-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, P92Nccrf2biaYl2bwluson1eZ2W2QVEB4VFfi97iMWbBQ7+Q6a4CPkLZhCx/3UsK 7OlSkrokOasxWhrp+HtA3A== 0001104659-08-014343.txt : 20080229 0001104659-08-014343.hdr.sgml : 20080229 20080229163457 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-08-014343 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 16 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080229 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080229 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001058033 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AIR TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED [4512] IRS NUMBER: 411905580 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15285 FILM NUMBER: 08656277 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2700 LONE OAK PKWY CITY: EAGAN STATE: MN ZIP: 55121 BUSINESS PHONE: 6127262111 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5101 NORTHWEST DR CITY: ST PAUL STATE: MN ZIP: 55111-3034 10-K 1 a08-2509_110k.htm 10-K

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

Commission file number 0-23642

 


 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

41-1905580

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

2700 Lone Oak Parkway, Eagan, Minnesota

 

55121

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (612) 726-2111

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

The New York Stock Exchange

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

 

The New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  x     No  o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  o     No  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x     No  o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller Reporting Company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o     No  x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 29, 2007 was $4.3 billion.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  x     No  o

 

As of January 31, 2008, there were 236,427,125 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain information from the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.

 

 



 

PART I

 

Item 1.  BUSINESS

 

Northwest Airlines Corporation (“NWA Corp.” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is the direct parent corporation of Northwest Airlines, Inc. (“Northwest”).  Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to NWA Corp. and all consolidated subsidiaries.  Northwest operates the world’s seventh largest airline, as measured by 2007 revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”), and is engaged in the business of transporting passengers and cargo.  Northwest began operations in 1926.  Northwest’s business focuses on the operation of a global airline network through its strategic assets that include:

 

·                  domestic hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis;

·                  an extensive Pacific route system with a hub in Tokyo;

·                  a transatlantic joint venture with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (“KLM”), which operates through a hub in Amsterdam;

·                  a domestic and international alliance with Continental Airlines, Inc. (“Continental”) and Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”);

·                  membership in SkyTeam, a global airline alliance with KLM, Continental, Delta, Air France, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Alitalia, China Southern, CSA Czech Airlines, and Korean Air;

·                  agreements with three domestic regional carriers, including Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. (“Pinnacle”),  Mesaba Aviation, Inc. (“Mesaba”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Compass Airlines, Inc. (“Compass”),  a wholly-owned subsidiary, all of which operate as Northwest Airlink carriers;

·                  a cargo business that operates a dedicated freighter fleet of aircraft through hubs in Anchorage and Tokyo.

 

        Northwest’s business strategies are designed to utilize these assets to the Company’s competitive advantage.

 

        The Company maintains a Web site at http://www.nwa.com.  Information contained on the Company’s Web site is not incorporated into this annual report on Form 10-K.  Annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, all amendments to those reports and other information about the Company are available free of charge through its Web site at http://ir.nwa.com as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

        See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview” for a discussion of trends and factors affecting the Company and the airline industry.  The Company is managed as one cohesive business unit, but employs various strategies specific to the geographic regions in which it operates.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 20 — Geographic Regions” for a discussion of Northwest’s operations by geographic region.

 

Chapter 11 Proceedings

 

Background and General Bankruptcy Matters.  The following discussion provides general background information regarding the Company’s Chapter 11 cases, and is not intended to be an exhaustive summary.  Detailed information pertaining to the bankruptcy filings may be obtained at http://www.nwa-restructuring.com.  See also “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 1 — Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11 Proceedings.” Information contained on the Company’s Web site is not incorporated into this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

On September 14, 2005 (the “Petition Date”), NWA Corp. and 12 of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”).  Subsequently, on September 30, 2005, NWA Aircraft Finance, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of NWA Corp., also filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11.  On May 18, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving and confirming the Debtors’ First Amended Joint and Consolidated Plan of Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as confirmed, the “Plan” or “Plan of Reorganization”).  The Plan became effective and the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy protection on May 31, 2007 (the “Effective Date”).  On the Effective Date, the Company implemented fresh-start reporting in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (“SOP 90-7”).

 

As a result of the application of fresh-start reporting in accordance with SOP 90-7 upon the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on May 31, 2007, the financial statements prior to June 1, 2007 are not comparable with the financial statements for periods on or after June 1, 2007.  References to “Successor Company” refer to the Company on or after June 1, 2007, after giving effect to the application of fresh-start reporting.  References to “Predecessor Company” refer to the Company prior to June 1, 2007.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 2 — Fresh-Start Reporting” for further details.

 

2



 

The Plan generally provided for the full payment or reinstatement of allowed administrative claims, priority claims, and secured claims, and the distribution of new common stock of the Successor Company to the Debtors’ creditors, employees and others in satisfaction of allowed unsecured claims.  The Plan contemplates the issuance of approximately 277 million shares of new common stock by the Successor Company (out of the 400 million shares of new common stock authorized under its amended and restated certificate of incorporation), as follows:

·      225.8 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of certain general unsecured claims;

·      8.6 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of guaranty claims;

·      27.8 million shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the Rights Offering and an Equity Commitment Agreement; and

·      15.2 million shares of common stock are subject to awards under a management equity plan.

 

The new common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and began trading under the symbol “NWA” on May 31, 2007.  Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, stockholders of NWA Corp. prior to the Effective Date received no distributions and their stock was cancelled.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization, on the Effective Date, the Company’s existing $1.225 billion Senior Corporate Credit Facility (“Bank Credit Facility”) was converted into exit financing in accordance with its terms.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8 — Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings” for additional information.

 

Operations and Route Network

 

Northwest and its Airlink partners operate substantial domestic and international route networks and directly serve as many as 239 destinations in 21 countries in North America, Asia and Europe.

 

Domestic System

 

Northwest operates its domestic system through its hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis.

 

Detroit.  Detroit is the eighth largest origination/destination hub in the United States (“U.S.”).  Northwest and its Airlink carriers together serve 146 destinations from Detroit.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007, they enplaned 55% of originating passengers from Detroit, while the next largest competitor enplaned 11%.

 

Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Minneapolis/St. Paul is the ninth largest origination/destination hub in the U.S.  Northwest and its Airlink carriers together serve 149 destinations from Minneapolis/St. Paul.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007, they enplaned 59% of originating passengers from Minneapolis/St. Paul, while the next largest competitor enplaned 10%.

 

Memphis.  Memphis is the sixteenth largest origination/destination hub in the U.S.  Northwest and its Airlink carriers together serve 84 destinations from Memphis.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007, they enplaned 58% of originating passengers from Memphis, while the next largest competitor enplaned 10%.

 

Other Domestic System Operations.  Domestic “non-hub” operations include service to as many as 19 destinations from Indianapolis, service from several heartland cities to New York, Washington D.C. and Florida destinations, and service from several west coast gateway cities to Hawaii.

 

International System

 

Northwest operates international flights to the Pacific and/or the Atlantic regions from its Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis hubs, as well as from gateway cities including Boston, Hartford, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland.

 

Pacific.  Northwest has served the Pacific market since 1947 and has one of the largest Pacific route networks of any U.S. carrier.  Northwest’s Pacific operations are centered at Narita International Airport in Tokyo, where it has 375 permanent weekly takeoffs and landings (“slots”) as of December 31, 2007, the most for any non-Japanese carrier.  Under the U.S. — Japan bilateral aviation agreement, Northwest is one of two U.S. carriers with the right to operate unlimited frequencies between any point in the U.S. and Japan.  Northwest also enjoys “fifth freedom” rights that allow Northwest to operate service from any gateway in Japan to points beyond Japan and to carry Japanese originating passengers.  Northwest and United Airlines, Inc. (“United”) are the only U.S. passenger carriers that have fifth freedom rights from Japan.  Northwest uses its slots and bilateral rights to operate a network linking seven U.S. gateways and 12 Asian destinations via Tokyo.  The Asian destinations served via Tokyo are Bangkok, Beijing, Busan, Guam, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Manila, Nagoya, Saipan, Seoul, Shanghai, and Singapore.  Additionally, Northwest flies nonstop between Detroit and Osaka and Nagoya, and uses its fifth freedom rights to fly beyond Osaka to Taipei and beyond Nagoya to Manila.  Northwest also operates nonstop service between Nagoya and Guam and Saipan and between Osaka and Guam, Honolulu, and Saipan.

 

3



 

Recently, the Company was awarded new route authorities to provide nonstop service from Detroit to Shanghai beginning in March 2009.  When combined with our existing China route authorities and our slot position at Narita International Airport, the Company is well positioned to meet growing demand in China and maintain our leadership position in the Pacific.

 

Atlantic.  Northwest and KLM operate an extensive transatlantic network pursuant to a commercial and operational joint venture.  This joint venture benefits from having antitrust immunity, which allows for coordinated pricing, scheduling, product development and marketing.  In 1992, the U.S. and the Netherlands entered into an “open-skies” bilateral aviation treaty, which authorizes the airlines of each country to provide international air transportation between any U.S. — Netherlands city pair and to operate connecting service to destinations in other countries.  Northwest and KLM operate joint service between Amsterdam and 18 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as between Amsterdam and India.  Codesharing between Northwest and KLM has been implemented on flights to 65 European, eight Middle Eastern, 14 African, eight Asian and 184 North American cities.  Codesharing is an agreement whereby an airline’s flights can be marketed under the two-letter designator code of another airline, thereby allowing the two carriers to provide joint service with one aircraft.  The Northwest-KLM joint venture can be terminated by either party on three years’ notice.  In May 2004, Air France acquired KLM, and KLM and Air France became wholly-owned subsidiaries of a new holding company.  On June 28, 2007, Northwest and KLM, together with Air France, Delta, Alitalia, and CSA Czech Airlines filed a joint application for antitrust immunity with the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”).  If approved, this application would enable Northwest, KLM, Delta and Air France to cooperate under an expanded transatlantic joint venture.  On October 18, 2007, the DOT entered a scheduling order which establishes a timeline for consideration of Northwest’s application for expanded antitrust immunity with its SkyTeam alliance partners KLM, Air France, Delta, Alitalia, and CSA Czech Airlines.

 

In April 2007, the U.S. and the European Union (“E.U.”) approved an “open skies” air services agreement that provides airlines from the U.S. and E.U. Member States open access to each others’ markets, with freedom of pricing and unlimited rights to fly beyond the U.S. and beyond each E.U. Member State.  Under the open skies agreement, which goes into effect on March 30, 2008, every U.S. and E.U. airline is authorized to operate between airports in the U.S. and London’s Heathrow, Gatwick and other airports.  As a result of the open skies agreement, the Company announced an expansion of its transatlantic route network with three new daily nonstop flights to London Heathrow from Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Seattle.  Scheduled to begin in the spring of 2008, the Company’s new nonstop service will provide its passenger’s access to Heathrow for the first time.

 

See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 20 — Geographic Regions” for a discussion of Northwest’s operations by geographic region.

 

Alliances

 

In addition to its transatlantic joint venture with KLM, Northwest has strengthened its network through other alliance partnerships.  Long-term alliances are an effective way for Northwest to enter markets that it would not be able to serve alone.  Alliance relationships can include codesharing, reciprocal frequent flyer programs, “through” luggage check-in, reciprocal airport lounge access, joint marketing, sharing of airport facilities and joint procurement of certain goods and services.

 

Since 1998, Northwest and Continental have been in a domestic and international commercial alliance that connects the two carriers’ networks and includes extensive codesharing, frequent flyer program reciprocity and other cooperative marketing programs.  The alliance agreement has a term through December 31, 2025.

 

In August 2002, the Company entered into a commercial alliance agreement with Continental and Delta.  This agreement is designed to connect the three carriers’ domestic and international networks and provides for codesharing, reciprocity of frequent flyer programs, airport club use and other cooperative marketing programs.  The combined network has increased Northwest’s presence in the South, East and Mountain West regions of the U.S., as well as in Latin America.  The alliance agreement has a term through June 12, 2013, and contemplates a five year renewal term.

 

In September 2004, Northwest, together with KLM and Continental, joined the global SkyTeam Alliance.  The addition of Northwest, KLM and Continental made SkyTeam the world’s second largest airline alliance.  The eleven members of the SkyTeam Alliance, Northwest, KLM, Continental, Delta, Air France, Alitalia, Aeromexico, China Southern, CSA Czech Airlines, Korean Air, and Aeroflot and three associate members - Air Europa, Copa Airlines, and Kenya Airways currently serve over 427 million passengers annually with more than 16,400 daily departures to 841 destinations in 162 countries.  Northwest customers are now able to accrue and redeem frequent flyer miles in their WorldPerks accounts and enjoy travel on any flight operated by a SkyTeam Alliance member carrier.  This alliance affords customers the benefits and service options when traveling on multiple airlines while being treated similarly to a customer traveling on a single airline.  The alliance agreement has a term through June 12, 2012, and if not terminated on that date, continues in effect for five more years.

 

4



 

Northwest also has domestic frequent flyer and codesharing agreements with several other airlines including Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, Hawaiian Airlines, American Eagle, Midwest Airlines, and Gulfstream International Airlines.  In the Pacific, Northwest has frequent flyer agreements with Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways of India, Cebu Pacific Airlines, Air Tahiti Nui, Kingfisher Airlines, and China Airlines.  In the Atlantic, in addition to its extensive relationship with KLM, Northwest has a frequent flyer agreement with Malev Hungarian Airlines.

 

Regional Partnerships

 

Northwest has airline services agreements (“ASAs”) with three regional carriers: Pinnacle, Mesaba and Compass.  Pursuant to the ASAs, these regional carriers are required to operate their flights under the Northwest “NW” code and operate as Northwest Airlink.  The purpose of these ASAs is to provide service to small cities and more frequent service to larger cities, increasing connecting traffic at Northwest’s domestic hubs.  The business terms of these agreements involve capacity purchase arrangements.  Under these arrangements, Northwest controls the scheduling, pricing, reservations, ticketing and seat inventories for Pinnacle, Mesaba and Compass flights.  Northwest is entitled to all ticket, cargo and mail revenues associated with these flights.  The regional carriers are paid based on operations for certain expenses and receive reimbursement for other expenses.

 

Pinnacle Airlines.  Pinnacle operated 137 of Northwest’s fleet of Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (“CRJ”) CRJ200 aircraft as of December 31, 2007.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company owned 11.4% of the Common Stock of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. and accounted for this investment under the equity method of accounting.  On November 29, 2007, the Company entered into a stock redemption agreement with Pinnacle Airlines Corp., pursuant to which Pinnacle repurchased the Company’s 11.4% equity interest in Pinnacle common stock for $32.9 million.  The Company recorded a loss on the sale of common stock of $14.2 million in the fourth quarter 2007.

 

In January 2008, Northwest sold its Class A Preferred share to Pinnacle for a purchase price of $20 million.  The Class A Preferred share was marked-to-market upon Northwest’s adoption of fresh-start reporting; therefore, no gain or loss was recognized upon the sale.

 

On January 11, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Amended Airline Services Agreement with Pinnacle (“Amended Pinnacle ASA”) between the Predecessor Company and Pinnacle.  The Amended Pinnacle ASA provides that Pinnacle Airlines will continue to be a long-term partner of Northwest through at least 2017.  In addition to reaching terms on an amended airline services agreement, Northwest granted Pinnacle an allowed general unsecured claim of $377.5 million for full and final satisfaction of any and all claims filed against the Predecessor Company, which resulted in an incremental charge to reorganization expense of $306.7 million during the first quarter of 2007.  The Amended Pinnacle ASA and related agreements provide Northwest with, among other things, certainty of Pinnacle’s performance at rates consistent with Northwest’s cost savings targets and resolution of the Pinnacle claims.

 

Mesaba.  As of December 31, 2007, Mesaba was the operator of 49 Saab 340 turbo-prop aircraft, four CRJ200 aircraft, and 13 CRJ900 aircraft.  On October 13, 2005, Mesaba filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota (Case No. 05-39258 (GFK)).

 

On January 22, 2007, the Predecessor Company entered into a Stock Purchase and Reorganization Agreement with Mesaba under which the Predecessor Company agreed to purchase all of the equity interests in Mesaba following its reorganization under Chapter 11 and granted the Mesaba estate a general unsecured claim of $145 million for full and final satisfaction of any and all claims filed against the Predecessor Company.  The Predecessor Company also agreed to resolve all outstanding claims with Mesaba’s parent, MAIR Holdings, Inc. (“MAIR”) and to sell MAIR all of Northwest’s stock in MAIR.  Mesaba filed its plan of reorganization (the “Mesaba Plan”) and its disclosure statement with respect to the Mesaba Plan (the “Mesaba Disclosure Statement”) with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota on January 22, 2007 and January 24, 2007, respectively.  The Mesaba Plan was confirmed on April 10, 2007.  In conjunction with the consummation of Mesaba’s Plan, Mesaba was acquired by Northwest Airlines on April 24, 2007 and became a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary.

 

        Compass.  Compass Airlines, Inc., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of NWA Corp., operates as a Northwest Airlink carrier.  Compass received its Federal Aviation Administration certification to begin commercial passenger operations on April 5, 2007, and commenced flight operations on May 2, 2007, with its first CRJ200 revenue flight.  Subsequently, on August 21, 2007, Compass completed its first revenue flight with the new dual class 76-seat Embraer 175 regional jet aircraft.  As of December 31, 2007, Compass was the operator of nine Embraer 175 aircraft.

 

See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 19 — Related Party Transactions” regarding the Company’s transactions with Pinnacle.

 

5



 

Cargo

 

The Company is the largest cargo carrier among U.S. passenger airlines based on revenue, and the only one to operate a dedicated freighter fleet.  In 2007, cargo accounted for 6.7% of the Company’s operating revenues, with approximately 76% of its cargo revenues resulting from cargo originating in or destined for Asia.  Through its cargo hubs in Anchorage and Tokyo, the Company serves most major air freight markets between the U.S. and Asia with a fleet of dedicated Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft.  In addition to revenues earned from the dedicated freighter fleet, the Company also generates cargo revenues in domestic and international markets through the use of cargo space on its passenger aircraft.

 

Effective September 30, 2005, Northwest Airlines Cargo joined SkyTeam Cargo.  SkyTeam Cargo is the largest global airline cargo alliance.  The eight members of SkyTeam Cargo, Northwest Airlines Cargo, Aeromexico Cargo, Air France Cargo, Alitalia Cargo, CSA Czech Airlines Cargo, Delta Air Logistics, KLM Cargo, and Korean Air Cargo, currently serve more than 728 destinations in more than 149 countries on six continents.  This alliance offers customers a consistent standard of performance, quality and detailed attention to service.

 

Other Travel Related Activities

 

MLT Inc.  MLT Inc. (“MLT”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NWA Corp., is among the largest vacation wholesale companies in the U.S.  MLT develops and markets Worry-Free Vacations that include air transportation, hotel accommodations and car rentals.  In addition to its Worry-Free Vacations charter programs, MLT markets and supports Northwest’s WorldVacations travel packages to destinations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, primarily on Northwest.  These vacation programs, in addition to providing a competitive and quality tour product, increase the sale of Northwest services and promote and support new and existing Northwest destinations.  In 2007, MLT had $506 million in operating revenues.

 

Frequent Flyer Program.  Northwest operates a frequent flyer loyalty program known as “WorldPerks.”  WorldPerks is designed to retain and increase traveler loyalty by offering incentives to travelers for their continued patronage.  Under the WorldPerks program, miles are earned by flying on Northwest or its alliance partners and by using the services of program partners for such things as credit card use, hotel stays, car rentals and other activities.  Northwest sells mileage credits to the program and alliance partners.  WorldPerks members accumulate mileage in their accounts and later redeem mileage for free or upgraded travel on Northwest and alliance partners.  WorldPerks members that achieve certain mileage thresholds also receive enhanced service benefits from Northwest such as special service lines, advance flight boarding and upgrades.

 

6



 

Employees

 

The airline industry is labor-intensive and as of December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately 34,000 full-time equivalent employees of whom approximately 1,900 were foreign nationals working primarily in Asia.  Unions represent approximately 80% of the Company’s employees.  Collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) provide standards for wages, hours of work, working conditions, settlement of disputes and other matters.  The major agreements with domestic employees will become amendable on various dates as follows:

 

Employee Group

 

Approximate
Number of
Full-time
Equivalent
Employees
Covered

 

Union

 

Amendable
Date

Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilots

 

4,500

 

Air Line Pilots Association, International (“ALPA”)

 

12/31/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agents and Clerks

 

6,000

 

International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (“IAM”)

 

12/31/2011*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment Service Employees and Stock Clerks

 

5,000

 

International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (“IAM”)

 

12/31/2011*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flight Attendants

 

7,700

 

Association of Flight Attendants - Communication Workers of America (“AFA-CWA”)

 

12/31/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mechanics and Related Employees

 

900

 

Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (“AMFA”)

 

12/31/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mesaba Aviation, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilots

 

1,000

 

Air Line Pilots Association, International (“ALPA”)

 

12/1/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flight Attendants

 

400

 

Association of Flight Attendants - Communication Workers of America (“AFA-CWA”)

 

12/1/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mechanics and Related Employees

 

200

 

Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (“AMFA”)

 

12/1/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compass Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilots

 

150

 

Air Line Pilots Association, International (“ALPA”)

 

4/1/2013


*                 Assumes the Company will exercise its contractual right to unilaterally extend this agreement one year past its original amendable date of December 31, 2010.

 

Regulation

 

General.  The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, as amended, eliminated domestic economic regulation of passenger and freight air transportation in many regards.  Nevertheless, the industry remains regulated in a number of areas.  The DOT has jurisdiction over international route authorities and various consumer protection matters, such as advertising, denied boarding compensation, baggage liability and access for persons with disabilities.  Northwest is subject to regulations of the DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) because it holds certificates of public convenience and necessity, air carrier operating certificates and other authority granted by those agencies.  The FAA regulates flight operations, including air space control and aircraft standards, maintenance, ground facilities, transportation of hazardous materials and other technical matters.  The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has jurisdiction over airline competition matters, including mergers and acquisitions, under federal antitrust laws.  The Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) regulates airline and airport security.  Other federal agencies have jurisdiction over postal operations, use of radio facilities by aircraft and certain other aspects of Northwest’s operations.

 

International Service.  Northwest operates its international routes under route certificates and other authorities issued by the DOT.  Many of Northwest’s international route certificates are permanent and do not require renewal by the DOT.  Certain other international route certificates and other authorities are temporary and subject to periodic renewal.  Northwest requests renewals of these certificates and other authorities when and as appropriate.  The DOT typically renews temporary authorities on routes when the authorized carrier is providing a reasonable level of service.  With respect to foreign air transportation, the DOT must approve agreements between air carriers, including codesharing agreements, and may grant antitrust immunity for those agreements in some situations.

 

7



 

Northwest’s right to operate to foreign countries, including Japan, China and other countries in Asia and Europe, is governed by aviation agreements between the U.S. and the respective foreign countries.  Many aviation agreements permit an unlimited number of carriers to operate between the U.S. and a specific foreign country, while others limit the number of carriers and flights on a given international route.  From time to time, the U.S. or its foreign country counterpart may seek to renegotiate or cancel an aviation agreement.  In the event an aviation agreement is amended or cancelled, such a change could adversely affect Northwest’s ability to maintain or expand air service to the relevant foreign country.

 

Operations to and from foreign countries are subject to the applicable laws and regulations of those countries.  There are restrictions on the number and timing of operations at certain international airports served by Northwest, including Tokyo.  Additionally, slots for international flights are subject to certain restrictions on use and transfer.

 

On March 30, 2008, a new Air Transport Agreement between the U.S. and the E.U. Member States will go into effect.  This Agreement will create new competitive opportunities and competition on routes between the U.S. and Europe and, among other things, will enable Northwest to commence services to London Heathrow Airport, subject to the availability of slots.

 

Consumer Protection.  In November 2007, the DOT issued a proposal to increase by 100 percent the minimum amount of compensation that airlines must pay to consumers who have been denied boarding on oversold flights.  That rulemaking proceeding is pending.

 

In December 2007, a U.S. District Court ruled that passenger “bill of rights” legislation enacted by New York State, which imposes requirements on airlines additional to those imposed by federal law and regulation, was not preempted by federal law.  An appeal of that decision has been filed with a U.S. Court of Appeals and is pending.

 

Aviation Security.  The TSA regulates civil aviation security under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (“Aviation Security Act”).  This law federalized substantially all aspects of civil aviation security and requires, among other things, the implementation of certain security measures by airlines and airports, such as the requirement that all passenger bags be screened for explosives.  Since the events of September 11, 2001, Congress has mandated, and the TSA has implemented, numerous security procedures that have imposed and will continue to impose additional compliance responsibilities and costs on airlines.  Funding for airline and airport security under the law is provided in part by a $2.50 per segment passenger security fee, subject to a limit of $10 per roundtrip.  In addition, the law authorizes the TSA to impose an air carrier fee, capped by the aggregate of costs paid by all air carriers in calendar year 2000 for screening passengers and property.  The per-carrier limit is capped at the amount expended by that individual air carrier in calendar year 2000.  This cap is to remain in effect until the TSA revises the per-carrier limit by market share or any other appropriate method.  In the fiscal year 2005 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, Congress required the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) to conduct a review of the carrier reported costs; as a result of this review, the GAO estimated that the industry-wide aviation security costs were underreported, suggesting that some carriers may not have paid the appropriate air carrier fee.  The industry, through the Air Transport Association, raised strong objections to the GAO’s conclusions and the methodologies used in reaching such conclusions.  In January 2006, the TSA adopted the GAO’s findings and assessed the Company and a number of U.S. and foreign carriers with a substantial increase in the additional security fee which would be imposed retroactively to the beginning of 2005, and continuing into 2006 and future years.  In February 2006, the affected carriers protested the fee increase through an administrative proceeding at the TSA.  In May 2007, the TSA issued Final Decisions ordering the Company and the other affected carriers to pay the additional assessments for 2005 and 2006.  Under protest and reserving its rights of appeal, the Company paid the accrued assessments in July 2007 and is paying them going forward.  The Company and other affected carriers have requested judicial review of the TSA’s fee assessment in federal court.   It is expected that aviation security laws and processes will continue to be under review and subject to change by the federal government in the future.

 

In November 2004, the TSA implemented a test of a passenger pre-screening program, named “Secure Flight,” utilizing passenger data provided to the TSA by U.S. airlines, and in August 2007 the TSA issued a rulemaking notice regarding implementation of the program.  On December 17, 2004, the president signed into law the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires the TSA to take additional actions regarding passenger and air cargo security.  In October 2006, new TSA requirements for security of cargo on passenger and all-cargo aircraft went into effect.  In August 2007, the president signed into law the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, which requires the TSA to establish, within three years, a system for screening 100 percent of cargo transported on passenger aircraft to, from or within the U.S.

 

On April 7, 2005, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) issued a rule requiring airlines, for security screening purposes, to electronically transmit passenger and crew data to the CBP before flights arrive in or depart from the U.S.  In August 2007, the CBP issued a new rule establishing methods and new procedures for the transmission of passenger data, effective February 2008. The CBP also published a final rule in December 2003 requiring airlines to electronically transmit cargo data before cargo arrives in and departs from the U.S.

 

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Airport Access.  Four of the nation’s airports, Chicago O’Hare, LaGuardia (New York), Kennedy International (New York) and Ronald Reagan National (Washington, D.C.), were designated by the FAA as “high density traffic airports.”  The number of takeoff and landing slots at these airports was limited during certain peak demand time periods.  Legislation passed in March 2000 resulted in the elimination of slot restrictions, effective July 2002 at Chicago O’Hare and January 2007 at LaGuardia and Kennedy International.  In August 2004, the FAA implemented temporary restrictions at Chicago O’Hare to limit congestion.  The Chicago O’Hare restrictions became a Final Rule effective October 2006 and will continue through October 2008.  The FAA also decided not to eliminate slot restrictions at LaGuardia as planned due to continued congestion; carriers are currently operating under a Final Order at LaGuardia, pending the outcome of an FAA rulemaking process.  The Final Order will remain in effect until at least November 2008, the earliest that a Final Rule at LaGuardia could be put in place.  The FAA also set hourly caps at Kennedy International beginning March 15, 2008 continuing through 2009. Newark Liberty Airport has been designated by the FAA as a “level 3 coordinated airport” for the summer 2008 season, requiring airlines to seek advance schedule approval from the FAA.   The FAA permits the buying, selling, trading or leasing of slots subject to certain restrictions.

 

In January 2008, the Secretary of Transportation proposed a new policy intended to ease airport congestion by encouraging U.S. airports to change their method of calculating landing fees from a weight-based method to a method that allows variable charges based on time of day and traffic volume factors.  This proposed change to existing policy is pending.

 

Labor.  The Railway Labor Act (“RLA”) governs the labor relations of employers and employees engaged in the airline industry.  Comprehensive provisions are set forth in the RLA establishing the right of airline employees to organize and bargain collectively along craft or class lines and imposing a duty upon air carriers and their employees to exert every reasonable effort to make and maintain collective bargaining agreements.  The RLA contains detailed procedures that must be exhausted before a lawful work stoppage may occur.  Pursuant to the RLA, Northwest has CBAs with seven domestic unions representing nine separate employee groups.  In addition, Northwest has agreements with four unions representing its employees in countries throughout Asia.  These agreements are not subject to the RLA, although Northwest is subject to local labor laws.  Mesaba has CBAs with three unions representing three separate employee groups.  Compass has a CBA with one union representing one employee group.

 

Under the RLA, an amendable labor contract continues in effect while the parties negotiate a new contract.  In addition to direct contract negotiations, the RLA also provides for mediation, potential arbitration of unresolved issues and a 30-day “cooling-off” period after the end of which either party can resort to self-help.  The self-help remedies include, but are not limited to, a strike by the members of the labor union and the imposition of proposed contract amendments and, in the event of a strike, the hiring of replacement workers by the Company.   See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for additional labor discussion.

 

Noise Abatement.  The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (“ANCA”) recognizes the right of airport operators with special noise problems to implement local noise abatement procedures as long as such procedures do not interfere unreasonably with the interstate and foreign commerce of the national air transportation system.  As a result of litigation and pressure from airport area residents, airport operators have taken local actions over the years to reduce aircraft noise.  These actions include restrictions on night operations, frequency of aircraft operations and various other procedures for noise abatement.  While Northwest has sufficient operational and scheduling flexibility to accommodate current local noise restrictions, its operations could be adversely affected if locally imposed regulations become more restrictive or widespread.

 

Under the direction of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (the “ICAO”), world governments, including the U.S., continue to consider more stringent aircraft noise certification standards than that contained in the ANCA.  A new ICAO noise standard (Chapter 4) was adopted in 2001 that established more stringent noise requirements for newly manufactured aircraft after January 1, 2006.  As adopted, the new rule is not accompanied by a mandatory phase-out of in-service Chapter 3 aircraft, including certain aircraft operated by Northwest.  FAA reauthorization legislation, known as “Vision 100 — Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act” and signed into law by the president on December 12, 2003, required the FAA to issue regulations implementing Chapter 4 noise standards consistent with ICAO recommendations.  In July 2005, the FAA issued a rule adopting Chapter 4 standards.  All of the Company’s aircraft will be in compliance with these new FAA rules either as Stage 3 or Stage 4 aircraft.

 

Safety.  The Company is subject to FAA jurisdiction pertaining to aircraft maintenance and operations, including equipment, dispatch, communications, training, flight personnel and other matters affecting air safety.  To ensure compliance with its regulations, the FAA requires all U.S. airlines to obtain operating, airworthiness and other certificates, which are subject to suspension or revocation for cause.

 

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Under FAA regulations, the Company has established, and the FAA has approved, maintenance programs for all aircraft operated by Northwest.  These programs provide for the ongoing maintenance of Northwest’s aircraft, ranging from frequent routine inspections to major overhauls.  Northwest’s aircraft require various levels of maintenance or “checks” and periodically undergo complete overhauls.  Maintenance programs are monitored closely by the FAA, with FAA representatives routinely present at Northwest’s maintenance facilities.  The FAA issues Airworthiness Directives (“ADs”), which mandate changes to an air carrier’s maintenance program.  These ADs (which include requirements for structural modifications to certain aircraft) are issued to ensure that the nation’s transport aircraft fleet remains airworthy.  Northwest is currently, and expects to remain, in compliance with all applicable requirements under all ADs and the FAA approved maintenance programs.

 

A combination of FAA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations on both the federal and state levels apply to all of Northwest’s ground-based operations in the U.S.

 

Environmental.  The Company is subject to regulation under various environmental laws and regulations, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.  In addition, many state and local governments have adopted environmental laws and regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject.  Environmental laws and regulations are administered by numerous federal and state agencies.

 

In November 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) issued a rule implementing the aircraft emissions standards previously approved by the ICAO, of which the U.S. is a member. Following issuance of the EPA rule, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on behalf of state and local air regulators against the EPA challenging its rule regulating aircraft emissions on the grounds that the international emissions standards codified by the EPA rule are not stringent enough.  Northwest believes it is in compliance with the emissions standards that were codified by the EPA rule.

 

Northwest, along with other airlines, has been identified as a potentially responsible party at various environmental sites.  Management believes that Northwest’s share of liability for the cost of the remediation of these sites, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

Civil Reserve Air Fleet Program.  Northwest renewed its participation in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Program (“CRAF”), pursuant to which Northwest has agreed to make available, during the period beginning October 1, 2007 and ending September 30, 2008, 18 Boeing 747-200/400 passenger aircraft, 16 Boeing 757-300 passenger aircraft, ten Boeing 757-200 passenger aircraft, 17 Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft, 11 Airbus A330-200 passenger aircraft and 13 Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft for use by the U.S. military under certain stages of readiness related to national emergencies.  The program is a standby arrangement that allows the U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Transportation Command to call on some or all of these 85 contractually committed Northwest aircraft and their crews to supplement military airlift capabilities.

 

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Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

 

Risk Factors Related to Northwest and the Airline Industry

 

We are vulnerable to increases in aircraft fuel costs.

 

Because fuel costs are a significant portion of our operating costs, substantial changes in fuel costs would materially affect our operating results.  Fuel prices continue to be susceptible to, among other factors, political unrest in various parts of the world, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) policy, the rapid growth of economies in China and India, the levels of inventory carried by industries, the amounts of reserves built by governments, disruptions to production and refining facilities and weather.  In 2005 Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita caused widespread disruption to oil production, refinery operations and pipeline capacity in portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast.  As a result of these disruptions, the price of jet fuel increased significantly and the availability of jet fuel supplies diminished during the fall of 2005.  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.  A one-cent change in the cost of each gallon of fuel would impact operating expenses by approximately $1.4 million per month (based on our 2007 mainline and regional aircraft fuel consumption).  The Company’s mainline fuel expense per available seat mile excluding mark-to-market adjustments related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods was 3.43 cents, on average, for 2007 and 2006.  From time to time, we hedge some of our future fuel purchases to protect against potential spikes in price.  However, these hedging strategies may not always be effective and can result in losses depending on price changes.  As of February 29, 2008, the Company had hedged the price of approximately 18% of its estimated 2008 fuel requirements. As of February 28, 2007, the Company had hedged the price of approximately 40% of its estimated 2007 fuel requirements.

 

The airline industry is intensely competitive.

 

The airline industry is intensely competitive.  Our competitors include other major domestic airlines as well as foreign, regional and new entrant airlines, some of which have more financial resources and/or lower cost structures than ours.  In most of our markets we compete with at least one of these carriers.  Our revenues are sensitive to numerous factors, and the actions of other carriers in the areas of pricing, scheduling and promotions can have a substantial adverse impact on our revenues.

 

Industry revenues are also impacted by growth of low cost airlines and the use of internet travel Web sites.  Using the advantage of low unit costs, driven in large part by lower labor costs, low cost carriers and carriers who have achieved lower labor costs are able to operate profitably while offering substantially lower fares.  Internet travel Web sites have driven significant distribution cost savings for airlines, but have also allowed consumers to become more efficient at finding lower fare alternatives than in the past by providing them with more powerful pricing information.  Such factors become even more significant in periods when the industry experiences large losses, as airlines under financial stress, or in bankruptcy, may institute pricing structures intended to protect market share, or raise cash quickly, irrespective of the impact to long-term profitability.

 

In addition, several of our U.S. competitors, including US Airways, United, Delta and several small U.S. competitors, have recently reorganized under bankruptcy protection. Other carriers could file for bankruptcy or threaten to do so to reduce their costs. Carriers operating under bankruptcy protection can operate in a manner that could be adverse to the Company and could emerge from bankruptcy as more vigorous competitors.

 

From time to time the U.S. airline industry has undergone consolidations, as in the recent merger of US Airways and America West, and may experience additional consolidation in the future. If other airlines participate in merger activity, those airlines may significantly improve their cost structures or revenue generation capabilities, thereby potentially making them stronger competitors of Northwest.

 

The airline industry is sensitive to global events.

 

Global events have also significantly impacted airline industry revenue.  The commencement of the war in Iraq depressed air travel, particularly on international routes.  The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”) also depressed travel on international routes and sensitized passengers to the potential for air travel to facilitate the spread of contagious diseases.  An escalation of the war in the Middle East, or another outbreak of SARS, Avian flu, or other influenza-type illness, if it were to persist for an extended period, could again materially affect the airline industry and the Company by reducing revenues and impacting travel behavior.

 

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Our actual financial results may vary significantly from the projections filed with the Bankruptcy Court.

 

In connection with the Company’s Plan, the Debtors were required to prepare projected financial information to demonstrate to the Bankruptcy Court the feasibility of the Plan and the ability of the Debtors to continue operations upon emergence from bankruptcy. As filed with the Bankruptcy Court on February 15, 2007, as part of the initial form of the disclosure statement, which also was filed with the SEC, and as part of the disclosure statement approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the projections reflected numerous assumptions concerning anticipated future performance and prevailing and anticipated market and economic conditions that were and continue to be beyond our control and that may not materialize.  For example, the projections included an assumption regarding the timing of deliveries of Boeing 787-8 aircraft which is no longer accurate as a result of announced delays in the Boeing 787-8 production program.  Projections are inherently subject to uncertainties and to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks. Our actual results may vary from those contemplated by the projections and the variations may be material.

 

Because our consolidated financial statements following our emergence from bankruptcy reflect fresh-start reporting adjustments, financial information in our financial statements following emergence will not be comparable to NWA Corp.’s financial information from periods prior to emergence from bankruptcy.

 

Following our reorganization, we adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with SOP 90-7, pursuant to which our reorganization value, which represented the fair value of the entity before considering liabilities and approximated the amount a willing buyer would pay for the assets of the entity immediately after the reorganization, has been allocated to the fair value of assets in conformity with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141”), using the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. We stated liabilities, other than deferred taxes and pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, at fair value or at the present values of the amounts to be paid. The amount remaining after allocation of the reorganization value to the fair value of identified tangible and intangible assets has been reflected as goodwill, which is subject to periodic evaluation for impairment. In addition, under fresh-start reporting the accumulated deficit has been eliminated. Thus, our balance sheets and results of operations are not comparable in many respects to balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations data for periods prior to the adoption of fresh-start reporting.

 

Additional terrorist attacks or the fear of such attacks, even if not made directly on the airline industry, could negatively affect the Company and the airline industry.

 

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 involving commercial aircraft severely and adversely affected the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as prospects for the airline industry generally. Among the effects experienced from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were substantial flight disruption costs caused by the FAA, a division of the DOT, which imposed a temporary grounding of the U.S. airline industry’s fleet, significantly increased security costs and associated passenger inconvenience, increased insurance costs, substantially higher ticket refunds and significantly decreased traffic and revenue per revenue passenger mile (“yield”).

 

Additional terrorist attacks, even if not made directly on the airline industry, or the fear of or the precautions taken in anticipation of such attacks (including elevated national threat warnings or selective cancellation or redirection of flights) could materially and adversely affect the Company and the airline industry. The war in Iraq and additional international hostilities could also have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. The Company’s financial resources might not be sufficient to absorb the adverse effects of any further terrorist attacks or an increase in post-war unrest in Iraq or other international hostilities involving the U.S.

 

Additional security requirements may increase the Company’s costs and decrease its traffic.

 

Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and the TSA have implemented numerous security measures that affect airline operations and costs, and are likely to implement additional measures in the future. In addition, foreign governments have also begun to institute additional security measures at foreign airports Northwest serves. A substantial portion of the costs of these security measures is borne by the airlines and their passengers, increasing the Company’s costs and/or reducing its revenue.

 

Security measures imposed by the U.S. and foreign governments after September 11, 2001 have increased Northwest’s costs and may further adversely affect the Company and its financial results. Additional measures taken to enhance either passenger or cargo security procedures and/or to recover associated costs in the future may result in similar adverse effects.

 

Union disputes, employee strikes and other labor-related disruptions may adversely affect the Company’s operations.

 

        Unions represent approximately 80% of the Company’s employees.  The Railway Labor Act (“RLA”) governs the labor relations of employers and employees engaged in the airline industry.  The RLA contains detailed procedures that must be exhausted before a lawful work stoppage may occur.  Pursuant to the RLA, the Company has CBAs with seven domestic unions representing separate employee groups.

 

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Under the RLA, an amendable labor contract continues in effect while the parties negotiate a new contract.  In addition to direct contract negotiations, the RLA also provides for mediation, potential arbitration of unresolved issues and a 30-day “cooling-off” period after the end of which either party can resort to self-help.  The self-help remedies include, but are not limited to, a strike by the members of the labor union and the imposition of proposed contract amendments and, in the event of a strike, the hiring of replacement workers by the Company.  In addition to the risks associated with self-help there is also the risk that dissatisfied employees, either with or without union involvement, could engage in illegal slowdowns, work stoppages, or other actions that may disrupt operations.

 

The loss of skilled employees upon whom the Company depends to operate its business or the inability to attract additional qualified personnel could adversely affect its results of operations.

 

The Company believes that its future success will depend in large part on its ability to attract and retain highly qualified management, technical and other personnel. The Company may not be successful in retaining key personnel or in attracting and retaining other highly qualified personnel. Any inability to retain or attract significant numbers of qualified management and other personnel could adversely affect its business.

 

The Company’s degree of leverage may limit its financial and operating activities.

 

The Company continues to have significant indebtedness even after its exit from bankruptcy.  Further, our historical capital requirements have been significant and our future capital requirements are significant; these requirements may also be affected by general economic conditions, industry trends, performance, and many other factors that are not within our control. The Company cannot ensure that we will be able to obtain financing in the future.  In addition, the Company cannot ensure that we will not experience losses in the future.  Our profitability and ability to generate cash flow will likely depend upon our ability to implement successfully our business strategy.  However, the Company cannot ensure that we will be able to accomplish these results.

 

The covenants in the Company’s Bank Credit Facility may restrict the Company’s activities and require satisfaction of certain financial tests.

 

The Company’s Bank Credit Facility contains a number of covenants and other provisions that may restrict the Company’s ability to engage in various financing transactions and operating activities. The Bank Credit Facility also requires the Company to satisfy certain financial tests.  The ability of the Company to meet these financial covenants may be affected by events beyond its control.  If the Company defaults under any of these requirements, the lenders could declare all outstanding borrowings, accrued interest and fees to be due and payable.  If that were to occur, there can be no assurance that the Company would have sufficient liquidity to repay or refinance this indebtedness or any of its other debt.

 

Changes in government regulations could increase our operating costs and limit our ability to conduct our business.

 

Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory requirements in the U.S. and internationally.  In the last several years, Congress has passed laws and the FAA has issued a number of maintenance directives and other operating regulations that impose substantial costs on airlines.  Additional laws, regulations, taxes and airport charges have been proposed from time to time that could significantly increase the cost of airline operations or reduce revenues.  For example, current proposals to address congestion at and around airports could limit our operations, reduce our revenues and/or increase our costs.  The ability of U.S. carriers to operate international routes is subject to change because the appropriate landing slots or facilities may not be available, or because applicable arrangements between the U.S. and foreign governments may be amended from time to time. If an open skies policy were to be adopted for any of these routes, such an event could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations and could result in the impairment of material amounts of related tangible assets. Recently, the U.S. and the European Union entered into an “open skies” agreement that will become effective at the end of March 2008. We cannot give assurance that laws or regulations enacted in the future will not adversely affect the industry or the Company.

 

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Our insurance costs have increased substantially and further increases could harm our business.

 

Following September 11, 2001, aviation insurers significantly increased airline insurance premiums and reduced the maximum amount of coverage available to airlines for certain types of claims.  In addition, other insurance costs increased significantly following the 2005 Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita events.  Our total aviation and other insurance expenses were $36 million higher in 2007 than in 2000.  The FAA is currently providing aviation war risk insurance as required by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 and subsequently by the Continuing Appropriations Resolution 2007.  However, following multiple extensions, this coverage is scheduled to expire on March 30, 2008.  While the government may again extend the period that it provides excess war risk coverage, there is no assurance that this will occur, or if it does, how long the extension will last, what will be included in the coverage, or at what cost the coverage will be provided.  Should the U.S. government stop providing war risk insurance in its current form to the U.S. airline industry, it is expected that the premiums charged by commercial aviation insurers for this coverage, if available at all, would be substantially higher than the premiums currently charged by the government, the maximum amount of coverage available would be reduced, and the type of coverage could be more restrictive.  Commercial aviation insurers could further increase insurance premiums and reduce or cancel coverage, in the event of a new terrorist attack or other events adversely affecting the airline industry.  Significant increases in insurance premiums could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.  If we are unable to obtain adequate war risk insurance, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

 

If we were to be involved in an accident, we could be exposed to significant tort liability.  Although we carry insurance to cover damages arising from an accident, resulting tort liability could be higher than our policy limits which could negatively impact our financial condition.

 

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

 

We conduct a significant portion of our operations in foreign locations.  As a result, we have operating revenues and, to a lesser extent, operating expenses, as well as assets and liabilities, denominated in foreign currencies, principally the Japanese yen.  Fluctuations in foreign currencies can significantly affect our operating performance and the value of our assets and liabilities located outside of the U.S.  From time to time, we use financial instruments to hedge our exposure to foreign currencies.  However, these hedging strategies may not always be effective.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had hedged approximately 42.6 percent of its 2008 anticipated yen-denominated sales. The 2008 Japanese yen hedges consist of forward contracts which hedge approximately 32.7 percent of yen-denominated sales at an average rate of 109.3 yen per U.S. dollar and collar options which hedge approximately 9.9 percent of yen-denominated sales with a rate range between 102.4 and 116.4 yen per U.S. dollar.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company had no forward contracts or collar options outstanding related to its anticipated 2007 yen-denominated sales.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had also hedged approximately 66.4 percent of its 2008 anticipated Canadian dollar denominated sales with forward contracts at an average rate of 1.0008 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company had no forward contracts outstanding related to its anticipated 2007 Canadian dollar denominated sales.

 

We are exposed to changes in interest rates.

 

We had $7.1 billion of debt and capital lease obligations that were accruing interest as of December 31, 2007 and $3.8 billion of total balance sheet cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments as of December 31, 2007.  Of the indebtedness, 70% bears interest at floating rates.  An increase in interest rates would have an overall negative impact on our earnings as increased interest expense would only be partially offset by increased interest income.  From time to time, we use financial instruments to hedge our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  However, these hedging strategies may not always be effective.  As of December 31, 2007 the Company had entered into individual interest rate cap hedges related to three floating rate debt instruments, with a total cumulative notional amount of $429 million.  The objective of the interest rate cap hedges is to protect the anticipated payments of interest (cash flows) on the designated debt instruments from adverse market interest rate changes.

 

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Any “ownership change” could limit our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards.

 

Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), a corporation is generally allowed a deduction in any taxable year for net operating losses carried over from prior years.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $3.6 billion of federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards.  A corporation’s use of its NOL carryforwards is generally limited under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change.”  However, when an “ownership change” occurs pursuant to the implementation of a plan of reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code (as was the case on the Effective Date of the Company’s Plan), special rules in either Section 382(l)(5) or Section 382(l)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code apply instead of the general Section 382 limitation rules.  In general terms, Sections 382(l)(5) or (l)(6) allow for a more favorable utilization of a company’s NOL carryforwards than would otherwise have been available following an “ownership change” not in connection with a plan of reorganization.  We have not yet determined whether we will be eligible for, or will rely on, Section 382(l)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, or whether we will instead rely on Section 382(l)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Assuming we are eligible for, and rely on, Section 382(l)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, a second “ownership change” within two years from the Effective Date of the Plan would eliminate completely our ability to utilize our NOL carryforwards.  Even if we rely on Section 382(1)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, an “ownership change” after the Effective Date of the Plan could significantly limit our ability to utilize our NOL carryforwards for taxable years including or following the subsequent “ownership change.”  To avoid a potential adverse effect on our ability to utilize our NOL carryforwards after the Effective Date of the Plan, we have imposed restrictions on certain transfers of our common stock.

 

Due to industry seasonality, operating results for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the entire year.

 

The airline industry is seasonal in nature.  Due to seasonal fluctuations, operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of those for the entire year.  Our second and third quarter operating results have historically been more favorable due to increased leisure travel on domestic and international routes during the summer months.

 

The Company relies heavily on automated systems to operate its business and any significant failure of these systems could harm its business.

 

The Company depends on automated systems to operate its business, including its internal airline reservation systems, flight operations systems, telecommunication systems and commercial Web sites, including nwa.com. Northwest’s Web site and reservation systems must be able to accommodate a high volume of traffic and deliver important flight information, as well as process critical financial transactions. Substantial or repeated Web site, reservations systems or telecommunication systems failures could reduce the attractiveness of Northwest’s services versus its competitors and materially impair its ability to market its services and operate its flights.

 

The Company’s business relies extensively on third-party providers. Failure of these parties to perform as expected, or unexpected interruptions in the Company’s relationships with these providers or their provision of services to the Company, could have an adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company has engaged a growing number of third-party service providers to perform a large number of functions that are integral to its business, such as the operation of certain of its regional carriers, provision of information technology infrastructure and services, provision of maintenance and repairs and performance of aircraft fueling operations, among other vital functions and services. The Company does not directly control these third-party providers, although it does enter into agreements with many of them that define expected service performance. Any of these third-party providers, however, may materially fail to meet their service performance commitments to the Company. The failure of these providers to adequately perform their service obligations, or other unexpected interruptions of services, may reduce the Company’s revenues and increase its expenses or prevent Northwest from operating its flights and providing other services to its customers. In addition, the Company’s business and financial performance could be materially harmed if its customers believe that its services are unreliable or unsatisfactory.

 

15



 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain of the statements made in “Item 1.  Business,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements and are based upon information available to the Company on the date the statements are made.  The Company, through its management, may also from time to time make oral forward-looking statements.  In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is hereby identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company.  Any such statement is qualified by reference to the following cautionary statements.

