FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” requires disclosures about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped is established. The Topic establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:



	Level 1	quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

	Level 2	quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

	Level 3	unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):



Fair Value of Assets on a Recurring Basis	December 31, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Chautauqua restructuring asset	$	81.2	$	—	$	—	$	81.2

Fair Value of Assets on a Recurring Basis	December 31, 2013		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Chautauqua restructuring asset	$	79.6	$	—	$	—	$	79.6

Chautauqua restructuring asset - In October 2012, the Company restructured aircraft ownership obligations related to its 50-seat regional jet platform, Chautauqua. In connection with the restructuring, the Company issued a convertible note payable with a face value of $25.0 million, provided call rights on 28 of its owned aircraft and agreed to parent company guarantees related to future minimum lease payments, among other commitments.

The Company elected the fair value option under ASC 825-10, "Financial Instruments" for the agreement related to its 28 owned aircraft because management believes the fair value option provides the most accurate representation of the economic benefit of this agreement to Chautauqua in the Company's financial statements. Under the fair value option, the Company recorded an $86.4 million asset representing the combined fair value of expected future cash inflows under the agreement, net of the value of the Company's obligations attributable to the call rights on the 28 aircraft. The recurring fair value measurement of this agreement has been calculated using an income approach, which requires the use of subjective assumptions that are considered level 3 inputs. Fair values have been estimated by discounting the cash flows expected to be received over the term of the agreement, using a discount rate based on observable yields on instruments bearing comparable risks and credit worthiness of the counterparty. Critical assumptions used in the fair value measurement primarily include the amount and timing of cash inflows, the discount rate and the probability of whether the call option on the restructured aircraft will be exercised by the counterparty. A change in these assumptions could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement, which would result in a gain or loss during the period in which the assumption changes. A 100 basis point change in the discount rate used would have changed the fair value of the restructuring asset by approximately $2.0 million as of December 31, 2014. Similarly, a change in the assumed probability of whether the call option on the restructured aircraft will be exercised could result in either a gain or loss of up to $3.2 million per aircraft during the period in which that assumption changed.

In March 2013, the agreement was amended, which resulted in a $12.0 million increase in the restructuring asset under the fair value option. The $12.0 million increase represents the fair value of expected future cash inflows under the amendment. In addition, this amendment resulted in a $12.0 million deferred credit that will amortize as a reduction to the basis of future aircraft deliveries through second quarter of 2015.

On February 11, 2014, the Company announced the early termination of its 44 to 50 seat fixed-fee agreements with United Airlines and American Airlines, which were scheduled to terminate in 2014. These agreements began to wind down in March 2014 and resulted in the grounding of 27 small jet aircraft. The Company notified the counterparty that 15 of the 27 aircraft to be grounded are subject to this agreement and callable by the counterparty. The Company was notified by the counterparty during the first quarter of 2014 that it did not intend to exercise its call option on these aircraft. The Company recorded a fair value gain of $18.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, which represents the fair value of the increase in cash flows expected to be received over the remaining term of the agreement, due to the counterparty's obligation to increase its payment to the Company for aircraft that cease to have applicable capacity purchase agreement reimbursement rates.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company would owe approximately $36.7 million under certain circumstances of non-performance or voluntary repayment, however, the Company estimated the probability of repayment as remote.

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the periods indicated of recurring fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs (in millions):



Chautauqua Restructuring Asset	Year Ended December 31, 2014			Year Ended December 31, 2013
Beginning Balance	$	79.6		$	86.4
Amendment to agreement	—			12.0
Fair value gain	18.4			—
Cash received or other	(16.8		)	(18.8		)
Ending Balance	$	81.2		$	79.6

Fair Value of Debt - Market risk associated with our fixed and variable rate long-term debt primarily relates to the potential change in fair value and impact to future earnings, respectively, from a change in interest rates. In the table below, the aggregate fair value of debt was based primarily on recently completed market transactions and estimates based on interest rates, maturities, credit risk and underlying collateral and is classified primarily as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.



	December 31
	2014		2013
Net carrying amount	$	2,339.2	$	2,166.8
Estimated fair value	2,215.0		2,099.8

Aircraft and Other Assets Impairment - Nonrecurring - In December 2014, we recorded a $27.7 million impairment charge primarily related to our decision to substantially reduce the operations of Q400 and E190 aircraft over the next few years. In evaluating these aircraft and other equipment for impairment, we estimated their fair value by utilizing a market approach considering (1) published market data generally accepted in the airline industry, (2) recent market transactions, where available, and (3) the overall condition, maintenance record and age of the aircraft and other equipment. These aircraft are classified in level 3 of the three-tier fair value hierarchy.

In March 2014, we recorded a 19.9 million impairment charge related to our decision to permanently park our owned E140 fleet in March 2014, impairing these aircraft to zero.

In September 2013, we recorded a $12.0 million impairment charge primarily related to our decision to substantially reduce the pro-rate flying completed by the E190 fleet over the next year by temporarily parking these aircraft. In evaluating these aircraft and other equipment for impairment, we estimated their fair value by utilizing a market approach considering (1) published market data generally accepted in the airline industry, (2) recent market transactions, where available, and (3) the overall condition and age of the aircraft and other equipment. These aircraft are classified in level 3 of the three-tier fair value hierarchy.

There were no aircraft and other asset impairment charges recorded for the year ended December 31, 2012.



($ in millions)
			Fair Value Measurements Using
Description	Year ended December 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Gains (Losses)
Long-lived assets abandoned - E140	$	—			$	—	$	(19.9	)
Long-lived assets held and used - Q400	49.7				49.7		(13.3		)
Long-lived assets held and used - E190	101.6				101.6		(14.4		)
							$	(47.6	)
			Fair Value Measurements Using
Description	Year ended December 31, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Gains (Losses)
Long-lived assets held and used	$	152.5			$	152.5	$	(12.0	)