Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Airlines and Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) reported its financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2015.
Republic’s pre-tax income for the second quarter of 2015 was $9.1 million, compared to $33.3 million for the prior year’s second quarter. Republic’s net income for the second quarter of 2015 was $4.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share compared to prior year net income of $20.1 million or $0.38 per diluted share. The effective tax rate of 52.7% for the quarter was higher than the normalized tax rate, primarily due to the impact of miscellaneous non-deductible expenses.
The second quarter 2015 financial results were negatively impacted by a significant reduction in operational reliability. The Company’s controllable completion factor and operating revenues were significantly lower than expected due to a high number of pilot related cancellations as a result of the growing national pilot labor shortage and our on-going labor dispute with International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).
The second quarter results were also negatively impacted by fleet transition costs and idled aircraft costs totaling $10.8 million associated with our removal of E190 and Q400 aircraft and surplus E145 aircraft.
Recent Business Developments
On July 9, 2015, the IBT, representing Republic’s pilots, filed suit against the Company alleging that the Company unilaterally increased compensation for pilots and new hires in violation of the Railway Labor Act. We believe the suit is without merit, and the Company has filed a motion to dismiss. The motion is currently pending.
On July 24, 2015, the Company announced the engagement of Seabury Group as its advisor to restructure the Company’s operational and financial commitments and explore all options to maintain the Company’s enterprise value. The Company has initiated discussions with its CPA partners to further reduce flying schedules during the second half of 2015 and 2016. In light of the anticipated fleet reductions, the Company rescinded all previously issued financial and operational guidance on July 24, 2015.
On August 6, 2015, the Company received notice from the National Mediation Board scheduling the next mediated session on August 20, 2015, with the IBT National Airline Division, IBT Local 357, and the Company.
Concerning fleet news, Republic reported:
Operating aircraft at period end:
44-50 seats *1 41 in service on June 30, 2015 versus 45 a year ago (8.9% drop)
69-99 seats *2 201 in service on June 30, 2015 versus 192 a year ago (4.7% increase)
*1 Excludes 11 owned E140 aircraft that were abandoned and four leased E140 aircraft that were permanently parked, seven owned and nine leased E145 aircraft that were temporarily parked, and one owned E135 aircraft and eight owned E145 aircraft that are leased to other operators, as of June 30, 2015. Excludes 11 owned E140 aircraft that were abandoned, 11 leased E145 aircraft and two owned E145 aircraft that were temporarily parked as of June 30, 2014.
*2 Excludes five leased Q400 aircraft, of which; three were temporarily parked and two that were transitioned to Flybe and three owned E170 aircraft that are leased to other operators, as of June 30, 2015. Excludes two temporarily parked E190 aircraft as of June 30, 2014.
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Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. The Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s) operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) as an United Express carrier are gradually being phased out. The last of the type is expected to be removed from the United CPA contract in September 2016. However this come sooner with the on-going pilot dispute and the shortage of pilots. The company is discussing ways it can mitigate the shortage. DHC-8-402 (Q400) N336NG (msn 4336) arrives at Raleigh-Durham.
United Express-Republic aircraft slide show: 
