UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission
File Number
Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in its Charter, Principal
Executive Office Address and
Telephone Number
State of
Incorporation
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
001-06033
United Continental Holdings, Inc.
233 South Wacker Drive,
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(872) 825-4000
001-10323
United Airlines, Inc.
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of April 11, 2016 is shown below:
1,000 (100% owned by United Continental Holdings, Inc.)
There is no market for United Airlines, Inc. common stock.
OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is separately filed by United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc. United Airlines, Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
Item 1.
Financial Statements
United Continental Holdings, Inc.:
Statements of Consolidated Operations
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.
Exhibits
Signatures
Exhibit Index
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Operating revenue:
Passenger—Mainline
Passenger—Regional
Total passenger revenue
Cargo
Other operating revenue
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs
Aircraft fuel
Landing fees and other rent
Regional capacity purchase
Depreciation and amortization
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
Distribution expenses
Aircraft rent
Special charges (Note 10)
Other operating expenses
Operating income
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense
Interest capitalized
Interest income
Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Earnings per share, basic
Earnings per share, diluted
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:
Fuel derivative financial instruments
Employee benefit plans
Investments and other
Total comprehensive income, net
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except shares)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2016—$11; 2015—$18)
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2016—$249; 2015—$235)
Prepaid expenses and other
Operating property and equipment:
Owned—
Flight equipment
Other property and equipment
Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization
Purchase deposits for flight equipment
Capital leases—
Less—Accumulated amortization
Other assets:
Goodwill
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2016—$1,167; 2015—$1,144)
Deferred income taxes
Restricted cash
Other, net
(continued on next page)
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Advance ticket sales
Frequent flyer deferred revenue
Accounts payable
Accrued salaries and benefits
Current maturities of long-term debt
Current maturities of capital leases
Fuel derivative instruments
Other
Long-term debt
Long-term obligations under capital leases
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Postretirement benefit liability
Pension liability
Advanced purchase of miles
Lease fair value adjustment, net
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 339,304,625 and 364,609,108 shares at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
Additional capital invested
Retained earnings
Stock held in treasury, at cost
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures
Purchases of short-term and other investments
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments
Investment in and loans to affiliates
Decrease in restricted cash
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt
Repurchases of common stock
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Principal payments under capital leases
Net cash used in financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt
Airport construction financing
Operating lease conversions to capital lease
Exchanges of certain convertible notes for common stock
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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
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9
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2016—$11;2015—$18)
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance(2016—$249; 2015—$235)
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Stockholder’s equity:
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
Receivable from related parties
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Purchases of short-term investments and other investments
Dividend to UAL
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UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United, including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.
The UAL and United unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements shown here have been prepared as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. The financial statements include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments, which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The UAL and United financial statements should be read together with the information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company’s quarterly financial data is subject to seasonal fluctuations and historically its second and third quarter financial results, which reflect higher travel demand, are better than its first and fourth quarter financial results.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting as part of its simplification initiative, which involves several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 842, Leases. The final guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date and recognize expenses on their income statements similar to the current Topic 840, Leases. It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
The FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Accounting Standards Codification, and is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Under the new standard, certain airline ancillary fees directly related to passenger revenue tickets, such as airline change fees and baggage fees, are likely to no longer be considered distinct performance obligations separate from the passenger travel component. In addition, the change fees which were previously recognized when received, will likely be recognized when transportation is provided. The Company is evaluating other possible impacts on its consolidated financial statements.
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The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). Under the standard, investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient will no longer be categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $201 million of such investments as part of its Short-term investments balance sheet total. In addition, pension plan investments measured at NAV per share will no longer be categorized within the fair value hierarchy. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $1.6 billion of such investments.
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NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
The computations of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in millions, except per share amounts):
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities
Diluted shares outstanding:
Effect of convertible notes
Effect of employee stock awards
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
The number of antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts was not material.
In the three months ended March 31, 2016, UAL repurchased 27 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions for $1.5 billion, of which $0.1 billion settled in April 2016. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $948 million remaining to purchase shares under its share repurchase program (the “2015 Program”). The Company expects to complete its repurchases under the 2015 Program by September 30, 2016. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.