 

The Company believes that the material risks and uncertainties that could affect the outlook of an airline operating in a global economy include, among others, the ability of the Company to operate pursuant to the terms of its financing facilities (particularly the related financial covenants), the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates, the future level of air travel demand, the Company’s future passenger traffic and yields, the airline industry pricing environment, increased costs for security, the cost and availability of aviation insurance coverage and war risk coverage, the general economic condition of the U.S. and other regions of the world, the price and availability of jet fuel, the war in Iraq, the possibility of additional terrorist attacks or the fear of such attacks, concerns about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and other influenza or contagious illnesses, labor strikes, work disruptions, labor negotiations both at other carriers and the Company, low cost carrier expansion, capacity decisions of other carriers, actions of the U.S. and foreign governments, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and inflation.  Additional information with respect to these factors and these and other events that could cause differences between forward-looking statements and future actual results is contained in “Risk Factors Related to Northwest and the Airline Industry” above.

 

Developments in any of these areas, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, could cause the Company’s results to differ from results that have been or may be projected by or on behalf of the Company.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  These statements deal with the Company’s expectations about the future and are subject to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations.  All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or persons acting on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors described above.

 

Item 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

16



 

Item 2.    PROPERTIES

 

Flight Equipment

 

As shown in the following table, Northwest operated a mainline fleet of 356 aircraft at December 31, 2007, consisting of 295 narrow-body and 61 wide-body aircraft.  Northwest’s purchase commitments for aircraft as of December 31, 2007 are also provided.

 

 

 

 

 

In Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Aircraft

 

 

 

Seating

 

 

 

Capital

 

Operating

 

 

 

Age

 

on Firm

 

Aircraft Type

 

Capacity

 

Owned

 

Lease

 

Lease

 

Total

 

(Years)

 

Order

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger Aircraft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Airbus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A319

 

124

 

55

 

 

2

 

57

 

5.8

 

5

 

A320

 

148

 

45

 

 

28

 

73

 

13.0

 

2

 

A330-200

 

243

 

11

 

 

 

11

 

2.7

 

 

A330-300

 

298

 

21

 

 

 

21

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boeing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

787-8

 

TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

757-200

 

160-184

 

38

 

1

 

16

 

55

 

16.5

 

 

757-300

 

224

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

4.8

 

 

747-400

 

403

 

4

 

 

12

 

16

 

14.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McDonnell Douglas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DC9

 

100-125

 

94

 

 

 

94

 

35.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

284

 

1

 

58

 

343

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freighter Aircraft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boeing 747F

 

 

 

10

 

 

3

 

13

 

25.1

 

 

Total Northwest Operated Aircraft

 

 

 

294

 

1

 

61

 

356

 

17.5

(1)

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Aircraft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRJ200

 

50

 

 

 

141

 

141

 

4.5

 

 

Saab 340

 

33

 

 

 

49

 

49

 

10.1

 

 

CRJ900

 

76

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

0.3

 

23

 

Embraer 175

 

76

 

9

 

 

 

9

 

0.2

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Airlink Operated Aircraft

 

 

 

22

 

 

190

 

212

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Aircraft

 

 

 

316

 

1

 

251

 

568

 

 

 

75

 


(1)   Excluding DC9 aircraft, the average age of Northwest-operated aircraft is 11.1 years.

 

In total, the Company took delivery of eight Airbus A330-300, 13 CRJ900 and nine Embraer 175 aircraft during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007.  In connection with the acquisition of these 30 aircraft, the Company entered into long-term debt arrangements.  Under such arrangements, the aggregate amount of debt incurred totaled $1.1 billion.

 

During 2007, the Company sold 57 aircraft including nine A319, nine DC10-30, seven Boeing 747-200 and 32 DC9 aircraft.  Proceeds from these sales totaled $279 million.

 

        See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 14 — Commitments” for further information related to the Company’s aircraft and commitments.

 

Airport Facilities

 

        Northwest leases the majority of its airport facilities.  The associated lease terms cover periods up to 30 years and contain provisions for periodic adjustment of lease payments.  At most airports that it serves, Northwest has entered into agreements that provide for the non-exclusive use of runways, taxiways, terminals and other facilities.  Landing fees under these agreements normally are based on the number of landings and weight of the aircraft.

 

17



 

        In certain cases, the Company has constructed facilities on leased land that revert to the lessor upon expiration of the lease.  These facilities include cargo buildings in Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle and Honolulu; support buildings at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport; a line maintenance hangar in Seattle; and several hangars in Detroit.

 

        The Company is currently managing and supervising the design and construction of a $60 million luggage system security expansion project at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, scheduled to be operationally complete in late 2008.

 

Other Property and Equipment

 

        Northwest’s primary offices are located near the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, including its corporate offices located on a 160-acre site east of the airport.  Other owned facilities include reservations centers in Baltimore, Maryland, Tampa, Florida, Minot, North Dakota and Chisholm, Minnesota, and a data processing center in Eagan, Minnesota.  The Company also owns property in Tokyo, including a 1.3-acre site in downtown Tokyo and a 33-acre land parcel, 512-room hotel and flight kitchen located near Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.  In addition, the Company leases reservations centers in or near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle and Sioux City, Iowa.

 

Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 

        On September 14, 2005, NWA Corp. and 12 of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court.  On September 30, 2005, NWA Aircraft Finance, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of NWA Corp., also filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11.  On May 18, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation Order”) approving and confirming the Debtors’ First Amended Joint and Consolidated Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.  On May 31, 2007, the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy.  The reorganization cases were jointly administered under the caption “In re NWA Corp., et al., Case No. 05-17930 (ALG).”  The Confirmation Order provided for the discharge upon the Effective Date of the Debtors from all Claims (as defined in the Plan) based upon acts or omissions that occurred prior to the Effective Date.  In addition, as established by the Confirmation Order, holders of pre-Effective Date claims are enjoined from commencing or continuing any action or proceeding against the Reorganized Debtors with respect to such claims, except as otherwise permitted by the Bankruptcy Court for purposes of determining the amount of their respective claims.  The legal proceedings outstanding against the Company as of the Petition Date are subject to the injunction established by the Confirmation Order.

 

Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Filipas, et al (U.S. Dist. Ct. Minnesota, Case 07-CIV-4803 (JNE/JJG)).  On December 12, 2007, Northwest Airlines, Inc. filed a declaratory judgment action against six of its employee pilots seeking a declaration that its recently implemented Target Benefit Pension Plan (collectively bargained for with the Air Line Pilots Association) does not violate any applicable prohibitions against age discrimination, including under ERISA.  In its complaint, Northwest asks the court to certify a defendant class of all employee pilots who will receive less under the new target plan than they would have received under the predecessor plan that provided benefits to pilots on a “flat percentage” or “pro rata to pay” basis.

 

In addition, in the ordinary course of its business, the Company is party to various other legal actions which the Company believes are incidental to the operation of its business.  The Company believes that the outcome of the proceedings to which it is currently a party (including those described above) will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

 

18



 
Item 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 

No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company’s security holders during the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

        Douglas M. Steenland, age 56, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NWA Corp. and Northwest since October 2004 and was elected a director of both companies in September 2001. He has served in a number of executive positions since joining Northwest in 1991, including President from April 2001 to October 2004, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Officer from September 1999 to April 2001, Executive Vice President-Alliances, General Counsel and Secretary from January 1999 to September 1999, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from June 1998 to January 1999, and Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from July 1994 to June 1998. Prior to joining Northwest, Mr. Steenland was a senior partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand.

 

        Neal S. Cohen, age 47, was elected Executive Vice President - Strategy, International and Chief Executive Officer of Regional Airlines of Northwest effective May 31, 2007.  He served as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of NWA Corp. and Northwest from May 2005 through May 2007.  Prior to rejoining Northwest in May 2005, Mr. Cohen served at US Airways as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from April 2002 to April 2004, and served as Chief Financial Officer for Conseco Finance from April 2001 to March 2002.  Prior to his position at Conseco Finance, Mr. Cohen served as Chief Financial Officer for Sylvan Learning Systems.  From 1991 to 2000, Mr. Cohen held a number of senior marketing and finance positions at Northwest, including Senior Vice President and Treasurer and Vice President — Market Planning.

 

David M. Davis, age 41, was elected Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of NWA Corp. and Northwest effective May 31, 2007.  He served as Senior Vice President — Finance & Controller of Northwest from August 2005 through May 2007.  From November 2004 to August 2005, Mr. Davis served as Chief Financial Officer of Kraton Polymers LLC, and from April 2002 to November 2004, he served in senior finance roles at US Airways, including as Executive Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer from May 2004 to November 2004. From 2000 to 2002, he served as Vice President — Financial Planning and Analysis of Budget Group, Inc. and prior to 2000 he served in a number of finance positions at Delta Air Lines and at Northwest.

 

        J. Timothy Griffin, age 56, has served as Executive Vice President-Marketing and Distribution of Northwest since January 1999.  From June 1993 to January 1999, he served as Senior Vice President-Market Planning and Systems.  Prior to joining Northwest in 1993, Mr. Griffin held senior positions with Continental Airlines and American Airlines.

 

        Andrew C. Roberts, age 47, has served as Executive Vice President — Operations since November 2004.  He has served in a number of executive positions since joining Northwest in 1997, including Senior Vice President — Technical Operations from August 2001 to November 2004, Vice President — Materials Management from April 1999 to August 2001, and Managing Director — Minneapolis/St. Paul Engine Operations from September 1997 to April 1999.  Prior to joining Northwest, Mr. Roberts held senior positions with Pratt & Whitney and Aviall, Inc.

 

19



 

PART II

 

Item 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The Predecessor Company’s common stock ceased trading on the NASDAQ stock market on September 26, 2005 and began trading in the “over-the-counter” market under the symbol NWACQ.PK.  Upon the Effective Date of the Plan, the  outstanding common and preferred stock of the Predecessor Company was cancelled for no consideration and the Predecessor Company’s stockholders no longer have any interest as stockholders in the Successor Company by virtue of their ownership of the Predecessor Company’s common or preferred stock prior to emergence from bankruptcy.

 

The Successor Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE and began trading under the symbol “NWA” on May 31, 2007.  The Plan contemplates the issuance of approximately 277 million shares of new common stock by the Successor Company (out of the 400 million shares of new common stock authorized under its amended and restated certificate of incorporation), as follows:

·                  225.8 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of certain general unsecured claims;

·                  8.6 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of guaranty claims;

·                  27.8 million shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the Rights Offering and an Equity Commitment Agreement; and

·                  15.2 million shares of common stock are subject to awards under a management equity plan.

 

Financial results of the Successor Company are not comparable with the results of the Predecessor Company, as discussed in “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 2 — Fresh-Start Reporting.”  The table below shows the high and low sales prices for the Company’s common stock during 2007 and 2006.

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

 

 

Period from

 

Period from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1 to

 

May 31 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

May 30

 

June 30

 

3rd Quarter

 

4th Quarter

 

2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

5.55

 

$

0.77

 

$

26.33

 

$

23.95

 

$

20.25

 

Low

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.00

 

$

22.13

 

$

14.91

 

$

14.26

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

2nd Quarter

 

3rd Quarter

 

4th Quarter

 

2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.65

 

$

0.85

 

$

6.55

 

Low

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.61

 

 

As of January 31, 2008, there were 2,653 stockholders of record of our Successor Company common stock.

 

Since 1989, NWA Corp. has not declared or paid any dividends on the Predecessor Company’s common stock and does not currently anticipate paying dividends on the Successor Company’s common stock.  Under the provisions of the Company’s Bank Credit Facility, NWA Corp.’s ability to pay dividends on or repurchase its common stock is restricted.  Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to applicable limitations under Delaware law, and will be dependent upon the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.

 

Stockholder Rights Plan.  Pursuant to the Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”), each share of common stock has attached to it a right and, until the rights expire or are redeemed, each new share of common stock issued by NWA Corp., will include one right.  Once exercisable, each right entitles the holder (other than the acquiring person or group) to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $120, subject to adjustment.  The rights become exercisable upon the occurrence of certain events, including the acquisition by any air carrier with passenger revenues in excess of approximately $1 billion per year (as such amount may be increased based on increases in the Consumer Price Index from 2000) (a “Major Carrier”), a holding company of a Major Carrier or any of their respective affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of NWA Corp.’s outstanding common stock or commences a tender or exchange offer that would result in such person or group acquiring beneficial ownership of 20% or more of NWA Corp.’s outstanding common stock.  The rights expire on May 31, 2017, and may be redeemed by NWA Corp. at a price of $.01 per right prior to the time they become exercisable.

 

20



 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Common stock repurchases in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total number of

 

shares (or approximate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares purchased

 

dollar value of shares)

 

 

 

Total number

 

Average price

 

as part of publicly

 

that may yet be

 

 

 

of shares

 

paid

 

announced plans

 

purchased under the

 

Period

 

purchased (a)

 

per share

 

or programs

 

plans or programs (b)

 

10/01/07-10/31/07

 

274

 

$

19.91

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

11/01/07-11/30/07

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

12/01/07-12/31/07

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 


(a)          Consisted of vested shares under the Management Equity Plan that were forfeited due to the Company’s disgorgement provision.

 

(b)         The Management Equity Plan provides that the Company may permit the withholding of shares to satisfy tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock. The Management Equity Plan does not specify a maximum number of shares that may be withheld.

 

21



 

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period from

 

Period from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Statements of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger

 

$

5,660

 

$

3,768

 

$

9,230

 

$

8,902

 

$

8,432

 

$

7,632

 

Regional carrier

 

884

 

521

 

1,399

 

1,335

 

1,083

 

860

 

Cargo

 

522

 

318

 

946

 

947

 

830

 

752

 

Other

 

538

 

317

 

993

 

1,102

 

934

 

833

 

Total operating revenues

 

7,604

 

4,924

 

12,568

 

12,286

 

11,279

 

10,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

6,863

 

4,561

 

11,828

 

13,205

 

11,784

 

10,342

 

Operating income (loss)

 

741

 

363

 

740

 

(919

)

(505

)

(265

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margin

 

9.7

%

7.4

%

5.9

%

(7.5

)%

(4.5

)%

(2.6

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

342

 

1,751

 

(2,835

)

(2,464

)

(862

)

248

    

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

 

 

(69

)

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

342

 

$

1,751

 

$

(2,835

)

$

(2,533

)

$

(862

)

$

248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.30

 

$

20.03

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(29.36

)

$

(10.32

)

$

2.75

 

Diluted

 

$

1.30

 

$

14.28

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(29.36

)

$

(10.32

)

$

2.62

 

 

 

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and unrestricted short-term investments

 

$

3,034

 

 

 

$

2,058

 

$

1,262

 

$

2,459

 

$

2,757

 

Total assets

 

24,517

 

 

 

13,215

 

13,083

 

14,042

 

14,008

 

Long-term debt, including current maturities

 

6,961

 

 

 

4,112

 

1,159

 

8,411

 

7,866

 

Long-term obligations under capital leases, including current obligations

 

127

 

 

 

 

11

 

361

 

419

 

Long-term pension and postretirement health care benefits, including current obligations

 

3,720

 

 

 

185

 

264

 

4,095

 

3,756

 

Liabilities subject to compromise

 

 

 

 

13,572

 

14,328

 

 

 

Preferred redeemable stock subject to compromise

 

 

 

 

277

 

280

 

263

 

236

 

Common stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

7,377

 

 

 

(7,991

)

(5,628

)

(3,087

)

(2,011

)

 

“Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” are integral to understanding the selected financial data presented in the table above.

 

22



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Operating Statistics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled service - Consolidated: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available seat miles (ASM) (millions)

 

93,328

 

92,944

 

100,461

 

98,591

 

94,211

 

Revenue passenger miles (RPM) (millions)

 

78,320

 

78,044

 

81,914

 

78,130

 

72,032

 

Passenger load factor

 

83.9

%

84.0

%

81.5

%

79.2

%

76.5

%

Revenue passengers (millions)

 

66.4

 

67.6

 

70.3

 

67.2

 

62.1

 

Passenger revenue per RPM (yield)

 

13.83

¢

13.62

¢

12.50

¢

12.18

¢

11.79

¢

Passenger revenue per scheduled ASM (RASM)

 

11.61

¢

11.44

¢

10.19

¢

9.65

¢

9.01

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel gallons consumed - Consolidated (millions) (1)

 

1,720

 

1,780

 

1,976

 

1,958

 

1,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled service - Mainline: (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available seat miles (ASM) (millions)

 

86,142

 

85,603

 

91,775

 

91,378

 

88,593

 

Revenue passenger miles (RPM) (millions)

 

72,924

 

72,606

 

75,820

 

73,312

 

68,476

 

Passenger load factor

 

84.7

%

84.8

%

82.6

%

80.2

%

77.3

%

Revenue passengers (millions)

 

53.7

 

54.8

 

56.5

 

55.4

 

51.9

 

Passenger revenue per RPM (yield)

 

12.93

¢

12.71

¢

11.74

¢

11.50

¢

11.15

¢

Passenger revenue per scheduled ASM (RASM)

 

10.94

¢

10.78

¢

9.70

¢

9.23

¢

8.61

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel gallons consumed - Mainline (millions) (2)

 

1,545

 

1,593

 

1,745

 

1,766

 

1,752

 


(1)     Consolidated statistics include Northwest Airlink regional carriers.

(2)                Mainline statistics exclude Northwest Airlink regional carriers, which is consistent with how the Company reports statistics to the DOT.

 

 

   “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” are integral to understanding the selected financial data presented in the table above.

 

 

23



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Mainline Operating Statistical Results (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total available seat miles (ASM) (millions)

 

86,310

 

85,738

 

91,937

 

91,531

 

89,158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger service operating expense per
total ASM (2)(3)(4)

 

10.75

¢

10.95

¢

11.53

¢

10.62

¢

9.87

¢

Aircraft impairment, curtailment charge, severance expense and other per total ASM (4)

 

¢

0.03

¢

0.14

¢

0.31

¢

0.11

¢

Mainline fuel expense per ASM

 

3.41

¢

3.43

¢

2.99

¢

2.14

¢

1.53

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark-to-market gains (losses) per total ASM related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods

 

0.02

¢

¢

¢

¢

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mainline fuel expense per total ASM, excluding mark-to-market gains (losses) related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods

 

3.43

¢

3.43

¢

2.99

¢

2.14

¢

1.53

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cargo ton miles (millions)

 

2,067

 

2,269

 

2,397

 

2,338

 

2,184

 

Cargo revenue per ton mile

 

40.65

¢

41.71

¢

39.51

¢

35.48

¢

34.42

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

 

1,545

 

1,593

 

1,745

 

1,766

 

1,752

 

Average fuel cost per gallon, excluding taxes

 

205.41

¢

202.47

¢

170.73

¢

118.17

¢

80.68

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark-to-market gains (losses) per fuel gallons consumed related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods

 

1.18

¢

(0.17

¢

¢

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average fuel cost per gallon, excluding fuel taxes and mark-to-market gains (losses) related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods

 

206.59

¢

202.30

¢

170.73

¢

118.17

¢

80.68

¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of operating aircraft at year end

 

356

 

371

 

379

 

435

 

430

 

Full-time equivalent employees at year end

 

30,306

 

30,484

 

32,460

 

39,342

 

39,100

 


(1)                  Mainline statistics exclude Northwest Airlink regional carriers, which is consistent with how the Company reports statistics to the DOT.

 

(2)               This financial measure excludes non-passenger service expenses.  The Company believes that providing financial measures directly related to passenger service operations allows investors to evaluate and compare the Company’s core operating results to those of the industry.

 

(3)      Passenger service operating expense excludes the following items unrelated to passenger service operations:

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Regional carrier expenses

 

$

1,259

 

$

1,406

 

$

1,576

 

$

1,210

 

$

822

 

747 Freighter operations

 

654

 

804

 

791

 

608

 

497

 

MLT Inc. - net of intercompany eliminations

 

177

 

193

 

193

 

192

 

197

 

Other

 

56

 

43

 

43

 

56

 

26

 

 

(4)     Passenger service operating expense per ASM includes the following items:

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Aircraft and aircraft related write-downs

 

$

 

$

 

$

48

 

$

203

 

$

21

 

Curtailment charges

 

 

 

82

 

 

58

 

Severance expenses

 

 

23

 

 

 

20

 

Other

 

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

 

   “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” are integral to understanding the selected financial data presented in the table above.

 

24



 

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

NWA Corp. is a holding company whose operating subsidiary is Northwest.  The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NWA Corp. and all consolidated subsidiaries.  Substantially all of the Company’s results of operations are attributable to its operating subsidiary, Northwest, which accounted for approximately 99% of the Company’s 2007 consolidated operating revenues and expenses.  The Company’s results of operations also include other subsidiaries of which MLT is the most significant.  The following discussion pertains primarily to Northwest and, where indicated, MLT.

 

On September 14, 2005 (the “Petition Date”), NWA Corp. and 12 of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”).  Subsequently, on September 30, 2005, NWA Aircraft Finance, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of NWA Corp., also filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11.  On May 18, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving and confirming the Debtors’ First Amended Joint and Consolidated Plan of Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as confirmed, the “Plan” or “Plan of Reorganization”).  The Plan became effective and the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy protection on May 31, 2007 (the “Effective Date”).

 

On the Effective Date, the Company implemented fresh-start reporting in accordance with SOP 90-7.  Thus the consolidated financial statements prior to June 1, 2007 reflect results based upon the historical cost basis of the Company while the post-emergence consolidated financial statements reflect the new basis of accounting incorporating the fair value adjustments made in recording the effects of fresh-start reporting.  Therefore, the post-emergence periods are not comparable to the pre-emergence periods.  However, for discussions on the results of operations, the Company has combined the results for the five months ended May 31, 2007 with the seven months ended December 31, 2007.  The combined period has been compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2006.  The Company believes that the combined financial results provide management and investors a better perspective of the Company’s core business and on-going operational financial performance and trends for comparative purposes.

 

Full Year 2007 Results

 

The Company reported net income applicable to common stockholders of $2.1 billion for the combined year ended December 31, 2007, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $2.8 billion in 2006.  In 2007, the Company reported operating income of $1.1 billion, compared with operating income of $740 million in 2006.

 

Operating revenues for the full year 2007 decreased 0.3 percent versus 2006 to $12.5 billion.  System consolidated passenger revenue increased 1.9 percent to more than $10.8 billion on 0.4 percent additional available seat miles (“ASMs”), resulting in a 1.5 percent increase in unit revenue.  Excluding the impact of fresh-start reporting, system consolidated passenger revenue increased 2.8 percent due to a 2.4 percent improvement in unit revenue.

 

Operating expenses decreased 3.4 percent year-over-year to $11.4 billion, resulting in a 2.0 percent decrease in mainline unit costs, excluding fuel and unusual items.

 

Full year 2007 results included $1.5 billion of net unusual and reorganization related gains.  Unusual non-operating items consisted of a $14 million loss on the sale of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. common stock and $1.6 billion of reorganization related gains. See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 7 — Reorganization Related Items” for further information related to the Company’s reorganization items.

 

Full year 2006 results included $3.2 billion of net unusual and reorganization related losses. Operating expenses included $23 million in severance charges related to the Company’s ratified contract agreement with AMFA. Reorganization expenses recorded during 2006 totaled $3.2 billion. See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements Supplementary Data, Note 7 — Reorganization Related Items” for further information related to the Company’s reorganization items.

 

Full year 2005 results included $1.2 billion of net unusual and reorganization related losses.  Operating expenses included $130 million of unusual items related to pension curtailment charges and aircraft and aircraft related write-downs.  Unusual non-operating items consisted of an $18 million loss on the sale of the Company’s Pinnacle Airlines note to Pinnacle Airlines Corp. and a gain of $102 million from the sale of the Prudential Financial Inc. Common Stock received in conjunction with Prudential’s demutualization.  Reorganization expenses recorded during 2005 totaled $1.1 billion.  The Company also recorded a cumulative effect of accounting change in the amount of $69 million during 2005.

 

25



 

Results of Operations—2007 Compared to 2006

 

Operating Revenues.  Operating revenues decreased 0.3% ($40 million), as a result of reductions in cargo revenue and other revenue, partially offset by higher system passenger revenue and regional carrier revenue.

 

System Passenger Revenues.  In the following analysis by region, mainline statistics exclude Northwest Airlink regional carriers, which is consistent with how the Company reports statistics to the DOT.  On the Effective Date, in conjunction with implementing fresh-start reporting, the Company changed its policies pertaining to the accounting for frequent flyer obligations and breakage of passenger tickets. Frequent flyer obligations are now recognized on a deferred revenue method versus an incremental cost method.  The impact of the changes to accounting for frequent flyer obligations on the Successor Company was a reduction of $58.9 million in mainline passenger revenue and an increase of $9.5 million in regional carrier revenue for the seven months ended December 31, 2007.  Adjustments to air traffic liability are now recognized as revenue based on the delayed recognition approach, when the validity period of the ticket has expired, versus the use of historical trends and estimates.  The overall impact of this change on passenger revenue was a reduction of $44.7 million for the seven months ended December 31, 2007.  The following analysis by region outlines the Company’s year-over-year performance as reported and excluding fresh-start related changes:

 

 

 

Mainline

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

Pacific

 

Atlantic

 

Mainline

 

Consolidated

 

As reported:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger revenues (in millions)

 

$

5,867

 

$

2,186

 

$

1,375

 

$

9,428

 

$

10,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) from 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger revenues (in millions)

 

$

(123

)

$

121

 

$

200

 

$

198

 

$

204

 

Percent

 

(2.1

)%

5.9

%

17.0

%

2.1

%

1.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled service ASMs (capacity)

 

(2.3

)%

1.6

%

11.0

%

0.6

%

0.4

%

Scheduled service RPMs (traffic)

 

(1.3

)%

0.3

%

7.4

%

0.4

%

0.4

%

Passenger load factor

 

0.9

pts.

(1.1

)pts.

(2.9

)pts.

(0.1

)pts.

(0.1

)pts.

Yield

 

(0.8

)%

5.6

%

8.9

%

1.7

%

1.5

%

Passenger RASM

 

0.3

%

4.2

%

5.5

%

1.5

%

1.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excluding fresh-start related changes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger revenues (in millions)

 

$

5,952

 

$

2,213

 

$

1,367

 

$

9,532

 

$

10,927

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) from 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger revenues (in millions)

 

$

(38

)

$

148

 

$

192

 

$

302

 

$

298

 

Percent

 

(0.6

)%

7.2

%

16.3

%

3.3

%

2.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yield

 

0.6

%

6.9

%

8.4

%

2.8

%

2.4

%

Passenger RASM

 

1.7

%

5.5

%

4.8

%

2.6

%

2.4

%

 

Regional Carrier Revenues.  Regional carrier revenues increased 0.4% ($6 million) to $1.4 billion, primarily due to a 1.2% yield improvement on a 2.1% capacity reduction.

 

Cargo Revenues.  Cargo revenues decreased 11.2% ($106 million) to $840 million due to an 8.9% reduction in cargo ton miles and a 2.5% reduction in yield.  Cargo revenues consisted of freight and mail carried on passenger aircraft and the Company’s dedicated fleet of Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft.

 

Other Revenues.  Other Revenues, the principal components of which are MLT, other transportation fees, partner revenues, and charter revenues, decreased 13.9% ($138 million).  The year-over-year decrease was due to the change in presentation of regional carrier related revenue and expense items, as described in “Items 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” partially offset by the portion of payments received for frequent flyer miles that is now recorded in Other Revenues.

 

26



 

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses decreased 3.4% ($404 million) for 2007.  As a result of the adoption of fresh-start reporting, the Company’s financial statements on or after June 1, 2007 are not comparable with its pre-emergence financial statements because they are, in effect, those of a new entity.  In addition to the fair value adjustments required for fresh-start reporting, the Company changed its policies pertaining to the accounting for frequent flyer obligations and breakage of passenger tickets.  The effects of fresh-start reporting, the policy changes and the impact of exit-related stock compensation expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations are itemized in column (1).  On April 24, 2007, Mesaba Aviation, Inc. was acquired by the Company and became a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary, the impact of which is itemized in column (2).  In conjunction with the Amended Airline Services Agreement with Pinnacle and the Stock Purchase and Reorganization Agreement with Mesaba, the Company changed its presentation of certain regional carrier related revenue and expense items effective January 1, 2007.  This change in presentation had no impact on the Company’s operating income for the year ended December 31, 2007 and is itemized in column (3).  Excluding the items described above, the comparable year-over-year operating performance variances are itemized in column (4).  The following table and notes present operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 and describe significant year-over-year variances:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) Due To:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh-Start/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined

 

 

 

Exit-Related

 

Mesaba

 

Regional

 

 

 

Total

 

%

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

Stk Comp

 

Net of

 

Carrier

 

 

 

Incr (Decr)

 

Incr

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 Exp

 

Elim

 

Reclass

 

Operations

 

 from 2006

 

(Decr)

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft fuel and taxes

 

$

3,378

 

$

3,386

 

$

 

$

11

 

 

$

(19

)

A

  $

(8

)

(0.2

)%

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

2,568

 

2,662

 

20

 

79

 

 

(193

)

B

(94

)

(3.5

)

Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs

 

811

 

796

 

 

20

 

 

(5

)

C

15

 

1.9

 

Selling and marketing

 

751

 

759

 

(11

)

 

 

3

 

C

(8

)

(1.1

)

Other rentals and landing fees

 

539

 

562

 

 

10

 

 

(33

)

D

(23

)

(4.1

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

495

 

519

 

(5

)

7

 

3

 

(29

)

E

(24

)

(4.6

)

Aircraft rentals

 

378

 

226

 

 

 

188

 

(36

)

F

152

 

67.3

 

Regional carrier expenses

 

776

 

1,406

 

 

(138

)

(400

)

(92

)

G

(630

)

(44.8

)

Other

 

1,728

 

1,512

 

 

32

 

 

184

)

H

216

 

14.3

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

11,424

 

$

11,828

 

$

4

 

$

21

 

$

(209

)

$

(220

)

 

  $

(404

)

(3.4

)%


A.           Aircraft fuel and taxes decreased primarily due to gains related to fuel derivative contracts and a reduction in fuel gallons consumed, partially offset by higher fuel prices.  During 2007, we recognized $112.9 million of fuel derivative net gains as reductions to fuel expense, including $18.7 million of unrealized gains related to fuel derivative contracts that will settle in 2008.  During 2006, we recognized $39.3 million of fuel derivative net losses as additional fuel expense.  Total mainline gallons consumed decreased 3.0 percent, while the average fuel price per gallon increased 1.5 percent.

 

B.             Salaries, wages and benefits were lower year-over-year primarily due to reductions in employee benefit costs, outsourcing of certain station operations, and severance charges recorded in 2006 for a ratified contract agreement with AMFA, partially offset by increases related to employee profit sharing and performance incentive plans.

 

C.             Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs and selling and marketing expenses were relatively flat year-over-year.

 

D.            Other rentals and landing fees decreased due to a favorable settlement with the Metropolitan Airports Commission and fewer overall landings.

 

E.              Depreciation and amortization expense reductions were largely due to the retirement of the DC10 fleet and reductions in the DC9 fleet, partially offset by incremental deliveries of A330, CRJ900 and Embraer 175 aircraft.

 

F.              Aircraft rentals expense decreased primarily due to restructured and rejected aircraft leases.

 

G.             Regional carrier expense decreased year-over-year primarily due to the reduction in regional carrier capacity and restructured agreements with our regional airline affiliates.  In addition, the Company recorded fuel and fuel related expenses for its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Compass and Mesaba, in Aircraft Fuel and Taxes and Other in 2007.

 

H.            Other expenses (which include MLT operating expenses, outside services, insurance, passenger food, personnel expenses, communication expenses and supplies) were higher versus prior year due largely to an increase in outside services with the shift to third party vendors versus internally staffed station operations which is offset in salaries, wages and benefits.  Increased passenger claims, professional fees, and personnel expenses also contributed to the variance.

 

27



 

Other Income and Expense.  Non-operating expense decreased $4.8 billion primarily due to a $1.8 billion gain on debt discharge, $1.3 billion in net gains associated with revaluing our assets and liabilities at fresh-start, and a $1.7 billion year-over-year reduction in other reorganization-related expenses.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 7 — Reorganization Related Items” for additional information related to the Company’s reorganization items.

 

Tax Expense (Benefit).  Given recent loss experience, the Company provides a valuation allowance against tax benefits, principally for net operating losses in excess of its deferred tax liability.  It is more likely than not that future deferred tax assets will require a valuation allowance to be recorded to fully reserve against the uncertainty that those assets would be realized.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 13 — Income Taxes” for additional discussion of the Company’s tax accounts.

 

Results of Operations—2006 Compared to 2005

 

Operating Revenues.  Operating revenues increased 2.3% ($282 million), the result of higher system passenger and regional carrier revenue.

 

System Passenger Revenues.  In the following analysis by region, mainline statistics exclude Northwest Airlink regional carriers, which is consistent with how the Company reports statistics to the DOT.

 

 

 

 

Mainline

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

Pacific

 

Atlantic

 

Mainline

 

Consolidated

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger revenues (in millions)

 

$

5,990

 

$

2,065

 

$

1,175

 

$

9,230

 

$

10,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) from 2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger revenues (in millions)

 

$

216

 

$

78

 

$

34

 

$

328

 

$

392

 

Percent

 

3.8

%

3.9

%

3.0

%

3.7

%

3.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled service ASMs (capacity)

 

(7.9

)%

(3.8

)%

(7.0

)%

(6.7

)%

(7.5

)%

Scheduled service RPMs (traffic)

 

(4.3

)%

(3.3

)%

(5.5

)%

(4.2

)%

(4.7

)%

Passenger load factor

 

3.1

pts.

0.4

pts.

1.5

pts.

2.2

pts.

2.5

pts.

Yield

 

8.4

%

7.4

%

8.9

%

8.3

%

9.0

%

Passenger RASM

 

12.6

%

7.9

%

10.7

%

11.1

%

12.3

%

 

Regional Carrier Revenues.  Regional carrier revenues increased 4.8% ($64 million) to $1.4 billion, primarily due to improved yield on a 15.5% capacity reduction.

 

Cargo Revenues.  Cargo revenues decreased 0.1% ($1 million) to $946 million due to a 5.3% reduction in cargo ton miles, partially offset by a 5.6% improvement in yield.  Cargo revenues consisted of freight and mail carried on passenger aircraft and the Company’s dedicated fleet of Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft.

 

Other Revenues.  Other revenues, the principal components of which are MLT, other transportation fees, partner revenues, charter and rental revenues, decreased 9.9% ($109 million).  The year-over-year decrease was due primarily to a reduction in KLM related revenue.

 

28


 


 

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses decreased 10.4% ($1.4 billion) for 2006.  The following table and notes present operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and describe significant year-over-year variances (in millions):

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31

 

(Decrease)

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

from 2005

 

Change

 

Note

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft fuel and taxes

 

$

3,386

 

$

3,132

 

$

254

 

8.1

%

A

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

2,662

 

3,721

 

(1,059

)

(28.5

)

B

 

Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs

 

796

 

703

 

93

 

13.2

 

C

 

Selling and marketing

 

759

 

811

 

(52

)

(6.4

)

D

 

Other rentals and landing fees

 

562

 

627

 

(65

)

(10.4

)

E

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

519

 

552

 

(33

)

(6.0

)

F

 

Aircraft rentals

 

226

 

429

 

(203

)

(47.3

)

G

 

Regional carrier expenses

 

1,406

 

1,576

 

(170

)

(10.8

)

H

 

Other

 

1,512

 

1,654

 

(142

)

(8.6

)

I

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

11,828

 

$

13,205

 

$

(1,377

)

(10.4

)%

 

 


A.           Aircraft fuel and taxes were driven by higher fuel prices, partially offset by a reduction in total gallons consumed due to capacity reductions.  The average fuel price per gallon increased 18.6% to $2.02, while total mainline gallons consumed decreased 8.7%. During 2006, we recognized $39.3 million of fuel derivative net losses as additional fuel expense, including $2.7 million of unrealized losses related to fuel derivative contracts that will settle in 2007. During 2005, we recognized $20.9 million of fuel derivative net gains as a reduction to fuel expense.

 

B.             Salaries, wages and benefits decreased primarily due to consensually agreed upon CBAs, wage reductions imposed under Section 1113, reduced mechanic pay and headcount, the reduced level of flying, the freezing of the pension plans, and curtailment charges recorded as pension expense in 2005. Pension curtailment charges in 2006 were recorded as reorganization expense and not included in operating expense.

 

C.             The increase in aircraft maintenance materials and repairs expense was largely due to the shift to third party maintenance vendors versus internally completed maintenance work.

 

D.            Selling and marketing expense decreases were primarily due to a decline in enplanements, a shift in the volume of bookings made by travel agents through computer reservation systems (“CRS”) to nwa.com, and lower booking fee rates.

 

E.              Other rentals and landing fees increased due to reduced facility rents and fewer overall landings.

 

F.              Depreciation and amortization expense is lower as a result of owned aircraft, and related inventory and equipment, permanently removed from service.

 

G.             Aircraft rentals expense decreased primarily due to restructured and rejected aircraft leases.

 

H.            The decrease in regional carrier expenses was due primarily to the reduction in regional carrier capacity which drove decreases in payments to regional carriers and fuel requirements of $147 million and $23 million, respectively.

 

I.                 Other expenses (which include MLT operating expenses, outside services, insurance, passenger food, personnel expenses, communication expenses and supplies) decreased primarily due to volume reductions.

 

Other Income and Expense.  Non-operating expense increased $2.1 billion primarily due to reorganization expenses.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 7 — Reorganization Related Items” for additional information related to the Company’s reorganization items.

 

        Tax Expense (Benefit).  Given recent loss experience, the Company provides a valuation allowance against tax benefits, principally for net operating losses in excess of its deferred tax liability. It is more likely than not that future deferred tax assets will require a valuation allowance to be recorded to fully reserve against the uncertainty that those assets would be realized.  In 2006, the Company decreased its income tax reserves by $37 million to reflect the current status of the Company’s federal income tax appeal for the tax years 1996-2002.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 13 - Income Taxes” for additional discussion of the Company’s tax accounts.

 

29



 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

      At December 31, 2007, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.9 billion, unrestricted short-term investments of $95 million, and borrowing capacity under an undrawn credit facility of $101 million, providing total available liquidity of $3.1 billion. This amount excludes $725 million of restricted short-term investments (which may include amounts held as cash).  Liquidity increased by $1.1 billion during the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

      Significant Liquidity Events

 

In May, as part of the Company’s Plan of Reorganization, the Company raised net proceeds of $728 million in capital through the sale of new common stock pursuant to the Rights Offering and an Equity Commitment Agreement.

 

In June, the Company reclassified $325 million of deposits and holdbacks from restricted to unrestricted cash.  Such amounts were previously held by certain vendors under contracts entitling the vendors to retain cash to secure obligations under those contracts.

 

In November, the Company closed on an accounts receivable financing facility.  The facility size is $150 million and as of December 31, 2007, the facility was undrawn.  The new facility replaces an existing receivables facility that was terminated in November.  The facility that was replaced was undrawn upon termination as the Company prepaid, in full, $106 million of debt under that facility in May 2007.

 

The Company sold certain assets throughout 2007 including 57 aircraft, the Company’s remaining equity investment in Pinnacle Airlines Corp. common stock, and the liquidation of its holdings in Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (“ARINC”).  Proceeds from the sales of the aircraft, which included DC9, A319, DC10, and Boeing 747-200 aircraft, and investments totaled $279 million and $130 million, respectively.  Proceeds from the sale of the A319 aircraft were primarily used to pre-pay debt originally issued to finance the aircraft.

 

In August, the Company deposited into an escrow account $213 million related to Northwest’s pending investment in Midwest Air Group, LLC, a company formed by Northwest, TPG Midwest US V, LLC, and TPG Midwest International V, LLC for purposes of acquiring Midwest Air Group, Inc.  The deposit was classified as restricted cash as of December 31, 2007 and was subsequently withdrawn upon the closing of the transaction in January 2008.

 

        Cash Flow Activities

 

        Operating Activities.  Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 totaled $1.4 billion, a $0.2 billion increase from the $1.2 billion of cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The increase in net cash provided by operations was primarily due to an increased net profit, excluding reorganization items, in 2007.  Reorganization expenses are comprised of mainly non-cash items.

 

Investing Activities.  Investing activities during 2007 included the purchase of eight A330-300, 13 CRJ900, and nine Embraer 175 aircraft, proceeds from the sale of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. common stock and ARINC, and other related costs.  Other related costs include engine purchases, costs to commission aircraft before entering revenue service, deposits on ordered aircraft, facility improvements and ground equipment purchases.

 

Financing Activities.  Financing activities during 2007 consisted primarily of $728 million in net proceeds from the Rights Offering, the financing of two A330-300, 13 CRJ900, and nine Embraer 175 aircraft with long-term debt, and the financing of Boeing 787 aircraft pre-delivery deposits, partially offset by debt payments and debt prepayments.

 

Non-Cash Flow Transactions and Leasing Activities.  The Company also financed the delivery of six Airbus A330-300 aircraft during 2007 through non-cash transactions with the manufacturer, which are reflected as long-term debt on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet, but are not classified as a cash flow activity.  In connection with the acquisition of these aircraft, the Company entered into long-term debt arrangements.  Under these arrangements, the aggregate amount of debt incurred totaled approximately $502 million.

 

 

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Investing activities affecting cash flows and non-cash flow transactions and leasing activities related to the initial acquisition of aircraft consisted of the following for the year ended December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

Non-cash Transactions

 

 

 

Affecting Cash Flows

 

and Leasing Activities

 

Airbus A330-300

 

2

 

6

 

Embraer 175

 

9

 

 

CRJ900

 

13

 

 

 

 

24

 

6

 

 

For further discussion related to the Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations, see “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8 — Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings and Note 9 - Leases,” for additional information.

 

Prior Years’ Cash Flow Activities

 

As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s total liquidity, consisting of unrestricted balance sheet cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, was $2.06 billion.  This amount excludes $424 million of restricted short-term investments (which may include amounts held as cash). Liquidity increased by $0.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

        Operating Activities.  Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 totaled $1.2 billion, a $1.7 billion increase from the $437 million of cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2005.  This increase in net cash provided by operations was primarily due to a net profit, excluding reorganization items and other non-cash expenses in 2006. Reorganization expenses are comprised of mainly non-cash items.

 

Investing Activities.  Investing activities during 2006 consisted primarily of aircraft capital expenditures and other related costs.  Other related costs include engine purchases, costs to commission aircraft before entering revenue service, deposits on ordered aircraft, facility improvements and ground equipment purchases.

 

Investing activities during 2006 also included a $153 million reduction to a cash collateral account, which decreased the Company’s restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balance and increased the Company’s unrestricted cash balance.

 

Financing Activities.  Financing activities during 2006 consisted primarily of proceeds from debt issuances and payments on debt.  Proceeds from the debt included; the issuance of the DIP/Exit facility for $1.225 billion; proceeds of $779 million from the A330 Financing that refinanced three A330-300, seven A330-200, one A319, and one A320 aircraft and financed one A330-300 aircraft; $145 million in proceeds from financing two A330-200 aircraft with a manufacturer; and $127 million of proceeds drawn down under an accounts receivable term loan that previously had been paid off. Significant payments of debt included: a $100 million redemption of EETC notes on six B757-200 aircraft, representing a 42% discount off the outstanding balance of the notes; as part of a refinancing, a pre-payment of $127 million on a term loan secured by certain accounts receivable; a $50 million pre-payment on a term loan secured by the Company’s investment in its regional carriers; payoff of the existing $975 million Bank Term Loan in order to issue the DIP/Exit facility; and $1.1 billion of other debt and capital lease payments, including the payoff of debt on the three A330-300 and seven A330-200 aircraft in connection with the A330 Financing.

 

Non-Cash Flow Transactions and Leasing Activities.  In addition to the refinancing of 12 Airbus aircraft of various types and the financing of three Airbus A330 aircraft with debt and manufacturer proceeds discussed above, the Company also took delivery of one Airbus A330-300 and two Airbus A330-200 aircraft during 2006 which were acquired largely through non-cash transactions with the manufacturer and are not classified as cash flow activities.

 

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Contractual Obligations.  The following table summarizes the Company’s commitments to make long-term debt and minimum lease payments, aircraft purchases, and certain other obligations for the years ending December 31.

 

(In millions)

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Long-term debt (1)

 

$

953

 

$

1,080

 

$

895

 

$

1,028

 

$

822

 

$

5,949

 

$

10,727

 

Capital leases (2)

 

10

 

14

 

9

 

9

 

8

 

203

 

253

 

Operating leases: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft

 

385

 

382

 

393

 

339

 

303

 

1,902

 

3,704

 

Non-aircraft

 

184

 

176

 

154

 

128

 

115

 

902

 

1,659

 

Aircraft commitments (4)

 

1,205

 

1,167

 

770

 

79

 

97

 

 

3,318

 

Other purchase obligations (5)

 

28

 

20

 

13

 

12

 

11

 

19

 

103

 

Total (6)

 

$

2,765

 

$

2,839

 

$

2,234

 

$

1,595

 

$

1,356

 

$

8,975

 

$

19,764

 


(1)          Amounts represent principal and interest for long-term debt.  Interest on variable rate debt was estimated based on the current rate in effect at December 31, 2007.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8 — Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings” for additional information.

 

The above table also includes principal and interest obligations related to $454 million of aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates (“2007-1 EETC”) issued on October 10, 2007.  The 2007-1 EETC proceeds were placed in escrow to pre-fund the financing of 27 new Embraer 175 aircraft expected to be delivered in 2008.  Interest on the Certificates will be payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on May 1, 2008.  The 2007-1 EETC proceeds will finance aircraft deliveries in 2008 and are, therefore, not included in “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8 — Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings.”

 

(2)          Amounts represent principal and interest for capital leases.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 9 — Leases” for information related to the Company’s overall lease commitments.

 

(3)          Amounts represent minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of more than one year.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 9 — Leases” for information related to these amounts and the Company’s overall lease commitments.

 

(4)          The amounts presented represent contractual commitments for firm-order aircraft and are net of previously paid purchase deposits.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 14 — Commitments” for a discussion of these purchase commitments.

 

(5)          Amounts represent non-cancelable commitments to purchase goods and services, including such items as software communications and information technology support.  In addition to the contractual cash obligations and commitments included in the table, the Company will in the ordinary course spend significant amounts of cash to operate its business.  For example, the Company will pay wages as required under its various CBAs and will be obligated to make contributions to the pension plans benefiting its employees (as discussed below); the Company will purchase capacity from its regional airline affiliates (in return for which Northwest generally retains all revenues from tickets sold in respect of that purchased capacity); and the Company will pay, among other items, credit card processing fees, CRS fees and outside services related to information technology support and engine and airframe maintenance.  While these and other expenditures may be covered by legally binding agreements, the actual payment amounts will depend on volume and other factors that cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, and accordingly they are not included in the table.

 

(6)          Purchase orders made in the ordinary course of business are excluded from the table.  Any amounts for which the Company is liable under purchase orders are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. The SEC requires registrants to disclose “off-balance sheet arrangements.”  As defined by the SEC, an off-balance sheet arrangement includes any contractual obligation, agreement or transaction involving an unconsolidated

entity under which a company (1) has made guarantees, (2) has retained a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) has an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity, or (4) has any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the Company, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with the Company.

 

        The Company has examined the structures of its contractual obligations potentially impacted by this disclosure requirement and has concluded that no arrangements of the types described above exist that may have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

 

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Pension Funding Obligations. The Company has several defined benefit plans and defined contribution 401(k)-type plans covering substantially all of its employees.  Northwest froze future benefit accruals for its defined benefit Pension Plans for Salaried Employees, Pilot Employees, and Contract Employees effective August 31, 2005, January 31, 2006, and September 30, 2006, respectively.  Replacement pension coverage is provided for these employees through 401(k)-type defined contribution plans or in the case of IAM represented employees, the IAM National Multi-Employer Plan.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 16 — Pension and Other Postretirement Health Care Benefits” for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining pension liability and expense.

 

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“2006 Pension Act”) was signed into law on August 17, 2006. The 2006 Pension Act allows commercial airlines to elect special funding rules for defined benefit plans that are frozen.  The unfunded liability for a frozen defined benefit plan may be amortized over a fixed 17-year period. The unfunded liability is defined as the actuarial liability calculated using an 8.85% interest rate minus the fair market value of plan assets.  Northwest elected the special funding rules for frozen defined benefit plans under the 2006 Pension Act effective October 1, 2006.  As a result of this election (1) the funding waivers that Northwest received for the 2003 plan year contributions were deemed satisfied under the 2006 Pension Act, and (2) the funding standard account for each Plan had no deficiency as of September 30, 2006.  New contributions that came due under the 2006 Pension Act funding rules were paid while Northwest was in bankruptcy and must continue to be paid going forward.  If the new contributions are not paid, the future funding deficiency that would develop will be based on the regular funding rules rather than the special funding rules.

 

It is Northwest’s policy to fund annually at least the minimum contribution as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).  Northwest’s 2007 calendar year contributions to its frozen defined benefit plans under the provisions of the 2006 Pension Act and the replacement plans were approximately $130 million.  In 2008, Northwest’s calendar year contributions to its frozen defined benefit plans under the provisions of the 2006 Pension Act and the replacement plans will approximate $140 million.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially reflect materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for additional discussion of the application of these estimates and other accounting policies.  The Company’s management discussed the development of the estimates and disclosures related to each of these matters with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

        Fresh-Start Reporting.  Upon emergence from its Chapter 11 proceedings on May 31, 2007, the Company adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with SOP 90-7.  The Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 resulted in a new reporting entity with no retained earnings or accumulated deficit.  Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for periods prior to June 1, 2007 are not comparable to consolidated financial statements presented on or after June 1, 2007.

 

Fresh-start reporting reflects the value of the Company as determined in the confirmed Plan of Reorganization. Under fresh-start reporting, the Company’s asset values were remeasured and allocated in conformity with SFAS No. 141.  The excess of reorganization value over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets was recorded as goodwill in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.  In addition, fresh-start reporting also required that all liabilities, other than deferred taxes and pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, be stated at fair value or at the present values of the amounts to be paid using appropriate market interest rates. Deferred taxes were determined in conformity with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS No. 109”).  In estimating fair value, we based our estimates and assumptions on the guidance prescribed by SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), which we adopted in conjunction with our emergence from bankruptcy and adoption of fresh-start reporting.  SFAS No. 157, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.

