Attached files
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EX-31.1 - REPUBLIC AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC | v165250_ex31-1.htm |
EX-32.2 - REPUBLIC AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC | v165250_ex32-2.htm |
EX-32.1 - REPUBLIC AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC | v165250_ex32-1.htm |
EX-31.2 - REPUBLIC AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC | v165250_ex31-2.htm |
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
__________________
FORM
10-Q
|
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2009
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: 000-49697
_________
REPUBLIC
AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
|
06-1449146
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification Number)
|
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
|
8909
Purdue Road, Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(317)
484-6000
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Not
Applicable
(Former
name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)
_____________________
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. x
Yes ¨
No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on
its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit and post such files). ¨ Yes ¨ No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large
accelerated filer ¨
|
Accelerated
filer x
|
Non-accelerated
filer ¨ (Do not check
if smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller
reporting company ¨
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act) ¨Yes x No
Number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on November 9,
2009: 34,448,683.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Part
I - Financial Information
|
|||||
Item
1.
|
Financial
Statements:
|
||||
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 (Unaudited) and
December 31, 2008
|
3 | ||||
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
|
4 | ||||
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
|
5 | ||||
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
|
6 | ||||
Item
2.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
15 | |||
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
25 | |||
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
26 | |||
Part
II - Other Information
|
|||||
Item
1A.
|
Risk
Factors
|
26 | |||
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
30 | |||
Signatures
|
31 | ||||
Exhibit
10.1
|
Second
Amended and Restated Investment Agreement dated August 13, 2009 by and
among Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) and Holdings
Subsidiaries, Frontier Airlines, Inc. and Lynx Aviation, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report
on From 8-K filed with the SEC on August 18, 2009).
|
||||
Exhibit
31.1
|
Certification
by Chief Executive Officer
|
||||
Exhibit
31.2
|
Certification
by Chief Financial Officer
|
||||
Exhibit
32.1
|
Certification
by Chief Executive Officer
|
||||
Exhibit
32.2
|
Certification
by Chief Financial Officer
|
All other
items of this report are inapplicable
2
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1: Financial Statements
REPUBLIC
AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Current
Assets:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 85,525 | $ | 129,656 | ||||
Receivables—net
of allowance for doubtful accounts of $825 and $2,054,
respectively
|
36,777 | 25,303 | ||||||
Inventories—net
|
64,059 | 51,885 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
22,090 | 17,924 | ||||||
Notes
receivable—net of allowance of $0 and $1,500, respectively
|
78,636 | 54,394 | ||||||
Assets
held for sale
|
31,624 | 82,959 | ||||||
Restricted
cash
|
63,188 | 1,209 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
35,212 | 7,406 | ||||||
Total
current assets
|
417,111 | 370,736 | ||||||
Aircraft
and other equipment—net
|
2,705,376 | 2,692,410 | ||||||
Intangible
and other assets
|
205,008 | 160,097 | ||||||
Goodwill
|
84,143 | 13,335 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 3,411,638 | $ | 3,236,578 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
Current
Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
$ | 157,133 | $ | 196,301 | ||||
Accounts
payable
|
39,338 | 33,042 | ||||||
Air
traffic liability
|
41,950 | - | ||||||
Deferred
frequent flyer revenue
|
15,117 | - | ||||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
181,929 | 126,742 | ||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
435,467 | 356,085 | ||||||
Long-term
debt—less current portion
|
2,071,998 | 2,081,544 | ||||||
Deferred
frequent flyer revenue
|
47,745 | - | ||||||
Deferred
credits and other non current liabilities
|
101,630 | 89,182 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
258,377 | 233,828 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
2,915,217 | 2,760,639 | ||||||
Commitments
and contingencies
|
||||||||
Republic
Airways Holdings Inc. Stockholders' Equity:
|
||||||||
Preferred
stock, $.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
issued
|
- | - | ||||||
or
outstanding
|
||||||||
Common
stock, $.001 par value; one vote per share; 150,000,000 shares
authorized;
|
44 | 44 | ||||||
43,781,116
shares issued and 34,448,683 shares outstanding
|
||||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
298,017 | 297,376 | ||||||
Treasury
stock, 9,332,433 shares at cost
|
(181,820 | ) | (181,820 | ) | ||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(2,284 | ) | (2,577 | ) | ||||
Accumulated
earnings
|
382,464 | 362,916 | ||||||
Total
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. stockholders' equity
|
496,421 | 475,939 | ||||||
Noncontrolling
interests in Mokulele Flight Service, Inc. ("MFSI")
|
- | - | ||||||
Total
equity
|
496,421 | 475,939 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 3,411,638 | $ | 3,236,578 |
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
(unaudited).
3
REPUBLIC
AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In
thousands, except per share amounts)
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
OPERATING
REVENUES:
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed-fee
service
|
$ | 281,415 | $ | 381,121 | $ | 913,524 | $ | 1,127,681 | ||||||||
Passenger
service
|
64,876 | - | 70,388 | - | ||||||||||||
Cargo
and other
|
13,336 | 4,127 | 20,982 | 12,823 | ||||||||||||
Total
operating revenues
|
359,627 | 385,248 | 1,004,894 | 1,140,504 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING
EXPENSES:
|
||||||||||||||||
Wages
and benefits
|
76,864 | 61,898 | 207,446 | 190,627 | ||||||||||||
Aircraft
fuel
|
39,477 | 97,613 | 100,179 | 279,974 | ||||||||||||
Landing
fees and airport rents
|
20,026 | 15,340 | 55,434 | 45,085 | ||||||||||||
Aircraft
and engine rent
|
33,592 | 33,422 | 95,400 | 101,319 | ||||||||||||
Maintenance
and repair
|
58,852 | 45,630 | 151,487 | 124,723 | ||||||||||||
Insurance
and taxes
|
6,648 | 6,255 | 19,930 | 18,295 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
38,398 | 35,666 | 112,002 | 99,149 | ||||||||||||
Promotion
and sales
|
5,341 | - | 5,341 | - | ||||||||||||
Goodwill
impairment
|
- | - | 13,335 | - | ||||||||||||
Other
|
43,834 | 29,220 | 109,340 | 89,553 | ||||||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
323,032 | 325,044 | 869,894 | 948,725 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING
INCOME
|
36,595 | 60,204 | 135,000 | 191,779 | ||||||||||||
OTHER
INCOME (EXPENSE):
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(34,862 | ) | (33,762 | ) | (105,246 | ) | (96,572 | ) | ||||||||
Other—net
|
2,779 | 1,280 | 10,418 | 11,167 | ||||||||||||
Total
other income (expense)
|
(32,083 | ) | (32,482 | ) | (94,828 | ) | (85,405 | ) | ||||||||
INCOME
BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
4,512 | 27,722 | 40,172 | 106,374 | ||||||||||||
INCOME
TAX EXPENSE
|
1,864 | 10,715 | 23,894 | 40,786 | ||||||||||||
NET
INCOME
|
2,648 | 17,007 | 16,278 | 65,588 | ||||||||||||
Add: Net
loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in MFSI
|
(623 | ) | - | (3,270 | ) | - | ||||||||||
NET
INCOME OF THE COMPANY
|
$ | 3,271 | $ | 17,007 | $ | 19,548 | $ | 65,588 | ||||||||
NET
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC
|
$ | 0.09 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.57 | $ | 1.87 | ||||||||
NET
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED
|
$ | 0.09 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.57 | $ | 1.86 |
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
(unaudited).
4
REPUBLIC
AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In
thousands)
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||||||
September
30,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
NET
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
$ | 133,519 | $ | 190,310 | ||||
INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Purchase
of aircraft and other equipment
|
(28,448 | ) | (85,551 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
on sale of aircraft and other equipment
|
72,708 | 19,011 | ||||||
Aircraft
deposits and other
|
(4,000 | ) | (20,883 | ) | ||||
Aircraft
deposits returned
|
7,405 | 49,866 | ||||||
Change
in restricted cash for aircraft sinking fund reserves
|
(3,846 | ) | (3,518 | ) | ||||
Funding
of notes receivable
|
(61,025 | ) | (27,798 | ) | ||||
Repayment
of notes receivable
|
106 | - | ||||||
Acquisition
of new business, net of cash acquired
|
(2,463 | ) | - | |||||
NET
CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(19,563 | ) | (68,873 | ) | ||||
FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Payments
on short/long-term debt
|
(100,302 | ) | (114,721 | ) | ||||
Payments
on early extinguishment of debt
|
(56,772 | ) | - | |||||
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options
|
- | 161 | ||||||
Payments
of debt issue costs
|
(1,013 | ) | (3,248 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
on settlement of interest rate swaps
|
- | 5,785 | ||||||
Purchase
of treasury stock
|
- | (39,234 | ) | |||||
NET
CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
(158,087 | ) | (151,257 | ) | ||||
NET
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
(44,131 | ) | (29,820 | ) | ||||
CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period
|
129,656 | 164,004 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS—End of period
|
$ | 85,525 | $ | 134,184 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
||||||||
CASH
PAID FOR INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES:
|
||||||||
Interest
paid
|
$ | 99,595 | $ | 91,707 | ||||
Income
taxes paid
|
417 | 221 | ||||||
NON-CASH
INVESTING & FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:
|
||||||||
Aircraft,
inventories, and other equipment purchased through financing arrangements
from manufacturer
|
64,187 | 363,997 | ||||||
Parts,
training and lease credits from aircraft manufacturer
|
(15,706 | ) | (10,260 | ) | ||||
Liabilities
assumed in Mokulele transaction
|
9,300 | - | ||||||
Conversion
of Mokulele note to equity
|
3,000 | - | ||||||
Liabilities
assumed in Midwest business acquisition
|
184,558 | - | ||||||
Convertible
debt issued in business acquisition
|
25,000 | - |
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
(unaudited).
5
REPUBLIC
AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1.
Organization and Business
The
accompanying financial statements of Republic Airways Holdings Inc. and its
subsidiaries (collectively, “Republic, the Company, we, us or our”) have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all
of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles for complete financial statements. These financial statements include
the accounts of Republic and its subsidiaries, Chautauqua Airlines, Inc.
(“Chautauqua”), Republic Airline Inc. (“Republic Airline”), Shuttle America
Corporation (“Shuttle America”), Midwest Air Group (“Midwest”), and Mokulele
Flight Service, Inc. (“Mokulele”). The Company’s financial statements
include the results of operations and cash flows for Mokulele and Midwest
beginning April 1, 2009, and August 1, 2009,
respectively. Intercompany transactions and balances are
eliminated upon consolidation.
In the
opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments that
are necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the interim
periods presented. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless
otherwise disclosed. The results of operations for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. These financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed March 16, 2009.
Acquisition
of Midwest Airlines
In
September 2008, we entered into a fixed-fee code-share agreement with Midwest
Airlines. Under the terms of the agreement, we operated 12 E170
aircraft. In addition, the Company made a one year term loan in the
amount of $25 million with interest at 10.25% which is payable
monthly. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company increased its
loans to Midwest by $6 million bringing the total loans outstanding to $31
million. In addition, we amended our fixed-fee code-share agreement
with Midwest on June 3, 2009 to allow for the operation of twelve 37-50 seat
Embraer jet aircraft and five Embraer 190 aircraft.
On July
31, 2009, the Company purchased from TPG Capital (“TPG”), a Fort Worth,
Texas-based private equity firm, their $31 million secured note from Midwest and
100% of Midwest’s common stock, for consideration of $6 million in cash, and the
issuance of a $25 million convertible note to TPG. The convertible
note has a five-year maturity and is convertible in whole or in part, from time
to time, prior to maturity up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
The
acquisition provided the Company additional revenue diversity from its
traditional fixed-fee services and allowed it to expand operations into branded
passenger service. The Company accounted for the acquisition in
accordance with ASC Topic 805, whereby the purchase price paid was allocated to
the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed
from Midwest based on their estimated fair values as of the closing
date. The Company is still in the process of determining the
fair value of the purchase consideration, assets acquired, and liabilities
assumed. This valuation process, as well as the evaluation of the
related income tax implications of the transaction, is still in progress and
will likely not be completed prior to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2009.
The
Company incurred legal, accounting, and tax related transaction costs totaling
$1.2 million related to the acquisition of Midwest. All transaction
costs are included in other operating expenses in the condensed consolidated
statements of income.
