Republic Airlines to operate 32 Q400s as United Express

Republic Airways Holdings released that its Republic Airlines subsidiary has reached a tentative agreement to operate 32 Bombardier Q400 aircraft under the United Express brand. The Capacity Purchase Agreement is expected to become effective in the third quarter of 2012 and continue for approximately eight years. The tentative agreement includes 28 aircraft currently in operation at Colgan Air and four aircraft currently operated by Republic in its brand division. The agreement with Republic is contingent on completing negotiations and reaching binding agreements with aircraft lessors and maintenance providers, which is expected to occur during the second quarter of 2012.