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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
| Commission File Number |
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter, Principal Office Address, Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including Area Code |
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 |
Delaware | 36-2675207 | |||
| 001-10323 |
United Airlines, Inc. 233 South Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 (872) 825-4000 |
Delaware | 74-2099724 |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |||
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | New York Stock Exchange | ||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
None | None |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
None | |||||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
None |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
Yes ☒ No ☐ | |||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
Yes ☒ No ☐ |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
Yes ☐ No ☒ | |||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
Yes ☐ No ☒ |
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.
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
Yes ☒ No ☐ | |||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
Yes ☒ No ☐ |
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).
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
Yes ☒ No ☐ | |||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
Yes ☒ No ☐ |
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
☒ | |||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
☒ |
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. (Check one):
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
Large accelerated filer ☒ | Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☐ | Smaller reporting company ☐ | ||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☒ | Smaller reporting company ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
Yes ☐ No ☒ | |||||
| United Airlines, Inc. |
Yes ☐ No ☒ |
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of United Continental Holdings, Inc. was $12,558,237,332 as of June 30, 2016, based on the closing price of $41.04 on the New York Stock Exchange reported for that date. There is no market for United Airlines, Inc. common stock.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of February 13, 2017.
| United Continental Holdings, Inc. |
314,622,651 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value) | |
| United Airlines, Inc. |
1,000 (100% owned by United Continental Holdings, Inc.) |
This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc.
OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
United Airlines, Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and are therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Information required by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Part III of this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference for United Continental Holdings, Inc. from its definitive proxy statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
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United Continental Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
United Airlines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
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This Form 10-K contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements represent our expectations and beliefs concerning future events, based on information available to us on the date of the filing of this Form 10-K, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those referenced in the forward-looking statements are listed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors and in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
| ITEM 1. | BUSINESS. |
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”). 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.
UAL was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 30, 1968. Our principal executive office is located at 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (telephone number (872) 825-4000).
The Company’s website is www.unitedcontinentalholdings.com. The information contained on or connected to the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Through this website, the Company’s filings with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, as well as our proxy statement for our annual meeting of stockholders, are accessible without charge, as soon as reasonably practicable, after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Such filings are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Operations
The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional operations. With key global aviation rights in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Latin America, UAL has the world’s most comprehensive global route network. UAL, through United and its regional carriers, operates more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents from the Company’s hubs at Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (“Chicago O’Hare”), Denver International Airport (“Denver”), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (“Houston Bush”), Los Angeles International Airport (“LAX”), A.B. Won Pat International Airport (“Guam”), San Francisco International Airport (“SFO”) and Washington Dulles International Airport (“Washington Dulles”).
All of the Company’s domestic hubs are located in large business and population centers, contributing to a large amount of “origin and destination” traffic. The hub and spoke system allows us to transport passengers between a large number of destinations with substantially more frequent service than if each route were served directly. The
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hub system also allows us to add service to a new destination from a large number of cities using only one or a limited number of aircraft. As discussed under Alliances below, United is a member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest alliance network.
Financial information on the Company’s operating revenues by geographic regions, as reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation (the “DOT”), can be found in Note 17 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Regional. The Company has contractual relationships with various regional carriers to provide regional jet and turboprop service branded as United Express. These regional operations are an extension of the Company’s mainline network. This regional service complements our operations by carrying traffic that connects to our mainline service and allows flights to smaller cities that cannot be provided economically with mainline aircraft. Republic Airlines (“Republic”), Champlain Enterprises, LLC d/b/a CommutAir (“CommutAir”), ExpressJet Airlines (“ExpressJet”), GoJet Airlines (“GoJet”), Mesa Airlines (“Mesa”), Shuttle America (“Shuttle”), SkyWest Airlines (“SkyWest”) and Trans States Airlines (“Trans States”) are all regional carriers, which operate most of their capacity contracted to United under capacity purchase agreements (“CPAs”) with United. Under these CPAs, the Company pays the regional carriers contractually agreed fees (carrier-controlled costs) for operating these flights plus a variable reimbursement (incentive payment for operational performance) based on agreed performance metrics. The fees for carrier-controlled costs are based on specific rates for various operating expenses of the regional carriers, such as crew expenses, maintenance and aircraft ownership, some of which are multiplied by specific operating statistics (e.g., block hours, departures) while others are fixed monthly amounts. Under these CPAs, the Company is responsible for all fuel costs incurred as well as landing fees, facilities rent and other costs, which are either passed through by the regional carrier to the Company without any markup or directly incurred by the Company. In return, the regional carriers operate this capacity exclusively for United, on schedules determined by the Company. The Company also determines pricing and revenue management, assumes the inventory and distribution risk for the available seats and permits mileage accrual and redemption for regional flights through its MileagePlus® loyalty program.
Alliances. United is a member of Star Alliance, a global integrated airline network and the largest and most comprehensive airline alliance in the world. As of January 1, 2017, Star Alliance carriers served 1,300 airports in 190 countries with 18,450 daily departures. Star Alliance members, in addition to United, are Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways (“ANA”), Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Avianca Brasil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI Airways International and Turkish Airlines. In October 2016, Star Alliance announced the future inclusion of Juneyao Airlines as a new connecting partner.
United has a variety of bilateral commercial alliance agreements and obligations with Star Alliance members, addressing, among other things, reciprocal earning and redemption of frequent flyer miles, access to airport lounges and, with certain Star Alliance members, codesharing of flight operations (whereby one carrier’s selected flights can be marketed under the brand name of another carrier). In addition to the alliance agreements with Star Alliance members, United currently maintains independent marketing alliance agreements with other air carriers, including Aeromar, Aer Lingus, Air Dolomiti, Azul, Cape Air, Eurowings, Germanwings, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, Jet Airways and Silver Airways. In addition to the marketing alliance agreements with air partners, United also offers a train-to-plane codeshare and frequent flyer alliance with Amtrak from Newark on select city pairs in the northeastern United States.
United also participates in three passenger joint ventures, one with Air Canada and the Lufthansa Group (which includes Lufthansa and its affiliates Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and SWISS) covering transatlantic routes, one with ANA covering certain transpacific routes and one with Air New Zealand covering certain routes between the United States and New Zealand. These passenger joint ventures enable the participating carriers to integrate the services they provide in the respective regions, capturing revenue synergies and delivering highly competitive flight schedules, fares and services. United has also begun implementation of a
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cargo joint venture with ANA for transpacific cargo services. This cargo joint venture offers expanded and more seamless access to cargo space across the carriers’ respective combined networks.
Loyalty Program. United’s MileagePlus program builds customer loyalty by offering awards, benefits and services to program participants. Members in this program earn miles for flights on United, United Express, Star Alliance members and certain other airlines that participate in the program. Members can also earn miles by purchasing the goods and services of our network of non-airline partners, such as credit card issuers, retail merchants, hotels and car rental companies. Members can redeem miles for free (other than taxes and government imposed fees), discounted or upgraded travel and non-travel awards.
The Company has an agreement with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (“Chase”), pursuant to which members of the Company’s MileagePlus loyalty program who are residents of the United States can earn miles for making purchases using a MileagePlus credit card issued by Chase. The agreement also provides for joint marketing and other support for the MileagePlus credit card and provides Chase with other benefits such as permission to market to the Company’s customer database.
Approximately 5.2 million and 5.0 million MileagePlus flight awards were used on United in 2016 and 2015, respectively. These awards represented 7.7% and 7.5% of United’s total revenue passenger miles in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Total miles redeemed for flights on United in 2016, including class-of-service upgrades, represented approximately 84% of the total miles redeemed. In addition, excluding miles redeemed for flights on United, MileagePlus members redeemed miles for approximately 2.0 million other awards in 2016 as compared to 1.8 million in 2015. These awards include United Club memberships, car and hotel awards, merchandise and flights on other air carriers.
Aircraft Fuel. The table below summarizes UAL’s aircraft fuel consumption and expense during the last three years.
| Year |
Gallons Consumed (in millions) |
Fuel Expense (in millions) |
Average Price Per Gallon |
Percentage of Total Operating Expense |
||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 3,904 | $ | 5,813 | $ | 1.49 | 18% | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 3,886 | $ | 7,522 | $ | 1.94 | 23% | ||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 3,905 | $ | 11,675 | $ | 2.99 | 32% | ||||||||||||||||
Our operational and financial results can be significantly impacted by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel. To provide adequate supplies of fuel, the Company routinely enters into purchase contracts that are customarily indexed to market prices for aircraft fuel, and the Company generally has some ability to cover short-term fuel supply and infrastructure disruptions at some major demand locations. The price of aircraft fuel has fluctuated substantially in the past several years and in order to lower its exposure to unpredictable increases in the market prices of aircraft fuel, the Company has historically hedged a portion of its planned fuel requirements. As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any outstanding fuel hedging contracts. The Company’s current strategy is to not enter into transactions to hedge its fuel consumption, although the Company regularly reviews its strategy based on market conditions and other factors.
Third-Party Business. United generates third-party business revenue that includes frequent flyer award non-air redemptions, maintenance services, catering and ground handling. Third-party business revenue is recorded in Other operating revenue. Expenses associated with third-party business are recorded in Other operating expenses.
Distribution Channels. The Company’s airline seat inventory and fares are distributed through the Company’s direct channels, traditional travel agencies and on-line travel agencies. The use of the Company’s direct sales website, united.com, the Company’s mobile applications and alternative distribution systems, provides the Company with an opportunity to de-commoditize its services, better present its content, make more targeted offerings, better retain its customers, enhance its brand and lower its ticket distribution costs. Agency sales are
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primarily sold using global distribution systems (“GDS”). United has developed capabilities to sell certain ancillary products through the GDS channel to provide an enhanced buying experience for customers who purchase in that channel. To increase the Company’s opportunities to sell its full range of products and services and lower distribution costs, the Company will continue to develop new selling capabilities in third-party channels and expand the capabilities of its website and mobile applications.
Industry Conditions
Domestic Competition. The domestic airline industry is highly competitive and dynamic. The Company’s competitors consist primarily of other airlines and, to a certain extent, other forms of transportation. Currently, any U.S. carrier deemed fit by the DOT is free to operate scheduled passenger service between any two points within the United States. Competition can be direct, in the form of another carrier flying the exact non-stop route, or indirect, where a carrier serves the same two cities non-stop from an alternative airport in that city or via an itinerary requiring a connection at another airport. Air carriers’ cost structures are not uniform and there are numerous factors influencing cost structure. Carriers with lower costs may offer lower fares to passengers, which could have a potential negative impact on the Company’s revenues. Decisions on domestic pricing are based on intense competitive pressure exerted on the Company by other U.S. airlines. In order to remain competitive and maintain passenger traffic levels, we often find it necessary to match competitors’ discounted fares. Since we compete in a dynamic marketplace, attempts to generate additional revenue through increased fares oftentimes fail.
International Competition. Internationally, the Company competes not only with U.S. airlines, but also with foreign carriers. International competition has increased and may increase in the future as a result of airline mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, alliances, restructurings, liberalization of aviation bilateral agreements and new or increased service by competitors, including government subsidized competitors from certain Middle East countries. Competition on international routes is subject to varying degrees of governmental regulation. The Company’s ability to compete successfully with non-U.S. carriers on international routes depends in part on its ability to generate traffic to and from the entire United States via its integrated domestic route network and its ability to overcome business and operational challenges across its network worldwide. Foreign carriers currently are prohibited by U.S. law from carrying local passengers between two points in the United States and the Company generally experiences comparable restrictions in foreign countries. Separately, “fifth freedom rights” allow the Company to operate between points in two different foreign countries and foreign carriers may also have fifth freedom rights between the U.S. and another foreign country. In the absence of fifth freedom rights, or some other extra-bilateral right to conduct operations between two foreign countries, U.S. carriers are constrained from carrying passengers to points beyond designated international gateway cities. To compensate partially for these structural limitations, U.S. and foreign carriers have entered into alliances, joint ventures and marketing arrangements that enable these carriers to exchange traffic between each other’s flights and route networks. See Alliances, above, for additional information.
Seasonality. The air travel business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Historically, demand for air travel is higher in the second and third quarters, driving higher revenues, than in the first and fourth quarters, which are periods of lower travel demand.
Industry Regulation
Domestic Regulation
All carriers engaged in air transportation in the United States are subject to regulation by the DOT. Absent an exemption, no air carrier may provide air transportation of passengers or property without first being issued a DOT certificate of public convenience and necessity. The DOT also grants international route authority, approves international codeshare arrangements and regulates methods of competition. The DOT regulates consumer protection and maintains jurisdiction over advertising, denied boarding compensation, tarmac delays, baggage liability and other areas and may add additional expensive regulatory burdens in the future. The DOT has
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launched investigations or claimed rulemaking authority to regulate commercial agreements among carriers or between carriers and third parties in a wide variety of contexts.
Airlines are also regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”), an agency within the DOT, primarily in the areas of flight safety, air carrier operations and aircraft maintenance and airworthiness. The FAA issues air carrier operating certificates and aircraft airworthiness certificates, prescribes maintenance procedures, oversees airport operations, and regulates pilot and other employee training. From time to time, the FAA issues directives that require air carriers to inspect or modify aircraft and other equipment, potentially causing the Company to incur substantial, unplanned expenses. The airline industry is also subject to numerous other federal laws and regulations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has jurisdiction over virtually every aspect of civil aviation security. The Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has jurisdiction over certain airline competition matters. The U.S. Postal Service has authority over certain aspects of the transportation of mail by airlines. Labor relations in the airline industry are generally governed by the Railway Labor Act (“RLA”), a federal statute. The Company is also subject to investigation inquiries by the DOT, FAA, DOJ, DHS and other U.S. and international regulatory bodies.
Airport Access. Access to landing and take-off rights, or “slots,” at several major U.S. airports and many foreign airports served by the Company are, or recently have been, subject to government regulation. Federally mandated domestic slot restrictions that limit operations and regulate capacity currently apply at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. and at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in the New York City metropolitan region. Additional restrictions on airline routes and takeoff and landing slots at these and other airports may be proposed in the future that could affect the Company’s rights of ownership and transfer. In April 2016, the FAA announced that it was lifting slot controls at Newark as of the winter 2016 season. This change may result in additional congestion at Newark and in the New York City metropolitan region airspace as a whole. If slots are eliminated at an airport, or if the number of hours of operation governed by slots is reduced at an airport, the lack of controls on takeoffs and landings could result in greater congestion both at the affected airport or in the regional airspace (e.g., the New York City metropolitan airspace) and could significantly impact the Company’s operations.
Legislation. The airline industry is subject to legislative activity that may have an impact on operations and costs. In 2017, the U.S. Congress will continue to consider legislation to reauthorize the FAA, which encompasses all significant aviation tax and policy-related issues. As with previous reauthorization legislation, the U.S. Congress may consider a range of policy changes that could impact operations and costs. Finally, aviation security continues to be the subject of legislative and regulatory action, requiring changes to the Company’s security processes, potentially increasing the cost of its security procedures and affecting its operations.
International Regulation
International air transportation is subject to extensive government regulation. In connection with the Company’s international services, the Company is regulated by both the U.S. government and the governments of the foreign countries the Company serves. In addition, the availability of international routes to U.S. carriers is regulated by aviation agreements between the U.S. and foreign governments, and in some cases, fares and schedules require the approval of the DOT and/or the relevant foreign governments.
Legislation. Foreign countries are increasingly enacting passenger protection laws, rules and regulations that meet or exceed U.S. requirements. In cases where this activity exceeds U.S. requirements, additional burden and liability may be placed on the Company. Certain countries have regulations requiring passenger compensation and/or enforcement penalties from the Company in addition to changes in operating procedures due to canceled and delayed flights.