6
The
following table represents the Company’s preliminary assessment of the total
purchase consideration allocated to the estimated fair values of the tangible
and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Midwest
as of July 31, 2009:
($
in 000's)
|
As
of July 31, 2009
|
|||
Total
purchase consideration:
|
||||
Cash
|
$ | 6,000 | ||
Convertible
note
|
25,000 | |||
Assumed
debt
|
34,300 | |||
Total
purchase consideration
|
$ | 65,300 | ||
Assets
acquired:
|
||||
Current
assets
|
$ | 81,777 | ||
Deferred
income taxes
|
24,494 | |||
Aircraft
and other equipment—net
|
7,151 | |||
Intangible
and other assets
|
52,293 | |||
Total
assets acquired
|
165,715 | |||
Liabilities
assumed:
|
||||
Current
liabilities
|
122,494 | |||
Other
liabilites
|
62,064 | |||
Total
liabilities assumed
|
184,558 | |||
Goodwill
(1)
|
$ | 84,143 |
(1)
|
Goodwill
is calculated as the total purchase consideration in excess of the fair
value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill
is not deductible for income tax
purposes.
|
The
identifiable intangible assets acquired as of the acquisition date, and their
preliminary fair value allocations, are as follows:
($
in 000's)
|
Weighted-Average
Amortization
Period
|
Preliminary
Fair
Value
at
Acquisition
Date
|
Amortization
Expense
per Year
Years
1 - 2
|
Amortization
Expense
per Year
Years
3 - 13
|
||||||||||||
Trade
name
|
-
|
$ | 11,400 | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||
Slots
|
-
|
21,825 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Affinity
card program
|
2
years
|
12,100 | 6,050 | - | ||||||||||||
Cargo
contracts
|
13
years
|
2,800 | 215 | 215 | ||||||||||||
$ | 48,125 | $ | 6,265 | $ | 215 |
The
following unaudited pro forma combined results of operations give effect to the
acquisition of Midwest as if it had occurred at the beginning of the periods
presented. The unaudited pro forma combined results of operations do not purport
to represent Republic’s consolidated results of operations had the acquisition
occurred on the dates assumed, nor are these results necessarily indicative of
the Company’s future consolidated results of operations. We expect to realize
significant benefits from integrating the operations of the Company and Midwest.
The unaudited pro forma combined results of operations do not reflect these
benefits or costs.
in
(000's), except per share amounts
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Operating
revenues
|
$ | 1,068,538 | $ | 1,683,491 | ||||
Net
loss
|
(96,766 | ) | (127,069 | ) | ||||
Basic
and diluted earnings per share
|
$ | (2.81 | ) | $ | (3.62 | ) |
7
Mokulele
Airlines
In
November 2008, we began operating under a fixed-fee code-share agreement with
Mokulele to provide up to four E170 aircraft in inter island service in Hawaii
and agreed to loan Mokulele $8 million to assist in the funding of startup costs
of the operation. In March 2009, we and certain shareholders of
Mokulele agreed to participate in a restructuring of Mokulele. Under
this agreement, we agreed to convert $3 million of our $8 million loan to equity
and invest an additional $3 million of cash in exchange for 50%
ownership of Mokulele’s common stock and three of the five Mokulele Board of
Directors’ seats.
The
recapitalization effectively provided us control of Mokulele and its Hawaii
inter island passenger service. Accordingly, we accounted for the
recapitalization of Mokulele as a business combination as defined by
ASC Topic 805. The Company assigned preliminary fair values to the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the transaction resulted in no
goodwill. The Company acquired approximately $4.1 million of current
assets, $9.3 million of aircraft and other equipment, and $0.4 million of other
long-term assets and assumed $9.3 million of liabilities. The Company
did not incur any significant transaction costs associated with its acquisition
of Mokulele. The effect of Mokulele’s operations for the last twelve
days of March 2009 have not been included in the Company’s results of
operations, as they were immaterial. Additionally, proforma revenues and
net income per common share were immaterial for disclosure for the three and
nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. Mokulele’s
operations were included in the Company’s results of operations beginning April
1, 2009 and are part of the Company’s branded passenger service
operations.
In July
2009, the Company invested an additional $7.5 million in Mokulele, increasing
its ownership in the operation from 55% to an 89% interest. The change in
ownership of Mokulele resulting from the July 2009 additional investment was
accounted for as an equity transaction. The carrying amount of the
noncontrolling interest was increased by $3.3 million and the Company reduced
additional paid-in capital by a corresponding amount to reflect the change in
ownership of Mokulele. In addition, the fixed-fee code-share agreement was
amended to provide for either Mokulele or us to early terminate the fixed-fee
code-share agreement with 90 days prior written notice and the remaining $1.5
million in aircraft security deposits held by us would be forfeited by Mokulele
on the termination date. The amendment also provided that the fourth
aircraft would not be delivered and Mokulele forfeited a $0.5 million security
deposit to the Company.
On October 16, 2009, the Company
entered into an agreement with Mesa Air Group, Inc. (“Mesa”) to form Mo-Go, LLC
(“Mo-Go”), a new business venture that will provide commercial airline services
in Hawaii. Pursuant to the agreement, Mesa will own 75% of Mo-Go and
the former Mokulele shareholders, including Republic, own the remaining
25%. Immediately prior to consummation of the transaction with Mesa,
the Company forgave certain indebtedness of Mokulele, and agreed to voluntarily
terminate our existing capacity purchase agreement with
Mokulele. Additionally, current Mokulele shareholders will be
obligated to fund up to $1.5 million to capitalize Mo-Go, all of which is
expected to come from Republic.
The
Company will deconsolidate Mokulele and begin accounting for its investment in
Mo-Go under the equity method of accounting in the fourth quarter of
2009. As of the date of the transaction, and after the Mokulele note
was forgiven and the remaining security deposits were forfeited by Mokulele,
Mokulele had approximately $9.9 million of assets, of which $7.5 million related
to aircraft and other equipment, and had liabilities of $6.6
million.
Acquisition
of Frontier Airlines
On April
10, 2008, Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Frontier
Airlines, Inc. and Lynx Aviation, Inc. (collectively “Frontier”), filed
voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the
United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”). As of the bankruptcy
date the Company operated 12, of a committed 17, E170 aircraft, all of which
were under a fixed-fee code-share agreement. On April 22, 2008,
Frontier rejected the fixed-fee code-share agreement and all 12 aircraft were
removed during the second quarter of 2008.
On August
4, 2008, the Company agreed to participate with two other creditors in providing
a debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) firm financing commitment of $30 million to
Frontier. The Company’s portion of this commitment was $12.5
million. The note was collateralized by certain assets of Frontier,
bore interest at 16%, and matured on April 1, 2009. The existing DIP
facility was renegotiated and the Company agreed to a firm commitment for $40
million in post-petition DIP financing to Frontier in March
2009. This new DIP facility was approved by the United States
Bankruptcy Court. As a condition to the loan, Frontier agreed to
allow the Company’s damage claim in the amount of $150 million arising out of
Frontier’s rejection of the fixed-fee code-share agreement, dated January 11,
2007.
On June
22, 2009, the Company entered into an Investment Agreement with Frontier (the
“Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company would serve as the equity sponsor of
Frontier’s plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan,
the Company would purchase all of the equity in Frontier, as reorganized, for
$108.75 million. The proposed plan of reorganization provides for
general unsecured creditors to receive $28.75 million in cash. An additional $40
million of the sale proceeds would be applied as repayment of the outstanding
DIP loan.
On August
13, 2009, the Company modified its investment agreement with Frontier to allow
the Company to acquire 100% of the common stock of Frontier upon its emergence
from bankruptcy for $108.75 million and the Company waived any right to recovery
on its $150 million general unsecured claim. On October 1, 2009, the
Company completed its acquisition of Frontier. Transaction costs
related to the Company’s acquisition of Frontier are included in Other operating
expenses and totaled $0.9 million, through September 30, 2009.
8
The
acquisition of Frontier expanded our branded passenger service and provided the
Company an opportunity to further diversify its revenue and operations of its
branded passenger service business. The Company’s assessment of the
acquisition date fair value is very preliminary, however the book value of the
assets and liabilities at the acquisition date are cash of $53.9 million, other
current assets of $233.5 million, aircraft and other equipment of $600 million,
other long-term assets of $184.5 million, $672.7 million of liabilities not
subject to compromise. Based on these values and our preliminary
valuation and appraisal work, the Company expects the Frontier transaction to
result in a bargain purchase (“negative goodwill”) in excess of $125
million. The Company has not disclosed the proforma effect of the
Frontier acquisition, as the information is not yet available to make such
disclosures.
US
Airways, Inc. Notes Receivable
In October 2008, the Company entered
into a credit agreement with US Airways. Under the agreement, we
agreed to make a term loan to US Airways in the amount of $10 million, with
interest at LIBOR plus a margin, which was payable quarterly. The
principal was due in October 2009. In March 2009, the Company funded
an additional $25 million term loan to US Airways, which was provided for in the
initial loan. As of September 30, 2009, there was a total of $35
million outstanding to US Airways, bearing interest at LIBOR plus a
margin.
In October 2009, the Company acquired
ten E190AR jets from US Airways. Total consideration amounted to $4
million of cash and US Airways agreed to apply all of the Company’s $35 million
unsecured loan, plus interest accrued toward the purchase price. The
Company assumed debt related to the ten aircraft of approximately $217
million.
2.
|
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Risk
Management - Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of
tax, are amounts paid or received on settled cash flow hedges related to the
Company’s financing of aircraft. The Company reclassifies such
amounts to interest expense over the term of the respective aircraft debt.
The Company reclassified $0.2 million and $0.2 million, and $0.3 million
and $0.5 million to interest expense during the three and nine month periods
ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Revenue
Recognition
Fixed-fee Service Revenue - Under the Company’s
code-share agreements, the Company is reimbursed an amount per aircraft designed
to compensate the Company for certain aircraft ownership costs. In
accordance with ASC Topic 840-10 “Determining Whether an Arrangement
Contains a Lease,” the Company has concluded that a component of its
revenue under the agreement discussed above is rental income, inasmuch as the
agreement identifies the “right of use” of a specific type and number of
aircraft over a stated period of time. The amounts deemed to be rental income
during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $88.8
million and $273.7 million, and $87.3 million and $265.8 million respectively,
and have been included in fixed-fee services revenue in the Company’s condensed
consolidated statements of income.
Passenger
Service Revenue - Passenger, cargo, and
other revenue are recognized when the transportation is provided or after the
tickets expire, one year after date of issuance, and are net of excise taxes,
passenger facility charges and security fees. Revenues that have been
deferred are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as air
traffic liability. Included in passenger service revenue are change
fees imposed on passengers for making schedule changes to non-refundable
tickets. Change fees are recognized as revenue at the time the change fees
are collected from the passenger as they are a separate transaction that occurs
subsequent to the date of the original ticket sale.
Taxes and Fees – We are
required to charge certain taxes and fees on our passenger
tickets. These taxes and fees include U.S. federal transportation
taxes, federal security charges, airport passenger facility charges and foreign
arrival and departure taxes. These taxes and fees are legal
assessments on the customer, for which we have an obligation to act as a
collection agent. Because we are not entitled to retain these taxes
and fees, such amounts are not included in passenger revenue. We
record a liability when the amounts are collected and reduce the liability when
payments are made to the applicable government agency or operating
carrier.
Frequent Flyer
Programs - The Company has a frequent flyer program that offers
incentives to travel on the Midwest brand. The program allows
participants to earn mileage credits by flying Midwest and participating
airlines, as well as through participating companies, such as credit card
companies, hotels, and car rental agencies. The Company also sells mileage
credits to other airlines and to nonairline businesses. The mileage credits may
be redeemed for free air travel on Midwest or other airlines, as well as hotels,
rental cars, and other awards.
Mileage Credits - The
Company has an agreement with its co-branded credit card partner that requires
its partner to purchase miles as they are awarded to the co-branded partner
cardholders. The air transportation element for the awarded miles are included
in deferred frequent flyer revenue at the estimated fair value and the residual
marketing element is recorded as other revenue when the miles are awarded. The
deferred revenue is subsequently recognized as passenger service revenue when
transportation is provided.
9
Earned Mileage Credits -
The Company also defers the portion of the sales proceeds that represents
estimated fair value of the air transportation and recognizes that amount as
revenue when transportation is provided. The fair value of the air
transportation component is determined utilizing the deferred revenue method as
further described below. The initial revenue deferral is presented as deferred
frequent flyer revenue in the consolidated balance sheets. When recognized, the
revenue related to the air transportation component is classified as passenger
service in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
The
deferred revenue measurement method is to record the fair value of the frequent
flyer obligation by allocating an equivalent weighted-average ticket value to
each outstanding mile based on projected redemption patterns for available award
choices when such miles are consumed. Such value is estimated assuming
redemptions on Midwest and by estimating the relative proportions of awards to
be redeemed by class of service. The estimation of the fair value of each award
mile requires the use of several significant assumptions for which significant
management judgment is required. For example, management must estimate how many
miles are projected to be redeemed on Midwest versus on other airline partners.
Since the equivalent ticket value on miles redeemed on Midwest and on other
carriers can vary greatly, this assumption can materially affect the calculation
of the weighted-average ticket value from period to period.
