INDIANAPOLIS–The airline industry has been challenged by the coronavirus, but the Chief Executive Officer of Indianapolis-based Republic Airways believes the future of the airline industry is bright.

“While this may be a one or two year delay in terms of the industry’s development, I believe in America, I believe in consumers who desire to travel and gain experiences, both domestically and globally,” said Republic Airways Bryan Bedford in an interview with Inside Indiana Business.

Bedford says Republic has gone from more than 1,110 daily flights to less than 200. Republic also applied for federal money at the end of March and anticipated getting that money in early April from the CARES Act, but they haven’t received it yet.

“We remain optimistic that we will see those funds in the not too distant future. That’s difficult to maintain 6,700 employees when there’s no revenue coming in,” Bedford said.

As Governor Holcomb continues to lift restrictions, Bedford says Republic’s Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy will reopen quickly. LIFT is a pilot training school. It is the only one in the U.S. owned by an airline.

“Long term, the LIFT Academy will be a competitive advantage for us,” said Bedford.

Bedford also believes the airline’s corporate training center in Indianapolis will be resuming operations soon.