FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission file number 33-21220*
UNITED AIR LINES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware |
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| (State or other jurisdiction of |
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| incorporation or organization) |
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| Location: 1200 East Algonquin Road, Elk Grove Township, Illinois 60007 | |
| Mailing Address: P. O. Box 66100, Chicago, Illinois 60666 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) | |
| Registrant's telephone number, including area code (847) 700-4000 | |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.
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* Registrant is the wholly
owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation (File 1-6033). Registrant became
subject to filing periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 as a result of a public offering of securities which became effective
June 3, 1988 (Registration Nos. 33-21220 and 22-18246).
United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary
Companies Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2005
| Index | |||||
| PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Page No.
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| Item 1. Financial Statements | |||||
| Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited) - as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 |
3
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| Statements of Consolidated
Operations (Unaudited) - for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004 |
5
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| Condensed Statements
of Consolidated
Cash Flows (Unaudited) - for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 |
6
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| Notes to Consolidated
Financial
Statements (Unaudited) |
7
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||||
| Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
21
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||||
| Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk |
32
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| Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
33
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| PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | ||||
| Item 6. Exhibits |
34
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| Signatures |
35
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| Exhibit Index |
36
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
(Debtor and Debtor-in-Possession)
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
(In Millions)
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| Assets |
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| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 1,389
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$ 1,248
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| Restricted cash |
864
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856
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| Short-term investments |
24
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32
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| Receivables, net |
1,147
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941
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| Related party receivable |
252
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239
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| Deferred income taxes |
122
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117
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| Inventories, net |
211
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234
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| Prepaid fuel expense |
255
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187
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| Prepaid expenses and other |
357
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260
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4,621
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4,114
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| Operating property and equipment: | ||
| Owned |
17,553
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17,730
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| Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(5,718)
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(5,623)
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11,835
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12,107
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| Capital leases |
2,724
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2,708
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| Accumulated amortization |
(677)
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(653)
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2,047
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2,055
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13,882
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14,162
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| Other assets: | ||
| Investments |
22
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22
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| Intangibles, net |
379
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380
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| Pension assets |
233
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665
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| Aircraft lease deposits |
525
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540
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| Prepaid rent |
70
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71
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| Other, net |
751
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782
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1,980
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2,460
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$20,483
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$20,736
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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
(Debtor and Debtor-in-Possession)
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
(In Millions)
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| Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity |
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| Current liabilities: | ||
| Current portions of long-term debt and | ||
| capital lease obligations |
$ 902
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$ 903
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| Advance ticket sales |
1,828
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1,361
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| Accrued salaries, wages and benefits |
1,664
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2,098
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| Accounts payable |
652
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599
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| Related party payable |
235
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478
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| Fuel purchase commitments |
255
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187
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| Other |
1,623
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1,321
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7,159
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6,947
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| Long-term debt and capital lease obligations |
310
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301
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| Other liabilities and deferred credits: | ||
| Deferred pension liability |
1,289
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2,333
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| Postretirement benefit liability |
1,915
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1,920
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| Deferred income taxes |
335
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330
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| Other |
982
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938
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4,521
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5,521
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| Liabilities subject to compromise |
17,665
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16,162
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| Commitments and contingent liabilities (See note) | ||
| Stockholder's equity: | ||
| Common stock at par |
-
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-
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| Additional capital invested |
4,152
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4,152
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| Retained deficit |
(8,791)
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(7,779)
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| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(3,296)
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(3,331)
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| Receivables from affiliates |
(1,237)
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(1,237)
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(9,172)
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(8,195)
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$20,483
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$20,736
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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
(Debtor and Debtor-in-Possession)
Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
(In Millions)
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2004
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| Operating revenues: | ||
| Passenger -United Airlines |
$ 2,916
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$ 2,991
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| Passenger - Regional Affiliates |
524
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440
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| Cargo |
172
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148
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| Other |
304
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335
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3,916
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3,914
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| Operating expenses: | ||
| Salaries and related costs |
1,031
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1,249
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| Aircraft fuel |
805
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603
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| Regional affiliates |
645
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551
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| Purchased services |
360
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352
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| Landing fees and other rent |
233
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231
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| Aircraft maintenance |
219
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185
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| Depreciation and amortization |
212
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229
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| Cost of sales |
136
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191
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| Aircraft rent |
121
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138
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| Commissions |
77
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81
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| Other |
316
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303
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4,155
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4,113
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| Loss from operations |
(239)
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(199)
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| Other income (expense): | ||
| Interest expense |
(112)
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(123)
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| Interest capitalized |
(5)
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-
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| Interest income |
4
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10
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| Non-operating special charges |
-
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(13)
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| Reorganization items, net |
(718)
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(130)
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| Miscellaneous, net |
58
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9
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(773)
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(247)
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| Loss before income taxes and equity in losses of | ||
| affiliates |
(1,012)
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(446)
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| Credit for income taxes |
-
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-
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| Loss before equity in losses of affiliates |
(1,012)
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(446)
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| Equity in losses of affiliates |
-
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(3)
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| Net loss |
$(1,012)
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$ (449)
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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
(Debtor and Debtor-in-Possession)
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In Millions)
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| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning | ||||
| of period |
$ 1,248
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$ 1,646
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| Cash flows provided by operating activities |
257
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385
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| Cash flows provided (used) by reorganization activities: | ||||
| Reorganization items, net |
(718)
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(130)
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| Pension curtailment |
433
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-
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| Increase in liabilities |
244
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93
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| Other |
11
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-
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(30)
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(37)
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| Cash flows provided (used) by investing activities: | ||||
| Additions to property and equipment |
(13)
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(60)
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| Proceeds on disposition of property and | ||||
| equipment |
22
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7
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| Increase in restricted cash |
(8)
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(4)
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| Decrease in short-term investments |
8
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44
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| Increase in related party receivables |
-
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(4)
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| Other, net |
(3)
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(5)
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6
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(22)
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| Cash flows provided (used) by financing activities: | ||||
| Repayment of DIP Financing |
(4)
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(62)
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| Repayment of long-term debt |
(55)
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(44)
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| Principal payments under capital | ||||
| lease obligations |
(28)
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(169)
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| Decrease in advances/loans with affiliates |
(5)
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(4)
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| Aircraft lease deposits, net |
-
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148
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(92)
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(131)
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| Increase in cash and cash equivalents |
141
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195
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| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period, | ||||
| excluding restricted cash |
$ 1,389
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$ 1,841
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| Cash paid during the period for: | ||||
| Interest (net of amounts capitalized) |
$ 102
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$ 157
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| Non-cash transactions: | ||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
$ -
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$ (1)
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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The Company
United Air Lines, Inc. ("United," "we," "our" or the "Company") is a wholly owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation ("UAL").