 

Estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimates based on its valuation models, which incorporated industry data and trends and relevant market rates and transactions.  The estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies beyond the control of the Company.  Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements” for additional information regarding assets and liabilities remeasured at fair value on the Effective Date.

 

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        To facilitate the calculation of the enterprise value of the Successor Company, Northwest’s financial advisors assisted management in the preparation of a valuation analysis for the Successor Company’s common stock to be distributed as of the Effective Date to the unsecured creditors.  The enterprise valuation included (i) a 40% weighting towards a comparable company analysis based on financial ratios and multiples of comparable companies, which were then applied to the financial projections developed by the Company to arrive at an enterprise value; and (ii) a 60% weighting towards a discounted cash flow analysis which measures the projected multi-year, unlevered free cash flows of the Company to arrive at an enterprise value.

 

The estimated enterprise value and corresponding equity value are highly dependent upon achieving the future financial results set forth in the five-year financial projections included in the Company’s Plan of Reorganization, as well as the realization of certain other assumptions.  The equity value of the Company was calculated to be a range of approximately $6.45 billion to $7.55 billion.  Based on claims trading prior to the Company’s Effective Date and the trading value of the Company’s common stock post emergence, the equity value of the Company was estimated to be $6.45 billion for purposes of preparing the Company’s financial statements.  The estimates and assumptions made in this valuation are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and the resolution of contingencies beyond the reasonable control of the Company.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and amounts reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.  Moreover, the market value of the Company’s common stock may differ materially from the equity valuation.

 

Frequent Flyer Program.  Northwest operates a frequent flyer loyalty program known as “WorldPerks.”  WorldPerks is designed to retain and increase traveler loyalty by offering incentives to travelers for their continued patronage.  Under the WorldPerks program, miles are earned by flying on Northwest or its alliance partners and by using the services of program partners for such things as credit card use, hotel stays, car rentals and other activities.  Northwest sells mileage credits to the program and alliance partners.  WorldPerks members accumulate mileage in their accounts and later redeem mileage for free or upgraded travel on Northwest and alliance partners.  WorldPerks members that achieve certain mileage thresholds also receive enhanced service benefits from Northwest such as special service lines, advance flight boarding and upgrades.

 

The Company adopted a deferred revenue method to recognize frequent flyer liabilities on the Effective Date.  Under this method, we account for miles earned and sold as separate deliverables in a multiple element arrangement as prescribed by EITF No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables (“EITF No. 00-21”).  Therefore, mileage credits earned on or after June 1, 2007 are now deferred based upon the price for which we sell mileage credits to other airlines (“deferred mileage credits”), which we believe represents the best evidence of their fair value in accordance with EITF No. 00-21.  The revenue on deferred frequent flyer miles will be recognized when the miles are ultimately redeemed through flight, upgrades or other means, or when it becomes remote that the miles will ever be used.  Estimating deferred mileage credits that will not be redeemed requires significant management judgment. Based on current program rules and historical redemption trends, the Company records passenger revenue associated with deferred mileage credits if the mile is unredeemed seven years after issuance.

 

We previously accounted for frequent flyer miles earned on Northwest flights on an incremental cost basis as an accrued liability and as operating expense, while miles sold to airline and non-airline businesses were accounted for on a deferred revenue basis.  Also in conjunction with the adoption of the new accounting policy, Northwest began recording a component of the payments received from non-airline marketing partners in Other Revenue rather than in Passenger Revenue.  The component recognized as Other Revenue is the portion of the payment received that represents the amount paid by the marketing partner in excess of the value of the deferred mileage credits.

 

As a result of the application of fresh-start reporting, the WorldPerks frequent flyer obligation was revalued at the Effective Date to reflect the estimated fair value of miles to be redeemed in the future. Outstanding miles earned by flying Northwest or its partner carriers were revalued using a weighted average per-mile equivalent ticket value, taking into account such factors as class of service and domestic and international ticket itineraries, which can be reflected in awards flown by WorldPerks members.  At December 31, 2007, the Company had recorded deferred revenue for its frequent flyer program totaling $2.0 billion. At December 31, 2006, the Company had recorded an incremental cost liability and deferred revenue for its frequent flyer program totaling $412 million.  A hypothetical 1% increase or decrease in the number of outstanding miles would result in a change of approximately $19 million to the deferred revenue liability.

 

Operating Revenues.  The value of unused passenger tickets, miscellaneous change orders (“MCO’s”) and travel credit vouchers (“TCV’s”) are included in current liabilities as air traffic liability.  Passenger and cargo revenues are recognized when the transportation is provided or when the ticket expires.  Unused domestic passenger tickets generally expire one year from scheduled travel.  Unused international passenger tickets generally expire one year from ticket issuance.  On the Effective Date, the Company revised the accounting method used to recognize revenue for unused tickets, adopting the delayed recognition approach.  Under the delayed recognition approach, no revenue is recognized on an unused ticket until the validity period has expired and the ticket can no longer be used; therefore, management estimates are no longer required to recognize breakage revenue.  Prior to the Effective Date, the Company recognized breakage associated with unused passenger tickets based on estimates of future breakage based on historical breakage trends.

 

34



 

Fixed Asset and Definite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairments.  The Company evaluates long-lived tangible assets and definite-lived intangible assets for potential impairments in compliance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, (“SFAS No. 144”).   For fixed assets, these impairment evaluations are primarily initiated by fleet plan changes and therefore predominantly performed on fleet-related assets.  For definite-lived intangible assets, impairment evaluations are initiated based on quarterly reviews of key indicators of impairment.  The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts.  Impairment losses are measured by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying amounts.  In determining the need to record impairment charges, the Company is required to make certain estimates regarding such things as the current fair market value of the assets and future net cash flows to be generated by the assets.  The current fair market value is determined by valuations or published sales values of similar assets, and the future net cash flows are based on assumptions such as asset utilization, expected remaining useful lives, future market trends and projected salvage values. Impairment charges are recorded in depreciation and amortization expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.  If there are subsequent changes in these estimates, or if actual results differ from these estimates, additional impairment charges may be required.

 

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets.  The Company accounts for intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS No. 142”).  SFAS No. 142 requires that companies test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis rather than amortize such assets.  The Company tests the balance for impairment annually as of October 1 and/or when an impairment indicator exists.

 

Impairment testing is performed in accordance with SFAS No. 142.  The Company’s impairment testing of goodwill is based on the fair value of the enterprise considering both the market and income valuation approaches.  The Company is annually required to complete Step 1 (determining and comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit to its carrying value) of the impairment test.  Step 2 is required to be completed if Step 1 indicates that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value and involves the calculation of the implied fair value of goodwill.  The Company completed Step 1 of the impairment assessment at its annual impairment testing date in 2007.  Based upon the Company’s valuation procedures, the Company determined that the fair value of the enterprise exceeded its carrying value.  As such, the Company was not required to complete Step 2 of the impairment test and no impairment loss was recognized.

 

The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by remeasuring those assets at fair value using the Company’s forecasts and estimates, market information on comparable assets, when available, and discount rates calculated from industry-wide information.  Based upon the Company’s valuation procedures, we determined that the fair values of each category of indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded its carrying value; as such, no impairment was recorded on these assets.

 

The determination of fair value requires significant management judgment including the identification and computation of multiples of comparable companies, computation of control premiums, future capacity, passenger yield, passenger traffic, jet fuel and other operating costs, changes in working capital, capital investments, the selection for the appropriate discount rates and other relevant factors.

 

The Company’s forecasts and estimates were based on assumptions that are consistent with the plans and estimates the Company is using to manage its business.  Changes in these estimates could change the Company’s conclusion regarding an impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets and potentially result in a non-cash impairment in a future period.  Fuel costs and general economic conditions significantly impact our business and, thus, long-term assumptions related to these items materially impact the computation of our fair value.  If the expected future price of fuel does not decrease from the record levels experienced during late 2007 or if the Company is unable to pass this commodity price increase on to its passengers or if general economic conditions experience a material, negative change, the Company may be required to book an impairment sometime during 2008.

 

Pension Liability and Expense.  The Company has several defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution 401(k)-type plans covering substantially all of its employees.  The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plans in accordance with SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions, (“SFAS No. 87”), which requires that amounts recognized in financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis that includes estimates relating to expected return on plan assets, discount rate, and employee compensation.  Northwest froze future benefit accruals for its defined benefit Pension Plans for Salaried Employees, Pilot Employees, and Contract Employees effective August 31, 2005, January 31, 2006, and September 30, 2006, respectively.  Replacement pension coverage was provided for these employees through 401(k)-type defined contribution plans or in the case of IAM represented employees, the IAM National Multi-Employer Plan.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 16 — Pension and Other Postretirement Health Care Benefits” for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining pension liability and expense.

 

35



 

During the second quarter of 2005, the Company changed its method of recognizing certain pension plan administrative expenses associated with the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and now includes them as a service cost component of net periodic pension cost.  These expenses include trustee fees, other administrative expenses and insurance premiums paid to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”), all of which were previously reflected as a reduction in the market value of plan assets and therefore amortized with other asset gains and losses.  The Company believes the change is preferable because it more appropriately ascribes the expenses to the period in which they are incurred.  The cumulative effect of applying this change to net periodic pension expense in prior years is $69.1 million, which was retroactively recorded as of January 1, 2005, and was included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005.

 

A significant element in determining the Company’s pension expense is the expected return on plan assets, which is based in part on historical results for similar allocations among asset classes.  The difference between the expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred and, under certain circumstances, amortized over the average life expectancy of plan participants.  Therefore, the net deferral of past asset gains (losses) ultimately affects future pension expense.

 

In developing the expected long-term rate of return assumption, the Company examines projected returns by asset category with its pension investment advisors.  Projected returns are based primarily on broad, publicly traded equity and fixed-income indices.  The advisors’ asset category return assumptions are based in part on a review of historical asset returns, but also emphasize current market conditions to develop estimates of future risk and return. Current market conditions include the yield-to-maturity and credit spreads on a broad bond market benchmark in the case of fixed income asset classes, and current prices as well as earnings and dividend growth rates in the case of equity asset classes. The assumptions are also adjusted to account for the value of active management the funds have provided historically. The Company’s expected long-term rate of return for 2008 is based on target asset allocations of 35% equities with an expected rate of return of 8.75%; 25% international equities with an expected rate of return of 8.75%; 10% private markets with an expected rate of return of 11.75%; 15% long-duration bonds with an expected rate of return of 6.0%; 5% high yield bonds with an expected rate of return of 7.50%; and 10% real estate equities with an expected rate of return of 6.75%.  These assumptions result in a weighted geometric average rate of return of 8.75%.  The Company historically weighted these assumptions based on an arithmetic average.  Beginning in 2006, the Company weighted the above category rate-of-return assumptions based on a geometric average.  The Company believes this change from arithmetic to geometric is preferable to its prior method in that it incorporates the underlying volatility of various asset category rate-of-return trends.  The Company’s expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 9.0% for calendar year 2007 and 2006.

 

Plan assets for the Company’s pension plans are managed by external investment management organizations.  These investment management firms are prohibited by the investment policies of the plan from investing in Company securities, other than as part of a market index fund that could have a diminutive proportion of such securities.

 

The Company also determines the discount rate used to measure plan liabilities.  The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year.  In estimating this rate, the Company looks to rates of return on fixed-income investments of similar duration to the liabilities in the plans that hold high, investment grade ratings by recognized ratings agencies.  By applying this methodology, the Company determined a weighted-average discount rate of 6.31% to be appropriate at December 31, 2007, versus the 5.93% discount rate used at December 31, 2006.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, accounting for the changes related to the Company’s pension plans resulted in a loss of $199 million in accumulated other comprehensive income on a pre-tax basis.  The impact on accumulated other comprehensive income from May 31, 2007 was principally due to a 4.9% decrease in the fair value of the plan assets offset by a 1.5% decrease in benefit obligations driven by a 0.14% increase in the discount rate from 6.17% to 6.31%.   The impact of a 0.25% change in the weighted average discount rate is shown in the table below.  See the “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” section for additional information related to the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, (“SFAS No. 158”).

 

As of February 1, 2006 the majority of the Company’s qualified pension plans whose benefits were in part impacted by projected rate of future compensation increases were frozen. Compensation increases assumption for remaining plans does not materially impact the Company’s pension expense.

 

36



 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized consolidated pension expense of $58 million, including replacement defined contribution requirements, compared to $335 million in 2006.  The impact of a 0.50% change in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is shown in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

Effect on Accrued

 

 

Effect on 2008

 

Pension Liability at

Change in Assumption

 

Pension Expense

 

December 31, 2007

0.25% decrease in discount rate

 

- 5 million

 

+278 million

0.25% increase in discount rate

 

+5 million

 

-262 million

0.50% decrease in expected return on assets

 

+32 million

 

n/a

0.50% increase in expected return on assets

 

-32 million

 

n/a

 

Deferred Tax Asset.  The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing the liability method.  Deferred income taxes are primarily recorded to reflect the tax consequences of differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities.  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, the realization of the future tax benefits of a deferred tax asset is dependent on future taxable income against which such tax benefits can be applied.  All available evidence must be considered in the determination of whether sufficient future taxable income will exist.  Such evidence includes, but is not limited to, the company’s financial performance, the market environment in which the company operates, the utilization of past tax credits, and the length of relevant carryback and carryforward periods.  Sufficient negative evidence, such as cumulative net losses during a three-year period that includes the current year and the prior two years, may require that a valuation allowance be established with respect to existing and future deferred tax assets.  As a result, it is more likely than not that future deferred tax assets will require a valuation allowance to be recorded to fully reserve against the uncertainty that those assets would be realized.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.  This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and provides guidance for the classification and disclosure of noncontrolling interests (formerly called minority interests), as well as deconsolidation of subsidiaries.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this statement on its financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141R”).  This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and adjusts certain guidance related to recording nearly all transactions where one company gains control of another.  The statement revises the measurement principle to require fair value measurements on the acquisition date for recording acquired assets and liabilities.  It also changes the requirements for recording acquisition-related costs and liabilities.  Additionally, the statement revises the treatment of valuation allowance adjustments related to income tax benefits in existence prior to a business combination.  The current standard, SFAS No. 141, requires that adjustments to these valuation allowances be recorded as adjustments to goodwill, while the new standard will require companies to adjust current income tax expense.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this statement on its financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS No. 159”).  This statement permits all entities to elect to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and may not be applied retrospectively to prior fiscal years.  The Successor Company did not elect to measure any eligible financial instruments at fair value under this guidance.

 

 In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, which amends SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (“SFAS No. 106”) to require recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under SFAS No. 158, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and any remaining transition amounts under SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106 that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects. The measurement date, the date at which the benefit obligation and plan assets are measured, is required to be the company’s fiscal year end. The Company historically had and continues to utilize a fiscal year-end measurement date.  SFAS No. 158 was effective for publicly-held companies for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, except for the measurement date provisions, which are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 increased the Company’s long-term pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities, as well as the Predecessor Company’s equity deficit by $224 million as of December 31, 2006. SFAS No. 158 does not affect the results of operations.

 

37



 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157. This statement provides a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value, and expanded disclosures concerning fair value.  Previously, different definitions of fair value were contained in various accounting pronouncements creating inconsistencies in measurement and disclosures. SFAS No. 157 applies to those previously issued pronouncements that prescribe fair value as the relevant measure of value, except SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”) and related interpretations and pronouncements that require or permit measurement similar to fair value but are not intended to measure fair value.  The Company adopted this statement on the Effective Date.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements” for additional information.

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), which clarifies SFAS No. 109.  FIN 48 prescribes a consistent recognition threshold and criteria for measurement of uncertain tax positions for financial statement purposes.  FIN 48 requires the financial statement recognition of an income tax benefit when the Company determines that it is “more likely than not” the tax position will be ultimately sustained.  FIN 48 also requires expanded disclosure with respect to the uncertainty in income taxes.  The Company adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007, and no change was required to its reserve for uncertain income tax positions under FIN 48.

 

38


 


 

Item 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The risks inherent in the Company’s market-sensitive instruments and positions are the potential losses arising from adverse changes in the price of fuel, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, as discussed below.  The sensitivity analyses presented do not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity nor do they consider additional actions management may take to mitigate its exposure to such changes.  Actual results may differ from the outcomes estimated in the analyses due to factors beyond the Company’s control.  See “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 17 — Risk Management” for related accounting policies and additional information.

 

Aircraft Fuel.  The Company’s earnings are affected by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel.  From time to time, the Company manages the price risk of fuel costs by utilizing futures contracts traded on regulated futures exchanges, swap agreements and options.  Excluding the impact of fuel hedges, a hypothetical 10% increase in the December 31, 2007 cost per gallon of fuel, assuming projected 2008 mainline and regional aircraft fuel usage, would result in an increase to aircraft fuel expense of approximately $369 million in 2008, compared to an estimated $357 million for 2007 measured at December 31, 2006.  The Company, as of February 29, 2008, had hedged the price of approximately 45% and 18% of 2008 first quarter and full year fuel requirements, respectively.  As of February 28, 2007, the Company had hedged approximately 40% of its estimated 2007 fuel requirements.

 

Foreign Currency.  The Company is exposed to the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on the U.S. dollar value of foreign currency-denominated operating revenues and expenses.  The Company’s largest exposure comes from the Japanese yen, and from time to time, the Company uses financial instruments to hedge its exposure to the Japanese yen and other foreign currencies.  The result of a uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar from December 31, 2007 levels relative to each of the currencies in which the Company’s revenues and expenses are denominated would result in a decrease in operating income of approximately $66 million for the year ending December 31, 2008, compared to an estimated decrease of $131 million for 2007 measured at December 31, 2006.  This sensitivity analysis was prepared based upon projected foreign currency-denominated revenues and expenses as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The variance is due to the Company’s foreign currency-denominated revenues exceeding its foreign currency-denominated expenses.

 

The Company also has foreign currency exposure as a result of changes to balance sheet items.  The Company is currently in a net liability position, as its foreign currency-denominated liabilities exceed its foreign currency-denominated assets.  The result of a 10% weakening in the value of the U.S. dollar would result in a decrease to other income of an estimated $9 million in 2008, caused by the remeasurement of net foreign currency-denominated liabilities as of December 31, 2007.  In comparison, the Company was in a net asset position in 2006, as its foreign currency-denominated assets exceeded its foreign currency-denominated liabilities.  The result of a 10% strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar would have resulted in a decrease to other income of an estimated $2 million in 2007, caused by the remeasurement of net foreign currency-denominated assets as of December 31, 2006.  This sensitivity analysis was prepared based upon foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

The Company’s operating income in 2007 was unfavorably impacted by a net $50 million due to the average yen being weaker in 2007 compared to 2006 and unfavorably impacted in 2006 by $107 million due to the average yen being weaker in 2006 compared to 2005.  In 2007, the Company’s yen-denominated net cash inflow was approximately 86 billion yen (approximately $726 million) and its yen-denominated liabilities exceeded its yen-denominated assets by an average of 10 billion yen (approximately $87 million).  In 2006, the Company’s yen-denominated net cash inflow was approximately 86 billion yen (approximately $747 million) and its yen-denominated liabilities exceeded its yen-denominated assets by an average of three billion yen (approximately $24 million).  In general, each time the yen weakens, the Company’s operating income is unfavorably impacted due to net yen-denominated revenues exceeding expenses.  Additionally, a weakening yen results in recognition of a non-operating foreign currency gain due to the remeasurement of net yen-denominated liabilities.

 

As a result of the Company not having any yen hedges in place during 2007, the average yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate for the year ending December 31, 2007 was 118.  Excluding the impact of hedging activities, the average yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate for the years ending December 31, 2006 and 2005 was 117 and 110, respectively.  Including the impact of hedge activities, the average yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate for the years ending December 31, 2006 and 2005 was 115 and 108, respectively.  The Japanese yen financial instruments utilized to hedge net yen-denominated sales resulted in a gain of $8.6 million and $10.9 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had hedged approximately 42.6% of its anticipated 2008 yen-denominated sales.  The 2008 Japanese yen hedges consist of forward contracts which hedge approximately 32.7% of yen-denominated sales at an average rate of 109.3 yen per U.S. dollar and collar options which hedge approximately 9.9% of yen-denominated sales with a rate range between 102.4 and 116.4 yen per U.S. dollar.   As of December 31, 2006, the Company had no hedges in place for its anticipated 2007 yen-denominated sales.

 

39



 

The Company’s operating income in 2007 was favorably impacted by a net $4 million due to the average Canadian dollar being stronger in 2007 compared to 2006 and favorably impacted in 2006 by $15 million due to the average Canadian dollar being stronger in 2006 compared to 2005.  In 2007, the Company’s Canadian dollar-denominated net cash inflow was approximately C$484 million (approximately $453 million) and its Canadian dollar-denominated assets exceeded its Canadian dollar-denominated liabilities by an average of C$10 million (approximately $10 million).  In general, each time the Canadian dollar strengthens, the Company’s operating income is favorably impacted due to net Canadian dollar-denominated revenues exceeding expenses.  Additionally, a weakening Canadian dollar results in recognition of a non-operating foreign currency loss due to the remeasurement of net Canadian dollar-denominated assets.

 

The average Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rate for the years ending December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was 1.07, 1.13 and 1.21, respectively.  The Company did not hedge any of its Canadian dollar-denominated sales in 2007, 2006 or 2005.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had hedged approximately 66.4% of its 2008 anticipated Canadian dollar denominated sales with forward contracts at an average rate of 1.0008 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar.

 

Interest Rates.  The Company’s earnings are also affected by changes in interest rates due to the impact those changes have on its interest income from cash equivalents and short-term investments and its interest expense from floating rate debt instruments.

 

If short-term interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points for a full year, based on the Company’s cash balance at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company’s interest income from cash equivalents and short-term investments would increase by approximately $38 million and $24 million, respectively.  These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rate increase on the Company’s cash equivalent and short-term investment balances at December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

The Company’s floating rate indebtedness was approximately 70% of its total long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2007.  If short-term interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points throughout 2008 as measured at December 31, 2007, the Company’s interest expense would increase by approximately $49 million.  This amount is determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rate increase on the Company’s floating rate indebtedness as of December 31, 2007.  As of December 31, 2007 the Company had entered into individual interest rate cap hedges related to three floating rate debt instruments, with a total cumulative notional amount of $429 million.  The objective of the interest rate cap hedges is to protect the anticipated payments of interest (cash flows) on the designated debt instruments from adverse market interest rate changes.

 

Subsequent to its Chapter 11 filing, the Predecessor Company recorded or accrued post-petition interest expense on pre-petition obligations only to the extent it believed the interest would be paid during the bankruptcy proceeding or that it was probable that the interest would be an allowed claim.  The Predecessor Company’s floating rate indebtedness was approximately 67% of its total long-term debt and capital lease obligations that were accruing interest as of December 31, 2006.  If short-term interest rates would have increased by 100 basis points throughout 2007 as measured at December 31, 2006, the Company’s interest expense would have increased by approximately $46 million.  These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rate increase on the Predecessor Company’s floating rate indebtedness, including debt obligations subject to compromise that continued to accrue interest as of December 31, 2006.

 

Market risk for fixed-rate indebtedness is estimated as the potential decrease in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates and amounts to approximately $96 million measured at December 31, 2007.  This compares to an estimated $35 million measured at December 31, 2006.

 

40



 

Item 8.  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Northwest Airlines Corporation

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Northwest Airlines Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2007 (Successor) and as of December 31, 2006 (Predecessor), and the related consolidated statements of operations, common stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the seven months ended December 31, 2007 (Successor), and for the five months ended May 31, 2007 (Predecessor), and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2006 (Predecessor). Our audit also included the financial statement schedules of the Successor Company and the Predecessor Company for the periods as listed in the index at item 15. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Northwest Airlines Corporation as of December 31, 2007 (Successor) and 2006 (Predecessor), and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the seven-month period ended December 31, 2007 (Successor), five-month period ended May 31, 2007 (Predecessor), and each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2006 (Predecessor), in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, such Successor Company financial statement schedule and Predecessor Company financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, on May 18, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the plan of reorganization which became effective on May 31, 2007. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with AICPA Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code, for the Successor Company as a new entity with assets, liabilities, and a capital structure having carrying values not comparable with prior periods as described in Note 1.

 

As discussed in Notes 3, 4, 11, 13, and 16 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, and SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R), in 2006 and adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, and SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, in 2007.

 

As discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements, in 2005 the Company changed its method of recognizing certain pension plan administrative expenses associated with the Company’s defined benefit pension plans.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Northwest Airlines Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2008, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

 

 

February 28, 2008

 

 

41



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,939

 

$

1,461

 

Unrestricted short-term investments

 

95

 

597

 

Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

725

 

424

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance (2007—$4; 2006—$14)

 

776

 

638

 

Flight equipment spare parts, less allowance (2007—$10; 2006—$255)

 

135

 

104

 

Maintenance and operating supplies

 

180

 

130

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

187

 

212

 

Total current assets

 

5,037

 

3,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Flight equipment

 

7,717

 

10,424

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

197

 

2,815

 

 

 

7,520

 

7,609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other property and equipment

 

594

 

1,674

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

36

 

1,103

 

 

 

558

 

571

 

Total property and equipment

 

8,078

 

8,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLIGHT EQUIPMENT UNDER CAPITAL LEASES

 

 

 

 

 

Flight equipment

 

9

 

24

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

1

 

12

 

Total flight equipment under capital leases

 

8

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

6,035

 

8

 

International routes, less accumulated amortization (2007—$2; 2006—$334)

 

2,976

 

634

 

Other intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2007—$54; 2006—$11)

 

2,136

 

21

 

Investments in affiliated companies

 

24

 

42

 

Other, less accumulated depreciation and amortization (2007—$8; 2006—$914)

 

223

 

752

 

Total other assets

 

11,394

 

1,457

 

Total Assets

 

$

24,517

 

$

13,215

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

42



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share data)

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Air traffic liability/deferred frequent flyer liability

 

$

2,004

 

$

1,557

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

459

 

301

 

Accounts payable

 

706

 

624

 

Collections as agent

 

140

 

138

 

Accrued aircraft rent

 

31

 

49

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

315

 

329

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

446

 

213

 

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

 

3

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

4,104

 

3,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

6,515

 

3,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES

 

124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term pension and postretirement health care benefits

 

3,638

 

86

 

Deferred frequent flyer liability

 

1,490

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,131

 

 

Other

 

138

 

161

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

 

6,397

 

247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

 

 

13,572

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREFERRED REDEEMABLE STOCK SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

 

 

277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

 

 

 

Predecessor Company common stock, $.01 par value; shares authorized—315,000,000; shares issued—111,374,977 at December 31, 2006

 

 

1

 

Successor Company common stock, $.01 par value; shares authorized—400,000,000; shares issued—233,187,998 at December 31, 2007

 

2

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

7,235

 

1,505

 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

342

 

(7,384

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(202

)

(1,100

)

Predecessor Company treasury stock—24,024,317 at December 31, 2006

 

 

(1,013

)

Successor Company treasury stock—1,684 at December 31, 2007

 

 

 

Total common stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

7,377

 

(7,991

)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

$

24,517

 

$

13,215

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

43



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger

 

$

5,660

 

$

3,768

 

$

9,230

 

$

8,902

 

Regional carrier revenues

 

884

 

521

 

1,399

 

1,335

 

Cargo

 

522

 

318

 

946

 

947

 

Other

 

538

 

317

 

993

 

1,102

 

Total operating revenues

 

7,604

 

4,924

 

12,568

 

12,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft fuel and taxes

 

2,089

 

1,289

 

3,386

 

3,132

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

1,541

 

1,027

 

2,662

 

3,721

 

Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs

 

508

 

303

 

796

 

703

 

Selling and marketing

 

436

 

315

 

759

 

811

 

Other rentals and landing fees

 

304

 

235

 

562

 

627

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

289

 

206

 

519

 

552

 

Aircraft rentals

 

218

 

160

 

226

 

429

 

Regional carrier expenses

 

434

 

342

 

1,406

 

1,576

 

Other

 

1,044

 

684

 

1,512

 

1,654

 

Total operating expenses

 

6,863

 

4,561

 

11,828

 

13,205

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

741

 

363

 

740

 

(919

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(282

)

(225

)

(565

)

(610

)

Interest capitalized

 

9

 

6

 

10

 

10

 

Investment income

 

105

 

56

 

109

 

80

 

Earnings of affiliated companies

 

2

 

 

1

 

(14

)

Reorganization items, net

 

 

1,551

 

(3,165

)

(1,081

)

Other, net

 

(9

)

(2

)

6

 

77

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(175

)

1,386

 

(3,604

)

(1,538

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

 

566

 

1,749

 

(2,864

)

(2,457

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

224

 

(2

)

(29

)

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

 

342

 

1,751

 

(2,835

)

(2,464

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

 

 

(69

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

342

 

1,751

 

(2,835

)

(2,533

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock requirements

 

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

 

$

342

 

$

1,751

 

$

(2,835

)

$

(2,555

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

1.30

 

$

20.03

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(28.57

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

 

 

(0.79

)

Net Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

1.30

 

$

20.03

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(29.36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

1.30

 

$

14.28

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(28.57

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

 

 

(0.79

)

Net Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

1.30

 

$

14.28

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(29.36

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

44



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

342

 

$

1,751

 

$

(2,835

)

$

(2,533

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reorganization items, net

 

 

(1,551

)

3,165

 

1,081

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

289

 

206

 

519

 

552

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

224

 

(2

)

(29

)

7

 

Net receipts (payments) of income taxes

 

(1

)

 

2

 

(3

)

Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions (greater) less than expense

 

(13

)

(2

)

261

 

457

 

Stock-based compensation

 

76

 

 

2

 

13

 

Net loss (earnings) of affiliates

 

(2

)

 

(1

)

14

 

Net loss (gain) on disposition of property, equipment and other

 

10

 

4

 

16

 

(80

)

Increase (decrease) in cash flows from operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of the acquisition of Mesaba Aviation, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-emergence reorganization payments

 

(164

)

 

 

 

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

 

(176

)

16

 

(3

)

(102

)

Decrease (increase) in flight equipment spare parts

 

(10

)

3

 

23

 

(3

)

Decrease (increase) in vendor deposits/holdbacks

 

162

 

163

 

(35

)

(290

)

Decrease (increase) in supplies, prepaid expenses and other

 

(74

)

28

 

67

 

(34

)

Increase (decrease) in air traffic liability/deferred frequent flyer liability

 

(317

)

448

 

(33

)

144

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

(21

)

19

 

287

 

206

 

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

 

(1

)

(51

)

(164

)

127

 

Other, net

 

1

 

14

 

(18

)

7

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

325

 

1,046

 

1,224

 

(437

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) REORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES

 

 

5

 

21

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(739

)

(312

)

(527

)

(359

)

Purchases of short-term investments

 

 

(44

)

(21

)

(301

)

Proceeds from sales of short-term investments

 

542

 

15

 

28

 

1,606

 

Proceeds from sale of investment in affiliates

 

130

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

(196

)

(74

)

176

 

(444

)

Cash and cash equivalents acquired in acquisition of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mesaba Aviation, Inc.

 

 

16

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and other assets

 

264

 

 

7

 

6

 

Proceeds from sale of Pinnacle note receivable

 

 

 

 

102

 

Investments in affiliated companies and other, net

 

1

 

1

 

9

 

(1

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

2

 

(398

)

(328

)

609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment of long-term debt

 

(645

)

(609

)

(2,372

)

(606

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

710

 

326

 

2,281

 

448

 

Payment of capital lease obligations

 

(1

)

(1

)

(14

)

(16

)

Payment of short-term borrowings

 

 

 

 

(14

)

Proceeds from equity rights offering

 

750

 

 

 

 

Payments related to equity rights offering

 

 

(22

)

 

 

Other, net

 

(9

)

(1

)

(35

)

(8

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

805

 

(307

)

(140

)

(196

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

1,132

 

346

 

777

 

(23

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

1,807

 

1,461

 

684

 

707

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

2,939

 

$

1,807

 

$

1,461

 

$

684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available to be borrowed under credit facilities

 

$

101

 

$

127

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents and unrestricted short-term investments at end of period

 

$

3,034

 

$

2,445

 

$

2,058

 

$

1,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

304

 

$

208

 

$

569

 

$

529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturer financing of aircraft and other non-cash transactions

 

$

335

 

$

167

 

$

280

 

$

344

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

45



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Earnings

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

(Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Deficit)

 

Income (Loss)

 

Stock

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2005

 

111.1

 

$

1

 

$

1,471

 

$

(1,999

)

$

(1,547

)

$

(1,013

)

$

(3,087

)

(Predecessor Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

(2,533

)

 

 

(2,533

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

(7

)

 

(7

)

Deferred gain/(loss) from hedging activities

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

11

 

Unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

(9

)

Pension, other postretirement, and long-term disability benefits

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

 

(16

)

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,554

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series C Preferred Stock dividends accrued

 

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(22

)

Series C Preferred Stock converted to Common Stock

 

0.2

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

16

 

Stock options expensing

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

13

 

Issuance of Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

111.3

 

1

 

1,500

 

(4,548

)

(1,568

)

(1,013

)

(5,628

)

(Predecessor Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

(2,835

)

 

 

(2,835

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred gain/(loss) from hedging activities

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

(10

)

Unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

Pension, other postretirement, and long-term disability benefits

 

 

 

 

 

699

 

 

699

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,143

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series C Preferred Stock converted to Common Stock

 

0.1

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

3

 

Stock options expensing

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

2

 

Other

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

Adjustment to Adopt SFAS No. 158

 

 

 

 

 

(224

)

 

(224

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

111.4

 

1

 

1,505

 

(7,384

)

(1,100

)

(1,013

)

(7,991

)

(Predecessor Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series C Preferred Stock converted to Common Stock

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from January 1 to May 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

1,751

 

 

 

1,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

Unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at May 31, 2007

 

111.4

 

1

 

1,507

 

(5,633

)

(1,100

)

(1,013

)

(6,238

)

(Predecessor Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh start adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellation of the Predecessor Company’s preferred and common stock

 

(111.4

)

(1

)

(1,507

)

 

 

1,013

 

(495

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elimination of the Predecessor Company’s accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

5,633

 

1,100

 

 

6,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reorganization value ascribed to the Successor Company

 

167.4

 

2

 

6,448

 

 

 

 

6,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of new equity interests in connection with emergence from Chapter 11

 

27.8

 

 

728

 

 

 

 

728

 

Balance at June 1, 2007

 

195.2

 

2

 

7,176

 

 

 

 

7,178

 

(Successor Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income from June 1 to December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

342

 

 

 

342

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred gain/(loss) from hedging activities

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

(3

)

Pension, other postretirement, and long-term disability benefits

 

 

 

 

 

(199

)

 

(199

)

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(202

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense associated with equity awards

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

59

 

Acquisition of Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity distributions - claims

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

233.2

 

$

2

 

$

7,235

 

$

342

 

$

(202

)

$

 

$

7,377

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

46



 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 — Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11 Proceedings

 

Background and General Bankruptcy Matters.  The following discussion provides general background information regarding the Company’s Chapter 11 cases, and is not intended to be an exhaustive summary.  Detailed information pertaining to the bankruptcy filings may be obtained at http://www.nwa-restructuring.com. Information contained on the Company’s Web site is not incorporated into these financial statements.

 

On September 14, 2005 (the “Petition Date”), NWA Corp. and 12 of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”).  Subsequently, on September 30, 2005, NWA Aircraft Finance, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of NWA Corp., also filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11.  On May 18, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving and confirming the Debtors’ First Amended Joint and Consolidated Plan of Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as confirmed, the “Plan” or “Plan of Reorganization”).  The Plan became effective and the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy protection on May 31, 2007 (the “Effective Date”).  On the Effective Date, the Company implemented fresh-start reporting in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (“SOP 90-7”).

 

As a result of the application of fresh-start reporting in accordance with SOP 90-7 upon the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on May 31, 2007, the financial statements prior to June 1, 2007 are not comparable with the financial statements for periods on or after June 1, 2007. References to “Successor Company” refer to the Company on or after June 1, 2007, after giving effect to the application of fresh-start reporting. References to “Predecessor Company” refer to the Company prior to June 1, 2007. See “Note 2 — Fresh-Start Reporting” for further details.

 

The Plan generally provided for the full payment or reinstatement of allowed administrative claims, priority claims, and secured claims, and the distribution of new common stock of the Successor Company to the Debtors’ creditors, employees and others in satisfaction of allowed unsecured claims.  The Plan contemplates the issuance of approximately 277 million shares of new common stock by the Successor Company (out of the 400 million shares of new common stock authorized under its amended and restated certificate of incorporation), as follows:

·      225.8 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of certain general unsecured claims;

·      8.6 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of guaranty claims;

·      27.8 million shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the Rights Offering and an Equity Commitment Agreement; and

·      15.2 million shares of common stock are subject to awards under a management equity plan.

 

The new common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and began trading under the symbol “NWA” on May 31, 2007.  Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, stockholders of NWA Corp. prior to the Effective Date received no distributions and their stock was cancelled.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization, on the Effective Date, the Company’s existing $1.225 billion Senior Corporate Credit Facility (“Bank Credit Facility”) was converted into exit financing in accordance with its terms.  See “Note 8 — Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings” for additional information.

 

Stockholder Rights Plan.  Pursuant to the Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”), each share of common stock has attached to it a right and, until the rights expire or are redeemed, each new share of common stock issued by NWA Corp., will include one right.  Once exercisable, each right entitles the holder (other than the acquiring person or group) to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $120, subject to adjustment.  The rights become exercisable upon the occurrence of certain events, including the acquisition by any air carrier with passenger revenues in excess of approximately $1 billion per year (as such amount may be increased based on increases in the Consumer Price Index from 2000) (a “Major Carrier”), a holding company of a Major Carrier or any of their respective affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of NWA Corp.’s outstanding common stock or commences a tender or exchange offer that would result in such person or group acquiring beneficial ownership of 20% or more of NWA Corp.’s outstanding common stock.  The rights expire on May 31, 2017, and may be redeemed by NWA Corp. at a price of $.01 per right prior to the time they become exercisable.

 

Equity Commitment Agreement.  On March 27, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Equity Commitment Agreement dated February 12, 2007 among NWA Corp., together with Northwest, as guarantor, and JP Morgan Securities Inc. (“JP Morgan”), pursuant to which, among other things, JP Morgan agreed to backstop the rights offering (the “Rights Offering”) to creditors of NWA Corp., Northwest and the Debtors.  The Company raised net proceeds of $728 million in new capital through the sale of 27,777,778 shares of new common stock pursuant to the Rights Offering and JP Morgan’s commitments under the Equity Commitment Agreement.

 

47



 

Restrictions on the Transfer of Common Stock.  To reduce the risk of a limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code on the Company’s ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restricts certain transfers of common stock for two years after the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy.  Such restrictions can be extended thereafter for three consecutive one year periods (to June 2012) upon, each time, the affirmative vote of the Company’s stockholders.  During the two year period, these restrictions generally provide that any attempted transfer of common stock prior to the expiration of the term of the transfer restrictions will be prohibited and void if such transfer would cause the transferee’s ownership interest in the Company to increase to 4.95% or above, including an increase in a transferee’s ownership interest from 4.95% or above to a greater ownership interest, unless approved by the Board of Directors on the basis that the transfer does not increase the risk of an ownership change.  In the event that these restrictions are extended beyond the two year period, the Board of Directors will approve proposed transfers that, taking into account all prior transfers, do not result in an aggregate owner shift under Section 382 of more than 30%.  If the aggregate owner shift as of any date after the two year period exceeds 30%, the Board of Directors has the discretion to approve any subsequent transfers subject to the standards applicable during the two year period until the earlier of the date on which the aggregate owner shift no longer exceeds 30%, or the restriction is no longer in effect.

 

The Predecessor Company’s common stock ceased trading on the NASDAQ stock market on September 26, 2005 and began trading in the “over-the-counter” market under the symbol NWACQ.PK.  Upon the Effective Date of the Plan, the outstanding common and preferred stock of the Predecessor Company was cancelled for no consideration and the Predecessor Company’s stockholders no longer have any interest as stockholders in the Successor Company by virtue of their ownership of the Predecessor Company’s common or preferred stock prior to emergence from bankruptcy.

 

Claims Resolution Process.  Pursuant to terms of the Plan of Reorganization, approximately 225.8 million shares of the Successor Company’s common stock will be issued to holders of allowed general unsecured claims and 8.6 million shares will be issued to holders who also held a guaranty claim from the Debtors.  Once a claim is allowed consistent with the claims resolution process as provided in the Plan, the claimant is entitled to a distribution of new common stock.  Approximately 199.6 million shares of new common stock were issued and distributed on or about May 31, 2007, July 16, 2007, October 1, 2007 and January 2, 2008 as part of the initial distributions in respect of valid unsecured claims totaling $7.8 billion.  Additionally, approximately 7.9 million shares of new common stock were distributed in respect of valid unsecured guaranty claims.  In total, there are approximately 27.0 million remaining shares of new common stock held in reserve under the terms of the Plan of Reorganization.  Of these shares, approximately 26.3 million are being held in reserve relating to disputed unsecured claims totaling $1.0 billion, and 0.7 million are being held in reserve relating to unsecured guaranty claims totaling $295 million.

 

The Company estimates that the probable range of unsecured claims to be allowed will be between $8.0 and $8.4 billion.  Differences between claim amounts filed and the Company’s estimates are being investigated and will be resolved in connection with the claims resolution process. However, there will be no further financial impact to the Company associated with the settlement of such unsecured claims, as the holders of all allowed unsecured claims against the Predecessor Company will receive under the Plan of Reorganization only their pro rata share of the distribution of the newly issued Common Stock of the Successor Company.  Secured claims were deemed unimpaired under the Plan and were satisfied upon either reinstatement of the obligations in the Successor Company, surrendering the collateral to the secured party, or by making full payment in cash.

 

Note 2 — Fresh-Start Reporting

 

        Upon emergence from its Chapter 11 proceedings on May 31, 2007, the Company adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with SOP 90-7.  The Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 resulted in a new reporting entity with no retained earnings or accumulated deficit.  Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for periods prior to June 1, 2007 are not comparable to consolidated financial statements presented on or after June 1, 2007.

 

        Fresh-start reporting reflects the value of the Company as determined in the confirmed Plan of Reorganization. Under fresh-start reporting, the Company’s asset values were remeasured and allocated in conformity with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141”). The excess of reorganization value over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets was recorded as goodwill in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. In addition, fresh-start reporting also required that all liabilities, other than deferred taxes and pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, be stated at fair value or at the present values of the amounts to be paid using appropriate market interest rates. Deferred taxes are determined in conformity with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS No. 109”).

 

        Estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimates based on its valuation models, which incorporated industry data and trends and relevant market rates and transactions.  The estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies beyond the control of the Company.  Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.

 

48



 

        To facilitate the calculation of the enterprise value of the Successor Company, Northwest’s financial advisors assisted management in the preparation of a valuation analysis for the Successor Company’s common stock to be distributed as of the Effective Date to the unsecured creditors.  The enterprise valuation included (i) a 40% weighting towards a comparable company analysis based on financial ratios and multiples of comparable companies, which were then applied to the financial projections developed by the Company to arrive at an enterprise value; and (ii) a 60% weighting towards a discounted cash flow analysis which measures the projected multi-year, un-levered free cash flows of the Company to arrive at an enterprise value.

 

        The estimated enterprise value and corresponding equity value are highly dependent upon achieving the future financial results set forth in the five-year financial projections included in the Company’s Plan of Reorganization, as well as the realization of certain other assumptions.  The equity value of the Company was calculated to be a range of approximately $6.45 billion to $7.55 billion.  Based on claims trading prior to the Company’s Effective Date and the trading value of the Company’s common stock post emergence, the equity value of the Company was estimated to be $6.45 billion for purposes of preparing the Company’s financial statements.  The estimates and assumptions made in this valuation are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and the resolution of contingencies beyond the reasonable control of the Company.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and amounts reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.  Moreover, the market value of the Company’s common stock may differ materially from the equity valuation.

 

        As part of the provisions of SOP 90-7, on June 1, 2007 we were required to adopt all accounting guidance that would be effective within the subsequent twelve-month period.  See “Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements” for additional information.

 

        The following Fresh-Start Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet illustrates the financial effects on the Company resulting from the implementation of the Plan of Reorganization and the adoption of fresh-start reporting.  This Fresh-Start Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects the effect of consummating the transactions contemplated in the Plan of Reorganization, including settlement of various liabilities, issuance of certain securities, incurrence of new indebtedness, repayment of old indebtedness, and other cash payments.

 

49


 


 

The effects of the Plan of Reorganization and fresh-start reporting on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility

 

New

 

 

 

(Successor)

 

 

 

(Predecessor)

 

Debt Discharge &

 

Financing

 

Equity

 

Fresh-Start

 

Reorganized

 

(In millions)

 

May 31, 2007

 

Reclassification

 

Transactions

 

Issued

 

Adjustments

 

June 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and unrestricted short-term investments

 

$

2,465

 

$

(20

)

$

 

$

750

 

$

 

$

3,195

 

Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

974

 

 

 

 

170

 

1,144

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance

 

587

 

 

 

 

(9

)

578

 

Flight equipment spare parts and maintenance and operating supplies

 

217

 

 

 

 

31

 

248

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

254

 

 

 

(22

)

(51

)

181

 

Total current assets

 

4,497

 

(20

)

 

728

 

141

 

5,346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net flight equipment and net flight equipment under capital lease

 

7,767

 

 

 

 

(1,068

)

6,699

 

Other property and equipment, net

 

477

 

 

 

 

69

 

546

 

Total property and equipment, net

 

8,244

 

 

 

 

(999

)

7,245

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

18

 

 

 

 

6,239

 

6,257

 

International routes and other intangible assets

 

653

 

 

 

 

4,513

 

5,166

 

Investments in affiliated companies

 

22

 

 

 

 

143

 

165

 

Other

 

739

 

 

 

 

(267

)

472

 

Total other assets

 

1,432

 

 

 

 

10,628

 

12,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

14,173

 

$

(20

)

$

 

$

728

 

$

9,770

 

$

24,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Air traffic liability/deferred frequent flyer liability

 

$

2,006

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

274

 

$

2,280

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

445

 

4

 

 

 

(20

)

429

 

Accounts payable

 

1,538

 

179

 

 

 

5

 

1,722

 

Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

218

 

305

 

(10

)

 

 

513

 

Current maturities of long-term debt - exit financing

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Other

 

87

 

 

 

 

(49

)

38

 

Total current liabilities

 

4,294

 

488

 

 

 

210

 

4,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

 

4,149

 

1,993

 

(1,215

)

 

22

 

4,949

 

Exit financing

 

 

 

1,215

 

 

 

1,215

 

Total long-term obligations

 

4,149

 

1,993

 

 

 

22

 

6,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term pension and postretirement health care benefits

 

86

 

3,786

 

 

 

(426

)

3,446

 

Deferred frequent flyer liability

 

 

 

 

 

1,549

 

1,549

 

Deferred income taxes

 

4

 

 

 

 

1,127

 

1,131

 

Other

 

275

 

125

 

 

 

(209

)

191

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

 

365

 

3,911

 

 

 

2,041

 

6,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

 

14,350

 

(14,350

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREFERRED REDEEMABLE STOCK SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

 

275

 

(275

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Predecessor Company common stock, additional paid-in capital and treasury stock

 

495

 

 

 

 

(495

)

 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

(8,655

)

1,763

 

 

 

6,892

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

1,100

 

 

Successor Company common stock and additional paid-in capital

 

 

6,450

 

 

728

 

 

7,178

 

Total common stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

(9,260

)

8,213

 

 

728

 

7,497

 

7,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

$

14,173

 

$

(20

)

$

 

$

728

 

$

9,770

 

$

24,651

 

 

50



 


(a)          Debt Discharge and Reclassification.  This column reflects the discharge of $8.2 billion of liabilities subject to compromise pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Reorganization.  Pursuant to the Plan, the holders of general unsecured claims and guaranty claims together will receive approximately 234 million common shares of the Successor Company in satisfaction of such claims.

 

This column also reflects the Successor Company’s reinstatement of $6.4 billion of secured liabilities which had been classified as liabilities subject to compromise on the Predecessor Company’s balance sheet, consisting of the following:

·                  $3.8 billion represents the reinstatement of pension and other post-retirement benefit plan liabilities;

·                  $2.3 billion reflects the reinstatement of secured debt, including accrued interest; and

·                  $0.3 billion is associated with accruals for priority payments and other payments required under the Plan.

 

Additionally, this column reflects the payment of $20 million for cash cures and convenience class payments to certain unsecured creditors pursuant to the Plan, and the reclassification of $125 million of pre-petition deferred liabilities and credits that were reclassified out of liabilities subject to compromise, and subsequently written off as part of the fresh-start adjustments.

 

(b)         New Credit Facility Financing Transactions.  In connection with the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization, on the Effective Date, the Company’s existing $1.225 billion Bank Credit Facility was converted into the exit financing in accordance with its terms.  See “Note 8 - Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings” for further details.

 

(c)          New Equity Issued.  This column reflects $728 million in net proceeds received on the Effective Date from the Company’s Rights Offering.

 

(d)         Fresh-Start Adjustments.  Fresh-start adjustments were recorded on the Effective Date to reflect asset values at their estimated fair values and liabilities at their estimated fair value or the present value of amounts to be paid, including the following:

·                  $4.5 billion of incremental intangible assets were recorded in conjunction with the estimated fair value of  the Company’s international route authorities, slots and other intangible assets;

·                  $1.5 billion was recorded to recognize the additional estimated fair value of the Company’s frequent flyer liability;

·                  The balance of the Company’s flight equipment was decreased by $1.1 billion to its estimated fair value;

·                  The Company’s deferred tax liability balance was increased by $1.1 billion in conjunction with recording the estimated fair value of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets;

·                  The pension and other postretirement benefits liability balances were reduced by $0.4 billion due to the required remeasurement at emergence.   The weighted-average discount rate used in our remeasurement was 6.17% at May 31, 2007, compared with a weighted-average discount rate of 5.93% as of our December 31, 2006 remeasurement date.

·                  The Company’s air traffic liability balance was increased by $0.3 billion to its estimated fair value; and

·                  Entries were recorded to eliminate the Predecessor Company’s equity balances and establish the opening equity balances of the Successor Company.

 

Additionally, goodwill of $6.2 billion was recorded to reflect the excess of the Successor Company’s reorganization value over the value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets.  Additional changes in the fair values of these assets and liabilities from the current estimated values, as well as changes in other assumptions, could significantly impact the reported value of goodwill.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.  Moreover, the market value of the Company’s common stock may differ materially from the equity valuation.