Airport Access. Historically, access to foreign markets has been tightly controlled through bilateral agreements between the U.S. and each foreign country involved. These agreements regulate the markets served, the number of carriers allowed to serve each market and the frequency of carriers’ flights. Since the early 1990s, the U.S. has pursued a policy of “Open Skies” (meaning all U.S.-flag carriers have access to the destination), under which the
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U.S. government has negotiated a number of bilateral agreements allowing unrestricted access between U.S. and foreign markets. Currently, there are more than 100 Open Skies agreements in effect. However, even with Open Skies, many of the airports that the Company serves in Europe, Asia and Latin America maintain slot controls. A large number of these slot controls exist due to congestion, environmental and noise protection and reduced capacity due to runway and air traffic control (“ATC”) construction work, among other reasons. London Heathrow International Airport, Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport and Tokyo Haneda International Airport are among the most restrictive foreign airports due to slot and capacity limitations.
The Company’s ability to serve some foreign markets and expand into certain others is limited by the absence of aviation agreements between the U.S. government and the relevant foreign governments. Shifts in U.S. or foreign government aviation policies may lead to the alteration or termination of air service agreements. Depending on the nature of any such change, the value of the Company’s international route authorities and slot rights may be materially enhanced or diminished.
Environmental Regulation
The airline industry is subject to increasingly stringent federal, state, local and international environmental requirements, including those regulating emissions to air, water discharges, safe drinking water and the use and management of hazardous substances and wastes.
Climate Change. There is an increasing global regulatory focus on greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and their potential impacts relating to climate change. In October 2013, the International Civil Aviation Organization (“ICAO”), a United Nations body, agreed to develop a global market based measure to address carbon emissions from international aviation, which was adopted in October 2016. The program, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (“CORSIA”), is intended to create a single global market-based measure to achieve carbon-neutral growth for international aviation after 2020, which will be achieved through airline purchases of carbon offset credits. Certain CORSIA program details remain to be developed and the impact of CORSIA cannot be fully predicted, but CORSIA is expected to increase operating costs for airlines that operate internationally. In 2016, ICAO also adopted a carbon dioxide (“CO2”) emission standard for aircraft and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has started the process required to adopt the standard. While the precise timing and final form of these various programs and requirements continue to evolve, the Company is taking various actions that are expected to help to reduce its CO2 emissions over time such as fleet renewal, aircraft retrofits and the commercialization of aviation alternative fuels.
Other Regulations. Our operations are subject to a variety of other environmental laws and regulations both in the United States and internationally. These include noise-related restrictions on aircraft types and operating times, which have or could in the future, result in curtailments in services, increased operating costs or limits on expansion. Certain foreign airports and/or governments either have or are seeking to establish environmental fees applicable to carbon emissions, local air quality pollutants and/or noise. In the United States, new regulations affecting underground storage tanks became effective in 2015, which are expected to affect certain airport fuel hydrant systems, potentially impacting operating costs. The implementation of revised national ambient air quality standards for ozone by individual affected states, scheduled for early 2020, is expected to trigger restrictions on mobile sources such as cars, trucks and airport ground support equipment in those jurisdictions where ozone levels exceed the new standards. Finally, environmental cleanup laws can require the Company to undertake or subject the Company to liability for investigation and remediation costs at owned or leased locations or third party disposal locations.
Until applicability of new regulations to our specific operations is better defined and/or when new regulations are finalized, future costs to comply with such regulations will remain uncertain but are likely to increase our operating costs over time. While we continue to monitor these developments, the precise nature of future requirements and their applicability to the Company are difficult to predict, but the financial impact to the Company and the aviation industry could be significant.
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Employees
As of December 31, 2016, UAL, including its subsidiaries, had approximately 88,000 employees. Approximately 80% of the Company’s employees were represented by various U.S. labor organizations as of December 31, 2016.
Collective bargaining agreements between the Company and its represented employee groups are negotiated under the RLA. Such agreements typically do not contain an expiration date and instead specify an amendable date, upon which the agreement is considered “open for amendment.” In 2016, the Company finalized new or extension agreements with all 11 of its U.S. employee groups, including joint collective bargaining agreements with its flight attendants and technicians and related employees.
The following table reflects the Company’s represented employee groups, the number of employees per represented group, union representation for each of United’s employee groups, and the amendable date for each employee group’s collective bargaining agreement as of December 31, 2016:
| Employee Group |
|
Number of Employees |
|
Union |
Agreement Open for Amendment | |||||
| Flight Attendants |
22,779 | Association of Flight Attendants (the “AFA”) | August 2021 | |||||||
| Fleet Service |
12,812 | International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (the “IAM”) | December 2021 | |||||||
| Passenger Service |
12,012 | IAM | December 2021 | |||||||
| Pilots |
11,454 | Air Line Pilots Association, International | January 2019 | |||||||
| Technicians and Related & Flight Simulator Technicians |
9,521 | International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”) | December 2022 | |||||||
| Storekeeper Employees | 977 | IAM | December 2021 | |||||||
| Dispatchers | 396 | Professional Airline Flight Control Association | December 2021 | |||||||
| Fleet Tech Instructors | 128 | IAM | December 2021 | |||||||
| Load Planners | 67 | IAM | December 2021 | |||||||
| Security Officers | 50 | IAM | December 2021 | |||||||
| Maintenance Instructors | 42 | IAM | December 2021 | |||||||
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| ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS. |
The following risk factors should be read carefully when evaluating the Company’s business and the forward-looking statements contained in this report and other statements the Company or its representatives make from time to time. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results, financial condition and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this report.
Global economic, political and industry conditions constantly change and unfavorable conditions may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
The Company’s business and results of operations are significantly impacted by global economic and industry conditions. The airline industry is highly cyclical, and the level of demand for air travel is correlated to the strength of the U.S. and global economies. The Company is a global business with operations outside of the United States from which it derives significant operating revenues. The Company’s international operations are a vital part of its worldwide airline network. Volatile economic, political and market conditions in these international regions may have a negative impact on the Company’s operating results and its ability to achieve its business objectives.
Robust demand for the Company’s air transportation services depends largely on favorable economic conditions, including the strength of the domestic and foreign economies, low unemployment levels, strong consumer confidence levels and the availability of consumer and business credit. Air transportation is often a discretionary purchase that leisure travelers may limit or eliminate during difficult economic times. In addition, during periods of unfavorable economic conditions, business travelers usually reduce the volume of their travel, either due to cost-saving initiatives or as a result of decreased business activity requiring travel. During such periods, the Company’s business and results of operations may be adversely affected due to significant declines in industry passenger demand, particularly with respect to the Company’s business and premium cabin travelers, and a reduction in fare levels.
Stagnant or weakening global economic conditions either in the United States or in other geographic regions, and any future volatility in U.S. and global financial and credit markets may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues, results of operations and liquidity. If such economic conditions were to disrupt capital markets in the future, the Company may be unable to obtain financing on acceptable terms (or at all) to refinance certain maturing debt and to satisfy future capital commitments.
Recently, United Kingdom (“UK”) voters voted for the UK to exit the European Union (the “EU”), a non-binding referendum that, if passed into law, could adversely affect European and worldwide economic and market conditions and could contribute to instability in global financial and foreign exchange markets, including volatility in the value of the British pound and European euro, additional travel restrictions on passengers traveling between the UK and other EU countries and legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations. These adverse effects in European market conditions could negatively impact the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, significant or volatile changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies may have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s liquidity, revenues, costs and operating results.
The airline industry is highly competitive and susceptible to price discounting and changes in capacity, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The U.S. airline industry is characterized by substantial price competition including from low-cost carriers. The significant market presence of low-cost carriers, which engage in substantial price discounting, may diminish our ability to achieve sustained profitability on domestic and international routes.
Airlines also compete for market share by increasing or decreasing their capacity, including route systems and the number of markets served. Several of the Company’s domestic and international competitors have increased
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their international capacity by including service to some destinations that the Company currently serves, causing overlap in destinations served and therefore increasing competition for those destinations. This increased competition in both domestic and international markets may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Terrorist attacks or international hostilities, or the fear of terrorist attacks or hostilities, even if not made directly on the airline industry, could negatively affect the Company and the airline industry.
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 involving commercial aircraft severely and adversely impacted the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as the prospects for the airline industry. Among the effects experienced from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were substantial flight disruption costs caused by the FAA-imposed temporary grounding of the U.S. airline industry’s fleet, significantly increased security costs and associated passenger inconvenience, increased insurance costs, substantially higher ticket refunds and significantly decreased traffic and passenger revenue.
Additional terrorist attacks, even if not made directly on the airline industry, or the fear of or the precautions taken in anticipation of such attacks (including elevated national threat warnings or selective cancellation or redirection of flights) could materially and adversely affect the Company and the airline industry. Wars and other international hostilities could also have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. The Company’s financial resources may not be sufficient to absorb the adverse effects of any future terrorist attacks or other international hostilities.
Increasing privacy and data security obligations or a significant data breach may adversely affect the Company’s business.
The Company is subject to increasing legislative, regulatory and customer focus on privacy issues and data security. Also, a number of the Company’s commercial partners, including credit card companies, have imposed data security standards that the Company must meet and these standards continue to evolve. The Company will continue its efforts to meet its privacy and data security obligations; however, it is possible that certain new obligations may be difficult to meet and could increase the Company’s costs. Additionally, the Company must manage evolving cybersecurity risks. The loss, disclosure, misappropriation of or access to customers’, employees’ or business partners’ information or the Company’s failure to meet its obligations could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties. A significant data breach or the Company’s failure to meet its obligations may adversely affect the Company’s reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company relies heavily on technology and automated systems to operate its business and any significant failure or disruption of the technology or these systems could materially harm its business.
The Company depends on automated systems and technology to operate its business, including computerized airline reservation systems, flight operations systems, revenue management systems, accounting systems, telecommunication systems and commercial websites, including www.united.com. United’s website and other automated systems must be able to accommodate a high volume of traffic, maintain secure information and deliver important flight and schedule information, as well as process critical financial transactions. These systems could suffer substantial or repeated disruptions due to various events, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, including natural disasters, power failures, terrorist attacks, equipment or software failures, computer viruses or cyber security attacks. Substantial or repeated systems failures or disruptions, including failures or disruptions related to the Company’s complex integration of systems, could reduce the attractiveness of the Company’s services versus those of its competitors, materially impair its ability to market its services and operate its flights, result in the unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, result in increased costs, lost revenue and the loss or compromise of important data, and may adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
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Current or future litigation and regulatory actions, or failure to comply with the terms of any settlement, order or arrangement relating to these actions, could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
From time to time, we are subject to litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings relating to our business or investigations or other actions by governmental agencies, including as described in Part I, Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” of this annual report on Form 10-K. No assurances can be given that the results of these or new matters will be favorable to us. An adverse resolution of lawsuits, arbitrations, investigations or other proceedings or actions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of non-monetary remedies. Defending ourselves in these matters may be time-consuming, expensive and disruptive to normal business operations and may result in significant expense and a diversion of management’s time and attention from the operation of our business, which could impede our ability to achieve our business objectives. Additionally, any amount that we may be required to pay to satisfy a judgment, settlement, fine or penalty may not be covered by insurance. If we fail to comply with the terms contained in any settlement, order or agreement with a governmental authority relating to these matters, we could be subject to criminal or civil penalties, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company. Under our charter and certain indemnification agreements that we have entered into (and may in the future enter into) with our officers, directors and certain third parties, we could be required to indemnify and advance expenses to them in connection with their involvement in certain actions, suits, investigations and other proceedings. There can be no assurance that any of these payments will not be material.
Disruptions to the Company’s regional network and United Express flights provided by third-party regional carriers could adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition.
The Company has contractual relationships with various regional carriers to provide regional jet and turboprop service branded as United Express. These regional operations are an extension of the Company’s mainline network and complement the Company’s operations by carrying traffic that connects to mainline service and allows flights to smaller cities that cannot be provided economically with mainline aircraft. The Company’s business and operations are dependent on its regional flight network, with regional capacity accounting for approximately 11% of the Company’s total capacity as of December 31, 2016.
Although the Company has agreements with its regional carriers that include contractually agreed performance metrics, the Company does not control the operations of these carriers. A number of factors may impact the Company’s regional network, including weather-related effects and seasonality. In addition, the decrease in qualified pilots driven by federal regulations has adversely impacted and could continue to affect the Company’s regional flying. For example, the FAA’s expansion of minimum pilot qualification standards, including a requirement that a pilot have at least 1,500 total flight hours, as well as the FAA’s revised pilot flight and duty time rules, effective January 2014, have contributed to a smaller supply of pilots available to regional carriers. The decrease in qualified pilots resulting from the regulations as well as factors including a decreased student pilot population and a shrinking U.S. military from which to hire qualified pilots, could adversely impact the Company’s operations and financial condition, and also require the Company to reduce regional carrier flying.
If a significant disruption occurs to the Company’s regional network or flights or if one or more of the regional carriers with which the Company has relationships is unable to perform their obligations over an extended period of time, there could be a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and operations.
The Company’s business relies extensively on third-party service providers. Failure of these parties to perform as expected, or interruptions in the Company’s relationships with these providers or their provision of services to the Company, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
The Company has engaged third-party service providers to perform a large number of functions that are integral to its business, including regional operations, operation of customer service call centers, distribution and sale of airline seat inventory, provision of information technology infrastructure and services, transmitting or uploading of data, provision of aircraft maintenance and repairs, provision of various utilities and performance of aircraft
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fueling operations, among other vital functions and services. The Company does not directly control these third-party service providers, although it does enter into agreements with most of them that define expected service performance. Any of these third-party service providers, however, may materially fail to meet their service performance commitments to the Company, may suffer disruptions to their systems that could impact their services, or the agreements with such providers may be terminated. For example, flight reservations booked by customers and travel agencies via third-party GDSs may be adversely affected by disruptions in the business relationships between the Company and GDS operators. Such disruptions, including a failure to agree upon acceptable contract terms when contracts expire or otherwise become subject to renegotiation, may cause the Company’s flight information to be limited or unavailable for display, significantly increase fees for both the Company and GDS users and impair the Company’s relationships with its customers and travel agencies. The failure of any of the Company’s third-party service providers to perform their service obligations adequately, or other interruptions of services, may reduce the Company’s revenues and increase its expenses, prevent the Company from operating its flights and providing other services to its customers or result in adverse publicity or harm to its brand. In addition, the Company’s business and financial performance could be materially harmed if its customers believe that its services are unreliable or unsatisfactory.
Orders for new aircraft typically must be placed years in advance of scheduled deliveries, and changes in the Company’s route network over time may make aircraft on order less economic for the Company, but any modification or termination of such orders could result in material liability for the Company.
The Company’s orders for new aircraft are typically made years in advance of actual delivery of such aircraft, and the financial commitment required for purchases of new aircraft is substantial. At December 31, 2016, the Company had firm commitments to purchase 257 new aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Airbus S.A.S (“Airbus”) and Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”), as well as related agreements with engine manufacturers, maintenance providers and others. At December 31, 2016, the Company’s commitments relating to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and other related obligations aggregated $23.6 billion.
Subsequent to the Company placing an order for new aircraft, the Company’s route network may change, such that the aircraft on order become less economic to operate flights in the Company’s network. As a result, the Company’s preference for a particular aircraft that it has ordered, often years in advance, may be decreased or eliminated. If the Company were to seek to modify or terminate its existing aircraft order commitments, it may be responsible for material obligations to its counterparties arising from any such change. However, the Company expects that any such change that it makes would be in the long-term best economic interest of the Company.