Management
must also estimate the expected redemption patterns of Midwest customers who
have a number of different award choices when redeeming their miles, each of
which can have materially different estimated fair values. Such choices include
different classes of service and award levels. Customer redemption patterns may
also be influenced by program changes, which occur from time to time,
introducing new award choices or making material changes to terms of existing
award choices. Management must often estimate the probable impact of such
program changes on future customer behavior, which requires the use of
significant judgment. Management uses historical customer redemption patterns as
the best single indicator of future redemption behavior in making its estimates,
but changes in customer mileage redemption behavior patterns, which are not
consistent with historical behavior can result in historical changes to deferred
revenue balances and to recognized revenue.
The
Company measures its deferred revenue obligation using all awarded and
outstanding miles, regardless of whether or not the customer has accumulated
enough miles to redeem an award. Eventually these customers will accumulate
enough miles to redeem awards, or their account will deactivate after a period
of inactivity.
Current
and future changes to program rules and program redemption opportunities, may
result in material changes to the deferred revenue balance as well as recognized
revenue from the program.
Promotion and
sales – Promotion and sales costs include advertising, promotions,
commissions and reservation fees, and other similar costs. Costs are
charged to expense when incurred.
Notes Receivable
– As of September 30, 2009, the Company had notes receivable and related
accrued interest outstanding with Frontier and US Airways totaling $78.6
million. As discussed in Note 1, the Company acquired Frontier on
October 1, 2009, and the related note of $43.1 million will be eliminated due to
the Company’s consolidation of Frontier in future periods. The
Company’s note receivable and related accrued interest with US Airways of $35.5
million was recoverd in October 2009 when the Company acquired the ten E190AR
aircraft from US Airways. As of the date of this filing, the Company
has no loans outstanding.
The
Company’s accounting policy used to estimate whether an allowance for loan
losses was necessary was based on management’s judgment and assessment of
counterparty’s financial condition, the counterparty’s performance under the
existing obligations within the loan, and an assessment of the underlying
collateral security, if any. During the nine months ended September
30, 2009, the Company recorded an additional $3.0 million valuation allowance on
its loan to Mokulele based on management’s assessment of the underlying
collateral value of Mokulele. As discussed in Note 1, the Company
acquired control of Mokulele and acquired Midwest and their respective loans are
now eliminated in our consolidated balance sheet.
Assets Held for
Sale – Assets held for sale consists of grounded aircraft and
related flight equipment recorded at the lower of carrying value or their
estimated fair value less cost to sell.
Lease Return
Conditions – The Company must meet specified return conditions upon lease
expiration for both the airframes and engines. The Company estimates
lease return conditions specified in leases and accrues these amounts as
contingent rent ratably over the lease term while the aircraft are operating
once such costs are probable and reasonably estimable.
Retirement
and Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans –
Midwest has two defined benefit plans. The Pilots’
Supplemental Pension Plan is a qualified defined benefit plan and provides
retirement benefits to Midwest pilots covered by their collective bargaining
agreement. The Pilots’ Nonqualified Supplemental Pension Plan is a nonqualified
defined benefit plan. This plan provides Midwest pilots with annuity
benefits for salary in excess of IRS salary limits that cannot be covered by the
qualified Pilots’ Supplemental Pension Plan.
10
Other Postretirement Plans -
Midwest has Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits plans
that allow retirees to participate in unfunded health care and life insurance
benefit plans. Benefits are based on years of service and age at retirement. The
plans are principally noncontributory for current retirees and are contributory
for most future retirees. Midwest has a Pilots’ Severance
Plan that provides certain benefits to a select group of pilots based on
the pilot’s age and years of service at termination.
The
Company uses an annual December 31 measurement date for purposes of
calculations of plan assets and obligations and all other related
measurements. As a result of these plans, a net obligation of $10.3
million is recorded in deferred credits and other non current
liabilities. The pension and other postretirement medical costs for
the two month period ended September 30, 2009 was $0.2 million. The Company was
not required to contribute to its qualified pension plan during the nine months
ended September 30, 2009.
Stockholders’
Equity - The following summarizes the activity of the stockholders’
equity accounts for the period from December 31, 2008 through
September 30, 2009. Additional paid-in capital increased from
$297.4 million to $298.0 million due to $3.9 million of stock compensation
expense, offset by a $3.3 million adjustment to noncontrolling interests and
additional paid-in capital as a result of the Company’s recapitalization of
Mokulele in July 2009. Accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased
to $2.3 million from $2.6 million due to reclassification of the loss on
treasury locks. Accumulated earnings increased from $362.9 million to
$382.5 million based on current year net income. Noncontrolling
interest decreased to $0.0 million related to the losses incurred in our
Mokulele operations of $3.3 million offset by the adjustment discussed above of
$3.3 million.
Net Income Per
Common Share - is based on the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period. The following is a reconciliation of the weighted
average common shares for the basic and diluted per share
computations:
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted-average
common shares outstanding for basic net income per share
|
34,448,683 | 34,169,104 | 34,448,683 | 35,083,855 | ||||||||||||
Effect
of dilutive employee stock options, restricted stock, and
warrants
|
80,007 | - | 13,109 | 112,561 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted
weighted-average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions for
diluted net income per share
|
34,528,690 | 34,169,104 | 34,461,792 | 35,196,416 |
The
Company excluded 4,000,179 and 2,688,168, and 4,020,179 and 1,853,709
respectively, of employee stock options from the calculation of diluted net
income per share due to their anti-dilutive impact for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. The Company excluded the
convertible note due to its anti dilutive impact for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2009. The convertible note has a $25 million face
value and is convertible in whole or in part up to 2,500,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock.
New Accounting
Pronouncements - Effective January 1, 2009, the Company
adopted ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” which
establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business
recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets
acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the
acquiree. ASC Topic 805 also provides guidance for recognizing and
measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what
information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate
the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This Statement
applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is
on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or
after December 15, 2008.
Effective
January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC Topic 810-10, “Consolidation,” which revised
ASC Topic 810-10 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the
non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a
subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be
reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. In
addition, ASC Topic 260-10, “Earnings per Share,” was
revised so that earnings-per-share data will continue to be calculated the same
way those data were calculated before this Statement was issued.
In
April 2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 825-10-65, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value
of Financial Instruments,” which requires disclosures about
fair value of financial instruments in interim reporting periods of publicly
traded companies that were previously only required to be disclosed in annual
financial statements. The provisions of this amendment are effective for
the Company’s interim period ending on June 30, 2009 and only amends the
disclosure requirements about fair value of financial instruments in interim
periods. The Company adopted this amendment during the second quarter of 2009
and there was no impact.
11
Effective
May 2009, the Company adopted ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events,” which
establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that
occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or
available to be issued. The adoption did not have a material impact
on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial
condition. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential
recognition and/or disclosure through November 9, 2009, the date the
consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q
were issued.
In June
2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing,”
which provides guidance to improve transparency about transfers of financial
assets and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, with transferred
financial assets. It also clarifies the requirement for isolation and
limitations on portions of financial assets that are eligible for sale
accounting, eliminates exceptions for qualifying special-purpose entities from
the consolidation guidance and eliminates the exception that permitted sale
accounting for certain mortgage securitizations when a transferor has not
surrendered control over the financial assets. This pronouncement is effective
for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1,
2010. We are currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption
of ASC Topic 860 on our consolidated financial statements.
In June
2009, the FASB amended standards for determining whether to consolidate a
variable interest entity. These amended standards eliminate a
mandatory quantitative approach to determine whether a variable interest gives
the entity a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity in
favor of a qualitatively focused analysis, and require an ongoing reassessment
of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary. This pronouncement
is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1,
2010. We are currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption
of this pronouncement on our consolidated financial
statements.
In June
2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles,” as the authoritative source of generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States. Rules and interpretive releases of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under federal securities laws are
also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. ASC Topic 105
is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods
ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this
pronouncement did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or
results of operations, but will impact our financial reporting process by
eliminating all references to pre-codification standards.
In
October 2009, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance which amends accounting
and reporting guidance in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” with
respect to revenue-generating arrangements with multiple-deliverables.
Specifically, the amendments to ASC Topic 605 address how to separate
deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement consideration to more
than one unit of accounting. The new guidance, which is expected to result in
more multiple-deliverable arrangements being separable than under current
guidance, will be effective for the Company prospectively for revenue
arrangements entered into or materially modified on or after January 1, 2011,
with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the timing and impact
of the pending adoption of the amendments to ASC Topic 605 on our consolidated
financial statements.
Reclassification –
The Company has reclassified certain items in the prior periods to conform to
the current period presentation. The reclassifications did not impact net income
or total stockholders' equity.
3.
|
Restricted
cash
|
Restricted
cash primarily pertains to cash that is due to the Company for advance credit
card ticket purchases. Under the terms of the agreement with the credit card
processor, the funds are held by the credit card processor until travel takes
place. The restricted cash related to the holdback of ticket purchases of $45.5
million, as of September 30, 2009, earns a market rate of interest and is held
primarily at one financial institution.
At
September 30, 2009, restricted cash consisted of the following:
($
in 000's)
|
September
30, 2009
|
|||
Holdback
of customer credit card ticket sales
|
$ | 45,545 | ||
Cash
collateralized letters of credit
|
12,589 | |||
Aircraft
sinking fund reserves
|
5,054 | |||
Total
|
$ | 63,188 |
The
Company has agreements with organizations that process credit card transactions
arising from purchases of air travel tickets by customers of the
Company. Credit card processors have financial risk associated with
tickets purchased for travel because the processor generally forwards the cash
related to the purchase to the Company soon after the purchase is completed, the
air travel generally occurs after that time, and the processor would have
liability if the Company does not ultimately deliver the travel. The
organization that processes MasterCard/Visa transactions allows the credit card
processor to create and maintain a reserve account that is funded by retaining
cash that it otherwise would deliver to the Company (i.e., “restricted
cash”). The Company also has an agreement with American Express for
processing purchases made through the use of an American Express credit card. As
of September 30, 2009, the credit card processor had 100% holdback under this
agreement.
12
4.
|
Debt
|
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company obtained thirteen
aircraft, three of which were debt-financed. The debt was obtained from banks
and the aircraft manufacturer for terms of 15 years at interest rates ranging
from 2.80% to 2.94%. The total debt incurred for the three aircraft was $64.2
million.
The
Company’s revolving credit agreement with a bank expired on May 29,
2009.
8.0% $25 million convertible
note due 2014
On July
31, 2009, the Company issued certain TPG Entities (“TPG”) a convertible note
having a principal amount of $25 million and a five-year maturity and
convertible by TPG in whole or in part prior to maturity up to
2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The
convertible debt does not allow for cash settlement and there is no embedded
derivative. The convertible note is recorded in long term
debt.
5.
|
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
The
Company has a commitment to acquire eight spare aircraft engines with a current
list price totaling approximately $40.3 million. These commitments are subject
to customary closing conditions.
The
Company has a commitment of $2.9 million relating to the naming rights of the
Midwest Airlines Center, an 800,000-square-foot convention center in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
In June
2009, Midwest entered into an agreement for the early termination of the SkyWest
ASA. As part of the restructured transaction, two of the 12 aircraft being
operated by SkyWest for the Company’s branded operations were taken out of
service. The Company is obligated to pay SkyWest $0.4 million for
each of the remaining 10 aircraft at the time of removal and the last aircraft
is expected to be returned in early 2010. The Company has a $4
million liability recorded as of September 30, 2009 related to this
agreement.
In June
2009, Midwest reached an agreement with the lessor of their Fairchild 328 jets
(“FRJs”) to settle lease and debt default obligations associated with eight
aircraft. Midwest made an up-front payment of $3.1 million and issued
a $15 million note secured by the aircraft plus one additional FRJ aircraft
contributed to the collateral pool. The secured note is to be repaid
from the net proceeds of sale of the aircraft. Interest began
accruing on June 1, 2009, at 5% payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of
each quarter until December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has
recorded a $13.9 million liability related to this settlement.
In May
2009, Midwest negotiated an additional forbearance agreement with its aircraft
lessor. As a result, the Company will return the remaining 9 Boeing 717 aircraft
by the fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, the Company will pay the
lessor $5.4 million in installments of $600,000 at the time each aircraft is
returned and contributed two Rolls Royce Jet engines, valued at approximately
$6.4 million for both engines. As of September 30, 2009, the Company
had recorded a liability of $10 million associated with this agreement with the
lessor.