 

Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Business.  Northwest’s operations account for approximately 99% of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues and expenses.  Northwest is a major air carrier engaged principally in the commercial transportation of passengers and cargo, directly serving as many as 239 cities in 21 countries in North America, Asia and Europe.  Northwest’s global airline network includes domestic hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis, an extensive Pacific route system with a hub in Tokyo, a transatlantic joint venture with KLM, which operates through a hub in Amsterdam, a domestic and international alliance with Continental and Delta, membership in SkyTeam, a global airline alliance with KLM, Continental, Delta, Air France, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Alitalia, China Southern, CSA Czech Airlines, and Korean Air, exclusive marketing agreements with three domestic regional carriers, Pinnacle, Mesaba and Compass, which operate as Northwest Airlink carriers, and a cargo business that includes a dedicated fleet of freighter aircraft that operate through hubs in Anchorage and Tokyo.

 

51



 

Financial Statement Presentation.  The Company’s financial statements after the Effective Date are not comparable to those prior to the Effective Date.  The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  Upon emergence from bankruptcy, we adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with the SOP 90-7, which resulted in our becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes.  The adoption of fresh-start reporting had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the new financial reporting entity.  See “Note 2 — Fresh-Start Reporting” for additional information.

 

Basis of Consolidation.  NWA Corp. is a holding company whose operating subsidiary is Northwest.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NWA Corp. and all consolidated subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Cash equivalents are carried at cost and consist primarily of cash and unrestricted money market funds.  These highly liquid instruments approximate fair value due to their short maturities.  The Company classifies investments with a maturity of more than three months as short-term investments.

 

Restricted Cash.  The Company in the ordinary course of business collects funds from passengers and withholdings from employees that are required to be paid to various taxing authorities, in addition to certain taxes that are self assessed.  These collections include U.S. transportation taxes, passenger facility charges, and fuel taxes, which are collected in the capacity of an agent and are presented on a net basis.  Withholdings include the employee portion of payroll taxes, among others.  The Company has also established an irrevocable tax trust and a VEBA trust; cash held in these trusts is included in restricted cash.

 

Various taxes and fees assessed on the sale of tickets to end customers are collected by the Company as an agent and remitted to the respective taxing authority.  These taxes and fees have been presented on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, and recorded as a liability until remitted to the respective taxing authority.

 

During 2007 the restricted cash balance increased $301 million to $725 million as of December 31, 2007 from $424 million as of December 31, 2006.  The increase was primarily due to a $213 million deposit in an escrow account related to Northwest’s pending investment in Midwest Air Group, LLC, a company formed by Northwest, TPG Midwest US V, LLC, and TPG Midwest International V, LLC for purposes of acquiring Midwest Air Group, Inc.  The deposit was classified as restricted cash as of December 31, 2007 and was subsequently withdrawn upon the closing of the transaction in January 2008.  In addition, the Company’s irrevocable trust fund balance increased $45 million and other restricted cash items increased $43 million.

 

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Under fresh-start reporting, the Company’s asset values were remeasured using fair value, which was allocated in conformity with SFAS No. 141.  In addition, fresh-start reporting also requires that all liabilities, other than deferred taxes and pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, be reported at fair value or the present values of the amounts to be paid using appropriate market interest rates.  Deferred taxes are reported in conformity with SFAS No. 109.

 

Estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimates based on its valuation models, which incorporated industry data and trends and relevant market rates and transactions.  The estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies beyond the control of the Company.  Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.

 

Presentation of Regional Carrier Related Revenue and Expense Items.  Compass Airlines, Inc. (“Compass”) has been a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of the Company since its inception in 2006.  Mesaba Aviation, Inc. (“Mesaba”) was acquired by the Company on April 24, 2007 and became a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary.  Northwest and Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. (“Pinnacle”), an unconsolidated regional carrier, have entered into an airline services agreement (“ASA”), under which Northwest determines Pinnacle’s commuter aircraft scheduling.  This agreement is structured as a capacity purchase agreement whereby Northwest pays Pinnacle to operate the flights on Northwest’s behalf and Northwest is entitled to all revenues associated with those flights.  Ticket revenues generated on flights operated by Compass, Mesaba and Pinnacle are recorded in Regional Carrier Revenue.  Since the inception of Compass and the acquisition of Mesaba, operating expenses of these subsidiaries have been presented on the applicable lines of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Amounts presented in Regional Carrier Expenses represent ASA payments to Pinnacle and other Pinnacle-related expenses.  In conjunction with the effectiveness of the Amended Pinnacle ASA and the Stock Purchase and Reorganization Agreement with Mesaba, the Company changed its presentation of certain regional carrier related revenue and expense items effective January 1, 2007.  This change in presentation had no impact on the Company’s 2007 operating income.

 

52



 

If this change in presentation was retroactively applied to prior year financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, Other Operating Revenues would have decreased $209 million, Depreciation and Amortization Expense would have increased by $3 million, Aircraft Rentals Expense would have increased $188 million, Regional Carrier Expenses would have decreased $400 million, and the Operating Income would have been unchanged.

 

Operating Revenues.  The value of unused passenger tickets, miscellaneous change orders (“MCO’s”) and travel credit vouchers (“TCV’s”) are included in current liabilities as air traffic liability.  Passenger and cargo revenues are recognized when the transportation is provided or when the ticket expires.  Unused domestic passenger tickets generally expire one year from scheduled travel.  Unused international passenger tickets generally expire one year from ticket issuance.   On the Effective Date, the Company revised the accounting method used to recognize revenue for unused tickets, adopting the delayed recognition approach.  Under the delayed recognition approach, no revenue is recognized on an unused ticket until the validity period has expired and the ticket can no longer be used.  Prior to the Effective Date, the Company recognized breakage associated with unused passenger tickets based on estimates of future breakage developed using historical breakage trends.

 

Frequent Flyer Program.  Northwest operates a frequent flyer loyalty program known as “WorldPerks.”  WorldPerks is designed to retain and increase traveler loyalty by offering incentives to travelers for their continued patronage.  Under the WorldPerks program, miles are earned by flying on Northwest or its alliance partners and by using the services of program partners for such things as credit card use, hotel stays, car rentals and other activities.  Northwest sells mileage credits to the program and alliance partners.  WorldPerks members accumulate mileage in their accounts and later redeem mileage for free or upgraded travel on Northwest and alliance partners.  WorldPerks members that achieve certain mileage thresholds also receive enhanced service benefits from Northwest such as special service lines, advance flight boarding and upgrades.

 

The Company adopted a deferred revenue method to recognize frequent flyer revenues on the Effective Date.  Under this method, we account for miles earned and sold as separate deliverables in a multiple element arrangement as prescribed by EITF No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables (“EITF No. 00-21”).  Therefore, mileage credits earned on or after June 1, 2007 are now deferred based upon the price for which we sell mileage credits to other airlines (“deferred mileage credits”), which we believe represents the best evidence of their fair value in accordance with EITF No. 00-21.  The revenue on deferred frequent flyer miles will be recognized when the miles are ultimately redeemed through flight, upgrades or other means, or when it becomes remote that the miles will ever be used.  Estimating deferred mileage credits that will not be redeemed requires significant management judgment. Based on current program rules and historical redemption trends, the Company records passenger revenue associated with deferred mileage credits if the mile is unredeemed seven years after issuance.  The amounts expected to be recognized in the next year based on historical redemption patterns are recorded as a component of current liabilities, while the remaining amount expected to be redeemed in years two through seven are recorded in Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities.

 

We previously accounted for frequent flyer miles earned on Northwest flights on an incremental cost basis as an accrued liability and as operating expense, while miles sold to airline and non-airline businesses were accounted for on a deferred revenue basis.  Also in conjunction with the adoption of the new accounting policy, Northwest began recording a component of the payments received from non-airline marketing partners in Other Revenue rather than in Passenger Revenue.  The component recognized as Other Revenue is the portion of the payment received that represents the amount paid by the marketing partner in excess of the value of the deferred mileage credits.

 

As a result of the application of fresh-start reporting, the WorldPerks frequent flyer obligation was revalued at the Effective Date to reflect the estimated fair value of miles to be redeemed in the future. Outstanding miles earned by flying Northwest or its partner carriers were revalued using a weighted-average per-mile equivalent ticket value, taking into account such factors as class of service and domestic and international ticket itineraries, which can be reflected in awards flown by WorldPerks members.  The Company recorded deferred revenue for its frequent flyer program of $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2007.  At December 31, 2006, the Company had recorded an incremental cost liability and deferred revenue for its frequent flyer program totaling $412 million.

 

Property, Equipment and Depreciation.  Owned operating property and equipment and equipment under capital leases used in operations were remeasured at fair values in accordance with SFAS No. 141, as of the Effective Date. The Company records additions to property and equipment at cost when acquired.  Property and equipment under capital lease, and related obligations for future lease payments, are recorded at amounts equal to the initial present value of those lease payments.

 

Depreciation is based on the straight-line method over assets’ estimated useful lives.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the remaining term of the lease, including estimated renewal options when renewal is reasonably assured, or the estimated useful life of the related asset, whichever is less.  On the Effective Date, the Successor Company increased the depreciable lives of certain wide-body aircraft to better reflect the period over which those assets will be used.  Future purchases of aircraft will be depreciated to estimated salvage values, over lives of 20 to 30 years; buildings and leasehold improvements will be depreciated up to 31.5 years; and other property and equipment will be depreciated over lives of three to 20 years.

 

53



 

The Company accounts for certain airport leases under EITF Issue No. 99-13, Application of EITF Issue No. 97-10, The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction, and FASB Interpretation No. 23, Leases of Certain Property Owned by a Government Unit or Authority to Entities that Enter into Leases with Government Entities, which requires the financing related to certain guaranteed airport construction projects committed to after September 23, 1999, be recorded on the balance sheet.  Capitalized expenditures of $89.4 million at December 31, 2007 which relate to airport improvements at Memphis, Knoxville and Seattle were recorded in other property and equipment, with the corresponding obligations included in long-term obligations under capital leases.  Capital expenditures associated with a construction project at the Detroit airport were also reflected in other property and equipment with a corresponding liability on the balance sheet. This amount totaled $18.2 million at December 31, 2007.  Upon completion of the project, the corresponding asset and obligation will be removed from the balance sheet and will be accounted for as an operating lease.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.  The Company evaluates long-lived tangible assets and definite-lived intangible assets for potential impairments in compliance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, (“SFAS No. 144”).  The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts.  Impairment losses are measured by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying amounts.  In determining the need to record impairment charges, the Company is required to make certain estimates regarding such things as the current fair market value of the assets and future net cash flows to be generated by the assets.  The current fair market value is determined by valuations or published sales values of similar assets and the future net cash flows are based on assumptions such as asset utilization, expected remaining useful lives, future market trends and projected salvage values.  Impairment charges are recorded in depreciation and amortization expense.  If there are subsequent changes in these estimates, or if actual results differ from these estimates, additional impairment charges may be recognized.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company recorded $33.5 million as additional reorganization expense for the impairment of certain Boeing 747-200 passenger and freighter aircraft and DC9-30 aircraft.  See “Note 7 — Reorganization Related Items.”  Also in the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company recorded an aircraft impairment of $5.8 million as additional depreciation expense for one DC9-30.

 

In the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded $28 million related to the impairment of six owned aircraft and related inventory and equipment, which were permanently removed from service.  These charges reflect the Company’s decision to accelerate the retirement of its DC10 aircraft and to permanently park three DC9 aircraft.  The impairment charges were recorded as reorganization expenses and are included in “Note 7 — Reorganization Related Items.”

 

In December 2005, as part of the implementation of its restructuring driven fleet plan, the Company removed 18 DC9-30 aircraft from operations and determined that the AVRO RJ85 fleet would be removed from service by the end of 2006.  As a result, the Company recorded, as reorganization expense, impairment charges of $153 million for the DC9-30 aircraft and the 10 owned AVRO RJ85 aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

In June 2005, the Company recorded $48 million for the impairment and other charges related to nine owned and two leased aircraft of various types that it did not intend to return to service.  Of the $48 million recorded, approximately $40 million related to acceleration of aircraft rent expense and other charges on the two leased aircraft and $8 million was attributable to aircraft impairments on the nine owned aircraft.

 

Flight Equipment Spare Parts.  On the Effective Date, flight equipment spare parts were remeasured at current replacement cost in accordance with SFAS No. 141.  Inventories are expensed when consumed in operations or scrapped. An allowance for obsolescence is provided based on calculations defined by the type of spare part.  This obsolescence reserve is recorded over the useful life of the associated aircraft.

 

Airframe and Engine Maintenance.  Routine maintenance, airframe and engine overhauls are charged to expense as incurred or accrued when a contractual obligation exists, such as induction of an asset at a vendor for service or on the basis of hours flown for certain costs covered by power-by-the-hour type agreements.  Modifications that enhance the operating performance or extend the useful lives of airframes or engines are capitalized and amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of the asset.

 

Goodwill and Intangibles.  Goodwill represents the excess of the reorganization value of the Successor Company over the fair value of tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets resulting from the application of SOP 90-7.  Northwest’s goodwill mainly consists of three components:

·                  A valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets, as required by SFAS No. 109; this valuation allowance will be reversed against goodwill when the Company reports income in future periods.

·                  Revenue-generating intangibles that do not meet the contractual or separable criteria of SFAS No. 141, including our flight network and international routes to open skies countries.

·                  The value inherent in future customer relationships due to Northwest’s ability to attract new customers.

 

54


 


Identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of international route authorities, trade names, the WorldPerks customer database, airport slots/airport operating rights, certain partner contracts and other items. International route authorities, certain airport slots/airport operating rights and trade-names are indefinite-lived and, as such, are not amortized.  The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated lives of the related assets, which span periods of four to 30 years.

 

The following table presents information about our intangible assets, including goodwill, at December 31, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

Successor December 31, 2007

 

Predecessor December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Asset

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

(In thousands)

 

Life

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

SkyTeam alliance & other code share partners

 

30

 

$

461,900

 

$

(8,981

)

$

 

$

 

England routes

 

  5

 

16,000

 

(1,867

)

 

 

NWA customer relationships

 

  9

 

530,000

 

(34,352

)

 

 

WorldPerks affinity card contract

 

15

 

195,700

 

(8,843

)

 

 

WorldPerks marketing partner relationships

 

22

 

43,000

 

(652

)

 

 

Visa contract

 

  4

 

11,900

 

(992

)

 

 

Gates

 

 

 

 

 

90,675

 

(78,326

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific routes and Narita slots/airport operating rights

 

Indefinite

 

2,961,700

 

 

967,639

 

(333,679

)

NWA trade name and other

 

Indefinite

 

663,625

 

 

1,690

 

(190

)

Slots/airport operating rights

 

Indefinite

 

283,300

 

 

30,457

 

(11,248

)

Goodwill

 

Indefinite

 

6,034,609

 

 

7,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

11,201,734

 

$

(55,687

)

$

1,098,201

 

$

(423,443

)

 

Total amortization expense recognized was approximately $0.6 million for the five month period ended May 31, 2007, $55.7 million for the seven month period ended December 31, 2007, and $1.5 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  We expect to record amortization expense of $95.5 million per year from 2008 through 2010, $93.7 million in 2011 and $90.6 million in 2012.

 

In accordance with SOP 90-7, a reduction in the valuation allowance associated with the realization of pre-emergence deferred tax assets will sequentially reduce the value of recorded goodwill followed by other indefinite-lived assets until the net carrying cost of these assets is zero.  In the seven months ended December 31, 2007, goodwill decreased $224 million due to the use of tax net operating losses and increased $20 million due to receipt of additional information to finalize certain valuations performed at emergence.

 

The Company tests the carrying amount of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually as of October 1 or whenever events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred.  Impairment testing is performed in accordance with SFAS No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS No. 142”).  The Company’s impairment testing of goodwill is based on the fair value of the enterprise considering both the market and income valuation approaches.  The Company is annually required to complete Step 1 (determining and comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit to its carrying value) of the impairment test.  Step 2 is required to be completed if Step 1 indicates that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value and involves the calculation of the implied fair value of goodwill.  The Company completed Step 1 of the impairment assessment at its annual impairment testing date in 2007.  Based upon the Company’s valuation procedures, the Company determined that the fair value of the enterprise exceeded its carrying value.  As such, the Company was not required to complete Step 2 of the impairment test and no impairment loss was recognized.

 

The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by remeasuring those assets at fair value using the Company’s forecasts and estimates, market information on comparable assets, when available, and discount rates calculated from industry-wide information.  Based upon the Company’s valuation procedures, we determined that the fair values of each category of indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded its carrying value; as such, no impairment was recorded on these assets.

 

The determination of fair value requires significant management judgment including the identification and computation of multiples of comparable companies, computation of control premiums, future capacity, passenger yield, passenger traffic, jet fuel and other operating costs, changes in working capital, capital investments, the selection for the appropriate discount rates and other relevant factors.

 

55



 

The Company’s forecasts and estimates were based on assumptions that are consistent with the plans and estimates the Company is using to manage its business.  Changes in these estimates could change the Company’s conclusion regarding an impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets and potentially result in a non-cash impairment in a future period.  Fuel costs and general economic conditions significantly impact our business and, thus, long-term assumptions related to these items materially impact the computation of our fair value.  If the expected future price of fuel does not decrease from the record levels experienced during late 2007 or if the Company is unable to pass this commodity price increase on to its passengers or if general economic conditions experience a material, negative change, the Company may be required to book an impairment sometime during 2008.

 

Advertising.  Advertising costs, included in selling and marketing expenses, are expensed as incurred and were $70 million, $62 million, and $63 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Prior to the Effective Date, the Company maintained stock incentive plans for officers and key employees of the Company (the “Prior Management Plans”) and a stock option plan for pilot employees (the “Pilot Plan”).  On the Effective Date, outstanding awards under the Prior Management Plans and Pilot Plan were cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Reorganization.  On the Effective Date, the Management Equity Plan of the Successor Company provided for in the Plan of Reorganization became effective.  See “Note 11 — Stock-Based Compensation” for additional information.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”), using the modified-prospective transition method, effective January 1, 2006.  Under SFAS No. 123R, non-cash compensation expense for equity awards is recognized over the vesting period, generally the required service period.  The Company uses straight-line recognition for awards subject to graded vesting.  SFAS No. 123R also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures of stock compensation awards as of the grant date of the award.

 

Foreign Currency.  Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are remeasured at current exchange rates with resulting gains and losses included in net income.

 

Deferred Tax Assets.  The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing the liability method.  Deferred income taxes are primarily recorded to reflect the tax consequences of differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities.  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, the realization of the future tax benefits of a deferred tax asset is dependent on future taxable income against which such tax benefits can be applied.  All available evidence must be considered in the determination of whether sufficient future taxable income will exist.  Such evidence includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s financial performance, the market environment in which the company operates, the utilization of past tax credits, and the length of relevant carryback and carryforward periods.  Sufficient negative evidence, such as cumulative net losses during a three-year period that includes the current year and the prior two years, may require that a valuation allowance be established with respect to existing and future deferred tax assets.  As a result, it is more likely than not that future deferred tax assets will require a valuation allowance to be recorded to fully reserve against the uncertainty that those assets would be realized.  On the Effective Date, the Company restated deferred taxes based on the remeasured values of the Successor Company and in accordance with SFAS No. 109.  Use of net operating losses from the Predecessor Company that require valuation allowances under SFAS No. 109 are recognized as an adjustment to goodwill when used by the Successor Company.

 

56



 

Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements

 

SOP 90-7 requires that the Company adopt new accounting standards that have been issued and will become effective within twelve months of emergence from bankruptcy.  In accordance with this guidance, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), on the Effective Date. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 requires, among other things, the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair value to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  This standard was applied prospectively to the valuation of assets and liabilities on and after the Effective Date.

 

There are three general valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value, as described below:

 

(A)      Market approach — Uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities;

(B)        Cost approach — Based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost); and

(C)        Income approach — Uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectations about the future amounts (includes present value techniques, option-pricing models, and the excess earnings method).  Net present value is an income approach where a stream of expected cash flows is discounted at an appropriate market interest rate.  The excess earnings method is a variation of the income approach where the value of a specific asset is isolated from its contributory assets.

 

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period, SFAS No. 157 requires quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurements separately for each major category of assets and liabilities.  These assets are all measured using a market approach and there were no changes in the valuation techniques used to measure the fair values of assets measured on a recurring basis during the period.  SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Values of Financial Instruments (“SFAS No. 107”), requires disclosure of the fair values of financial instruments.  For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the SFAS No. 107 and SFAS No. 157 disclosures are combined in the table below.  Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period included:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

Active Markets for

 

As of

 

Active Markets for

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Identical Assets

 

December 31,

 

Identical Assets

 

Valuation

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

(Level 1)

 

2006

 

(Level 1)

 

Technique

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,939

 

$

2,939

 

$

1,461

 

$

1,461

 

(A)

 

Unrestricted short-term investments

 

95

 

95

 

597

 

597

 

(A)

 

Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments

 

725

 

725

 

424

 

424

 

(A)

 

Derivatives

 

57

 

57

 

8

 

8

 

(A),(B)

 

Total

 

$

3,816

 

$

3,816

 

$

2,490

 

$

2,490

 

 

 

 

The financial statement carrying values equal the fair values of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and derivatives. Cash equivalents are carried at cost and consisted primarily of unrestricted money market funds as of December 31, 2007.  These instruments approximate fair value due to their short maturity.  The Company classifies investments with a remaining maturity of more than three months on their acquisition date and those temporarily restricted as short-term investments.

 

The financial statement carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, including current maturities, as of December 31 were:

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

(In millions)

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Long-term debt

 

$

6,961

 

$

6,836

 

$

4,112

 

$

4,150

(1)


(1) In 2006, the Company only estimated the fair value of long-term debt classified as not subject to compromise.

 

The fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated using quoted market prices, where available.  For long-term debt not actively traded, fair values were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of securities.

 

57



 

Fair value information for each major category of assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis during the period is listed in the following table.  The Company remeasured its assets and liabilities at fair value on the Effective Date as required by SOP 90-7 using the guidance for measurement found in SFAS No. 141.  The gains and losses related to these fair value adjustments were recorded on the Predecessor Company.  Where two valuation techniques are noted below, either individual assets were valued using one technique, while other assets in the same category were valued using a different technique, or a combination of the two techniques was used to measure individual assets within the category.  No material adjustments were recorded based on fair value measurements since the Effective Date.  Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the period included:

 

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for

 

Significant Other Observable

 

Significant Unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 1,

 

Identical Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Total Gains

 

Valuation

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

(Losses)

 

Technique

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flight equipment

 

$

6,699

 

$

 

$

6,699

 

$

 

$

(1,068

)

(A),(B)

 

Goodwill (1)

 

6,257

 

 

 

6,257

 

 

(C)

 

International routes and other intangible assets (2)

 

5,166

 

 

947

 

4,220

 

4,513

 

(B),(C)

 

Other property and equipment

 

546

 

 

546

 

 

69

 

(A),(B)

 

Non-operating flight equipment and property leased to others

 

282

 

 

282

 

 

(47

)

(A),(B)

 

Flight equipment spare parts and maintenance and operating supplies

 

248

 

 

248

 

 

31

 

(A),(B)

 

Equity investments

 

124

 

 

124

 

 

111

 

(A),(C)

 

Computer software

 

120

 

 

120

 

 

46

 

(B)

 

Other

 

147

 

 

147

 

 

21

 

(A)

 

Prepaid rents and deferred costs

 

37

 

 

37

 

 

(56

)

(A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in Active

 

Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 Markets for

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1,

 

Identical Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Total Gains

 

Valuation

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

(Losses)

 

Technique

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt and obligations under capital leases

 

$

6,687

 

$

 

$

6,687

 

$

 

$

(22

)

(C)

 

Deferred frequent flyer liability (3)

 

1,972

 

 

 

1,972

 

(1,559

)

(C)

 

Air traffic liability

 

1,857

 

 

1,857

 

 

(259

)

(A)

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities

 

125

 

 

125

 

 

158

 

(A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,682

)

 

 


(1)          Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the Company’s assets over the allocated values of the identifiable assets as determined under the guidance of SFAS No. 141.  Northwest’s financial advisors assisted management in the preparation of a valuation analysis for the Successor Company’s common stock to be distributed to Unsecured Creditors under the Plan.  In its valuation analysis, Northwest’s financial advisors estimated the fair value of the Successor Company’s Common Stock as of the Effective Date.

 

(2)          Other Intangible Assets are identified by type in “Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”  With the exception of the value of Northwest’s trademarks and trade names, these valuations included significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which generally included the Company’s five-year Business Plan, 12-months of historical revenues and expenses by city pair, and Company projections of available seat miles, revenue passenger miles, load factors, and operating costs per available seat mile.  The valuations also included market verifiable sources, such as licensing information, royalty rates and macroeconomic factors.

 

(3)          The frequent flyer liability was measured at fair value based on an analysis of how a hypothetical transaction to transfer this liability might be negotiated in the market.  Assumptions used in this measurement include the price of a frequent flyer mile based on actual ticket prices for similarly restricted tickets, estimates about the number of miles that will never be used by customers, and projections of the timing when the miles will be used.

 

58



 

Note 5 — Change in Accounting for Certain Pension Plan Administrative Expenses

 

During the second quarter of 2005, the Company changed its method of recognizing certain pension plan administrative expenses associated with the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and now includes them as a service cost component of net periodic pension cost.  These expenses include trustee fees, other administrative expenses and insurance premiums paid to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”), all of which previously were reflected as a reduction in the market value of plan assets and therefore amortized with other asset gains and losses.  The Company believes this change is preferable because it more appropriately ascribes the expenses to the period in which they are incurred.  The cumulative effect of applying this change to net periodic pension expense in prior years was $69.1 million, which was retroactively recorded as of January 1, 2005, and was included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The impact of this change on the year ended December 31, 2005, was an increase in net periodic benefit cost of $37.7 million.

 

Note 6 — Earnings (Loss) Per Share Data

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

Twelve Months

 

Twelve Months

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes

 

$

342

 

$

1,751

 

$

(2,835

)

$

(2,464

)

Cumulative effect of accounting changes

 

 

 

 

(69

)

Preferred stock requirements

 

 

 

 

(22

)

Adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

342

 

$

1,751

 

$

(2,835

)

$

(2,555

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on discharge of convertible debt

 

 

(82

)

 

 

Gain on discharge of Series C Preferred Stock

 

 

(60

)

 

 

Adjusted net income for diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

342

 

$

1,609

 

$

(2,835

)

$

(2,555

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

262.2

 

87.4

 

87.3

 

87.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingently convertible debt

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

Restricted stock units and stock options

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Series C Preferred Stock

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

262.4

 

112.7

 

87.3

 

87.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

1.30

 

$

20.03

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(28.32

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

 

 

(0.79

)

Preferred stock requirements

 

 

 

 

(0.25

)

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

1.30

 

$

20.03

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(29.36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

1.30

 

$

14.28

 

$

(32.48

)

$

(29.36

)

 

        Successor EPS. The Plan contemplates the issuance of approximately 277 million shares of new common stock by the Successor Company (out of the 400 million shares of new common stock authorized under its amended and restated certificate of incorporation), as follows:

·      225.8 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of certain general unsecured claims;

·      8.6 million shares of common stock are issuable to holders of guaranty claims;

·      27.8 million shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the Rights Offering and an Equity Commitment Agreement; and

·      15.2 million shares of common stock are subject to awards under a management equity plan.

 

The new common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and began trading under the symbol “NWA” on May 31, 2007.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share (“SFAS No. 128”), basic and diluted earnings per share were computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the seven months ended December 31, 2007.  SFAS No. 128 requires that the entire 234 million shares to be issued to holders of unsecured and guaranty claims be considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share as these shares will ultimately be issued to unsecured creditors once the allocation of disputed unsecured claims is completed.

 

59



 

At December 31, 2007, approximately 16 million restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of the Successor Company’s common stock were outstanding but excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including the shares would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Predecessor EPS.  Predecessor basic earnings per share was computed based on the Predecessor’s final weighted-average shares outstanding.

 

At May 31, 2007, stock options to purchase approximately 7 million shares of common stock were outstanding but excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including the shares would have been anti-dilutive.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately 19 million incremental shares related to dilutive securities were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the Company reported a net loss for these periods.

 

Additionally, approximately 6 million shares of Series C Preferred Stock were excluded from the effect of dilutive securities for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 because the Company reported a net loss for these periods.

 

Total employee stock options outstanding of approximately 7 million and 8 million as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were not included in diluted securities because the Company reported a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

Note 7 — Reorganization Related Items

 

In accordance with SOP 90-7, the financial statements for the Predecessor periods distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the Company.  In connection with our bankruptcy proceedings, implementation of our Plan of Reorganization and adoption of fresh-start reporting, the Company recorded the following largely non-cash reorganization income/(expense) items:

 

Net reorganization items, as shown on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, consist of the following:

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Discharge of unsecured claims and liabilities (a)

 

$

1,763

 

$

 

$

 

Revaluation of frequent flyer obligations (b)

 

(1,559

)

 

 

Revaluation of other assets and liabilities (c)

 

2,816

 

 

 

Employee-related charges (d)

 

(312

)

(1,362

)

(136

)

Abandonment of aircraft and buildings (d)

 

(323

)

(129

)

(133

)

Restructured aircraft lease/debt charges (d)

 

(74

)

(1,598

)

(641

)

Professional fees

 

(60

)

(63

)

(23

)

Other (d)

 

(700

)

(13

)

(148

)

Reorganization items, net

 

$

1,551

 

$

(3,165

)

$

(1,081

)


(a)          The gain on discharge of unsecured claims and liabilities relates to the Company’s unsecured claims as of the Petition Date and the discharge of unsecured claims established as part of the bankruptcy process.  In accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, the Company discharged its estimated $8.2 billion in unsecured creditor obligations in exchange for the distribution of approximately 234 million common shares of the Successor Company valued at emergence at $6.45 billion.  Accordingly, the Company recognized a non-cash reorganization gain of approximately $1.8 billion.

 

(b)         The Company revalued its frequent flyer miles to estimated fair value as a result of fresh-start reporting, which resulted in a $1.6 billion non-cash reorganization charge.

 

(c)          In accordance with fresh-start reporting, the Company revalued its assets at their estimated fair value and revalued its liabilities at estimated fair value or the present value of amounts to be paid.  This resulted in a non-cash reorganization gain of $2.8 billion, primarily as a result of newly recognized intangible assets, offset partially by reductions in the fair value of tangible property and equipment.

 

60


 


 

(d)         Prior to emergence, the Company recorded its final provisions for allowed or projected unsecured claims including  employee-related Association of Flight Attendants — Communication Workers of America (“AFA-CWA”) contract related claims, other employee related claims, claims associated with restructured aircraft lease/debt, and municipal bond obligation related settlements.

 

Reorganization items recorded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, largely consisted of aircraft restructurings, employee claims, pension plan curtailment charges and aircraft rejection charges.  Reorganization items recorded from the commencement of the Chapter 11 case through December 31, 2005, largely consisted of aircraft restructuring, aircraft rejection charges and pension plan curtailment charges.

 

Note 8 — Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings

 

Long-term debt as of December 31, 2007 consisted of the following (with interest rates as of December 31, 2007):

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates due through 2022, 6.6% weighted-average rate (1)

 

$

1,421

 

$

168

 

Aircraft secured loans due through 2025, 7.1% weighted-average rate (2)

 

3,743

 

2,215

 

Bank Credit Facility due through 2013, 7.0% weighted-average rate (3)

 

1,214

 

1,225

 

Other secured debt & equipment financing due through 2020, 7.2% weighted-average rate (4)

 

451

 

376

 

Real estate and land notes due through 2031, 3.1% weighted-average rate

 

134

 

128

 

Total secured debt

 

6,963

 

4,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add net unamortized valuation premium (discount)

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

6,961

 

4,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less current maturities

 

446

 

213

 

Total Long-term debt

 

$

6,515

 

$

3,899

 

 


(1)          At December 31, 2007, direct obligations of Northwest included the $1.4 billion of equipment notes underlying the pass-through trust certificates issued for 62 aircraft.  Interest on the pass-through trust certificates is payable quarterly or semi-annually.

 

                        The above table does not include principal obligations related to $454 million of aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates (“2007-1 EETC”) issued on October 10, 2007.  The 2007-1 EETC proceeds were placed in escrow to pre-fund the financing of 27 new Embraer 175 aircraft expected to be delivered in 2008.  Interest on the Certificates will be payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on May 1, 2008.

 

(2)          The Company took delivery of and financed eight Airbus A330-300, 13 CRJ900 and nine Embraer 175 aircraft during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, resulting in an increase of $1.1 billion in aircraft secured loans.  At December 31, 2007, 125 aircraft collateralized $3.7 billion of secured loans.

 

                        On May 14, 2007, the Company closed on a refinancing of three A330-300 aircraft through the issuance of $221 million of debt.  The aircraft were delivered to the Company in 2007 with original debt proceeds reflected in the above mentioned $1.1 billion increase in aircraft secured loans.

 

                        On July 11, 2007, the Company executed a $176.7 million refinancing of loans through a private placement of senior secured loans.  Proceeds of the financing were used to refinance 15 A320 aircraft.

 

61



 

(3)          On August 21, 2006, the Predecessor Company entered into a $1.225 billion Senior Corporate Credit Facility (“Bank Credit Facility”), formerly called the DIP/Exit Facility, consisting of a $1.05 billion term loan facility and a $175 million revolving credit facility which has been fully drawn.  The final maturity date of the Bank Credit Facility is August 21, 2013.  Principal on the term loan portion of the Bank Credit Facility will be repaid at 1.0% per year with the balance (94%) due at maturity.  The first such principal repayment was made on August 21, 2007. Loans drawn under the $175 million revolving credit facility may be borrowed and repaid at the Company’s discretion.  Up to $75 million of the revolving credit facility may be utilized by the Company as a letter of credit facility.  As amended in March 2007, both loan facilities under the Bank Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.00%.  Letter of credit fees will be charged at the same credit spread as on the borrowings plus 12.5 basis points.  To the extent that the revolving credit facility is not utilized, the Company is required to pay an undrawn commitment fee of 50 basis points per annum.  The Bank Credit Facility received a credit rating of BB from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) and a Ba3 from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and is secured by a first lien on the Company’s Pacific Route authorities.  The March 2007 amendment also allowed the Company to grant a pari-passu lien in the Pacific Route authorities to secure up to $150 million of exposure arising from hedging trades entered into with Bank Credit Facility lenders.  The interest rate as of December 31, 2007 was 6.97% on both the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility.

 

                        The Bank Credit Facility requires ongoing compliance with financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain unrestricted cash of at least $750 million, a collateral coverage ratio of at least 1.50 to 1.0 and a minimum ratio of EBITDAR to consolidated fixed charges of 1.50 to 1.00.  For purposes of calculating this ratio, EBITDAR is defined as operating income adjusted to exclude the effects of depreciation, amortization and aircraft rents and to include the effects of interest income and governmental reimbursements for losses resulting from developments affecting the aviation industry.  Earnings also exclude non-recurring non-cash charges (subject to the inclusion of any cash payments then or thereafter made with respect thereto) and are determined without giving effect to any acceleration of rental expense.  Fixed charges are defined as interest expense and aircraft rents (without giving effect to any acceleration of rental expense).

 

                        As of December 31, 2007 the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants.

 

(4)          On November 29, 2007, the Company closed on an accounts receivable financing facility.  The facility size is $150 million and as of December 31, 2007 the facility was undrawn.  While any portion of the facility remains undrawn, the Company pays a commitment fee on the undrawn amount.

 

Debt Maturity Table:

 

Maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

(In millions)

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates

 

$

141

 

$

151

 

$

103

 

$

269

 

$

120

 

$

637

 

$

1,421

 

Aircraft secured loans

 

264

 

250

 

266

 

268

 

297

 

2,398

 

3,743

 

Bank Credit Facility

 

11

 

10

 

11

 

10

 

11

 

1,161

 

1,214

 

Other secured debt & equipment financing

 

35

 

177

 

16

 

60

 

12

 

151

 

451

 

Real estate and land notes

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

98

 

134

 

Total secured debt

 

451

 

588

 

432

 

607

 

440

 

4,445

 

6,963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add net unamortized valuation premium (discount)

 

(5

)

(4

)

(1

)

 

 

8

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

 

$

446

 

$

584

 

$

431

 

$

607

 

$

440

 

$

4,453

 

$

6,961

 

 

Under some of the debt instruments included above, agreements with the lenders require that the Company meet certain financial covenants, such as unrestricted cash balances and fixed charges coverage ratios.  Assets having an aggregate book value of $10.5 billion at December 31, 2007, principally aircraft and route authorities, were pledged under various loan agreements.  The Company was in compliance with the covenants and collateral requirements related to all of its debt agreements as of December 31, 2007.  While the Company anticipates that it will remain in compliance with such covenants and collateral requirements, these measures will depend upon the many factors affecting operating performance and the market values of assets.

 

As of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 there were no short-term borrowings.

 

62



 

Note 9 — Leases

 

The Company leases aircraft, space in airport terminals, land and buildings at airports, ticket, sales and reservations offices, and other property and equipment, which expire in various years through 2032.

 

        At December 31, 2007, future minimum lease payments for capital leases and non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of more than one year are as follows:

 

 

 

Capital

 

Operating Leases

 

(In millions)

 

Leases

 

Aircraft

 

Non-aircraft

 

2008

 

$

10

 

$

385

 

$

184

 

2009

 

14

 

382

 

176

 

2010

 

9

 

393

 

154

 

2011

 

9

 

339

 

128

 

2012

 

8

 

303

 

115

 

Thereafter

 

203

 

1,902

 

902

 

 

 

253

 

3,704

 

1,659

 

Less sublease rental income

 

 

 

1,133

(1)

21

 

Total minimum operating lease payments

 

 

 

$

2,571

 

$

1,638

 

Less amounts representing interest

 

144

 

 

 

 

 

Present value of future minimum capital lease payments

 

109

 

 

 

 

 

Add unamortized valuation premium

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital leases

 

127

 

 

 

 

 

Less current obligations under capital leases

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term obligations under capital leases

 

$

124

 

 

 

 

 

 


        (1)          Projected sublease rental income is to be received from Pinnacle.

 

Rental expense for all operating leases consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Gross rental expense

 

$

379

 

$

291

 

$

727

 

$

991

 

Sublease rental income

 

(86

)(1)

(72

)(1)

(338

)

(371

)

Net rental expense

 

$

293

 

$

219

 

$

389

 

$

620

 

 


        (1)          Mesaba was acquired by Northwest Airlines on April 24, 2007 and became a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary, which reduced sublease rental income upon consolidating Mesaba for reporting purposes.

 

At December 31, 2007 the Company leased 115 of the 431 aircraft it operates; of these 115 leases, one was a capital lease and 114 were operating leases.  The above table also includes operating leases for 137 aircraft operated by and subleased to Pinnacle.  The base term lease expiration date is 2009 for aircraft under capital leases, and from 2009 to 2025 for aircraft under operating leases.

 

The Company’s aircraft leases can generally be renewed for terms ranging from one to eight years at rates based on the aircraft’s fair market value at the end of the lease term.  All 252 aircraft lease agreements provide the Company with purchase options during the lease, at the end of the lease, or both.

 

63



 

Note 10 — Liabilities Subject to Compromise

 

At December 31, 2006, the Predecessor Company had liabilities subject to compromise of $13.6 billion, consisting of the following:

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

Long-term debt (1)

 

$

4,556

 

Accrued interest on long-term debt

 

48

 

Pension, postretirement and other employee-related expenses

 

3,902

 

Aircraft-related accruals, deferrals, and claims

 

2,962

 

Capital lease obligations, including accrued interest (2)

 

238

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities

 

1,866

 

Total liabilities subject to compromise

 

$

13,572

 

 


        (1)   Long-term debt subject to compromise included pre-petition and post-petition accrued interest and unpaid principal.  Refer to “Note 8 — Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings” for information related to the Predecessor Company’s debt not classified as subject to compromise as of December 31, 2006.

 

At December 31, 2006, the Predecessor Company’s long-term debt subject to compromise was as follows:

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

Aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates

 

$

1,554

 

Aircraft secured loans

 

784

 

Other secured notes

 

220

 

Other secured debt

 

1

 

Unsecured notes

 

1,313

 

Convertible unsecured notes

 

375

 

Unsecured debt

 

2

 

Pre-petition claims

 

307

 

Total debt liabilities subject to compromise

 

$

4,556

 

 

        (2)          Capital lease obligations subject to compromise included accrued interest and unpaid principal.

 

Subsequent to its Chapter 11 filing, the Predecessor Company recorded post-petition interest expense on pre-petition obligations only to the extent it believed the interest would be paid during the bankruptcy proceeding or that it was probable that the interest would be an allowed claim.  Had the Predecessor Company recorded interest expense based on its pre-petition contractual obligations, interest expense would have increased by $178.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

In addition to the $13.6 billion of liabilities subject to compromise itemized above, the Predecessor Company’s $277 million of Preferred Redeemable Stock was also subject to compromise as of December 31, 2006.  This preferred security was not presented as a liability on the Predecessor Company’s December 31, 2006 Consolidated Balance Sheet due to its conversion features, as required by the provisions of SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.

 

64



 

Note 11 — Stock-Based Compensation

 

Prior to the Effective Date, the Company maintained stock incentive plans for officers and key employees of the Company (the “Prior Management Plans”) and a stock option plan for pilot employees (the “Pilot Plan”).  On the Effective Date, outstanding awards under the Prior Management Plans and Pilot Plan were cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Plan.  On the Effective Date, the Management Equity Plan (“the 2007 Plan”) of the Successor Company provided for in the Plan of Reorganization became effective.   The 2007 Plan is a stock-based incentive compensation plan, under which the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has the authority to grant equity-based awards including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and/or other stock-based awards, including performance-based awards.  Each of these awards may be granted alone, in conjunction with, or in tandem with other awards under the 2007 Plan.  Awards may be to any employee of the Company or its subsidiaries.  The number of participants participating in the 2007 Plan will vary from year to year.  At its inception, the 2007 Plan provided that 21.33 million shares of common stock of the Successor Company were available for issuance under the plan.  As of December 31, 2007, approximately 5.99 million shares remained available for new awards to be granted under the 2007 Plan. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R using the modified-prospective transition method, effective January 1, 2006.  Under SFAS No. 123R, non-cash compensation expense for equity awards is recognized over the vesting period of the awards, generally the required service period.  Under the terms of awards granted in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, a portion of the shares subject to such awards vested immediately with the remaining shares vesting in one year or over four years; in addition, the shares subject to emergence related awards that vest on or before May 2008 are also subject to a disgorgement provision if the participant voluntarily terminates his or her employment prior to the one year anniversary of the Effective Date.  Under SFAS No. 123R, the corresponding expense is recognized over this implied service period.  For awards containing the disgorgement provision, the tables below exclude the portion of such awards that vest prior to May 31, 2008.  The Company uses straight-line recognition for awards with installment vesting.  SFAS No. 123R also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures of stock awards as of the grant date of the award.

 

        The compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock units granted to management employees in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, which is quantified below, does not represent payments actually made to these employees.  Rather, the amounts represent the non-cash compensation expense recognized by the Company in connection with these awards for financial reporting purposes.  The actual value of these awards to the recipients will depend on the trading price of the Company’s stock when the awards vest.

 

Stock Options.  Stock option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  Generally, outstanding employee stock option awards vest over four years and have a 10-year term.

 

The fair value of option awards are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on several assumptions.  The risk-free interest rate for periods within the term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.  The dividend yield on our common stock is assumed to be zero since in the past the Company has not paid dividends and has no current plans to do so.  The expected market price volatility assumption was developed considering both historical and implied volatilities of the trading prices of other airlines’ stocks.  Volatility data was not considered for the Company due to its bankruptcy.  The expected life of the options was developed using Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, Topic 14, Share-Based Payments.

 

The weighted-average fair value of options granted in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy was determined based on the following assumptions:

 

 

 

Seven Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

3.45% - 5.11

%

 

 

 

 

Dividend yield

 

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

Expected market price volatility

 

53% - 56

%

 

 

 

 

Expected life of options (years)

 

6

 

 

65


 


 

A summary of the stock option activity under the 2007 Plan as of December 31, 2007 and changes during the seven months then ended are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Term

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

 

$

 

 

Granted

 

5,878

 

21.64

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

(72

)

22.00

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

5,806

 

21.63

 

9.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested or expected to vest at end of period

 

5,381

 

21.65

 

9.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of period (1)

 

28

 

22.00

 

0.17

 


(1)          Excludes 1.2 million shares subject to vested options due to the SFAS No. 123R disgorgement provision discussed above.

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy was approximately $12.19 per share.  There were no options exercised during the seven months ended December 31, 2007.  The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding options at December 31, 2007 was zero.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $54.3 million of unrecognized non-cash compensation expense related to non-vested options.  The Company expects to recognize this expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.6 years.

 

Restricted Stock Units.  The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is determined based on the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  Generally, outstanding RSUs vest in one year or over four years.

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s RSUs as of December 31, 2007, and changes during the seven months then ended, are presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

 

Contractual

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

Term

 

Unvested at beginning of period

 

 

$

 

 

Granted

 

10,298

 

24.59

 

 

 

Vested (1)

 

(56

)

25.15

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(105

)

25.15

 

 

 

Unvested at end of period

 

10,137

 

24.58

 

9.5

 


(1)          Excludes 1.8 million shares subject to vested RSUs due to the SFAS No. 123R disgorgement provision discussed above.

 

As of December 31, 2007, there was $176.8 million of unrecognized non-cash compensation cost related to RSUs granted under the Plan.  The compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.

 

Other Awards.  The Company also issued certain awards that are accounted for as a liability because such awards provide for settlement in cash.  During 2007, the Company granted approximately 0.7 million RSUs to be settled in cash and approximately 0.4 million stock appreciation rights (“SARs”).  Each cash-settled RSU represents the right to receive a cash payment equal to the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock multiplied by the number of shares subject to the award on the applicable vesting date.  During the seven months ended December 31, 2007, the Company paid $2.2 million in settlement of stock awards to be settled in cash.  SARs provide participants the right to receive the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the number of shares of common stock subject to the award at the time of exercise over the exercise price of the SAR.  The cash-settled RSUs vest in one year or over four years and the SARs vest over a four year period.

 

66



 

For the seven months ended December 31, 2007, the total stock-based non-cash compensation expense related to stock awards and liability awards was approximately $73.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively.  There was no corresponding tax benefit in 2007 related to the stock-based compensation, as the Company records a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty regarding the ultimate realization of those assets.   See “Note 13 — Income Taxes” for additional information.

 

Note 12 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension, Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign

 

Deferred

 

Postretirement

 

Adjustment

 

Unrealized

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Currency

 

Gain (Loss)

 

and Long-Term

 

to Adopt

 

Gain (Loss)

 

Other

 

 

 

Translation

 

on Hedging

 

Disability

 

SFAS

 

on

 

Comprehensive

 

(In millions)

 

Adjustment

 

Activities

 

Benefits

 

No. 158

 

Investments

 

Income (Loss)

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2005

 

$

(4

)

$

(5

)

$

(1,541

)

$

 

$

3

 

$

(1,547

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax amount

 

(7

)

11

 

(16

)

 

(9

)

(21

)

Tax effect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net-of-tax amount

 

(7

)

11

 

(16

)

 

(9

)

(21

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

(11

)

6

 

(1,557

)

 

(6

)

(1,568

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax amount

 

 

(10

)

699

 

(224

)

3

 

468

 

Tax effect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net-of-tax amount

 

 

(10

)

699

 

(224

)

3

 

468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

(11

)

(4

)

(858

)

(224

)

(3

)

(1,100

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax amount

 

11

 

4

 

858

 

224

 

3

 

1,100

 

Tax Effect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net-of-tax amount

 

11

 

4

 

858

 

224

 

3

 

1,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at May 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before tax amount

 

 

(3

)

(199

)

 

 

(202

)

Tax Effect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net-of-tax amount

 

 

(3

)

(199

)

 

 

(202

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

$

 

$

(3

)

$

(199

)

$

 

$

 

$

(202

)

 

 

67



 

Note 13 — Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

6

 

Foreign

 

2

 

1

 

8

 

 

State

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

1

 

8

 

7

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

208

 

(3

)

(37

)

 

Foreign

 

(1

)

 

 

 

State

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

222

 

(3

)

(37

)

 

Total income tax expense (benefit)

 

$

224

 

$

(2

)

$

(29

)

$

7

 

 

Reconciliations of the statutory rate to the Company’s income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Statutory rate applied to income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

198

 

$

612

 

$

(1,003

)

$

(860

)

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State income tax expense (benefit) net of federal benefit

 

10

 

28

 

(45

)

(39

)

Non-deductible expenses

 

15

 

25

 

23

 

13

 

Adjustment to valuation allowance and other income tax accruals

 

 

(665

)

1,023

 

883

 

Other

 

1

 

(2

)

(27

)

10

 

Total income tax expense (benefit)

 

$

224

 

$

(2

)

$

(29

)

$

7

 

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109 which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized, using enacted tax rates, for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities.  SFAS No. 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Based on the consideration of all available evidence, the Company has provided a valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets recorded beginning in the first quarter 2003.  The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty regarding the ultimate realization of those assets.

 

68



 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting basis of assets in excess of tax basis

 

$

1,710

 

$

2,002

 

Accounting basis of indefinite-lived intangible assets in excess of tax basis

 

1,424

 

217

 

Accounting basis of definite-lived intangible assets in excess of tax basis

 

437

 

 

Other

 

17

 

71

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

3,588

 

2,290

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses not yet deducted for tax purposes

 

185

 

253

 

Reorganization charges not yet deducted for tax purposes

 

869

 

1,526

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

1,395

 

1,476

 

Deferred revenue

 

718

 

 

Gains from the sale-leaseback of aircraft

 

 

18

 

Rent expense

 

 

(35

)

Travel award programs

 

 

104

 

Net operating loss carryforward

 

1,316

 

1,216

 

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward

 

137

 

134

 

Other

 

53

 

34

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

4,673

 

4,726

 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

(2,216

)

(2,436

)

Net deferred tax assets

 

2,457

 

2,290

 

Net deferred tax liability

 

$

1,131

 

$

 

 

At December 31, 2007, the Company has certain federal deferred tax assets available for use in the regular tax system and the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) system.  The deferred tax assets available in the regular tax system include:  NOL carryforwards of $3.6 billion, AMT credits of $137 million, general business tax credits of $6 million and foreign tax credits of $19 million.  The deferred tax assets available in the AMT system are:  NOL carryforwards of $3.7 billion and foreign tax credits of $16 million.  AMT credits available in the regular tax system have an unlimited carryforward period and all other deferred tax assets in both systems are available for years beyond 2007, expiring in 2008 through 2027.

