Republic Airways Holdings buys Frontier Airlines and its subsidiary Lynx Aviation

Frontier Airlines, the budget carrier based in Denver, Colorado, the United States, and its subsidiary Lynx Aviation have officially come out of bankruptcy protection and have been acquired by Republic Airways Holdings.

Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation will, however, continue to operate under their respective names, at least for the time being, and there will not be any changes in the flight schedules, amenities, or the frequent-flyer programmes of the two carriers.

Frontier Airlines had filed for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection one and a half years ago.

In the auction held for the troubled Frontier Airlines, Republic Airways, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the United States, beat Southwest Airlines, the low-cost airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the United States.

Through the auction process monitored by court, Republic Airways Holdings bought   Frontier Airlines for $108.75 million.

With this acquisition, besides Frontier Airlines, Republic Airways Holdings owns Republic Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines, and Shuttle America.

All these carriers combined now operates about 1,800 scheduled passenger flights daily to 126 cities using  294 aircraft, according to a statement from Republic Airways Holdings.

Sean Menke, president and CEO of Frontier Airlines, said that, despite the acquisition by Republic Airways, it would be “business as usual” and that there will not be any changes in Frontier Airlines’ flight schedules or the frequent-flyer benefits. “The acquisition by Republic Airways,” Sean Menke added, “marks the end of a long and hard journey and the beginning of a new, exciting journey for Frontier Airlines.”

Frontier Airlines employs nearly 5,000 people, with a majority of them stationed in Denver. As yet, Republic Airways has not announced any changes to staffing.

Bryan Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, said Frontier Airlines employs around 250 people at the maintenance operations based in Denver and that these employees might be moved out of Denver but they would be given a an opportunity to take up jobs wherever they are located.

According to Denver International Airport, United Airlines and regional partners accounted for 44.3% of domestic passengers in July 2009, compared to 15.2 % for Southwest Airlines, and 24.8% for Frontier Airlines.

Frontier Airlines flies to over 50 destinations in the United States, Costa Rica, and Mexico. In addition, Frontier Airlines and Midwest Airlines have a code-share partnership that gives the passengers of both carriers access to nearly 70 destinations in the United States, Costa Rica, and Mexico.