlines and through fixed-fee service agreements with five major U.S. carriers.

The fixed-fee flights are operated under an airline partner brand, such as American Connection, Continental Express, Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express. The companies belonging to the group employ approximately 11,000 people and operate 282 regional jets. For more information, visit www.rjet.com.