 

The Company also has the following deferred tax assets available at December 31, 2007, for use in certain states:  NOL carryforwards with a tax benefit value of approximately $87 million are available for years beyond 2007, expiring in 2008 through 2027, and state job tax credits of $7 million are available for years beyond 2007, expiring in 2008 through 2011.

 

With the adoption of fresh-start reporting, a valuation allowance of $2.4 billion was recorded which, if reversed when the Company reports income in future periods, will reduce goodwill and then other intangible assets and will generate income tax expense.  Because of its NOL carryforwards, however, the Company expects to pay minimal cash income taxes for the foreseeable future.

 

An ownership change under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 occurred in connection with the Company’s bankruptcy Plan of Reorganization.  However, the Company does not believe that such change has any material impact on the Company’s ability to use its NOL carryforwards and other tax attributes.

 

69



 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which clarifies SFAS No. 109.  FIN 48 prescribes a consistent recognition threshold and criteria for measurement of uncertain tax positions for financial statement purposes.  FIN 48 requires the financial statement recognition of an income tax benefit when the Company determines that it is “more likely than not” the tax position will be ultimately sustained. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $3 million, which, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate in future periods. During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company increased its reserve for unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $2 million as a result of a resolution of a federal tax controversy.   A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2007

 

$

5

 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 

 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

 

2

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 

(2

)

Settlements

 

(2

)

Lapse of statute of limitations

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

$

3

 

 

Subject to the impact of the Company’s bankruptcy filing, open tax years for federal income tax purposes are 1992 through 2006 and for state income tax purposes generally are 2005 and 2006.

 

The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.  The Company had $10 million accrued for interest and nothing accrued for penalties at December 31, 2007.

 

Note 14 — Commitments

 

The Company’s firm orders for 25 new aircraft to be operated by Northwest consist of scheduled deliveries for 18 Boeing 787-8 aircraft from 2009 through 2010, two Airbus A320 aircraft in 2012 and five Airbus A319 aircraft from 2010 through 2011.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company also had firm orders to take delivery of 23 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft and 27 Embraer 175 aircraft in 2008 related to its regional aircraft operations.

 

Committed expenditures for these aircraft and related equipment, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations and predelivery deposits, will be approximately $1.2 billion in 2008, $1.2 billion in 2009, $770 million in 2010, $79 million in 2011, and $97 million in 2012.  Consistent with prior practice, the Company intends to finance its aircraft deliveries through a combination of internally generated funds, debt and long-term lease financings.  Financing commitments or cancellation rights are available to the Company for all aircraft on firm order.

 

Note 15 — Contingencies

 

Legal Contingencies.  The Company is involved in a variety of legal actions relating to antitrust, contract, trade practice, environmental and other legal matters pertaining to the Company’s business.  While the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these legal actions, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements taken as a whole.

 

General Indemnifications.  The Company is the lessee under many commercial real estate leases.  It is common in these transactions for us, as the lessee, to agree to indemnify the lessor and the lessor’s related parties for tort, environmental and other liabilities that arise out of, or relate to, our use or occupancy of the leased premises.  This type of indemnity would typically make us responsible to indemnified parties for liabilities arising out of the conduct of, among others, contractors, licensees and, in many cases, invitees at or in connection with the use or occupancy of the leased premises.  This indemnity normally excludes any liabilities caused by the gross negligence (or, in some cases, the negligence) and willful misconduct of the indemnified parties.

 

The Company’s aircraft and other equipment lease and financing agreements typically contain provisions requiring us, as the lessee or obligor, to indemnify the other parties to those agreements, including certain of those parties’ related persons, against virtually any liabilities that might arise from the condition, use or operation of the aircraft or such other equipment.  The Company believes that its insurance would cover most of the exposure to such liabilities and related indemnities associated with the types of lease and financing agreements described above, including real estate leases.  However, the Company’s insurance does not typically cover environmental liabilities.

 

70



 

Certain of our aircraft and other financing transactions include provisions which require us to make payments to preserve an expected economic return to the lenders if that economic return is diminished due to certain changes in law or regulations.  In certain of these financing transactions, the Company also bears the risk of certain changes in tax laws that would subject payments to non-U.S. lenders to withholding taxes.

 

The Company obtains letters of credit (“LOCs”) from commercial banks in favor of various parties to secure obligations of the Company to such parties. As of December 31, 2007, the total outstanding amount of these LOCs was $92.4 million (excluding an additional $133.4 million of LOCs that were fully secured by the Company’s pledge of cash collateral). The obligations of the Company with respect to this $92.4 million of LOCs, together with certain other obligations of the Company, are secured by the Company’s routes, certain aircraft and cash collateral.

 

Note 16 — Pension and Other Postretirement Health Care Benefits

 

The Company has several defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution 401(k)-type plans covering substantially all of its employees.  Northwest froze future benefit accruals for its defined benefit Pension Plans for Salaried Employees, Pilot Employees, and Contract Employees effective August 31, 2005, January 31, 2006, and September 30, 2006, respectively.  Replacement coverage was provided for these employees through 401(k)-type defined contribution plans or in the case of IAM represented employees, the IAM National Multi-Employer Plan.

 

Northwest also sponsors various contributory and noncontributory medical, dental and life insurance benefit plans covering certain eligible retirees and their dependents.  The expected future cost of providing such postretirement benefits is accrued over the service lives of active employees.  Retired employees are not offered Company-paid medical and dental benefits after age 64, with the exception of certain employees who retired prior to 1987 and receive lifetime Company-paid medical and dental benefits.  Prior to age 65, the retiree share of the cost of medical and dental coverage is based on a combination of years of service and age at retirement.  Medical and dental benefit plans are unfunded and costs are paid as incurred.  The pilot group is provided Company-paid decreasing life insurance coverage.

 

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“2006 Pension Act”) was signed into law on August 17, 2006.  The 2006 Pension Act allows commercial airlines to elect special funding rules for defined benefit plans that are frozen.  The unfunded liability for a frozen defined benefit plan may be amortized over a fixed 17-year period. The unfunded liability is defined as the actuarial liability calculated using an 8.85% interest rate minus the fair market value of plan assets.  Northwest elected the special funding rules for frozen defined benefit plans under the 2006 Pension Act effective October 1, 2006.  As a result of this election (1) the funding waivers that Northwest received for the 2003 plan year contributions were deemed satisfied under the 2006 Pension Act, and (2) the funding standard account for each Plan had no deficiency as of September 30, 2006.  New contributions that came due under the 2006 Pension Act funding rules were paid while Northwest was in bankruptcy and must continue to be paid going forward.  If the new contributions are not paid, the future funding deficiency that would develop will be based on the regular funding rules rather than the special funding rules.

 

It is Northwest’s policy to fund annually at least the minimum contribution as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).  However, as a result of the commencement of Northwest’s Chapter 11 case, Northwest did not make minimum cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans that were due after September 14, 2005.  Subsequent to Northwest’s bankruptcy filing and prior to its election under the 2006 Pension Act, Northwest paid the normal cost component of the plans’ minimum funding requirements relating to service rendered post-petition and certain interest payments associated with its 2003 Contract Plan and Salaried Plan year waivers.  As noted above, effective October 1, 2006, Northwest elected the special funding rules available to commercial airlines.

 

As a result of Northwest’s Chapter 11 filing, we appointed an independent fiduciary for all of our tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans to pursue, on behalf of the plans, claims to recover minimum funding contributions due under federal law, to the extent that Northwest is not continuing to fund the plans due to bankruptcy prohibitions.  The independent fiduciary subsequently withdrew all of the claims that the independent fiduciary filed in our Chapter 11 Case following our election of the special funding rules under the 2006 Pension Act.

 

Congress enacted, and the president signed into law on December 13, 2007, a change in the retirement age for pilots from age 60 to 65.  Due to this legislative change, the Company has updated its retirement assumptions for pilots and assumes that certain pilots will continue to work past age 60. This change had an immaterial impact on Northwest’s overall pension benefit and other postretirement obligations.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, which amends SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106, Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (“SFAS No. 106”) to require recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under SFAS No. 158, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and any remaining transition amounts under SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106 that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects. The measurement date, the date at which the benefit obligation and plan assets are measured, is required to be the company's fiscal year end. The Company historically had and continues to utilize a fiscal year-end measurement date.  SFAS No. 158 was effective for publicly-held companies for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, except for the measurement date provisions, which are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 increased the Company’s long-term pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities, as well as the Predecessor Company’s equity deficit by $224 million as of December 31, 2006. SFAS No. 158 does not affect the results of operations.

 

Northwest’s 2007 calendar year contributions to its frozen defined benefit plans under the provisions of the 2006 Pension Act and the replacement plans were approximately $130 million. Northwest’s 2008 calendar year contributions to its frozen defined benefit plans under the provisions of the 2006 Pension Act and the replacement plans will approximate $140 million.

 

71


 


 

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligations, the fair value of plan assets, and the funded status:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Change in benefit obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligations at beginning of year

 

$

9,373

 

$

9,472

 

$

898

 

$

1,051

 

Service cost

 

45

 

116

 

23

 

30

 

Interest cost

 

553

 

533

 

49

 

59

 

Plan amendments

 

 

(3

)

(119

)

(270

)

Actuarial loss and other

 

(299

)

(265

)

(27

)

91

 

Transfer of liability out of plan (1)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

Benefits paid

 

(502

)

(472

)

(64

)

(63

)

Benefit obligations at end of period

 

9,170

 

9,373

 

760

 

898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

6,278

 

5,794

 

5

 

5

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

449

 

870

 

 

 

Employer contributions

 

79

 

86

 

63

 

63

 

Benefits paid

 

(502

)

(472

)

(64

)

(63

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

 

6,304

 

6,278

 

4

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status at end of period - net underfunded

 

$

(2,866

)

$

(3,095

)

$

(756

)

$

(893

)


(1)    The Company transferred the liability associated with certain long-term disability benefits previously provided in the Northwest Airlines Pension Plan for Pilots to a self-funded long-term disability plan that provides substantially similar benefits.

 

The accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit pension plans were $9.1 billion and $9.4 billion at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The Company’s pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 31 were as follows:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Projected benefit obligations

 

$

9,143

 

$

9,352

 

Accumulated benefit obligations

 

9,123

 

9,338

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

6,273

 

6,251

 

 

Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position as of December 31 consist of:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

$

3

 

$

6

 

$

 

$

 

Total assets

 

$

3

 

$

6

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liability

 

$

(27

)

$

(28

)

$

(43

)

$

(64

)

Noncurrent liability

 

(2,842

)

(3,073

)

(713

)

(829

)

Total liabilities

 

$

(2,869

)

$

(3,101

)

$

(756

)

$

(893

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (gain)

 

$

199

 

$

1,621

 

$

8

 

$

619

 

Prior service cost (credit)

 

 

(1

)

 

(333

)

Total other comprehensive income

 

$

199

 

$

1,620

 

$

8

 

$

286

 

 

 

72



 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for pension and other benefits at December 31:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Discount rate

 

6.31

%

5.93

%

6.24

%

5.93

%

Rate of future compensation increase (1)

 

3.50

%

3.50

%

n/a

 

n/a

 


(1)   Not applicable to frozen plans.

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plans and defined contribution plan costs:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Defined benefit plan costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

26

 

$

19

 

$

116

 

$

278

 

Interest cost

 

328

 

225

 

533

 

553

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(337

)

(207

)

(484

)

(518

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

30

 

73

 

Recognized net actuarial loss and other events

 

 

18

 

87

 

170

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

17

 

55

 

282

 

556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined contribution plan costs

 

41

 

23

 

53

 

11

 

Total benefit cost

 

$

58

 

$

78

 

$

335

 

$

567

 

 

 

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Defined benefit plan costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

13

 

$

10

 

$

30

 

$

34

 

Interest cost

 

27

 

22

 

59

 

56

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

(15

)

(21

)

(10

)

Recognized net actuarial loss and other events

 

 

16

 

38

 

31

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

40

 

33

 

106

 

111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined contribution plan costs

 

 

 

 

 

Total benefit cost

 

$

40

 

$

33

 

$

106

 

$

111

 

 

73



 

Related to the freezing of Northwest’s defined benefit plans covering domestic employees in 2006, Northwest recorded pension curtailment charges and gains.  Curtailment charges and gains have been recorded as a component of net reorganization expense.  Northwest has recorded the following pension curtailment amounts:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

(In millions)

 

December 31, 2007

 

May 31, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

Curtailment charge (gain)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilot Plan

 

$

 

$

 

$

(49

)

$

127

 

Salaried Plan

 

 

 

 

28

 

Contract Plan

 

 

 

332

 

54

 

Total

 

$

 

$

 

$

283

 

$

209

 

 

Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2008:

 

 

 

Pension

 

Other

 

(In millions)

 

Benefits

 

Benefits

 

Net loss (gain)

 

$

1

 

$

 

Prior service cost (credit)

 

 

 

 

 

$

1

 

$

 

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension and other benefit costs for the periods ended December 31:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Discount rate (1)

 

6.17

%

5.71

%

6.17

%

5.71

%

Expected long-term return on plan assets

 

9.00

%

9.00

%

5.00

%

5.00

%

Rate of future compensation increase (2)

 

3.50

%

3.50

%

n/a

 

n/a

 


(1) The discount rate used for the period from January 2007 through May 2007 was 5.93%.

(2) Not applicable to frozen plans.

 

The Company has adopted and implemented an investment policy for the defined benefit pension plans that incorporates a strategic asset allocation mix designed to best meet the Company’s long-term pension obligations.  This asset allocation policy mix is reviewed every 2-3 years and, on a regular basis, actual allocations are rebalanced toward the prevailing targets.  The following table summarizes actual allocations as of December 31, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Assets

 

Asset Category

 

Target

 

2007

 

2006

 

Domestic stocks

 

35.0

%

42.7

%

47.2

%

International stocks

 

25.0

%

27.1

%

28.1

%

Private markets

 

10.0

%

9.0

%

5.1

%

Long-duration bonds

 

15.0

%

15.7

%

14.5

%

High yield bonds

 

5.0

%

5.1

%

5.1

%

Real estate

 

10.0

%

0.4

%

n/a

 

Total

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

The investment policy also emphasizes the following key objectives: (1) maintain a diversified portfolio among asset classes and investment styles; (2) maintain an acceptable level of risk in pursuit of long-term economic benefit; (3) maximize the opportunity for value-added returns from active management; (4) capture return opportunities from inefficiencies in nontraditional capital markets; and (5) maintain adequate controls over administrative costs.

 

74



 

To meet these objectives, the Company’s investment policy reflects the following major themes: (1) diversify holdings to achieve broad coverage of both stock and bond markets; (2) utilize market index funds as a core strategy, where appropriate, to ensure broad diversification, minimal fees, and reduced risk of relative underperformance of the portfolio; (3) use active investment managers with disciplined, clearly defined strategies, while establishing investment guidelines and monitoring procedures for each investment manager to ensure the characteristics of the portfolio are consistent with the original investment mandate; and (4) maintain an allocation to nontraditional investments, where market inefficiencies are greatest, and use these investments primarily to enhance the overall returns.

 

The Company reviews its rate of return on plan asset assumptions annually.  These assumptions are largely based on the asset category rate-of-return assumptions developed annually with the Company’s pension investment advisors.  The advisors’ asset category return assumptions are based in part on a review of historical asset returns, but also emphasize current market conditions to develop estimates of future risk and return.  Current market conditions include the yield-to-maturity and credit spreads on a broad bond market benchmark in the case of fixed income asset classes, and current prices as well as earnings and dividend growth rates in the case of equity asset classes.  The assumptions are also adjusted to account for the value of active management the funds have provided historically.  The Company’s expected long-term rate of return is based on target asset allocations of 35% domestic equities with an expected rate of return of 8.75%; 25% international equities with an expected rate of return of 8.75%; 10% private markets with an expected rate of return of 11.75%; 15% long-duration bonds with an expected rate of return of 6.0%; 5% high yield bonds with an expected rate of return of 7.50%; and 10% real estate equities with an expected rate of return of 6.75%.  These assumptions result in a weighted geometric average rate of return of 8.75% on an annual basis.

 

For measurement purposes, an 8.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2008.  The rate was assumed to decrease 0.5% per year reaching 5.0% in 2014 and remain at that level thereafter.  Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant impact on the amounts reported under other benefits, above, for the health care plans.

 

A one percent-change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

 

 

One Percentage-

 

One Percentage-

 

(In millions)

 

Point Increase

 

Point Decrease

 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components (1)

 

$

4.4

 

$

(3.8

)

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligations

 

65.1

 

(57.3

)


(1) Effect on total of service and interest cost components for the period June through December 2007.

 

The future benefit payments expected to be made by the pension and other postretirement benefit plans are shown below:

 

 

 

 

 

Employer

 

 

 

 

 

Provided Other

 

 

 

Pension

 

Postretirement

 

(In millions)

 

Benefits

 

Benefits

 

2008

 

$

481

 

$

47

 

2009

 

497

 

48

 

2010

 

520

 

50

 

2011

 

541

 

52

 

2012

 

568

 

53

 

Years 2013-2017

 

3,218

 

308

 

 

Note 17 — Risk Management

 

The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The Company uses derivatives as cash flow hedges to manage the price risk of fuel, its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, and its exposure to interest rates.  For cash flow hedges that qualify for special hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”), the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the equity section of the balance sheet and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.  Any ineffective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is reported in earnings immediately.  For all other derivatives, gains and losses are recorded in earnings each period.

 

75



 

Risk Management.  The Company principally uses derivative financial instruments to manage specific risks and does not hold or issue them for trading purposes.  The notional amounts of financial instruments summarized below did not represent amounts exchanged between parties and, therefore, are not a measure of the Company’s exposure resulting from its use of derivatives.

 

Foreign Currency.  The Company is exposed to the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on the U.S. dollar value of foreign currency-denominated operating revenues and expenses.  The Company’s largest exposure comes from the Japanese yen.  In 2007, the Company’s yen-denominated net cash inflow was approximately 86 billion yen ($726 million).

 

The Company uses forward contracts, collars or put options to hedge a portion of its anticipated yen-denominated sales.  The changes in market value of such instruments have historically been highly effective at offsetting exchange rate fluctuations in yen-denominated sales.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had hedged approximately 42.6% of its anticipated 2008 yen-denominated sales.  The 2008 Japanese yen hedges consist of forward contracts which hedge approximately 32.7% of yen-denominated sales at an average rate of 109.3 yen per U.S. dollar and collar options which hedge approximately 9.9% of yen-denominated sales with a rate range between 102.4 and 116.4 yen per U.S. dollar.  As of December 31, 2007, a $0.1 million unrealized loss was outstanding in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with the Japanese yen hedge contracts.  Hedging gains or losses are recorded in revenue when transportation is provided.  The Japanese yen financial instruments utilized to hedge yen-denominated cash flows resulted in realized gains of $9 million and $11 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2007, Company had also hedged approximately 66.4% of its 2008 anticipated Canadian dollar denominated sales with forward contracts at an average rate of 1.0008 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar.  A $2.9 million unrealized loss was outstanding in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with the Canadian dollar hedge contracts, as of December 31, 2007.

 

Counterparties to these financial instruments expose the Company to credit loss in the event of nonperformance, but the Company does not expect any of the counterparties to fail to meet their obligations.  The amount of such credit exposure is generally the unrealized gains, if any, in such contracts.  To manage credit risks, the Company selects counterparties based on credit ratings, limits exposure to any single counterparty and monitors the market position with each counterparty.  It is the Company’s practice to participate in foreign currency hedging transactions with a maximum span of 24 months.

 

Aircraft Fuel.  The Company is exposed to the effect of changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel.  In order to provide a measure of control over price and supply, the Company trades and ships fuel and maintains fuel storage facilities to support its flight operations.  To further manage the price risk of fuel costs, the Company primarily utilizes futures contracts traded on regulated futures exchanges, swap agreements and options.

 

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had economically hedged the price of approximately 10% of its projected fuel requirements for 2008, through collar options.  Including an additional collar option entered into during January and February 2008, the Company has hedged the price of approximately 18% of its projected fuel requirements for 2008.   All of the Company’s existing fuel derivative contracts will expire on or before December 31, 2008.  The collar options consist of crude oil put options with a price range of $63.50 to $85.00 per barrel (average of $78.42), and related call options with a price range of $84.00 to $104.65 per barrel (average $97.38).

 

The Company currently has no fuel derivative contracts outstanding that are designated for special hedge accounting treatment, and therefore had no related unrealized gains (losses) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) as of December 31, 2007. The Company records any changes in the contracts’ values as mark-to-market adjustments through the Consolidated Statement of Operations on a monthly basis.  During 2007, the Company recognized $112.9 million of fuel derivative net gains as reductions in fuel expense, including $18.7 million of unrealized gains related to fuel derivative contracts that will settle in 2008.  Effective June 2007, the Company began allocating mark-to-market adjustments to regional carrier expense for fuel consumed by our non-consolidated Airlink partners.  For the seven months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized $10.6 million of fuel derivative net gains as reductions in regional carrier expense, including $1.7 million of unrealized gains related to fuel derivative contracts that will settle in 2008.  During 2006, the Company recognized $39.3 million of fuel derivative net losses as additional fuel expense, including $2.7 million of unrealized losses related to fuel derivative contracts that settled in 2007.  During 2005, the Company recognized $20.9 million of fuel derivative net gains as a reduction to fuel expense.

 

Interest Rates.  The Company’s earnings are also affected by changes in interest rates due to the impact those changes have on its interest expense from floating rate debt instruments.  During June 2006, the Company entered into individual interest rate cap hedges related to three floating rate debt instruments, with a total cumulative notional amount of $429 million.  The objective of the interest rate cap hedges is to protect the anticipated payments of interest (cash flows) on the designated debt instruments from adverse market interest rate changes.  The maturity date of each of the interest rate cap hedges corresponds exactly with the maturity dates of the three designated debt instruments.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company has recorded $0.3 million of unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with these hedges.

 

76


 


 

Note 18 — Investment Securities

 

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of short-term investment securities classified as available-for-sale as of December 31 were as follows:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

Gross

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Available-for-sale Securities (1)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Mutual Funds

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

146

 

$

 

$

(2

)

$

144

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

1

 

 

51

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

173

 

1

 

(2

)

172

 

Asset-backed securities

 

95

 

 

 

95

 

212

 

 

(1

)

211

 

Other securities and investments

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

95

 

$

 

$

 

$

95

 

$

600

 

$

2

 

$

(5

)

$

597

 

 


(1)          Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized net gains or losses reported within other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.

 

        As of December 31, 2007, the Company did not hold any available-for-sale securities investments which had been in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months.

 

        The following table provides information as to the amount of gross gains and losses realized through the sale of available-for-sale investment securities for the years ending December 31:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Realized gains (1)

 

$

19

 

$

5

 

$

 

$

24

 

Realized losses (1)

 

(35

)

(6

)

(1

)

(27

)

Net realized gains (losses)

 

$

(16

)

$

(1

)

$

(1

)

$

(3

)

 


(1)   Realized gains and losses are identified using the specific identification method.

 

The contractual maturities of debt securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2007 are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to recall or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

(In millions)

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair Value

 

Within one year

 

$

95

 

$

95

 

Between one and five years

 

 

 

Between five and ten years

 

 

 

After ten years

 

 

 

Total short-term investments

 

$

95

 

$

95

 

 

As of December 31, 2007, all of the Company’s available-for-sale securities investments consisted of student loan backed auction rate securities whose rate reset dates occur monthly.

 

Note 19 — Related Party Transactions

 

Pinnacle.  On November 29, 2007, the Company entered into a stock redemption agreement with Pinnacle Airlines Corp., pursuant to which Pinnacle repurchased the Company’s 11.4% equity interest in Pinnacle common stock for $32.9 million.  The Company recorded a loss on the sale of common stock of $14.2 million in the fourth quarter 2007. In January 2008, the Company sold the Preferred Series A share it held in Pinnacle for proceeds of $20 million. The Company no longer holds any equity interests in Pinnacle as a result of the common and preferred stock sales.

 

 

77



 

Northwest and Pinnacle have entered into an airline services agreement, under which Northwest determines Pinnacle’s commuter aircraft scheduling.  The agreement is structured as a capacity purchase agreement whereby Northwest pays Pinnacle to operate the flights on Northwest’s behalf and Northwest is entitled to all revenues associated with those flights.  Under this agreement, Northwest paid $533 million, $596 million and $572 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  The Company had payables of $22 million and $131 million to Pinnacle as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company has leased 137 CRJ200 aircraft, which are in turn subleased to Pinnacle.  As part of its overall restructuring efforts, the Company evaluated its airline services agreements with its regional carriers, initiated a request for proposal from its existing and other regional carrier operators, and obtained Bankruptcy Court approval of an amended and restated Airline Services Agreement (“Amended Pinnacle ASA”) between the Company and Pinnacle on January 11, 2007.

 

Aeronautical Radio, Inc.  On October 25, 2007 the Company, together with certain other major airlines sold Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (“ARINC”) to Radio Acquisition Corp., an affiliate of The Carlyle Group. For its 15.75% equity interest in ARINC, the Company received cash proceeds of $97 million.

 

Note 20 — Geographic Regions

 

The Company is managed as one cohesive business unit, of which revenues are derived primarily from the commercial transportation of passengers and cargo.  Operating revenues from flight segments serving a foreign destination are classified into the Pacific or Atlantic regions, as appropriate.  The following table shows the operating revenues for each region:

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Domestic

 

$

4,925

 

$

3,347

 

$

8,561

 

$

8,274

 

Pacific, principally Japan

 

1,683

 

1,063

 

2,711

 

2,639

 

Atlantic

 

996

 

514

 

1,296

 

1,373

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

7,604

 

$

4,924

 

$

12,568

 

$

12,286

 

 

The Company’s tangible assets consist primarily of flight equipment, which are utilized across geographic markets and therefore have not been allocated.

 

78



 

Note 21 — Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

Unaudited quarterly results of operations are summarized below:

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1 to

 

June 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

1st Quarter

 

May 31

 

June 30

 

3rd Quarter

 

4th Quarter

 

2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

2,873

 

$

2,051

 

$

1,130

 

$

3,378

 

$

3,096

 

Operating income (loss)

 

201

 

162

 

195

 

459

 

87

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(292

)

$

2,043

 

$

106

 

$

244

 

$

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(3.34

)

$

23.37

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.93

 

$

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(3.34

)

$

16.87

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.93

 

$

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

2nd Quarter

 

3rd Quarter

 

4th Quarter

 

 

 

2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

2,890

 

$

3,291

 

$

3,407

 

$

2,980

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(15

)

295

 

366

 

94

 

 

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(1,104

)

$

(285

)

$

(1,179

)

$

(267

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(12.65

)

$

(3.27

)

$

(13.50

)

$

(3.06

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

2,798

 

$

3,195

 

$

3,378

 

$

2,915

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(301

)

(190

)

(167

)

(261

)

 

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(537

)

$

(234

)

$

(475

)

$

(1,309

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(6.19

)

$

(2.69

)

$

(5.45

)

$

(15.01

)

 

 

 

 

79



 

Unaudited quarterly net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders in the table above includes the following unusual items:

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

 

 

Period From

 

Period From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1 to

 

June 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

1st Quarter

 

May 31

 

June 30

 

3rd Quarter

 

4th Quarter

 

2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

(14

)

Reorganization items

 

(393

)

1,944

 

 

 

 

Impact on net income (loss) from unusual items

 

$

(393

)

$

1,944

 

$

 

$

 

$

(14

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

2nd Quarter

 

3rd Quarter

 

4th Quarter

 

 

 

2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance expenses

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

(23

)

 

 

Reorganization items

 

(975

)

(464

)

(1,431

)

(295

)

 

 

Impact on net income (loss) from unusual items

 

$

(975

)

$

(464

)

$

(1,431

)

$

(318

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension curtailment charges

 

$

 

$

 

$

(82

)

$

 

 

 

Aircraft and aircraft related write-downs

 

 

(48

)

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

 

(18

)

102

 

 

 

 

 

Reorganization items

 

 

 

(159

)

(922

)

 

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(69

)

 

 

 

 

 

Impact on net income (loss) from unusual items

 

$

(87

)

$

54

 

$

(241

)

$

(922

)

 

 

 

The sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the annual amount reported since per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter and for the full year are based on respective weighted-average common shares outstanding and other dilutive potential common shares.

 

Note 22 — Subsequent Events (Unaudited)

 

        Sale of Pinnacle Airlines Preferred Share.  In January 2008, Northwest sold its Class A Preferred share to Pinnacle for a purchase price of $20 million.  The Class A Preferred share was marked-to-market upon Northwest’s adoption of fresh-start reporting; therefore, no gain or loss was recognized upon the sale.

 

        Midwest Air Partners, LLC.  Northwest, TPG Midwest US V, LLC, and TPG Midwest International V, LLC formed Midwest Air Partners, LLC for purposes of acquiring Midwest Air Group, Inc.  The acquisition closed on January 31, 2008 and Northwest contributed $213 million for a minority ownership interest in Midwest Air Partners, LLC.  Northwest is a passive investor in Midwest Air Partners, LLC and will not take an active role in its management.  Northwest will report its portion of the profits and losses associated with its investment in the Midwest Air Partners, LLC on the Other Income line in its Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

80


 


 

Item 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

Item 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

        Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures — As of December 31, 2007, management performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on this evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them in a timely manner to material information required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC.

 

        Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company’s financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Management performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this evaluation and those criteria, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 was effective.  The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  This report appears on page 82.

 

Changes in Internal Control — There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of their most recent evaluation.

 

 

81



 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Northwest Airlines Corporation

 

We have audited Northwest Airlines Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Northwest Airlines Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Northwest Airlines Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, Northwest Airlines Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Northwest Airlines Corporation as of December 31, 2007 (Successor) and 2006 (Predecessor), and the related consolidated statements of operations, common stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the seven months ended December 31, 2007 (Successor), the five-month period ended May 31, 2007 (Predecessor), and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2006 (Predecessor). Our report dated February 28, 2008, expressed an unqualified opinion.

 

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 28, 2008

 

82



 

Item 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

        None.

 

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “General Information Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, “Information about our Board of Directors”, and  “Item 1—Election of DirectorsInformation Concerning DirectorNominees” in our Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission in connection with our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Proxy Statement”), and is incorporated by reference.  Pursuant to instruction 3 to paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Registration S-K, certain information about our executive officers is contained in Part I of this report under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant”.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Information about our Board of DirectorsCompensation of Directors,” “Information about our Board of DirectorsCompensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Executive Compensation” in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

 

Item 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Beneficial Ownership of Securities” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Information about our Board of DirectorsCompensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Information about our Board of DirectorsRelated Party Transactions” in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

 

Item 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” and “Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy” in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

 

 

 

83



 

PART IV

 

Item 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 

15 (a)(1)   Financial Statements.  The following is an index of the financial statements, related notes, independent auditor’s report and supplementary data that are included in this Report.

 

 

15(a)(2)  Financial Statement Schedules.  The following is a list of the financial schedules that are included in this Report.  Schedules not included have been omitted because they are not required or because the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

 

15(a)(3)  Exhibits.  The following is an index of the exhibits to this Report.  Nothing contained in this Report shall constitute an assumption by NWA Corp. or Northwest (as applicable) of any of these agreements.

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Northwest Airlines Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to NWA Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 18, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Northwest Airlines Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to NWA Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 18, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

3.3

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Northwest Airlines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Northwest’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-74772, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

3.4

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Northwest Airlines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

4.1

 

Rights Agreement dated as of May 25, 2007 by and between NWA Corp. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 1 to NWA Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

4.2

 

The registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission, upon request, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the kind described in Item 601 (b) (4) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Standstill Agreement dated as of November 15, 2000 among Continental Airlines, Inc., Northwest Airlines Corporation, Northwest Airlines Holdings Corporation and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Standstill Agreement dated May 1, 1998 between Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. and Northwest Airlines Corporation (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.3

 

Airport Use and Lease Agreement dated as of June 1, 2005 between Wayne County Airport Authority and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.4

 

Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport dated as of January 1, 1999 between the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.5

 

Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport dated as of March 29, 2002 between the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

10.6

 

Second Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport dated as of November 15, 2004 between the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

10.7

 

Third Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport dated as of May 9, 2007 by and between the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

10.8

 

A330 Financing Letter Agreement No. 1 dated as of December 21, 2000 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and AVSA S.A.R.L. (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.9

 

Amendment No. 1 to the A330 Financing Letter Agreement No. 1 dated as of December 20, 2002 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and AVSA S.A.R.L. (filed as Exhibit 10.20 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.10

 

Amendment No. 2 to the A330 Financing Letter Agreement No. 1 dated May 26, 2004, between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and AVSA S.A.R.L. (filed as Exhibit 10.21 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.11

 

New A330 Financing Letter Agreement No. 1 dated as of January 21, 2005 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and AVSA S.A.R.L. (filed as Exhibit 10.22 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.12

 

Form of Credit Agreement to be entered into pursuant to Exhibits 10.10 and 10.13 (filed as Exhibit 10.23 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.13

 

Form of Mortgage to be entered into pursuant to Exhibits 10.10 and 10.13 (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.14

 

A330 Financing Letter Agreement dated as of January 24, 2006 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and AVSA, S.A.R.L. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.15

 

Form of Credit Agreement to be entered into pursuant to Exhibit 10.16 by Northwest Airlines, Inc. and Airbus Financial Services (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.16

 

Purchase Agreement No. 2924 dated May 5, 2005 between The Boeing Company and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference; the Commission has granted confidential treatment for certain portions of this document).

 

 

 

10.17

 

Super Priority Debtor in Possession and Exit Credit and Guarantee Agreement dated as of August 21, 2006 among Northwest Airlines Corporation, Northwest Airlines Holdings Corporation, NWA Inc., Northwest Airlines, Inc. and various lenders and agents (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.18

 

First Amendment dated as of March 9, 2007 to the Super Priority Debtor in Possession and Exit Credit and Guarantee Agreement dated as of August 21, 2006 among Northwest Airlines Corporation, Northwest Airlines Holdings Corporation, NWA Inc., Northwest Airlines, Inc. and various lenders and agents (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.19

 

Route Security Agreement dated as of August 21, 2006 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Collateral Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.20

 

Equity Commitment Agreement dated as of February 12, 2007 among Northwest Airlines Corporation, Northwest Airlines, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.21

 

Description of Compensation for Non-Employee Directors of Northwest Airlines Corporation (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.22

 

Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into by NWA Corp. with each member of the Board of Directors of NWA Corp.

 

 

 

*10.23

 

Management Compensation Agreement dated as of September 14, 2005 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and Douglas M. Steenland (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.24

 

Management Compensation Agreement dated as of January 14, 2002 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and J. Timothy Griffin (filed as Exhibit 10.23 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.25

 

Management Compensation Agreement dated as of May 2, 2005 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and Neal S. Cohen (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.26

 

Management Compensation Agreement dated as of April 17, 2002 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and Andrew C. Roberts (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.27

 

Northwest Airlines, Inc. Key Employee Annual Cash Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.42 to the registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-74210, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.28

 

Northwest Airlines, Inc. Excess Pension Plan for Salaried Employees (2001 Restatement) (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.29

 

First Amendment of Northwest Airlines Excess Pension Plan for Salaried Employees (2001 Restatement) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.30

 

Northwest Airlines, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2001 Restatement) (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.31

 

First Amendment of Northwest Airlines Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2001 Restatement) (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.32

 

Second Amendment of Northwest Airlines Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2001 Restatement) (filed as Exhibit 10.32 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.33

 

Ancillary Agreement to the Northwest Airlines, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated as of November 7, 2002 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and Andrew C. Roberts (filed as Exhibit 10.35 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.34

 

Northwest Airlines Excess 401(k) Cash Payments Program (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment No. 2 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.35

 

Northwest Airlines Corporation E-Commerce Incentive Compensation Program (as amended and restated), including form of Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.36

 

Northwest Airlines, Inc. 2003 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan, including form of Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.37

 

Ancillary Agreement to the Northwest Airlines, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated as of April 29, 2005 between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and Neal S. Cohen (filed as Exhibit 10.48 to NWA Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.38

 

2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to NWA Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.39

 

Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units (Settled in Stock) Granted to Employees under the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to NWA Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.40

 

Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units (Settled in Cash) Granted to Employees under the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.4 to NWA Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.41

 

Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options Granted to Employees under the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.5 to NWA Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.42

 

Form of Award Agreement for Stock Appreciation Rights Granted to Employees under the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.6 to NWA Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.43

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.44

 

Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units Granted to Directors under the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

*10.45

 

Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options Granted to Directors under the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NWA Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 

 

 

12.2

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Requirements.

 

 

 

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

 

 

 

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included in signature page).

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 


*  Compensatory plans in which directors or executive officers of NWA Corp. or Northwest participate.

 

84



 

SIGNATURES

 

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

 NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

 

 

Dated: February 29, 2008

By

/s/ ANNA M. SCHAEFER

 

 

 Anna M. Schaefer

 

 Vice President - Finance and Chief Accounting Officer
 (principal accounting officer)

 

        Each of the undersigned directors and officers of Northwest Airlines Corporation whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Douglas M. Steenland, David M. Davis and Anna M. Schaefer, and each of them individually, his or her true and lawful attorneys with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such individual and in such individual’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to this report together with all schedules and exhibits thereto and to take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, and each such individual hereby approves, ratifies and confirms all that such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, any of them or any of his or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on the 29th day of February 2008 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

 

/s/ DOUGLAS M. STEENLAND

 

/s/ MICKEY FORET

 

Douglas M. Steenland

 

Mickey Foret

 

President and Chief Executive

 

Director

 

Officer (principal executive officer)

 

 

 

and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID M. DAVIS

 

/s/ ROBERT L. FRIEDMAN

 

David M. Davis

 

Robert L. Friedman

 

Executive Vice President & Chief

 

Director

 

Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ANNA M. SCHAEFER

 

/s/ DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN

 

Anna M. Schaefer

 

Doris Kearns Goodwin

 

Vice President-Finance and

 

Director

 

Chief Accounting Officer (principal

 

 

 

accounting officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ROY J. BOSTOCK

 

/s/ JEFFREY G. KATZ

 

Roy J. Bostock

 

Jeffrey G. Katz

 

Chairman of the Board

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID BRANDON

 

/s/ JAMES POSTL

 

David Brandon

 

James Postl

 

Director

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ MIKE DURHAM

 

/s/ RODNEY SLATER

 

Mike Durham

 

Rodney Slater

 

Director

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JOHN M. ENGLER

 

/s/ WILLIAM S. ZOLLER

 

John M. Engler

 

William S. Zoller

 

Director

 

Director

 

 

85



 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION OF QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

(In millions)

 

Col. A

 

Col. B

 

Col. C

 

Col. D

 

Col. E

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charged to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

Charged to

 

Other

 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

Beginning

 

Costs and

 

Accounts

 

Deductions

 

End

 

Description

 

of Period

 

Expenses

 

— Describe

 

— Describe

 

of Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from June 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 - Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances deducted from asset accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

6

 

$

5

 

$

 

$

7

 (1)

$

4

 

Accumulated allowance for depreciation of flight equipment spare parts

 

 

10

 

1

 (2)

1

 (3)

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from January 1, 2007 to May 31, 2007 - Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances deducted from asset accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

14

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

11

 (1)

$

6

 

Accumulated allowance for depreciation of flight equipment spare parts

 

255

 

2

 

3

 (2)

260

 (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2006 - Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances deducted from asset accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

12

 

$

6

 

$

 

$

4

 (1)

$

14

 

Accumulated allowance for depreciation of flight equipment spare parts

 

243

 

11

 

4

 (2)

3

 (3)

255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2005 - Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances deducted from asset accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

12

 

$

10

 

$

 

$

10

 (1)

$

12

 

Accumulated allowance for depreciation of flight equipment spare parts

 

240

 

9

 

4

 (2)

10

 (3)

243

 

 


(1)     Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries

(2)     Interaccount transfers

(3)     Adjustments as required for the adoption of fresh-start reporting on June 1, 2007, dispositions and write-offs

 

S-1


EX-10.5 2 a08-2509_1ex10d5.htm EX-10.5

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

AMENDMENT TO

 

AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE

 

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

 

This Amendment, effective the 29th day of March, 2002, is between the Metropolitan Airports Commission (“MAC”), a public corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota, and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (“Northwest Airlines” or “AIRLINE”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Minnesota and authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota.

 

WHEREAS, MAC and Northwest Airlines entered into an Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (“Lease”) effective January 1,1999; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend that Lease to incorporate certain terms of an agreement reached and approved by MAC on June 18, 2001.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties agree to amend the Lease as follows:

 

1.        TERM

 

“Article ll-TERM” is hereby replaced with the following language:

 

II.             TERM

 

The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the effective date of this Agreement and end December 31, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as the “Term”), and the rents, fees, and charges established in this Agreement shall apply to said Term.

 

2.        GATES

 

a.      Article IV. H. 2. and Article IV. H. 2. a. regarding SHORT TERM GATES are hereby amended by striking the clauses “presently not leasing a gate directly form MAC or not currently providing air service to the Airport.”

 

b.        Article XIII-SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS” is hereby amended by adding the following language:

 

F.    CONCOURSES A, B, C & D

 

1.              CONCOURSES A, B & C

 

MAC agrees to lease all gates currently under construction on Concourse C as of June 18, 2001 (“Phase 2 Gates”) to Northwest Airlines. MAC agrees to lease all gates on Concourses A and B to Northwest Airlines. Northwest Airlines is obligated to accommodate other Airlines’ regional propeller aircraft operations on Concourses

 

1



 

A and B on a per-turn basis at a reasonable charge not to exceed 115% of the rates and charges being paid by Northwest Airlines. Such charges shall not require payment for equipment or facilities (e.g. jet bridges) not used by the Airline being accommodated. Such obligation shall not apply if two gates in the aggregate on Concourses A and B are fully utilized to accommodate regional Airline propeller aircraft activity. If Northwest Airlines fails in this obligation, MAC shall have the right to cancel Northwest Airlines’ lease for up to two (2) gates (B14 and/or B16).

 

2.              CONCOURSE D - - CONTINGENCY GATES

 

In exchange for the lease rights set forth in XIII.F.1 above, as soon as Northwest Airlines has received beneficial occupancy of the Phase 2 Gates. Gates D3, D4 and D5, and associated operations space, will be designated as “Contingency Gates.” MAC may cancel Northwest Airlines’ lease of a Contingency Gate on 90 days advance written notice and lease that space to a new entrant Airline, provided that MAC must use its best efforts to convince that Airline to use existing available facilities including the Humphrey Terminal or other Short Term Gates at the Lindbergh Terminal, before canceling a Contingency Gate lease.

 

3.      CONTINGENCY FUND

 

“Article VII-CAPITAL EXPENDITURES” is hereby amended by adding the following language:

 

E.    CONTINGENCY FUND

 

AIRLINE agrees that MAC may establish a Contingency Fund in its capital improvement program of $50 million per year (in 2001 dollars) for miscellaneous Capital Projects as determined by MAC. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Contingency Fund may include at MAC’s discretion projects to be included in the Airfield Cost Center, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be AIRLINE’S approval (if required) of any such Capital Project which is paid for in its entirety from the Contingency Fund without any requirement for Majority-In-Interest review. This Contingency Fund will begin on January 1, 2010 and expire on December 31, 2015

 

4.     ADDITIONAL TERMS

 

A.            MAC agrees to offer this Lease Amendment to any Airline agreeing to these amended
terms.

 

B.                Northwest Airlines and MAC agree to cooperatively establish a joint industry/citizen
group to explore programs and procedures working toward the goal of mitigation the
impacts caused by aircraft noise.

 

Except as herein amended, all terms, covenants and agreements in the Lease shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed and executed this Amendment in duplicate on the dates listed below.

 

Date:

3-29-02

 

METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffrey Hamiel

 

 

Jeffrey Hamiel

 

 

Executive Director

 

 

Date:

3-29-02

 

Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James M. Greenwald

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

) ss.

COUNTY OF

DAKOTA

)

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the 29th day of Mar, 2002, by Jeffrey Hamiel, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

 

 

 

Eunice Burnham

 

Notary public

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

) ss.

COUNTY OF

DAKOTA

)

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the 29th day of Mar, 2002, by                               on behalf of AIRLINE.

 

 

 

Eunice Burnham

 

Notary public

 

3


EX-10.6 3 a08-2509_1ex10d6.htm EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

 

SECOND AMENDMENT TO

AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

 

This Amendment, effective the 15th day of November 2004, is between the Metropolitan Airports Commission (“MAC”), a public corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota, and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (“Northwest”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Minnesota and authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota.

 

WHEREAS, MAC and Northwest entered into an Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (“Lease”) effective January 1,1999; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend the Lease to incorporate certain terms of an agreement reached and approved by MAC on August 13, 2003 allowing Northwest to build-out the void in the floor space between the G Concourse and the ticketing area for restaurant development purposes.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties agree to amend the Lease as follows:

 

1.                     All references to the Gold Concourse shall be changed to the G Concourse throughout the Lease.

 

2.                     Northwest proposes to build-out the void in the floor space (“infill space”) between the G Concourse and the ticketing area in the south end of the Lindbergh Terminal as currently shown on Exhibit E.l.

 

A.            The infill space shall be used to construct a Wolfgang Puck Express restaurant and bar, subject to MAC’s consent to the amendment to the sublease between Northwest and Host International, Inc. as provided for in the Lease. All project costs are the sole responsibility of Northwest. If for some reason final agreement is not reached with Host for this concept, Northwest shall retain the right to select a replacement concept subject to the same terms and conditions contained herein.

 

B.            The infill space will be added to the G Concourse leased space effective upon the date of beneficial occupancy of the new concept.

 

C.             In exchange for MAC’s approval, Northwest agrees not to develop the F-G Corridor for as long as the infill space is available to Northwest for use as a concession.

 

D.             If a project mutually agreed to by MAC and Northwest requires removal of the concession, all removal costs will be paid for by Northwest. MAC is under no obligation to provide additional or new space for a replacement facility.

 

E.             The project will be built in accordance with MAC’S Design and Construction Standards. The project must comply with the applicable building codes and building permits will be required.

 

The following conditions apply with respect to construction of the project:

 

1.                                           The existing ceiling height in the baggage claim area shall be maintained in the infill space.

 

2.              Structural support of the infill area will only be allowed from the existing structure. No new structural supporting columns will be allowed down to and/or through the baggage claim level to the valet garage level below. No other structures, walls, shafts, or chases will be allowed to penetrate into the baggage claim level.

 

3.             The existing skylight above the infill space shall remain.

 

1



 

4.                    The existing escalator and stairs between the baggage claim and ticketing levels shall remain.

 

5.                    It has been agreed that to maintain the visual connection between the ticket lobby and the G Concourse and to address security concerns, a permanent glass wall, approved by the Transportation Security Administration, will be constructed. It has been further agreed that based upon change order documentation (copies of which have been provided to MAC), MAC will contribute $151,745.00 to the construction cost of this glass wall. Upon completion of that portion of work, Northwest will present supporting contractor invoice(s) to MAC.

 

6.                    All utilities (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) serving the concession in the infill space shall be served from the G Concourse utilities that are provided and maintained by Northwest. Any additional utilities required shall be serviced and maintained by Northwest. Utility penetrations directly below the infill space in the baggage claim area will not be allowed.

 

7.                    The existing FIDS and currency exchange booth must be incorporated into the overall design in such manner which does not create a congestion or traffic problem at the FIS/G Concourse intersection or with the moving walk.

 

8.                    Northwest must ensure that the Spirit of St. Louis airplane currently hanging over the space will be accommodated for public viewing in its current general location and that MAC or its designees will be provided reasonable access for future cleaning and maintenance purposes.

 

3.                     Replace Exhibits C page 4 of 26 and E page 1 of 3 of the Lease with the new Exhibits attached hereto.

 

4.                     Except as herein amended, all terms, covenants and agreements in the Lease shall remain in full force and effect.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed and executed this Amendment in duplicate on the dates listed below.

 

 

 

Date:

1-28-05

 

METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION

 

 

 

/s/ Gordon P. Wennerstrom

 

Gordon P. Wennerstrom

 

Director, Commercial Management & Airline Affairs

 

 

Date:

 

 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.

 

 

 

/s/ James M. Greenwald

 

James M. Greenwald

 

Vice President, Facilities and Airport Affairs

 

2



 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

) ss.

COUNTY OF HENNIPEN

)

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the 28 day of January, 2004, by Gordon P. Wennerstrom, Director, Commercial Management & Airline Affairs on behalf of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

 

Glennis Pilgram

 

Notary Public

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

) ss.

COUNTY OF

)

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the        day of                 , 2004, by James M. Greenwald, Vice President - Facilities and Airport Affairs, on behalf of Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

Notary Public

 

3


EX-10.7 4 a08-2509_1ex10d7.htm EX-10.7

Exhibit 10.7

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED THIRD AMENDMENT TO

 

AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE

 

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

 

This Amended and Restated Third Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (the “Amended and Restated Third Amendment”) is entered into as of the 28th day of December 2007, by and between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, a public corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “MAC” or “Commission”), and Northwest Airlines, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Minnesota and authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota (hereinafter referred to as “AIRLINE”).

 

WHEREAS, MAC and AIRLINE entered into an Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease effective January 1, 1999 and amended such agreement as shown on Exhibit 1 (collectively, “Lease”).

 

WHEREAS, MAC and AIRLINE entered into the Third Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease dated May 9, 2007 and it has become necessary to modify certain provisions contained in such Third Amendment to conform Third Amendment with the form of the 2007A Amendment to the Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease entered into between MAC and the other Signatory Airlines as set forth herein.

 

WHEREAS, AIRLINE, NWA, Inc. (“NWA”), Northwest Aerospace Training Corporation (“NATCO)”; collectively with Airline and NWA, the “Northwest Entities”) and MAC are parties to a series of agreements and documents with respect to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission General Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 15 (all such agreements, guaranties, security documents and other documents shall be collectively referred to as the “GO 15 Documents”).

 

WHEREAS,  the Northwest Entities filed a petition under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code on September 14, 2005, which case is pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in an administratively consolidated case entitled In re Northwest Airlines Corporation et al.,  Case No. 05-17930(ALG) (“2005 Bankruptcy Case”).