Interim Financial Statements
We prepared the consolidated financial statements shown here as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that meet generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. We believe that the disclosures presented here are not misleading. The financial statements include all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments, reorganization items and other special charges described below) that are considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results.
Certain prior year financial statement items have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. These financial statements should be read together with the information included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 2004.
Effective first quarter 2005, our financial statements reflect reclassifications associated with a corporate reorganization of the entities under common control. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. For further details, see "Related Party Transactions" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11
Bankruptcy Considerations. On December 9, 2002 ("Petition Date"), UAL, United and 26 direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions to reorganize their businesses under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The Bankruptcy Court is jointly administering these cases as "In re UAL Corporation, et al., Case No. 02-B-48191." The consolidated financial statements shown here include certain subsidiaries that did not file to reorganize under Chapter 11. The assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are not considered material to the consolidated financial statements.
As required by the Bankruptcy Code, the United States Trustee for the Northern District of Illinois appointed on December 13, 2002 an official committee of unsecured creditors (the "Creditors' Committee"). The Creditors' Committee and its legal representatives have a right to be heard on all matters that come before the Bankruptcy Court concerning our reorganization. There can be no assurance that the Creditors' Committee will support our positions or our plan of reorganization, and any disagreements between the Creditors' Committee and us could protract the Chapter 11 process, hinder our ability to operate during the Chapter 11 process, and delay our emergence from Chapter 11.
With the exception of our non-filing subsidiaries, we continue to operate our businesses as "debtor-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and applicable court orders. In general, as debtor-in-possession, we are authorized under Chapter 11 to continue to operate as an ongoing business, but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
All vendors are being paid for all goods furnished and services provided after the Petition Date in the ordinary course of business. However, under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, actions to collect most of our pre-petition liabilities are automatically stayed, except for liabilities relating to certain qualifying aircraft, aircraft engines and other aircraft-related equipment that are leased or subject to a security interest or conditional sale contract. Under Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code, actions to collect such aircraft-related pre-petition liabilities are automatically stayed for 60 days after the Petition Date (the stay of such actions in our case ended on February 7, 2003), except under two conditions: (a) the debtor may extend the 60-day period by agreement with the relevant financier and with court approval; or (b) the debtor may agree to perform all of the obligations under the applicable lease or financing and cure any defaults as required under the Bankruptcy Code. If neither of these conditions is met, the lessor or financier may demand the return of the aircraft and enforce any of its contractual rights or remedies to sell, lease or otherwise retain or dispose of such property.
We have negotiated with our aircraft lessors and lenders to restructure existing financings to reduce aircraft ownership costs to better reflect current market rates, and we have reached agreements in principle to restructure transactions with respect to a majority of our financed aircraft. However, the need for further cost reductions due to difficult changes in the airline industry, substantially higher fuel prices and the continuing weak revenue environment has required us to re-examine these agreements and to seek to renegotiate certain of those financings. To the extent we are unable to restructure any financings that we believe are unaffordable under our revised business plan, we may face the possibility that one or more lessors or lenders may seek to repossess a significant number of aircraft. We also will need to finalize those agreements in principle, and to the extent we are unable to do so, we may likewise face the possibility of repossessions. In either case, the loss of a significant number of aircraft could result in a material adverse affect on our financial and operational performance.
We are currently in discussions over a significant number of aircraft with a group of mostly public-market financiers to renegotiate an agreement in principle reached in the summer of 2004 from which we subsequently withdrew due to the need for further cost reductions. While we believe we can ultimately reach a mutually acceptable restructuring for the continued use of these aircraft at affordable rates, the financiers have demanded the return of certain aircraft and there can be no assurance that these aircraft will be available for our continued use.
Previously, the Bankruptcy Court had enjoined the repossession of six B737 and eight B767 aircraft. On May 6, 2005, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Bankruptcy Court to vacate the temporary restraining order ("TRO") issued in November 2004 preventing the repossession of these aircraft. Dissolution of the TRO will affect only the eight B767 aircraft as United has since rejected leases for the six B737s that were previously subject to it. The Company is exploring all legal and business options to decrease the risk that this would disrupt our ongoing operations. However, if we do not successfully negotiate a solution with the financiers, our operational and financial performance could be adversely affected.
We have also rejected or abandoned certain surplus aircraft to adjust our fleet size and composition to more closely match market demand, and are continuing this process to achieve a reduced fleet of 455 aircraft in 2005. In addition, as part of ongoing negotiations with financiers, we have converted some long-term financing arrangements into operating leases of a reduced term and, in several instances, re-acquired previously rejected aircraft as circumstances warranted.
