Republic loses Menke, updates branded ops integration plan

Republic Airways Holdings has announced that Sean Menke, EVP and chief marketing officer for Republic's branded operations, has resigned and will leave the company at the end of the first quarter.

"Sean and his team did a wonderful job of leading Frontier through an 18-month-long bankruptcy," said Republic chairman, president and CEO Bryan Bedford. "We were very fortunate to have had the benefit of his expertise over the last several months and wish him the best of luck wherever his career path takes him."

"It has been my pleasure to work with Bryan and the rest of the Republic team to ensure that Frontier is positioned to both persevere and expand upon what Frontier employees have worked so hard to build over the past few years," Menke remarked.

Republic has also announced the next phase of the integration of Denver-based Frontier Airlines and Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines into the Republic organisation, with the consolidation of all executive management functions in Indianapolis. The two airlines comprise Republic's branded operations.

Since completing the acquisitions of Midwest and Frontier last year, the companies have:
• combined airport ground operations throughout their networks
• consolidated reservations center operations from three facilities to two
• initiated the relocation of Frontier's heavy maintenance and operating groups to Milwaukee and Indianapolis respectively
• launched new routes, seasonal service and increased flight schedules throughout the US and Mexico
• expanded their codeshare agreement to more than 60 Frontier and Midwest destinations, creating expanded choices for customers
• enhanced their frequent flyer programmes, allowing members of both programmes to earn and redeem miles under either programme on Frontier and Midwest flights

Republic expects to complete the integration of the branded operations by the end of the second quarter of this year and to implement a number of service improvements for Frontier and Midwest customers:

Three new Airbus A320s and seven new Embraer 190s will be acquired during the first half of the year, allowing the carriers to expand service to new destinations and increase frequencies on current routes for greater schedule convenience for customers in both Denver and Milwaukee

The airlines will move to a common system for reservations, which will significantly enhance the booking experience for customers and employees, and make checking in for flights easier. The airlines' frequent flyer programmes will be fully integrated, giving customers complete access to the benefits of both programmes

"As we continue to work to integrate our operations and create a stronger, more efficient organisation for our customers and employees, it has become clear that our best long-term strategy is to base all of our executive management functions in a single headquarters location," Bedford explained. "This will allow us to make the most of the many opportunities we envisioned when we added Frontier and Midwest to the Republic family."