 

WHEREAS, as part of its reorganization in the 2005 Bankruptcy Case, AIRLINE and MAC negotiated a comprehensive resolution of all lease and debt issues between them as set forth in a Memorandum of Understanding executed by AIRLINE on February 12, 2007 and by MAC on February 19, 2007 (“MOU”).  As part of such comprehensive agreement documented in the MOU, AIRLINE requested that, and MAC agreed to, make significant changes to the existing Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Leases between the MAC and each Signatory Airline, including AIRLINE’s Lease, that would provide substantial reductions in rates and charges payable by each Signatory Airline, including AIRLINE, and requiring that MAC share revenue generated from various sources at the Airport with such airlines.

 

WHEREAS, as part of such comprehensive agreement, MAC has agreed to amend the existing Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Leases between the MAC and each Signatory Airline, including AIRLINE’s Lease on the terms and conditions set forth herein, provided that (i) each Signatory Airline shall be entitled to the reduction of rates and charges and the revenue sharing to be provided by the MAC hereunder only to the extent that such airline remains in compliance with all of its obligations to the MAC, and (ii) in the case of AIRLINE, (a) the Northwest Entities agree that their plan of reorganization will provide that the Northwest Entities will continue to fully perform all obligations under the GO 15 Documents with all such obligations remaining unimpaired, and (b) the GO 15 Documents shall be amended to, among other things, pledge the right of AIRLINE to receive revenue sharing proceeds to MAC as security for AIRLINE’S obligations under the GO 15 Documents.

 



 

WHEREAS, the Amendment evidenced hereby and the protections described above are an essential part of the comprehensive resolution and are fundamental to the Agreement contained in the MOU.

 

WHEREAS, in consideration for, among other things, the foregoing and at AIRLINE’S request, MAC is willing to allow the future anticipated revenue sharing proceeds to be used to determine the AIRLINE’S compliance with its minimum collateral requirements under the GO 15 Documents.

 

WHEREAS, AIRLINE hereby acknowledges and accepts that it is reasonable and non-discriminatory under the circumstances that pursuant to the Amendment to Lease dated March 29, 2002, MAC may cancel AIRLINE’s Short Term Gates for any Airline proposing to add additional air service and desiring to lease a gate directly from MAC, while the same Short Term Gate provision applicable to other Signatory Airlines provides MAC the ability to cancel the lease of a Short Term Gate only for if an Airline presently not leasing a gate directly from MAC or not currently providing air service to the airport is proposing to add additional air service and desires to lease a gate directly from MAC.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties agree to amend the Lease as follows:

 

I.              INCORPORATION OF AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE

 

Except as set forth in this Amended and Restated Third Amendment, the Lease shall remain in full force and effect.  In the event of a conflict between this Amended and Restated Third Amendments and the Lease, the provisions of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment shall control.

 

II.            DEFINITIONS

 

All capitalized terms used in this Amended and Restated Third Amendment but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Lease.  The following terms, as used herein and in the Lease, shall have the meanings set forth below and, to the extent any such term was defined in the Lease, the definition contained in the Lease shall be deleted and replaced with the definition for such term set forth below:

 

A.                                   “2005 Bankruptcy Case” means that certain administratively consolidated case pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York entitled In re Northwest Airlines Corporation et al, Case No. 05-17930 (ALG) commenced pursuant to a petition filed by AIRLINE and its affiliates under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code on September 14, 2005.

 

B.                                     “Affiliated Airline” means an Airline other than Airline that (a) operates aircraft of 76 passenger seats or less at the Airport and is party to a code share agreement with AIRLINE applicable to such Airline’s flights to and from the Airport, (b) has signed an Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease similar to the form of this Agreement, (c) is party to an Airline Services Agreement with AIRLINE and (d) has been designated in writing by AIRLINE as an “affiliate” of AIRLINE.

 

C.                                     “Airline Rented Space” means the aggregate of that portion of Rentable Space under lease to all Signatory Airlines.

 

D.                                    “Airline Services Agreement” means any agreement between AIRLINE and any regional air carrier pursuant to which such air carrier provides air transportation services for AIRLINE under AIRLINE’s designator code.

 

E.                                      “Amendment Effective Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section XII of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment.

 

2



 

F.                                      “Annual Gross Revenue” means rent, concessions fees or similar charges actually received during any Fiscal Year by MAC from Selected Concessions.  Annual Gross Revenue shall not include sales taxes, utility fees, consortium fees, key money, customer facilities charges or other similar “pass through” charges.

 

G.                                     “Auto Rental Concessions” means all auto rental companies or other business organizations operating at either the Lindbergh or Humphrey Terminals pursuant to concessions agreements with MAC.

 

H.                                    “Assumed Agreements” shall have the meaning given to the term in Section XII of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment.

 

I.                                         “Debt Service” means the aggregate amount of principal and interest payments made by MAC that are due and payable during the Fiscal Year on MAC financings including but not limited to all future and existing general obligation revenue bonds, airport revenue bonds, refunding obligations, commercial paper (excluding the principal amount of commercial paper reissued during the Fiscal Year) and other debt instruments of the Commission and specifically including, but not limited to, those obligations specifically included on Exhibit 2 attached hereto.  In addition, debt service shall also include:

 

(i)                                     amounts paid as prepayment of obligations, if such prepayment is deemed approved by a Majority-In-Interest of Signatory Airlines pursuant to the provisions of Article VII.B. hereof,

 

Or

 

(ii)                                  principal and interest in accordance with its original scheduled amortization for any prepayment made by MAC which is not deemed approved by the Majority-In-Interest of Signatory Airlines in accordance with (i) above, until such time as the original principal amount of such prepaid obligation has been recovered by MAC.

 

J.                                        “Deferred Revenue Sharing Amount” shall have the meaning given to the term in Section VIII.I.4 of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment.

 

K.                                    “Flight” means a scheduled flight of jet aircraft with not less than 70 passenger seats.

 

L.                                      “Food and Beverage Concessions” means companies or other business organizations that sell consumable food or beverages items, excluding vending operations, to the traveling public at the Lindbergh (excluding sales from the G Concourse) or Humphrey Terminals, pursuant to concessions agreements with MAC.

 

M.                                 “GO13” means the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airports Commission Taxable General Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series 13, outstanding from time to time.

 

N.                                    “GO15” means the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission Taxable General Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 15, outstanding from time to time.

 

O.                                    “Humphrey Terminal Repair and Replacement Surcharge” shall be equal to nine percent (9%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

P.                                      “Headquarters” means the corporate office which constitutes (i) the principal office of AIRLINE or any assignee holding substantially (i.e., ninety percent (90%) or more) all of the assets of AIRLINE from which its business is conducted, and (ii) the principal office of

 

3



 

AIRLINE’s or such assignee entity’s CEO, CFO and a majority of its other senior management team members.

 

Q.                                    “Hub” means that AIRLINE and its regional Affiliated Airlines which are party to an Airline Services Agreement with AIRLINE shall maintain at the Airport no less than an aggregate annual average of 227 daily departing Flights on which an aggregate annual average of at least thirty percent (30%) of Enplanements are passengers whose travel neither originates from nor terminates at the Airport.

 

R.                                     “Lindbergh Terminal Repair and Replacement Surcharge” shall be equal to nineteen percent (19%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount divided by Airline Rented Space.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

S.                                      “Landing Fee Repair and Replacement Amount” shall be equal to sixty-eight percent (68%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

T.                                     “Merchandise Concessions” means companies or other business organizations that sell retail or news products, excluding automated vending items, to the traveling public at the Lindbergh (excluding sales from the G Concourse) or Humphrey Terminals, pursuant to concessions agreements with MAC.

 

U.                                    “Net Revenues” has the meaning provided for in the Trust Indenture.

 

V.                                     “Repair and Replacement Amount” means a $15 million deposit for Fiscal Year 2006, and increased by three percent (3%) per annum for each Fiscal Year thereafter compounded annually (i.e., $15.45 million in Fiscal Year 2007, $15.91 million in Fiscal Year 2008, etc.) to a Repair and Replacement subaccount within the construction fund to be expended for major maintenance and minor (less than $2 million) capital projects, except for automobile parking facilities and roadways.

 

W.                                “Selected Concessions” means Food and Beverage Concessions, Merchandise Concessions, and Auto Rental Concessions.

 

X.                                    “Selected Concessions Revenues Escalation Factor” means the following annual percentage escalation factors (compounded) to be applied to the dollar thresholds provided in Section VIII.I.1:

 

Year

 

Annual Escalation Factor

 

2006

 

Base Year

 

2007

 

1.77

%

2008

 

4.75

%

2009

 

4.47

%

2010

 

4.46

%

2011

 

4.20

%

2012

 

4.73

%

2013

 

4.46

%

2014

 

4.47

%

2015

 

4.46

%

2016

 

4.46

%

2017

 

4.46

%

2018

 

4.47

%

2019

 

4.47

%

2020

 

4.47

%

 

4



 

Y.                                     “Terminal Apron” and “Terminal Ramp” shall be interchangeable terms and both terms shall mean the airport parking apron as shown on Exhibit D to the Lease, together with any additions and/or changes thereto.

 

Z.                                     “Terminal Apron Repair and Replacement Amount” shall be equal to four percent (4%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

III.           TERM

 

Article II. “Term” of the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

II.                                     Term.

 

The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the Amendment Effective Date of this Agreement and end December 31, 2020 for all portions of the Premises, provided that the conditions for AIRLINE’s lease of the G Concourse during the period commencing on January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2020 shall be determined as set forth in Article II.A. below (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Term”), and the rents, fees and other charges established by this Agreement shall apply to said term.

 

In addition to the foregoing:

 

A.                                   The conditions on which MAC will lease the G Concourse to AIRLINE during the period commencing January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2020 will be determined by the mutual agreement of the parties at the time the 2020 Plan is incorporated into the Lease, recognizing that it is the objective of both parties that (i) MAC assume operational control of the G Concourse during such period while continuing to lease to AIRLINE all gate, holdroom, ramp, office, support and operational spaces leased to AIRLINE on the Amendment Effective Date, and (ii) there shall be no substantive change in the net economic impact to either party taking into consideration all revenue and costs associated with operation and maintenance of the G Concourse, including, but not limited to, concession areas, gates, holdrooms, ramp and support and operations space.

 

B.                                     AIRLINE shall not enter into any agreement that could affect the operation of the G Concourse after December 31, 2015 without the prior written consent of MAC.

 

IV.           USE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS FACILITY

 

                Article III.C “Use of the International Arrivals Facility” shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced  with the following:

 

C.                                     Use of the International Arrivals Facility

 

MAC will control prioritization and utilization of the IAF and associated gates for international arrivals by Airlines providing International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service and may develop prioritization procedures not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. The provisions in this Section C. shall continue through December 31, 2020.

 

5



 

1.                                       In order to use the International Arrivals Facility, AIRLINE must maintain its status as International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service. AIRLINE shall provide MAC a detailed written certification for each numbered element on Exhibit H, upon MAC’s request. MAC retains the right to verify the status of AIRLINE and determine whether AIRLINE qualifies as International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service.

 

2.                                       Gates G1 through G10 and associated passenger loading bridges, ramp access and lobby and baggage facilities on Concourse G currently leased by Northwest Airlines, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Northwest” or “Northwest Airlines”) shall be made available for access to the International Arrivals Facility based on the following priority of use:

 

a.                                       International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service as defined in Exhibit H.

 

b.                                      Northwest or a Northwest Affiliated Airline domestic arrivals and departures.

 

c.                                       Non-scheduled irregular or delayed international charter arrivals when the expected delay for the flight to use the Humphrey Terminal facility will exceed 90 minutes and the use of an IAF gate will not interfere with the scheduled use of that gate. Such interference shall be defined as the overlap of the non-scheduled use with the scheduled use such that the scheduled flight will have to be relocated to another concourse for its operation or will have to wait for a gate due to the unavailability of any gate. Use of an IAF gate by a non-scheduled flight is subject to Northwest’s approval; such approval is not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Northwest shall designate an individual on site to give necessary approvals.

 

3.                                       Northwest shall provide all Ground Handling at the IAF gates subject to either (i) air carrier self-handling rights contained in AIP grant assurances, at rates that do not exceed those specified in the Mutual Assistance Ground Service Agreement, or (ii) authorize the use of a third party ground handling company to provide Ground Handling at the IAF gates upon a requesting airline executing the memorandum of understanding included as Exhibit W.  Northwest shall also provide reasonable access for air carriers to data and communications systems at gates G1-G10.

 

4.                                       No Airline aircraft will remain on gates G1-G10 over two hours if a narrow-body or three hours if a wide-body. Northwest will coordinate any moving of aircraft with MAC’s operations department, FAA and appropriate federal inspections agencies.

 

5.                                       AIRLINE, if it self-handles, or Northwest, if it provides Ground Handling to AIRLINE, on gates G1-G10, shall handle and dispose of all international waste on AIRLINE’s aircraft in accordance with the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture.

 

6.                                       Northwest shall be responsible for all maintenance, repair, and operation of MAC jet bridges provided by MAC as part of the IAF.  Northwest shall make the MAC jet bridges available for use by all users of the IAF without additional charge.

 

Exhibit W has been attached to this Amendment as Exhibit 7

 

6



 

V.            ACCOMMODATION OF OTHER AIRLINES

 

Article IV.E. “Accommodation of Other Airlines” of the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Article IV.E.:

 

1.                                       Thirty (30) days in advance of each schedule change AIRLINE shall provide MAC with a copy of the published schedule and a gate plot showing all times when aircraft are scheduled to be utilizing each Preferential Use gate, including aircraft type, projected arrival and departure times, and point of origin or destination, including activities by subtenants or airlines being accommodated.

 

2.                                       In furtherance of the public interest of having the Airport’s capacity fully and more effectively utilized, it is recognized by AIRLINE and MAC that (i) AIRLINE shall be prohibited from subleasing any of its Premises to another Airline without the prior written consent of MAC, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned, however MAC shall not be required to approve any sublease if there is vacant space available from MAC and (ii) from time to time during the term of this Agreement it may become necessary for the AIRLINE to accommodate another Airline within its Premises or for MAC unilaterally to require AIRLINE to accommodate another Airline(s) within AIRLINE’s Premises as required for the following:

 

a.                                       To comply with any applicable rule, regulation, order or statute of any governmental entity that has jurisdiction over MAC, and to comply with federal grant assurances applicable to MAC.

 

b.                                      To implement a Capital Project at the Airport.

 

c.                                       To facilitate the providing of air services at the Airport by an Airline (“Requesting Airline”) when no Airline serving the Airport is willing to accommodate the Requesting Airline’s operational needs or requirements for facilities at reasonable costs or on other reasonable terms.

 

d.                                      To accommodate the irregular activity of another Airline (“Irregular Need”).

 

e.                                       To accommodate the Irregular Need of AIRLINE.  To the extent possible, AIRLINE shall accommodate its Irregular Need on its Preferential Use gate(s).  When such activity may not be accommodated on AIRLINE’S Preferential Use gate(s), AIRLINE shall seek accommodation from other Airlines on its own through coordination among such Airlines’ supervisors and managers.  In the event accommodation cannot be found on another Airline’s premises, AIRLINE may seek assistance from MAC.  MAC’s options shall include assigning use of non-leased gate premises or referring AIRLINE to MAC’s agent responsible for managing MAC’s remote parking locations.  For an Irregular Need, MAC shall not be responsible for unilaterally accommodating an Airline on another Airline’s leased premises. AIRLINE will be responsible for payment of all applicable fees and charges including, if applicable, appropriate FIS charges in connection with such accommodation.

 

f.                                         To accommodate a flight that has declared an emergency and such flight shall have priority over all other flight scheduling.

 

7



 

3.                                       In responding to a request for facilities for either a Requesting Airline or to accommodate Irregular Need, MAC shall first work with the Requesting Airline or Airline seeking accommodation of Irregular Need to use existing Common Use Space or unassigned space, if any is available.

 

4.                                       When necessary, MAC shall make a determination as to whether any Airline has underutilized facilities or capacity available.  In making such determination MAC shall not act unreasonably.  Such determinations by MAC shall take into consideration the following:

 

a.                                       The then existing utilization of AIRLINE’s Premises (including any requirements for spare gates and accommodation of AIRLINE’s Affiliates) and any bona fide plan of AIRLINE or any other Airline for the increased utilization of the AIRLINE’s Premises to be implemented within twelve (12) months thereafter (any non-public information provided by AIRLINE regarding planned or proposed routes, schedules or operations shall be treated as confidential by MAC to the maximum extent permitted by law).

 

b.                                      The need for compatibility among the current schedules, including RON requirements, flight times, operations, operating procedures and equipment of AIRLINE (and its Affiliate(s)) or any other Airline and those of the Requesting Airline or the Airline seeking accommodation of Irregular Need, as well as the need for labor harmony, facilities, resources, and other relevant factors.

 

c.                                       During irregular operations, AIRLINE’S scheduled operations will have priority over any accommodated Airline on its Premises.

 

d.                                      Any flights scheduled on AIRLINE’s Preferential use gate(s) must vacate the gate at least 45 minutes before the next use by AIRLINE.

 

e.                                       The maximum gate occupancy by narrow body aircraft for a Requesting Airline or an Airline seeking accommodation of Irregular Need shall be 45 minutes for an arrival, 45 minutes for a departure, or 1 hour and 30 minutes for a combined turn.

 

f.                                         The maximum scheduled gate occupancy by wide body aircraft for a Requesting Airline or an Airline seeking accommodation of Irregular Need shall be 1 hour for an arrival, 1 hour for a departure, or 2 hours for a combined turn.

 

g.                                      Any aircraft occupying a gate longer than the above timeframes may be required to vacate the gate to accommodate other operations.  Should this occur, upon AIRLINE’s request MAC will notify the Airline being accommodated as soon as MAC becomes aware of the requirement, but in any event no later than 15 minutes before the time that actual vacating is required.  Failure to vacate shall result in the imposition of additional overtime fees by AIRLINE to the accommodated Airline. If an Airline being accommodated does not vacate a gate as required, and AIRLINE requires the use of such gate, upon AIRLINE’s request MAC shall instruct Airline to remove its aircraft to another location leased by the Airline or to a remote location as designated by MAC’s agent.  If failure of the accommodated Airline to remove its aircraft results in AIRLINE requiring remote parking from MAC, MAC shall invoice the

 

8



 

accommodated Airline for any remote parking fees that would be charged to AIRLINE.

 

h.                                      Before MAC accommodates a Requesting Airline within AIRLINE’s Premises, MAC must give AIRLINE ten (10) days prior written notice of its intent. AIRLINE must accept accommodation or notify MAC within ten (10) business days after AIRLINE’s receipt of such notice that it wishes to meet with MAC to show cause why the accommodation should not be made.

 

5.                                       The accommodated Airline shall be responsible for the payment of all applicable fees and charges for such use, including but not limited to appropriate FIS charges and overtime fees.

 

6.                                       In the event that any portion of AIRLINE’s Premises are used to accommodate another Airline or Irregular Need:

 

a.                                       AIRLINE shall be authorized to (i) charge such accommodated Airline a reasonable accommodation fee and (ii) require from the accommodated Airline an indemnity and defense undertaking, so long as such undertaking is not more favorable to AIRLINE than that which AIRLINE provide to MAC.

 

b.                                      Each accommodated Airline shall be responsible for (i) ensuring that its agents, employees, and contractors are properly qualified prior to operating any and all equipment and (ii) are responsible for securing jetway doors upon completion of use.

 

c.                                       AIRLINE shall not be required to indemnify and save harmless MAC, its employees or agents with regard to any claim for damages or personal injury arising out of any accommodated Airline’s use of AIRLINE’s premises, unless caused by the negligence of AIRLINE;

 

d.                                      AIRLINE shall not be liable to any accommodated Airline or any of its agents, employees, servants or invitees, for any damage to persons or property due to the condition or design or any defect in the Premises which may exist or subsequently occur, and such accommodated Airline, with respect to it and its agents, employees, servants and invitees shall be deemed to have expressly assumed all risk and damage to persons and property, either proximate or remote, by reason of the present or future condition or use of AIRLINE’S Premises.  Further, such accommodated Airline shall be deemed to have agreed to release, indemnify, hold harmless and defend AIRLINE, the MAC, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns, from and against any and all suits, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs and related expenses) for bodily or personal injury or death to any persons and for any loss of, damage to, or destruction of any property, including loss of use, incidental and consequential damage thereof, arising out of or in any manner connected with the use of AIRLINE’S Premises by such accommodate Airline or any of its agents, representatives, employees, contractors or invitees, whether or not occurring or arising out of the negligence, whether sole, joint, concurrent, comparative, active, passive, imputed or any other type, of AIRLINE, MAC or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents; provided, however, the

 

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foregoing indemnification shall not apply to any claim or liability resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of AIRLINE, its officers, directors, employees or agents.

 

e.                                       MAC shall be responsible for ensuring that such accommodated Airline has in full force and effect MAC’s required insurance coverages.

 

f.                                         Without limiting any other provision of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment, AIRLINE’s duty to accommodate another airline shall be conditioned on and subject to the satisfaction of all requirements of this Section 6.

 

7.                                       In the event of a labor stoppage or other event which results in the cessation or substantial reduction in AIRLINE’s flights operations at the Airport, AIRLINE will immediately take all reasonable efforts, including but not limited to, moving of aircraft or equipment, providing access to AIRLINE’s holdrooms and jet bridges or anything else in AIRLINE’s control, in order to accommodate the operations of other Airlines providing air service to the Airport; provided that: (a) AIRLINE at all times will have access to its premises and equipment for operational reasons and (b) AIRLINE shall not be required to take any action which would interfere with its ability to re-institute service upon cessation of labor stoppage or other event. Subject to a mutually acceptable agreement between MAC and AIRLINE covering such use, AIRLINE shall have the right to charge reasonable fees and to require reasonable advance payment for such use of AIRLINE’s gates, holdroom areas, and loading bridges (and any such fees not in excess of 115% of the rates and charges payable by AIRLINE hereunder for such premises shall be deemed reasonable).

 

8.                                       The foregoing shall not be deemed to abrogate, change, or affect any restrictions, limitations or prohibitions on assignment or use of the AIRLINE’s Premises by others under this Agreement and shall not in any manner affect, waive or change any of the provisions thereof.

 

VI.           SHORT TERM GATES

 

Article IV.H. “Short Term Gates” of the Lease is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

 

H.            Short Term Gates

 

The holdrooms, aircraft parking positions and operations space associated with gates as shown on Exhibit V (hereinafter referred to as “Short Term Gates”) shall be made available to Airlines on the following basis in order to promote Airport access on fair and reasonable terms:

 

1.                                       AIRLINE shall lease Short Term Gate space under its control on the same basis as provided in this Agreement, except as provided in this Section.

 

2.                                       MAC may, in its discretion, cancel the lease of a Short Term Gate leased by AIRLINE if an Airline is proposing to add additional air service and desires to lease a gate directly from MAC. The following procedures shall be followed before a Short Term Gate lease may be cancelled:

 

a.                                       If an Airline is proposing to add additional air service and desires to lease a gate directly from MAC, MAC may in its discretion issue a Notice of Cancellation.  The Notice of Cancellation may become effective after ninety (90) days.

 

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b.                                      In the event of a decision to cancel a Short Term Gate, MAC will work with AIRLINE to attempt to accommodate AIRLINE’s schedule pursuant to the procedures of Article IV.E.3.

 

c.                                       MAC may extend the time periods set forth in this provision for good cause, e.g. the unavailability of replacement jet bridges or other ground equipment.

 

d.                                      Of Gates D1-D6 leased to AIRLINE, MAC shall cancel the lease for Gate D2 last.

 

3.                                       In the event MAC cancels the lease of a Short Term Gate pursuant to this Section IV.H., it shall compensate AIRLINE for the unamortized cost of improvements made to the leased premises of a Short Term Gate.  AIRLINE shall retain and remove AIRLINE property (e.g. jet bridge or other ground equipment, computers, inserts) or may negotiate their sale.

 

4.                                       The appearance of a Short Term Gate shall be “generic” i.e. generic carpet, neutral wall finishes and no distinguishing colors on the podium or backwall except as to improvements existing as of the date of this Agreement.  AIRLINE may hang corporate banners or posters and name identification signs so long as they can be detached without significantly damaging the premises or AIRLINE commits to restoring the premises without cost to MAC.

 

5.                                       If AIRLINE is leasing only one holdroom from MAC, it may request that MAC remove the Short Term Gate designation from a holdroom by demonstrating that it has met the following conditions:

 

a.                                       AIRLINE has not been in default on any rental, security deposit, PFC or other payment obligation to MAC under the Lease or this Amended and Restated Third Amendment during the prior twelve consecutive months; and

 

b.                                      AIRLINE has maintained an Average Daily Utilization at least equal to seven departures for each of the previous twelve consecutive months.  For purposes of this provision “Average Daily Utilization” shall mean the number of AIRLINE’s and any Affiliated Airline’s scheduled aircraft departures using the gate with aircraft of fifty or more seats in a calendar month, divided by the number of days in that calendar month; provided, however, that if AIRLINE’s or the Affiliated Airline’s actual flight activity differs by more than five percent (5%) from its published schedule in any calendar month, MAC shall use AIRLINE’s or the Affiliated Airline’s actual total departures for purpose of calculating Average Daily Utilization.

 

6.                                       If AIRLINE is leasing three (3) or fewer holdrooms from MAC, MAC agrees to not cancel the lease of more than one Short Term Gate AIRLINE may be leasing in accordance with the procedures identified in Article IV.H.2. as long as AIRLINE has adhered to the payment and utilization requirements identified within Article IV.H.5. for all leased gates for the previous twelve (12) consecutive months.

 

Exhibit V to the Lease has been attached hereto as Exhibit 5.

 

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VII.         RENTS, FEES, AND CHARGES

 

Article V.B. “Rents, Fees, and Charges” of the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

B.                                     Rents, Fees, and Charges

 

1.                                       Landing Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly landing fees to be determined by multiplying the number of 1,000-pound units of AIRLINE’s Total Landed Weight during the month by the then-current landing fee rate.  The landing fee rate shall be calculated according to procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate).

 

2.                                       Environmental Surcharges.  Intentionally Omitted.

 

3.                                       Terminal Apron Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly Terminal Apron fees to be determined by multiplying the number of lineal feet of Terminal Apron under lease to AIRLINE (excluding Concourses A and B) during the month by the then-current Terminal Apron rate.  The Terminal Apron rate shall be calculated according to the procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate) hereof.

 

4.                                       Concourse A and B Terminal Apron Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly Terminal Apron Fees associated with Concourses A and B at the rate of fifty percent (50%) of the lineal feet associated with Concourses A and B.

 

5.             Terminal Building Rents and Surcharge

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly Terminal Building rentals and the Lindbergh Terminal Repair and Replacement Surcharge for its Exclusive (janitored and unjanitored), Preferential and Common Use Space in the Terminal Building.  The Terminal Building rental rates shall be calculated according to the procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate).

 

Terminal Building rentals for Common Use Space (except the IAF) shall be prorated among Signatory Airlines using the Common Use Formula.

 

6.                                       Carrousel and Conveyor Charges

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly carrousel and conveyor charges based upon maintenance and operating costs and Debt Service.  The carrousel and conveyor charges shall be calculated according to the procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate) and shall be prorated among Signatory Airlines using the Common Use Formula.

 

7.                                       IAF Gate Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly IAF gate fees determined by multiplying the number of arrivals at the IAF by AIRLINE’s propeller aircraft, narrow-body jet aircraft, and wide-body jet aircraft by $400, $800, and $1,200, respectively.

 

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8.                                       IAF Use Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly IAF use fees determined by multiplying the number of AIRLINE’s international passengers arriving at the IAF during the month by the IAF use fee rate. The IAF use fee rate shall be calculated according to procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate).

 

9.                                       Other Fees and Charges

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC reasonable fees for the various other services provided by MAC to AIRLINE. These services include, but may not be limited to, the following:

 

a.                                       Use of the Humphrey Terminal and Humphrey ramp at rates established from time to time by MAC.

 

b.                                      Use of Garage Parking Cards by AIRLINE’s employees at rates set forth in the Guidelines for Administering Validated Airport Parking.

 

c.                                       Use of designated employee parking facilities by AIRLINE’s employees at rates established from time to time by MAC.

 

d.                                      Non-routine Terminal Apron cleaning and other special services requested by AIRLINE at rates that reflect the costs incurred by MAC.

 

e.                                       Security and personnel identification badges for AIRLINE’s personnel at rates established from time to time by MAC.

 

f.                                         Office services, such as facsimile, photocopying, or telephone provided by MAC. Charges for these services shall be at the rates that MAC customarily charges for such services.

 

g.                                      Charges for the cost of separately metered water and sewer and other such utilities not otherwise included in the calculation of rents, fees, and charges.

 

VIII.                        CALCULATION OF RENTS, FEES, AND CHARGES

 

Article VI (Alternate), “Calculation of Rents, Fees and Charges” is hereby added to the Lease and shall be placed immediately following Article VI (“Calculation of Rents, Fees, and Charges”) as follows:

 

VI (ALTERNATE).                                            CALCULATION OF RENTS, FEES AND CHARGES.

 

A.                                   General

 

Notwithstanding Article VI hereof, effective January 1, 2006, and for each Fiscal Year thereafter, rents, fees, and charges will be reviewed and recalculated based on the principles and procedures set forth in this Article VI (Alternate).  The annual costs associated with each of the indirect cost centers shall be allocated to each of the Airport Cost Centers based on the allocations as set forth in Exhibit M, Indirect Cost Center Allocation, which allocations may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of MAC and a Majority-In-Interest of Signatory Airlines.  Such consent may not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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B.                                     Calculation/Coordination Procedures

 

1.                                       AIRLINE shall provide to MAC: (a) on or before August 1 of each year a preliminary estimate of Total Landed Weight and Enplaned Passenger for the succeeding calendar year of AIRLINE and each Affiliated Airline, unless separately reported to MAC by such Affiliated Airline; and (b) on or before October 1 of each year a final estimate of such weight.  If the final estimate is not so received, MAC may continue to rely on the preliminary estimate for the MAC budgeting process.  MAC will utilize the forecast in developing its preliminary calculation of Total Landed Weight and Enplaned Passengers for use in the calculation of rents, fees, and charges for the ensuing Fiscal Year.

 

2.                                       On or before October 15 of each Fiscal Year, MAC shall submit to AIRLINE a preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges for the ensuing Fiscal Year. The preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges will include, among others, MAC’s estimate of all revenue items, Operation and Maintenance Expenses, Debt Service, Capital Outlays, required deposits, including amounts necessary to be deposited in the Coverage Account in order to meet MAC’s rate covenant under the Trust Indenture, and Rentable Space.

 

3.                                       Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges, if requested by the Signatory Airlines, a meeting shall be scheduled between MAC and the Signatory Airlines to review and discuss the proposed rents, fees, and charges.

 

4.                                       MAC shall then complete a calculation of rents, fees, and charges at such time as the budget is approved, taking into consideration the comments or suggestions of AIRLINE and the other Signatory Airlines.

 

5.                                       If, for any reason, MAC’s annual budget has not been adopted by the first day of any Fiscal Year, the rents, fees, and charges for the Fiscal Year will initially be established based on the preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges until such time as the annual budget has been adopted by MAC. At such time as the annual budget has been adopted by MAC, the rents, fees, and charges will be recalculated, if necessary, to reflect the adopted annual budget and made retroactive to the first day of the Fiscal Year.

 

6.                                       If, during the course of the year, MAC believes significant variances exist in budgeted or estimated amounts that were used to calculate rents, fees, and charges for the then current Fiscal Year, MAC may after notice to Airlines adjust the rents, fees, and charges for future reports to reflect current estimated amounts.

 

C.                                     Landing Fees

 

MAC shall calculate the landing fee rate in the following manner and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised).

 

1.                                       The total estimated Airfield Cost shall be calculated by totaling the following annual amounts:

 

a.                                       The total estimated direct and allocated indirect Operation and Maintenance Expenses allocable to the Airfield cost center.

 

b.                                      The estimated Debt Service net of amounts paid from PFCs or grants allocable to the Airfield cost center.

 

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c.                                       The cost of Runway 17/35 deferred and not yet charged from the date of occupancy through December 31, 2005 will be charged starting January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2035 at $79,535.16 annually.

 

d.                                      The Landing Fee Repair and Replacement Amount.

 

e.                                       The amount of any fine, assessment, judgment, settlement, or extraordinary charge (net of insurance proceeds) paid by MAC in connection with the operations on the Airfield, to the extent not otherwise covered by Article X hereof.

 

f.                                         The amounts required to be deposited to funds and accounts pursuant to the terms of the Trust Indenture, including, but not limited to, its Debt Service reserve funds allocable to the Airfield cost center.  MAC agrees to exclude from the calculation of landing fees the amounts which it may deposit from time to time to the maintenance and operation reserve account and the Coverage Account established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Indenture except for such amounts which are necessary to be deposited to the Coverage Account in order for MAC to meet its rate covenant under the Trust Indenture.

 

2.                                       The total estimated Airfield Cost shall be adjusted by the total estimated annual amounts of the following items to determine the Net Airfield Cost:

 

a.                                       Service fees received from the military, to the extent such fees relate to the use of the Airfield;

 

b.                                      General aviation and non-signatory landing fees;

 

c.                                       Debt Service on the Capital Cost, if any, disapproved by a Majority-In-   Interest of Signatory Airlines.

 

3.                                       The Net Airfield Cost shall then be divided by the estimated Total Landed Weight (expressed in thousands of pounds) of the Signatory Airlines operating at the Airport to determine the landing fee rate per 1,000 pounds of aircraft weight for a given Fiscal Year.

 

D.                                    Terminal Apron Fees

 

MAC shall calculate the Terminal Apron rate in the following manner and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised).

 

1.                                       The total estimated Terminal Apron Cost shall be calculated by totaling the following annual amounts:

 

a.                                       The total estimated direct and allocated indirect Operation and Maintenance Expenses allocable to the Terminal Apron cost center.

 

b.                                      The estimated Debt Service net of amounts paid from PFCs or grants allocable to the Terminal Apron cost center (excluding hydrant fueling repairs and modifications).

 

c.                                       The cost of Concourse A and B Apron Area deferred and not yet charged from the date of occupancy through December 31, 2005 will be charged

 

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starting January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2035 at $159,950.19 annually.

 

d.                                      The amounts required to be deposited to funds and accounts pursuant to the terms of the Trust Indenture, including, but not limited to, its Debt Service reserve funds allocable to the Terminal Apron cost center.  MAC agrees to exclude from the calculation of Terminal Apron fees the amounts which it may deposit from time to time to the maintenance and operation reserve account and the Coverage Account established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Indenture except for such amounts which are necessary to be deposited to the Coverage Account in order for MAC to meet its rate covenant under the Trust Indenture.

 

e.                                       The Terminal Apron Repair and Replacement Amount.

 

2.                                       The Terminal Apron Cost shall then be divided by the total estimated lineal feet of Terminal Apron, to determine the Terminal Apron rate per lineal foot for a given Fiscal Year. For the purposes of this calculation, lineal feet of Terminal Apron shall be computed as the sum of the following:

 

a.                                       Lineal feet of the Terminal Apron (excluding the Terminal Apron associated with Concourses A & B); and

 

b.                                      Fifty percent (50%) of lineal feet of the Terminal Apron associated with Concourse A & B

 

E.             Terminal Building Rents

 

MAC shall calculate the terminal building rental rate for unjanitored and janitored space in the Terminal Building as set forth in subsections 1 and 2 of this Article VI. (Alternate) E.

 

1.                                       MAC shall calculate the terminal building rental rate for unjanitored space in the Terminal Building in the following manner and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised).

 

a.                                       The total estimated Terminal Building Cost shall be calculated by totaling the following annual amounts:

 

1)                                      The total estimated direct and allocated indirect Operation and Maintenance Expenses allocable to the Terminal Building cost center.

 

2)                                      The estimated direct and allocated Debt Service net of amounts paid from PFCs or grants allocable to the Terminal Building cost center.

 

3)                                      The cost of Concourse A, B, C and D deferred and not yet charged from date of occupancy through December 31, 2005 will be charged starting January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2035 at $2,910,547.40 annually.

 

4)                                      The amounts required to be deposited to funds and accounts pursuant to the terms of the Trust Indenture, including, but not limited to, its Debt Service reserve funds allocable to the Terminal Building cost center.  MAC agrees to exclude from the calculation of Terminal Rents the amounts which it may deposit from time to

 

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time to the maintenance and operation reserve account and the Coverage Account established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Indenture except for such amounts which are necessary to be deposited to the Coverage Account in order for MAC to meet its rate covenant under the Trust Indenture.

 

b.                                      The total estimated Terminal Building Cost shall be reduced by the total estimated annual amounts of the following items to determine the Net Terminal Building Cost:

 

1)                                      Reimbursed expense:

 

a)                                      Steam and chilled water on the G Concourse;

 

b)                                     Carrousel and conveyor Capital Cost and Operation and Maintenance Expense;

 

c)                                      Ground Power;

 

d)                                     Loading Dock; and

 

e)                                      Consortium Utilities.

 

2)                                      Janitorial Operation and Maintenance Expenses, as determined by MAC.

 

c.                                       The Net Terminal Building Cost shall then be divided by the total estimated Rentable Space in the Terminal Building to determine the terminal building rental rate per square foot for unjanitored space for a given Fiscal Year.  (See Initial Rentable Square Footage, Exhibit O).

 

2.                                       MAC shall calculate the terminal building rental rate for janitored space by totaling the following rates and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised):

 

a.                                       The terminal building rental rate per square foot for unjanitored space for a given Fiscal Year, as calculated in this Section; and

 

b.                                      An additional rate per square foot, the janitored rate, calculated by dividing the total estimated direct janitorial Operation and Maintenance Expenses, as determined by MAC, by the total janitored space in the Terminal Building (excluding MAC and mechanical space).

 

F.             Carrousel and Conveyor Charge

 

1.                                       MAC shall calculate the carrousel and conveyor charge, as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised), by totaling the following annual amounts: equipment charges associated with the carrousel and conveyor, including annual Debt Service, maintenance expense, and service charge.

 

2.                                       MAC shall prorate the carrousel and conveyor charge among the Signatory Airlines using the Common Use Formula.

 

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G.            IAF Use Fees

 

The IAF use fee for use of the IAF and any associated gates shall be effective through December 31, 2015 and shall be based upon:

 

1.                                       The cost of the maintenance and operation of the International Arrivals Facility which may include, but is not limited to:

 

a.                                       utilities;

 

b.                                      cleaning:

 

c.                                       maintenance (including the costs of maintaining the security equipment that existed as of April 1998);

 

d.                                      police, fire, and administrative cost allocation;

 

e.                                       costs of providing passenger baggage carts, if any;

 

f.                                         costs of providing staff parking for federal inspections agency staff; and

 

g.                                      $4.17 per square foot recoupment for lost rental area in the G Concourse.

 

2.                                       Costs associated with the operation of dual international arrivals facility locations at the Airport, based on the appropriate allocation of costs between the two facilities, not otherwise funded by the federal inspections agencies including, but not limited to additional personnel and equipment used by those agencies; and

 

3.                                       Debt Service, if any; and

 

Items (1) through (3) above, for which AIRLINE will be billed monthly, shall be set annually at an estimated charge through MAC’s budget process and then adjusted at year end for actual costs pursuant to certified audit by MAC’s external auditors and such difference shall be charged or credited to AIRLINE and paid by AIRLINE or MAC within thirty (30) days thereafter.

 

H.                                    Year-End Adjustments of Rents, Fees, and Charges

 

1.                                       As soon as practical following the close of each Fiscal Year, but in no event later than July 1, MAC shall furnish AIRLINE with an accounting of the costs actually incurred and revenues and credits actually realized during such Fiscal Year with respect to each of the components of the calculation of the rents, fees, and charges calculated pursuant to this Article broken down by rate making Cost Center.

 

2.                                       In the event AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges billed during the Fiscal Year exceed the amount of AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges required (as recalculated based on actual costs and revenues), such excess shall be refunded or credited to AIRLINE.

 

3.                                       In the event AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges billed during the Fiscal Year are less than the amount of AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges required (as recalculated based on actual costs and revenues), such deficiency shall be charged to AIRLINE in a supplemental billing.

 

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I.              Revenue Sharing

 

1.                                       Beginning January 1, 2006, subject to Section XII of the Amended and Restated Third Amendment to the Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease, in conjunction with its Year End Adjustments of Rents, Fees and Charges, MAC will rebate to AIRLINE a portion of the Annual Gross Revenues for Selected Concessions for the most recent Fiscal Year under the following schedule (“Revenue Sharing”) (all dollar amounts set forth in this Article VI (Alternate) shall apply for 2006 only and shall be escalated for each Fiscal Year after 2006 on an annual compounded basis by the Selected Concession Revenue Escalation Factor):

 

a.                                       If Annual Gross Revenues for the Selected Concessions for 2006 are between $25 million and $32.299 million for the Fiscal Year, 25% of gross revenues;

 

b.                                      If Annual Gross Revenues for the Selected Concessions are above $ 32.299 million for the Fiscal Year, 25% of gross revenues up to $32.299 million and 50% of gross revenues above $32.299 million;

 

2.                                       Reduced sharing of gross revenues if Annual Gross Revenues for the Selected Concessions are below $25 million for the Fiscal Year;

 

a.                                       $24 million to $24.99 million – 20%

 

b.                                      $23 million to $23.99 million – 15%

 

c.                                       $22 million to $22.99 million – 10%

 

d.                                      $21 million to $21.99 million – 5%

 

3.                                       The total rebate amount shall be allocated among Signatory Airlines according to their pro rata share of Enplaned Passengers for the Fiscal Year and shall be structured as a post-year-end check to AIRLINE issued by MAC no later than 240 days following each Fiscal Year, subject to correction following any applicable audit;

 

4.                                       Notwithstanding the foregoing, MAC shall have the right to reduce the amount of Revenue Sharing with respect to any Fiscal Year to the extent necessary so that the Net Revenues of the MAC taking into account the Revenue Sharing for such Fiscal Year will not be less than 1.25x of the total Debt Service of MAC for such Fiscal Year.  In the event that the Revenue Sharing is reduced in any Fiscal Year by any amount (the “Deferred Revenue Sharing Amount”) as a result of the operation of this Article VI. (Alternate), MAC will accrue the Deferred Revenue Sharing Amount and credit such amount to the Signatory Airlines in the subsequent Fiscal Year (or, if such amount may not be credited in accordance with this Article VI. (Alternate) in such subsequent Fiscal Year, then such amount will be credited in the next succeeding Fiscal Year in which such credit may be issued in accordance with this Article VI. (Alternate); and

 

5.                                       The rights of any Signatory Airline to any payment, credit or application of Revenue Sharing to or for the benefit of such Signatory Airline is a contract right, in existence and effective as of January 1, 2006 (subject to Section XII of the Amended and Restated Third Amendment), and any such payment, credit or application actually made is proceeds thereof.

 

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J.             Reversion to Pre-Existing Rate Structure

 

Notwithstanding anything in the Lease or any other agreement between MAC and AIRLINE, in the event AIRLINE is not in compliance with any payment obligation under any agreement with the MAC during the period following any applicable notice and cure period under such agreement and continuing until payment of any such amounts (the “Payment Default Period”), MAC will have the right, upon written notice to AIRLINE (provided that, if AIRLINE is in bankruptcy, no notice shall be required for the effectiveness of MAC’s exercise of such right, in each case so long as AIRLINE is invoiced by MAC for the amounts payable pursuant to the Pre-Existing Rate Structure and all such invoices reference the additional amounts due as a result of such payment default and set forth the applicable rates that are then in effect as a result of such payment default), to: (i) have AIRLINE’s payment obligations under the Lease during the Payment Default Period revert to the Pre-Existing Rate Structure, and (ii) apply the amount of any Rate Differential (as defined in Article XII hereof) for AIRLINE during such period and the amount of any accrued and unpaid Revenue Sharing credits (if any) otherwise due to AIRLINE pursuant to Article VI. (Alternate) for the Payment Default Period against any amounts owed by AIRLINE to MAC to the extent necessary to cure such payment defaults; provided that, with respect to AIRLINE, the MAC shall not have the rights set forth in this Article VI(Alternate).J with respect to (i) any obligations of AIRLINE under any existing agreements that are rejected by AIRLINE in the 2005 Bankruptcy Case, which rejected existing agreements shall not include any of the Assumed Agreements, (ii) any obligations of AIRLINE relating to the MSP 2001/2005 special facilities bonds or the related special facilities lease; and (iii) any obligations of AIRLINE under any agreement between AIRLINE and a party other than MAC.

 

A revised Exhibit N to the Lease has been attached hereto as Exhibit 3.

 

IX.           MAJORITY-IN-INTEREST WAIVER

 

Article VII. of the Lease as amended via the First Amendment dated March 29, 2002 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Article VII.E.:

 

E.             MAJORITY-IN-INTEREST WAIVER

 

Beginning in January 1, 2010, AIRLINE agrees that MAC may include in its capital improvement program up to $50 million per year (in 2001 dollars) for miscellaneous Capital Projects (“Contingency Projects”) as determined by MAC.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, these Contingency Projects may include at MAC’s discretion projects to be included in the Airfield Cost Center, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be AIRLINE’S approval (if required) of any such Capital Project without any requirement for Majority-In-Interest review.

 

X.            BANKRUPTCY

 

Article XI.E. “Bankruptcy” of the Lease is amended to add the following subsection E.6:

 

6.                                       In addition to the other rights of MAC hereunder, to the extent necessary, to effect its rights under Article VI (Alternate).J. of the Lease in any future bankruptcy involving AIRLINE pursuant to the doctrines of setoff and/or recoupment.

 

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XI.           HUB AND HEADQUARTERS COVENANTS

 

The Lease is amended to add the following language as Article XVII “Hub and Headquarters Covenants”:

 

XVII.                    Hub and Headquarters Covenants

 

AIRLINE hereby covenants and agrees to maintain its Headquarters in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and to maintain a Hub at the Airport.  As the sole remedy for breach of either such covenant and, solely with respect to the Hub covenant, subject to the force majeure exception set forth below, Revenue Sharing will be eliminated in any year in which AIRLINE violates either the Headquarters or Hub covenant (and, in the event any such violation continues for three (3) consecutive years, or either such covenant is determined to be unenforceable, AIRLINE’s Revenue Sharing will be eliminated permanently).

 

Force majeure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, AIRLINE shall not be deemed to be in default of the Hub covenant if it is prevented from performing any of its obligations contained in the Hub covenant by reason of strikes, boycotts, labor disputes, embargoes, shortages of energy or materials, acts of the public enemy, prolonged unseasonable weather conditions and results of acts of nature, riots, rebellion, or sabotage, despite AIRLINE’s best efforts to comply.  No force majeure provision shall apply to the Headquarters covenant.

 

XII.         AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE AND CONDITIONS

 

The amended rate structures and changes in rate methodology (the “Rate Changes”) and the Revenue Sharing (the Revenue Sharing together with the Rate Changes, shall be called the “Savings”) set forth in Sections VII and VIII of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment shall be effective commencing January 1, 2006 and shall continue through the term of each Airline’s Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease, subject to the terms and conditions thereof.  However, MAC and AIRLINE hereby acknowledge and agree that receipt of any credits for the Savings under this Amended and Restated Third Amendment is expressly conditioned upon the entry of an order in the 2005 Bankruptcy Case (which would include an order confirming a plan of reorganization and which shall contain the provisions regarding effectiveness set forth herein) (the “Assumption Order”) not later than September 30, 2007 approving the assumption by AIRLINE of the executory agreements relating to GO15, GO13, the Lease, and the other leases and executory agreements between AIRLINE and MAC set forth on Exhibit 4 hereto (the “Assumed Agreements”).  The Assumption Order shall provide that the effectiveness of the assumption of the Assumed Agreements is conditioned upon the approval by all of the Signatory Airlines of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment or the 2007A Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (the “2007A Amendment,” attached hereto as Exhibit 6) as an amendment to each Signatory Airline’s Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease.  Within thirty (30) days after the later to occur of (i) the entry of the Assumption Order and (ii) approval by all of the Signatory Airlines of this Amended and Restated Third Amendment or the 2007A Amendment and any other documents implementing the Savings (the “Amendment Effective Date”), MAC will (A) issue a check to (i) each Signatory Airline in an amount equal to the difference between the rates and charges calculated under the pre-existing Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease with each Signatory Airline, without taking into account the changes set forth in this Amended and Restated Third Amendment (“Pre-Existing Rate Structure”), and such rates and charges calculated taking into account the Rate Changes and other revisions to the Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease with each Signatory Airline that are set forth in this Amended and Restated Third Amendment (“Amended Rate Structure”, with such difference between the Pre-Existing Rate Structure and the Amended Rate Structure, the “Rate Differential”) for the period commencing January 1, 2006 through the Amendment Effective Date, (ii) each Signatory Airline for the amount of the Revenue Sharing for 2006 and any succeeding calendar year ending prior to the Amendment Effective Date, with such credit issued upon the completion of the certified independent audits report

 

21



 

for such year, and (iii) each Signatory Airline for interest on the credit amounts referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence at MAC’s actual earned overnight interest rate (“Applicable Interest Rate”) from the period commencing on February 12, 2007 (but in the case of 2006 Revenue Sharing, not earlier than the completion of the comprehensive annual financial report for 2006) (“Interest Commencement Date”) through the date of the issuance of such credits, and (B) implement the terms of the Amended and Restated Third Amendment as of the Amendment Effective Date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section XII, the credits described in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not be issued to AIRLINE, AIRLINE will continue to pay its Lease obligations under the Pre-Existing Rate Structure and AIRLINE will not receive any credits relating to the Revenue Sharing, until the 30th day after the date an order entered by the 2005 Bankruptcy Case becomes a final order approving a plan of reorganization and only if no Impairment (as defined in Section 4(e) of the MOU) has occurred (“AIRLINE Effective Date”). From the Amendment Effective Date to the AIRLINE Effective Date, AIRLINE’s Rate Differential and any credits relating to the Revenue Sharing will continue to accrue during such period and shall earn interest at the Applicable Rate commencing from the Interest Commencement Date. Upon the AIRLINE Effective Date, MAC will issue to AIRLINE a credit for the amounts accrued under this Section XII together with interest as provided herein. In the event that the Assumption Order is not entered in the 2005 Bankruptcy Case on or before September 30, 2007, MAC shall have the right to elect to terminate this Amended and Restated Third Amendment, in which case MAC shall retain all of the credits and interest, and continue to calculate rates and charges in accordance with the Pre-Existing Rate Structure (and in the event MAC so elects, the provisions added to the Lease pursuant to the Amended and Restated Third Amendment pending the occurrence of the Amendment Effective Date shall be deemed deleted and withdrawn and of no force and effect).