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NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions):
Balance at December 31, 2015
Changes in value
Amounts reclassified to earnings
Net change
Balance at March 31, 2016
Balance at December 31, 2014
Changes in value (a)
Amounts reclassified to earnings (a)
Balance at March 31, 2015
Details about AOCI Components
Fuel contracts-reclassifications of losses into earnings
Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (credit) (c)
Available-for-sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings
(a) Income tax expense for these items was offset by the Company’s valuation allowance.
(b) Deferred tax balance was offset by the Company’s valuation allowance.
(c) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).
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NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 36.6%, which represented a blend of federal, state and foreign taxes and the impact of certain nondeductible items. The effective rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 0.5% due primarily to the existing income tax valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets, primarily net operating losses. During 2015, after considering all positive and negative evidence, the Company concluded that its deferred income taxes would be more likely than not to be realized. The Company released substantially all of its valuation allowance in 2015.
NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions):
Total
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company contributed $80 million to its U.S. domestic tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans.
Share-Based Compensation. The Company generally grants incentive compensation awards, including long-term equity-based awards, during the first quarter of the calendar year. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. These share-based compensation awards include approximately 0.3 million shares of restricted stock and 0.8 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vest pro-rata over three years on the anniversary of the grant date. The time-vested RSUs are stock-settled for domestic employees and cash-settled based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date for international employees. The Company also granted 0.6 million performance-based RSUs that will vest based on the Company’s return on invested capital and the Company’s relative improvement in pre-tax margin for the three years ending December 31, 2018. If these performance conditions are achieved, cash payments will be made after the end of the performance period based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company accounts for the stock-settled RSUs as equity awards and the cash-settled RSUs as liability awards.
The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions):
Share-based compensation expense
Unrecognized share-based compensation
Profit Sharing Plans. Substantially all employees participate in profit sharing based on a percentage of pre-tax earnings, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation. Profit sharing percentages range from 5% to 20% depending on the work group, and in some cases profit sharing percentages vary above and below certain pre-tax margin
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thresholds. Eligible U.S. co-workers in each participating work group receive a profit sharing payout using a formula based on the ratio of each qualified co-worker’s annual eligible earnings to the eligible earnings of all qualified co-workers in all domestic work groups. Eligible non-U.S. co-workers receive profit sharing based on the calculation under the U.S. profit sharing plan for management and administrative employees. Profit sharing expense is recorded as a component of Salaries and related costs in the Company’s statements of consolidated operations.
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NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements (in millions):
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt
Asset-backed securities
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”)
U.S. government and agency notes
Auction rate securities
Other fixed-income securities
Other investments measured at NAV (a)
Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”)
Fuel derivatives liability, net
Foreign currency derivatives liability, net
Note: Amounts for UAL and United are substantially the same as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
(a) In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. The investments measured using NAV are shares of mutual funds that invest in fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. The Company can redeem its shares at any time at NAV subject to a three-day settlement period.
Available-for-sale investment maturities - The short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale. As of March 31, 2016, asset-backed securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately 34 years, corporate debt securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately six years and CDARS have maturities of less than one year. U.S. government and other securities have maturities of less than one year to approximately three years. The EETC securities mature in 2019.
Derivative instruments and investments presented in the tables above have the same fair value as their carrying value. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions):
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Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:
Description
Fair Value Methodology
Short-term investments and
NOTE 7 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Fuel Derivatives
The Company may hedge a portion of its future fuel requirements to protect against increases in the price of fuel. The Company may restructure hedges in response to market conditions prior to their original settlement dates which may result in changes in hedge coverage levels and the potential recognition of gains or losses on such hedge contracts. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had hedged approximately 12% of its projected fuel requirements (378 million gallons) for the remainder of 2016 with commonly used financial hedge instruments based on aircraft fuel or crude oil. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had fuel hedges expiring through December 2016.
As required, the Company assesses the effectiveness of each of its individual hedges on a quarterly basis. The Company also examines the effectiveness of its entire hedging program on a quarterly basis utilizing statistical analysis. This analysis involves utilizing regression and other statistical analyses that compare changes in the price of aircraft fuel to changes in the prices of the commodities used for hedging purposes.
Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for certain fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. All derivatives designated as hedges that meet certain requirements are granted hedge accounting treatment. The types of instruments the Company utilizes that qualify for hedge accounting treatment typically include swaps, call options, collars (which consist of a purchased call option and a sold put option), four-way collars (a collar with a higher strike sold call option and a lower strike purchased put option) and other combinations of options. Generally, utilizing hedge accounting, all periodic changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as hedges that are considered to be effective are recorded in AOCI until the underlying fuel is consumed and recorded in fuel expense. The Company is exposed to the risk that its hedges may not be effective in offsetting changes in the cost of fuel and that its hedges may not continue to qualify for hedge accounting. Hedge ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the derivative instrument exceeds the change in the value of the Company’s expected future cash outlay to purchase and consume fuel. To the extent that the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives are not effective, that ineffectiveness is classified as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.
The Company also uses certain combinations of derivative contracts that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP. Additionally, the Company may enter into contracts at different times and later combine those contracts into structures designated for hedge accounting. As with derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the economic hedges and individual contracts are part of the Company’s program to mitigate the adverse financial impact of potential increases in the price of fuel. The Company records changes in the fair value of these various contracts that are not designated for hedge accounting to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.
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If the Company settles a derivative prior to its contractual settlement date, then the cumulative gain or loss recognized in AOCI at the termination date remains in AOCI until the forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI would be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings. All cash flows associated with purchasing and settling derivatives are classified as operating cash flows in the condensed statements of consolidated cash flows.
In addition to cash flow hedges, the Company from time to time enters into fair value hedges related to its aircraft fuel inventory using derivatives such as swaps and futures contracts based on aircraft fuel. Under fair value hedge accounting, the Company records changes in the fair value of both the hedging derivative and the hedged aircraft fuel inventory as fuel expense. The Company records ineffectiveness on fair value hedges as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. As of March 31, 2016, the Company did not have any fair value hedges in place.
The Company records each derivative instrument as a derivative asset or liability (on a gross basis) in its consolidated balance sheets, and, accordingly, records any related collateral on a gross basis. The table below presents the fair value amounts of fuel derivative assets and liabilities and the location of amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements.
The Company’s derivatives were reported in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):
Classification
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Liabilities:
Fuel contracts due within one year
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting
Total derivatives
Total liabilities
Derivative Credit Risk and Fair Value
The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to its derivative instruments. While the Company records derivative instruments on a gross basis, the Company monitors its net derivative position with each counterparty to monitor credit risk. Based on the fair value of our fuel derivative instruments, our counterparties may require us to post collateral when the price of the underlying commodity decreases, and we may require our counterparties to provide us with collateral when the price of the underlying commodity increases. The Company did not hold or post collateral as of March 31, 2016. The Company had on deposit $26 million of collateral with fuel derivative counterparties as of December 31, 2015. The collateral is recorded as Prepaid expenses and other on the Company’s balance sheets.
We have master trading agreements with all of our fuel hedging counterparties that allow us to net our fuel hedge derivative positions. We have elected not to net the fair value positions recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions (including fuel derivatives and related collateral) had we elected to offset. The table reflects offset at the counterparty level (in millions):
Fuel derivative instruments, net of collateral
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The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions):
Fuel contracts
Amount of loss recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net
Foreign Currency Derivatives
The Company generates revenues and incurs expenses in numerous foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates impact the Company’s results of operations through changes in the dollar value of foreign currency-denominated operating revenues and expenses. Some of the Company’s more significant foreign currency exposures include the Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, European euro, British pound and Japanese yen. At times, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, such as options, collars and forward contracts, to hedge its exposure to foreign currency. At March 31, 2016, the Company had foreign currency derivative contracts in place to hedge both European euro denominated sales and Japanese yen denominated sales. The notional amount of the hedges equates to 22% of the Company’s projected European euro denominated net cash inflows for the remainder of 2016; and 17% of the Company’s projected Japanese yen denominated net cash inflows for the remainder of 2016. Net cash relates primarily to passenger ticket sales inflows, partially offset by expenses paid in local currencies. At March 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s foreign currency derivatives was a liability of $1 million.
NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments. As of March 31, 2016, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below:
Aircraft Type
Airbus A350-1000
Boeing 737NG/737 MAX 9
Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 787-8/-9/-10
Embraer E175
The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2024. For the remainder of 2016, United expects to take delivery of 13 Boeing 737NG aircraft, one Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, two Boeing 787-9 aircraft and nine Embraer E175 aircraft. United expects to assign the nine Embraer E175 aircraft immediately prior to each aircraft’s delivery by Embraer to a designated United Express operator.