6.
|
Segment
reporting
|
ASC Topic
280, “Segments
Reporting,” requires disclosures related to components of a company for
which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by
a company’s chief operating decision maker in deciding the allocation of
resources and assessing performance. Historically the Company has
always considered its operations as one segment, fixed-fee
services. Due to the Company’s recent acquisitions of Mokulele,
Midwest, and Frontier, the Company has determined that it has three
reportable segments, fixed-fee service, branded passenger service, and
other. Fixed-fee services are typically operated under an
agreement with a domestic network airline partner. The Company’s
branded operations relate to the passenger service revenues and expenses
generated under the Company’s brands: Midwest and
Mokulele. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009, the results of
operations for Frontier will also be included in the Company’s branded
operations. The Other segment consists of slot leasing activities,
charter operations, and idle or unallocated aircraft not currently assigned to
the Fixed-fee or Branded operations. The Other segment also includes
the activities associated with subleasing activities, and the related aircraft
rents, depreciation expense and interest expense on idle, unallocated, or
subleased aircraft. The Company evaluates segment performance based
on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating income
(loss). However, the Company does not manage the business or allocate resources
solely based on segment operating income or loss, and scheduling decisions of
the Company’s chief operating decision maker are based on each segment’s
contribution to the overall network.
13
Branded
|
||||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
Fixed
|
Passenger
|
||||||||||||||
September
30, 2009 (000's)
|
Fee
|
Service
|
Other
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Total
revenue (1)
|
$ | 281,415 | $ | 73,892 | $ | 4,320 | $ | 359,627 | ||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
32,479 | 4,366 | 1,553 | 38,398 | ||||||||||||
Operating
income (loss)
|
48,966 | (11,184 | ) | (1,187 | ) | 36,595 | ||||||||||
Income before income tax | 19,218 | (15,907 | ) | 1,202 | 4,513 | |||||||||||
Net
income (loss) (2)
|
11,279 | (8,713 | ) | 705 | 3,271 | |||||||||||
Goodwill
|
- | 84,143 | - | 84,143 | ||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
2,727,725 | 544,027 | 139,886 | 3,411,638 |
Branded
|
||||||||||||||||
Nine
Months Ended
|
Fixed
|
Passenger
|
||||||||||||||
September
30, 2009 (000's)
|
Fee
|
Service
|
Other
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Total
revenue (1)
|
$ | 913,524 | $ | 79,404 | $ | 11,966 | $ | 1,004,894 | ||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
101,564 | 5,309 | 5,129 | 112,002 | ||||||||||||
Operating
income (loss)
|
160,970 | (15,710 | ) | (10,260 | ) | 135,000 | ||||||||||
Income before income tax | 64,016 | (21,495 | ) | (2,349 | ) | 40,172 | ||||||||||
Net
income (loss) (2)
|
33,872 | (13,372 | ) | (952 | ) | 19,548 | ||||||||||
Goodwill
|
- | 84,143 | - | 84,143 | ||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
2,727,725 | 544,027 | 139,886 | 3,411,638 |
(1)
|
Intersegment
revenues are eliminated in consolidation and are therefore not disclosed
in this presentation.
|
(2)
|
Tax
expense was allocated to each segment based on the consolidated tax rate
(excluding goodwill impairment of $13.3 million from fixed fee business in
Q1).
|
7.
|
Impairment
of Goodwill
|
During the
quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company’s stock price reached a then record
low of $4.23. Due to the disparity between the Company’s market
capitalization and the carrying value of its stockholders’ equity, the Company
performed an interim test of the recoverability of its goodwill in accordance
with ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and
other.” Prior to the Company’s recent acquisitions, the
Company had one reporting unit and all of the goodwill of $13.3 million was
assigned to that unit. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill,
the Company made a determination of the fair value of its business.
Fair
value is determined using a combination of an income approach, which estimates
fair value based upon projections of future revenues, expenses, and cash flows
discounted to their present value, and a market approach, which estimates fair
value using market multiples of various financial measures compared to a set of
comparable public companies in the regional airline industry. An
impairment loss will generally be recognized when the carrying amount of the net
assets of the business exceeds its estimated fair value. The
valuation methodology and underlying financial information included in the
Company’s determination of fair value require significant judgments to be made
by management. These judgments include, but are not limited to,
market valuation comparisons to similar airlines, long term projections of
future financial performance and the selection of appropriate discount rates
used to determine the present value of future cash flows. Changes in
such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce
significantly different results. Factors considered by management to
have constituted a potential triggering event included a record low in the
Company’s stock price and market capitalization, and a deepening recessionary
economic environment.
The
Company’s interim assessment under the market and income approach indicated the
fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying value, and
therefore, the Company was required to perform Step Two of the ASC Topic 350
goodwill impairment testing methodology.
In Step
Two of the impairment testing, the Company determined the implied fair value of
goodwill of the reporting unit by allocating the fair value of the reporting
unit determined in Step One to all the assets and liabilities of the reporting
unit, including any recognized and unrecognized intangible assets, as if the
reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of
the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting
unit. As a result of the Step Two testing, the Company determined
that goodwill was completely impaired and therefore recorded an impairment
charge during the first quarter of 2009 to write-off the full value of
goodwill. The Company finalized the impairment analysis and deemed no
adjustments were necessary.
14
8.
|
Subsequent
Events
|
On
October 30, 2009, the Company and Frontier, which was acquired on October 1,
2009, entered into a credit agreement with Airbus Financial Services
(“Airbus”). In accordance with the agreement, Airbus is providing a
$25 million term loan to Frontier. The loan is scheduled to be repaid
in twelve quarterly installments with interest beginning in January
2010. Interest on the note is the three-month LIBOR rate plus a
margin and the note is secured by certain assets of
Frontier.
Frontier
has a co-branded credit card arrangement with a MasterCard issuing bank.
This affinity credit card agreement provides that the Company will receive a
fixed fee for each new account, which varies based on the type of account, and a
percentage of the annual renewal fees that the bank receives. The Company
receives an increased fee for new accounts it solicits. The Company also
receives fees for the purchase of frequent flier miles awarded to the credit
card customers. During September 2009, Frontier amended this agreement whereas
the credit card company agreed to pre-purchase miles. In October
2009, Frontier received $35 million in cash from the bank related to its
pre-purchase of miles. These fees are to be used to compensate
Frontier for fees otherwise earned under the agreement. In addition,
Frontier will pay to the bank interest on the value of the outstanding
pre-purchased miles at a adjustable rate of LIBOR plus a margin.
Item
2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
In
addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains
forward-looking statements. The Company may, from time to time, make written or
oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements encompass the Company’s beliefs,
expectations, hopes or intentions regarding future events. Words such as
"expects," "intends," "believes," "anticipates," "should," "likely" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements
included in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on
information available to the Company as of such date. The Company assumes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Actual results may vary, and
may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected
for a number of reasons, including, among others, the risks discussed in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings made with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated into this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q by reference. As used herein, "unit cost" means operating
cost per Available Seat Mile (“ASM”).
Overview
Republic
Airways Holdings Inc., based in Indianapolis, Indiana is an airline holding
company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Lynx Aviation, Midwest
Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, collectively “the airlines.”
The airlines offer scheduled passenger service on approximately 1,600 flights
daily to 118 cities in 43 states, Canada, and Mexico under branded operations at
Frontier and Midwest, and through fixed-fee airline services agreements with
five major U.S. airlines. The fixed-fee flights are operated under an airline
partner brand, such as AmericanConnection, Continental Express, Delta
Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express. The airlines currently
employ over 11,000 aviation professionals and operate 286 aircraft.
Unless
the context indicates otherwise, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,”
refer to Republic Airways Holdings Inc. and our subsidiaries.
Fixed-fee
Service
We have
long-term, fixed-fee regional jet code-share agreements with each of our
Partners that are subject to our maintaining specified performance levels.
Pursuant to these fixed-fee agreements, which provide for minimum aircraft
utilization at fixed rates, we are authorized to use our Partners' two-character
flight designation codes to identify our flights and fares in our Partners'
computer reservation systems, to paint our aircraft in the style of our
Partners, to use their service marks and to market ourselves as a carrier for
our Partners. Our fixed-fee agreements limit our exposure to fluctuations in
fuel prices, fare competition and passenger volumes. Our development of
relationships with multiple major airlines has enabled us to reduce our
dependence on any single airline, allocate our overhead more efficiently among
our Partners and reduce the cost of our fixed-fee services to our
Partners.
Acquisition
of Midwest Airlines
In
September 2008, we entered into a fixed-fee code-share agreement with Midwest
Airlines. Under the terms of the agreement, we operated 12 E170
aircraft. In addition, the Company made a one year term loan in the
amount of $25 million with interest at 10.25% which is payable
monthly. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company increased its
loans to Midwest by $6 million bringing the total loans outstanding to $31
million. In addition, we amended our fixed-fee code-share agreement
with Midwest on June 3, 2009 to allow for the operation of twelve 37-50 seat
Embraer jet aircraft and five E190 aircraft.
On July
31, 2009, the Company purchased from TPG Capital (“TPG”), a Fort Worth,
Texas-based private equity firm, their $31 million secured note from Midwest and
100% of Midwest’s common stock, for consideration of $6 million in cash, and the
issuance of a $25 million convertible note to TPG. The convertible
note has a five-year maturity and is convertible in whole or in part, from time
to time, prior to maturity up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
15
The
acquisition provided the Company additional revenue diversity from its
traditional fixed-fee services and allowed it to expand operations into branded
passenger service. The Company accounted for the acquisition in
accordance with ASC Topic 805, whereby the purchase price paid was allocated to
the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed
from Midwest based on their estimated fair values as of the closing
date. The Company is still in the process of determining the
fair value of the purchase consideration, assets acquired, and liabilities
assumed. This valuation process, as well as the evaluation of the
related income tax implications of the transaction, is still in progress and
will likely not be completed prior to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2009.
The
Company incurred legal, accounting, and tax related transaction costs totaling
$1.2 million related to the acquisition of Midwest. All transaction
costs are included in other operating expenses in the condensed consolidated
statements of income.
Mokulele
Airlines
In
November 2008, we began operating under a fixed-fee code-share agreement with
Mokulele to provide up to four E170 aircraft in inter island service in Hawaii
and agreed to loan Mokulele $8 million to assist in the funding of startup costs
of the operation. In March 2009, we and certain shareholders of
Mokulele agreed to participate in a restructuring of Mokulele. Under
this agreement, we agreed to convert $3 million of our $8 million loan to equity
and invest an additional $3 million of cash in exchange for 50%
ownership of Mokulele’s common stock and three of the five Mokulele Board of
Directors’ seats.
The
recapitalization effectively provided us control of Mokulele and its Hawaii
inter island passenger service. Accordingly, we accounted for the
recapitalization of Mokulele as a business combination as defined by
ASC Topic 805. The Company assigned preliminary fair values to the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the transaction resulted in no
goodwill. The Company acquired approximately $4.1 million of current
assets, $9.3 million of aircraft and other equipment, and $0.4 million of other
long-term assets and assumed $9.3 million of liabilities. The Company
did not incur any significant transaction costs associated with its acquisition
of Mokulele. The effect of Mokulele’s operations for the last twelve
days of March 2009 have not been included in the Company’s results of
operations, as they were immaterial. Additionally, proforma revenues and
net income per common share were immaterial for disclosure for the three and
nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. Mokulele’s
operations were included in the Company’s results of operations beginning April
1, 2009 and are part of the Company’s branded passenger service
operations.
In July
2009, the Company invested an additional $7.5 million in Mokulele, increasing
its ownership in the operation from 55% to an 89% interest. The change in
ownership of Mokulele resulting from the July 2009 additional investment was
accounted for as an equity transaction. The carrying amount of the
noncontrolling interest was increased by $3.3 million and the Company reduced
additional paid-in capital by a corresponding amount to reflect the change in
ownership of Mokulele. In addition, the fixed-fee code-share agreement was
amended to provide for either Mokulele or us to early terminate the fixed-fee
code-share agreement with 90 days prior written notice and the remaining $1.5
million in aircraft security deposits held by us would be forfeited by Mokulele
on the termination date. The amendment also provided that the fourth
aircraft would not be delivered and Mokulele forfeited a $0.5 million security
deposit to the Company.
On October 16, 2009, the Company
entered into an agreement with Mesa Air Group, Inc. (“Mesa”) to form Mo-Go, LLC
(“Mo-Go”), a new business venture that will provide commercial airline services
in Hawaii. Pursuant to the agreement, Mesa will own 75% of Mo-Go and
the former Mokulele shareholders, including Republic, own the remaining
25%. Immediately prior to consummation of the transaction with Mesa,
the Company forgave certain indebtedness of Mokulele, and agreed to voluntarily
terminate our existing capacity purchase agreement with
Mokulele. Additionally, current Mokulele shareholders will be
obligated to fund up to $1.5 million to capitalize Mo-Go, all of which is
expected to come from Republic.