The Company could experience adverse publicity, harm to its brand, reduced travel demand and potential tort liability as a result of an accident, catastrophe, or incident involving its aircraft, the aircraft of its regional carriers or the aircraft of its codeshare partners, which may result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
An accident, catastrophe, or incident involving an aircraft that the Company operates, or an aircraft that is operated by a codeshare partner or one of the Company’s regional carriers, could have a material adverse effect on the Company if such accident, catastrophe, or incident created a public perception that the Company’s operations, or the operations of its codeshare partners or regional carriers, are not safe or reliable, or are less safe or reliable than other airlines. Such public perception could in turn result in adverse publicity for the Company, cause harm to the Company’s brand and reduce travel demand on the Company’s flights, or the flights of its codeshare partners or regional carriers.
In addition, any such accident, catastrophe, or incident could expose the Company to significant tort liability. Although the Company currently maintains liability insurance in amounts and of the type the Company believes to be consistent with industry practice to cover damages arising from any such accident or catastrophe, and the Company’s codeshare partners and regional carriers carry similar insurance and generally indemnify the
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Company for their operations, if the Company’s liability exceeds the applicable policy limits or the ability of another carrier to indemnify it, the Company could incur substantial losses from an accident, catastrophe or incident which may result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
If we experience changes in, or are unable to retain, our senior management team or other key employees, our operating results could be adversely affected.
Much of our future success depends on the continued availability of skilled personnel with industry experience and knowledge, including our senior management team and other key employees. If we are unable to attract and retain talented, highly qualified senior management and other key employees, or if we are unable to effectively provide for the succession of senior management, our business may be adversely affected.
High and/or volatile fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s strategic plans, operating results, financial position and liquidity.
Aircraft fuel is critical to the Company’s operations and is one of its single largest operating expenses. The timely and adequate supply of fuel to meet operational demand depends on the continued availability of reliable fuel supply sources, as well as related service and delivery infrastructure. Although the Company has some ability to cover short-term fuel supply and infrastructure disruptions at some major demand locations, it can neither predict nor guarantee the continued timely availability of aircraft fuel throughout the Company’s system. The Company generally sources fuel at prevailing market prices.
Aircraft fuel has historically been the Company’s most volatile operating expense due to the highly unpredictable nature of market prices for fuel. Market prices for aircraft fuel have historically fluctuated substantially in short periods of time and continue to be highly volatile due a dependence on a multitude of unpredictable factors beyond the Company’s control. These factors include changes in global crude oil prices, the balance between aircraft fuel supply and demand, natural disasters, prevailing inventory levels and fuel production and transportation infrastructure. Prices of fuel are also impacted by indirect factors that may potentially impact fuel supply or demand balance, such as geopolitical events, economic growth indicators, fiscal/monetary policies, fuel tax policies, environmental concerns and financial investments in energy markets. Both actual changes in these factors, as well as changes in market expectations of these factors can potentially drive rapid changes in fuel price levels in short periods of time.
Given the highly competitive nature of the airline industry, the Company may not be able to increase its fares and fees sufficiently to offset the full impact of increases in fuel prices, especially if these increases are significant, rapid and sustained. Further, such fare and fee increases may not be sustainable, may reduce the general demand for air travel and may also eventually impact the Company’s strategic growth and investment plans for the future. In addition, decreases in fuel prices for an extended period of time may result in increased industry capacity, increased competitive actions for market share and lower fares or surcharges in general. If fuel prices were to then subsequently rise quickly, there may be a lag between the rise in fuel prices and any improvement of the revenue environment.
To protect against increases in the market prices of fuel, the Company may hedge a portion of its future fuel requirements. However, the Company’s hedging program may not be successful in mitigating higher fuel costs, and any price protection provided may be limited due to choice of hedging instruments and market conditions, including breakdown of correlation between hedging instrument and market price of aircraft fuel and failure of hedge counterparties. To the extent that the Company decides to hedge a portion of its future fuel requirements and uses hedge contracts that have the potential to create an obligation to pay upon settlement if fuel prices decline significantly, such hedge contracts may limit the Company’s ability to benefit fully from lower fuel costs in the future. If fuel prices decline significantly from the levels existing at the time the Company enters into a hedge contract, the Company may be required to post collateral (margin) beyond certain thresholds. There can be no assurance that the Company’s hedging arrangements will provide any particular level of protection against
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rises in fuel prices or that its counterparties will be able to perform under the Company’s hedging arrangements. Additionally, deterioration in the Company’s financial condition could negatively affect its ability to enter into new hedge contracts in the future.
See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information on the Company’s hedging activities.
Union disputes, employee strikes or slowdowns, and other labor-related disruptions could adversely affect the Company’s operations and could result in increased costs that impair its financial performance.
United is a highly unionized company. As of December 31, 2016, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately 88,000 active employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations.
There is a risk that unions or individual employees might pursue judicial or arbitral claims arising out of changes implemented as a result of the Company entering into collective bargaining agreements with its represented employee groups. There is also a possibility that employees or unions could engage in job actions such as slowdowns, work-to-rule campaigns, sick-outs or other actions designed to disrupt the Company’s normal operations, in an attempt to pressure the Company in collective bargaining negotiations. Although the RLA makes such actions unlawful until the parties have been lawfully released to self-help, and the Company can seek injunctive relief against premature self-help, such actions can cause significant harm even if ultimately enjoined. In addition, collective bargaining agreements with the Company’s represented employee groups increase the Company’s labor costs, which increase could be material for any applicable reporting period.
See Notes 15 and 16 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information on labor negotiations and costs.
An outbreak of a disease or similar public health threat could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial position and results of operations.
An outbreak of a disease or similar public health threat that affects travel demand or travel behavior, or travel restrictions or reduction in the demand for air travel caused by an outbreak of a disease or similar public health threat in the future, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Extensive government regulation could increase the Company’s operating costs and restrict its ability to conduct its business.
Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal oversight. Compliance with U.S. and international regulations imposes significant costs and may have adverse effects on the Company. Laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges, both domestically and internationally, have been proposed from time to time that could significantly increase the cost of airline operations or reduce airline revenue.
United provides air transportation under certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the DOT. If the DOT altered, amended, modified, suspended or revoked these certificates, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The FAA regulates the safety of United’s operations. United operates pursuant to an air carrier operating certificate issued by the FAA. In January 2014, the FAA’s more stringent pilot flight and duty time requirements under Part 117 of the Federal Aviation Regulations took effect, which has increased costs for all carriers. In July 2014, minimum qualifications took effect for air carrier first officers. These regulations will continue to impact the industry and the Company for years to come, as they have caused mainline airlines to hire regional pilots, while simultaneously significantly reducing the pool of new pilots from which regional carriers themselves can hire. Although this is an industry issue, it directly affects the Company and requires it to reduce regional partner flying, as several regional partners have experienced difficulty flying their schedules due to reduced pilot availability. From time to time, the FAA also issues orders, airworthiness
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directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that require material expenditures or operational restrictions by the Company. These FAA orders and directives could include the temporary grounding of an entire aircraft type if the FAA identifies design, manufacturing, maintenance or other issues requiring immediate corrective action. These FAA directives or requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
In addition, the Company’s operations may be adversely impacted due to the existing antiquated ATC system utilized by the U.S. government. During peak travel periods in certain markets, the current ATC system’s inability to handle ATC demand has led to short-term capacity constraints imposed by government agencies and resulted in delays and disruptions of air traffic. In addition, the current system will not be able to effectively handle projected future air traffic growth. Imposition of these ATC constraints on a long-term basis may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations. Failure to update the ATC system in a timely manner, and the substantial funding requirements of a modernized ATC system that may be imposed on air carriers may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Access to landing and take-off rights, or “slots,” at several major U.S. airports and many foreign airports served by the Company are, or recently have been, subject to government regulation. Certain of the Company’s major hubs are among the most congested airports in the United States and have been or could be the subject of regulatory action that might limit the number of flights and/or increase costs of operations at certain times or throughout the day. The FAA may limit the Company’s airport access by limiting the number of departure and arrival slots at high density traffic airports, which could affect the Company’s ownership and transfer rights, and local airport authorities may have the ability to control access to certain facilities or the cost of access to their facilities, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business. The FAA historically has taken actions with respect to airlines’ slot holdings that airlines have challenged; if the FAA were to take actions that adversely affect the Company’s slot holdings, the Company could incur substantial costs to preserve its slots or may lose slots. If slots are eliminated at an airport, or if the number of hours of operation governed by slots is reduced at an airport, the lack of controls on takeoffs and landings could result in greater congestion both at the affected airport or in the regional airspace (e.g., the New York City metropolitan region airspace) and could significantly impact the Company’s operations. Further, the Company’s operating costs at airports, including the Company’s major hubs, may increase significantly because of capital improvements at such airports that the Company may be required to fund, directly or indirectly. Such costs could be imposed by the relevant airport authority without the Company’s approval and may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
The ability of carriers to operate flights on international routes between the United States and other countries may be subject to change. Applicable arrangements between the United States and foreign governments may be amended from time to time, government policies with respect to airport operations may be revised, and the availability of appropriate slots or facilities may change. The Company currently operates a number of flights on international routes under government arrangements, regulations or policies that designate the number of carriers permitted to operate on such routes, the capacity of the carriers providing services on such routes, the airports at which carriers may operate international flights, or the number of carriers allowed access to particular airports. Any further limitations, additions or modifications to such arrangements, regulations or policies could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Additionally, a change in law, regulation or policy for any of the Company’s international routes, such as Open Skies, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations and could result in the impairment of material amounts of related tangible and intangible assets. In addition, competition from revenue-sharing joint ventures and other alliance arrangements by and among other airlines could impair the value of the Company’s business and assets on the Open Skies routes. The Company’s plans to enter into or expand U.S. antitrust immunized alliances and joint ventures on various international routes are subject to receipt of approvals from applicable U.S. federal authorities and obtaining other applicable foreign government clearances or satisfying the necessary applicable regulatory requirements. There can be no assurance that such approvals and clearances will be granted or will continue in effect upon further regulatory review or that changes in regulatory requirements or standards can be satisfied.
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Many aspects of the Company’s operations are also subject to increasingly stringent federal, state, local and international laws protecting the environment. Future environmental regulatory developments, such as climate change regulations in the United States and abroad could adversely affect operations and increase operating costs in the airline industry. In addition, there is the potential for additional regulatory actions in regard to the emission of GHGs by the aviation industry. The precise nature of future requirements and their applicability to the Company are difficult to predict, but the financial impact to the Company and the aviation industry would likely be adverse and could be significant.
In 2017, the U.S. Congress will continue to consider legislation to reauthorize the FAA, which encompasses all significant aviation tax and policy related issues. As with previous reauthorization legislation, the U.S. Congress may consider a range of policy changes that could impact the Company’s operations and costs.
See Part I, Item 1, Business—Industry Regulation, of this report for additional information on government regulation impacting the Company.
The airline industry may undergo further change with respect to alliances and joint ventures or due to consolidations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company faces and may continue to face strong competition from other carriers due to the modification of alliances and formation of new joint ventures. Carriers may improve their competitive positions through airline alliances, slot swaps and/or joint ventures. Certain types of airline joint ventures further competition by allowing multiple airlines to coordinate routes, pool revenues and costs, and enjoy other mutual benefits, achieving many of the benefits of consolidation. “Open Skies” agreements, including the agreements between the United States and the EU and between the United States and Japan, may also give rise to better integration opportunities among international carriers. Movement of airlines between current global airline alliances could reduce joint network coverage for members of such alliances while also creating opportunities for joint ventures and bilateral alliances that did not exist before such realignment. There is ongoing speculation that further airline and airline alliance consolidations or reorganizations could occur in the future, especially if new “Open Skies” agreements between Brazil and the United States are fully implemented. The Company routinely engages in analysis and discussions regarding its own strategic position, including current and potential alliances, asset acquisitions and divestitures and may have future discussions with other airlines regarding strategic activities. If other airlines participate in such activities, those airlines may significantly improve their cost structures or revenue generation capabilities, thereby potentially making them stronger competitors of the Company and potentially impairing the Company’s ability to realize expected benefits from its own strategic relationships.
Insufficient liquidity may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and business.
The Company has a significant amount of financial leverage from fixed obligations, including aircraft lease and debt financings, leases of airport property and other facilities, and other material cash obligations. In addition, the Company has substantial noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including for the acquisition of new aircraft and related spare engines.
Although the Company’s cash flows from operations and its available capital, including the proceeds from financing transactions, have been sufficient to meet these obligations and commitments to date, the Company’s future liquidity could be negatively affected by the risk factors discussed in this Item 1A., including, but not limited to, substantial volatility in the price of fuel, adverse economic conditions, disruptions in the global capital markets and catastrophic external events.
If the Company’s liquidity is materially diminished due to the various risk factors noted in this Item 1A. or otherwise, the Company might not be able to timely pay its leases and debts or comply with certain operating and financial covenants under its financing and credit card processing agreements or with other material provisions of its contractual obligations. Certain of these covenants require the Company or United, as applicable, to maintain minimum liquidity and/or minimum collateral coverage ratios. The Company’s or United’s ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond its control, including the overall industry revenue environment, the level of fuel costs and the appraised value of the collateral.
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If the Company does not timely pay its leases and debts or comply with such covenants, a variety of adverse consequences could result. These potential adverse consequences include an increase of required reserves under credit card processing agreements, withholding of credit card sale proceeds by its credit card service providers, loss of undrawn lines of credit, the occurrence of one or more events of default under the relevant agreements, the acceleration of the maturity of debt and/or the exercise of other remedies by its creditors and equipment lessors that could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company cannot provide assurance that it would have sufficient liquidity to repay or refinance such debt if it were accelerated. In addition, an event of default or acceleration of debt under certain of its financing agreements could result in one or more events of default under certain of the Company’s other financing agreements due to cross default and cross acceleration provisions.
Furthermore, insufficient liquidity may limit the Company’s ability to withstand competitive pressures and downturns in the travel business and the economy in general.
The Company’s substantial level of indebtedness and non-investment grade credit rating, as well as market conditions and the availability of assets as collateral for loans or other indebtedness, may make it difficult for the Company to raise additional capital if needed to meet its liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all.
See Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this report for additional information regarding the Company’s liquidity.
Increases in insurance costs or reductions in insurance coverage may materially and adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company could be exposed to significant liability or loss if its property or operations were to be affected by a natural catastrophe or other event, including aircraft accidents. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient insurance (including but not limited to terrorism, aviation hull and liability, workers’ compensation and property and business interruption insurance) with acceptable terms or if the coverage obtained is insufficient relative to actual liability or losses that the Company experiences, whether due to insurance market conditions or otherwise, its results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
The Company’s results of operations fluctuate due to seasonality and other factors associated with the airline industry.
Due to greater demand for air travel during the spring and summer months, revenues in the airline industry in the second and third quarters of the year are generally stronger than revenues in the first and fourth quarters of the year, which are periods of lower travel demand. The Company’s results of operations generally reflect this seasonality, but have also been impacted by numerous other factors that are not necessarily seasonal including, among others, the imposition of excise and similar taxes, extreme or severe weather, ATC congestion, geological events, natural disasters, changes in the competitive environment due to industry consolidation, general economic conditions and other factors. As a result, the Company’s quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire year and historical operating results in a quarterly or annual period are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.
The Company may never realize the full value of its intangible assets or its long-lived assets causing it to record impairments that may negatively affect its financial position and results of operations.
In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company is required to test its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if conditions indicate that an impairment may have occurred. In addition, the Company is required to test certain of its other assets for impairment if conditions indicate that an impairment may have occurred.
