Mesa Air Group, Inc. (MESA.US) announced that shareholders overwhelmingly approved its merger proposal with Republic Airways Holdings Inc. CEO Jonathan Ornstein stated that the vote confirmed the strategic value of the merger, which will provide the combined entity with greater scale and long-term stability. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, with completion expected later this week. The U.S. Department of Transportation has preliminarily approved joint operations under common ownership but has yet to issue a single operating certificate for the final merger-related transfer of operational authority. The merged company will be named Republic Airways Holdings and is expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker "RJET." Republic Airways shareholders are projected to hold a majority stake, while Mesa Air shareholders will retain 6% to 12%, depending on pre-closing factors. The combined entity will continue serving American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, with Mesa Air’s operations primarily supporting United under a new 10-year agreement. The merged company anticipates generating $1.8–$2.0 billion in annualized revenue over 12 months. Republic Airways traces its roots to Chautauqua Airlines, founded in 1973, with its holding company formally established in 1998. During the 2000s, it expanded through acquisitions, including Shuttle America, MidAtlantic Airways, and later-divested Frontier Airlines. Due to pilot shortages and financial pressures, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016, successfully restructuring by April 2017. Mesa Air’s stock has surged 44% year-to-date, making it the top-performing U.S. airline stock.