Another US airline merger is brewing, but the Mesa-Republic deal may fly under travelers' radar
Travelers should see little impact from the latest U.S. airline merger between regional giants Mesa Air Group and Republic Airways.
If you have flown on either an Embraer E170 or E175 at American Eagle, Delta Connection or United Express, the odds are you have flown on either Mesa or Republic. The carriers are two of the largest independent regional airlines in the U.S., with a combined 310 E-Jets flying for the Big Three. Only Utah-based SkyWest Airlines is larger.
And the merger lacks any of the normal challenges that can create disruptions for travelers. Since Mesa and Republic only operate flights for their partners, they do not need to, for example, integrate reservations systems or loyalty programs — steps that have created big passenger disruptions during past mergers.
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“Republic and Mesa share a common mission to connect communities across America, and we believe that we can better achieve that mission together,” Bryan Bedford, president and CEO of Republic, said in a statement. “With this combination, we are establishing a single, well-capitalized, public company that will benefit from the deep expertise of Republic and Mesa associates, creating value for all stakeholders well into the future."
Bedford, who would be in line to lead the combined airline, is expected to leave Republic in the coming months once he is confirmed as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Big eastern and southern presence
New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the merged airline’s largest base, according to April 2025 schedules from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Mesa and Republic operate a combined 4,734 departures for primarily American Airlines and Delta Air Lines from the airport.
The airlines’ other largest bases are Chicago's O’Hare International Airport (ORD) where they feed American and United Airlines' competing hubs; Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), a hub for Delta; Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a hub for United; and Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., also a United hub, Cirium data shows.
Mesa and Republic plan to maintain their “current basing structures and routes” if the merger is approved, they said in a statement.
Details of the Mesa-Republic merger
Mesa and Republic hope to close their merger by late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter — roughly in September or October — of 2025. The deal is subject to shareholder approval and U.S. Department of Justice sign-off.
The all-stock deal would see Mesa shareholders own up to 12% of the combined airline and Republic shareholders owning the balance.
American and United would count themselves among owners of the new regional carrier. American currently owns 25% of Republic; United owns roughly 10% of Mesa and 19% of Republic.
The new airline would retain the Republic name and likely maintain the carrier's current headquarters in Carmel, Indiana, near Indianapolis. The Republic leadership team will lead the carrier with the new board of directors made up of six directors from Republic and one from Mesa.
The new Republic will be listed on Nasdaq under the “RJET” stock symbol; Mesa is currently listed on the stock exchange while Republic was delisted and went private in 2016.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.