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As of March 31, 2016, United has secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures.
The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of March 31, 2016, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other commitments primarily to acquire information technology services and assets. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.
Last nine months of 2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
After 2020
In March 2016, the Company announced that it will retire its fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft from scheduled service by the end of 2018. The Company does not expect there to be a material impact to depreciation and amortization expense.
Guarantees. As of March 31, 2016, United is the guarantor of approximately $1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with $1.4 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis resulting in ratable accrual of the lease obligation over the expected lease term. The leasing arrangements associated with $316 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases. All of these bonds are due between 2017 and 2038.
In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate, for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject in most cases to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At March 31, 2016, the Company had $2.4 billion of floating rate debt and $111 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to 12 years, that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to 12 years and an aggregate balance of $2.5 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions.
Labor Negotiations. As of March 31, 2016, United had approximately 86,000 active employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various labor organizations.
In January 2016, United’s pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International, agreed to extend their contract through January 31, 2019. In March 2016, the Company’s dispatchers, represented by the Professional Airline Flight Control Association, agreed to extend their current contract through 2021. In April 2016, the fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the Int’l Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (“IAM”) ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. The Company continues to negotiate in mediation for a joint flight attendant collective bargaining agreement and a joint technician and related employees’ collective bargaining agreement. See Note 10 of this report for additional information.
NOTE 9 - DEBT
As of March 31, 2016, a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, principally aircraft, route authorities, airport slots and loyalty program intangible assets, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. As of March 31, 2016, UAL and United were in compliance with their debt covenants. As of March 31, 2016, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s 2013 Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”).
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4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015. At December 31, 2014, the remaining balance of these notes was $202 million. In January 2015, the holders of substantially all of the remaining $202 million principal amount of the 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock.
6% Notes due 2026. In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $18 million par value 6% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) in market transactions. On April 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $303 million balance of the 2026 Notes.
6% Notes due 2028. In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $13 million par value 6% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) in market transactions. On May 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $298 million balance of the 2028 Notes.
EETCs. In the first quarter of 2015, United issued $0.7 billion of debt related to a 2014 EETC offering to finance new aircraft.
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NOTE 10 - SPECIAL CHARGES
For the three months ended March 31, special charges consisted of the following (in millions):
Operating:
Labor agreement costs
Cleveland airport lease restructuring
Severance and benefit costs
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges
Special charges
Nonoperating and income taxes:
Loss on extinguishment of debt and other
Income tax benefit related to special charges
Total special charges, net of tax
The fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the IAM ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. The Company recorded a $100 million ($64 million net of taxes) special charge for bonus payments to be made in conjunction with the ratification of these contracts.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the City of Cleveland agreed to amend the lease, which runs through 2029, associated with certain excess airport terminal space (principally Terminal D) and related facilities at Hopkins International Airport (“Cleveland”). The Company recorded an accrual for remaining payments under the lease for facilities that the Company no longer uses and will continue to incur costs under the lease without economic benefit to the Company. This liability was measured and recorded at its fair value when the Company ceased its right to use such facilities leased to it pursuant to the lease. The Company reduced its flight operations at Cleveland in 2014 and had been evaluating its options for the excess space. The Company recorded a net charge of $74 million ($47 million net of taxes) related to the amended lease.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $8 million ($5 million net of taxes) and $50 million, respectively, of severance and benefit costs primarily related to a voluntary early-out program for its flight attendants. In 2014, more than 2,500 flight attendants elected to voluntarily separate from the Company and will receive a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant, based on years of service, with retirement dates through the end of 2016.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded $8 million of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $18 million of integration-related charges, $5 million of other charges, and approximately $9 million of gains on the sale of assets.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $6 million of losses as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net due to the write-off of the debt discount related to the redemption of the 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes.
In April 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) announced that it will designate Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) as a Level 2 schedule-facilitated airport under the International Air Transport Association Worldwide Slot Guidelines effective October 30, 2016. Newark is currently designated as a Level 3 slot-controlled airport. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of the change in designation on its $412 million intangible asset related to its Newark slots. Further, the Newark slots serve as part of the collateral for the term loans under the Credit Agreement and under the security agreements related to the Second Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement with Chase Bank USA, N.A. The Company is evaluating the impact of the FAA’s action on the Newark slot collateral for the term loans and to the extent necessary, the Company will substitute other collateral.
