Premier Aviation Announces Long-Term Heavy Maintenance Contract with Republic Airways Holdings

ROME, NEW YORK--(Marketwired - Dec. 17, 2015) - Premier Aviation Overhaul Center is pleased to announce the signing of a long-term agreement with Republic Airways Holdings (Republic) for the provision of airframe heavy maintenance on Republic Airways' fleet of E-170 and E-175 aircraft. Republic Airways Holdings is the owner of Republic Airlines and Shuttle America. The airline currently operates a fleet of Embraer 170s, Embraer 175s, and Bombardier Q400s.

Premier Aviation is Canada's largest independently owned Aviation MRO service provider with facilities in both Canada and the U.S. The agreement has an initial term of two (2) years, with options to extend, and will include a line of 47 E-175 heavy maintenance visits in the first year, and a partial line of E-170 aircraft that is scheduled for completion between February and June, 2016.

Coming into effect on January 6, 2016, the contract guarantees Republic long-term hangar capacity at Premier's Rome, New York facility. The Rome facility is located at the Griffiss International Airport (the former Griffiss Air Force base) and has 379,000 sq. ft. of production capacity and multiple lines of aircraft maintenance. The agreement increases Premier's revenue growth and expands the company's customer base.

Commenting on the new contract, Ronnie Di Bartolo, President and CEO of Premier Aviation, said, "We're extremely pleased that Republic has chosen Premier Aviation. This relationship will be of tremendous benefit to both our companies. Republic is relying on Premier's experience with more than 170 heavy maintenance events, particularly on the E-175 aircraft. In turn, this is excellent for the region of Rome, New York, and the Griffiss Business and Technology Park. We are eager to get started and begin what we are confident will be a successful association and look forward to welcoming Republic to our hangar."

About Premier Aviation:

Premier Aviation is a full-service aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, wholly-owned and operated by Ronnie Di Bartolo with over 650,000 square feet of facilities in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Windsor, Ontario in Canada and Rome, New York in the United States. Since its inception in 2002, the company has maintained a steady growth of clients and services in general overhaul, modifications, refurbishment, paint and line maintenance. Premier Aviation is committed to delivering top-quality, safety, performance and competitive MRO solutions to the aviation industry throughout Canada, US and internationally.

As a leading MRO provider in North America, Premier Aviation seeks highly motivated, qualified individuals to be part of our team. For more information on our services and capabilities, employment opportunities and more, please visit our website, www.premieraviation.com.

About Republic Airways:

Republic Airways Holdings Inc., based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an airline holding company that owns Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, collectively called "the airlines." As of Dec. 9, 2015, the airlines operate a combined fleet of about 200 aircraft and offer scheduled passenger service with approximately 1,100 flights daily to about 120 cities in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean through fixed-fee flights operated under our major airline partner brands of American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express. The airlines currently employ about 6,200 aviation professionals. For more about Republic Airways, please visit our website at www.rjet.com.