The Company may be required to recognize impairments in the future due to, among other factors, extreme fuel price volatility, tight credit markets, a decline in the fair value of certain tangible or intangible assets,
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unfavorable trends in historical or forecasted results of operations and cash flows and an uncertain economic environment, as well as other uncertainties. The Company can provide no assurance that a material impairment charge of tangible or intangible assets will not occur in a future period. The value of the Company’s aircraft could be impacted in future periods by changes in supply and demand for these aircraft. Such changes in supply and demand for certain aircraft types could result from grounding of aircraft by the Company or other carriers. An impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
The Company’s ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be significantly limited due to various circumstances, including certain possible future transactions involving the sale or issuance of UAL common stock, or if taxable income does not reach sufficient levels.
As of December 31, 2016, UAL reported consolidated federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $4.4 billion.
The Company’s ability to use its NOL carryforwards may be limited if it experiences an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 (“Section 382”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. An ownership change generally occurs if certain stockholders increase their aggregate percentage ownership of a corporation’s stock by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest percentage ownership at any time during the testing period, which is generally the three-year period preceding any potential ownership change.
There is no assurance that the Company will not experience a future ownership change under Section 382 that may significantly limit or possibly eliminate its ability to use its NOL carryforwards. Potential future transactions involving the sale or issuance of UAL common stock, including the exercise of conversion options under the terms of any convertible debt that UAL may issue in the future, the repurchase of such debt with UAL common stock, any issuance of UAL common stock for cash, and the acquisition or disposition of such stock by a stockholder owning 5% or more of UAL common stock, or a combination of such transactions, may increase the possibility that the Company will experience a future ownership change under Section 382.
Under Section 382, a future ownership change would subject the Company to additional annual limitations that apply to the amount of pre-ownership change NOLs that may be used to offset post-ownership change taxable income. This limitation is generally determined by multiplying the value of a corporation’s stock immediately before the ownership change by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate. Any unused annual limitation may, subject to certain limits, be carried over to later years, and the limitation may under certain circumstances be increased by built-in gains in the assets held by such corporation at the time of the ownership change. This limitation could cause the Company’s U.S. federal income taxes to be greater, or to be paid earlier, than they otherwise would be, and could cause all or a portion of the Company’s NOL carryforwards to expire unused. Similar rules and limitations may apply for state income tax purposes. The Company’s ability to use its NOL carryforwards will also depend on the amount of taxable income it generates in future periods. Its NOL carryforwards may expire before the Company can generate sufficient taxable income to use them in full.
Our significant investments in airlines in other parts of the world and the commercial relationships that we have with those carriers may not produce the returns or results we expect.
An important part of our strategy to expand our global network includes making significant investments in airlines in other parts of the world and expanding our commercial relationships with these carriers. In 2015, we made a $100 million investment in Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A. (“Azul”) and enhanced our commercial arrangements with Azul. We expect to continue exploring similar non-controlling investments in, and entering into joint ventures, commercial agreements, loan transactions and strategic alliances with, other carriers as part of our global business strategy. These transactions and relationships (including our strategic partnership with, and investment in, Azul) involve significant challenges and risks, including that we may not realize a satisfactory return on our investment, that we may not receive repayment of invested funds, that they may distract
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management from our operations or that they may not generate the expected revenue synergies. These events could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition.
In addition, we are dependent on these other carriers for significant aspects of our network in the regions in which they operate. While we work closely with these carriers, we do not have control over their operations or business methods. We may be subject to consequences from any improper behavior of joint venture partners, including for failure to comply with anti-corruption laws such as the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Furthermore, our relationships with these carriers may be subject to the laws and regulations of non-U.S. jurisdictions in which these carriers are located or conduct business. Any political or regulatory change in these jurisdictions that negatively impact or prohibit our arrangements with these carriers could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. To the extent that the operations of any of these carriers are disrupted over an extended period of time or their actions subject us to the consequences of failure to comply with laws and regulations, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
| ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS. |
None.
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| ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES. |
Fleet
Including aircraft operated by United’s regional carriers, United’s fleet consisted of 1,231 aircraft as of December 31, 2016, the details of which are presented in the tables below:
| Aircraft Type |
Total | Owned | Leased | Seats in Standard Configuration |
Average Age (In Years) |
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| Mainline: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 747-400 |
20 | 15 | 5 | 374 | 20.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 777-300ER |
2 | 2 | — | 366 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| 777-200ER |
55 | 38 | 17 | 267-269 | 16.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 777-200 |
19 | 19 | — | 266-364 | 19.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 787-9 |
18 | 18 | — | 252 | 1.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 787-8 |
12 | 12 | — | 219 | 3.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 767-400ER |
16 | 14 | 2 | 242 | 15.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 767-300ER |
35 | 22 | 13 | 183-214 | 21.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 757-300 |
21 | 9 | 12 | 213 | 14.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 757-200 |
56 | 47 | 9 | 142-169 | 19.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 737-900ER |
136 | 136 | — | 167-179 | 4.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 737-900 |
12 | 8 | 4 | 167-179 | 15.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 737-800 |
137 | 64 | 73 | 154-166 | 13.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 737-700 |
40 | 14 | 26 | 118-126 | 17.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| A320-200 |
97 | 57 | 40 | 150 | 18.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| A319-100 |
61 | 47 | 14 | 128 | 16.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Total mainline |
737 | 522 | 215 | 13.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Aircraft Type |
Capacity Purchase Agreement Total |
Owned | Leased | Owned or Leased by Regional Carrier |
Regional Carrier Operator and Number of Aircraft |
Seats in Standard Configuration |
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| Regional: |
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| Embraer E175 |
118 | 30 | — | 88 | |
SkyWest: 54 Mesa:
48 |
|
76 | ||||||||||||||||
| Embraer 170 |
38 | — | — | 38 | |
Republic: 34 Shuttle: 4 |
|
70 | ||||||||||||||||
| CRJ700 |
79 | — | — | 79 | |
SkyWest: 34 GoJet: 25 Mesa: 20 |
|
70 | ||||||||||||||||
| CRJ200 |
50 | — | 29 | 21 | SkyWest: 50 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Embraer ERJ 145 (XR/LR/ER) |
183 | 16 | 167 | — | |
ExpressJet: 139 Trans States: 34 CommutAir: 10 |
|
50 | ||||||||||||||||
| Q300 |
5 | — | — | 5 | CommutAir: 5 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Embraer ERJ 135 |
5 | — | 5 | — | ExpressJet: 5 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Q200 |
16 | — | — | 16 | CommutAir: 16 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Total regional |
494 | 46 | 201 | 247 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Total |
1,231 | 568 | 416 | 247 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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In addition to the aircraft presented in the tables above, United owns or leases the following aircraft listed below as of December 31, 2016:
| • | One owned Boeing 767-200, which is being subleased to another airline; |
| • | Four Boeing 757-200s, which are owned and being held for disposition; |
| • | Ten leased Embraer ERJ 135s, which are permanently grounded; and |
| • | Three owned Embraer ERJ 145s, which are temporarily grounded. |
Firm Order and Option Aircraft
As of December 31, 2016, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from Boeing, Embraer and Airbus presented in the table below:
| Aircraft Type |
Number of Firm | |
| Airbus A350-1000 |
35 | |
| Boeing 737NG/737MAX |
165 | |
| Boeing 777-300ER |
12 | |
| Boeing 787-8/-9/-10 |
21 | |
| Embraer E175 |
24 | |
|
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| (a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. | ||
In 2016, United announced a modification to its then-existing narrow body order book by converting its original order for 65 Boeing 737-700 aircraft into four 737-800s to be delivered in 2017 and 61 Boeing 737MAX aircraft with delivery dates to be determined.
The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery from 2017 through 2027. In 2017, United expects to take delivery of four Boeing 737NG aircraft, three Boeing 787-9 aircraft, 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, 24 Embraer aircraft and six used Airbus A319s. In addition, up to 14 additional used Airbus A319s may be delivered between 2018 and 2021, subject to certain conditions. To the extent the Company and the aircraft manufacturers with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft agree to modify the contracts governing those orders, the amount and timing of the Company’s future capital commitments could change. See Notes 11 and 15 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information.
Facilities
United’s principal facilities relate to leases of airport facilities, gates, hangar sites, terminal buildings and other facilities in the municipalities it serves. United has major terminal facility leases at SFO, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, LAX, Denver, Newark, Houston Bush, Hopkins International Airport and Guam with expiration dates ranging from 2018 to 2041. Substantially all of these facilities are leased on a net-rental basis, resulting in the Company’s responsibility for maintenance, insurance and other facility-related expenses and services.
United also maintains administrative offices, catering, cargo, training facilities, maintenance facilities and other facilities to support operations in the cities served. United also has multiple leases, which expire from 2017 through 2029 for its principal executive office and operations center in downtown Chicago, and certain administrative offices in downtown Houston.
| ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. |
On June 30, 2015, UAL received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Antitrust Division of the DOJ seeking documents and information from the Company in connection with a DOJ investigation related to statements and decisions about airline capacity. The Company is working with the DOJ and has completed its response to the CID. The Company is not able to predict what action, if any, might be taken in the future by the DOJ or other governmental authorities as a result of the investigation. Beginning on July 1, 2015, subsequent to the announcement of the CID, UAL and United were named as defendants in multiple class action lawsuits that
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asserted claims under the Sherman Antitrust Act, which have been consolidated in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaints generally allege collusion among U.S. airlines on capacity impacting airfares and seek treble damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the class action lawsuits.
On October 13, 2015, United received a CID from the Civil Division of the DOJ. The CID requested documents and oral testimony from United in connection with an industry-wide DOJ investigation related to delivery scan and other data purportedly required for payment for the carriage of mail under United’s International Commercial Air Contracts with the United States Postal Service. The Company has been responding to the DOJ’s request and cooperating in the investigation since that time. On November 8, 2016, the DOJ Criminal Division met with representatives from the Company and advised they are conducting an industry-wide investigation into the same matter. The Company is also cooperating with the government in this aspect of their investigation and on December 21, 2016 representatives from the Company met with both the Civil and Criminal Divisions to provide additional information. The Company cannot predict what action, if any, might be taken in the future by the DOJ or other governmental authorities as a result of these investigations.
As disclosed in the Company’s prior two Annual Reports on Form 10-K for fiscal years 2014 and 2015, the Company and certain of its current and former executive officers and employees received federal grand jury subpoenas requesting records and testimony related to certain individuals formerly associated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and related operations of the Company. As announced on September 8, 2015, certain of the Company’s executives stepped down in connection with its related internal investigation. The Company cooperated with the investigation by the USAO in respect of the Port Authority matter and, as announced on July 14, 2016, the Company reached a resolution in the form of a Non-Prosecution Agreement with the USAO. As announced on December 2, 2016, the Company also resolved the previously disclosed related investigation by the SEC in respect of the Port Authority matter.
Other Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions involving passengers, customers, suppliers, employees and government agencies arising in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, from time to time, the Company becomes aware of potential non-compliance with applicable environmental regulations, which have either been identified by the Company (through internal compliance programs such as its environmental compliance audits) or through notice from a governmental entity. In some instances, these matters could potentially become the subject of an administrative or judicial proceeding and could potentially involve monetary sanctions. After considering a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the views of legal counsel, the nature of contingencies to which the Company is subject and prior experience, management believes that the ultimate disposition of these other claims and legal actions will not materially affect its consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, the ultimate resolutions of these matters are inherently unpredictable. As such, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters.
| ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES. |
Not applicable.
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| ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. |
UAL’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “UAL.” The following table sets forth the ranges of high and low sales prices per share of UAL common stock during the last two fiscal years, as reported by the NYSE:
| UAL | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||
| High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||||||
| 1st quarter |
$ | 61.41 | $ | 42.17 | $ | 74.52 | $ | 62.37 | ||||||||
| 2nd quarter |
58.90 | 37.41 | 65.85 | 49.85 | ||||||||||||
| 3rd quarter |
54.53 | 37.64 | 62.21 | 49.20 | ||||||||||||
| 4th quarter |
76.80 | 51.34 | 61.87 | 49.76 | ||||||||||||
Based on reports by the Company’s transfer agent for UAL common stock, as of February 13, 2017, there were 8,049 holders of record of UAL common stock.
UAL did not pay any dividends in 2016 or 2015. Under the restricted payment provisions of the Company’s Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2013 (the “Credit Agreement”), and certain indentures, UAL’s ability to pay dividends on or repurchase UAL’s common stock is subject to limits on the amount of such payments and to certain conditions, including that no default or event of default exists under those instruments and that after giving effect to the making of any such payments, UAL would be in compliance with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. Any future determination regarding dividend or distribution payments will be at the discretion of the UAL Board of Directors, subject to the foregoing limits and applicable limitations under Delaware law.
United paid dividends of $2.6 billion and $1.2 billion to UAL in 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The following graph shows the cumulative total stockholder return for UAL’s common stock during the period from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2016. The graph also shows the cumulative returns of the Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index and the NYSE Arca Airline Index (“AAI”) of 15 investor-owned airlines. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2011 in UAL common stock.
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Note: The stock price performance shown in the graph above should not be considered indicative of potential future stock price performance. The foregoing performance graph is being furnished as part of this report solely in accordance with the requirement under Rule 14a-3(b)(9) to furnish our stockholders with such information, and therefore, shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any filings by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The following table presents repurchases of UAL common stock made in the fourth quarter of 2016:
| Period | Total number of shares purchased (a)(b) |
Average price paid per share (b)(c) |
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (a) |
Approximate dollar value (in millions) (a) |
||||||||||||||
| October 1, 2016 through October 31, 2016 | 1,282,714 | $ | 54.19 | 1,282,714 | $ | 1,930 | ||||||||||||
| November 1, 2016 through November 30, 2016 | 1,368,204 | 62.96 | 1,368,204 | 1,844 | ||||||||||||||
| December 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | — | — | — | 1,844 | ||||||||||||||
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| Total |
2,650,918 | 2,650,918 | ||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
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(a) In 2016, UAL repurchased approximately 50 million shares of UAL common stock for $2.6 billion. In July 2016, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a $2 billion share repurchase program to acquire UAL’s common stock. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $1.8 billion remaining to purchase shares under its 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.
(b) The table does not include shares withheld from employees to satisfy certain tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock units. 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 units. However, this plan does not specify a maximum number of shares that may be withheld for this purpose. A total of 502 shares were withheld under this plan in the fourth quarter of 2016 at an average share price of $62.50. These shares of common stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations may be deemed to be “issuer purchases” of shares that are required to be disclosed pursuant to this Item.
(c) Average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and excludes commission.