Under Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, we may assume, assume and assign, or reject certain executory contracts and unexpired leases, including leases of real property, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court and certain other conditions. By order of the Bankruptcy Court, our Section 365 rights to assume, assume and assign, or reject unexpired leases of non-residential real estate expire on the earlier of the date of termination of our exclusive period to file a plan of reorganization (currently, July 1, 2005) or the date of the conclusion of a disclosure statement hearing in connection with a proposed plan of reorganization.
In general, if we reject an executory contract or unexpired lease, it is treated as a pre-petition breach of the lease or contract in question and, subject to certain exceptions, relieves us of performing any future obligations. However, such a rejection entitles the lessor or contract counterparty to a pre-petition general unsecured claim for damages caused by such deemed breach and accordingly, the counterparty may file a claim against us for such damages. As a result, liabilities subject to compromise are likely to change in the future as a result of damage claims created by our rejection of various aircraft, executory contracts and unexpired leases. Generally, if we assume an aircraft financing agreement, executory contract or unexpired lease we are required to cure existing defaults under such contract or lease. We expect that the future assumption of certain executory contracts and unexpired leases may convert liabilities currently shown as subject to compromise to liabilities not subject to compromise.
To successfully emerge from Chapter 11, in addition to obtaining exit financing, the Bankruptcy Court must confirm a plan of reorganization, the filing of which will depend on the timing and outcome of numerous ongoing matters in the Chapter 11 process. We expect to file a plan of reorganization that provides for United's emergence from bankruptcy later in 2005, but there can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will confirm a plan of reorganization or that any such plan will be implemented successfully.
The reorganization plan will determine the rights and claims of various creditors and security holders. At this time, it is not possible to predict accurately the effect of the Chapter 11 reorganization process on our business, nor can we make any predictions concerning how each of these claims will be valued in the bankruptcy proceedings.
Financial Statement Presentation.
We
have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance
with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Statement of Position
90-7 ("SOP 90-7"), "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization
Under the Bankruptcy Code," and on a going-concern basis, which assumes
continuity of operations, realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities
in the ordinary course of business.
SOP 90-7 requires that the
financial statements for periods subsequent to a Chapter 11 filing separate
transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization
from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, all transactions
(including, but not limited to all professional fees, realized gains and
losses and provisions for losses) directly associated with the reorganization
and restructuring of the business are reported separately in the financial
statements. For the three-month periods ending March 31, 2005 and 2004,
we recognized the following reorganization expenses in our financial statements:
| (In millions) |
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| Curtailment charges |
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| Aircraft rejection charges |
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| Professional fees |
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| Severance and employee retention |
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| Interest income |
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| Other |
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Aircraft rejection charges are non-cash costs that include our estimate of claims resulting from United's rejection of certain aircraft leases and return of aircraft as part of the bankruptcy process.
As we restructure aircraft financings as permitted by Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code, our policy is to reflect the revised lease rates in aircraft rent once we have signed definitive term sheets for the financing.
In the first quarter of 2005, we recognized a pension curtailment charge of $433 million associated with a motion filed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") to involuntarily terminate (on March 11, 2005) the Company's defined benefit pension plan for covered members of certain represented ground employees. Based upon the involuntary nature of the termination of this plan and its direct relationship to the Company's reorganization, the 2005 curtailment charge is classified as a reorganization expense.
The Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position distinguish pre-petition liabilities subject to compromise from both those pre-petition liabilities that are not subject to compromise and from post-petition liabilities. Liabilities subject to compromise are reported at the amounts expected to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts.
In addition, as a result of the Chapter 11 filing, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities, without substantial adjustments and/or changes in ownership, are subject to uncertainty. While operating as debtor-in-possession under the protection of Chapter 11 and subject to approval of the Bankruptcy Court and the terms of the applicable debtor-in-possession secured financing ("DIP Financing") covenants, or otherwise as permitted in the ordinary course of business, we may sell or otherwise dispose of assets (including aircraft) and liquidate or settle liabilities for some amounts other than those reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Further, the forthcoming plan of reorganization could materially change the amounts and classifications in the historical consolidated financial statements.
Pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, we have filed schedules with the Bankruptcy Court identifying our assets and liabilities as of the Petition Date, while our creditors have been able to file proofs of claim with the Bankruptcy Court and we expect new claims to be filed in the future. Approximately 13,000 proofs of claim (including late-filed claims) have been filed so far with the Bankruptcy Court requesting payments from United. Through the claims resolution process we have identified many claims which we believe should be disallowed by the Bankruptcy Court, for a number of reasons such as our identification of claims that are duplicative, have been amended or superseded by later filed claims, are without merit, or are otherwise overstated. We have filed omnibus objections to many of these claims and will continue to file additional objections. As of March 31, 2005, approximately 5,000 of the total claims have either been withdrawn by the claimants or disallowed by the Bankruptcy Court.
As of March 31, 2005, approximately 8,000 proofs of claim totaling $31.4 billion remain filed with the Bankruptcy Court. The remaining amount of the proofs of claim filed continues to far exceed our estimate of ultimate liability. Differences in amount between claims filed by creditors and liabilities shown in our records continue to be investigated and resolved in connection with our claims resolution process. While we have made significant progress to date, we expect this process to continue for some time and believe that further resolution of claims will enable us to determine with more precision the likely range of creditor distributions under a proposed plan of reorganization. We have recorded liability amounts for the claims that can be reasonably estimated and which we believe are probable of being allowed by the Bankruptcy Court and we have classified these as liabilities subject to compromise in the attached Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position.
