-----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, U6wLf0p5pPB4fp/EH9eFjXR0qjat7HctJDT7IsMvM/OKG26jusecIEjQFgIlT8oh hMU1wXMs2ozVlxzkKRHeRw== 0000898904-04-000064.txt : 20041028 0000898904-04-000064.hdr.sgml : 20041028 20041028173010 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000898904-04-000064 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20041028 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Bankruptcy or Receivership ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20041028 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20041028 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ATA HOLDINGS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000898904 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AIR TRANSPORTATION, NONSCHEDULED [4522] IRS NUMBER: 351617970 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IN FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-21642 FILM NUMBER: 041103647 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 7337 W WASHINGTON ST CITY: INDIANAPOLIS STATE: IN ZIP: 46231 BUSINESS PHONE: 3172474000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMTRAN INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930318 8-K 1 atah20048k102804.txt ATAH 8K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) October 24, 2004 ATA Holdings Corp. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Indiana - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 000-21642 35-1617970 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 7337 West Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46231 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (317) 247-4000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Not Applicable - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): |_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. On October 24, 2004, the Board of Directors of ATA Holdings Corp. (the "Company") approved Key Employee Retention Plan Agreements (the "KERP Agreements") for seven executive officers and forty-four other employees of the Company's subsidiary, ATA Airlines, Inc. ("ATA"), in anticipation of the Chapter 11 filing reported under Item 1.03. The executive officers who are parties to the KERP Agreements are: J. George Mikelsons, Gilbert Viets, James Hlavacek, David Wing, William Beal, John Happ and William O'Donnell. Under the KERP Agreements, each affected employee is assigned a "KERP Amount" equal to an "agreed percentage" of the employee's base annual salary as in effect on October 1, 2004. Each affected employee earns the right to receive a retention incentive equal to 50% of the employee's KERP Amount if the employee remains employed until the earliest of: February 28, 2005; confirmation of a plan of reorganization in the Chapter 11 case; or termination of the employee's employment by ATA for any reason other than "cause" or termination of the employee's employment by the employee for "good reason." Each affected employee earns the right to receive a second retention incentive, also equal to 50% of the employee's KERP Amount, if the employee remains employed until the earliest of: October 15, 2005; confirmation of a plan of reorganization in the Chapter 11 case; termination of the employee's employment by ATA for any reason other than "cause"; or termination of the employee's employment by the employee for "good reason." "Good reason" is defined in the KERP Agreements to be events signifying a demotion or a material reduction in responsibilities or a reduction in compensation (by more than 5%) or employment benefits. The "agreed percentage" for each of the executive officers is 100%. The KERP Agreements will not be effective until authorized by a final order by the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 case. Item 1.03 Bankruptcy or Receivership. On October 26, 2004, the Company and seven (7) of its subsidiaries, including ATA and Chicago Express Airlines, Inc. (collectively, the "Debtors"), filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, in Indianapolis (the "Bankruptcy Court"), In re: ATA Holdings Corp., et al., Chapter 11 Case Nos. 04-19866, 04-19868, 04-19869, 04-19870, 04-19871, 04-19872, 04-19873 and 04-19874 (Bankr. S.D. Ind.). The Debtors will continue to operate their business as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. In anticipation of the Chapter 11 filing, on October 25, 2004, the Company and ATA entered into a letter agreement with AirTran Airways, Inc. ("AirTran") providing for the transfer in the Chapter 11 case to AirTran of certain assets, including: (1) ATA's leasehold interests under the Chicago Midway Airport Amended and Restated Airport Use Agreement and Facility Lease (the "Midway Facilities Lease"), including ATA's 14 gates, ramp space and associated service facilities at Chicago's Midway Airport, and certain leasehold improvements and equipment associated with passenger handling and ticketing at Midway Airport, (2) 8 permanent and 11 AIR 21 arrival and departure slots of ATA at LaGuardia Airport and 4 AIR 21 arrival and departure slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (collectively, the "Slots") and (3) the Company's and ATA's interests in certain airport facility leases or arrangements at airports served from Midway Airport (the "Station Leases") (the Midway Facilities Lease, the Slots and the Station Leases, are collectively referred to as the "Midway Assets"). The letter agreement also contemplates that AirTran will have an option to purchase certain of the ground handling equipment of ATA located at Midway for a purchase price equal to appraised liquidation value. The transactions contemplated by the letter agreement are subject to, among other things (1) execution by the parties by of a definitive asset acquisition agreement (the "Asset Acquisition Agreement"), (2) completion of AirTran's due diligence investigation which AirTran is to complete no later than November 1, 2004, and which is not to be a condition precedent in the Asset Acquisition Agreement, (3) availability to AirTran of financing necessary to fund the amount to be paid which is not to be a condition precedent in the Asset Acquisition Agreement; and (4) consent to the assignment of the Midway Facilities Lease by the City of Chicago in accordance with the terms of the Midway Facilities Lease. As provided in the letter agreement, the Asset Acquisition Agreement will contain other requirements and conditions which must be satisfied as a condition to consummation of the transactions by the parties. Any sale, assignment, assumption or other disposition of the Midway Assets will also be subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The gross purchase price for the Midway Assets is $87,500,000 payable in cash at closing (the "Acquisition Price"). There are adjustments to the Acquisition Price if certain obligations must be assumed and satisfied by AirTran in order to obtain an assignment of the Midway Facilities Lease without any default thereunder by the Company or ATA. The Company presently anticipates that the net cash which will initially be paid upon consummation of this transaction will be approximately $64,000,000. An additional $16,000,000 is to be held in escrow at the rate of $941,177 for each AIR-21 exemption Slot which is acquired by AirTran, either directly from ATA or by re-issuance by the Federal Aviation Administration. Subject to their obligations under the Bankruptcy Code, the Company and ATA will be restricted from engaging in any discussions with third parties regarding the transfer of the Midway Assets or any other business combination until the earlier of (1) the execution of an Asset Acquisition Agreement and (2) November 1, 2004. On October 26, 2004, the Company issued a press release announcing the bankruptcy filing, the letter agreement with AirTran and other matters. A copy of the press release is filed as an exhibit hereto and incorporated by reference herein. Certain of the information contained in this report and the attached press release should be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect the Debtors' current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Debtors' operations and business environments which may cause the actual results of the Debtors to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability of the Debtors to continue as going concerns; the ability of the Debtors to operate pursuant to the terms of any DIP loan facility that may be obtained; the Debtors' ability to obtain court approval with respect to motions in the Chapter 11 proceeding prosecuted by Debtors from time to time; the ability of the Debtors to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the Chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for the Debtors to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to Chapter 7 cases; the ability of the Debtors to obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers; the Debtors' ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the potential adverse impact of the Chapter 11 cases on the Debtors' liquidity or results of operations; the ability of the Debtors to fund and execute their business plan; the ability of the Debtors to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates; the ability of the Debtors to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which the Debtors operate; economic conditions; the effects of any hostilities or act of war (in the Middle East or elsewhere) or any terrorist attack; labor costs; financing costs; the cost and availability of aircraft insurance; aviation fuel costs; security-related costs; competitive pressures on pricing (particularly from lower-cost competitors); weather conditions; government legislation and regulation; consumer perceptions of the Debtors' products and services; and other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the Company's reports to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Similarly, these and other factors, including the terms of any reorganization plan ultimately confirmed, can affect the value of the Debtors' various pre-petition liabilities, common stock and/or other equity securities. No assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the bankruptcy proceedings to each of these constituencies, and it is possible that the Company will be restructured in a manner that will substantially reduce or eliminate any remaining value. Accordingly, the Debtors urge that the appropriate caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of these liabilities and/or securities. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits 99.1 Press Release, dated October 26, 2004. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Dated: October 28, 2004 ATA HOLDINGS CORP. By: /s/Brian T. Hunt Name: Brian T. Hunt, Title: Vice President and General Counsel INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Press Release, dated October 26, 2004. EX-99 2 atah20048k102804attachment.txt EXHIBIT 99 ATAH Exhibit 99.1 Contact: Erica Keane/Laura Novak Hill & Knowlton (212) 885-0322 / (212) 885-0331 ekeane@hillandknowlton.com / lnovak@hillandknowlton.com -------------------------- ATA Holdings Corp. Files for Chapter 11 Reorganization o Maintains flight schedule, operations, customer service and travel rewards programs o Enters agreement with AirTran Airways, Inc. to operate and acquire routes at Chicago Midway, Ronald Reagan Washington National and LaGuardia Airports o Indianapolis to remain ATA's headquarters and primary hub o ATSB allows use of cash collateral in advance of securing debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing Indianapolis, October 26, 2004 -- ATA Holdings Corp., (Nasdaq NM: ATAH), the nation's 10th largest passenger carrier, today announced that it and certain subsidiaries, including ATA Airlines, Inc., have filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana. ATA emphasized that it continues business as usual. The airline stands by its customer commitments, honoring tickets, upholding its full flight schedule, in-flight services and frequent flyer reward programs. With this move, ATA will develop a plan of reorganization to address its debt levels and other obligations, and to lower its cost structure even further, while operating in the normal course of business. The reorganization will allow the airline to restore and strengthen its competitiveness as a leading low cost carrier in the challenging industry environment, and to advance existing initiatives to improve its services, such as retrofitting planes for business class service. "Excess capacity, extremely high fuel prices, which continue to escalate, and declining fares have necessitated that all airlines, including ATA, re-examine their business," said ATA Holdings' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer George Mikelsons. "As we transform, we maintain our focus on serving customers, while flying one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets among the major carriers. ATA will continue to provide value-based everyday, low fares and service that makes the travel experience easier and more affordable for all our business and leisure travelers." Agreement with AirTran Airways, Inc. ATA reported that, in conjunction with the filing, the airline has reached an agreement with AirTran Airways, Inc. [NYSE: AAI] in which AirTran will pay ATA $87.6 million to assume ATA's flight operations, gates lease, and routes in Chicago Midway Airport, as well as arrival and departure slots at LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The agreement, which is subject to approval by the City of Chicago and the Bankruptcy Court, will take effect later this year or early next year, and is to be finalized over the next several days. ATA is in continuing discussions with potential third-party lenders to procure Debtor-In-Possession (DIP) financing. Meanwhile, the Air Transportation Stabilization Board (ATSB) has agreed to allow ATA's continued use of its cash collateral, which, combined with the Company's projected cash flow from operations, should be sufficient to fund the needs of ATA and its operating subsidiaries until the Company reaches an agreement for DIP financing. "Our arrangement with AirTran will grow the travel options we offer customers, and is a key component of our transformation into a refocused, streamlined and profitable airline," continued Mikelsons. "We remain committed to serving Midway customers during this transition, while also having the significant support of one of the strongest low cost carriers." AirTran and ATA intend to establish co-marketing programs and code share agreements for flights operating into and out of Chicago Midway. There is a transition plan in place for AirTran to outsource to ATA servicing of Chicago flights over a specified period. The transition arrangements with AirTran will allow ATA a gradual, measured exit from Chicago, as well as provide ATA time and flexibility to develop and execute its reorganization plan. ATA passengers holding existing reservations for flights to and from Chicago Midway will be serviced seamlessly under their originally issued tickets, without the need for rebooking. Participants in ATA and AirTran frequent flyer programs will accrue and redeem miles on both airlines' networks. Reorganizing to Emerge a Stronger Airline Mikelsons also broadly outlined the key points of ATA's reorganization plan, which entails optimizing its fleet and plane sizes and focusing on the most profitable cornerstones of its business: commercial flights routed through its Indianapolis hub, flights to Hawaii, as well as military and some commercial charter service. ATA will continue to operate its Chicago Express connection service through Chicago Midway, as well as its Ambassadair Travel Club. ATA also stressed its continued commitment to Indianapolis, which will remain the Company's headquarters and primary hub. Mikelsons continued, "Indianapolis has been a key source of our growth, and we will remain in the city we have called home since 1973." To further ensure ATA's smooth operation, the Company has filed various first-day motions with the Bankruptcy Court that would allow it to, among other operations, continue timely payments to fuel vendors, employees and other service providers, as well as to assume clearinghouse and interline contracts. Mikelsons added, "We have begun taking the difficult steps to transform ATA into an airline that is positioned to meet the needs of our customers today and for the future. Our agreements with AirTran, combined with ATSB's flexibility, will facilitate ATA's transformation into a formidable low-fare competitor, capable of winning in today's airline industry environment for our customers, employees, creditors, and other stakeholders." ATA has faced significant financial and operational challenges stemming from the slowdown of the economy, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, pricing pressure, major increases in fuel costs, which have not yet abated, and losses of revenue and bookings in its important Florida market due to four hurricanes this summer. Changes in consumer behavior, particularly the reduction in business travel and the changes in business travel patterns, have led to a significant drop in revenues due, in part, to ATA's large aircraft. ATA determined that the Chapter 11 process offered the Company the most viable way to restructure its operations and finances to remain competitive. About ATA Airlines Now in its 31st year of operation, ATA (Nasdaq NM: ATAH) is the nation's 10th largest passenger carrier (based on revenue passenger miles) and one of the nation's largest low-fare carriers. ATA has one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets among the major carriers, featuring the new Boeing 737-800 and 757-300 aircraft. The airline operates significant scheduled service from Chicago-Midway, Hawaii, Indianapolis, New York and San Francisco to over 40 business and vacation destinations. Stock of parent company, ATA Holdings Corp., is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. For more information, visit the web site http://www.ata.com. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Certain of the information contained in this press release should be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect ATA's current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the operations and business environments of ATA and its subsidiaries that may cause the actual results of the companies to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability of the companies to continue as going concerns; the ability of the companies to operate pursuant to the terms of the debtor-in-possession financing facility; the companies' ability to obtain bankruptcy court approval with respect to motions in the Chapter 11 proceeding prosecuted by it from time to time; the ability of the companies to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the Chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining bankruptcy court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for the companies to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to Chapter 7 cases; the ability of the companies to obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers; the companies' ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the potential adverse impact of the Chapter 11 cases on the companies' liquidity or results of operations; the ability of the companies to fund and execute their business plan; the ability of the companies to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates; the ability of the companies to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which the companies operate; economic conditions; the effects of any hostilities or act of war (in the Middle East or elsewhere) or any terrorist attack, labor costs; financing costs; the costs and availability of aircraft insurance; aviation fuel costs; security-related costs; competitive pressures on pricing (particularly from lower-cost competitors); weather conditions; government legislation and regulation; consumer perceptions of the companies' products and services; and other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in ATA's reports to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----