Republic Airways
Regional airline based in Carmel, Indiana, flying Embraer 170/175 jets for American, Delta, and United; owns the LIFT Academy flight school and merged with Mesa in 2025.
Overview
Republic Airways is a regional airline headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, flying more than 300 Embraer 170/175 jets for American, Delta, and United with more than 8,000 employees and 12 bases. It completed a merger with Mesa Air Group in November 2025 and trades on NASDAQ as RJET. Republic owns LIFT Academy, a flight school based at Indianapolis International Airport with additional locations including Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Columbus, Indiana. LIFT also runs a paid Aviation Maintenance Technician apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Student Insights
LIFT Academy
LIFT (Leadership In Flight Training) is owned by Republic Airways Holdings and trains on Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft. It offers an optional defined pathway to a Republic pilot job. Republic also runs the RJet Cadet Program with partner universities, which can lead to a conditional job offer while you are still in school.
Earn-while-you-learn A&P
The LIFT Aviation Maintenance Technician apprenticeship is paid, includes health benefits, and is open to high school graduates. It takes under three years: 30 months of hands-on work followed by five weeks of test preparation for the FAA A&P exams. Apprentices work at the Indianapolis, Myrtle Beach, and Galveston hangars. A job at Republic afterward is possible but not guaranteed.
Moving on to a major airline, and dispatch
Republic first officers can join the Delta Ready or United Ready pathway programs, which end in a guaranteed interview for qualified pilots and a move to that airline after 24 months as a Republic captain. Airline dispatchers need an FAA aircraft dispatcher certificate: under 14 CFR 65.53 you can take the knowledge test at 21 but must be 23 to hold the certificate.
AI Outlook
Pilot, dispatcher, and A&P technician jobs are FAA-certificated roles. Data and AI tools support planning and maintenance analysis but do not change the certificate requirements for entry.
Student Hiring
Typical Roles
Notable Programs
- LIFT Academy
- LIFT AMT Apprenticeship Program
- RJet Cadet Program
- Delta Ready and United Ready pilot pathways
Career Connections
AeroEd career pathways relevant to Republic Airways.