Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis) announced today (February 25) it has signed a purchase agreement for 40 CS300 jets, part of the next-generation CSeries aircraft being developed by Bombardier. This makes Republic the North American launch customer. Republic also has options for up to an additional 40 aircraft. The aircraft, which will be configured in a single-cabin, with two-by-three seating for 138 passengers, including 25 STRETCH seats, is scheduled for delivery beginning in the second quarter of 2015.

The aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines. Republic has signed an exclusive 15-year PureSolution maintenance contract with Pratt & Whitney for the support of the engines.

Republic did not specify which airline would operate the aircraft. Republic Airways Holdings is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines (2nd), Lynx Aviation, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines (2nd) and Shuttle America,