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| ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. |
UAL’s consolidated financial statements and statistical data are provided in the tables below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income Statement Data (in millions, except per share amounts): |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue |
$ | 36,556 | $ | 37,864 | $ | 38,901 | $ | 38,279 | $ | 37,152 | ||||||||||
| Operating expense |
32,218 | 32,698 | 36,528 | 37,030 | 37,113 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income |
4,338 | 5,166 | 2,373 | 1,249 | 39 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
2,263 | 7,340 | 1,132 | 571 | (723) | |||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share |
6.86 | 19.52 | 3.05 | 1.64 | (2.18) | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
6.85 | 19.47 | 2.93 | 1.53 | (2.18) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data at December 31 (in millions): |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ | 4,428 | $ | 5,196 | $ | 4,384 | $ | 5,121 | $ | 6,543 | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 40,140 | 40,861 | 36,595 | 36,021 | 36,963 | |||||||||||||||
| Debt and capital lease obligations |
11,705 | 11,759 | 11,947 | 12,293 | 13,043 | |||||||||||||||
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| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| Mainline | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) (a) |
101,007 | 96,327 | 91,475 | 91,329 | 93,595 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (b) |
186,181 | 183,642 | 179,015 | 178,578 | 179,416 | |||||||||||||||
| Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (c) |
224,692 | 219,989 | 214,105 | 213,007 | 216,330 | |||||||||||||||
| Cargo ton miles (millions) |
2,805 | 2,614 | 2,487 | 2,213 | 2,460 | |||||||||||||||
| Passenger load factor (d) |
82.9% | 83.5% | 83.6% | 83.8% | 82.9% | |||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents) |
11.31 | 11.97 | 12.51 | 12.20 | 11.93 | |||||||||||||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) |
13.50 | 14.19 | 14.81 | 14.51 | 13.92 | |||||||||||||||
| Average yield per revenue passenger mile (“Yield”) (cents) (e) |
13.65 | 14.34 | 14.96 | 14.56 | 14.38 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) (cents) |
12.22 | 12.42 | 14.03 | 14.31 | 14.12 | |||||||||||||||
| Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes |
$ | 1.49 | $ | 1.96 | $ | 2.98 | $ | 3.12 | $ | 3.27 | ||||||||||
| Fuel gallons consumed (millions) |
3,261 | 3,216 | 3,183 | 3,204 | 3,275 | |||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) (f) |
1,859 | 1,922 | 1,958 | 1,934 | 1,895 | |||||||||||||||
| Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours) (g) |
10:06 | 10:24 | 10:26 | 10:28 | 10:38 | |||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) (a) |
143,177 | 140,369 | 138,029 | 139,209 | 140,441 | |||||||||||||||
| RPMs (millions) (b) |
210,309 | 208,611 | 205,559 | 205,167 | 205,485 | |||||||||||||||
| ASMs (millions) (c) |
253,590 | 250,003 | 246,021 | 245,354 | 248,860 | |||||||||||||||
| Passenger load factor (d) |
82.9% | 83.4% | 83.6% | 83.6% | 82.6% | |||||||||||||||
| PRASM (cents) |
12.40 | 13.11 | 13.72 | 13.50 | 13.09 | |||||||||||||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) |
14.42 | 15.15 | 15.81 | 15.60 | 14.93 | |||||||||||||||
| Yield (cents) (e) |
14.96 | 15.72 | 16.42 | 16.14 | 15.86 | |||||||||||||||
| CASM (cents) |
12.70 | 13.08 | 14.85 | 15.09 | 14.91 | |||||||||||||||
| Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes |
$ | 1.49 | $ | 1.94 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 3.13 | $ | 3.27 | ||||||||||
| Fuel gallons consumed (millions) |
3,904 | 3,886 | 3,905 | 3,947 | 4,016 | |||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) (f) |
1,473 | 1,487 | 1,480 | 1,445 | 1,429 | |||||||||||||||
(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) RPM divided by ASM.
(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.
(f) Average stage length equals the average distance a flight travels weighted for size of aircraft.
(g) The average number of hours per day that an aircraft flown in revenue service is operated (from gate departure to gate arrival).
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| ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. |
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”). 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.
2016 Financial Highlights
| • | 2016 net income was $2.3 billion, or $6.85 diluted earnings per share. |
| • | United’s consolidated PRASM decreased 5.4% in 2016 compared to 2015. |
| • | Aircraft fuel cost decreased 23% year-over-year due mainly to lower fuel prices. |
| • | 2016 CASM decreased 2.9% year-over-year on a consolidated capacity increase of 1.4%. |
| • | In 2016, UAL repurchased approximately 50 million shares of UAL common stock for $2.6 billion. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $1.8 billion remaining to purchase shares under its share repurchase program. |
| • | UAL ended the year with $5.8 billion in unrestricted liquidity, which consisted of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and available capacity under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit Agreement. |
2016 Operational Highlights
| • | Consolidated RPMs for 2016 increased 0.8% as compared to 2015, and consolidated ASMs increased 1.4% from the prior year, resulting in a consolidated load factor of 82.9% in 2016 versus 83.4% in 2015. |
| • | For 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded a DOT on-time arrival rate of 81.3% and 78.1%, respectively, and a system completion factor of 99.0% and 98.7%, respectively. |
| • | The Company took delivery of five new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, eight new Boeing 737-900ERs, seven new Boeing 737-800s, two new Boeing 777-300ERs and six used Airbus A319s. United exited from scheduled service four Boeing 757-200s, 16 Embraer ERJ 145s and two Boeing 747-400s. The Company took delivery of the first Boeing 777-300ER in the Company’s fleet, named the “New Spirit of United,” featuring the all-new United Polaris business class seat. |
| • | The Company introduced new products to its industry-leading existing portfolio of products such as United Polaris service and announced Basic Economy fares which will expand its customers’ options. |
| • | During 2016, the Company reached new agreements with every domestic unionized work group. |
Outlook
Set forth below is a discussion of the principal matters that we believe could impact our financial and operating performance and cause our results of operations in future periods to differ materially from our historical
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operating results and/or from our anticipated results of operations described in the forward-looking statements in this report. See Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors, of this report and the factors described under “Forward-Looking Information” below for additional discussion of these and other factors that could affect us.
The Company is committed to improving the efficiency and quality of all aspects of its business in 2017. In order to continue improving operational performance in 2017, our top focus will be on further improvements in completion factor, departure performance and baggage handling.
As outlined at our 2016 Investor Day presentation, the Company expects to drive significant incremental value by 2020 relative to 2015. United anticipates capturing this value through a variety of initiatives including a re-fleeting and upgauge program, additional customer choice through segmentation, improvements to the revenue management systems, ongoing sensible cost management, realizing our full network potential through improved schedule quality and enhancements to the MileagePlus program. In addition, the Company will continue to focus on improving reliability while increasing the efficiency of the operation.
Economic Conditions. The economic outlook for the aviation industry in 2017 is characterized by moderate U.S. and global economic growth. In such conditions, we expect a moderate increase in the demand for air travel. Continuing economic uncertainty, along with the strengthening U.S. dollar, is providing uncertainty in key Asian, South American and European markets, and continued political and socioeconomic tensions may result in diminished demand for air travel.
Capacity. In 2017, the Company expects consolidated ASMs to grow between 1% and 2% year-over-year.
Fuel. The Company’s average aircraft fuel price per gallon including related taxes was $1.49 in 2016 as compared to $1.94 in 2015. Since 2014, the price of jet fuel has declined and remains volatile. Based on projected fuel consumption in 2017, a one dollar change in the price of a barrel of crude oil would change the Company’s annual fuel expense by approximately $95 million.
Labor. As of December 31, 2016, United had approximately 80% of employees represented by unions. In 2016, United reached contract extensions with its pilots and dispatchers, amended collective bargaining agreements with its IAM represented employees, reached a five-year contract with the AFA covering all of its flight attendants and reached a six-year contract with the IBT covering its technicians and related employees. Additionally, the Company will be increasing pay for its pilots in order to align with a recently implemented contract of another airline. The costs associated with all these agreements is expected to add approximately $900 million of costs for full-year 2017. The Company cannot predict the outcome of future negotiations with its unionized employee groups. Increases in the pay and benefits resulting from new collective bargaining agreements could have a material financial impact on the Company.
Results of Operations
In this section, we compare results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 with results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 with results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.
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2016 compared to 2015
Operating Revenue
The table below illustrates the year-over-year percentage change in the Company’s operating revenues for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except percentage changes):
| 2016 | 2015 | Increase (Decrease) |
% Change | |||||||||||||
| Passenger—Mainline |
$ | 25,414 | $ | 26,333 | $ | (919) | (3.5) | |||||||||
| Passenger—Regional |
6,043 | 6,452 | (409) | (6.3) | ||||||||||||
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| Total passenger revenue |
31,457 | 32,785 | (1,328) | (4.1) | ||||||||||||
| Cargo |
876 | 937 | (61) | (6.5) | ||||||||||||
| Other operating revenue |
4,223 | 4,142 | 81 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||
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| $ | 36,556 | $ | 37,864 | $ | (1,308) | (3.5) | ||||||||||
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The table below presents the Company’s selected passenger revenue and selected operating data based on geographic region (regional flights consist primarily of domestic routes):
| Increase (decrease) in 2016 from 2015 (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | Atlantic | Pacific | Latin | Total Mainline |
Regional | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue (in millions) |
$ | (118) | $ | (512) | $ | (215) | $ | (74) | $ | (919) | $ | (409) | $ | (1,328) | ||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue |
(0.9)% | (8.6)% | (4.9)% | (2.7)% | (3.5)% | (6.3)% | (4.1)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Average fare per passenger | (6.6)% | (5.2)% | (5.6)% | (8.0)% | (8.0)% | (2.2)% | (5.9)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Yield |
(3.2)% | (4.6)% | (7.4)% | (7.8)% | (4.8)% | (3.1)% | (4.8)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| PRASM |
(3.8)% | (8.4)% | (6.7)% | (5.5)% | (5.5)% | (2.7)% | (5.4)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers |
6.1 % | (3.7)% | 0.7 % | 5.8 % | 4.9 % | (4.3)% | 2.0 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| RPMs (traffic) |
2.3 % | (4.3)% | 2.7 % | 5.5 % | 1.4 % | (3.4)% | 0.8 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ASMs (capacity) |
3.1 % | (0.2)% | 2.0 % | 2.8 % | 2.1 % | (3.7)% | 1.4 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger load factor (points) |
(0.6) | (3.3) | 0.6 | 2.2 | (0.6) | 0.3 | (0.5) | |||||||||||||||||||||
(a) See Part II, Item 6 of this report for the definition of these statistics.
Consolidated passenger revenue decreased $1.3 billion, or 4.1%, in 2016 as compared to 2015. Consolidated PRASM decreased 5.4% in 2016 as compared to 2015. The decline in PRASM was driven by factors including a competitive domestic fare environment, lower surcharges, a strong U.S. dollar and reductions from energy-related corporate travel.
Cargo revenue decreased $61 million, or 6.5%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 due to lower freight yields and lower mail volumes year-over-year, partially offset by an increase in freight volumes. Freight 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 resulted in an increase in air freight results in the first quarter of 2015. The labor dispute was resolved during the first quarter of 2015.
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Operating Expense
The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expense for the year ended December 31 (in millions, except percentage changes):
| 2016 | 2015 | Increase (Decrease) |
% Change | |||||||||||||
| Salaries and related costs |
$ | 10,275 | $ | 9,713 | $ | 562 | 5.8 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel |
5,813 | 7,522 | (1,709) | (22.7) | ||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase |
2,197 | 2,290 | (93) | (4.1) | ||||||||||||
| Landing fees and other rent |
2,165 | 2,203 | (38) | (1.7) | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
1,977 | 1,819 | 158 | 8.7 | ||||||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs |
1,749 | 1,651 | 98 | 5.9 | ||||||||||||
| Distribution expenses |
1,303 | 1,342 | (39) | (2.9) | ||||||||||||
| Aircraft rent |
680 | 754 | (74) | (9.8) | ||||||||||||
| Special charges |
638 | 326 | 312 | NM | ||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses |
5,421 | 5,078 | 343 | 6.8 | ||||||||||||
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| $ | 32,218 | $ | 32,698 | $ | (480) | (1.5) | ||||||||||
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Salaries and related costs increased $562 million, or 5.8%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to higher pay rates and benefit expenses driven by new and extended collective bargaining agreements, an increase in employee incentive expenses due to improvements in operational performance and a 2.2% increase in average full-time equivalent employees, partially offset by a reduction in profit sharing expense in 2016 as compared to 2015, a reduction in medical and dental costs and the results of certain costs savings initiatives in 2016.
The decrease in aircraft fuel expense was primarily attributable to decreased fuel prices and a reduction in fuel hedge losses, partially offset by the impact of a 1.4% increase in capacity. 2016 fuel expense includes the benefit of a $20 million fuel tax refund. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon for the year ended December 31 (in millions, except percentage changes):
| (In millions) | % Change |
Average price per gallon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | % Change |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts | $ | 5,596 | $ | 6,918 | (19.1) | $ | 1.43 | $ | 1.78 | (19.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Hedge losses reported in fuel expense | (217) | (604) | NM | (0.06) | (0.16) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Fuel expense |
5,813 | 7,522 | (22.7) | 1.49 | 1.94 | (23.2) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total fuel consumption (gallons) | 3,904 | 3,886 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization increased $158 million, or 8.7%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to additions of new aircraft, conversions of operating leases to capital leases, aircraft improvements, accelerated depreciation of certain assets related to several fleet types and increases in information technology assets.
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $98 million, or 5.9%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to a year-over-year increase in airframe maintenance visits as a result of the cyclical timing of these visits and volume-driven increases in component costs, partially offset by a reduction in costs due to the timing of maintenance on certain engines.
Aircraft rent decreased $74 million, or 9.8%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to lease expirations, the purchase or capital lease conversion of several operating leased aircraft and lower lease renewal rates for certain aircraft.
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The table below presents special charges incurred by the Company during the years ended December 31 (in millions):
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Impairment of assets |
$ | 412 | $ | 79 | ||||
| Cleveland airport lease restructuring |
74 | — | ||||||
| Labor agreement costs |
64 | 18 | ||||||
| Severance and benefit costs |
37 | 107 | ||||||
| (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges |
51 | 122 | ||||||
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|
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| Total special charges |
$ | 638 | $ | 326 | ||||
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|||||
See Note 16 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information.
Other operating expenses increased $343 million, or 6.8%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to increases in ground handling costs, food and technology costs associated with the Company’s enhanced customer experience initiatives, rate-driven increases in hotel expenses for crews, increases in marketing expenses related to the 2016 Summer Olympics and volume-driven increases in cargo costs.
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) (in millions, except percentage changes):
| 2016 | 2015 | Increase (Decrease) |
% Change | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
$ | (614) | $ | (669) | $ | (55) | (8.2) | |||||||||
| Interest capitalized |
72 | 49 | 23 | 46.9 | ||||||||||||
| Interest income |
42 | 25 | 17 | 68.0 | ||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous, net |
(19) | (352) | (333) | (94.6) | ||||||||||||
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|
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| Total |
$ | (519) | $ | (947) | $ | (428) | (45.2) | |||||||||
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The decrease in interest expense of $55 million, or 8.2%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily due to the prepayment of certain debt issuances in 2015 and declining balances of other debt, partially offset by interest expense on debt issued for the acquisition of new aircraft, the conversion of certain operating leases to capital leases and certain constructed airport assets accounted for as capital leases.
In 2015, Miscellaneous, net included losses of $80 million from fuel derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting. Foreign currency losses were approximately $43 million and $129 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Foreign currency results included $8 million and $61 million of foreign exchange losses for 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to the Company’s cash holdings in Venezuela. Miscellaneous, net for 2015 also includes a $134 million special charge related to the write-off of unamortized non-cash debt discounts for the early redemption of the 6% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and the 6% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”).