 

XIII.        2007B AMENDMENT

 

In addition to the 2007A Amendment, MAC shall offer to the Signatory Airlines a 2007B Amendment, which shall, among other things, offer to extend the term of other Signatory Airline Leases until December 31, 2020 in exchange for certain Airlines agreeing that any time after July 1, 2010, MAC may give Airline notice of MAC’s intention to terminate the lease of all of such Airline’s Leased Premises in the Lindbergh Terminal and to amend the Lease to add alternate premises in the Humphrey Terminal. MAC shall provide alternate premises to Airline at the Humphrey Terminal and will consult with Airline throughout the design and planning process. In exchange for this agreement, MAC will reimburse Airline for all necessary and reasonable relocation expenses, subject to advance written approval of such relocation estimate.

 

MAC’s offer of the 2007B Amendment to the Signatory Airlines shall terminate effective September 30, 2007.

 

XIV.        SURVIVAL OF INDEMNIFICATION

 

The provisions of Article VII (INDEMNIFICATION) of the Special Facilities Lease between MAC and AIRLINE, dated as of June 1, 2001, except for subsection (a) of such Section (“Surviving Indemnifications”), shall survive the confirmation of any plan of reorganization for AIRLINE and its related entities (“Plan”) and claims under the Surviving Indemnifications shall not be disallowed solely by reason of Bankruptcy Code sections 502(b)(9) and (c) or the bar date. Any claims by MAC under the Surviving Indemnifications (“Surviving Indemnification Claims”) will be treated and paid as general unsecured claims. If any Surviving Indemnification Claims are allowed after any distribution has been made to general unsecured creditors, MAC will receive (on the distribution date following the allowance of any such Surviving Indemnification Claim) the consideration and of the value that would have been distributed with respect to such allowed Surviving Indemnification Claims if they had been allowed at the time any such previous distributions had been made, or, at

 

22



 

AIRLINE’s election, cash in an amount equal to the value of such consideration on the date it would have been distributed to MAC. AIRLINE or its related entities will not contest the validity or enforceability of the Surviving Indemnifications (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or any other proceeding affecting creditors’ rights generally (including AIRLINE’s current proceeding, but excluding this Amended and Restated Third Amendment)). The provisions of this Section XIV shall be binding on any trustee that may be appointed in the AIRLINE bankruptcy case and shall remain binding without regard to any determination in the adversary proceeding brought by AIRLINE seeking, among other things, recharacterization of the 2001/2005 Special Facilities Bonds, and without regard to any rejection, termination or modification of the Special Facilities Lease. Any dispute as to the allowed amount of any Surviving Indemnification Claims shall be determined in the manner provided in the Plan for determining disputes as to the allowed amount of general unsecured claims of the amount claimed by MAC, or, if no such manner is prescribed, in the manner determined by the court having jurisdiction of AIRLINE’s bankruptcy case at the time MAC makes its first Surviving Indemnification Claims.

 

XV.         COOPERATION

 

AIRLINE agrees to cooperate with MAC, including participation in mediation or requests for approval from FAA, in attempting to resolve the current noise litigation venued in Hennepin County District Court.

 

 

The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.

 

23



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed and executed this Amendment in duplicate the day and year first below written.

 

 
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
 
 

Date:                   , 2007

By:

   /s/ Jeffrey W. Hamiel

 

 

   Jeffrey W. Hamiel, Executive Director

 

 

 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date:                   , 2007

By:

   /s/ Barry J. Hofer

 

 

 

 

Its:

   Vice President – Facilities and Airport Affairs

 

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

 

) ss.

 

COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

)

 

 

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the      day of           , 2007, Jeffrey W. Hamiel, the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission on behalf of the Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

Notary Public

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

 

) ss.

 

COUNTY OF

)

 

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the               day of                               , 2007,

By                  , the                                         of Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Notary Public

 

24



 

EXHIBIT 1

 

AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE AND AMENDMENTS

 

Agreement/Amendment

 

Effective Date

 

 

 

Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease

 

January 1, 1999

 

 

 

First Amendment

 

March 29, 2002

 

 

 

Second Amendment

 

November 15, 2004

 

25



 

EXHIBIT 2

 

LIST OF MAC BOND OBLIGATIONS

 

Current Outstanding Debt

 

General Obligation Revenue Bonds

 

 

Series 13

(2015)

 

Series 14

(2011)

 

Series 15

(2022)

 

General Airport Revenue Bonds

 

 

Series 1998B Sr

(2016)

 

Series 1999B Sr

(2022)

 

Series 2000B Sr

(2021)

 

Series 2001B Sr

(2024)

 

Series 2007A Sr

(2032)

 

Series 2001D Sub

(2016)

 

Series 2003A Sub

(2031)

 

Series 2004A Sub

(2031)

 

Series 2005A Sub

(2035)

 

Series 2005B Sub

(2026)

 

Series 2005C Sub

(2032)

 

Series 2007B Sub

(2032)

 

Commercial Paper

 

 

Series A

 

Series B

 

Series C

 

Series D

 

Notes Payable – Equipment Leasing

 

 

2003 Financing

(2008)

 

2004 Financing

(2009)

 

Other Notes Payable/Financing Leases

 

26



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Landing Fee Rates

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.C.1.

 

Direct Operation and Maintenance Expense (Includes Control Tower, Noise Abatement & Operations)

 

$

8,500,000

 

 

 

Indirect Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

16,500,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

7,000,000

 

 

 

Runway 17/35 Deferral

 

79,535

 

 

 

Capital Outlays/Deposit to Rehab & Replacement Fund

 

10,200,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Leases (Original)

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

Fine, Assessment, Judgment or Settlement

 

 

 

 

Debt Service Reserve Fund Deposit

 

 

 

 

Operation Reserve Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Coverage Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Airfield Cost

 

$

40,479,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1C.2.

 

Service Fees (Military)

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

General Aviation Landing Fees

 

880,000

 

 

 

Nonsignatory Landing Fees (HHH and Commuter)

 

720,000

 

 

 

Off-Airport Aircraft Noise Costs

 

 

 

 

Projects Rejected by MII of Signatory Airlines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Adjustments

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Airfield Cost

 

$

38,729,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.C.3.

 

Total Landed Weight of Signatory Airlines (1,000-lb. Units)

 

23,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landing Fee Rate per 1,000 lbs.

 

$

1.648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Terminal Apron Rates

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.E.1.

 

Direct Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

$

210,000

 

 

 

Indirect Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

3,500,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

10,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Lease

 

500,000

 

 

 

Capital Outlays/Deposit to Rehab & Replacement Fund

 

600,000

 

 

 

Concourse A & B Ramp Deferral Recovery

 

159,950

 

 

 

Debt Service Reserve Fund Deposit

 

 

 

 

Operation Reserve Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Coverage Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Terminal Apron Cost

 

$

4,979,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.E.2.

 

Total Lineal Feet of Terminal Apron
(Excluding Terminal A & B Ramp)

9,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal A Apron Lineal Feet

1,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal B Apron Lineal Feet

1,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.E.3.

 

Total Terminal A & B Apron

2,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal A & B Apron @ ½

1,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chargeable Terminal Apron Lineal Feet

 

11,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Rate Per Lineal Foot

 

$

440.626

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Terminal Building Rental Rate (Janitored and Unjanitored Space)

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.G1.a.

 

Unjanitored Space Rate Calculation

 

 

 

 

 

Direct Operation and Maintenance Expense (Includes Energy Management Center)

 

$

21,490,000

 

 

 

Indirect Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

9,000,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

21,700,000

 

 

 

Terminal A-D Deferral Recovery

 

2,910,537

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Leases

 

500,000

 

 

 

Debt Service Reserve Fund Deposit

 

 

 

 

Operation Reserve Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Coverage Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Total Terminal Building Cost

 

$

55,600,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

V1.G1.b.

 

Steam and Chilled Water Reimbursement (G Concourse)

 

$

940,000

 

 

 

Carrousel and Conveyor Costs

 

220,000

 

 

 

Ground Power

 

390,000

 

 

 

Loading Dock

 

2,265,000

 

 

 

Consortium Utilities

 

440,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Adjustments

 

$

4,255,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Terminal Building Cost

 

$

51,345,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.G.1.c.

 

Total Rentable Space

 

$

1,088,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Building Rental Rate per Square Foot for Unjanitored Space

 

$

47.176

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Airlines R & R Fund Surcharge Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Outlays/Deposit to Rehab & Replacement Fund

 

$

6,000,000

 

 

 

Weighted Average Airline Rentable Space (Janitored and Unjanitored)

 

570,000

 

 

 

Surcharge Amount

 

$

10.526

 

 

29



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Terminal Building Rental Rate (Janitored and Unjanitored Space)

 

 

 

Janitored Space Rate Calculation

 

 

 

V1.G.2.

 

Total Direct Janitored Operation and Maintenance Expenses

 

$

5,800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Janitored Space /1

 

975,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janitored Rate per Square Foot

 

$

5.949

 

 

 

Terminal Building Rental Rate per Square Foot for Unjanitored Space (Above)

 

$

47.176

 

 

 

Terminal Building Rental Rate per Square Foot for Janitored Space

 

$

53.125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/1 Excludes MAC and mechanical space.

 

 

 

 

30



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Carrousel and Conveyor Charge

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.H.1.

 

Direct and Indirect Maintenance Depreciation Charges

 

$

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

250,000

 

 

31



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Airline Cost Per Enplaned Passenger

 

 

 

Actual
200x

 

 

 

 

 

Landing Fees-Signatory

 

$

36,000,000

 

Landing Fees-HHH Nonsignatory

 

70,000

 

Landing Fees-Commuter Nonsignatory

 

650,000

 

 

 

 

 

Ramp Fees-Signatory

 

4,410,000

 

Ramp Fees-HHH Nonsignatory

 

15,000

 

Ramp Fees-Commuter Nonsignatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Building

 

33,920,000

 

IAF Charges

 

2,850,000

 

Carrousels & Conveyors

 

205,000

 

Old Portion of G Concourse

 

421,000

 

Lobby Fees

 

6,210,000

 

FIS Surcharge

 

880,000

 

HHH Terminal Building Rent

 

640,000

 

Concessions Rebate

 

(9,100,000

)

Apron Fees - HH Terminal

 

500,000

 

Apron Fees - Commuter

 

 

Police/Fire/Admin. - G Concourse

 

700,000

 

Steam/Chilled Water - G Concourse

 

900,000

 

Janitorial - G Concourse

 

700,000

 

Self-Liquidating - C/G Concourse

 

1,592,000

 

Total Costs

 

$

81,563,000

 

 

 

 

 

Enplaned Passengers

 

17,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

Airline Cost Per Enplaned Passenger

 

$

4.798

 

 

32



 

EXHIBIT 4

 

ASSUMED AGREEMENTS

 

NWA Assumption of Agreements and Survival of Obligations

 

1.                                       All Executory contracts that were entered into in connection with the GO15 and GO13 Bonds, excluding adequate protection stipulations

 

2.                                       All other obligations and agreements related to the GO 15 and GO 13 Bonds including but not limited to all guaranties, security agreements, mortgages and other documents shall remain unimpaired and fully enforceable following assumption of the GO 15 and GO 13 executory contracts

 

3.                                       Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease dated as of January 1, 1999 (as amended)

 

4.                                       Main Base Agreement dated as of March 5, 1956 as amended (a.k.a. Building B Lease)

 

5.                                       Republic Airlines, Inc. Main Base Lease and Agreement dated as of December 19, 1966 as amended (a.k.a. Building C Lease)

 

6.                                       Lease Agreement dated as of October 6, 1969 as amended (a.k.a. Building F Lease)

 

7.                                       Runway 12R De-Icing Operations Center Site Agreement dated as of December 2003

 

8.                                       Runway 30R De-Icing Operations Center Agreement dated as November 2001

 

9.                                       Deicing Operations Center Agreement dated as of April 1998 as amended (a.k.a. 12L Deicing Operations Center Lease)

 

10.                                 Runway 17/35 Glycol Reclamation Facility Agreement dated as of August 2004.

 

11.                                 Lease and Fuel Agreement as Restated and Amended for Aviation Fuel Facilities dated February 1, 2005.

 

33



 

EXHIBIT 5

 

EXHIBIT V

 

34



 

2007A AMENDMENT TO

 

AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE

 

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

 

This 2007A Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (hereinafter “2007A Amendment” or “Amendment”) is entered into as of the                  day of                                        2007, by and between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, a public corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “MAC” or “Commission”), and                                               , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of                                      and authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota (hereinafter referred to as “AIRLINE”).

 

WHEREAS, MAC and AIRLINE entered into an Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease effective January 1, 1999 and amended such agreement as shown on Exhibit 1 (collectively, “Lease”); and

 

WHEREAS, NWA, Inc. (“NWA”), Northwest Aerospace Training Corporation (“NATCO”), and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (“NAI”), (collectively the “Northwest Entities”) and MAC are parties to a series of agreements and documents with respect to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission General Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 15 (all such agreements, guaranties, security documents and other documents shall be collectively referred to as the “GO 15 Documents”); and

 

WHEREAS,  the Northwest Entities filed a petition under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code on September 14, 2005 which case is pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in an administratively consolidated case entitled In re Northwest Airlines Corporation et al.,  Case No. 05-17930(ALG) (“2005 Bankruptcy Case”); and

 

WHEREAS, as part of its reorganization in the 2005 Bankruptcy Case, NAI, on behalf of AIRLINE and other Signatory Airlines, and MAC negotiated a comprehensive resolution of various lease and debt issues between them as set forth in a Memorandum of Understanding executed by NAI on February 12, 2007 and by MAC on February 19, 2007 (“MOU”).  As part of such comprehensive agreement documented in the MOU, NAI requested that, and MAC agreed to, make significant changes to the existing Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Leases between the MAC and each Signatory Airline, including AIRLINE’s Lease, and that would provide substantial reductions in rates and charges payable by each Signatory Airline, including AIRLINE, and requiring that MAC share revenue generated from various sources at the Airport with such airlines; and

 

WHEREAS, as part of such comprehensive agreement, MAC has agreed to amend the existing Airlines Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Leases between the MAC and each Signatory Airline, including AIRLINE’s Lease on terms and conditions set forth herein, provided that  (i) each Signatory Airline shall be entitled to the reduction of rates and charges and the revenue sharing to be provided by the MAC hereunder only to the extent that such airline remains in compliance with all of its obligations to the MAC, and (ii) the Northwest Entities agree that their plan of reorganization will provide that the Northwest Entities will continue to fully perform all obligations under the GO 15 Documents with all such obligations remaining unimpaired; and

 

WHEREAS, the Amendment evidenced hereby and the protections described above are an essential part of the comprehensive resolution and are fundamental to the Agreement contained in the MOU; and

 

35



 

WHEREAS, implementation of this 2007A Amendment is conditioned on approval by all Signatory Airlines as part of the 2005 Bankruptcy Case.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties agree to amend the Lease as follows:

 

I.              INCORPORATION OF AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE

 

Except as set forth in this 2007A Amendment, the Lease shall remain in full force and effect.  In the event of a conflict between this 2007A Amendment and the Lease, the provisions of this 2007A Amendment shall control.

 

II.            DEFINITIONS

 

All capitalized terms used in this 2007A Amendment but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Lease.  The following terms, as used herein and in the Lease shall have the meanings set forth below and, to the extent any such term was defined in the Lease, the definition contained in the Lease shall be deleted and replaced with the definition for such term set forth below:

 

A.                                   “2005 Bankruptcy Case” means that certain administratively consolidated case pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York entitled In re Northwest Airlines Corporation et al, Case No. 05-17930 (ALG) commenced pursuant to a petition filed by NAI and affiliates under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code on September 14, 2005.

 

B.                                     “Affiliated Airline” means an Airline other than Airline that (a) operates aircraft of  76 passenger seats or less at the Airport and is party to a code share agreement with AIRLINE applicable to such Airline’s flights to and from the Airport, (b) has signed an Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease similar to the form of this Agreement, (c) is party to an Airline Services Agreement with AIRLINE and (d) has been designated in writing by AIRLINE as an “affiliate” of AIRLINE.

 

C.                                     “Airline Rented Space” means the aggregate of that portion of Rentable Space under lease to all Signatory Airlines.

 

D.                                    “Airline Services Agreement” means any agreement between AIRLINE and any regional air carrier pursuant to which such air carrier provides air transportation services for AIRLINE under AIRLINE’s designator code.

 

E.                                      “Amendment Effective Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section IX of this 2007A Amendment.

 

F.                                      “Annual Gross Revenue” means rent, concessions fees or similar charges actually received during any Fiscal Year by MAC from Selected Concessions.  Annual Gross Revenue shall not include sales taxes, utility fees, consortium fees, key money, customer facilities charges or other similar “pass through” charges.

 

G.                                     “Auto Rental Concessions” means all auto rental companies or other business organizations operating at either the Lindbergh or Humphrey Terminals pursuant to concessions agreements with MAC.

 

H.                                    “Assumed Agreements” shall have the meaning given to the term in Section IX of the 2007A Amendment.

 

36



 

I.                                         “Debt Service” means the aggregate amount of principal and interest payments made by MAC that are due and payable during the Fiscal Year on MAC financings  including but not limited to all future and existing general obligation revenue bonds, airport revenue bonds, refunding obligations, commercial paper (excluding the principal amount of commercial paper reissued during the Fiscal Year) and other debt instruments of the Commission and specifically including, but not limited to, those obligations specifically included on Exhibit 2 attached hereto.  In addition, debt service shall also include:

 

(i)            amounts paid as prepayment of obligations, if such prepayment is deemed approved by a Majority-In-Interest of Signatory Airlines pursuant to the provisions of Article VII.B. hereof,

 

                                                Or

 

(ii)           principal and interest in accordance with its original scheduled amortization for any prepayment made by MAC which is not deemed approved by the Majority-In-Interest of Signatory Airlines in accordance with (i) above, until such time as the original principal amount of such prepaid obligation has been recovered by MAC.

 

J.                                        “Deferred Revenue Sharing Amount” shall have the meaning given to the term in Section VII.I.4 of this 2007A Amendment.

 

K.                                    “Food and Beverage Concessions” means companies or other business organizations that sell consumable food or beverages items, excluding vending operations, to the traveling public at the Lindbergh (excluding sales from the G Concourse) or Humphrey Terminals, pursuant to concessions agreements with MAC.

 

L.                                      “GO13” means the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airports Commission Taxable General Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series 13, outstanding from time to time.

 

M.                                 “GO15” means the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission Taxable General Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 15, outstanding from time to time.

 

N.                                    “Humphrey Terminal Repair and Replacement Surcharge” shall be equal to nine percent (9%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

O.                                    “Lindbergh Terminal Repair and Replacement Surcharge” shall be equal to nineteen percent (19%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount divided by Airline Rented Space.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

P.                                      “Landing Fee Repair and Replacement Amount” shall be equal to sixty-eight percent (68%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

Q.                                    “Merchandise Concessions” means companies or other business organizations that sell retail or news products, excluding automated vending items, to the traveling public at the Lindbergh (excluding sales from the G Concourse) or Humphrey Terminals, pursuant to concessions agreements with MAC.

 

R.                                     “Net Revenues” has the meaning provided for in the Trust Indenture.

 

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S.                                      “Repair and Replacement Amount” means a $15 million deposit for Fiscal Year 2006, and increased by three percent (3%) per annum for each Fiscal Year thereafter compounded annually (i.e., $15.45 million in Fiscal Year 2007, $15.91 million in Fiscal Year 2008, etc.) to a Repair and Replacement subaccount within the construction fund to be expended for major maintenance and minor (less than $2 million) capital projects, except for automobile parking facilities and roadways.

 

T.                                     “Selected Concessions” means Food and Beverage Concessions, Merchandise Concessions, and Auto Rental Concessions.

 

U.                                    “Selected Concessions Revenues Escalation Factor” means the following annual percentage escalation factors (compounded) to be applied to the dollar thresholds provided in Section VII.I.1.:

 

Year

 

Annual Escalation Factor

 

2006

 

Base Year

 

2007

 

1.77

%

2008

 

4.75

%

2009

 

4.47

%

2010

 

4.46

%

2011

 

4.20

%

2012

 

4.73

%

2013

 

4.46

%

2014

 

4.47

%

2015

 

4.46

%

2016

 

4.46

%

2017

 

4.46

%

2018

 

4.47

%

2019

 

4.47

%

2020

 

4.47

%

 

V.                                     “Terminal Apron” and “Terminal Ramp” shall be interchangeable terms and both terms shall mean the airport parking apron as shown on Exhibit D to the Lease, together with any additions and/or changes thereto.

 

W.                                “Terminal Apron Repair and Replacement Amount” shall be equal to four percent (4%) of the Repair and Replacement Amount.  This allocation shall be adjusted every five years based on increases to the cost center’s book value.

 

III.                                 USE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS FACILITY

 

Article III.C “Use of the International Arrivals Facility” shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced  with the following:

 

C.                                     Use of the International Arrivals Facility

 

MAC will control prioritization and utilization of the IAF and associated gates for international arrivals by Airlines providing International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service and may develop prioritization procedures not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. The provisions in this Section C. shall continue through December 31, 2020.

 

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1.                                       In order to use the International Arrivals Facility, AIRLINE must maintain its status as International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service. AIRLINE shall provide MAC a detailed written certification for each numbered element on Exhibit H, upon MAC’s request. MAC retains the right to verify the status of AIRLINE and determine whether AIRLINE qualifies as International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service.

 

2.                                       Gates G1 through G10 and associated passenger loading bridges, ramp access and lobby and baggage facilities on Concourse G currently leased by Northwest Airlines, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Northwest” or “Northwest Airlines”) shall be made available for access to the International Arrivals Facility based on the following priority of use:

 

a.                                       International Regularly Scheduled Airline Service as defined in Exhibit H.

 

b.                                      Northwest or a Northwest Affiliated Airline domestic arrivals and departures.

 

c.                                       Non-scheduled irregular or delayed international charter arrivals when the expected delay for the flight to use the Humphrey Terminal facility will exceed 90 minutes and the use of an IAF gate will not interfere with the scheduled use of that gate. Such interference shall be defined as the overlap of the non-scheduled use with the scheduled use such that the scheduled flight will have to be relocated to another concourse for its operation or will have to wait for a gate due to the unavailability of any gate. Use of an IAF gate by a non-scheduled flight is subject to Northwest’s approval; such approval is not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Northwest shall designate an individual on site to give necessary approvals.

 

3.                                       Northwest shall provide all Ground Handling at the IAF gates subject to either (i) air carrier self-handling rights contained in AIP grant assurances, at rates that do not exceed those specified in the Mutual Assistance Ground Service Agreement, or (ii) authorize the use of a third party ground handling company to provide Ground Handling at the IAF gates upon a requesting airline executing the memorandum of understanding included as Exhibit W.  Northwest shall also provide reasonable access for air carriers to data and communications systems at gates G1-G10.

 

4.                                       No Airline aircraft will remain on gates G1-G10 over two hours if a narrow-body or three hours if a wide-body. Northwest will coordinate any moving of aircraft with MAC’s operations department, FAA and appropriate federal inspections agencies.

 

5.                                       AIRLINE, if it self-handles, or Northwest, if it provides Ground Handling to AIRLINE, on gates G1-G10, shall handle and dispose of all international waste on AIRLINE’s aircraft in accordance with the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture.

 

6.                                       Northwest shall be responsible for all maintenance, repair, and operation of MAC jet bridges provided by MAC as part of the IAF.  Northwest shall make the MAC jet bridges available for use by all users of the IAF without additional charge.

 

Exhibit W has been attached to this Amendment as Exhibit 6

 

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IV.           ACCOMMODATION OF OTHER AIRLINES

 

Article IV.E. “Accommodation of Other Airlines” of the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Article IV.E.:

 

1.                                       Thirty (30) days in advance of each schedule change AIRLINE shall provide MAC with a copy of the published schedule and a gate plot showing all times when aircraft are scheduled to be utilizing each Preferential Use gate, including aircraft type, projected arrival and departure times, and point of origin or destination, including activities by subtenants or airlines being accommodated.

 

2.                                       In furtherance of the public interest of having the Airport’s capacity fully and more effectively utilized, it is recognized by AIRLINE and MAC that (i) AIRLINE shall be prohibited from subleasing any of its Premises to another Airline without the prior written consent of MAC, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, however, MAC shall not be required to approve any sublease if there is vacant space available from MAC and (ii) from time to time during the term of this Agreement it may become necessary for the AIRLINE to accommodate another Airline within its Premises or for MAC unilaterally to require AIRLINE to accommodate another Airline(s) within AIRLINE’s Premises as required for the following:

 

a.                                       To comply with any applicable rule, regulation, order or statute of any governmental entity that has jurisdiction over MAC, and to comply with federal grant assurances applicable to MAC.

 

b.                                      To implement a Capital Project at the Airport.

 

c.                                       To facilitate the providing of air services at the Airport by an Airline (“Requesting Airline”) when no Airline serving the Airport is willing to accommodate the Requesting Airline’s operational needs or requirements for facilities at reasonable costs or on other reasonable terms.

 

d.                                      To accommodate the irregular activity of another Airline (“Irregular Need”).

 

e.                                       To accommodate the Irregular Need of AIRLINE.  To the extent possible, AIRLINE shall accommodate its Irregular Need on its Preferential Use gate(s).  When such activity may not be accommodated on AIRLINE’S Preferential Use gate(s), AIRLINE shall seek accommodation from other Airlines on its own through coordination among such Airlines’ supervisors and managers.  In the event accommodation cannot be found on another Airline’s premises, AIRLINE may seek assistance from MAC.  MAC’s options shall include assigning use of non-leased gate premises or referring AIRLINE to MAC’s agent responsible for managing MAC’s remote parking locations.  For an Irregular Need, MAC shall not be responsible for unilaterally accommodating an Airline on another Airline’s leased premises. AIRLINE will be responsible for payment of all applicable fees and charges including, if applicable, appropriate FIS charges in connection with such accommodation.

 

f.                                         To accommodate a flight that has declared an emergency and such flight shall have priority over all other flight scheduling.

 

3.                                       In responding to a request for facilities for either a Requesting Airline or to accommodate Irregular Need, MAC shall first work with the Requesting Airline or Airline seeking

 

40



 

accommodation of Irregular Need to use existing Common Use Space or unassigned space, if any is available.

 

4.                                       When necessary, MAC shall make a determination as to whether any Airline has underutilized facilities or capacity available.  In making such determination MAC shall not act unreasonably.  Such determinations by MAC shall take into consideration the following:

 

a.                                       The then existing utilization of AIRLINE’s Premises (including any requirements for spare gates and accommodation of AIRLINE’s Affiliates) and any bona fide plan of AIRLINE or any other Airline for the increased utilization of the AIRLINE’s Premises to be implemented within twelve (12) months thereafter (any non-public information provided by AIRLINE regarding planned or proposed routes, schedules or operations shall be treated as confidential by MAC to the maximum extent permitted by law).

 

b.                                      The need for compatibility among the current schedules, including RON requirements, flight times, operations, operating procedures and equipment of AIRLINE (and its Affiliate(s)) or any other Airline and those of the Requesting Airline or the Airline seeking accommodation of Irregular Need, as well as the need for labor harmony, facilities, resources, and other relevant factors.

 

c.                                       During irregular operations, AIRLINE’S scheduled operations will have priority over any accommodated Airline on its Premises.

 

d.                                      Any flights scheduled on AIRLINE’s Preferential use gate(s) must vacate the gate at least 45 minutes before the next use by AIRLINE.

 

e.                                       The maximum gate occupancy by narrow body aircraft for a Requesting Airline or an Airline seeking accommodation of Irregular Need shall be 45 minutes for an arrival, 45 minutes for a departure, or 1 hour and 30 minutes for a combined turn.

 

f.                                         The maximum scheduled gate occupancy by wide body aircraft for a Requesting Airline or an Airline seeking accommodation of Irregular Need shall be 1 hour for an arrival, 1 hour for a departure, or 2 hours for a combined turn.

 

g.                                      Any aircraft occupying a gate longer than the above timeframes may be required to vacate the gate to accommodate other operations.  Should this occur, upon AIRLINE’s request MAC will notify the Airline being accommodated as soon as MAC becomes aware of the requirement, but in any event no later than 15 minutes before the time that actual vacating is required.  Failure to vacate shall result in the imposition of additional overtime fees by AIRLINE to the accommodated Airline. If an Airline being accommodated does not vacate a gate as required, and AIRLINE requires the use of such gate, upon AIRLINE’s request MAC shall instruct Airline to remove its aircraft to another location leased by the Airline or to a remote location as designated by MAC’s agent.  If failure of the accommodated Airline to remove its aircraft results in AIRLINE requiring remote parking from MAC, MAC shall invoice the accommodated Airline for any remote parking fees that would be charged to AIRLINE.

 

h.                                      Before MAC accommodates a Requesting Airline within AIRLINE’s Premises, MAC must give AIRLINE ten (10) days prior written notice of its intent. AIRLINE must accept accommodation or notify MAC within ten (10) business

 

41



 

days after AIRLINE’s receipt of such notice that it wishes to meet with MAC to show cause why the accommodation should not be made.

 

5.                                       The accommodated Airline shall be responsible for the payment of all applicable fees and charges for such use, including but not limited to appropriate FIS charges and overtime fees.

 

6.                                       In the event that any portion of AIRLINE’s Premises are used to accommodate another Airline or Irregular Need:

 

a.                                       AIRLINE shall be authorized to (i) charge such accommodated Airline a reasonable accommodation fee and (ii) require from the accommodated Airline an indemnity and defense undertaking, so long as such undertaking is not more favorable to AIRLINE than that which AIRLINE provide to MAC.

 

b.                                      Each accommodated Airline shall be responsible for (i) ensuring that its agents, employees, and contractors are properly qualified prior to operating any and all equipment and (ii) are responsible for securing jetway doors upon completion of use.

 

c.                                       AIRLINE shall not be required to indemnify and save harmless MAC, its employees or agents with regard to any claim for damages or personal injury arising out of any accommodated Airline’s use of AIRLINE’s premises, unless caused by the negligence of AIRLINE;

 

d.                                      AIRLINE shall not be liable to any accommodated Airline or any of its agents, employees, servants or invitees, for any damage to persons or property due to the condition or design or any defect in the Premises which may exist or subsequently occur, and such accommodated Airline, with respect to it and its agents, employees, servants and invitees shall be deemed to have expressly assumed all risk and damage to persons and property, either proximate or remote, by reason of the present or future condition or use of AIRLINE’S Premises.  Further, such accommodated Airline shall be deemed to have agreed to release, indemnify, hold harmless and defend AIRLINE, the MAC, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns, from and against any and all suits, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs and related expenses) for bodily or personal injury or death to any persons and for any loss of, damage to, or destruction of any property, including loss of use, incidental and consequential damage thereof, arising out of or in any manner connected with the use of AIRLINE’S Premises by such accommodate Airline or any of its agents, representatives, employees, contractors or invitees, whether or not occurring or arising out of the negligence, whether sole, joint, concurrent, comparative, active, passive, imputed or any other type, of AIRLINE, MAC or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents; provided, however, the foregoing indemnification shall not apply to any claim or liability resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of AIRLINE, its officers, directors, employees or agents.

 

e.                                       MAC shall be responsible for ensuring that such accommodated Airline has in full force and effect MAC’s required insurance coverages.

 

42



 

f.                                         Without limiting any other provision of this 2007A Amendment, AIRLINE’s duty to accommodate another airline shall be conditioned on and subject to the satisfaction of all requirements of this Section 6.

 

7.                                       In the event of a labor stoppage or other event which results in the cessation or substantial reduction in AIRLINE’s flights operations at the Airport, AIRLINE will immediately take all reasonable efforts, including but not limited to, moving of aircraft or equipment, providing access to AIRLINE’s holdrooms and jet bridges or anything else in AIRLINE’s control, in order to accommodate the operations of other Airlines providing air service to the Airport; provided that: (a) AIRLINE at all times will have access to its premises and equipment for operational reasons and (b) AIRLINE shall not be required to take any action which would interfere with its ability to re-institute service upon cessation of labor stoppage or other event. Subject to a mutually acceptable agreement between MAC and AIRLINE covering such use, AIRLINE shall have the right to charge reasonable fees and to require reasonable advance payment for such use of AIRLINE’s gates, holdroom areas, and loading bridges (and any such fees not in excess of 115% of the rates and charges payable by AIRLINE hereunder for such premises shall be deemed reasonable).

 

8.                                       The foregoing shall not be deemed to abrogate, change, or affect any restrictions, limitations or prohibitions on assignment or use of the AIRLINE’s Premises by others under this Agreement and shall not in any manner affect, waive or change any of the provisions thereof.

 

V.                                    SHORT TERM GATES

 

Exhibit V to the Lease has been attached hereto as Exhibit 5.

 

Article IV.H. “Short Term Gates” of the Lease is hereby modified to add subsection 6:

 

6.                                       If AIRLINE is leasing three (3) or fewer holdrooms from MAC, MAC agrees to not cancel the lease of more than one Short Term Gate AIRLINE may be leasing in accordance with the procedures identified in Article IV.H.2. as long as AIRLINE has adhered to the payment and utilization requirements identified within Article IV.H.5. for all leased gates for the previous twelve (12) consecutive months.

 

VI.                                RENTS, FEES, AND CHARGES

 

Article V.B. “Rents, Fees, and Charges” of the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

B.                                     Rents, Fees, and Charges

 

1.                                       Landing Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly landing fees to be determined by multiplying the number of 1,000-pound units of AIRLINE’s Total Landed Weight during the month by the then-current landing fee rate.  The landing fee rate shall be calculated according to procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate).

 

2.                                       Environmental Surcharges.  Intentionally Omitted.

 

3.                                       Terminal Apron Fees

 

43



 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly Terminal Apron fees to be determined by multiplying the number of lineal feet of Terminal Apron under lease to AIRLINE (excluding Concourses A and B) during the month by the then-current Terminal Apron rate.  The Terminal Apron rate shall be calculated according to the procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate) hereof.

 

4.                                       Concourse A and B Terminal Apron Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly Terminal Apron Fees associated with Concourses A and B at the rate of fifty percent (50%) of the lineal feet associated with Concourses A and B.

 

5.                                       Terminal Building Rents and Surcharge

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly Terminal Building rentals and the Lindbergh Terminal Repair and Replacement Surcharge for its Exclusive (janitored and unjanitored), Preferential and Common Use Space in the Terminal Building.  The Terminal Building rental rates shall be calculated according to the procedures set forth in Article VI. or Article VI. (Alternate)

 

Terminal Building rentals for Common Use Space (except the IAF) shall be prorated among Signatory Airlines using the Common Use Formula.

 

6.                                       Carrousel and Conveyor Charges

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly carrousel and conveyor charges based upon maintenance and operating costs and Debt Service.  The carrousel and conveyor charges shall be calculated according to the procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate) and shall be prorated among Signatory Airlines using the Common Use Formula.

 

7.                                       IAF Gate Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly IAF gate fees determined by multiplying the number of arrivals at the IAF by AIRLINE’s propeller aircraft, narrow-body jet aircraft, and wide-body jet aircraft by $400, $800, and $1,200, respectively.

 

8.                                       IAF Use Fees

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC monthly IAF use fees determined by multiplying the number of AIRLINE’s international passengers arriving at the IAF during the month by the IAF use fee rate. The IAF use fee rate shall be calculated according to procedures set forth in Article VI or Article VI. (Alternate).

 

9.                                       Other Fees and Charges

 

AIRLINE shall pay to MAC reasonable fees for the various other services provided by MAC to AIRLINE. These services include, but may not be limited to, the following:

 

a.                                       Use of the Humphrey Terminal and Humphrey ramp at rates established from time to time by MAC.

 

44



 

b.                                      Use of Garage Parking Cards by AIRLINE’s employees at rates set forth in the Guidelines for Administering Validated Airport Parking.

 

c.                                       Use of designated employee parking facilities by AIRLINE’s employees at rates established from time to time by MAC.

 

d.                                      Nonroutine Terminal Apron cleaning and other special services requested by AIRLINE at rates that reflect the costs incurred by MAC.

 

e.                                       Security and personnel identification badges for AIRLINE’s personnel at rates established from time to time by MAC.

 

f.                                         Office services, such as facsimile, photocopying, or telephone provided by MAC. Charges for these services shall be at the rates that MAC customarily charges for such services.

 

g.                                      Charges for the cost of separately metered water and sewer and other such utilities not otherwise included in the calculation of rents, fees, and charges.

 

VII.                            CALCULATION OF RENTS, FEES, AND CHARGES

 

Article VI (Alternate), “Calculation of Rents, Fees and Charges” is hereby added to the Lease and shall be placed immediately following Article VI (“Calculation of Rents, Fees, and Charges”) as follows:

 

VI (ALTERNATE).                                            CALCULATION OF RENTS, FEES AND CHARGES.

 

A.                                   General

 

Notwithstanding Article VI hereof, effective January 1, 2006, and for each Fiscal Year thereafter, rents, fees, and charges will be reviewed and recalculated based on the principles and procedures set forth in this Article VI (Alternate).  The annual costs associated with each of the indirect cost centers shall be allocated to each of the Airport Cost Centers based on the allocations as set forth in Exhibit M, Indirect Cost Center Allocation, which allocations may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of MAC and a Majority-In-Interest of Signatory Airlines.  Such consent may not be unreasonably withheld.

 

B.                                     Calculation/Coordination Procedures

 

1.                                       AIRLINE shall provide to MAC: (a) on or before August 1 of each year a preliminary estimate of Total Landed Weight and Enplaned Passenger for the succeeding calendar year of AIRLINE and each Affiliated Airline, unless separately reported to MAC by such Affiliated Airline; and (b) on or before October 1 of each year a final estimate of such weight.  If the final estimate is not so received, MAC may continue to rely on the preliminary estimate for the MAC budgeting process.  MAC will utilize the forecast in developing its preliminary calculation of Total Landed Weight and Enplaned Passengers for use in the calculation of rents, fees, and charges for the ensuing Fiscal Year.

 

2.                                       On or before October 15 of each Fiscal Year, MAC shall submit to AIRLINE a preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges for the ensuing Fiscal Year. The preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges will include, among others, MAC’s estimate of all revenue items, Operation and Maintenance Expenses, Debt

 

45



 

Service, Capital Outlays, required deposits, including amounts necessary to be deposited in the Coverage Account in order to meet MAC’s rate covenant under the Trust Indenture, and Rentable Space.

 

3.                                       Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges, if requested by the Signatory Airlines, a meeting shall be scheduled between MAC and the Signatory Airlines to review and discuss the proposed rents, fees, and charges.

 

4.                                       MAC shall then complete a calculation of rents, fees, and charges at such time as the budget is approved, taking into consideration the comments or suggestions of AIRLINE and the other Signatory Airlines.

 

5.                                       If, for any reason, MAC’s annual budget has not been adopted by the first day of any Fiscal Year, the rents, fees, and charges for the Fiscal Year will initially be established based on the preliminary calculation of rents, fees, and charges until such time as the annual budget has been adopted by MAC. At such time as the annual budget has been adopted by MAC, the rents, fees, and charges will be recalculated, if necessary, to reflect the adopted annual budget and made retroactive to the first day of the Fiscal Year.

 

6.                                       If, during the course of the year, MAC believes significant variances exist in budgeted or estimated amounts that were used to calculate rents, fees, and charges for the then current Fiscal Year, MAC may after notice to Airlines adjust the rents, fees, and charges for future reports to reflect current estimated amounts.

 

C.                                     Landing Fees

 

MAC shall calculate the landing fee rate in the following manner and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised).

 

1.                                       The total estimated Airfield Cost shall be calculated by totaling the following annual amounts:

 

a.                                       The total estimated direct and allocated indirect Operation and Maintenance Expenses allocable to the Airfield cost center.

 

b.                                      The estimated Debt Service net of amounts paid from PFCs or grants allocable to the Airfield cost center.

 

c.                                       The cost of Runway 17/35 deferred and not yet charged from the date of occupancy through December 31, 2005 will be charged starting January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2035 at $79,535.16 annually.

 

d.                                      The Landing Fee Repair and Replacement Amount.

 

e.                                       The amount of any fine, assessment, judgment, settlement, or extraordinary charge (net of insurance proceeds) paid by MAC in connection with the operations on the Airfield, to the extent not otherwise covered by Article X.

 

f.                                         The amounts required to be deposited to funds and accounts pursuant to the terms of the Trust Indenture, including, but not limited to, its Debt Service reserve funds allocable to the Airfield cost center.  MAC agrees to exclude

 

46



 

from the calculation of landing fees the amounts which it may deposit from time to time to the maintenance and operation reserve account and the Coverage Account established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Indenture except for such amounts which are necessary to be deposited to the Coverage Account in order for MAC to meet its rate covenant under the Trust Indenture.

 

2.                                       The total estimated Airfield Cost shall be adjusted by the total estimated annual amounts of the following items to determine the Net Airfield Cost:

 

a.                                       Service fees received from the military, to the extent such fees relate to the use of the Airfield;

 

b.                                      General aviation and nonsignatory landing fees;

 

c.                                       Debt Service on the Capital Cost, if any, disapproved by a Majority-In-Interest of Signatory Airlines.

 

3.                                       The Net Airfield Cost shall then be divided by the estimated Total Landed Weight (expressed in thousands of pounds) of the Signatory Airlines operating at the Airport to determine the landing fee rate per 1,000 pounds of aircraft weight for a given Fiscal Year.

 

D.                                    Terminal Apron Fees

 

MAC shall calculate the Terminal Apron rate in the following manner and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised).

 

1.                                       The total estimated Terminal Apron Cost shall be calculated by totaling the following annual amounts:

 

a.                                       The total estimated direct and allocated indirect Operation and Maintenance Expenses allocable to the Terminal Apron cost center.

 

b.                                      The estimated Debt Service net of amounts paid from PFCs or grants allocable to the Terminal Apron cost center (excluding hydrant fueling repairs and modifications).

 

c.                                       The cost of Concourse A and B Apron Area deferred and not yet charged from the date of occupancy through December 31, 2005 will be charged starting January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2035 at $159,950.19 annually.

 

d.                                      The amounts required to be deposited to funds and accounts pursuant to the terms of the Trust Indenture, including, but not limited to, its Debt Service reserve funds allocable to the Terminal Apron cost center.  MAC agrees to exclude from the calculation of Terminal Apron fees the amounts which it may deposit from time to time to the maintenance and operation reserve account and the Coverage Account established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Indenture except for such amounts which are necessary to be deposited to the Coverage Account in order for MAC to meet its rate covenant under the Trust Indenture.

 

47



 

e.                                       The Terminal Apron Repair and Replacement Amount.

 

2.                                       The Terminal Apron Cost shall then be divided by the total estimated lineal feet of Terminal Apron, to determine the Terminal Apron rate per lineal foot for a given Fiscal Year. For the purposes of this calculation, lineal feet of Terminal Apron shall be computed as the sum of the following:

 

a.                                       Lineal feet of the Terminal Apron (excluding the Terminal Apron associated with Concourses A & B); and

 

b.                                      Fifty percent (50%) of lineal feet of the Terminal Apron associated with Concourse A & B.

 

E.                                      Terminal Building Rents

 

MAC shall calculate the terminal building rental rate for unjanitored and janitored space in the Terminal Building as set forth in subsections 1 and 2 of this Article VI. (Alternate) E.

 

1.                                       MAC shall calculate the terminal building rental rate for unjanitored space in the Terminal Building in the following manner and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised).

 

a.                                       The total estimated Terminal Building Cost shall be calculated by totaling the following annual amounts:

 

1)                                      The total estimated direct and allocated indirect Operation and Maintenance Expenses allocable to the Terminal Building cost center.

 

2)                                      The estimated direct and allocated Debt Service net of amounts paid from PFCs or grants allocable to the Terminal Building cost center.

 

3)                                      The cost of Concourse A, B, C and D deferred and not yet charged from date of occupancy through December 31, 2005 will be charged starting January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2035 at $2,910,547.40 annually.

 

4)                                      The amounts required to be deposited to funds and accounts pursuant to the terms of the Trust Indenture, including, but not limited to, its Debt Service reserve funds allocable to the Terminal Building cost center.  MAC agrees to exclude from the calculation of Terminal Rents the amounts which it may deposit from time to time to the maintenance and operation reserve account and the Coverage Account established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Indenture except for such amounts which are necessary to be deposited to the Coverage Account in order for MAC to meet its rate covenant under the Trust Indenture.

 

b.                                      The total estimated Terminal Building Cost shall be reduced by the total estimated annual amounts of the following items to determine the Net Terminal Building Cost:

 

1)                                      Reimbursed expense:

 

48



 

a)                                      Steam and chilled water on the G Concourse;

 

b)                                     Carrousel and conveyor Capital Cost and Operation and Maintenance Expense;

 

c)                                      Ground Power;

 

d)                                     Loading Dock; and

 

e)                                      Consortium Utilities.

 

2)                                      Janitorial Operation and Maintenance Expenses, as determined by MAC.

 

c.                                       The Net Terminal Building Cost shall then be divided by the total estimated Rentable Space in the Terminal Building to determine the terminal building rental rate per square foot for unjanitored space for a given Fiscal Year.  (See Initial Rentable Square Footage, Exhibit O).

 

2.                                       MAC shall calculate the terminal building rental rate for janitored space by totaling the following rates and as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised):

 

a.                                       The terminal building rental rate per square foot for unjanitored space for a given Fiscal Year, as calculated in this Section; and

 

b.                                      An additional rate per square foot, the janitored rate, calculated by dividing the total estimated direct janitorial Operation and Maintenance Expenses, as determined by MAC, by the total janitored space in the Terminal Building (excluding MAC and mechanical space).

 

F.                                      Carrousel and Conveyor Charge

 

1.                                       MAC shall calculate the carrousel and conveyor charge, as illustrated in Exhibit N (revised), by totaling the following annual amounts: equipment charges associated with the carrousel and conveyor, including annual Debt Service, maintenance expense, and service charge.

 

2.                                       MAC shall prorate the carrousel and conveyor charge among the Signatory Airlines using the Common Use Formula.

 

G.                                     IAF Use Fees

 

The IAF use fee for use of the IAF and any associated gates shall be effective through December 31, 2015 and shall be based upon:

 

1.                                       The cost of the maintenance and operation of the International Arrivals Facility which may include, but is not limited to:

 

a.                                       utilities;

 

b.                                      cleaning:

 

49



 

c.                                       maintenance (including the costs of maintaining the security equipment that existed as of April 1998);

 

d.                                      police, fire, and administrative cost allocation;

 

e.                                       costs of providing passenger baggage carts, if any;

 

f.                                         costs of providing staff parking for federal inspections agency staff; and

 

g.                                      $4.17 per square foot recoupment for lost rental area in the G Concourse.

 

2.                                       Costs associated with the operation of dual international arrivals facility locations at the Airport, based on the appropriate allocation of costs between the two facilities, not otherwise funded by the federal inspections agencies including, but not limited to additional personnel and equipment used by those agencies; and

 

3.             Debt Service, if any; and

 

Items (1) through (3) above, for which AIRLINE will be billed monthly, shall be set annually at an estimated charge through MAC’s budget process and then adjusted at year end for actual costs pursuant to certified audit by MAC’s external auditors and such difference shall be charged or credited to AIRLINE and paid by AIRLINE or MAC within thirty (30) days thereafter.

 

H.            Year-End Adjustments of Rents, Fees, and Charges

 

1.                                       As soon as practical following the close of each Fiscal Year, but in no event later than July 1, MAC shall furnish AIRLINE with an accounting of the costs actually incurred and revenues and credits actually realized during such Fiscal Year with respect to each of the components of the calculation of the rents, fees, and charges calculated pursuant to this Article broken down by rate making Cost Center.

 

2.                                       In the event AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges billed during the Fiscal Year exceed the amount of AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges required (as recalculated based on actual costs and revenues), such excess shall be refunded or credited to AIRLINE.

 

3.                                       In the event AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges billed during the Fiscal Year are less than the amount of AIRLINE’s rents, fees, and charges required (as recalculated based on actual costs and revenues), such deficiency shall be charged to AIRLINE in a supplemental billing.

 

I.              Revenue Sharing

 

1.                                       Beginning January 1, 2006, subject to Section IX of the 2007A Amendment to the Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease, in conjunction with its Year End Adjustments of Rents, Fees and Charges, MAC will rebate to AIRLINE a portion of the Annual Gross Revenues for Selected Concessions for the most recent Fiscal Year under the following schedule (“Revenue Sharing”) (all dollar amounts set forth in this Article VI (Alternate) shall apply for 2006 only and shall be escalated for each Fiscal Year after 2006 on an annual compounded basis by the Selected Concession Revenue Escalation Factor):

 

50



 

a.                                       If Annual Gross Revenues for the Selected Concessions for 2006 are between $25 million and $32.299 million for the Fiscal Year, 25% of gross revenues;

 

b.                                      If Annual Gross Revenues for the Selected Concessions are above $ 32.299 million for the Fiscal Year, 25% of gross revenues up to $32.299 million and  50% of gross  revenues above $32.299 million;

 

2.                                       Reduced sharing of gross revenues if Annual Gross Revenues for the Selected Concessions are below $25 million for the Fiscal Year;

 

a.             $24 million to $24.99 million – 20%

 

b.             $23 million to $23.99 million – 15%

 

c.             $22 million to $22.99 million – 10%

 

d.             $21 million to $21.99 million – 5%

 

3.                                       The total rebate amount shall be allocated among Signatory Airlines according to their pro rata share of Enplaned Passengers for the Fiscal Year and shall be structured as a post-year-end check to AIRLINE issued by MAC no later than 240 days following each Fiscal Year, subject to correction following any applicable audit;

 

4.                                       Notwithstanding the foregoing, MAC shall have the right to reduce the amount of Revenue Sharing with respect to any Fiscal Year to the extent necessary so that the Net Revenues of the MAC taking into account the Revenue Sharing for such Fiscal Year will not be less than 1.25x of the total Debt Service of MAC for such Fiscal Year.  In the event that the Revenue Sharing is reduced in any Fiscal Year, by any amount (the “Deferred Revenue Sharing Amount”) as a result of the operation of this Article VI (Alternate), MAC will accrue the Deferred Revenue Sharing Amount and credit such amount to the Signatory Airlines in the subsequent Fiscal Year (or, if such amount may not be credited in accordance with this Article VI (Alternate) in such subsequent Fiscal Year, then such amount will be credited in the next succeeding Fiscal Year in which such credit may be issued in accordance with this Article VI (Alternate); and

 

5.                                       The rights of any Signatory Airline to any payment, credit or application of Revenue Sharing to or for the benefit of such Signatory Airline is a contract right, in existence and effective as of January 1, 2006 (subject to Section IX of the 2007A Amendment), and any such payment, credit or application actually made is proceeds thereof.

