note
Formation of Republic Airlines was direct result of 1978 the airline industry deregulation which lifted government restrictions on domestic interstate airline service. Republic Airlines was officially established July 1 1979 when operations of Southern Airways (Atlanta) and North Central Airlines (Minnesota) merged. New carrier was based in Minneapolis. Both Airlines used Douglas DC-9 and served complimentary routes. Together they covered dense domestic network east of Mississippi, Canada and Grand Cayman. In 1980 Republic inaugurated west coast service to San Diego and Las Vegas. Convair 580s inherited from North Central and Southern Airways Swearingen Metros were used on less dense routes. In September 1980 Republic acquired financially troubled Hughes Airwest for nearly $40 million which gave Republic coast to coast presence and more Douglas DC-9s as well as Boeing 727s. In 1970 Howard Hughes paid nearly $70 million for Air West! First 2 years Republic operated its new routes under subsidiary Republic Airlines West. Post deregulation era proved to be difficult for airlines to adjust. High interest rates, increased competition and difficulties of managing many mergers proved to be too much for new airline to handle. Republic's debt sky-rocketed. In 1984 in desperate move to turn airline around new CEO Stephen W Wolf (Continental Air Lines) was hired. New livery was introduced to break from the past and venerable "Herman the Duck" logo was replaced with bland and region neutral color scheme. Economic woes continued however and in January 1986 Northwest Airlines announced purchase of Republic Airlines. Northwest needed Republics domestic network to feed its international flights. The merger was complete by August of 1986 and cost Northwest nearly $900 million.
founded - demised (age)
July 1 1979 - October 1 1986 (7)
headquarters
, Minneapolis
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
