Republic Airways (YX, Indianapolis International) will add thirty E175s to its fleet to operate a more extensive network of regional routes on behalf of Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson), the capacity provider said in a press release.

The first of the thirty Embraer regional jets will be delivered between October 2019 and July 2020. The aircraft are transfers from Compass Airlines (United States of America) (Minneapolis/St. Paul).

"Our partnership with Delta is a vital part of our business, and we’re excited by the opportunity to expand our relationship with Delta and continue to serve its customers," President and CEO Bryan Bedford said.

To support increased Delta Connection operations, Republic Airways will open new crew bases at Boston and Louisville International airports in December 2019. The carrier currently has a maintenance base at the latter airport and no facilities at the former.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Republic Airways currently operates 129 E175s, of which sixteen operate under the Delta Connection brand. The carrier also operates sixty-two E170s, including twenty-one on behalf of Delta.

Republic Airways also operates on behalf of American Airlines and United Airlines.

The changes are related to the shake-up of Delta Connection's operations. Delta recently announced it will terminate contracts with GoJet Airlines (G7, St. Louis Lambert International) and Compass Airlines while expanding partnerships with Republic Airways, SkyWest Airlines (OO, Salt Lake City), and Endeavor Air (9E, Minneapolis/St. Paul).

Compass Airlines currently operates thirty-six E175s for Delta. SkyWest has already announced it will take over six of these aircraft. All thirty-six units are owned by Delta Air Lines.