I heard also that this Republic Airways has announced a strategic alliance deal with other airlines, including: BerlinJet (Germany), Sunrise Airlines (Hungary), Caledonian Wings (Scotland), Spirit Airlines (Australia) [or was it Skyways in Australia?] -----Original Message----- From: The Airline List [mailto:AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU]On Behalf Of W Wilson Sent: Monday, March 11, 2002 10:30 AM To: AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU Subject: Republic Airways files with SEC for $85 mln IPO This is a new one by me. Walter DCA WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - U.S. regional carrier Republic Airways Holdings Inc. filed with U.S. regulators on Monday for an $85 million initial public offering, the latest in a slew of companies to test the IPO waters now the economy appears to be coming out of recession. The Indianapolis, Indiana-based company did not disclose the number of common shares or the price range in its preliminary filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company provides portions of regional flights to US Airways (U), America West Airlines (AWA) and American Airlines, owned by AMR Corp. (AMR), under code-sharing agreements. Republic has applied for a Nasdaq listing under the symbol "RJET" (RJET) and hired Merrill Lynch and Raymond James & Associates Inc. to lead-manage the offering. The airline, which offers tickets for 355 flights daily to 42 cities in 18 U.S. states and Canada, said it planned to use the IPO proceeds to expand its operations, buy additional aircraft and pay off debt owed to its current sole stockholder WexAir LLC. For the year ended Dec. 31 2001, Republic reported net income of $6.1 million, up from $2.5 million the previous year. The SEC filing said 67 percent of Republic's 2001 operating revenues came from US Airways, with American accounting for 31 percent and America West contributing 2 percent. Republic's load factor -- a widely watched measure of aircraft capacity in use -- edged up 0.2 points to 53.4 percent in 2001. Republic in the filing said it was being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration for allegedly shipping 46 packages that may have contained hazardous materials without properly declaring the cargo or training employees. Republic could be subject to civil penalties of up to $27,500 for each FAA violation.