Republic Airways Holdings warned the state that it plans to let 158 workers go and close its operations at Denver International Airport by Oct. 1.
In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice filed with the Colorado Department of Labor last week, the company offered no details on what types of jobs will leave DIA, but said some are represented by unions.
The Indianapolis-based regional carrier did not return requests for additional information.
Republic Airways flies to more than 100 cities for its major partner brands: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.
A United Airlines spokesman said Republic Airways will continue operating flights out of the Denver market and will continue to use United Express regional aircraft.
Heath Montgomery, a DIA spokesman, said travelers shouldn’t worry that their flights to such destinations as Aspen, Steamboat and Dallas will be canceled.
Republic Airlines is one of several regional operators flying United Express routes from DIA and accounted for only 3 percent of United’s total flights at Denver this month, providing services to 13 cities.
“All 13 of these cities are served from Denver by other regional carriers operating under the United Express Brand, including GoJet, SkyWest, Trans States, and United mainline aircraft,” Montgomery said. “No cities are losing service, so from a customer standpoint, passengers should not be impacted or notice any difference in operations.”
Montgomery also said Republic currently operates two departures per day from DIA on American Airlines to Chicago, which remain on the schedules.
United spokesman Charlie Hobart
said the airline is actually looking to increase its capacity in Denver and Republic’s turmoil doesn’t affect that strategy.
“This won’t effect our operations. We’re actually taking capacity from other places like Houston, and putting them in growing markets like Denver,” Hobart said. Republic is “still operating our regional aircraft, along with our new E175 aircraft, which can seat up to 75 passengers.”
Natalie Munio: 303-954-1666, nmunio@denverpost.com or @nataliemunio