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Accruals
The accrual balance for severance and benefits was $29 million as of March 31, 2016, compared to $96 million as of March 31, 2015. The severance-related accrual as of March 31, 2016 is expected to be mostly paid through 2016. The following is a reconciliation of severance accrual activity for the period:
Accrual
Payments
Overview
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.
The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline operations, which utilize jet aircraft with at least 118 seats, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United Express carriers. The Company serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in Star Alliance®, the world’s largest airline alliance. UAL, through United and its regional carriers, operates an average of 5,000 flights a day to 336 airports across six continents.
First Quarter Financial Highlights
First quarter 2016 net income was $313 million, or $0.88 diluted earnings per share. First quarter 2016 Non-GAAP net income was $435 million, or $1.23 diluted earnings per share, which excludes $126 million of special charges and reflects $4 million of “Hedge Program Adjustments.” See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information regarding special charges.
Passenger revenue decreased 5.8% to $7.0 billion during the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the first quarter of 2015.
First quarter 2016 aircraft fuel cost, including the impact of fuel hedges designated for hedge accounting, decreased 34.7% year-over-year.
Unrestricted liquidity at March 31, 2016 was $5.3 billion, including $1.35 billion of undrawn commitments under its revolving credit facility.
UAL repurchased 27 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions for $1.5 billion, of which $0.1 billion settled in April 2016. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $948 million remaining to purchase shares under its share repurchase program (the “2015 Program”). The Company expects to complete its repurchases under the 2015 Program by September 30, 2016. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.
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First Quarter Operational Highlights
United reported a consolidated on-time arrival rate (domestic and international) of 66.5%, up more than 12 points from the same quarter last year.
Consolidated traffic increased 0.3% and consolidated capacity increased 1.8% during the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the first quarter of 2015. The Company’s load factor for the first quarter of 2016 was 79.9%.
The Company took delivery of two Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, three Boeing 787-9 aircraft and one used Airbus A319 aircraft during the first quarter of 2016.
Outlook
The Company expects full-year 2016 consolidated capacity to increase between 1.0% and 2.0% year-over-year. The Company expects full year 2016 cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) excluding profit sharing, third-party business expense, fuel and special charges to be up between 2.0% and 3.0% year-over-year. Second quarter 2016 pre-tax margin is expected to be between 13.0% and 15.0%, excluding special charges. We are unable to project CASM or pre-tax margin on a GAAP basis, as defined below, as the nature and amount of special charges are not determinable at this time.
In the first quarter of 2016, United reached contract extensions with its pilots and dispatchers, and in April 2016, United also reached amended collective bargaining agreements with its Int’l Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (“IAM”) represented employees and continues to negotiate in mediation for a joint flight attendant collective bargaining agreement and a joint technician and related employees’ collective bargaining agreement. The cost associated with the ratification of the pilots’ agreement added an additional approximate 1.5 points of non-fuel unit costs in the first-quarter and full-year 2016. There is no material impact to non-fuel unit costs in 2016 associated with the ratification of the dispatchers’ or IAM’s respective agreements. The Company cannot predict the outcome of negotiations with its unionized employee groups, although significant increases in the pay and benefits resulting from new collective bargaining agreements would have a material financial impact on the Company.
Since the summer of 2014, the price of jet fuel declined and remains volatile. Based on projected fuel consumption in 2016, a one dollar change in the price of a barrel of crude oil would change the Company’s annual fuel expense by approximately $93 million. To protect against increases in the prices of aircraft fuel, the Company may hedge a portion of its future fuel requirements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion provides an analysis of results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this item for additional information related to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and Non-GAAP financial measures used in this report.
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First Quarter 2016 Compared to First Quarter 2015
The Company recorded net income of $313 million in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to net income of $508 million in the first quarter of 2015. First quarter 2016 net income reflects $181 million of income tax expense primarily due to the release of the income tax valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2015. Excluding special charges and with Hedge Program Adjustments, the Company had net income of $435 million in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to net income of $582 million in the first quarter of 2015. The Company considers a key measure of its performance to be operating income, which was $649 million for the first quarter of 2016, as compared to $741 million for the first quarter of 2015, a $92 million decrease year-over-year. Significant components of the Company’s operating results for the three months ended March 31 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):
Operating revenue
Operating expense
Nonoperating expense
NM - Not meaningful
Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company’s operations for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:
Passengers (thousands) (a)
Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (b)
Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (c)
Passenger load factor (d)
Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents)
Average yield per revenue passenger mile (“Yield”) (cents) (e)
CASM (cents)
Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes
Fuel gallons consumed (millions)
Average full-time equivalent employees
(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.
