Republic Airways files for bankruptcy after pilot shortage

Republic Airways filed for bankruptcy Thursday, blaming a lack of pilots for its failure to succeed when major airlines are enjoying record profits. Republic operates a fleet of smaller planes that provide flights for larger airlines including American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines and United Continental Holdings. Although it landed a 3-year union contract with its pilots last year, the company still had to ground aircraft just as it was trying to renegotiate agreements with the larger carriers and to rework terms of aircraft leases. “It’s become clear that this process has reached an impasse and that any further delay would unnecessarily waste valuable resources of the enterprise.” Bryan Bedford, Republic’s chairman and CE, said Thursday. <br/>