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Apr 13, 2010Republic Airways Announces Branding DecisionAnimals Stay, Brand Promise Combines Best of Two into One
DENVER, April 13, 2010 -
Republic Airways Holdings (NASDAQ: RJET) today revealed that the
Frontier name and famous “spokesanimals” will be the face of the unified
branded airline. The announcement was made this morning during
simultaneous press conferences in Frontier’s hometown of Denver and
Midwest’s hometown of Milwaukee.
“This decision was an emotional one for everyone involved,” said Bryan
Bedford, president, chairman and CEO of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.
“While the research showed that customers preferred the Frontier brand,
they also expressed a strong loyalty to both brands based on
affordability, convenience, destinations and delivery of a
differentiated experience. As we work to integrate these two brands into
a unified Frontier Airlines, you can expect to see a lot of influence
from the Midwest brand. This will include the introduction of the iconic
Midwest Airlines chocolate chip cookie on all Frontier flights this
summer.”
Bedford went on to say, “This airline is now bigger and stronger, with
an immense opportunity for sustainable, profitable growth in Milwaukee,
Denver and across our network. We are launching service to new
destinations out of our Milwaukee and Denver hubs and we are adding more
jobs in the communities we serve.”
The 2010 growth includes ten new destinations out of the Denver hub and
five new destinations out of the Milwaukee hub. As a result, the carrier
will grow by seven percent in seat miles this year, three times the
industry average. Additionally, the Company employs more than 5,700
aviation professionals across its branded network with 1,200 employees
in Milwaukee and 4,100 employees in Denver, with more to come as
Frontier’s expansion continues.
Republic purchased Midwest Airlines in July 2009 and Frontier Airlines
in October 2009. Since then, the two carriers have operated as partners
with the goal of eventually integrating into one carrier. Over the last
few months the Company has conducted extensive independent research with
both consumers and employees to help in the decision-making process.
“This decision is a critical milestone for Republic’s branded operation
and allows us to focus on serving our guests better,” said Ian Arthur,
Republic’s vice president of marketing and branding. “Together as
Frontier Airlines we make a very important brand promise to our guests.
Our promise is to deliver a better and different flying experience,
because it is the best care in the air.”
The Company has set a very aggressive integration timeline of 12-18
months. In that time, the Company will work to integrate the customer
experience and cultivate the attributes that will set Frontier Airlines
apart in the industry. A Web site has been developed to communicate with
the public throughout this process at FrontierMidwest.com.
The site will include a timeline of all the major milestones that the
Company will achieve throughout the integration; including the move to
one Web site, one frequent flyer program and the implantation of new
product attributes.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done in integrating these two
carriers,” stated Arthur. “Throughout this process we will keep an open
ear to our customer’s wants and needs. We appreciate your patience and
support as we continue to develop an airline that treats our customers
with respect, and will strive to provide those little things that make
all the difference in our guests’ travel experience.”
For more information, please visit FrontierAirlines.com.
About Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic Airways
Holdings, Inc., an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua
Airlines, Lynx Aviation, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle
America. Currently in its 16th year of operations, Frontier
operates more than 550 daily departures and arrivals from its three hubs
at Denver International Airport, Milwaukee’s General Mitchell
International Airport and Kansas City International Airport. Frontier
offers routes to more than 70 destinations in the United States, Mexico
and Costa Rica.
On April 13, 2010, Republic Airways announced that its two branded
carriers, Frontier and Midwest, would combine under the Frontier
Airlines name. The integration of these two airlines is expected to take
12-18 months.
For more in-depth information on Frontier Airlines and to book tickets,
please visit its Web site at FrontierAirlines.com.
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