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2015 compared to 2014
Operating Revenue
The table below illustrates the year-over-year percentage change in the Company’s operating revenues for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except percentage changes):
| 2015 | 2014 | Increase (Decrease) |
% Change | |||||||||||||
| Passenger—Mainline |
$ | 26,333 | $ | 26,785 | $ | (452) | (1.7) | |||||||||
| Passenger—Regional |
6,452 | 6,977 | (525) | (7.5) | ||||||||||||
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| Total passenger revenue |
32,785 | 33,762 | (977) | (2.9) | ||||||||||||
| Cargo |
937 | 938 | (1) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
| Other operating revenue |
4,142 | 4,201 | (59) | (1.4) | ||||||||||||
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| $ | 37,864 | $ | 38,901 | $ | (1,037) | (2.7) | ||||||||||
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The table below presents the Company’s selected passenger revenue and selected operating data based on geographic region (regional flights consist primarily of domestic routes):
| Increase (decrease) in 2015 from 2014 (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | Pacific | Atlantic | Latin | Total Mainline |
Regional | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue (in millions) |
$ | 132 | $ | (331) | $ | (159) | $ | (94) | $ | (452) | $ | (525) | $ | (977) | ||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue |
1.0 % | (7.0)% | (2.6)% | (3.4)% | (1.7)% | (7.5)% | (2.9)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Average fare per passenger |
(5.0)% | (7.5)% | (1.2)% | (10.2)% | (6.6)% | (2.2)% | (4.5)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Yield |
(1.9)% | (9.4)% | (1.7)% | (10.3)% | (4.1)% | (1.7)% | (4.3)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| PRASM |
(1.6)% | (9.2)% | (3.1)% | (11.3)% | (4.3)% | (1.6)% | (4.4)% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers |
6.3 % | 0.5 % | (1.4)% | 7.6 % | 5.3 % | (5.4)% | 1.7 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| RPMs (traffic) |
3.0 % | 2.7 % | (0.9)% | 7.7 % | 2.6 % | (5.9)% | 1.5 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ASMs (capacity) |
2.6 % | 2.4 % | 0.5 % | 8.9 % | 2.7 % | (6.0)% | 1.6 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger load factor (points) |
0.3 | 0.2 | (1.0) | (1.0) | (0.1) | — | (0.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||
(a) See Part II, Item 6 of this report for the definition of these statistics.
Consolidated passenger revenue in 2015 decreased $977 million, or 2.9%, as compared to 2014 primarily due to a decrease in consolidated yield of 4.3% 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, travel reductions from corporate customers in the energy sector and increased industry capacity in certain regions. The decline in yields was partially offset by a 1.5% year-over-year increase in traffic.
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Operating Expense
The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expense for the year ended December 31 (in millions, except percentage changes):
| 2015 | 2014 | Increase (Decrease) |
% Change | |||||||||||||
| Salaries and related costs |
$ | 9,713 | $ | 8,935 | $ | 778 | 8.7 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel |
7,522 | 11,675 | (4,153) | (35.6) | ||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase |
2,290 | 2,344 | (54) | (2.3) | ||||||||||||
| Landing fees and other rent |
2,203 | 2,274 | (71) | (3.1) | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
1,819 | 1,679 | 140 | 8.3 | ||||||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs |
1,651 | 1,779 | (128) | (7.2) | ||||||||||||
| Distribution expenses |
1,342 | 1,373 | (31) | (2.3) | ||||||||||||
| Aircraft rent |
754 | 883 | (129) | (14.6) | ||||||||||||
| Special charges |
326 | 443 | (117) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses |
5,078 | 5,143 | (65) | (1.3) | ||||||||||||
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| $ | 32,698 | $ | 36,528 | $ | (3,830) | (10.5) | ||||||||||
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Salaries and related costs increased $778 million, or 8.7%, in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to a $463 million increase in profit sharing costs as a result of improved profitability, higher pay rates driven by new collective bargaining agreements, an increase in medical and dental costs and an increase in pension expense resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions.
The decrease in aircraft fuel expense was primarily attributable to decreased fuel prices partially offset by losses from fuel hedging activity and a 1.6% increase in capacity. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon for the year ended December 31 (in millions, except percentage changes):
| (In millions) | % Change |
Average price per gallon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | % Change |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts | $ | 6,918 | $ | 11,586 | (40.3) | $ | 1.78 | $ | 2.97 | (40.1) | ||||||||||||||
| Hedge losses reported in fuel expense | (604) | (89) | NM | (0.16) | (0.02) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Fuel expense as reported |
7,522 | 11,675 | (35.6) | 1.94 | 2.99 | (35.1) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total fuel consumption (gallons) | 3,886 | 3,905 | (0.5) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization increased $140 million, or 8.3%, in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to additions in owned property and equipment, specifically related to new aircraft, information technology assets and several aircraft capital lease conversions from operating leases.
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs decreased $128 million, or 7.2%, in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to a year-over-year decrease in significant airframe maintenance visits as a result of the cyclical timing of these visits, improvements in the efficiency of in-house maintenance programs, a reduced volume of seat and landing gear maintenance and a reduction of flying hours under certain power-by-the-hour engine maintenance agreements, partially offset by increases in expenses related to aircraft reliability projects and Wi-Fi systems maintenance.
Aircraft rent decreased $129 million or 14.6% in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to lease expirations, the purchase or capital lease conversion of several operating leased aircraft and lower lease renewal rates for certain aircraft.
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The table below presents special charges incurred by the Company during the years ended December 31 (in millions):
| 2015 | 2014 | |||||||
| Severance and benefit costs |
$ | 107 | $ | 199 | ||||
| Impairment of assets |
79 | 49 | ||||||
| Labor agreement costs |
18 | — | ||||||
| (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other miscellaneous (gains) losses, net |
122 | 195 | ||||||
|
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|
|
|||||
| Total special charges |
$ | 326 | $ | 443 | ||||
|
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|
|||||
See Note 16 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information.
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in UAL’s nonoperating income (expense) (in millions, except percentage changes):
| 2015 | 2014 | Increase (Decrease) |
% Change | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
$ | (669) | $ | (735) | $ | (66) | (9.0) | |||||||||
| Interest capitalized |
49 | 52 | (3) | (5.8) | ||||||||||||
| Interest income |
25 | 22 | 3 | 13.6 | ||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous, net |
(352) | (584) | (232) | (39.7) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | (947) | $ | (1,245) | $ | (298) | (23.9) | |||||||||
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The decrease in interest expense of $66 million, or 9.0%, in 2015 as compared to 2014 was primarily due to the prepayment of certain debt issuances and declining balances of other debt, partially offset by interest expense on debt issued for the acquisition of new aircraft.
Miscellaneous, net included losses of $80 million and $462 million from fuel derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Foreign currency losses were approximately $129 million and $41 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Foreign currency results included $61 million and $10 million of foreign exchange losses for 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the Company’s cash holdings in Venezuela. Miscellaneous, net for 2015 includes a $134 million special charge related to the write-off of unamortized non-cash debt discounts for the early redemption of the 2026 Notes and the 2028 Notes. 2014 Miscellaneous, net includes a $64 million debt extinguishment charge related to the retirement of the $248 million 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $4.4 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, a decrease of $0.8 billion from December 31, 2015. The Company had its entire commitment capacity of $1.35 billion under the Credit Agreement available for letters of credit or borrowings as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $124 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, which is primarily collateral for letters of credit and estimated future workers’ compensation claims. We may be required to post significant additional cash collateral to provide security for obligations. Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 totaled $206 million.
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 December 31, 2016, the Company had
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approximately $11.7 billion of debt and capital lease obligations, including $1.0 billion that are due within 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 December 31, 2016, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by approximately $5.0 billion. However, approximately $5.9 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 made principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations totaling $1.4 billion in 2016.
The Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to prepay its debt, including open market repurchases, to reduce its indebtedness and related interest.
For 2017, the Company expects between $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion of gross capital expenditures. See Notes 11 and 15 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information on commitments.
As of December 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. See Note 11 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information on assets provided as collateral by the Company.
The following is a discussion of the Company’s sources and uses of cash from 2014 through 2016.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
2016 compared to 2015
Cash flow provided by operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $5.5 billion compared to $6.0 billion in the same period in 2015. Working capital changes reduced cash flow from operations by $0.5 billion year-over-year in 2016 as compared to 2015. The following were significant working capital items in 2016:
| • | Frequent flyer and advance purchase of miles decreased $0.6 billion due to increased utilization of pre-purchased miles. |
| • | Other assets, including spare parts, increased by $0.3 billion as part of the Company’s efforts to improve fleet reliability. |
| • | Accounts payable increased $0.2 billion, driven by the timing of payments. |
2015 compared to 2014
Cash flow provided by operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $6.0 billion compared to $2.6 billion in the same period in 2014. The $3.4 billion increase is primarily attributable to an increase of $3.1 billion in income before income taxes and a $0.4 billion increase in non-cash items for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. Working capital changes reduced cash flow from operations by $0.1 billion year-over-year in 2015 as compared to 2014. The following were significant working capital items in 2015:
| • | Cash flow increased by $0.2 billion from the return of hedge collateral net of the impact of changes in fuel derivative positions. |
| • | Other liabilities, including accrued wages, decreased $0.2 billion, which included $0.8 billion in pension contributions offset by $0.7 billion in profit sharing accruals. |
| • | Frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles decreased $0.2 billion. |
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities
2016 compared to 2015
The Company’s capital expenditures were $3.2 billion and $2.7 billion in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company’s capital expenditures for both years were primarily attributable to the purchase of aircraft, facility and fleet-related costs and the purchase of information technology assets.
2015 compared to 2014
The Company’s capital expenditures were $2.7 billion and $2.0 billion in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company’s capital expenditures for both years were primarily attributable to the purchase of aircraft, facility and fleet-related costs. In 2015, the Company announced a strategic partnership with Azul. Through a wholly-owned subsidiary, the Company invested $100 million for an economic stake of approximately five percent in Azul, Brazil’s largest carrier by cities served, which provides a range of customer benefits including codesharing of flights, joint loyalty program participation and expanded connection opportunities on routes between the U.S. and Brazil, a key market for United, in addition to other points in North and South America.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Significant financing events in 2016 were as follows:
Share Repurchases
The Company used $2.6 billion of cash to purchase 50 million shares of its common stock during 2016 under its share repurchase programs. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has $1.8 billion remaining to spend under its share repurchase program.
Debt Issuances
In 2016, United completed two enhanced equipment trust certificate (“EETC”) offerings for a total principal amount of $2.0 billion. Of the $2.0 billion, United received and recorded $708 million of proceeds as debt as of December 31, 2016 to finance the purchase of 17 aircraft. United expects to receive all proceeds from the pass-through trusts by the end of the second quarter of 2017.
In 2016, United borrowed approximately $369 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2016.
Debt and Capital Lease Principal Payments
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $1.4 billion.
Significant financing events in 2015 were as follows:
Share Repurchases
The Company used $1.2 billion of cash to purchase 21 million shares of its common stock during 2015 under its share repurchase programs.
Debt Issuances
During 2015, United issued $1.4 billion of debt related to EETC offerings to finance aircraft.
In 2015, United borrowed approximately $590 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2015.
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Debt and Capital Lease Principal Payments
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $2.3 billion, including the following prepayments:
| • | UAL used cash to repurchase all $321 million par value 2026 Notes. |
| • | UAL used cash to repurchase all $311 million par value 2028 Notes. |
| • | UAL used cash to prepay, at par, $300 million principal amount of its $500 million term loan due September 2021 under the Credit Agreement. |
Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash
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.
Significant financing events in 2014 were as follows:
Share Repurchases
The Company used $320 million of cash to purchase approximately 7 million shares of its common stock under the 2014 Program.
Debt Issuances
During 2014, United issued $1.8 billion of debt related to EETC offerings to finance aircraft.
United borrowed a $500 million term loan under the Credit Agreement.
Debt and Capital Lease Principal Payments
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $2.6 billion, including the following prepayments:
| • | UAL retired, at par, $400 million principal balance of its 8% Notes due 2024. |
| • | United used cash to purchase approximately $276 million principal amount of convertible notes and retired the notes. |
| • | United retired, at par, the entire $800 million principal balance of its 6.75% Senior Secured Notes. |
Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash
UAL amended its revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement, increasing the capacity from $1.0 billion to $1.35 billion and establishing the maturity date for $1.315 billion in lender commitments as January 2, 2019.
UAL issued approximately 17 million shares in exchange for, or conversion of, $260 million of convertible notes and retired the notes.
For additional information regarding these Liquidity and Capital Resource matters, see Notes 3, 11, 13 and 14 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report. For information regarding non-cash investing and financing activities, see the Company’s statements of consolidated cash flows.
Other significant financing event was as follows:
Debt Issuance
In January 2017, United issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2024. See Note 11 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information.
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Credit Ratings. As of the filing date of this report, UAL and United had the following corporate credit ratings:
| S&P | Moody’s | Fitch | ||||||||
| UAL | BB- | Ba2 | BB | |||||||
| United | BB- | * | BB | |||||||
| *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.
Other Liquidity Matters
Below is a summary of additional liquidity matters. See the indicated notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional details related to these and other matters affecting our liquidity and commitments.
| Pension and other postretirement plans |
Note 8 | |
| Hedging activities |
Note 10 | |
| Long-term debt and debt covenants |
Note 11 | |
| Leases and capacity purchase agreements |
Note 13 | |
| Commitments and contingencies |
Note 15 |
Contractual Obligations. The Company’s business is capital intensive, requiring significant amounts of capital to fund the acquisition of assets, particularly aircraft. In the past, the Company has funded the acquisition of aircraft through outright purchase, by issuing debt, by entering into capital or operating leases, or through vendor financings. The Company also often enters into long-term lease commitments with airports to ensure access to terminal, cargo, maintenance and other required facilities.
The table below provides a summary of the Company’s material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016 (in billions):
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | After 2021 |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (a) |
$ | 0.8 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 1.9 | $ | 1.0 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 4.6 | $ | 10.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital lease obligations—principal portion |
0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | — | — | 0.6 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Total debt and capital lease obligations |
0.9 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 5.2 | 11.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on debt and capital lease obligations (b) |
0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 2.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft operating lease obligations |
1.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 6.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Regional CPAs (c) |
1.9 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 11.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating lease obligations |
1.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 6.7 | 12.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Postretirement obligations (d) |
0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension obligations (e) |
— | — | — | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital purchase obligations (f) |
4.5 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 7.8 | 23.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Total contractual obligations |
$ | 10.4 | $ | 9.4 | $ | 8.8 | $ | 7.1 | $ | 6.5 | $ | 28.7 | $ | 70.9 | ||||||||||||||
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| (a) | Long-term debt presented in the Company’s financial statements is net of $124 million of debt discount, premiums and debt issuance costs which are being amortized over the debt terms. Contractual payments are not net of the debt discount, premiums and debt issuance costs. |
| (b) | Includes interest portion of capital lease obligations of $67 million in 2017, $57 million in 2018, $50 million in 2019, $47 million in 2020, $44 million in 2021 and $339 million thereafter. Future interest payments on variable rate debt are estimated using estimated future variable rates based on a yield curve. |
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| (c) | Represents our estimates of future minimum noncancelable commitments under our CPAs and does not include the portion of the underlying obligations for aircraft and facility rent that is disclosed as part of aircraft and nonaircraft operating leases. Amounts also exclude a portion of United’s capital lease obligation recorded for certain of its CPAs. See Note 13 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for the significant assumptions used to estimate the payments. |
| (d) | Amounts represent postretirement benefit payments, net of subsidy receipts, through 2026. Benefit payments approximate plan contributions as plans are substantially unfunded. |
| (e) | Represents estimate of the minimum funding requirements as determined by government regulations for United’s material pension plans. Amounts are subject to change based on numerous assumptions, including the performance of assets in the plan and bond rates. See Critical Accounting Policies, below, for a discussion of our current year assumptions regarding United’s pension plans. |
| (f) | Represents contractual commitments for firm order aircraft, spare engines and other capital purchase commitments. See Note 15 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for a discussion of our purchase commitments. |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. An off-balance sheet arrangement is any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (1) made guarantees, (2) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity, or (4) any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development arrangements. The Company’s primary off-balance sheet arrangements include operating leases, which are summarized in the contractual obligations table in Contractual Obligations, above, and certain municipal bond obligations, as discussed below.