(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.
(c) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.
(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.
(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.
Operating Revenue
The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the three months ended March 31 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
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The table below presents selected first quarter passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes:
Passenger revenue (in millions)
Average fare per passenger
Yield
PRASM
Passengers
RPMs (traffic)
ASMs (capacity)
Consolidated passenger revenue in the first quarter of 2016 decreased 5.8% as compared to the year-ago period due to a decrease in consolidated yield of 6.1% year-over-year. Yields were impacted by a competitive domestic fare environment, unfavorable foreign currency results due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, international surcharge declines and a larger than anticipated decrease in close-in business travel during the weeks surrounding the Easter holiday and spring break. The decline in yields was partially offset by a 0.3% and 1.8% year-over-year increase in traffic and capacity, respectively.
Cargo revenue decreased $48 million, or 19.8%, in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period due to lower yields, partially offset by higher freight and mail volumes year-over-year. Yields were negatively impacted as air freighter competitors increased capacity in response to lower fuel prices. Another contributing factor to the year-over-year decrease was a U.S. West Coast port labor dispute that helped increase air freight results in the first quarter of 2015. The labor dispute was resolved during the first quarter of 2015.
Other operating revenue in the first quarter of 2016 increased $65 million, or 6.9%, as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to the impact of the Second Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement with Chase Bank USA, N.A., which became effective in the third quarter of 2015.
Operating Expenses
The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expenses for the three months ended March 31 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
Salaries and related costs increased $189 million, or 8.2%, in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to higher pay rates and benefit expenses driven by the extension of the current collective bargaining agreement with the pilots, an increase in profit sharing primarily due to increased profitability and a 1.0% increase in average full-time equivalent employees.
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Aircraft fuel expense decreased $646 million, or 34.7%, year-over-year primarily due to a 34.1% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the year-ago period. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three month period ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the year-ago period:
Total fuel consumption (gallons)
Regional capacity purchase decreased $48 million or 8.4% in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a decrease in regional capacity, a decrease in one-time start-up and exit costs and timing of pass-through maintenance costs, partially offset by contractual rate increases.
Depreciation and amortization increased $50 million, or 11.7%, in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to additions in new aircraft, aircraft improvements and conversions of operating leases to capital leases.
Aircraft rent decreased $23 million, or 11.4%, in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to the purchase or capital lease conversion of several operating leased aircraft, lower lease renewal rates for certain aircraft and lease expirations.
Details of the Company’s special charges include the following for the three months ended March 31 (in millions):
See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Other operating expenses increased $53 million, or 4.5%, in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to food and technology costs associated with the Company’s enhanced customer experience initiatives, increases in ground handling costs due to higher rates at certain stations, and rate-driven increases in personnel-related expenses.
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Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) for the three months ended March 31 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
Miscellaneous, net
In the first quarter of 2016, Miscellaneous, net did not include any gains or losses from derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting as compared to losses of $43 million in the year-ago period. Foreign currency losses were approximately $15 million and $26 million in the first quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The 2016 foreign currency loss includes $8 million of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency. See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Income Taxes. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to income taxes.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Current Liquidity
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $4.0 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $5.2 billion at December 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, the Company also had $180 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, which is primarily collateral for performance bonds, letters of credit, estimated future workers’ compensation claims and credit card processing agreements. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had its entire commitment capacity of $1.35 billion under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s 2013 Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) available for letters of credit or borrowings.
As is the case with many of our principal competitors, we have a high proportion of debt compared to capital and a deficit in working capital. We have a significant amount of fixed obligations, including debt, aircraft leases and financings, leases of airport property and other facilities, and pension funding obligations. At March 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $11.6 billion of debt and capital lease obligations, including $1.4 billion that will become due in the next 12 months. In addition, we have substantial noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of new aircraft and related spare engines. As of March 31, 2016, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by approximately $6.2 billion. However, approximately $7.1 billion of our current liabilities are related to our Advance ticket sales and Frequent flyer deferred revenue, both of which largely represent revenue to be recognized for travel in the near future and not actual cash outlays. The deficit in working capital does not have an adverse impact to our cash flows, liquidity or operations.
The Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to prepay its debt, including open market repurchases, to reduce its indebtedness and related interest.
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As of March 31, 2016, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below:
As of March 31, 2016, UAL and United have total capital commitments primarily related to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and acquisition of information technology services and assets of approximately $23.2 billion, of which approximately $2.9 billion, $3.9 billion, $3.9 billion, $3.2 billion, $2.4 billion and $6.9 billion are due in the last nine months of 2016 and for the full year for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and thereafter, respectively. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.
As of March 31, 2016, a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, principally aircraft, route authorities, airport slots and loyalty program intangible assets, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. We must sustain our profitability and/or access the capital markets to meet our significant long-term debt and capital lease obligations and future commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines.
Credit Ratings. As of the filing date of this report, UAL and United had the following corporate credit ratings:
* The credit agency does not issue corporate credit ratings for subsidiary entities.
These credit ratings are below investment grade levels. Downgrades from these rating levels, among other things, could restrict the availability or increase the cost of future financing for the Company.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Operating Activities. Cash flow provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $1.2 billion compared to $1.8 billion in the same period in 2015. The decrease is primarily attributable to differences in working capital changes in the first quarter of 2016 versus the prior year. The following were significant working capital items in 2016: Cash flows decreased as the company paid approximately $0.7 billion in profit sharing to qualified employees in 2016 (as compared to approximately $0.2 billion in 2015). Further, credit card receivables increased by approximately $0.2 billion as a result of a temporary cash transfer issue with a credit card company, which was resolved in April 2016. Frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles decreased by approximately $0.1 billion due to increased utilization of pre-purchased miles. These decreases from working capital items were partially offset by $0.1 billion in lower pension obligation funding.
Investing Activities. Capital expenditures were $0.8 billion and $0.2 billion in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were primarily attributable to the purchase of aircraft, facility and fleet-related costs. In addition to capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2016, we acquired one aircraft through the issuance of debt.
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Financing Activities. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company made debt and capital lease payments of $261 million.
In January 2015, the holders of substantially all of the remaining $202 million principal amount of United’s 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock.
In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $18 million par value 6% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) in market transactions. On April 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $303 million balance of the 2026 Notes.
In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $13 million par value 6% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) in market transactions. On May 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $298 million balance of the 2028 Notes.
In the first quarter of 2015, United issued $0.7 billion of debt related to a 2014 enhanced equipment trust certificates offering to finance new aircraft.
As of March 31, 2016, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit Agreement. See Note 11 in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the “2015 Annual Report”) for additional information on the terms of the Credit Agreement.
The obligations of United under the Credit Agreement are secured by liens on certain international route authorities between certain specified cities, certain take-off and landing rights and related assets of United. Certain covenants in the Credit Agreement and in the Company’s indentures are summarized in Note 11 of the 2015 Annual Report. The Company was in compliance with all of these covenants as of March 31, 2016.
Share Repurchase Program. In the three months ended March 31, 2016, UAL repurchased 27 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions for $1.5 billion, of which $0.1 billion settled in April 2016. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $948 million remaining to purchase shares under the 2015 Program. The Company expects to complete its repurchases under the 2015 Program by September 30, 2016. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.