The
Company will deconsolidate Mokulele and begin accounting for its investment in
Mo-Go under the equity method of accounting in the fourth quarter of
2009. As of the date of the transaction, and after the Mokulele note
was forgiven and the remaining security deposits were forfeited by Mokulele,
Mokulele had approximately $9.9 million of assets, of which $7.5 million related
to aircraft and other equipment, and had liabilities of $6.6
million.
Acquisition
of Frontier Airlines
On April
10, 2008, Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Frontier
Airlines, Inc. and Lynx Aviation, Inc. (collectively “Frontier”), filed
voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the
United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”). As of the bankruptcy
date the Company operated 12, of a committed 17, E170 aircraft, all of which
were under a fixed-fee code-share agreement. On April 22, 2008,
Frontier rejected the fixed-fee code-share agreement and all 12 aircraft were
removed during the second quarter of 2008.
16
On August
4, 2008, the Company agreed to participate with two other creditors in providing
a debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) firm financing commitment of $30 million to
Frontier. The Company’s portion of this commitment was $12.5
million. The note was collateralized by certain assets of Frontier,
bore interest at 16%, and matured on April 1, 2009. The existing DIP
facility was renegotiated and the Company agreed to a firm commitment for $40
million in post-petition DIP financing to Frontier in March
2009. This new DIP facility was approved by the United States
Bankruptcy Court. As a condition to the loan, Frontier agreed to
allow the Company’s damage claim in the amount of $150 million arising out of
Frontier’s rejection of the fixed-fee code-share agreement, dated January 11,
2007.
On June
22, 2009, the Company entered into an Investment Agreement with Frontier (the
“Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company would serve as the equity sponsor of
Frontier’s plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan,
the Company would purchase all of the equity in Frontier, as reorganized, for
$108.75 million. The proposed plan of reorganization provides for
general unsecured creditors to receive $28.75 million in cash. An additional $40
million of the sale proceeds would be applied as repayment of the outstanding
DIP loan.
On August
13, 2009, the Company modified its investment agreement with Frontier to allow
the Company to acquire 100% of the common stock of Frontier upon its emergence
from bankruptcy for $108.75 million and the Company waived any right to recovery
on its $150 million general unsecured claim. On October 1, 2009, the
Company completed its acquisition of Frontier. Transaction costs related to
the Company’s acquisition of Frontier are included in Other operating expenses
and totaled $0.9 million, through September 30, 2009.
The
acquisition of Frontier expanded our branded passenger service and provided the
Company an opportunity to further diversify its revenue and operations of its
branded passenger service business. The Company’s assessment of the
acquisition date fair value is very preliminary, however the book value of the
assets and liabilities at the acquisition date are cash of $53.9 million, other
current assets of $233.5 million, aircraft and other equipment of $600 million,
other long-term assets of $184.5 million, $672.7 million of liabilities not
subject to compromise. Based on these values and our preliminary
valuation and appraisal work, the Company expects the Frontier transaction to
result in a bargain purchase (“negative goodwill”) in excess of $125
million. The Company has not disclosed the proforma effect of the
Frontier acquisition, as the information is not yet available to make such
disclosures.
US
Airways, Inc. Notes Receivable
In October 2008, the Company entered
into a credit agreement with US Airways. Under the agreement, we
agreed to make a term loan to US Airways in the amount of $10 million, with
interest at LIBOR plus a margin, which was payable quarterly. The
principal was due in October 2009. In March 2009, the Company funded
an additional $25 million term loan to US Airways, which was provided for in the
initial loan. As of September 30, 2009, there was a total of $35
million outstanding to US Airways, bearing interest at LIBOR plus a
margin.
In October
2009, the Company acquired ten E190AR jets from US Airways. Total
consideration amounted to $4 million of cash and US Airways agreed to apply all
of the Company’s $35 million unsecured loan, plus interest accrued toward the
purchase price. The Company assumed debt related to the ten aircraft of
approximately $217 million.
17
The
following table sets forth fixed fee operational statistics and the
percentage-of-change for the periods identified below:
Operating
Highlights - Fixed-fee
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
Change
|
2009
|
2008
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Fixed-fee
revenue, excluding fuel (000)
|
265,899 | 283,508 | -6.2 | % | 839,473 | 847,707 | -1.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Passengers
carried
|
4,881,571 | 4,884,439 | -0.1 | % | 14,365,238 | 14,418,453 | -0.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue
passenger miles (000) (1)
|
2,510,784 | 2,456,925 | 2.2 | % | 7,359,971 | 7,394,022 | -0.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Available
seat miles (000) (2)
|
3,242,019 | 3,290,132 | -1.5 | % | 9,930,228 | 9,957,376 | -0.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Passenger
load factor (3)
|
77.4 | % | 74.7 | % |
2.7
pts
|
74.1 | % | 74.3 | % |
-0.2
pts
|
||||||||||||||
Cost
per available seat mile,
|
8.09 | 10.54 | -23.2 | % | 8.55 | 10.26 | -16.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
including
interest expense (cents) (4) (7)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel
cost per available seat mile (cents)
|
0.48 | 2.97 | -83.8 | % | 0.75 | 2.81 | -73.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Cost
per available seat mile, including
|
7.61 | 7.57 | 0.5 | % | 7.80 | 7.45 | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
interest
expense and excluding fuel expense (cents) (7)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
aircraft at period end:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
37-50
seat jets
|
79 | 101 | -21.8 | % | 79 | 101 | -21.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
70-99
seat jets
|
113 | 119 | -5.0 | % | 113 | 119 | -5.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Block
hours (5)
|
165,428 | 183,293 | -9.7 | % | 518,255 | 565,208 | -8.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Departures
|
97,897 | 107,072 | -8.6 | % | 304,905 | 321,268 | -5.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Average
daily utilization of each
|
9.4 | 10.0 | -6.0 | % | 9.8 | 10.2 | -3.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
aircraft
(hours) (6)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average
length of aircraft flight (miles)
|
500 | 496 | 0.8 | % | 495 | 508 | -2.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Average
seat density
|
66 | 62 | 6.5 | % | 66 | 61 | 8.2 | % |
(1)
|
Revenue
passenger miles are the number of scheduled miles flown by revenue
passengers.
|
(2)
|
Available
seat miles are the number of seats available for passengers multiplied by
the number of scheduled miles those seats are
flown.
|
(3)
|
Revenue
passenger miles divided by available seat
miles.
|
(4)
|
Total
operating and interest expenses divided by available seat
miles.
|
(5)
|
Hours
from takeoff to landing, including taxi
time.
|
(6)
|
Average
number of hours per day that an aircraft flown in revenue service is
operated (from gate departure to gate
arrival).
|
(7)
|
Costs
(in all periods) exclude expenses not attributable to either the fixed-fee
or branded segment (e.g. subleased aircraft and amortization of
slots).
|
18
The
following table sets forth branded passenger service operational statistics for
the periods identified below:
Operating
Highlights - Branded
|
Three
Months Ended (8)
|
Nine
Months Ended (8)
|
||||||
September
30, 2009
|
September
30, 2009
|
|||||||
Total
revenue (000)
|
73,892 | 79,404 | ||||||
Passengers
carried
|
669,901 | 757,933 | ||||||
Revenue
passenger miles (000) (1)
|
450,437 | 462,598 | ||||||
Available
seat miles (000) (2)
|
575,785 | 607,183 | ||||||
Passenger
load factor (3)
|
78.2 | % | 76.2 | % | ||||
Total
revenue per available seat mile (cents)
|
12.83 | 13.08 | ||||||
Passenger
revenue per available seat mile (cents)
|
11.27 | 11.59 | ||||||
Cost
per available seat mile (cents) (4) (7)
|
14.78 | 15.67 | ||||||
Fuel
cost per available seat mile
|
4.14 | 4.26 | ||||||
Cost
per available seat mile, excluding fuel expense (cents)
(7)
|
10.64 | 11.41 | ||||||
Operating
aircraft at period end:
|
||||||||
37-50
seat regional jets
|
12 | 12 | ||||||
70+
seat regional jets
|
25 | 25 | ||||||
Block
hours (5)
|
23,346 | 25,660 | ||||||
Departures
|
15,422 | 18,695 | ||||||
Average
daily utilization of each aircraft (hours) (6)
|
10.0 | 10.0 | ||||||
Average
length of aircraft flight (miles)
|
551 | 476 | ||||||
Average
seat density
|
68 | 68 |
(1)
|
Revenue
passenger miles are the number of scheduled miles flown by revenue
passengers.
|
(2)
|
Available
seat miles are the number of seats available for passengers multiplied by
the number of scheduled miles those seats are
flown.
|
(3)
|
Revenue
passenger miles divided by available seat
miles.
|
(4)
|
Total
operating and interest expenses divided by available seat
miles.
|
(5)
|
Hours
from takeoff to landing, including taxi time. Calculation
excludes the operational data related to the contract flying by
Skywest.
|
(6)
|
Average
number of hours per day that an aircraft flown in revenue service is
operated (from gate departure to gate
arrival).
|
(7)
|
Costs
(in all periods) exclude expenses not attributable to either the fixed-fee
or branded segment (e.g. subleased aircraft and amortization of
slots).
|
(8)
|
Branded
statistics consist of the operations of Mokulele beginning in April 2009
and Midwest beginning in August
2009.
|
19
Results
of Operations
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30,
2008
The
following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s expense
components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September
30, 2008. Individual expense components are expressed in cents per
ASM.
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Wages
and benefits
|
2.01 | 1.88 | 1.97 | 1.91 | ||||||||||||
Aircraft
fuel
|
1.03 | 2.97 | 0.95 | 2.81 | ||||||||||||
Landing
fees and airport rents
|
0.53 | 0.47 | 0.53 | 0.45 | ||||||||||||
Aircraft
and engine rent
|
0.88 | 1.02 | 0.91 | 1.02 | ||||||||||||
Maintenance
and repair
|
1.54 | 1.39 | 1.44 | 1.25 | ||||||||||||
Insurance
and taxes
|
0.17 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.18 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
1.01 | 1.08 | 1.06 | 1.00 | ||||||||||||
Promotion
and sales
|
0.14 | - | 0.05 | - | ||||||||||||
Goodwill
impairment
|
- | - | 0.13 | - | ||||||||||||
Other
|
1.15 | 0.89 | 1.03 | 0.90 | ||||||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
8.46 | 9.89 | 8.26 | 9.52 | ||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
0.91 | 1.03 | 1.00 | 0.97 | ||||||||||||
Total
operating and interest expenses
|
9.37 | 10.92 | 9.26 | 10.49 | ||||||||||||
Total
operating and interest expenses less fuel
|
8.34 | 7.95 | 8.31 | 7.68 |
Operating revenue in 2009 decreased by
6.7%, or $25.6 million, to $359.6 million compared to $385.2 million
in 2008. Excluding reimbursement for fuel expense, which is a pass-through cost
to our Partners, fixed-fee service revenues decreased $17.6 million, or 6.2% for
2009 as a result of the reduction in block hours flown under fixed-fee
services. Branded passenger service revenue increased $64.9 million
due to Midwest and Mokulele.
Total
operating expenses decreased by 0.6%, or $2.0 million, to $323.0 million in 2009
compared to $325.0 million in 2008. Total operating and interest
expenses, excluding fuel, increased by 21.9%, or $57.2 million, to
$318.4 million for 2009 compared to $261.2 million during
2008. The cost per available seat mile on total operating and
interest expenses, excluding fuel charges, increased from 7.95¢ in 2008 to 8.33¢
in 2009. Factors relating to the change in operating expenses are
discussed below.
Wages and
benefits increased by 24.2%, or $15.0 million, to $76.9 million for
2009 compared to $61.9 million in 2008. Of the increase, $12.8
million relates to expenses of Midwest and Mokulele. The remainder of
the increase is attributable to normal wage increases and increased staffing
levels to support additional aircraft scheduled in fourth quarter branded
services. The cost per available seat mile increased to 2.01¢ for
2009 compared to 1.88¢ in 2008.
Aircraft
fuel expense decreased 59.6%, or $58.1 million, to $39.5 million for 2009
compared to $97.6 million for 2008. Fuel expense on branded
operations totaled $23.8 million for the quarter. Beginning in May
2009 and June 2009, we did not record fuel expense and the related revenue for
the American and Delta operations, respectively. We also do not pay
for or record fuel expense and the related revenue for Continental or US Airways
operations. Beginning in January 2008, we did not record fuel expense
and the related revenue for a portion of the United operations, due to United
paying for fuel directly at certain airports. United has continued to
increase the portion of flying for which they pay directly. The unit
cost decreased to 1.03¢ in 2009 compared to 2.97¢ in 2008.
Landing
fees and airport rents increased by 30.5%, or $4.7 million, to
$20.0 million in 2009 compared to $15.3 million in
2008. Expenses related to Midwest and Mokulele operations
were $4.8 million. Our fixed-fee agreements provide for a direct
reimbursement of landing fees. The unit cost increased to 0.53¢ in
2009 compared to 0.47¢ in 2008.