As of December 31, 2016, United had cash collateralized $72 million of letters of credit. United also had $383 million of surety bonds securing various obligations at December 31, 2016. Most of the letters of credit have evergreen clauses and are expected to be renewed on an annual basis and the surety bonds have expiration dates through 2021.
As of December 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 a majority of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases. The leasing arrangements associated with a portion of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases. The annual lease payments for those obligations accounted for as operating leases are included in the operating lease payments in the contractual obligations table above.
As of December 31, 2016, United is the guarantor of $168 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United’s regional carriers. The aircraft mortgage debt is subject to increased cost provisions and the Company would potentially be responsible for those costs under the guarantees. The increased cost provisions in the $168 million of aircraft mortgage debt are similar to those in certain of the Company’s debt agreements. See Note 15 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information on increased cost provisions related to the Company’s debt.
EETCs. In June 2016 and September 2016, United completed two separate EETC offerings for a total principal amount of $2.0 billion. United has received and recorded $708 million of the proceeds from these offerings as debt as of December 31, 2016. See Notes 11 and 14 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information on EETC pass-through trusts and variable interest entity consideration.
Increased Cost Provisions. See Note 15 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information on increased cost provisions related to the Company’s debt.
Fuel Consortia. United participates in numerous fuel consortia with other air carriers at major airports to reduce the costs of fuel distribution and storage. Interline agreements govern the rights and responsibilities of the consortia members and provide for the allocation of the overall costs to operate the consortia based on usage. The consortia (and in limited cases, the participating carriers) have entered into long-term agreements to lease certain airport fuel storage and distribution facilities that are typically financed through tax-exempt bonds (either special facilities lease revenue bonds or general airport revenue bonds), issued by various local municipalities. In general, each consortium lease agreement requires the consortium to make lease payments in amounts sufficient
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to pay the maturing principal and interest payments on the bonds. As of December 31, 2016, approximately $1.5 billion principal amount of such bonds were secured by significant fuel facility leases in which United participates, as to which United and each of the signatory airlines has provided indirect guarantees of the debt. As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s contingent exposure was approximately $234 million principal amount of such bonds based on its recent consortia participation. The Company’s contingent exposure could increase if the participation of other air carriers decreases. The guarantees will expire when the tax-exempt bonds are paid in full, which ranges from 2017 to 2049. The Company did not record a liability at the time these indirect guarantees were made. See Note 15 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information related to the Company’s fuel consortia.
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are affected by significant judgments and uncertainties which potentially could result in materially different accounting under different assumptions and conditions. The Company has prepared the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has identified the following critical accounting policies that impact the preparation of the financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. The Company records passenger ticket sales and tickets sold by other airlines for use on United as passenger revenue when the transportation is provided or upon estimated breakage. The value of unused passenger tickets is included in current liabilities as Advance ticket sales. Tickets sold by other airlines are recorded at the estimated values to be billed to the other airlines. Differences between amounts billed and the actual amounts may be rejected and rebilled or written off if the amount recorded was different from the original estimate. When necessary, the Company records a reserve against its interline billings and payables if historical experience indicates that these amounts are different. Non-refundable tickets generally expire on the date of the intended flight, unless the date is extended by notification from the customer on or before the intended flight date.
Fees charged in association with changes or extensions to non-refundable tickets are recorded as other revenue at the time the fee is incurred. The fare on the changed ticket, including any additional collection of fare, is deferred and recognized in accordance with our transportation revenue recognition policy at the time the transportation is provided. Change fees related to non-refundable tickets are considered a separate transaction from the air transportation because they represent a charge for the Company’s additional service to modify a previous sale. Therefore, the pricing of the change fee and the initial customer order are separately determined and represent distinct earnings processes.
The Company records an estimate of breakage revenue on the flight date for tickets that will expire unused. These estimates are based on the evaluation of actual historical results and forecasted trends. Refundable tickets expire after one year from the date of issuance.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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. The Company currently plans to use the full-retrospective approach in adopting this standard on January 1, 2018. Under the new standard, certain airline ancillary fees directly related to passenger revenue tickets, such as ticket change fees and baggage fees, are likely to no longer be considered distinct performance obligations separate from the passenger travel component. In addition, the ticket change fees which were previously recognized when received and booking fees when paid, will likely be recognized when transportation is provided. The Company
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has previously recorded ancillary fees and change fees in other operating revenue but will record these in passenger revenue under the new standard. The Company is evaluating other possible impacts from the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
Frequent Flyer Accounting. The Company’s MileagePlus program is designed to increase customer loyalty. Program participants earn miles by flying on United and certain other participating airlines. Program participants can also earn miles through purchases from other non-airline partners that participate in the Company’s loyalty program. We sell miles to these partners, which include credit card issuers, retail merchants, hotels, car rental companies and our participating airline partners. Miles can be redeemed for free (other than taxes and government imposed fees), discounted or upgraded air travel and non-travel awards. The Company records its obligation for future award redemptions using a deferred revenue model.
When frequent flyers earn miles for flights, the Company recognizes a portion of the ticket sales as revenue when the air transportation occurs and defers a portion of the ticket sale representing the value of the related miles as a multiple-deliverable revenue arrangement. The Company determines the estimated selling price of air transportation and miles as if each element is sold on a separate basis. The total consideration from each ticket sale is then allocated to each of these elements, individually, on a pro rata basis. The miles are recorded in Frequent flyer deferred revenue on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and recognized into revenue when the transportation is provided.
The Company’s estimated selling price of miles is based on an equivalent ticket value less fulfillment discount, which incorporates the expected redemption of miles, as the best estimate of selling price for these miles. The equivalent ticket value is based on the prior 12 months’ weighted average equivalent ticket value of similar fares as those used to settle award redemptions while taking into consideration such factors as redemption pattern, cabin class, loyalty status and geographic region. The estimated selling price of miles is adjusted by a fulfillment discount that considers a number of factors, including redemption patterns of various customer groups.
United has a significant contract to sell MileagePlus miles to its co-branded credit card partner, Chase. United identified the following significant revenue elements in its Second Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement (the “Co-Brand Agreement”): the air transportation element represented by the value of the mile (generally resulting from its redemption for future air transportation and whose fair value is described above); use of the United brand and access to MileagePlus member lists; advertising; and other travel related benefits.
The fair value of the elements is determined using management’s estimated selling price of each element. The objective of using the estimated selling price based methodology is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. Accordingly, we determine our best estimate of selling price by considering multiple inputs and methods including, but not limited to, discounted cash flows, brand value, volume discounts, published selling prices, number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed. The Company estimated the selling prices and volumes over the term of the Co-Brand Agreement in order to determine the allocation of proceeds to each of the multiple elements to be delivered. We also evaluate volumes on an annual basis, which may result in a change in the allocation of estimated selling price on a prospective basis.
The Company records passenger revenue related to the air transportation element when the transportation is delivered. The other elements are generally recognized as Other operating revenue when earned.
The Company accounts for miles sold and awarded that will never be redeemed by program members, which we refer to as breakage. The Company reviews its breakage estimates annually based upon the latest available information regarding redemption and expiration patterns. Miles expire after 18 months of member account inactivity. The Company’s estimate of the expected expiration of miles requires significant management judgment. Current and future changes to expiration assumptions or to the expiration policy, or to program rules and program redemption opportunities, may result in material changes to the deferred revenue balance as well as recognized revenues from the programs.
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The following table summarizes information related to the Company’s Frequent flyer deferred revenue liability:
| Frequent flyer deferred revenue at December 31, 2016 (in millions) |
$ | 4,883 | ||
| % of miles earned expected to expire |
16% | |||
| Impact of 1% change in outstanding miles or weighted average ticket value on deferred revenue (in millions) |
$ | 54 |
Long-Lived Assets. The net book value of operating property and equipment for the Company was $23 billion and $22 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The assets’ recorded value is impacted by a number of accounting policy elections, including the estimation of useful lives and residual values and, when necessary, the recognition of asset impairment charges.
The Company records assets acquired, including aircraft, at acquisition cost. Depreciable life is determined through economic analysis, such as reviewing existing fleet plans, obtaining appraisals and comparing estimated lives to other airlines that operate similar fleets. As aircraft technology has improved, useful life has increased and the Company has generally estimated the lives of those aircraft to be 30 years. Residual values are estimated based on historical experience with regard to the sale of both aircraft and spare parts and are established in conjunction with the estimated useful lives of the related fleets. Residual values are based on when the aircraft are acquired and typically reflect asset values that have not reached the end of their physical life. Both depreciable lives and residual values are revised periodically as facts and circumstances arise to recognize changes in the Company’s fleet plan and other relevant information. A one-year increase in the average depreciable life of the Company’s flight equipment would reduce annual depreciation expense on flight equipment by approximately $57 million.
The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets and intangible assets subject to amortization whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. For purposes of this testing, the Company has generally identified the aircraft fleet type as the lowest level of identifiable cash flows for purposes of testing aircraft for impairment. An impairment charge is recognized when the asset’s carrying value exceeds its net undiscounted future cash flows and its fair market value. The amount of the charge is the difference between the asset’s carrying value and fair market value.
In 2016, the Company determined that the FAA’s action impaired the entire value of its Newark slots because the slots no longer were the mechanism that governed take-off and landing rights, and the Company recorded a special charge to write off the intangible asset. See Notes 16 to the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report for additional information.
Defined Benefit Plan Accounting. We sponsor defined benefit pension plans for eligible employees and retirees. The most critical assumptions impacting our defined benefit pension plan obligations and expenses are the weighted average discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on the plan assets.
United’s pension plans’ under-funded status was $1.9 billion at December 31, 2016. Funding requirements for tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans are determined by government regulations. In 2017, we anticipate contributing at least $400 million to our pension plans. The fair value of the plans’ assets was $3.4 billion at December 31, 2016.
When calculating pension expense for 2017, the Company assumed that its plans’ assets would generate a long-term rate of return of approximately 7.0%. The expected long-term rate of return assumption was developed based on historical experience and input from the trustee managing the plans’ assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on a target allocation of assets, which is based on a goal of earning the highest rate of return while maintaining risk at acceptable levels. Our projected long-term rate of return reflects the active management of our plans’ assets. The plans strive to have assets sufficiently diversified so that adverse or unexpected results from one security class will not have an unduly detrimental impact on the entire portfolio. Plan fiduciaries regularly review actual asset allocation and the pension plans’ investments are periodically rebalanced to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.
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The defined benefit pension plans’ assets consist of return generating investments and risk mitigating investments which are held through direct ownership or through interests in common collective trusts. Return generating investments include primarily equity securities, fixed-income securities and alternative investments (e.g. private equity and hedge funds). Risk mitigating investments include primarily U.S. government and investment grade corporate fixed-income securities. The allocation of assets was as follows at December 31, 2016:
| Percent of Total | Expected Long-Term Rate of Return |
|||||||
| Equity securities |
35 % | 9.5 % | ||||||
| Fixed-income securities |
39 | 5.0 | ||||||
| Alternatives |
17 | 7.3 | ||||||
| Other |
9 | 7.0 | ||||||
Pension expense increases as the expected rate of return on plan assets decreases. Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 50 basis points (from 7.0% to 6.5%) would increase estimated 2017 pension expense by approximately $17 million. Future pension obligations for United’s plans were discounted using a weighted average rate of 4.18% at December 31, 2016. The Company selected the discount rate for substantially all of its plans by using a hypothetical portfolio of high quality bonds at December 31, 2016 that would provide the necessary cash flows to match the projected benefit payments. The pension liability and future pension expense both increase as the discount rate is reduced. Lowering the discount rate by 50 basis points (from 4.18% to 3.68%) would increase the pension liability at December 31, 2016 by approximately $575 million and increase the estimated 2017 pension expense by approximately $73 million. Future changes in plan asset returns, plan provisions, assumed discount rates, pension funding law and various other factors related to the participants in our pension plans will impact our future pension expense and liabilities. We cannot predict with certainty what these factors will be in the future.
Actuarial gains or losses are triggered by changes in assumptions or experience that differ from the original assumptions. Under the applicable accounting standards for defined benefit pension plans, those gains and losses are not required to be recognized currently as pension benefit expense, but instead may be deferred as part of accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized into expense over the average remaining service life of the covered active employees. All gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income are amortized to expense over the remaining years of service of the covered active employees. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had unrecognized actuarial losses for pension benefit plans of $1.5 billion and $844 million, respectively, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Accounting. United’s postretirement plan provides certain health care benefits, primarily in the United States, to retirees and eligible dependents, as well as certain life insurance benefits to certain retirees reflected as “Other Benefits.” United also has retiree medical programs that permit retirees who meet certain age and service requirements to continue medical coverage between retirement and Medicare eligibility. Eligible employees are required to pay a portion of the costs of their retiree medical benefits, which in some cases may be offset by accumulated unused sick time at the time of their retirement. Plan benefits are subject to co-payments, deductibles and other limits as described in the plans.
The Company accounts for other postretirement benefits by recognizing the difference between plan assets and obligations, or the plan’s funded status, in its financial statements. Other postretirement benefit expense is recognized on an accrual basis over employees’ approximate service periods and is generally calculated independently of funding decisions or requirements. United has not been required to pre-fund its plan obligations, which has resulted in a significant net obligation, as discussed below. The Company’s benefit obligation was $1.7 billion and $2.0 billion for the other postretirement benefit plans at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
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The calculation of other postretirement benefit expense and obligations requires the use of a number of assumptions, including the assumed discount rate for measuring future payment obligations and the health care cost trend rate. The Company determines the appropriate discount rate for each of the plans based on current rates on high quality corporate bonds that would generate the cash flow necessary to pay plan benefits when due. The Company’s weighted average discount rate to determine its benefit obligations as of December 31, 2016 was 4.07%, as compared to 4.49% for December 31, 2015. The health care cost trend rate assumed for 2016 was 6.75%, declining to 5.0% in 2023, as compared to assumed trend rate for 2017 of 6.50%, declining to 5.0% in 2023. A 1% increase in assumed health care trend rates would increase the Company’s total service and interest cost for the year ended December 31, 2016 by $13 million; whereas, a 1% decrease in assumed health care trend rates would decrease the Company’s total service and interest cost for the year ended December 31, 2016 by $11 million. A one percentage point decrease in the weighted average discount rate would increase the Company’s postretirement benefit liability by approximately $181 million and increase the estimated 2016 benefits expense by approximately $11 million.
Actuarial gains or losses are triggered by changes in assumptions or experience that differ from the original assumptions and prior service credits result from a retroactive reduction in benefits due under the plans. Under the applicable accounting standards for postretirement welfare benefit plans, actuarial gains and losses and prior service credits are not required to be recognized currently, but instead may be deferred as part of accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized into expense over the average remaining service life of the covered active employees or the average life expectancy of inactive participants. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had unrecognized actuarial gains for postretirement welfare benefit plans of $384 million and $236 million, respectively, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Income Taxes. The Company has a net deferred tax asset totaling $655 million as of December 31, 2016, including $1.6 billion of federal and state NOL carryforwards and $108 million of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards, net of a $8 million valuation allowance, which do not expire. The federal NOL carryforwards will expire beginning in 2026 if unused. In addition, the majority of tax benefits of the state net operating losses of $56 million, net of a $36 million valuation allowance, will expire over a five to 20-year period. At the end of 2016, the Company maintained a valuation allowance of $68 million against certain state and local NOLs and credit carryforwards which will expire unused due to limited carryforward periods.