We will continue to evaluate existing and new claims filed and will make adjustments, as appropriate. To date, such adjustments have been material and we anticipate that future adjustments will be material as well. At this time, the ultimate number and allowed amount of such claims cannot be determined, due primarily to the uncertainties of the Chapter 11 process, and the in-progress state of our investigation and resolution of submitted claims.
DIP Financing. In connection with the Chapter 11 filings, the Company arranged DIP Financing. As of March 31, 2005, the DIP Financing consisted of a $1.0 billion facility of which $900 million was available due to a $100 million reserve for collateral maintenance and liquidation expenses. The facility included a revolving credit and letter of credit facility of $200 million and a term loan of $800 million, and is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2005. We have the option of borrowing under the DIP Financing at an interest rate of the prime rate plus 3.5% or LIBOR plus 4.5% plus mutually agreed upon fees. As of March 31, 2005, we had outstanding borrowings of $859 million at a rate of 7.5%. In addition, letters of credit were issued under the DIP Financing in an aggregate amount equal to $37 million. We are required to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash balance of $750 million with the possibility of a reduction to $600 million if certain EBITDAR milestones are met.
The terms of the DIP Financing include covenants that require us to satisfy ongoing monthly financial requirements, including minimum EBITDAR thresholds, limitations on capital expenditures and minimum unrestricted cash. Failure to comply with these covenants would constitute an event of default under the DIP Financing and allow the lenders to accelerate the loan. For the month of January 2005, we obtained a waiver from the lenders under the DIP Financing with respect to the defaults and events of default created as a result of our failure to comply with the EBITDAR covenant during such time. The Company complied with the EBITDAR covenant in February, March and April, 2005.
The terms of the DIP Financing also contain a financial covenant which does not permit us to make payments which are not materially consistent with our business plan, unless the lenders otherwise consent based on approval of a modified business plan. To preserve the Company's liquidity, our business plan does not provide for contributions to our defined benefit pension plans.
Effective April 28, 2005, we entered into an agreement with the DIP Financing lenders to waive certain events of default and to modify certain terms of the DIP Financing. The modified DIP Financing (i) includes certain technical amendments to the definition of EBITDAR, (ii) requires the delivery of an updated business plan on or before July 31, 2005, (iii) increases the Company's flexibility to lease and sublease a limited number of engines, and (iv) makes certain other technical modifications.
Borrowing availability is determined by a formula based on a percentage of eligible assets. The eligible assets consist of certain previously unencumbered aircraft, spare engines, spare parts inventory, certain flight simulators and quick engine change kits. The underlying value of such assets may fluctuate periodically due to prevailing market conditions and fluctuations in value may have an impact on the borrowing availability under the DIP Financing. Availability may be further limited by additional reserves imposed by the lending banks in their commercially reasonable discretion.
The DIP Financing is guaranteed by UAL and all filing subsidiaries and is secured by first priority liens on all unencumbered present and future assets and by junior liens on all other assets, other than certain specified assets, including assets which are subject to financing agreements that are entitled to the benefits of Section 1110 and to the extent such financing agreements prohibit such junior liens.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R") which establishes standards for accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in exchange for stock options or share-based payments. SFAS 123R requires that the compensation cost (as measured by the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued) relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. This statement replaces SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." Currently we account for stock options under APB Opinion No. 25 as permitted by SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123R is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period of the Company's first fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company will recognize compensation expense for its participation in stock-based compensation plans for the portion of outstanding awards for which the employee service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant date fair value of those awards calculated under SFAS 123R. We anticipate the adoption of SFAS 123R will not have a material impact on our financial statements while we are in bankruptcy.
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143 ("FIN47"). FIN47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143 and addresses the diverse accounting practices that have developed with respect to the timing of liability recognition for legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset when the timing and (or) method of settlement of the obligation are conditional on a future event. In addition, FIN47 clarifies that an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability's fair value can be reasonably estimated. FIN47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. Currently, we are evaluating the impact of FIN47 on our financial statements.
Stock Option Accounting
At March 31, 2005, we had certain stock-based employee compensation plans. We account for these plans under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," ("APB 25") and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost for stock options is reflected in our financial statements as provided under APB 25, as all options granted under the plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
If compensation cost for
stock-based employee compensation plans had been determined using the fair
value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," we would have reported our net loss as the pro forma
amounts shown below:
| (In millions) |
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
| Net loss, as reported |
$ (1,012)
|
$ (449)
|
||
| Less: Total compensation expense determined under | ||||
| fair value method |
(1)
|
(2)
|
||
|
$ (1,013)
|
$ (451)
|
|||
Income Taxes
Beginning in the third quarter
of 2002, we established a valuation allowance against our net deferred
tax asset. Thus, United has a zero percent effective tax rate for the three
month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. As of March 31, 2005, our
valuation allowance totaled $3.1 billion. Further, we have determined that
it is more likely than not that our gross deferred tax assets, net of valuation
allowances at March 31, 2005, will be realized through the reversals of
existing deferred tax credits.
Retirement and Postretirement Plans
Our net periodic benefit
cost included the following components for the three month periods ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004:
| (In millions) | Pension Benefits | Other Benefits | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
| Service cost |
$ 38
|
$ 58
|
$ 12
|
$ 11
|
|||
| Interest cost |
221
|
198
|
35
|
50
|
|||
| Expected return on plan assets |
(182)
|
(180)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
|||
| Amortization of prior service cost | |||||||
| including transition obligation/(asset) |
8
|
20
|
(38)
|
(25)
|
|||
| Curtailment charge |
433
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||
| Settlement gain |
(15)
|
-
|
|||||
| Recognized actuarial (gain)/loss |
47
|
27
|
26
|
28
|
|||
| Net periodic benefit costs |
$ 550
|
$ 123
|
$ 33
|
$ 62
|
|||
Historically, the Company has maintained a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan for management employees who have benefits under the tax-qualified pension plan that cannot be paid due to Internal Revenue Code limits on compensation or benefits. In June 2003, we terminated all participation and benefit payments under the nonqualified plan for those participants who had terminated employment with the Company prior to December 9, 2002. Effective February 28, 2005, we terminated the nonqualified supplemental plan for all remaining participants and recorded a settlement gain of $15 million.