Aircraft
and engine rent increased by 0.5%, or $0.2 million, to $33.6 million in
2009 compared to $33.4 million in 2008. A $5.1 million decrease in rents on
CRJ aircraft, which have been returned to the lessor, is offset by rents on
Boeing 717 aircraft at Midwest and newly leased E190 and E135 aircraft. The unit
cost decreased to 0.88¢ in 2009 compared to 1.02¢ in 2008.
20
Maintenance
and repair expenses increased by 29.0%, or $13.3 million, to $58.9 million in
2009 compared to $45.6 million for 2008 due to an increase of $5.5 million
in expenses to replace life limited parts on small jet engines, an increase of
$3.8 million of long-term maintenance agreements on large jets, and a $2.0
million increase for heavy maintenance checks. Maintenance expenses for Midwest
and Mokulele totaled $2.7 million for the quarter. The unit cost increased to
1.54¢ in 2009 compared to 1.39¢ in 2008.
Insurance
and taxes increased 6.3%, or $0.3 million, to $6.6 million in 2009 compared
to $6.3 million in 2008. Our fixed-fee agreements generally
provide for a direct reimbursement of insurance and property
taxes. The unit cost decreased to 0.17¢ in 2009 compared to 0.19¢ in
2008.
Depreciation
and amortization increased 7.7%, or $2.7 million, to $38.4 million in
2009 compared to $35.7 million in 2008. Expenses related to
Midwest and Mokulele operations were $1.5 million. The remainder
of the increase is for depreciation on EJet aircraft purchased over the past
year and was partially offset by the effect of removing small jet aircraft from
service. The unit cost decreased to 1.01¢ in 2009 compared to 1.08¢ in
2008.
Promotion
and sales expenses are incurred on branded operations only. All of
these expenses are related to Midwest and Mokulele. The unit cost was
0.14¢ in 2009.
Other
expenses increased 50.0%, or $14.6 million, to $43.8 million in 2009 from $29.2
million in 2008. Of the increase, $5.7 million relates to payments made to
SkyWest under a capacity purchase agreement with Midwest. Other
expenses for Midwest and Mokulele, which include all ground handling,
professional fees and restructuring costs, and other costs totaled $11.2 million
for the quarter. The unit cost increased to 1.15¢ in 2009 from 0.89¢ in
2008.
Interest
expense increased 3.3% or $1.1 million, to $34.9 million in 2009 from
$33.8 million in 2008 primarily due to interest on an increased amount of
aircraft debt. The weighted average interest rate decreased to 6.1% in 2009 from
6.3% in 2008. The unit cost decreased to 0.91¢ in 2009 from 1.03¢ in
2008.
We
incurred income tax expense of $1.9 million during 2009, compared to $10.7
million in 2008. The decrease is due to lower income before income
tax. The effective tax rates for 2009 and 2008 were 41.3% and 38.7%,
respectively, which were higher than the statutory rate due to the effect of
state income taxes and non-deductible meals and entertainment expense, primarily
for our flight crews.
Nine
months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine months Ended September 30,
2008
Operating
revenue in 2009 decreased by 11.9%, or $0.14 billion, to $1.00 billion compared
to $1.14 billion in 2008. Excluding reimbursement for fuel expense, which is a
pass-through cost to our Partners, fixed-fee service revenues decreased
$8.2 million, or 1.0% for 2009 as a result of the reduction in block hours flown
under fixed-fee services. Branded passenger service revenue increased
$70.4 million due to Midwest and Mokulele.
Total
operating expenses decreased by 8.3%, or $78.8 million, to $869.9 million in
2009 compared to $948.7 million in 2008. Total operating and interest
expenses, excluding fuel, increased by 14.3%, or $109.6 million, to
$875.0 million for 2009 compared to $765.3 million during
2008. The cost per available seat mile on total operating and
interest expenses, excluding fuel charges, increased from 7.68¢ in 2008 to 8.31¢
in 2009. Factors relating to the change in operating expenses are discussed
below.
Wages and
benefits increased by 8.8%, or $16.8 million, to $207.4 million for 2009
compared to $190.6 million in 2008. Expenses related to Midwest and
Mokulele operations were $13.8 million. The remainder of the increase
is attributable to normal wage increases and increased staffing levels in the
third quarter to support additional aircraft scheduled in fourth quarter branded
services. The cost per available seat mile increased to 1.97¢ for
2009 compared to 1.91¢ in 2008.
Aircraft
fuel expense decreased 64.2%, or $179.8 million, to $100.2 million for 2009
compared to $280.0 million for 2008. Fuel expense on branded
operations totaled $25.8 million for the year. Beginning in May 2009
and June 2009, we did not record fuel expense and the related revenue for the
American and Delta operations, respectively. We also do not pay for
or record fuel expense and the related revenue for Continental or US Airways
operations. Beginning in January 2008, we did not record fuel expense
and the related revenue for a portion of the United operations, due to United
paying for fuel directly at certain airports. United has continued to
increase the portion of flying for which they pay directly. The unit
cost decreased to 0.95¢ in 2009 compared to 2.81¢ in 2008.
Landing
fees and station rents increased by 23.0%, or $10.3 million, to
$55.4 million in 2009 compared to $45.1 million in
2008. Expenses related to Midwest and Mokulele operations
were $5.3 million. Our fixed-fee agreements provide for a direct
reimbursement of landing fees. The unit cost increased to 0.53¢ in
2009 compared to 0.45¢ in 2008.
Aircraft
and engine rent decreased by 5.8%, or $5.9 million, to $95.4 million in
2009 compared to $101.3 million in 2008. A $10.4 million decrease in rents
on CRJ aircraft, which have been returned to the lessor, is offset by rents on
Boeing 717 aircraft at Midwest and newly leased E190 and E135 aircraft. The unit
cost decreased to 0.91¢ in 2009 compared to 1.02¢ in 2008.
21
Maintenance
and repair expenses increased by 21.5%, or $26.8 million, to $151.5 million in
2009 compared to $124.7 million for 2008 due to an increase of $6.9 million
in expenses to replace life limited parts on small jet engines, an increase of
$9.7 million of long-term maintenance agreements on large jets, and a $8.5
million increase for heavy maintenance checks. Maintenance expenses for Midwest
and Mokulele totaled $2.8 million for the year. The unit cost increased to 1.44¢
in 2009 compared to 1.25¢ in 2008.
Insurance
and taxes increased 8.9%, or $1.6 million, to $19.9 million in 2009
compared to $18.3 million in 2008. Our fixed-fee agreements generally
provide for a direct reimbursement of insurance and property
taxes. The unit cost increased to 0.19¢ in 2009 compared to 0.18¢ in
2008.
Depreciation
and amortization increased 13.0%, or $12.9 million, to $112.0 million
in 2009 compared to $99.1 million in 2008. Expenses related to
Midwest and Mokulele operations were $1.6 million. The remainder of the increase
is for depreciation on EJet aircraft purchased over the past year and was
partially offset by the effect of removing small jet aircraft from service. The
unit cost increased to 1.06¢ in 2009 compared to 1.00¢ in 2008.
Promotion
and sales expenses are incurred on branded operations only. The unit
cost was 0.05¢ in 2009.
Other
expenses increased 37.0%, or $33.1 million, to $122.7 million in 2009 from $89.6
million in 2008. Of the increase, $5.7 million relates to payments made to
SkyWest under a capacity purchase agreement with Midwest. Other
expenses for Midwest and Mokulele, which include all ground handling,
professional fees and restructuring costs, and other costs totaled
$14.5 million for the year. In addition, a one-time $13.3
million non-cash impairment of Goodwill was recorded in the first quarter. The
unit cost increased to 1.16¢ in 2009 from 0.90¢ in 2008.
Interest
expense increased 9.0% or $8.6 million, to $105.2 million in 2009 from
$96.6 million in 2008 primarily due to interest on an increased amount of
aircraft debt. The weighted average interest rate decreased to 6.1% in 2009 from
6.3% in 2008. The unit cost increased to 1.00¢ in 2009 from 0.97¢ in
2008.
We
incurred income tax expense of $23.9 million during 2009, compared to $40.8
million in 2008. The decrease is due to lower income before income
tax. The effective tax rates for 2009 and 2008 were 59.5% and 38.3%,
respectively, which were higher than the statutory rate due to a $2.2 million
valuation allowance related to Mokulele and the $13.3 million non-deductible
write-off of Goodwill.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As of
September 30, 2009, the Company had $85.5 million in cash and cash equivalents
and a working capital deficit of $18.4 million. The Company currently
anticipates that its current cash on hand and the cash generated from operations
as well as recently completed liquidity initiatives with our aircraft
manufacturer and our credit card affinity program will be sufficient to meet its
anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least
the next 12 months.
Working
capital deficits are customary for airlines since the air traffic liability and
a portion of the frequent flyer liability are classified as current
liability. Our liquidity depends to a large extent on the financial
strength of our Partners in relation to our fixed-fee business and the
number of passengers who fly in our branded passenger service, the fares they
pay, our operating and capital expenditures, our financing activities, the
amount of cash holdbacks imposed by our credit card processors, and the cost of
fuel. We cannot predict what the effect on our business might be from the
extremely competitive environment we are operating in or from events that are
beyond our control, such as volatile fuel prices, the economic recession, the
global credit and liquidity crisis, weather-related disruptions, the impact of
airline bankruptcies or consolidations, U.S. military actions or acts of
terrorism.
Net cash
provided by operating activities was $133.5 million compared to $190.3 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. The $56.8 million decrease in operating cash flows is
primarily attributable to the lower operating margin associated with our branded
operations and the related reductions in on our net income period over period of
$46.1 million.
Net cash
used by investing activities was $19.6 million and $68.9 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Cash used in
the purchase of aircraft and other equipment, net of aircraft deposits returned
was $25 million in 2009 compared to $56.6 million in 2008. We
acquired and debt financed three aircraft during the nine months ended September
30, 2009. The total debt incurred for the three purchased aircraft
was $64.2 million. The Company has lease financed all other aircraft
deliveries during 2009. The Company received proceeds from the sale
of its E135 assets and other equipment totaling $72.7 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $19.0 million in the same period in
2008. Additionally, the Company funded notes receivable of
approximately $61 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 of
which $26 million was related to the Frontier DIP refinance, $25 million was
related to US Airways additional draw, $9.5 million was to Midwest, and $0.5
million related to Mokulele. The Company did not have any lending
activities during the nine month period ended September 30,
2008. Additionally, the Company acquired new businesses in Mokulele
and Midwest, net of cash totaling $2.5 million.
22
Net cash
used by financing activities was $158.1 million compared to $151.3 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. During 2009, the Company made principal
repayments of $100.3 million and retired $56.8 million of E135 debt totaling
$157.1 million, which compares to total principal repayments during the same
period in 2008 of $114.8 million. During the prior year, the Company
repurchased $39.2 million of treasury stock and there were no treasury stock
repurchases in 2009.
On
October 1, 2009, the Company completed its acquisition of Frontier. The
acquisition of Frontier expanded our branded passenger service and provided the
Company an opportunity to further diversify its revenue and operations of its
branded passenger service business. The Company’s assessment of the
acquisition date fair value is very preliminary, however the book value of the
assets and liabilities at the acquisition date are cash of $53.9 million, other
current assets of $233.5 million, aircraft and other equipment of $600 million,
other long-term assets of $184.5 million, $672.7 million of liabilities not
subject to compromise. Based on these values and our preliminary
valuation and appraisal work, the Company expects the Frontier transaction to
result in a bargain purchase (“negative goodwill”) in excess of $125
million.
On
October 30, 2009, the Company and Frontier, which was acquired on October 1,
2009, entered into a credit agreement with Airbus Financial Services
(“Airbus”). In accordance with the agreement, Airbus is providing a
$25 million term loan to Frontier. The loan is scheduled to be repaid
in twelve quarterly installments with interest beginning in January
2010. Interest on the note is the three-month LIBOR rate plus a
margin and the note is secured by certain assets of Frontier.
Frontier
has a co-branded credit card arrangement with a MasterCard issuing bank.
This affinity credit card agreement provides that the Company will receive a
fixed fee for each new account, which varies based on the type of account, and a
percentage of the annual renewal fees that the bank receives. The Company
receives an increased fee for new accounts it solicits. The Company also
receives fees for the purchase of frequent flier miles awarded to the credit
card customers. During September 2009, Frontier amended this agreement whereas
the credit card company agreed to pre-purchase miles. In October
2009, Frontier received $35 million in cash from the bank related to its
pre-purchase of miles. These fees are to be used to compensate
Frontier for fees otherwise earned under the agreement. In addition, the
Frontier will pay to the bank interest on the value of the outstanding
pre-purchased miles at a adjustable rate of LIBOR plus a margin.