The Company periodically assesses whether it is more likely than not that it will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred income tax assets. The Company establishes valuation allowances if it is not likely it will realize its deferred income tax assets. In making this determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence and makes certain assumptions. The Company considers, among other things, projected future taxable income, scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, the Company’s historical financial results and tax planning strategies. In evaluating the likelihood of utilizing the Company’s net deferred income tax assets, the significant factors that the Company considers include (1) the Company’s recent history and forecasted profitability; (2) growth in the U.S. and global economies; and (3) future impact of taxable temporary differences. During 2015, after considering all positive and negative evidence and the four sources of taxable income, the Company concluded that its deferred income tax assets were more likely than not to be realized. Therefore, the Company released almost all of its valuation allowance in 2015, resulting in a $3.1 billion benefit in its provision for income taxes.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements throughout Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and elsewhere in this report are forward-looking and thus reflect the Company’s current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and anticipated financial and operating performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s 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.
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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 the Company on the date of this report. The Company undertakes 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; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans and revenue-generating initiatives, including optimizing our revenue; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; costs associated with any modification or termination of our aircraft orders; 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 and political 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 aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); economic and political instability and other risks of doing business globally; 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; the effects of any technology failures or cybersecurity breaches; disruptions to our regional network; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; the success of our investments in airlines in other parts of the world; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; our 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 any 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 this report, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.
| ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. |
Interest Rates. Our net income (loss) is affected by fluctuations in interest rates (e.g. interest expense on variable rate debt and interest income earned on short-term investments). The Company’s policy is to manage interest rate risk through a combination of fixed and variable rate debt. The following table summarizes information related to the Company’s interest rate market risk at December 31 (in millions):
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Variable rate debt |
||||||||
| Carrying value of variable rate debt at December 31 |
$ | 2,582 | $ | 2,345 | ||||
| Impact of 100 basis point increase on projected interest expense for the following year | 25 | 23 | ||||||
| Fixed rate debt |
||||||||
| Carrying value of fixed rate debt at December 31 |
8,185 | 8,552 | ||||||
| Fair value of fixed rate debt at December 31 |
8,469 | 9,022 | ||||||
| Impact of 100 basis point increase in market rates on fair value |
(340) | (369) | ||||||
A change in market interest rates would also impact interest income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Assuming our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments remain at their average
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2016 levels, a 100 basis point increase in interest rates would result in a corresponding increase in the Company’s interest income of approximately $47 million during 2017.
Commodity Price Risk (Aircraft Fuel). The price level of aircraft fuel can significantly affect the Company’s operations, results of operations, financial position and liquidity. Since 2014, the price of jet fuel has declined but remains volatile.
Our operational and financial results can be significantly impacted by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel. To provide adequate supplies of fuel, the Company routinely enters into purchase contracts that are customarily indexed to market prices for aircraft fuel, and the Company generally has some ability to cover short-term fuel supply and infrastructure disruptions at some major demand locations. The price of aircraft fuel has fluctuated substantially in the past several years and in order to lower its exposure to unpredictable increases in the market prices of aircraft fuel, the Company has historically hedged a portion of its planned fuel requirements. As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any outstanding fuel hedging contracts. The Company’s current strategy is to not enter into transactions to hedge its fuel consumption, although the Company regularly reviews its policy based on market conditions and other factors. The Company’s 2017 forecasted fuel consumption is presently approximately four billion gallons, and based on this forecast, a one dollar change in the price of a barrel of crude oil would change the Company’s annual fuel expense by approximately $95 million.
Foreign Currency. 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. The Company’s current strategy is to not enter into transactions to hedge its foreign currency sales, although the Company regularly reviews its policy based on market conditions and other factors. As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any foreign currency derivative contracts outstanding. The last of the Company’s foreign currency derivatives expired in December 2016.
The result of a uniform 10 percent strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar from December 31, 2016 levels relative to each of the currencies in which the Company has foreign currency exposure would result in a decrease in pre-tax income of approximately $239 million for the year ending December 31, 2017. This sensitivity analysis was prepared based upon projected 2017 foreign currency-denominated revenues and expenses as of December 31, 2016.
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| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
United Continental Holdings, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related statements of consolidated operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and stockholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) and our report dated February 23, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 23, 2017
48
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholder of
United Airlines, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of United Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related statements of consolidated operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and stockholder’s equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 23, 2017
49
Table of Contents
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||
| Operating revenue: |
||||||||||||
| Passenger—Mainline |
$ | 25,414 | $ | 26,333 | $ | 26,785 | ||||||
| Passenger—Regional |
6,043 | 6,452 | 6,977 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total passenger revenue |
31,457 | 32,785 | 33,762 | |||||||||
| Cargo |
876 | 937 | 938 | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue |
4,223 | 4,142 | 4,201 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| 36,556 | 37,864 | 38,901 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating expense: | ||||||||||||
| Salaries and related costs |
10,275 | 9,713 | 8,935 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel |
5,813 | 7,522 | 11,675 | |||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase |
2,197 | 2,290 | 2,344 | |||||||||
| Landing fees and other rent |
2,165 | 2,203 | 2,274 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
1,977 | 1,819 | 1,679 | |||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs |
1,749 | 1,651 | 1,779 | |||||||||
| Distribution expenses |
1,303 | 1,342 | 1,373 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent |
680 | 754 | 883 | |||||||||
| Special charges (Note 16) |
638 | 326 | 443 | |||||||||
| Other operating expenses |
5,421 | 5,078 | 5,143 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| 32,218 | 32,698 | 36,528 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating income | 4,338 | 5,166 | 2,373 | |||||||||
| Nonoperating income (expense): |
||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(614) | (669) | (735) | |||||||||
| Interest capitalized |
72 | 49 | 52 | |||||||||
| Interest income |
42 | 25 | 22 | |||||||||
| Miscellaneous, net (Note 16) |
(19) | (352) | (584) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (519) | (947) | (1,245) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Income before income taxes | 3,819 | 4,219 | 1,128 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) |
1,556 | (3,121) | (4) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net income |
$ | 2,263 | $ | 7,340 | $ | 1,132 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Earnings per share, basic |
$ | 6.86 | $ | 19.52 | $ | 3.05 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Earnings per share, diluted |
$ | 6.85 | $ | 19.47 | $ | 2.93 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
50
Table of Contents
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In millions)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 2,263 | $ | 7,340 | $ | 1,132 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to: |
||||||||||||
| Employee benefit plans, net of taxes |
(313) | 70 | (1,171) | |||||||||
| Fuel derivative financial instruments, net of taxes |
316 | 182 | (510) | |||||||||
| Investments and other, net of taxes |
(1) | (4) | (6) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| 2 | 248 | (1,687) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss), net |
$ | 2,265 | $ | 7,588 | $ | (555) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
51
Table of Contents
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except shares)
| At December 31, | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| ASSETS | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
| Current assets: |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 2,179 | $ | 3,006 | ||||
| Short-term investments |
2,249 | 2,190 | ||||||
| Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2016—$10; 2015—$18) |
1,176 | 1,128 | ||||||
| Fuel hedge collateral deposits |
— | 26 | ||||||
| Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance |
873 | 738 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other |
832 | 740 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 7,309 | 7,828 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Operating property and equipment: |
||||||||
| Owned— |
||||||||
| Flight equipment |
25,873 | 23,728 | ||||||
| Other property and equipment |
5,652 | 4,542 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 31,525 | 28,270 | |||||||
| Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(9,975) | (8,339) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 21,550 | 19,931 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Purchase deposits for flight equipment |
1,059 | 788 | ||||||
| Capital leases— |
||||||||
| Flight equipment |
1,319 | 1,527 | ||||||
| Other property and equipment |
331 | 332 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 1,650 | 1,859 | |||||||
| Less—Accumulated amortization |
(941) | (998) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 709 | 861 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 23,318 | 21,580 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Other assets: |
||||||||
| Goodwill |
4,523 | 4,523 | ||||||
| Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2016—$1,234; 2015—$1,144) |
3,632 | 4,136 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes |
655 | 2,037 | ||||||
| Restricted cash |
124 | 204 | ||||||
| Other, net |
579 | 553 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 9,513 | 11,453 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| $ | 40,140 | $ | 40,861 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
(continued on next page)
52
Table of Contents
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except shares)
| At December 31, | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
| Current liabilities: |
||||||||
| Advance ticket sales |
$ | 3,730 | $ | 3,753 | ||||
| Frequent flyer deferred revenue |
2,135 | 2,117 | ||||||
| Accounts payable |
2,139 | 1,869 | ||||||
| Accrued salaries and benefits |
2,307 | 2,350 | ||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt |
849 | 1,224 | ||||||
| Current maturities of capital leases |
116 | 135 | ||||||
| Fuel derivative instruments |
— | 124 | ||||||
| Other |
1,010 | 842 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 12,286 | 12,414 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Long-term debt |
9,918 | 9,673 | ||||||
| Long-term obligations under capital leases |
822 | 727 | ||||||
| Other liabilities and deferred credits: | ||||||||
| Frequent flyer deferred revenue |
2,748 | 2,826 | ||||||
| Postretirement benefit liability |
1,581 | 1,882 | ||||||
| Pension liability |
1,892 | 1,488 | ||||||
| Advanced purchase of miles |
430 | 1,010 | ||||||
| Lease fair value adjustment, net |
277 | 359 | ||||||
| Other |
1,527 | 1,516 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 8,455 | 9,081 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: |
||||||||
| Preferred stock |
— | — | ||||||
| Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 314,612,744 and 364,609,108 shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively |
3 | 4 | ||||||
| Additional capital invested |
6,569 | 7,946 | ||||||
| Retained earnings |
3,427 | 3,457 | ||||||
| Stock held in treasury, at cost |
(511) | (1,610) | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(829) | (831) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 8,659 | 8,966 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| $ | 40,140 | $ | 40,861 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
53
Table of Contents
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 2,263 | $ | 7,340 | $ | 1,132 | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities - |
||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes |
1,648 | (3,177) | 13 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
1,977 | 1,819 | 1,679 | |||||||||
| Special charges, non-cash portion |
391 | 247 | 78 | |||||||||
| Other operating activities |
109 | 115 | (21) | |||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities - |
||||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in fuel hedge collateral |
26 | 551 | (577) | |||||||||
| (Decrease) increase in fuel derivatives |
(20) | (305) | 436 | |||||||||
| Decrease in other liabilities |
(114) | (198) | (238) | |||||||||
| Decrease in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles |
(641) | (200) | (88) | |||||||||
| Increase in other assets |
(298) | (160) | (34) | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable |
239 | (77) | (251) | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales |
(22) | 52 | 296 | |||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in receivables |
(16) | (15) | 209 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
5,542 | 5,992 | 2,634 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures |
(3,223) | (2,747) | (2,005) | |||||||||
| Purchases of short-term and other investments |
(2,768) | (2,517) | (3,569) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments |
2,712 | 2,707 | 3,112 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment |
28 | 86 | 94 | |||||||||
| Other, net |
13 | (136) | 37 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
(3,238) | (2,607) | (2,331) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock |
(2,614) | (1,233) | (312) | |||||||||
| Payments of long-term debt |
(1,215) | (2,178) | (2,503) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
808 | 1,073 | 1,432 | |||||||||
| Principal payments under capital leases |
(136) | (123) | (127) | |||||||||
| Capitalized financing costs |
(64) | (37) | (104) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options |
6 | 16 | 60 | |||||||||
| Other, net |
2 | (13) | (42) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
(3,213) | (2,495) | (1,596) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
(909) | 890 | (1,293) | |||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year |
3,212 | 2,322 | 3,615 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year |
$ | 2,303 | $ | 3,212 | $ | 2,322 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash: |
||||||||||||
| Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt |
$ | 386 | $ | 866 | $ | 1,114 | ||||||
| Airport construction financing |
91 | 17 | 14 | |||||||||
| Operating lease conversions to capital lease |
12 | 285 | — | |||||||||
| Exchange of convertible notes for common stock |
— | 202 | 260 | |||||||||
| Cash Paid (Refunded) During the Period for: |
||||||||||||
| Interest |
$ | 584 | $ | 660 | $ | 748 | ||||||
| Income taxes |
14 | 15 | (16) | |||||||||
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
54
Table of Contents
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions)
| Common Stock |
Additional Capital Invested |
Treasury Stock |
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2013 |
362 | $ | 4 | $ | 7,425 | $ | (38) | $ | (5,015) | $ | 608 | $ | 2,984 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Net income |
— | — | — | — | 1,132 | — | 1,132 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss |
— | — | — | — | — | (1,687) | (1,687) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debt redemption |
17 | — | 260 | — | — | — | 260 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of convertible debt |
— | — | (34) | — | — | — | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation |
— | — | 10 | — | — | — | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
2 | — | 60 | — | — | — | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock |
(6) | — | — | (320) | — | — | (320) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other |
— | — | — | (9) | — | — | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2014 |
375 | 4 | 7,721 | (367) | (3,883) | (1,079) | 2,396 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Net income |
— | — | — | — | 7,340 | — | 7,340 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income |
— | — | — | — | — | 248 | 248 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debt redemptions |
11 | — | 202 | — | — | — | 202 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation |
— | — | 7 | — | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
— | — | 16 | — | — | — | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock |
(21) | — | — | (1,232) | — | — | (1,232) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other |
— | — | — | (11) | — | — | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2015 |
365 | 4 | 7,946 | (1,610) | 3,457 | (831) | 8,966 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Net income |
— | — | — | — | 2,263 | — | 2,263 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation |
— | — | 32 | — | — | — | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
— | — | 6 | — | — | — | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock |
(50) | — | — | (2,607) | — | — | (2,607) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock retired |
— | (1) | (1,415) | 3,709 | (2,293) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other |
— | — | — | (3) | — | — | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2016 |
315 | $ | 3 | $ | 6,569 | $ | (511) | $ | 3,427 | $ | (829) | $ | 8,659 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
55
Table of Contents
UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(In millions)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||
| Operating revenue: |
||||||||||||
| Passenger—Mainline |
$ | 25,414 | $ | 26,333 | $ | 26,785 | ||||||
| Passenger—Regional |
6,043 | 6,452 | 6,977 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total passenger revenue |
31,457 | 32,785 | 33,762 | |||||||||
| Cargo |
876 | 937 | 938 | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue |
4,223 | 4,142 | 4,201 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| 36,556 | 37,864 | 38,901 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating expense: | ||||||||||||
| Salaries and related costs |
10,275 | 9,713 | 8,935 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel |
5,813 | 7,522 | 11,675 | |||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase |
2,197 | 2,290 | 2,344 | |||||||||
| Landing fees and other rent |
2,165 | 2,203 | 2,274 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
1,977 | 1,819 | 1,679 | |||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs |
1,749 | 1,651 | 1,779 | |||||||||
| Distribution expenses |
1,303 | 1,342 | 1,373 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent |
680 | 754 | 883 | |||||||||
| Special charges (Note 16) |
638 | 326 | 443 | |||||||||
| Other operating expenses |
5,418 | 5,076 | 5,139 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| 32,215 | 32,696 | 36,524 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating income | 4,341 | 5,168 | 2,377 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Nonoperating income (expense): | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(614) | (670) | (742) | |||||||||
| Interest capitalized |
72 | 49 | 52 | |||||||||
| Interest income |
42 | 25 | 22 | |||||||||
| Miscellaneous, net (Note 16) |
(19) | (351) | (599) | |||||||||
| &nbs | ||||||||||||