 

J.             Reversion to Pre-Existing Rate Structure.

 

Notwithstanding anything in the Lease or any other agreement between MAC and AIRLINE, in the event AIRLINE is not in compliance with any payment obligation under any agreement with the MAC  during the period following any applicable notice and cure period under such agreement and continuing until payment of any such amounts (the “Payment Default Period”), MAC will have the right, upon written notice to AIRLINE (provided that, if AIRLINE is in bankruptcy, no notice shall be required for the effectiveness of the following, although invoices reference the additional amounts due as a result of such

 

51



 

payment default and set forth the applicable rates that are then in effect as a result of such payment default), to: (i) have AIRLINE’s payment obligations under the Lease during the Payment Default Period revert to the Pre-Existing Rate Structure, and (ii) apply the amount of any Rate Differential (as defined in Section IX hereof) for AIRLINE during such period and the amount of any accrued and unpaid Revenue Sharing credits (if any) otherwise due to AIRLINE pursuant to Article VI (Alternate) for the Payment Default Period against any amounts owed by AIRLINE to MAC to the extent necessary to cure such payment defaults.

 

A revised Exhibit N to the Lease has been attached hereto as Exhibit 3.

 

VIII.        BANKRUPTCY

 

Article XI.E. “Bankruptcy” of the Lease is amended to add the following subsection E.6:

 

6.                                       In addition to the other rights of MAC hereunder, to the extent necessary, to effect its rights under Article VI (Alternate).J. of the Lease in any future bankruptcy involving AIRLINE pursuant to the doctrines of setoff and/or recoupment.

 

IX.           AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE AND CONDITIONS

 

The amended rate structures and changes in rate methodology (the “Rate Changes”) and the Revenue Sharing (the Revenue Sharing together with the Rate Changes, shall be called the “Savings”) set forth in Sections VI and VII of the 2007A Amendment (as hereinafter defined) shall be effective commencing January 1, 2006 and shall continue through the term of each Airline’s Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease, subject to the terms and conditions thereof.  However, MAC and AIRLINE hereby acknowledge and agree that receipt of any credits for the Savings under this 2007A Amendment is expressly conditioned upon the entry of an order in the 2005 Bankruptcy Case (which would include an order confirming a plan of reorganization and which shall contain the provisions regarding effectiveness set forth herein) (the “Assumption Order”) not later than September 30, 2007 approving the assumption by NAI of the executory agreements relating to GO15, GO13, the Lease, and the other leases and executory agreements between NAI and MAC set forth on Exhibit 4 hereto (the “Assumed Agreements”).  The Assumption Order shall provide that the effectiveness of the assumption of the Assumed Agreements is conditioned upon the approval by all of the Signatory Airlines of this 2007A Amendment or the Third Amendment to Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (“NAI’s Third Amendment”) as an amendment to each Signatory Airline’s Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease.  Within thirty (30) days after the later to occur of (i) the entry of the Assumption Order and (ii) approval by all of the Signatory Airlines of this 2007A Amendment or NAI’s Third Amendment and any other documents implementing the Savings (the “Amendment Effective Date”), MAC will (A) issue a check to (i) each Signatory Airline in an amount equal to the difference between the rates and charges calculated under the pre-existing Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease with each Signatory Airline, without taking into account the changes set forth in this 2007A Amendment (“Pre-Existing Rate Structure”), and such rates and charges calculated taking into account the Rate Changes and other revisions to the Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease with each Signatory Airline that are set forth in this 2007A Amendment (“Amended Rate Structure”, with such difference between the Pre-Existing Rate Structure and the Amended Rate Structure, the “Rate Differential”) for the period commencing January 1, 2006 through the Amendment Effective Date, (ii) each Signatory Airline for the amount of the Revenue Sharing for 2006 and any succeeding calendar year ending prior to the Amendment Effective Date with such credit issued upon the completion of the certified independent audits report for such year, and (iii) each Signatory Airline for interest on the credit amounts referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence at MAC’s actual earned overnight interest rate (“Applicable Interest Rate”) from the period commencing on February 

 

52



 

12, 2007 (but in the case of 2006 Revenue Sharing, not earlier than the completion of the comprehensive annual financial report for 2006) (“Interest Commencement Date”) through the date of the issuance of such credits, and (B) implement the terms of the 2007A Amendment as of the Amendment Effective Date.

 

The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.

 

53



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed and executed this Amendment in duplicate the day and year first below written.

 

 
 
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
 
 

 

 
 

 

Date:

                                              

, 2007

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIRLINE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

                                                

, 2007

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

) ss.

COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

)

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the            day of                     , 2007,               , the                                    of the Metropolitan Airports Commission on behalf of the Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notary Public

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

)

 

) ss.

COUNTY OF RAMSEY

)

 

 

This instrument was acknowledged before me on the            day of                     , 2007,                                     , the                                                                      of                                                         .

 

 

 

 

 

Notary Public

 

54



 

EXHIBIT 1

 

AIRLINE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND TERMINAL BUILDING LEASE AND AMENDMENTS

 

Agreement/Amendment

 

Effective Date

 

 

 

Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease

 

January 1, 1999

 

55



 

EXHIBIT 2

 

LIST OF MAC BOND OBLIGATIONS

 

Current Outstanding Debt

 

General Obligation Revenue Bonds

 

 

Series 13

 

(2015)

 

 

Series 14

 

(2011)

 

 

Series 15

 

(2022)

 

 

 

General Airport Revenue Bonds

 

 

Series 1998B Sr

 

(2016)

 

 

Series 1999B Sr

 

(2022)

 

 

Series 2000B Sr

 

(2021)

 

 

Series 2001B Sr

 

(2024)

 

 

Series 2007A Sr

 

(2032)

 

 

Series 2001D Sub

 

(2016)

 

 

Series 2003A Sub

 

(2031)

 

 

Series 2004A Sub

 

(2031)

 

 

Series 2005A Sub

 

(2035)

 

 

Series 2005B Sub

 

(2026)

 

 

Series 2005C Sub

 

(2032)

 

 

Series 2007B Sub

 

(2032)

 

 

Commercial Paper

 

 

Series A

 

 

 

 

 

Series B

 

 

 

 

Series C

 

 

 

 

Series D

 

 

 

 

Notes Payable –Equipment Leasing

 

 

2003 Financing

 

(2008)

 

2004 Financing

 

(2009)

 

Other Notes Payable/Financing Leases

 

56



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Landing Fee Rates

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.C.1.

 

Direct Operation and Maintenance Expense (Includes Control Tower, Noise Abatement & Operations)

 

$

8,500,000

 

 

 

Indirect Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

16,500,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

7,000,000

 

 

 

Runway 17/35 Deferral

 

79,535

 

 

 

Capital Outlays/Deposit to Repair & Replacement Fund

 

10,200,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Leases (Original)

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

Fine, Assessment, Judgment or Settlement

 

 

 

 

Debt Service Reserve Fund Deposit

 

 

 

 

Operation Reserve Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Coverage Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Airfield Cost

 

$

40,479,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1C.2.

 

Service Fees (Military)

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

General Aviation Landing Fees

 

880,000

 

 

 

Nonsignatory Landing Fees (HHH and Commuter)

 

720,000

 

 

 

Off-Airport Aircraft Noise Costs

 

 

 

 

Projects Rejected by MII of Signatory Airlines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Adjustments

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Airfield Cost

 

$

38,729,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.C.3.

 

Total Landed Weight of Signatory Airlines (1,000-lb. Units)

 

23,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landing Fee Rate per 1,000 lbs.

 

$

1.648

 

 

57



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Terminal Apron Rates

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.E.1.

 

Direct Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

$

210,000

 

 

 

Indirect Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

3,500,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

10,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Lease

 

500,000

 

 

 

Capital Outlays/Deposit to Repair & Replacement Fund

 

600,000

 

 

 

Concourse A & B Ramp Deferral Recovery

 

159,950

 

 

 

Debt Service Reserve Fund Deposit

 

 

 

 

Operation Reserve Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Coverage Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Terminal Apron Cost

 

$

4,979,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.E.2.

 

Total Lineal Feet of Terminal Apron

 

9,971

 

 

 

 

 

(Excluding Terminal A & B Ramp)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal A Apron Lineal Feet

1,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal B Apron Lineal Feet

1,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.E.3.

 

Total Terminal A & B Apron

2,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal A & B Apron @ ½

 

1,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chargeable Terminal Apron Lineal Feet

 

11,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Rate Per Lineal Foot

 

$

440.626

 

 

58



 

 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Terminal Building Rental Rate (Janitored and Unjanitored Space)

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.G.1.a

 

Unjanitored Space Rate Calculation

 

 

 

 

 

Direct Operation and Maintenance Expense (Includes Energy Management Center)

 

$

21,490,000

 

 

 

Indirect Operation and Maintenance Expense

 

9,000,000

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

21,700,000

 

 

 

Terminal A-D Deferral Recovery

 

2,910,537

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Leases

 

500,000

 

 

 

Debt Service Reserve Fund Deposit

 

 

 

 

Operation Reserve Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Coverage Account Deposit

 

 

 

 

Total Terminal Building Cost

 

$

55,600,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

V1.G1.b.

 

Steam and Chilled Water Reimbursement (G Concourse)

 

$

940,000

 

 

 

Carrousel and Conveyor Costs

 

220,000

 

 

 

Ground Power

 

390,000

 

 

 

Loading Dock

 

2,265,000

 

 

 

Consortium Utilities

 

440,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Adjustments

 

$

4,255,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Terminal Building Cost

 

$

51,345,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V1.G.1.c.

 

Total Rentable Space

 

$

1,088,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Building Rental Rate per Square Foot for Unjanitored Space

 

$

47.176

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Airlines R & R Fund Surcharge Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Outlays/Deposit to Rehab & Replacement Fund

 

$

6,000,000

 

 

 

Weighted Average Airline Rentable Space (Janitored and Unjanitored)

 

570,000

 

 

 

Surcharge Amount

 

$

10.526

 

 

59



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Terminal Building Rental Rate (Janitored and Unjanitored Space)

 

 

 

Janitored Space Rate Calculation

 

 

 

V1.G.2.

 

Total Direct Janitored Operation and Maintenance Expenses

 

$

5,800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Janitored Space (1)

 

975,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janitored Rate per Square Foot

 

$

5.949

 

 

 

Terminal Building Rental Rate per Square Foot for Unjanitored Space (Above)

 

$

47.176

 

 

 

Terminal Building Rental Rate per Square Foot for Janitored Space

 

$

53.125

 

 


(1) Excludes MAC and mechanical space.

 

60



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Carrousel and Conveyor Charge

 

Article
Reference

 

 

 

200x

 

V1.H.1.

 

Direct and Indirect Maintenance Depreciation Charges

 

$

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Debt Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct and Indirect Cost of Capital Outlays/Leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

250,000

 

 

61



 

EXHIBIT 3 - REVISED EXHIBIT N

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Illustration of Calculation of Rates for Rents, Fees and Charges

Calculation of Airline Cost Per Enplaned Passenger

 

 

 

Actual
200x

 

 

 

 

 

Landing Fees-Signatory

 

$

36,000,000

 

Landing Fees-HHH Nonsignatory

 

70,000

 

Landing Fees-Commuter Nonsignatory

 

650,000

 

 

 

 

 

Ramp Fees-Signatory

 

4,410,000

 

Ramp Fees-HHH Nonsignatory

 

15,000

 

Ramp Fees-Commuter Nonsignatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Building

 

33,920,000

 

IAF Charges

 

2,850,000

 

Carrousels & Conveyors

 

205,000

 

Old Portion of G Concourse

 

421,000

 

Lobby Fees

 

6,210,000

 

FIS Surcharge

 

880,000

 

HHH Terminal Building Rent

 

640,000

 

Concessions Rebate

 

(9,100,000

)

Apron Fees – HH Terminal

 

500,000

 

Apron Fees - Commuter

 

 

Police/Fire/Admin. – G Concourse

 

700,000

 

Steam/Chilled Water – G Concourse

 

900,000

 

Janitorial – G Concourse

 

700,000

 

Self-Liquidating – C/G Concourse

 

1,592,000

 

Total Costs

 

$

81,563,000

 

 

 

 

 

Enplaned Passengers

 

17,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

Airline Cost Per Enplaned Passenger

 

$

4.798

 

 

62



 

EXHIBIT 4

 

ASSUMED AGREEMENTS

 

NWA Assumption of Agreements and Survival of Obligations

 

1.                                       All Executory contracts that were entered into in connection with the GO15 and GO13 Bonds, excluding adequate protection stipulations

 

2.                                       All other obligations and agreements related to the GO 15 and GO 13 Bonds including but not limited to all guaranties, security agreements, mortgages and other documents shall remain unimpaired and fully enforceable following assumption of the GO 15 and GO 13 executory contracts

 

3.                                       Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease dated as of January 1, 1999 (as amended)

 

4.                                       Main Base Agreement dated as of March 5, 1956 as amended (a.k.a. Building B Lease)

 

5.                                       Republic Airlines, Inc. Main Base Lease and Agreement dated as of December 19, 1966 as amended (a.k.a. Building C Lease)

 

6.                                       Lease Agreement dated as of October 6, 1969 as amended (a.k.a. Building F Lease)

 

7.                                       Runway 12R De-Icing Operations Center Site Agreement dated as of December 2003

 

8.                                       Runway 30R De-Icing Operations Center Agreement dated as November 2001

 

9.                                       Deicing Operations Center Agreement dated as of April 1998 as amended (a.k.a. 12L Deicing Operations Center Lease)

 

10.                                 Runway 17/35 Glycol Reclamation Facility Agreement dated as of August 2004.

 

11.                                 Lease and Fuel Agreement as Restated and Amended for Aviation Fuel Facilities dated February 1, 2005.

 

63



 

EXHIBIT 5

 

EXHIBIT V

 

Same as Third Amendment.

 

64



 

EXHIBIT 6

 

EXHIBIT W

 

Memorandum of Understanding

For Ground Handling on Lindbergh Terminal FIS Gates

 

This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made the                            day of           , 2006, between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, a public corporation of the State of Minnesota (“MAC”),                     (insert airline name)          authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota (“AIRLINE”), and Northwest Airlines, Inc., a Minnesota corporation authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota (“Northwest”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties to this MOU desire to establish the terms and conditions by which AIRLINE permitted to contract with a 3rd party for the provision of ground handling services while operating from the Lindbergh Terminal of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (“Airport).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and mutual promises and covenants set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Background Information

 

AIRLINE has requested from MAC the ability to contract with a 3rd party ground handling company (“Ground Handling Company”) for the provision of below-wing ground handling services for its international operations which occur on Gates G1-G10 of the Lindbergh Terminal (the “Gates”).

 

2.              Airline Operating Agreement & Terminal Building Lease

 

Pursuant to the Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (“Airline Agreement”) that both AIRLINE and Northwest have separately entered into with the MAC, Airlines operating on the Gates have the option to either self-handle or utilize Northwest for below-wing ground handling services.  However, MAC, AIRLINE, and Northwest would like to establish alternate terms and conditions by which AIRLINE is permitted to contract with a Ground Handling Company for the provision of below-wing ground handling services at the Gates without amending the Airline Agreement.

 

3.              Effective Date & Term

 

The effective date of this MOU shall be                                              .

 

This MOU is terminable by any party providing 90 days advance written notice to the other two parties in accordance with this MOU.

 

4.             MAC Commitments

 

A.                                   Ensure the Ground Handling Company selected by AIRLINE executes and adheres to all of the requirements of MAC’s Limited Airside Services License.  This License establishes the insurance, indemnification, environmental, and financial requirements for operating at the Airport consistent with AIP grant assurances.

 

B.                                     Assist AIRLINE and Northwest with ensuring the Ground Handling Company operates within the parameters established by this MOU and the Limited Airside Services License.

 

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C.                                     Assist with ensuring AIRLINE is provided access to FIS accessible gates in accordance with the Airline Agreement.

 

D.                                    In the event an aircraft is not able to depart the gate within the two hour limit for narrow-body aircraft and the three hour limit for wide-body aircraft identified in Section 5.D. and Northwest is requiring use of the gate, MAC shall to the best of its ability assist AIRLINE in relocation of the aircraft to either another gate location designated by Northwest or to a remote parking area designated by MAC or MAC’s agent.

 

E.                                      Establish ticket counters and outbound baggage belt access for AIRLINE and the Ground Handling Company independent of ticket counters and baggage belts occupied by Northwest.

 

5.                                      AIRLINE Commitments

 

A.                                   Provide in advance Northwest and MAC with AIRLINE’s schedule on a monthly basis and the specific time in advance of the aircraft arrival that AIRLINE requests the Ground Handling Company to be allowed to stage equipment on the Northwest designated gate.  In most cases, Gate TBD shall be the gate designated by Northwest; however this gate assignment is subject to change by Northwest based on the operating conditions of any given day.

 

B.                                     Provide Northwest with as much notice as possible of aircraft arrival and departure time changes that occur for various reasons on a day-to-day basis to ensure proper access to gates and the FIS bag room.

 

C.                                     To the best of AIRLINE’s ability, ensure only ground handling equipment incidental to the servicing of its aircraft operations may be positioned on the ramp adjacent to the applicable gate.  Equipment may be staged on the gate no more than 20 minutes in advance of aircraft arrival and must be removed promptly upon departure of the aircraft.

 

D.                                    To the best of AIRLINE’s ability, ensure its aircraft does not remain on the gate after arrival any longer than two hours for narrow-body aircraft and three hours for wide-body aircraft.  In the event an aircraft is not able to depart the gate within the applicable two or three hour limit and Northwest is requiring use of the gate, AIRLINE shall relocate the aircraft to either another gate location designated by Northwest or to a remote parking area designated by MAC or MAC’s agent.  AIRLINE shall be responsible for the cost of parking its aircraft on another gate designated by Northwest or within a remote parking area designated by MAC.

 

E.                                      AIRLINE assumes responsibility for its above-wing operations through use of AIRLINE’s employees or a 3rd party handler.

 

F.                                      AIRLINE shall secure ticket counter and outbound baggage areas from MAC and shall be responsible for all costs relating to the use of or construction of such areas.

 

G.                                     AIRLINE shall pay MAC all fees related to its use of a gate and the FIS facility as required by the Airline Agreement.

 

H.                                    In the event Airline exercises its rights pursuant to Section III.C.3 of the 2007A Amendment, AIRLINE agrees to indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless MAC and Northwest and their respective Commissioners, officers, and employees (collectively, “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, suits, actions, claims, judgments, settlements, fines or demands of any person other than an Indemnitee arising by reason of injury or death of any person, or damage to any property, including all

 

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reasonable costs for investigation and defense thereof (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, court costs, and expert fees), of any nature whatsoever arising out of or incident to the use or occupancy of, or operations of AIRLINE at or about the Gates unless such injury, death or damage is caused by (i) the negligent act or omission of an Indemnitee whether separate or concurrent with negligence of others, including AIRLINE.  MAC and Northwest shall give AIRLINE reasonable notice of any such claims or actions. In indemnifying or defending MAC and Northwest, AIRLINE shall use legal counsel reasonably acceptable to MAC and Northwest and shall control the defense of such claim or action

 

6.             Northwest Commitments

 

A.                                   AIRLINE will have gate access in accordance with Article III. of the Airline Agreement.

 

B.                                     To the best of Northwest’s ability, the gate designated for AIRLINE’s operation shall be clear of Northwest’s equipment and accessories 30 minutes in advance of the AIRLINE’s scheduled arrival.

 

C.                                     To the best of Northwest’s ability, neither Northwest nor its equipment shall prevent the Ground Handling Company from reasonable use of and access to the FIS bag room in accordance with this MOU.

 

7.             Notices

 

All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be effective two (2) business days after deposit with the United States Postal Service, first class, postage prepaid, or when hand delivered or transmitted by facsimile, and shall be in writing and addressed to the parties at the following addresses:

 

To Northwest:

Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

2700 Lone Oak Parkway (Dept. A1135)

 

Eagan, MN 55121-1534

 

Fax No. (612) 727-6041

 

Attention: Vice President - Facilities & Airport Affairs

 

 

To AIRLINE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To MAC:

Metropolitan Airports Commission

 

6040 28th Avenue South

 

Minneapolis, MN 55450

 

Attn: Director, Commercial Management & Airline Affairs

 

Either party may change the address at which notice is to be made by providing notice of the change to the other party, in writing, in the manner provided for in this Section 6.

 

8.             Governing Law

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

 

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9.             Integration; Amendment and Modification

 

This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the parties hereto relative to the subject matter hereof and shall not be modified, changed or altered in any respect except in writing.

 

10.          Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto signed and executed this instrument the day and year first above written, but effective as of the date set forth in Article 3.

 

 

Date:
                                 
, 2007
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
                                 
, 2007
AIRLINE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
                               
, 2007
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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EXHIBIT 7

 

EXHIBIT W

 

Memorandum of Understanding

For Ground Handling on Lindbergh Terminal FIS Gates

 

This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made the                day of             , 2006, between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, a public corporation of the State of Minnesota (“MAC”),                       (insert airline name)                        authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota (“AIRLINE”), and Northwest Airlines, Inc., a Minnesota corporation authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota (“Northwest”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties to this MOU desire to establish the terms and conditions by which AIRLINE permitted to contract with a 3rd party for the provision of ground handling services while operating from the Lindbergh Terminal of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (“Airport).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and mutual promises and covenants set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Background Information

 

AIRLINE has requested from MAC the ability to contract with a 3rd party ground handling company (“Ground Handling Company”) for the provision of below-wing ground handling services for its international operations which occur on Gates G1-G10 of the Lindbergh Terminal (the “Gates”).

 

2.                                      Airline Operating Agreement & Terminal Building Lease

 

Pursuant to the Airline Operating Agreement and Terminal Building Lease (“Airline Agreement”) that both AIRLINE and Northwest have separately entered into with the MAC, Airlines operating on the Gates have the option to either self-handle or utilize Northwest for below-wing ground handling services.  However, MAC, AIRLINE, and Northwest would like to establish alternate terms and conditions by which AIRLINE is permitted to contract with a Ground Handling Company for the provision of below-wing ground handling services at the Gates without amending the Airline Agreement.

 

3.                                      Effective Date & Term

 

The effective date of this MOU shall be                                                 .

 

This MOU is terminable by any party providing 90 days advance written notice to the other two parties in accordance with this MOU.

 

4.                                      MAC Commitments

 

A.                                   Ensure the Ground Handling Company selected by AIRLINE executes and adheres to all of the requirements of MAC’s Limited Airside Services License.  This License establishes the insurance, indemnification, environmental, and financial requirements for operating at the Airport consistent with AIP grant assurances.

 

B.                                     Assist AIRLINE and Northwest with ensuring the Ground Handling Company operates within the parameters established by this MOU and the Limited Airside Services License.

 

C.                                     Assist with ensuring AIRLINE is provided access to FIS accessible gates in accordance with the Airline Agreement.

 

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D.            In the event an aircraft is not able to depart the gate within the two hour limit for narrow-body aircraft and the three hour limit for wide-body aircraft identified in Section 5.D. and Northwest is requiring use of the gate, MAC shall to the best of its ability assist AIRLINE in relocation of the aircraft to either another gate location designated by Northwest or to a remote parking area designated by MAC or MAC’s agent.

 

E.             Establish ticket counters and outbound baggage belt access for AIRLINE and the Ground Handling Company independent of ticket counters and baggage belts occupied by Northwest.

 

5.             AIRLINE Commitments

 

A.            Provide in advance Northwest and MAC with AIRLINE’s schedule on a monthly basis and the specific time in advance of the aircraft arrival that AIRLINE requests the Ground Handling Company to be allowed to stage equipment on the Northwest designated gate.  In most cases, Gate TBD shall be the gate designated by Northwest; however this gate assignment is subject to change by Northwest based on the operating conditions of any given day.

 

B.            Provide Northwest with as much notice as possible of aircraft arrival and departure time changes that occur for various reasons on a day-to-day basis to ensure proper access to gates and the FIS bag room.

 

C.            To the best of AIRLINE’s ability, ensure only ground handling equipment incidental to the servicing of its aircraft operations may be positioned on the ramp adjacent to the applicable gate.  Equipment may be staged on the gate no more than 20 minutes in advance of aircraft arrival and must be removed promptly upon departure of the aircraft.

 

D.            To the best of AIRLINE’s ability, ensure its aircraft does not remain on the gate after arrival any longer than two hours for narrow-body aircraft and three hours for wide-body aircraft.  In the event an aircraft is not able to depart the gate within the applicable two or three hour limit and Northwest is requiring use of the gate, AIRLINE shall relocate the aircraft to either another gate location designated by Northwest or to a remote parking area designated by MAC or MAC’s agent.  AIRLINE shall be responsible for the cost of parking its aircraft on another gate designated by Northwest or within a remote parking area designated by MAC.

 

E.             AIRLINE assumes responsibility for its above-wing operations through use of AIRLINE’s employees or a 3rd party handler.

 

F.             AIRLINE shall secure ticket counter and outbound baggage areas from MAC and shall be responsible for all costs relating to the use of or construction of such areas.

 

G.            AIRLINE shall pay MAC all fees related to its use of a gate and the FIS facility as required by the Airline Agreement.

 

H.            In the event Airline exercises its rights pursuant to Section III.C.3 of the 2007A Amendment, AIRLINE agrees to indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless MAC and Northwest and their respective Commissioners, officers, and employees (collectively, “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, suits, actions, claims, judgments, settlements, fines or demands of any person other than an Indemnitee arising by reason of injury or death of any person, or damage to any property, including all reasonable costs for investigation and defense thereof (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, court costs, and expert fees), of any nature whatsoever arising out of or incident to the use or occupancy of, or operations of AIRLINE at or about the Gates unless such injury, death or damage is caused by (i) the negligent act or omission of an Indemnitee whether

 

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separate or concurrent with negligence of others, including AIRLINE.  MAC and Northwest shall give AIRLINE reasonable notice of any such claims or actions. In indemnifying or defending MAC and Northwest, AIRLINE shall use legal counsel reasonably acceptable to MAC and Northwest and shall control the defense of such claim or action.

 

6.             Northwest Commitments

 

A.            AIRLINE will have gate access in accordance with Article III. of the Airline Agreement.

 

B.            To the best of Northwest’s ability, the gate designated for AIRLINE’s operation shall be clear of Northwest’s equipment and accessories 30 minutes in advance of the AIRLINE’s scheduled arrival.

 

C.            To the best of Northwest’s ability, neither Northwest nor its equipment shall prevent the Ground Handling Company from reasonable use of and access to the FIS bag room in accordance with this MOU.

 

7.             Notices

 

All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be effective two (2) business days after deposit with the United States Postal Service, first class, postage prepaid, or when hand delivered or transmitted by facsimile, and shall be in writing and addressed to the parties at the following addresses:

 

To Northwest:

Northwest Airlines, Inc.

 

2700 Lone Oak Parkway (Dept. A1135)

 

Eagan, MN 55121-1534

 

Fax No. (612) 727-6041

 

Attention: Vice President - Facilities & Airport Affairs

 

 

To AIRLINE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To MAC:

Metropolitan Airports Commission

 

6040 28th Avenue South

 

Minneapolis, MN 55450

 

Attn: Director, Commercial Management & Airline Affairs

 

Either party may change the address at which notice is to be made by providing notice of the change to the other party, in writing, in the manner provided for in this Section 6.

 

8.             Governing Law

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

 

9.             Integration; Amendment and Modification

 

This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the parties hereto relative to the subject matter hereof and shall not be modified, changed or altered in any respect except in writing.

 

10.          Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto signed and executed this instrument the day and year first above written, but effective as of the date set forth in Section 3.

 

 

Date:
 
, 2007
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
, 2007
AIRLINE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
, 2007
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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EX-10.22 5 a08-2509_1ex10d22.htm EX-10.22

EXHIBIT 10.22

 

FORM OF

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

          THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated as of this 13th day of February, 2008 by and between NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and                                (“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

     A.     Indemnitee is a director or executive officer of the Company and in such capacity is performing valuable services for the Company.

 

     B.     The Company and Indemnitee recognize the difficulty in obtaining directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, the significant cost of such insurance and the periodic reduction in the coverage of such insurance.

 

     C.     The Company and Indemnitee further recognize the substantial increase in litigation subjecting directors and officers to expensive litigation risks at the same time such liability insurance is being severely limited.

 

     D.     The Company has adopted and its stockholders have approved the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company providing for the indemnification of the Company’s directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

     E.     The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Delaware General Corporation Law specifically provide that they are not exclusive, and they expressly contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and its directors and officers with respect to indemnification of such directors and officers.

 

     F.     The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that (1) it is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders that the Company act to assure Indemnitee that there will be increased certainty of protection in the future, and that (2) it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as in effect from time to time so that Indemnitee will continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified.

 

AGREEMENTS

 

1.     Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

     1.1  “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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     1.2  “Certificate’ means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

     1.3  “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision); (2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above), becomes the beneficial owner (as the term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provisions), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting stock of the Company that is entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors (measured by voting power rather than number of shares); or (4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board are not Continuing Directors.

 

     1.4  “Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board who: (1) was a member of such Board on the date of this Agreement, or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election.

 

     1.5  “Damages” means any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or Expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, witness fees, amounts paid in settlement and other Expenses incurred in connection with a Proceeding (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Damages).

 

     1.6  “DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

     1.7  “Disinterested Directors” means those directors of the Company who are not and were not parties to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

     1.8  “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

     1.9  “Expense Advance” means the advance by the Company of Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in any Proceeding, as such Expenses are incurred, and in advance of such Proceeding’s final disposition.

 

     1.10  “Expenses” include attorneys’ fees and all other costs of any type or nature whatsoever, including any and all expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in any Proceeding or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

     1.11  “Independent Counsel” means an attorney, a law firm, or a member of a law firm who (or which) is experienced in legal matters relating to indemnification of directors and officers

 

2



 

and at the time retained neither then is, nor in the prior five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any other matter material to either such party; or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

     1.12  “Proceeding” means any event or occurrence and any completed, actual, pending or threatened action, suit, claim or proceeding (including any arbitration or alternative dispute resolution proceeding), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including an action by or in the right of the Company) and whether formal or informal, in which Indemnitee is, was or becomes involved (including as a witness) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, or officer, of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer, of another corporation or as a manager/member of a limited liability company or as a partner, trustee or agent of a partnership joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action (or inaction) by Indemnitee in an official capacity as such director, officer/manager/member, partner, trustee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer/manager/member, partner, trustee or agent; provided, however, that, except with respect to an action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, prior to a Change of Control”, “Proceeding” shall not include any action, suit, claim or proceeding including any counter claim, cross claim or third-party claim instituted by or at the direction of Indemnitee, unless such action, suit, claim or proceeding is or was authorized by the Board.

 

     1.13 “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2.     Agreement to Serve. In consideration of the protection afforded by this Agreement, Indemnitee agrees to continue to serve in his or her capacity as a director or executive officer of the Company at the will of the Company (or under separate agreement, if such agreement exists) so long as he or she is duly appointed or elected and qualified in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries organizational documents or until such time as he or she tenders his or her resignation in writing. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continue employment.

 

3.     Indemnity Of Indemnitee.

 

     3.1  Scope. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee and to hold Indemnitee free and harmless from any and all Damages in connection with any Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that the basis for such indemnification is not specifically enumerated in this Agreement, the Certificate, the DGCL, any other statute or otherwise. In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, the DGCL or rule regarding the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such change, to the extent it would expand Indemnitee’s rights hereunder, shall be included within Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations hereunder, and, to the extent it would narrow Indemnitee’s rights or the Company’s obligations hereunder, shall be excluded from this Agreement; provided, however, that any change required by applicable laws, the

 

3



 

DGCL, any statute, rule or regulation which is fully and finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be applied to this Agreement shall be so applied regardless of whether the effect of such change is to narrow Indemnitee’s rights or the Company’s obligations hereunder.

 

     3.2  Nonexclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Certificate, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors, the DGCL or otherwise, whether as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity or otherwise.

 

     3.3  Procedure For Determination Of Entitlement To Indemnification.

 

          (a) Submission of Request For Indemnification. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement in connection with any Proceeding, and for the duration thereof, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of any such request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

          (b) Presumption of Right to Indemnification. It shall initially be presumed in all cases that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, that Indemnitee may establish a conclusive presumption of any fact necessary to such a determination by delivering to the Company a declaration made under penalty of perjury that such fact is true, unless the Company shall deliver to Indemnitee a written notice stating that the Company believes that a determination is required under applicable law pursuant to Section 3.3(c) as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, and the Company is promptly and diligently proceeding with such determination. In such case, such notice will be given to Indemnitee within thirty (30) days after the Company’s receipt of Indemnitee’s initial written request for indemnification. If the Company does not give such notice within such thirty (30) day period, Indemnitee shall be conclusively presumed to be entitled to indemnification hereunder, and in such case the Company hereby agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, not to assert otherwise.

 

          (c) Determination of Right. If the DGCL or applicable case law requires that a determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification be made as a condition to Indemnification under this Agreement, then upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification, such determination shall be made:

 

               (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel, unless Indemnitee shall request that such determination be made by the Board or the stockholders, in which case such determination shall be made in the manner provided for in clause (ii) of this Section 3.3(c), provided, however, that if such determination shall have been made by Independent Counsel, a copy of such written opinion shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or

 

               (ii) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board by a majority vote of Disinterested Directors (even though less than a quorum) or (B) if such Disinterested Directors so direct, either (x) by a committee of Disinterested Directors, (y) by Independent

 

4



 

Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (z) by the stockholders of the Company, as determined by such quorum of Disinterested Directors, or a quorum of the Board, as the case may be.

 

In either case, such determination shall be made within sixty (60) days of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification. The cost of any solicitation of the stockholders by the Company to obtain a determination under this Section 3.3 shall be paid by the Company. The Company may, at its option and pursuant to the determination under this Section 3.3(c), defer a decision on whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or the amount of indemnification to which Indemnitee is entitled, if it believes, in good faith, that additional progress in the Proceeding is necessary before such final determination is made, provided that the Company provides Indemnification to the extent of Expense Advances, subject to Section 4.2, during such time as it defers such determination.

 

          (d) Payment; Cooperation. If Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnification pursuant to Section 3.3(b) or pursuant to a determination under Section 3.3(c), payment to Indemnitee shall be made within thirty (30) days after entitlement or a determination of entitlement, as the case may be.  Payment of Expense Advances pending any final determination of entitlement shall be made in each case within thirty (30) days of request therefor.  Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making any determination if such determination is required under Section 3.3 (c), including without limitation providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

          (e) Selection of Independent Counsel. If Independent Counsel is required pursuant to Section 3.3(c), such Independent Counsel shall be selected as follows: (i) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board and approved by the Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld); or (ii) if a Change of Control shall have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event (i) shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of Independent Counsel so selected. The Company may, within seven (7) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Indemnitee a written objection to such selection. Such objection may be asserted only on the ground that Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined herein and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. If such written objection is made, Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within ten (10) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection

 

5



 

of Independent counsel and/or for appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom an objection is so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and Expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with its actions pursuant to this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and Expenses incident to the procedures of this Section, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.

 

     3.4  Contribution/Partial Indemnification.

 

          (a) If the indemnification provided under Section 3.1 is unavailable by reason of a court decision, based on grounds other than any of those set forth in paragraphs (b) through (d) of Section 6.1, then, in respect of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Damages (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and Indemnitee on the other from the transaction from which such Proceeding arose and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of Indemnitee on the other in connection with the events that resulted in such Damages as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of Indemnitee on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such Damages. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation that does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

          (b) If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion, but not all, of the Damages, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

     3.5  Survival.  The indemnification and contribution provided under this Agreement shall apply to any and all Proceedings, notwithstanding that Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company or at the request of the Company, and shall continue so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding, whether civil, criminal or investigative, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee was a director or officer of the Company or serving in any other capacity at the request of the Company.

 

4.     Expense Advances.

 

     4.1  Generally.  The right to indemnification conferred by Section 3.1 shall include the right to Expense Advances. Unless and until a determination shall have been made under applicable law or pursuant to Section 3.3(c) that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder, then, subject to Section 4.2, the Company shall provide Expense Advances pending final resolution of the Proceeding which gave rise to the request for Indemnification. Payment of such Expense Advances shall be made within thirty (30) days of request therefor. To the extent permitted under applicable law and prior to the completion of any Proceeding, if a determination shall have been made that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder and

 

6



 

notwithstanding such determination, Indemnitee commences an Enforcement Action to enforce his or her right to indemnification hereunder, the Company shall provide Expense Advances pending resolution of such Enforcement Action.

 

     4.2  Conditions To Expense Advances.  The Company’s obligation to provide Expense Advances is subject to the following conditions:

 

          (a)  Undertaking.  If the Proceeding arose in connection with Indemnitee’s service as a director or officer of the Company, then Indemnitee or Indemnitee’s representative shall have executed and delivered to the Company an undertaking, which need not be secured and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to make repayment, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay all Expense Advances if it shall ultimately be determined by a final, unappealable decision rendered by a court having jurisdiction over the parties that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

 

          (b)  Cooperation.  Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation in the defense of any Proceeding as the Company may reasonably request and as shall be within Indemnitee’s power.

 

5.     Procedures For Enforcement.

 

     5.1  Enforcement.  In the event that any claim for indemnity, whether an Expense Advance or otherwise, is made hereunder and is not paid in full within sixty (60) days after written notice of such claim is delivered to the Company, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim (an “Enforcement Action”).

 

     5.2  Presumptions In Enforcement Action.  In any Enforcement Action, the following presumptions (and limitation on presumptions) shall apply:

 

          (a)  Inducement. The Company expressly affirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereunder to induce Indemnitee to become or to continue as a director or officer of the Company;

 

          (b)  No Presumption From Determination. Neither (i) the failure of the Company (including the Board, Independent Counsel or the Company’s stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of the Enforcement Action that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances; (ii) an actual determination by the Company, the Board, Independent Counsel or stockholders that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification; or (iii) a deferral by the Company of a decision on indemnification under Section 3.3(c) shall be a defense to the Enforcement Action or create a presumption that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder; and

 

          (c)  Controlled Subsidiaries.  If Indemnitee is or was serving as a director or officer of an entity of which a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of its directors is held by the Company, or in a management capacity in a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which the Company or a wholly owned subsidiary of the

 

7



 

Company is a general partner or has a majority ownership, then Indemnitee shall conclusively be deemed to be serving in such capacity at the Company’s request.

 

     5.3  Attorneys’ Fees And Expenses For Enforcement Action. In the event Indemnitee is required to bring an Enforcement Action and if the Indemnitee is successful, in whole or in part in such Enforcement Action, the Company shall pay all of Indemnitee’s fees and Expenses in bringing and pursuing the Enforcement Action (including attorneys’ fees at any stage, including on appeal).

 

     5.4  Indemnitee Not Required to Pursue Other Remedies. Indemnitee shall not be required to exercise any rights against any other parties (such as under any insurance policy purchased by the Company, Indemnitee or any other person or entity) before Indemnitee enforces this Agreement. However, to the extent the Company actually indemnifies Indemnitee or advances Expenses, the Company shall be entitled to enforce any such rights which Indemnitee may have against third parties. Indemnitee shall assist the Company in enforcing those rights if the Company pays Indemnitee’s reasonable costs and Expenses of doing so.

 

6.     Limitations On Indemnity; Mutual Acknowledgment.

 

     6.1  Limitations On Indemnity.  No indemnity pursuant to this Agreement shall be provided by the Company:

 

          (a)  Short-Swing Profits. On account of any suit in which a final, unappealable judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act;

 

          (b)  Paid By Insurance. For Damages that have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company;

 

          (c)  Unlawful Payments. With respect to remuneration paid to Indemnitee if it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law;

 

          (d)  Unlawful Conduct. On account of Indemnitee’s conduct which is finally adjudged to have been intentional misconduct, a knowing violation of law, a violation of Section 174 of the DGCL or a transaction from which Indemnitee derived an improper personal benefit; or

 

          (e)  Court Determination. If a final decision by a court having jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such indemnification is not lawful.

 

     6.2  SEC Undertaking. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company may be required in the future to undertake with the SEC to submit in certain circumstances the question of indemnification to a court for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee and Indemnitee agrees that in such event, the Company shall not be

 

8



 

required to make any payment hereunder unless and until such matter shall have been so determined.

 

7.     Notification And Defense Of Claim.

 

     7.1  Notification. Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company will not, however, relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement unless and only to the extent that such omission can be shown to have materially prejudiced the Company’s position.

 

     7.2  Defense Of Claim. With respect to any such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement thereof, the Company may participate therein at its own expense or the Company, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, may assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any legal or other Expenses (other than reasonable costs of investigation) subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there is a conflict of interest between the Company (or any other person or persons included in the joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action, or (iii) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the Company’s expense. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which Indemnitee shall have reasonably made the conclusion provided for in clause (ii) of this Section 7.2.

 

     7.3  Settlement By Indemnitee. The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent.

 

     7.4  Settlement By Company. The Company shall not settle any action or claim in any manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent.

 

     7.5  Withholding Consent to Settlement. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement, provided that Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a complete release of Indemnitee.

 

8.     Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance.

 

     8.1  Insurance Not Required. The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. Among other

 

9



 

considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of the coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by any entity who Indemnitee was serving at the request of the Company.

 

     8.2  Notice To Insurers. If, at the time the Company becomes aware of any claim which may give rise to an obligation to indemnify Indemnitee hereunder, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such claim to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

9.     General.

 

     9.1  Notices. All notices, claims and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and made by hand delivery, registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery:

 

 

If to the Company, to:

 

 

 

Northwest Airlines Corporation

 

2700 Lone Oak Parkway

 

Dept. A1180

 

Eagan, MN 55121

 

Attn: General Counsel

 

 

 

If to Indemnitee, to

 

 

 

 

 

or to such other address as either party may from time to time furnish to the other party by a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.1. Communications shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) personally delivered, at the time delivered, (ii) mailed, five days after deposited in the mails, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) sent by facsimile transmission, upon confirmation of receipt, and (iv) sent by any other means, upon receipt.

 

     9.2  Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or to fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The

 

10



 

Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable, and if this Agreement or any portion hereof is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraphs of this Agreement containing any such provision) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

     9.3  Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to agreements entered into and to be fully performed therein.

 

     9.4  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding on Indemnitee and on the Company and its successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any direct or indirect successor by purchase or consolidation, any direct or indirect transferee of all or substantially all of its assets and any successor by merger or otherwise by operation of law), and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, personal representatives and assigns and to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. The Company shall not effect any sale of substantially all of its assets, merger, consolidation or other reorganization in which it is not the surviving entity, unless the surviving entity agrees in writing to assume all such obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

 

     9.5  Amendments. No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by both parties hereto.

 

     9.6  Headings. The headings are included in this Agreement for convenience and shall not be held in interpreting the provisions of this Agreement.

 

     9.7  Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the termination of any Proceeding (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard or conduct or have any particular belief or that a court had determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.

 

     9.8  Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

     9.9  Gender. All pronouns contained herein and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the parties hereto may require.

 

11



 

     9.10  Integration and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.

 

     9.11  Limitations Period. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company or any affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company or its affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitation is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

 

     9.12  Assumption of Liability by the Company. If Indemnitee is deceased and is entitled to indemnification under any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee’s estate and his or her spouse, heirs, administrators and executors against, and the Company shall, and does hereby agree to assume, any and all Expenses, penalties and fines actually and reasonably incurred by or for Indemnitee or his or her estate, in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of any such action, suit or proceeding. Further, when requested in writing by the spouse of Indemnitee, and/or the heirs, executors and administrators of Indemnitee’s estate, the Company shall provide appropriate evidence of the Company’s agreement set out herein, to indemnify Indemnitee against, and to itself assume, such costs, liabilities and Expenses.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

INDEMNITEE:

NORTHWEST AIRLINES

 

CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

[Signature of Indemnitee]

Title:

 

 

12


 

EX-12.1 6 a08-2509_1ex12d1.htm EX-12.1

 

Exhibit 12.1

 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period from

 

Period from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

Year ended December 31

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

566

 

$

1,749

 

$

(2,864

)

$

(2,457

)

$

(861

)

$

218

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from less than 50% owned investees

 

2

 

 

1

 

(14

)

8

 

18

 

Capitalized interest

 

9

 

6

 

10

 

10

 

8

 

10

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges, from below

 

408

 

322

 

745

 

865

 

791

 

753

 

Amortization of interest capitalized

 

 

3

 

8

 

8

 

8

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings

 

$

963

 

$

2,068

 

$

(2,122

)

$

(1,580

)

$

(78

)

$

953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent expense representative of interest (1)

 

$

126

 

$

97

 

$

180

 

$

255

 

$

248

 

$

253

 

Interest expensed and capitalized, issuance  costs, amortization of debt discounts and premiums and interest of preferred security holder (2)

 

282

 

225

 

565

 

610

 

543

 

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges

 

$

408

 

$

322

 

$

745

 

$

865

 

$

791

 

$

753

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

2.36

 

6.42

 

(3)

(3)

(3)

1.27

 


(1)                    Calculated as one-third of rentals, which is considered representative of the interest factor.

 

(2)                    Subsequent to its Chapter 11 filing and prior to its emergence, the Company recorded post-petition interest expense on pre-petition obligations only to the extent it believed the interest would be paid during the bankruptcy proceeding or that it was probable that the interest would be an allowed claim.

 

(3)                    Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $2.87 billion, $2.45 billion, and $869 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

 


EX-12.2 7 a08-2509_1ex12d2.htm EX-12.2

 

Exhibit 12.2

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
AND PREFERRED STOCK REQUIREMENTS

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Period from

 

Period from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to

 

January 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

May 31,

 

Year ended December 31

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

566

 

$

1,749

 

$

(2,864

)

$

(2,457

)

$

(861

)

$

218

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from less than 50% owned investees

 

2

 

 

1

 

(14

)

8

 

18

 

Capitalized interest

 

9

 

6

 

10

 

10

 

8

 

10

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges, from below

 

408

 

322

 

745

 

887

 

820

 

765

 

Amortization of interest capitalized

 

 

3

 

8

 

8

 

8

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings

 

$

963

 

$

2,068

 

$

(2,122

)

$

(1,558

)

$

(49

)

$

965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent expense representative of interest (1)

 

$

126

 

$

97

 

$

180

 

$

255

 

$

248

 

$

253

 

Interest expensed and capitalized, issuance costs, amortization of debt discounts and premiums and interest of preferred security holder (2)

 

282

 

225

 

565

 

610

 

543

 

500

 

Preferred stock requirements

 

 

 

 

22

 

29

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges and preferred stock requirements

 

$

408

 

$

322

 

$

745

 

$

887

 

$

820

 

$

765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock requirements

 

2.36

 

6.42

 

(3)

(3)

(3)

1.25

 


(1)                    Calculated as one-third of rentals, which is considered representative of the interest factor.

 

(2)                    Subsequent to its Chapter 11 filing and prior to its emergence, the Company recorded post-petition interest expense on pre-petition obligations only to the extent it believed the interest would be paid during the bankruptcy proceeding or that it was probable that the interest would be an allowed claim.

 

(3)                    Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $2.87 billion, $2.45 billion, and $869 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

 


EX-21.1 8 a08-2509_1ex21d1.htm EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

 

NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION

 

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

Aircraft Foreign Sales, Inc. (U.S. Virgin Islands corporation)

 

Cardinal Insurance Company (Cayman) Ltd. (Cayman Islands corporation)

 

Compass Airlines, Inc. (Delaware corporation)

 

Margoon Holding B.V. (Netherlands corporation)

 

MCH, Inc. (Delaware corporation)

 

Mesaba Aviation, Inc. (Minnesota corporation)

 

MLT Inc. (Minnesota corporation)

 

Montana Enterprises, Inc. (Montana corporation)

 

Northwest Aerospace Training Corporation (Delaware corporation)

 

Northwest Airlines Charitable Foundation (Minnesota non-profit organization)

 

Northwest Airlines, Inc. (Minnesota corporation)

 

NWA Aircraft Finance, Inc. (Delaware corporation)

 

NWA Fuel Services Corporation (New York corporation)

 

NWA Real Estate Holding Company LLC (Delaware limited liability company)

 

NWA Retail Sales Inc. (Minnesota corporation)

 

NWA Worldclub, Inc. (Wisconsin corporation)

 

NW Red Baron LLC (Delaware limited liability company)

 

Tomisato Shoji Kabushiki Kaisha (Japan corporation)

 

Wings Finance Y.K. (Japanese limited liability company)

 


EX-23.1 9 a08-2509_1ex23d1.htm EX-23.1

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 28, 2008, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Northwest Airlines Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Northwest Airlines Corporation, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements and the related Prospectuses:

 

(1)

Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-141802 and 333-107070) of Northwest Airlines Corporation and Northwest Airlines, Inc.,

 

 

(2)

Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-143384) of Northwest Airlines Corporation

 

of our report dated February 28, 2008, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Northwest Airlines Corporation included herein and our report dated February 28, 2008, with respect to the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Northwest Airlines Corporation, included herein.

 

                                                                                                                               

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 28, 2008

 

 


EX-31.1 10 a08-2509_1ex31d1.htm EX-31.1

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, Douglas M. Steenland, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Northwest Airlines Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 29, 2008

 

/s/ DOUGLAS M. STEENLAND

 

Douglas M. Steenland

President and Chief Executive Officer

 


EX-31.2 11 a08-2509_1ex31d2.htm EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, David M. Davis, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Northwest Airlines Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 29, 2008

 

/s/ DAVID M. DAVIS

 

David M. Davis

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 


 

EX-32.1 12 a08-2509_1ex32d1.htm EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the annual report of Northwest Airlines Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Douglas M. Steenland, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: February 29, 2008

 

/s/ DOUGLAS M. STEENLAND

 

Douglas M. Steenland

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

This certification accompanies this Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by such Act, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.

 


 

EX-32.2 13 a08-2509_1ex32d2.htm EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the annual report of Northwest Airlines Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David M. Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: February 29, 2008

 

/s/ DAVID M. DAVIS

 

David M. Davis

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

This certification accompanies this Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by such Act, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.

 


 

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