Aircraft
Leases and Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The
Company has significant obligations for aircraft that are classified as
operating leases, and are not reflected as liabilities on its balance sheet.
These leases expire between 2009 and 2023. As of September 30, 2009,
the Company’s total mandatory payments under operating leases aggregated
approximately $1.1 billion and total minimum annual aircraft rental payments for
the next 12 months under all non-cancelable operating leases is approximately
$124.2 million.
Other
non-cancelable operating leases consist of engines, terminal space, operating
facilities and office equipment. The leases expire through 2033. As of September
30, 2009, the Company’s total mandatory payments under other non-cancelable
operating leases aggregated approximately $164.0 million. Total minimum annual
other rental payments for the next 12 months are approximately $19.1
million.
Frontier’s
total mandatory payments under operating leases aggregated approximately $1.0
billion and total minimum annual aircraft rental payments for the next 12 months
under all non-cancelable operating leases is approximately $126.1 million. Total
mandatory payments under other non-cancelable operating leases aggregated
approximately $27.2 million and approximately $15.2 million for the next 12
months.
Contractual
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The
Company has a commitment to acquire eight spare aircraft engines with a current
list price totaling approximately $40.3 million. Frontier has a
commitment to acquire eight aircraft and two engines from Airbus with a current
list prices totaling approximately $370.7 million. These commitments
are subject to customary closing conditions.
The
Company’s commercial commitments at September 30, 2009 include letters of credit
totaling $12.6 million expiring within one year.
The
Company has a commitment of $2.9 million relating to the naming rights of the
Midwest Airlines Center, an 800,000-square-foot convention center in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
In June
2009, Midwest entered into an agreement for the early termination of the SkyWest
ASA. As part of the restructured transaction, two of the 12 aircraft being
operated by SkyWest for the Company’s branded operations were taken out of
service. The Company is obligated to pay SkyWest $0.4 million for each of the
remaining 10 aircraft at the time of removal and the last aircraft is expected
to be returned in early 2010. The Company has a $4 million liability recorded as
of September 30, 2009 related to this agreement.
In June
2009, Midwest reached an agreement with the lessor of their Fairchild 328 jets
(“FRJs”) to settle lease and debt default obligations associated with eight
aircraft. Midwest made an up-front payment of $3.1 million and issued a $15
million note secured by the aircraft plus one additional FRJ aircraft
contributed to the collateral pool. The secured note is to be repaid from the
net proceeds of sale of the aircraft. Interest began accruing on June 1, 2009,
at 5% payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each quarter until
December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2009, the Company recorded a $13.9
million liability related to this settlement.
23
In May
2009, Midwest negotiated an additional forbearance agreement with its aircraft
lessor. As a result, the Company will return the remaining 9 Boeing 717 aircraft
by early 2010. In addition, the Company will pay the lessor $5.4
million in installments of $600,000 at the time each aircraft is returned and
contributed two Rolls Royce Jet engines, valued at approximately $6.4
million. As of September 30, 2009, the Company had a liability of $10
million associated with a negotiated forbearance agreement with the
lessor.
Frontier
has certain obligations to the Colorado Rockies and its revenue system totaling
approximately $4.6 million. $3.8 million of the obligations are due
in the next 12 months.
The
Company anticipates cash payments for interest for the year ended 2009 to be
approximately $132.4 million, and the Company does not anticipate significant
tax payments in 2009.
Impairment
Review
During
the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company’s stock price reached a then
record low of $4.23. Due to the disparity between the Company’s
market capitalization and the carrying value of its stockholders’ equity, the
Company performed an interim test of the recoverability of its goodwill in
accordance with ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and
other.” Prior to the Company’s recent acquisitions, the
Company had one reporting unit and all of the goodwill of $13.3 million was
assigned to that unit. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill,
the Company made a determination of the fair value of its business.
Fair
value is determined using a combination of an income approach, which estimates
fair value based upon projections of future revenues, expenses, and cash flows
discounted to their present value, and a market approach, which estimates fair
value using market multiples of various financial measures compared to a set of
comparable public companies in the regional airline industry. An
impairment loss will generally be recognized when the carrying amount of the net
assets of the business exceeds its estimated fair value. The
valuation methodology and underlying financial information included in the
Company’s determination of fair value require significant judgments to be made
by management. These judgments include, but are not limited to,
market valuation comparisons to similar airlines, long term projections of
future financial performance and the selection of appropriate discount rates
used to determine the present value of future cash flows. Changes in
such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce
significantly different results. Factors considered by management to
have constituted a potential triggering event included a record low in the
Company’s stock price and market capitalization, and a deepening recessionary
economic environment.
The
Company’s interim assessment under the market and income approach indicated the
indicated fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying value, and
therefore, the Company was required to perform Step Two of the ASC Topic 350
goodwill impairment testing methodology.
In Step
Two of the impairment testing, the Company determined the implied fair value of
goodwill of the reporting unit by allocating the fair value of the reporting
unit determined in Step One to all the assets and liabilities of the reporting
unit, including any recognized and unrecognized intangible assets, as if the
reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of
the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting
unit. As a result of the Step Two testing, the Company determined
that goodwill was completely impaired and therefore recorded an impairment
charge during the first quarter of 2009 to write-off the full value of
goodwill. The Company finalized the impairment analysis and deemed no
adjustments were necessary.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Due to
the acquisition of Midwest during the quarter and Frontier in October 2009, the
following items are material changes to our critical accounting policies and
estimates from the information provided in Item 7, Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting
Policies and Estimates, included in our annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2008.
Revenue
Recognition
Fixed-fee Service Revenue - Under the
Company’s code-share agreements, the Company is reimbursed an amount per
aircraft designed to compensate the Company for certain aircraft ownership
costs. In accordance with ASC Topic 840-10 “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a
Lease,” the Company has concluded that a component of its revenue under
the agreement discussed above is rental income, inasmuch as the agreement
identifies the “right of use” of a specific type and number of aircraft over a
stated period of time. The amounts deemed to be rental income during the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $88.8 million and $273.7
million, and $87.3 million and $265.8 million respectively, and have been
included in fixed-fee services revenue in the Company’s condensed consolidated
statements of income.
Passenger
Service Revenue - Passenger, cargo, and
other revenue are recognized when the transportation is provided or after the
tickets expire, one year after date of issuance, and are net of excise taxes,
passenger facility charges and security fees. Revenues that have been
deferred are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as air
traffic liability. Included in passenger service revenue are change
fees imposed on passengers for making schedule changes to non-refundable
tickets. Change fees are recognized as revenue at the time the change fees
are collected from the passenger as they are a separate transaction that occurs
subsequent to the date of the original ticket sale.
24
Taxes and Fees – We are
required to charge certain taxes and fees on our passenger
tickets. These taxes and fees include U.S. federal transportation
taxes, federal security charges, airport passenger facility charges and foreign
arrival and departure taxes. These taxes and fees are legal
assessments on the customer, for which we have an obligation to act as a
collection agent. Because we are not entitled to retain these taxes
and fees, such amounts are not included in passenger revenue. We
record a liability when the amounts are collected and reduce the liability when
payments are made to the applicable government agency or operating
carrier.
Frequent Flyer
Programs - The Company has a frequent flyer program that offers
incentives to travel on Midwest. The program allows participants to
earn mileage credits by flying on Midwest and participating airlines, as well as
through participating companies, such as credit card companies, hotels, and car
rental agencies. The Company also sells mileage credits to other airlines and to
nonairline businesses. The mileage credits may be redeemed for free air travel
on Midwest or other airlines, as well as hotels, rental cars, and other
awards.
Mileage Credits - The
Company has an agreement with its co-branded credit card partner that requires
its partner to purchase miles as they are awarded to the co-branded partner
cardholders. The air transportation element for the awarded miles are included
in deferred frequent flyer revenue at the estimated fair value and the residual
marketing element is recorded as other revenue when the miles are awarded. The
deferred revenue is subsequently recognized as passenger service revenue when
transportation is provided.
Earned Mileage Credits -
The Company also defers the portion of the sales proceeds that represents
estimated fair value of the air transportation and recognizes that amount as
revenue when transportation is provided. The fair value of the air
transportation component is determined utilizing the deferred revenue method as
further described below. The initial revenue deferral is presented as deferred
frequent flyer revenue in the consolidated balance sheets. When recognized, the
revenue related to the air transportation component is classified as passenger
service in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
The
deferred revenue measurement method is to record the fair value of the frequent
flyer obligation by allocating an equivalent weighted-average ticket value to
each outstanding mile based on projected redemption patterns for available award
choices when such miles are consumed. Such value is estimated assuming
redemptions on Midwest and by estimating the relative proportions of awards to
be redeemed by class of service. The estimation of the fair value of each award
mile requires the use of several significant assumptions for which significant
management judgment is required. For example, management must estimate how many
miles are projected to be redeemed on Midwest versus on other airline partners.
Since the equivalent ticket value on miles redeemed on Midwest and on other
carriers can vary greatly, this assumption can materially affect the calculation
of the weighted-average ticket value from period to period.
Management
must also estimate the expected redemption patterns of Midwest customers who
have a number of different award choices when redeeming their miles, each of
which can have materially different estimated fair values. Such choices include
different classes of service and award levels. Customer redemption patterns may
also be influenced by program changes, which occur from time to time,
introducing new award choices or making material changes to terms of existing
award choices. Management must often estimate the probable impact of such
program changes on future customer behavior, which requires the use of
significant judgment. Management uses historical customer redemption patterns as
the best single indicator of future redemption behavior in making its estimates,
but changes in customer mileage redemption behavior patterns, which are not
consistent with historical behavior can result in historical changes to deferred
revenue balances and to recognized revenue.
The
Company measures its deferred revenue obligation using all awarded and
outstanding miles, regardless of whether or not the customer has accumulated
enough miles to redeem an award. Eventually these customers will accumulate
enough miles to redeem awards, or their account will deactivate after a period
of inactivity.
Current
and future changes to program rules and program redemption opportunities, may
result in material changes to the deferred revenue balance as well as recognized
revenue from the program.
Item
3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest
Rates
Our
earnings can be affected by changes in interest rates due to amount of cash and
securities held. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 all of our
long-term debt was fixed rate debt. However, we believe we could fund
any interest rate increases on additional variable rate long-term debt with the
increased amounts of interest income.
25
Item
4: Controls and Procedures
The
Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures”, as such term is defined
under Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated
to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures,
the Company’s management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter
how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of
achieving the desired control objectives and the Company’s management
necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit
relationship of possible controls and procedures. The Company carried out an
evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this report, under the
supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based
upon their evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that its disclosure
controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance
level.
There
have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over
financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal controls over financial reporting except for the change discussed under
“Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting,” below.
Change
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
On
July 31, 2009, and on October 1, 2009, we completed our acquisitions
of Midwest and Frontier, respectively. We are currently integrating
policies, processes, people, technology and operations for the combined
companies. Management will continue to evaluate our internal control over
financial reporting as we execute our integration activities.
Part
II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1A. Risk Factors
In
addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully
consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “10-K”) which
could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The
risks described in our 10-K and 10-Q are not the only risks we face.
Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we
currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our
business, financial condition and/or operating results.
The ability to
realize fully the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of Midwest and
Frontier may depend on the successful integration of the businesses of Republic,
Midwest, and Frontier.
Our
acquisition of Midwest and Frontier involved the combination of three companies
which operated as independent private and public companies prior to the
acquisitions. We are devoting significant attention and resources to integrating
our business practices and operations in order to achieve the benefits of the
acquisitions, including expected synergies. If we are unable to integrate our
business practices and operations in a manner that allows us to achieve the
anticipated revenue and cost synergies, or if achievement of such synergies
takes longer or costs more than expected, the anticipated benefits of the
acquisitions may not be realized fully or may take longer to realize than
expected. In addition, it is possible that the integration process
could result in the loss of key employees, diversion of management’s attention,
the disruption or interruption of, or the loss of momentum in our ongoing
businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies,
any of which could adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with
customers and employees or our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of
the acquisitions, or could reduce our earnings or otherwise adversely affect our
business and financial results.
We
currently depend on Embraer to support our fleet of regional jet aircraft and on
Airbus to support our branded passenger service jets.
We rely
on Embraer as the manufacturer of substantially all of our regional jets and on
Airbus as the manufacturer of our branded passenger service jets. Our
risks in relying primarily on a single manufacturer include:
|
·
|
the
possibility that either manufacturer could refuse, or may not be
financially able, to perform its obligations under the
purchase agreement for the delivery of the
aircraft;
|
|
·
|
a
fire, strike or other event could occur that affects either of their
ability to completely or timely fulfill its contractual
obligations;
|
|
·
|
the
failure or inability of either of them to provide sufficient parts
or related support services on a timely
basis;
|
|
·
|
the
interruption of fleet service as a result of unscheduled or unanticipated
maintenance requirements for these
aircraft;
|
26
|
·
|
the
issuance of FAA directives restricting or prohibiting the use of Embraer
or Airbus aircraft or requiring time-consuming inspections and
maintenance; and
|
|
·
|
the
adverse public perception of a manufacturer as a result of an accident or
other adverse publicity.
|
Further,
E170 and E175 aircraft began operating in the commercial airline market in
February 2004 and July 2005, respectively. As relatively new
products, these aircraft have been, and may continue to be, subject to
unforeseen manufacturing and/or reliability issues.