On March 11, 2005, the PBGC filed a complaint against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to seek the involuntary termination of the Ground Employees' Plan. Participants in this defined benefit pension plan include United's mechanics and related employees represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association ("AMFA"); United's ramp and stores, food services, and security officer employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers ("IAM"); and a small number of retired flight dispatchers. The PBGC is seeking to assume pension responsibility with benefit accruals terminated effective March 11, 2005. The Company recorded a $433 million pension curtailment charge in the first quarter of 2005 relating to the PBGC's involuntary termination action.
Effective July 2004, the Company ceased making contributions to its qualified defined benefit pension plans to preserve its liquidity and does not anticipate making further contributions. We believe that in order to obtain exit financing and successfully reorganize and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, it will be necessary to terminate and replace all of our defined benefit pension plans.
Restricted Cash
At March 31, 2005, United had $864 million in restricted cash, primarily representing security for worker compensation obligations, security deposits for airport leases and reserves with institutions that process our credit card ticket sales. There can be no assurance that these institutions will not require additional levels of security deposits or reserve holdbacks. The Company was notified in the second quarter of 2005 that one such institution processing credit card ticket sales plans to increase their level of reserve holdbacks.
Liabilities Subject to Compromise
Liabilities subject to compromise refers to both secured and unsecured obligations which will be accounted for under a plan of reorganization, including claims incurred prior to the Petition Date. They represent the estimated amount expected to be allowed on known or potential claims to be resolved through the Chapter 11 process, and remain subject to future adjustments arising from negotiated settlements, actions of the Bankruptcy Court, rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases, the determination as to the value of any collateral securing claims, proofs of claim or other events. To date, such adjustments, as reflected in reorganization expense, have been material and we anticipate that future adjustments will be material as well.
Differences between liability amounts we have estimated and claims filed by our creditors are being investigated and the Bankruptcy Court will make a final determination of the allowable claims. The determination of how these liabilities ultimately will be treated cannot be made until the Bankruptcy Court approves a plan of reorganization. We will continue to evaluate the amounts of these liabilities through the remainder of the Chapter 11 process. To the extent that we identify additional amounts subject to compromise, we recognize them accordingly. As a result, the amounts of liabilities subject to compromise are subject to change.
At March 31, 2005, we had
liabilities subject to compromise of $17.7 billion consisting of the following:
| (In millions) | ||
| Long-term debt, including accrued interest |
$ 7,016
|
|
| Qualified defined benefit pension plans |
3,980
|
|
| Aircraft-related accruals and deferred gains |
3,637
|
|
| Capital lease obligations, including accrued interest |
1,744
|
|
| Accounts payable |
287
|
|
| Intercompany payables and loans |
266
|
|
| Other |
735
|
|
|
$ 17,665
|
Segment Information
We have five reportable segments
that reflect the management of our business: North America, the Pacific,
the Atlantic, Latin America and UAL Loyalty Services, LLC ("ULS"). For
internal management and decision-making purposes, we have allocated expenses
and revenues (as incorporated in our consolidated financial statements)
to these segments as follows:
| (In millions) |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Revenue |
$ 2,394
|
$ 693
|
$ 461
|
$ 125
|
$ 243
|
$ -
|
$ 3,916
|
| Intersegment revenue |
59
|
20
|
14
|
4
|
-
|
(97)
|
-
|
| Earnings (loss) before | |||||||
| reorganization items |
$ (304)
|
$ (26)
|
$ (41)
|
$ (17)
|
$ 94
|
$ -
|
$ (294)
|
| (In millions) |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Revenue |
$ 2,542
|
$ 609
|
$ 451
|
$ 116
|
$ 196
|
$ -
|
$ 3,914
|
| Intersegment revenue |
66
|
17
|
12
|
3
|
-
|
(98)
|
$ -
|
| Earnings (loss) before | |||||||
| reorganization items |
$ (331)
|
$ (10)
|
$ (23)
|
$ (6)
|
$ 64
|
$ -
|
$ (306)
|
Beginning in the third quarter of 2004, our Statements of Consolidated Operations reflect reclassifications of regional carrier revenue and expenses in order to provide better presentation of results of operations for United Airlines mainline and United Express (Regional affiliates). Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. The effect of these reclassifications on reportable segments for the first quarter of 2004 from amounts previously reported on our Form 10-Q was an increase of $177 million to North America revenue.
A reconciliation of the total
amounts reported by reportable segments to the applicable amounts in the
consolidated financial statements follows:
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
| (In millions) |
|
|
||
| Total loss for reportable segments |
$ (294)
|
$ (306)
|
||
| Special items |
-
|
(13)
|
||
| Reorganization items, net |
(718)
|
(130)
|
||
| Total loss before income taxes |
$ (1,012)
|
$ (449)
|
||
United's dedicated revenue-producing assets (primarily aircraft) generally can be deployed in any of its reportable segments, while ULS had $1.2 billion in total assets as of March 31, 2005.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of the following:
| (In millions) | Minimum |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance at December 31, 2004 |
$ (3,311)
|
$ (20)
|
$ (3,331)
|
| Current year net change |
-
|
35
|
35
|
| Balance at March 31, 2005 |
$ (3,311)
|
$ 15
|
$ (3,296)
|
Special Items
During the first quarter of 2004, we incurred a $13 million charge in non-operating expense for the write-down of certain non-operating B767 aircraft.
