Republic Airlines

Republic Airlines was an airline formed on July 1, 1979 by the merger of North Central Airlines and Southern Airways. In 1980, following its buyout of Hughes Airwest, Republic became the largest airline in the United States by destinations served. On January 23, 1986, Northwest Orient Airlines announced that it would purchase Republic for $884 million: the merger was completed on October 1. Republic operated hubs in Minneapolis, Detroit, and Memphis: these airports are now the backbone of Northwest's route network.