Commitments, Contingencies and Liquidity Matters. As described in the 2015 Annual Report, the Company’s liquidity may be adversely impacted by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, obligations associated with fuel hedge settlements and related collateral requirements, pension funding obligations, reserve requirements associated with credit card processing agreements, guarantees, commitments and contingencies. See the 2015 Annual Report and Notes 5, 7, 8 and 9 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Other. In April 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) announced that it will designate Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) as a Level 2 schedule-facilitated airport under the International Air Transport Association Worldwide Slot Guidelines effective October 30, 2016. Newark is currently designated as a Level 3 slot-controlled airport. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of the change in designation on its $412 million intangible asset related to its Newark slots. Further, the Newark slots serve as part of the collateral for the term loans under the Credit Agreement and under the Second Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement with Chase Bank USA, N.A. The Company is evaluating the impact of the FAA’s action on the Newark slot collateral for the term loans and to the extent necessary, the Company will substitute other collateral.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company evaluates its financial performance utilizing various GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures, including CASM and Non-GAAP net income (net income excluding special charges and reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments). CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline’s cost structure and efficiency. The Non-GAAP financial measures in this report are presented because they provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor the
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Company’s performance on a consistent basis. The Company believes that adjusting for special charges is useful to investors because they are nonrecurring charges not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. In addition, the Company believes that reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments is useful because the adjustments allow investors to better understand the cash impact of settled fuel derivative contracts in a given period. Reconciliations of net income and diluted earnings per share to the Non-GAAP financial measures of net income and diluted earnings per share, excluding special charges and reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments, for the three months ended March 31 are as follows in the tables below (in millions, except per share amounts):
Net income—GAAP
Special charges, net of tax (a)
Mark-to-market losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods
Prior period losses on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period
Net income excluding special charges, net and reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments—Non-GAAP
(a) See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to special charges, net.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See “Critical Accounting Policies” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2015 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain future events and anticipated financial and operating performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; its ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans and revenue-generating initiatives, including optimizing its revenue; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of
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aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); economic and political instability and other risks of doing business globally; its ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; disruptions to our regional network; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; its capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements and environmental regulations); the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks; the impact of any management changes; labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of UAL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Part II, Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2015 Annual Report except as follows:
Aircraft Fuel. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had hedged approximately 12% of its projected fuel requirements (378 million gallons) for the remainder of 2016 with commonly used financial hedge instruments based on aircraft fuel or crude oil. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had fuel hedges expiring through December 2016.
At March 31, 2016, fuel derivatives were in a net liability position of $32 million. See Note 7 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to fuel hedges.
The fuel derivative portfolio is comprised of many individual derivative contracts (primarily option contracts) on multiple underlying commodities and entered into at various points in time, resulting in a wide range of strike prices with several hedge counterparties. The table below provides a view of the economic impact of the fuel derivative portfolio on the Company’s fuel costs given significant moves (up to +/-30%) in market fuel prices from March 31, 2016 (in millions).
Period from April 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016
Change inmarket fuelprices (a)
30%
20%
10%
(10)%
(20)%
(30)%
(a) Projected using equal shifts in spot and forward prices for aircraft fuel and crude oil underlying hedge contracts at March 31, 2016 levels.
(b) Projections based on an average forward price of $1.16 per gallon, excluding taxes and other delivery costs and estimated consumption of 3.0 billion gallons for the nine months ending December 31, 2016.
(c) Change in projected cash gain/(loss) on existing fuel derivatives as of March 31, 2016. Includes all fuel derivatives whether or not the fuel derivatives are designated for hedge accounting. Within these price ranges, the Company would neither receive nor post collateral.
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Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures
The Company maintains controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation to conclude with reasonable assurance that UAL’s and United’s disclosure controls and procedures were designed and operating effectively to report the information each company is required to disclose in the reports they file with the SEC on a timely basis. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the acting Chief Financial Officer of UAL and United have concluded that as of March 31, 2016, disclosure controls and procedures of each of UAL and United were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting during the Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no changes in UAL’s or United’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, their internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) None
(b) None
(c) The following table presents repurchases of UAL common stock made in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016:
January 1, 2016 through January 31, 2016
February 1, 2016 through February 29, 2016
March 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016
(a) On July 21, 2015, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a new $3 billion share repurchase program. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. In the three months ended March 31, 2016, UAL repurchased 27 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions for $1.5 billion, of which $0.1 billion settled in April 2016. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $948 million remaining to purchase shares under the 2015 Program. The Company expects to complete its repurchases under the 2015 Program by September 30, 2016. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time.
The table does not include shares withheld from employees to satisfy certain tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock. The United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan provides for the withholding of shares to satisfy tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock. However, this plan does not specify a maximum number of shares that may be withheld for this purpose. A total of 60,275 shares were withheld under this plan in the first quarter of 2016 at an average share price of $55.35.
(b) Average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and excludes commission.
A list of exhibits included as part of this Form 10-Q is set forth in an Exhibit Index that immediately precedes the exhibits.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.
(Registrant)
Date: April 21, 2016
/s/ Gerald Laderman
Senior Vice President Finance and acting Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
By:
/s/ Chris Kenny
Chris Kenny
Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Registrant
Exhibit
UAL
United
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