CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income (loss)	$ 117,817	$ (24,154)	$ 58,956
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	264,507	259,642	245,005
Stock based compensation expense	5,368	5,318	4,363
Loss on sale of property and equipment		4,016
Gain from equity ownership in TRIP and AirMekong airlines		(24,922)	(10,830)
Gain from early extinguishment of debt	(33,660)
Capitalized Brasilia EMB-120 engine overhauls		(18,812)	(29,606)
Special items		74,777
Net increase in deferred income taxes	73,844	5,054	38,007
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in restricted cash	3,366	637	7,334
Decrease in receivables	21,076	25,540	18,916
Increase in income tax receivable	(92)	(1,939)	(840)
Increase in inventories	(2,860)	(890)	(24,513)
Increase in other current assets and prepaid aircraft rents	(28,598)	(25,985)	(31,578)
Decrease in deferred aircraft credits	(8,635)	(7,672)	(8,432)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued aircraft rents	9,690	5,852	17,594
Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities	(1,719)	9,077	5,514
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	420,104	285,539	289,890
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of marketable securities	(1,170,439)	(326,964)	(488,564)
Sales of marketable securities	1,299,069	398,148	557,424
Proceeds from the sale of aircraft, property and equipment	10,308	9,473	293
Proceeds from installment payment of equity shares of TRIP		17,237	16,658
Acquisition of property and equipment:
Aircraft and rotable spare parts	(710,871)	(653,473)	(102,499)
Deposits on aircraft			(40,000)
Buildings and ground equipment	(10,405)	(21,966)	(9,502)
Return of deposits on aircraft	1,850
Decrease (increase) in other assets	10,772	(7,681)	229
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(569,716)	(585,226)	(65,961)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	591,881	460,600
Principal payments on long-term debt	(354,277)	(185,357)	(171,453)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	9,754	2,692	4,385
Purchase of treasury stock	(18,726)	(8,414)	(11,739)
Payment of cash dividends	(8,260)	(8,195)	(8,258)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	220,372	261,326	(187,065)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	70,760	(38,361)	36,864
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	132,275	170,636	133,772
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	203,035	132,275	170,636
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of capitalized amounts	80,657	67,763	71,323
Income taxes	$ 5,104	$ 2,066	$ 3,678