Our
operations could be materially adversely affected by the failure or inability of
Embraer, Airbus or any key component manufacturers to provide sufficient parts
or related support services on a timely basis or by an interruption of fleet
service as a result of unscheduled or unanticipated maintenance requirements for
our aircraft.
We
are vulnerable to increases in aircraft fuel costs.
Although,
under our code-share agreements, we are reimbursed for the cost of fuel by our
Partners, high oil prices have had a significant adverse impact on Midwest’s and
Frontier’s results of operations over the past three fiscal years. We
cannot predict the future cost and availability of fuel, or the impact of
disruptions in oil supplies or refinery productivity based on natural disasters,
which would affect our ability to compete. The unavailability of adequate
fuel supplies could have an adverse effect on our Midwest and Frontier
operations. In addition, larger airlines may have a competitive advantage
because they pay lower prices for fuel, and other airlines, such as Southwest
Airlines, may have substantial fuel hedges that give them a competitive
advantage. Because fuel costs are now a significant portion of our
operating costs, substantial changes in fuel costs can materially affect our
operating results. Fuel prices continue to be susceptible to, among other
factors, speculative trading in the commodities market, political unrest in
various parts of the world, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
policy, the rapid growth of economies in China and India, the levels of
inventory carried by the oil companies, the amounts of reserves built by
governments, refining capacity, and weather. These and other factors that
impact the global supply and demand for aircraft fuel may affect our financial
performance due to its high sensitivity to fuel prices.
Since the
acquisitions of Midwest and Frontier, fuel has become a major component of our
operating expenses, accounting for 11.5% of our total operating expenses for the
nine months ended September 30, 2009, on a pro forma basis. Our ability to
pass on increased fuel costs has been and may continue to be limited by economic
and competitive conditions.
The global
financial crisis may have an impact on our business and financial condition in
ways that we currently cannot predict.
The
credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system has had and may
continue to have an impact on our business and our financial condition. For
example, our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted at
a time when we would like, or need, to do so, which could have an impact on our
flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions.
The global
economic recession has resulted in weaker demand for air travel and may create
challenges for us that could have a material adverse effect on our business and
results of operations.
As the
effects of the global economic recession have been felt in our domestic markets,
we are experiencing significantly weaker demand for air
travel. Global economic conditions in 2009 are substantially reducing
U.S. airline industry revenues in 2009 compared to 2008. Demand for
air travel could remain weak or even continue to fall if the global economic
recession continues for an extended period. The weakness in the
United States and international economies is having a significant negative
impact on our results of operations and could continue to have a significant
negative impact on our future results of operations.
Our
branded business depends heavily on the Denver and Milwaukee market to be
successful.
With the
branded business, the business strategy has focused on adding flights to and
from the Milwaukee and Denver base of operations. A reduction in our
share of the Milwaukee or Denver market, increased competition, or reduced
passenger traffic to or from Milwaukee and Denver could have an adverse effect
on our financial condition and results of the branded operations. In addition,
our dependence on a hub system operating out of MKE and DIA makes us more
susceptible to adverse weather conditions and other traffic delays in the region
than some of our competitors that may be better able to spread these traffic
risks over larger route networks.
Customer
loyalty may be affected due to diminishing product differentiation.
The
Company’s branded business strategy includes a premium travel experience at
competitive fares. The Company seeks to differentiate itself through better
customer service throughout the customer’s travel experience. Due to the current
state of the airline industry in general, and the Company’s current state, it
has been forced to reduce or suspend some of the amenities that helped it
originally achieve differentiation. Any loss of customers due to diminishing
product differentiation could harm business.
27
Midwest
and Frontier depend heavily on the Milwaukee and Denver markets to be
successful.
Our
business strategy for Midwest and Frontier is focused on adding flights to and
from our Milwaukee and Denver bases of operations. A reduction in our
share of either market, increased competition, or reduced passenger traffic to
or from Milwaukee or Denver could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, our dependence on a hub
system operating out of DIA makes us more susceptible to adverse weather
conditions and other traffic delays in the Rocky Mountain region than some of
our competitors that may be better able to spread these traffic risks over
larger route networks.
We
face intense competition at DIA and MKE.
The
airline industry is highly competitive. We compete with United and
Southwest in our hub in Denver and AirTran in our hub in Milwaukee. Fare wars,
predatory pricing, ‘‘capacity dumping,’’ in which a competitor places additional
aircraft on selected routes, and other competitive activities could adversely
affect us. The future activities of United, Southwest, AirTran and
other carriers may have a material adverse effect on our revenue and results of
operations.
We
experience high costs at DIA, which may impact our results of
operations.
Our
largest hub of flight operations is DIA where we experience high costs.
Financed through revenue bonds, DIA depends on landing fees, gate rentals,
income from airlines and the traveling public, and other fees to generate income
to service its debt and to support its operations. Our cost of operations
at DIA will vary as traffic increases or diminishes at the airport or as
significant improvement projects are undertaken by the airport. We believe
that our operating costs at DIA substantially exceed those that other airlines
incur at most hub airports in other cities, which decreases our ability to
compete with other airlines with lower costs at their hub airports.
The
lack of marketing alliances could harm our business.
Many
mainline airlines have marketing alliances with other airlines, under which they
market and advertise their status as marketing alliance partners. Among
other things, they share the use of two-letter flight designator codes to
identify their flights and fares in the computerized reservation systems and
permit reciprocity in their frequent flyer programs. Midwest and Frontier
do not have an extensive network of marketing partners. The lack of
marketing alliances puts us at a competitive disadvantage to global network
carriers, whose ability to attract passengers through more widespread alliances,
particularly on international routes, may adversely affect our passenger traffic
and our results of operations.
Our
landing fees may increase because of local noise abatement procedures and due to
reduced capacity in the industry.
As a
result of litigation and pressure from residents in the areas surrounding
airports, airport operators have taken actions over the years to reduce aircraft
noise. These actions have included regulations requiring aircraft to meet
prescribed decibel limits by designated dates, curfews during nighttime hours,
restrictions on frequency of aircraft operations, and various operational
procedures for noise abatement. The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990
recognized the right of airport operators with special noise problems to
implement local noise abatement procedures as long as the procedures do not
interfere unreasonably with the interstate and foreign commerce of the national
air transportation system. Although we are reimbursed by our Partners for
landing fees, compliance with local noise abatement procedures may lead to
increased landing fees for Midwest and Frontier.
An
agreement between the City and County of Denver and another county adjacent to
Denver specifies maximum aircraft noise levels at designated monitoring points
in the vicinity of DIA with significant amounts payable by the city to the other
county for each substantiated noise violation under the agreement. DIA has
incurred these payment obligations and likely will incur such obligations in the
future, which it will pass on to us and other air carriers serving DIA by
increasing landing fees. Additionally, noise regulations could be
enacted in the future that would increase our expenses and could have a material
adverse effect on our operations.
In
addition, the recent capacity reductions by all airlines have forced some
airport authorities to increase lease rates and landing fees to adjust for lower
volume.
28
Our
maintenance expenses may be higher than we anticipate and will increase as our
fleet ages.
We bear
the cost of all routine and major maintenance on our owned and leased
aircraft. Maintenance expenses comprise a significant portion of our
operating expenses. In addition, we are required periodically to take
aircraft out of service for heavy maintenance checks, which can increase costs
and reduce revenue. We also may be required to comply with regulations and
airworthiness directives the FAA issues, the cost of which our aircraft lessors
may only partially assume depending upon the magnitude of the expense.
Although we believe that our owned and leased aircraft are currently in
compliance with all FAA issued airworthiness directives, additional
airworthiness directives likely will be required in the future, necessitating
additional expense.
We have
incurred lower maintenance expenses because most of the parts on our aircraft
are under multi-year warranties. Our maintenance costs will increase
significantly, both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of our operating
expenses, as our fleet ages and these warranties expire.
We
rely heavily on automated systems and technology to operate our Midwest and
Frontier business and any failure of these systems could harm our
business.
We are
increasingly dependent on automated systems, information technology personnel
and technology to operate our Midwest and Frontier business, enhance customer
service and achieve low operating costs, including our computerized airline
reservation system, telecommunication systems, website, check-in kiosks and
in-flight entertainment systems. Substantial or repeated system failures
to any of the above systems could reduce the attractiveness of our services and
could result in our customers purchasing tickets from another airline. Any
disruptions in these systems or loss of key personnel could result in the loss
of important data, increase our expenses and generally harm our business.
In addition, we have experienced an increase in customers booking flights on our
airline through third-party websites, which has increased our distribution
costs. If any of these third-party websites experiences system failure or
discontinues listing our flights on its systems, our bookings and revenue may be
adversely impacted.
We
implement improvements to our website and reservations system from time to
time. Implementation of changes to these systems may cause operational and
financial disruptions if we experience transition or system cutover issues, if
the new systems do not perform as we expect them to, or if vendors do not
deliver systems upgrades or other components on a timely basis. Any such
disruptions may have the effect of discouraging some travelers from purchasing
tickets from us and increasing our reservations staffing.
We
are at risk of losses stemming from an accident involving any of our
aircraft.
While we
have never had a crash causing death or serious injury over our 34 year
history, it is possible that one or more of our aircraft may crash or be
involved in an accident in the future, causing death or serious injury to
individual air travelers and our employees and destroying the aircraft and the
property of third parties.
In
addition, if one of our aircraft were to crash or be involved in an accident we
would be exposed to significant tort liability. Such liability could
include liability arising from the claims of passengers or their estates seeking
to recover damages for death or injury. There can be no assurance that the
insurance we carry to cover such damages will be adequate. Accidents could
also result in unforeseen mechanical and maintenance costs. In addition,
any accident involving an aircraft that we operate could create a public
perception that our aircraft are not safe, which could result in air travelers
being reluctant to fly on our aircraft and a decrease in revenues. Such a
decrease could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of
operations and the price of our common stock.
The Company’s
results of operations fluctuate due to seasonality and other factors associated
with the airline industry.
Due to
greater demand for air travel during the summer months, revenues in the airline
industry in the second and third quarters of the year are generally stronger
than revenues in the first and fourth quarters of the year. The
Company’s results of operations generally reflect this seasonality, but have
also been impacted by numerous other factors that are not necessarily seasonal
including, among others, the imposition of excise and similar taxes, extreme or
severe weather, air traffic control congestion, changes in the competitive
environment due to industry consolidation and other factors and general economic
conditions. As a result, the Company’s quarterly operating results
are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire year and
historical operating results in a quarterly or annual period are not necessarily
indicative of future operating results.
Our acquisition
of Midwest and Frontier affects the comparability of our historical financial
results.
On July
31, 2009, the Company acquired Midwest and on October 1, 2009 the Company
completed its acquisition of Frontier upon its emergence from
bankruptcy. While our financial results for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2009 include the results of Midwest, the results for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and all prior periods do
not. This complicates your ability to compare our results of
operations and financial condition for periods that include Midwest’s results
with periods that do not.
29
Item
6.
Exhibits
(a)
|
Exhibits
|
|
10.1
|
Second
Amended and Restated Investment Agreement dated August 13, 2009 by and
among Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) and Holdings
Subsidiaries, Frontier Airlines, Inc. and Lynx Aviation, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report
on From 8-K filed with the SEC on August 18, 2009).
|
|
31.1
|
Certification
by Bryan K. Bedford, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Republic Airways Holdings Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in connection with Republic Airways
Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2009.
|
|
31.2
|
Certification
by Robert H. Cooper, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Republic Airways Holdings Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in connection with Republic Airways Holdings
Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2009.
|
|
32.1
|
Certification
by Bryan K. Bedford, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Republic Airways Holdings Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, in connection with Republic Airways Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification
by Robert H. Cooper, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Republic Airways Holdings Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in
connection with Republic Airways Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2009.
|
30
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
REPUBLIC
AIRWAYS HOLDINGS INC.
|
|
(Registrant)
|
|
Dated:
November 9, 2009
|
By:
/s/ Bryan K. Bedford
|
Name:
Bryan K. Bedford
|
|
Title:
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President
|
|
(principal
executive officer)
|
|
Dated:
November 9, 2009
|
By:
/s/ Robert H. Cooper
|
Name:
Robert H. Cooper
|
|
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
(principal
financial and accounting
officer)
|
31