Reconciliation of Accruals
In the period following September 11, 2001, we recorded an accrual of $162 million to reflect our estimate of the early termination fees associated with certain contracts. This obligation has yet to be resolved, and therefore continues to be included in liabilities subject to compromise in its entirety.
Aircraft Fuel Hedging
Aircraft fuel represented 19% and 15%, respectively, of our total operating expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.
During the second quarter of 2004, we began to implement a strategy to hedge a portion of our price risk related to projected jet fuel requirements, primarily using collar options. The collars (only some of which were designated as cash flow hedges) involve the purchase of fuel call options with the simultaneous sale of fuel put options with identical expiration dates. Those contracts designated as hedges are recorded at fair value, with the changes in fair value, to the extent they are effective, recorded in other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged fuel is consumed. To the extent that the designated hedges are ineffective, gain or loss is recognized currently. The fair value of each designated hedge is determined by the use of standard option value models using commodity-related assumptions derived from prices observed in underlying markets. For those contracts not designated as hedges, the related gain or loss is recognized currently as an element of non-operating income. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company recognized $41.5 million ($3.8 million relating to the options' time-value and $2.7 million as a result of ineffective hedges) in non-operating income from ineffective hedges and from contracts not designated as hedges of fuel purchases.
We have hedged approximately 12% of our remaining 2005 projected fuel requirements at an average price of $1.24 per gallon, excluding taxes. We are currently hedged through December 31, 2005. The current fair value of our designated hedge position is approximately $38.3 million as of March 31, 2005 and is included in other comprehensive income. We expect that this entire amount, to the extent it remains effective, will be recognized into earnings within the next nine months as a reduction to fuel expense. We plan to continue to hedge future fuel purchases as circumstances and market conditions allow.
Commitments and Contingencies
In addition to common commercial lease transactions, we have entered into numerous long-term agreements to lease certain airport and maintenance facilities that are financed through tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds ("municipal bonds") and issued by various local municipalities to build or improve airport and maintenance facilities.
During 2003, we filed four complaints for declaratory judgment and corresponding motions for temporary restraining orders concerning United's municipal bond obligations for facilities at Denver International Airport ("DEN"), John F. Kennedy International Airport ("JFK"), San Francisco International Airport ("SFO"), and Los Angeles International Airport ("LAX"). In each case, we sought clarification of our obligations to pay principal and interest under the applicable municipal bonds, and the protection of our rights concerning related airport lease agreements at the applicable airports.
On March 30, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court granted our motions for summary judgment with respect to the JFK, SFO and LAX municipal bonds, holding that our payment obligations related to municipal bonds financing airport improvements at these sites are not obligations arising under "leases" pursuant to Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code. Based on this ruling, the outstanding $248 million in principal in connection with these municipal bonds is considered pre-petition debt and the applicable accrued rent has been classified as liabilities subject to compromise.
In our adversary proceeding involving DEN, however, the Bankruptcy Court did not grant our motion for summary judgment. Rather, the Bankruptcy Court found that our payment obligations for the municipal bonds financing airport improvements at DEN (which represents approximately $261 million in principal) are obligations arising under a true lease. We have appealed the adverse ruling of the DEN proceeding, but in accordance with the Bankruptcy Court's order, we have paid $45 million into escrow for the April 2003, October 2003, April 2004, October 2004 and April 2005 interest payments due for the DEN municipal bonds.
The defendants in the JFK, SFO and LAX adversary proceedings also appealed the Bankruptcy Court's ruling in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ("District Court"). In November 2004, the District Court reversed the Bankruptcy Court's ruling and held in favor of the defendants in the SFO adversary proceeding. In January 2005, the District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court's ruling with respect to the DEN adversary proceeding and reversed the Bankruptcy Court's ruling with respect to the LAX adversary proceeding. On February 18, 2005, the District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court's ruling in the Company's favor in the JFK adversary proceeding.
The Company has appealed the District Court's ruling with respect to the SFO, LAX and DEN adversary proceedings to the United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, and the defendants have appealed the ruling in the Company's favor in the JFK matter. The outcome of these matters is uncertain and, therefore, the ultimate treatment of these municipal bond obligations in reorganization is uncertain. In accordance with the Bankruptcy Court's order, we have paid $10 million into escrow for the April 2003, May 2003, October 2003, November 2003, April 2004, May 2004, October 2004, November 2004 and April 2005 interest payments due for the LAX municipal bonds, and $22 million for the April 2003, October 2003, April 2004, October 2004 and April 2005 interest payments for the SFO municipal bonds.
Similarly, in September 2003, we filed a complaint for declaratory judgment for all seven municipal bond issues (which represents approximately $601 million in principal) relating to our facilities at Chicago O'Hare International Airport ("O'Hare"), seeking, among other things, a declaration that a certain cross-default provision in the O'Hare airport lease is unenforceable. On February 15, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court approved an agreement ("O'Hare Settlement Agreement") resolving the disputes between United, the trustees and the bondholders that in effect reduces the Company's indebtedness related to these bond issues from approximately $601 million to approximately $150 million. The City of Chicago, a party to these adversary proceedings, is not a party to the O'Hare Settlement Agreement.
