Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: RJET) announced that its Board of Directors has named Matthew J. Koscal as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 15, 2026. Koscal, who joined the company in 2014 and currently serves as President and Chief Commercial Officer, will succeed David Grizzle. Grizzle, who became CEO in July 2025 after the retirement of former CEO Bryan Bedford, will transition to non-executive Chair of the Board on the same date.
The appointment completes a succession plan outlined in a December 2025 SEC filing. Koscal held his current role through Republic’s all-stock merger with Mesa Air Group in November 2025, which positioned the airline as a leading U.S. regional carrier and operator of the world’s largest Embraer jet fleet.
Republic operates a fleet of 314 Embraer 170/175 aircraft, conducting about 1,300 daily flights to roughly 125 cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean under codeshare agreements with American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express. The company employs more than 8,400 people and reaffirmed its financial guidance from the February 2026 earnings call.
Grizzle credited Koscal’s 12 years of leadership for building operational excellence and strong relationships with employees and partners. Koscal expressed gratitude for Grizzle’s guidance through the merger and integration.