The O'Hare Settlement Agreement requires the indenture trustees and certain designated bondholders to waive any existing defaults with respect to the bonds, and not to seek any further payment on account of the bonds beyond the consideration set forth in the O'Hare Settlement Agreement. It requires UAL, in connection with the confirmation of its plan of reorganization, to relinquish any claims to certain unused construction fund monies (which currently total approximately $65 million) and to issue convertible debt to the counterparties in the O'Hare Settlement Agreement, upon emergence from bankruptcy of the reorganized UAL Corporation, having a par value of $150 million.
As of March 31, 2005, the Company had paid into escrow cash payments totaling approximately $22 million related to interest due on three of the seven O'Hare municipal bonds for semi-annual interest payments that are purported to come due during the pendency of the Chapter 11 reorganization. As part of the O'Hare Settlement Agreement, these escrow funds, less the legal fees of the trustees and certain holders, will be remitted back to the Company.
United has certain contingencies resulting from litigation and claims (including environmental issues) incident to the ordinary course of business. Management believes, after considering a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the views of legal counsel, the nature of contingencies to which we are subject and prior experience, that the ultimate disposition of these contingencies will not materially affect the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
We record liabilities for legal and environmental claims against us in accordance with GAAP. These amounts are recorded based on our assessments of the likelihood of their eventual settlements. The amounts of these liabilities could increase or decrease in the near term, based on revisions to estimates relating to the various claims. In addition, as a result of the bankruptcy filing, as of the Petition Date, virtually all pending litigation is stayed, and absent further order of the Bankruptcy Court, no party, subject to certain exceptions, may take any action, again subject to certain exceptions, to recover on pre-petition claims against us. Accordingly, we have classified certain of these liabilities as liabilities subject to compromise.
The Company anticipates that its liability from claims arising from the events of September 11, 2001 will be significant; however, we believe that, under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act of 2001, our liability will be limited to our insurance coverage.
At March 31, 2005, commitments for the purchase of property and equipment, principally aircraft, approximated $1.7 billion, after deducting advance payments. Since September 11, 2001, we have reached agreements with the aircraft manufacturers enabling us to delay or cancel delivery of future orders. Since resetting our fleet plan is critical to our overall restructuring, we continue to hold discussions regarding these deliveries. Our current commitments would require the payment of an estimated $0.1 billion in 2005, $0.1 billion in 2006, $0.4 billion in 2007, $0.5 billion in 2008 and $0.6 billion in 2009 and thereafter primarily for the purchase of A319 and A320 aircraft. It is likely that the amount and timing of these obligations will change, and could potentially be eliminated in their entirety. Additionally, the disposition of advance payments to the manufacturers of $116 million is subject to the ultimate outcome of these discussions.
In March 2005, the Bankruptcy Court approved an agreement which eliminated the obligation to accept delivery of one remaining B777 aircraft and allowed United to use a significant portion of the approximately $45 million in associated advance payments for other purposes. Therefore, this commitment has been excluded from the obligations and advance payments disclosed above.
Related Party Transactions
On March 21, 2005, the Bankruptcy
Court approved a corporate restructuring that (a) moved Confetti, Inc.
as a subsidiary of ULS to a subsidiary of MyPoints.com, Inc. ("MyPoints"),
(b) moved MyPoints as a subsidiary of ULS to a subsidiary of UAL, and (c)
moved ULS as a subsidiary of UAL to a subsidiary of United. This change
in ownership was accounted for as a restructuring of entities under common
control and all assets and liabilities transferred have been stated at
net book values and all prior periods presented have been reclassified.
This restructuring resulted in a decreased net loss of $94 million for
three-months ended March 31, 2004. In addition, the restructuring resulted
in a change in classification of operating revenues that are associated
with our Mileage Plus program as follows:
| Increase/(decrease) |
|
|
|
|
| (In millions) |
|
| Operating revenues: | |
| Passenger - United Airlines |
|
| Other |
|
| Total operating revenues |
|
As of result of the bankruptcy
filing, we reclassified all pre-petition intercompany accounts receivable
to equity and all pre-petition intercompany accounts payable to liabilities
subject to compromise.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Chapter 11 Restructuring Efforts
The following sections describe details of restructuring efforts underway by the Company in the areas of labor agreements, defined benefit pension plans, aircraft financings, future operating fleet redeployment and reductions, municipal bond obligations, and the ongoing bankruptcy claims resolution process. See "Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the reorganization process.
Labor Restructuring. Effective January 1, 2005, the Company reduced the compensation of its non-represented salaried and management employees and announced changes to benefits and productivity for this group. The combination of lower salaries, benefit changes and workforce reductions are expected to provide the Company with approximately $112 million of $725 million in targeted average annual labor and benefit cost savings, other than pensions.
On January 31, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court approved amended collective bargaining agreements ("CBAs") between the Company and the Association of Flight Attendants ("AFA"), the Air Line Pilots Association ("ALPA"), the Professional Airline Flight Control Association ("PAFCA"), and the Transport Workers Union ("TWU") (all of whom had ratified such amendments) that are expected to provide approximately $130 million, $181 million, $2.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in average annual savings through 2009 from changes in salaries, work rules and benefits, other than pensions. Together with savings expected from salaried and management employees, all expected savings realized to date for labor groups represents approximately 60% of the $725 million target.
The ALPA, PAFCA and TWU contracts also include contingent commitments to issue, respectively, $550 million, $0.4 million and $24,000 in convertible notes upon the emergence of the Company from bankruptcy in the event the groups' defined benefit pension plans are terminated. These groups have agreed to eliminate any CBA requirement to maintain, and not to oppose efforts by the Company to terminate, their respective defined benefit pension plans.
The AFA, ALPA, PAFCA, and TWU agreements each contain termination rights for the respective union. Among other things, all provide that the unions can terminate the agreement (upon a failure of the Company to cure within twenty days) if the Company fails to obtain specified levels of average annual savings from all other union groups and the Company's salaried and management employees. Additionally, the PAFCA and TWU agreements each provide that the Company can terminate the agreements if a court of competent jurisdiction enters a final order that the Company is not entitled to terminate the defined benefit pension plans covering that employee group.
On April 8, 2005, the AFA served notice to the Company of their intention to exercise this termination provision. Although the Company believes that the union has no right to terminate this amendment, the parties have agreed to resolve the matter through expedited arbitration.
We were unable to reach ratified agreements on amended CBAs with the employees represented by IAM and AMFA. As such, on January 6, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Company's 1113(e) motion seeking interim savings from IAM. The Bankruptcy Court's order, effective through April 11, 2005, and which has now been extended through May 31, 2005, requires a temporary pay rate reduction for IAM-represented employees of 11.5%, elimination of a scheduled May 1 increase in hourly pay rates, and provides that these employees will receive 70% of the pay they would normally have received for sick days taken.
Likewise, on January 31, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Company's 1113(e) motion seeking interim savings from AMFA. The Bankruptcy Court's order, effective through May 31, 2005, requires a temporary pay rate reduction for AMFA-represented employees of 9.8% and that these employees receive 75% of the pay they would normally have received for sick days taken, up to the first 15 days.
These interim cost savings ordered by the Bankruptcy Court will provide the Company with additional time to attempt to resolve the longer-term cost savings it needs from both IAM and AMFA and to work together to resolve pension issues. Since the Company was unable to reach ratifiable long-term agreements with both IAM and AMFA, the Company proceeded to trial under Section 1113(c) of the Bankruptcy Code, which began on May 11, 2005 in the Bankruptcy Court.
The AFA, AMFA and IAM have indicated that they may seek to engage in self-help activities due to the settlement agreement reached with the PBGC (see "Pensions" below for further details) and/or the Bankruptcy Court's ruling in the Section 1113(c) proceedings. Such self-help could adversely affect the Company's operations and/or customer demand for the Company's products and services. The Company believes that such actions would violate both the Railway Labor Act and the Bankruptcy Code and will pursue all available legal remedies to defend itself against disruptions.
On May 16, 2005, United and AMFA reached a consensual tentative agreement outside of Bankruptcy Court providing for wage reductions and other contractual modifications to their existing CBA. The tentative agreement will provide the Company with approximately $96 million in average annual savings from changes in salaries, work rules and benefits, other than pensions over its five year term. The agreement provides, among other things, for the issuance of $40 million in convertible notes upon the emergence of the Company from bankruptcy in the event their defined benefit pension plan is terminated. The agreement also eliminates any CBA requirement to maintain, and not to oppose efforts by the Company to terminate, their respective defined benefit pension plans. The agreement is subject to ratification by AMFA membership which is expected to be completed on May 31, 2005. If the tentative agreement is ratified, it is also subject to Bankruptcy Court approval. In the event that the membership does not ratify the tentative agreement, the parties would explore various alternatives such as returning to negotiations, returning to the Bankruptcy Court or engaging in self-help.
The 1113(c) trial with respect to the IAM is proceeding, but at the same time the Company continues to engage in active negotiations with the IAM to reach a consensual agreement.
In recognition of savings provided throughout the bankruptcy case, the Company has agreed to provide each employee group a portion of the equity, securities or other consideration provided to general unsecured creditors under any plan of reorganization proposed or supported by the Company. Each employee group is to receive a distribution based on the value of cost savings provided by that group.
Pensions. As of December 31, 2004 our projected minimum pension funding obligation between 2005 and 2010 was approximately $4.9 billion for our defined benefit pension plans, even after giving consideration to the temporary pension funding relief provided by the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004. Effective July 2004, the Company ceased making contributions to its qualified defined benefit pension plans to preserve its liquidity and does not anticipate making further contributions.
On November 30, 2004, Independent Fiduciary Services, Inc. ("IFS"), the independent fiduciary appointed by the Company, filed a motion in the Bankruptcy Court requesting the allowance of a $288 million to $993 million administrative claim against the Company for unpaid minimum funding contributions. On March 18, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court ruled that only those contributions arising from pension benefits associated with service performed by participants in the post-petition period would be considered an administrative claim. IFS is appealing this decision.
We believe that in order to obtain exit financing and successfully reorganize and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, it will be necessary to terminate and replace all of our defined benefit pension plans. To this end, on April 22, 2005, the Company and the PBGC entered into a global settlement agreement which provides for the settlement and compromise of various disputes and controversies with respect to four defined benefit pension plans of United, including the United Pilot Pension Plan, Flight Attendant Pension Plan, Ground Employees' Pension Plan and the Management, Administrative and Public Contact Pension Plan (collectively, the "Pension Plans"). In addition, in accordance with requests by certain creditors, the Company negotiated modifications and clarifications to the terms of the settlement agreement in the beginning of May, 2005. The Bankruptcy Court approved the settlement agreement on May 10, 2005. The AFA has filed an appeal of the Bankruptcy Court's approval of the settlement.
Upon the receipt of the approvals required under the settlement agreement, the PBGC and the Company will execute termination and trusteeship agreements with respect to each of the Pension Plans. As previously mentioned, the termination date for the Ground Employees' Pension Plan will be March 11, 2005, while termination dates for the other plans will be as specified in the settlement agreement. As of the date specified in the termination and trusteeship agreement for each of the Pension Plans, the PBGC will become the statutory trustee of those plans, and the Company will have no further duties or rights with respect to the plans.
Under the settlement agreement, the Company has agreed to propose a plan of reorganization that provides for the distribution of the following consideration to the PBGC: