Back to GetFilings.com
1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
--------------
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-15495
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
NEVADA 85-0302351
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
410 NORTH 44TH STREET, SUITE 700, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85008
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (602) 685-4000
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
(TITLE OF CLASS)
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. [X] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the Registrant as of December 31, 1999: Common Stock, no par value:
$161,262,000
On December 31, 1999, the Registrant had outstanding 34,035,608 shares
of Common Stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
DOCUMENTS FORM 10-K REFERENCE
None None
2
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
1999 FORM 10-K REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
--------
Part I
Item 1. Business............................................................................................1
Item 2. Properties.........................................................................................11
Item 3. Legal proceedings..................................................................................13
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................................................15
Part II
Item 5. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters....16
Item 6. Selected Financial Data............................................................................16
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations..............17
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk .........................................26
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........................................................27
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure...............57
Part III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.................................................57
Item 11. Executive Compensation.............................................................................63
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.....................................66
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.....................................................68
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K........................................................69
3
PART I
This Form 10-K includes certain statements, including statements
regarding the Company's operations which are forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by
terminology such as "may," "will," "should", "expects," "anticipates,"
"intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," or the negative of such
terms and other comparable terminology. However, this Form 10-K also contains
other forward-looking statements. Such statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could
cause Mesa's future results to differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Mesa. Many of such factors
are not under Mesa's ability to control or predict. Readers are cautioned not to
put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Mesa disclaims any intent or
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. See "MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS-FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS."
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to
herein as "Mesa" or the "Company") is an independently owned regional airline
serving 134 cities in 38 states, the District of Columbia, Toronto, Canada, and
Guaymas and Hermasillo, Mexico. As of September 30, 1999, Mesa operated a fleet
of 140 aircraft and had approximately 1,100 daily departures.
Mesa's airline operations are conducted by three regional airlines
utilizing hub-and-spoke systems. Mesa Airlines, Inc. ("MAI"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Mesa, operates as America West Express under a code-sharing
agreement with America West Airlines, Inc. ("America West") and as USAirways
Express under code-sharing agreements with USAirways, Inc. ("USAirways") and
also operates an independent division, Mesa Airlines, from a hub in Albuquerque,
New Mexico. Air Midwest, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa, operates under
a code-sharing agreement with USAirways and flies as USAirways Express. CCAIR,
Inc. ("CCAIR"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa, which was acquired during
fiscal 1999, also operates under a code-share agreement with USAirways that
permits CCAIR to operate under the name USAirways Express and to charge its
joint passengers on a combined basis with USAirways.
Approximately 97% of Mesa's consolidated revenues for the year ended
September 30, 1999, were derived from operations associated with code-sharing
agreements with America West and USAirways. These code-sharing agreements allow
use of the code-sharing partner's reservation system and flight designator code
to identify flights and fares in the computer reservation system, permit use of
the logo, service marks, exterior aircraft paint schemes, and uniforms similar
to the code-sharing partners' and provide coordinated schedules and joint
advertising. Mesa's passengers receive mileage credits in the respective
frequent flyer programs of America West and USAirways, and credits in those
programs can be used on Mesa's flights.
1
4
During fiscal 1999, Mesa:
- - Signed a letter of intent on June 21, 1999 with Empresa Brasileria de
Aeronautica ("Embraer") to acquire 36 regional jets with options for 64
additional jets. The jets have a seating capacity of 50.
- - Announced a plan to sell 30 B1900 Aircraft, during fiscal 2000.
- - Acquired CCAIR, Inc. by issuing 5,933,381 shares of Mesa common stock
in exchange for all of CCAIR's outstanding common stock.
- - Sold Farmington, New Mexico real estate properties, which were vacated
when the Company relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, for a total of $5.2
million.
- - Put 13 additional Canadair Regional Jet ("CRJ") aircraft into service.
- - Reached an agreement between Mesa Airlines, Inc. and the Association of
Flight Attendants which becomes amendable on June 13, 2003.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Mesa is a Nevada corporation and has its principal executive office in
Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to its airline operating subsidiaries, MAI, Air
Midwest, Inc., a Kansas corporation and certificated air carrier ("Air
Midwest"), and CCAIR, a Delaware corporation and certified air carrier, Mesa
owns WestAir Holdings, Inc., a California corporation, and the owner of WestAir
Commuter Airlines, Inc. ("WestAir"), a certificated carrier which ceased
operations in 1998, and various non-airline operations which include:
- - MPD, Inc., a Nevada corporation d.b.a. Mesa Pilot Development, which
operates Mesa's training program for new pilots in conjunction with San
Juan college in Farmington, New Mexico.
- - Regional Aircraft Services, Inc., a California corporation owned by
WestAir Holdings, Inc., which performs component overhaul and repair
services.
2
5
- - FCA, Inc., a Nevada corporation d.b.a. Four Corners Aviation, a fixed
based operation in Farmington, New Mexico. During 1999, substantially
all of the assets of FCA were sold for their approximate book value of
$4.5 million and FCA, Inc. ceased operations.
- - Mesa Leasing, Inc., a Nevada corporation, a subsidiary established to
assist Mesa's acquisition and leasing of aircraft.
- - MAGI Insurance, Ltd., a Barbados, West Indies based captive insurance
company, established for the purpose of obtaining more favorable
liability rates for Mesa and its subsidiaries.
- - Ritz Hotel Management Corporation, a Nevada corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company which was established to
purchase and own a dormitory facility for Mesa's flight crews in
training.
MESA AIRCRAFT IN OPERATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (OWNED AND LEASED)
Beech
1900* Dash 8 Jetstream CRJ TOTAL
----- ------ --------- --- -----
USAirways Express 58 10 16 15 99
America West Express 7 12 -- 14 33
Mesa 8 -- -- -- 8
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL: 73 22 16 29 140
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
* Five additional Beech 1900 aircraft owned or leased by Mesa were not in
operation at September 30, 1999.
In addition to carrying passengers, Mesa carries freight and express
packages on its passenger flights and has interline small cargo freight
agreements with many other carriers. Mesa has contracts with the U.S. Postal
Service for carriage of mail by air to the cities it serves and occasionally
operates charter flights when aircraft are not otherwise utilized for scheduled
service.
CODE-SHARING RELATIONSHIPS
Mesa's subsidiaries have one code-sharing agreement with America West
and five separate code-sharing agreements with USAirways. Renewal of one
code-sharing agreement with a code-sharing partner does not guarantee the
renewal of any other code-sharing agreement with the same code-sharing partner.
The code-sharing agreements provide for terms of five years for America
West (expiring in 2004), and from one to seven years for USAirways (agreement
for operations in Kansas City expire in October 2000; operations in Pittsburgh
expire in 2003; operations in Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham expire in 2003;
operations in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Florida and
3
6
Washington, D.C. expire in 2004; and regional jet service agreement expires in
2007). Mesa intends to seek a renewal of the Kansas City code-sharing agreement.
Although the provisions of the agreements vary, generally they are subject to
cancellation should Mesa's subsidiaries fail to meet certain operating
performance standards, the breach of other contractual terms and conditions,
and, in the case of the USAirways code-sharing agreements (other than the
regional jet service agreement described below), upon six months' notice by
either party. The code-sharing agreements contain varying provisions allowing
Mesa's partners to terminate the agreements upon certain potential operational
or "change in control" events. The code-sharing agreements do not prohibit the
major carrier from having code-share relationships with other regional carriers,
although Mesa does have exclusive rights from the code-share partner on many of
the routes served by Mesa subsidiaries. A termination or expiration without
renewal of the America West code-share relationship would have a material
adverse effect on Mesa's business, financial condition and results of operation.
The same would hold true for many of the USAirways services agreements, except
for the Kansas City service agreement, the loss of which would not be expected
to have a material adverse effect on Mesa's results of operations, financial
condition or liquidity.
In November 1999, Mesa and USAirways amended the USAirways regional jet
service agreement. The agreement expanded the service from 14 regional jets to
28 regional jets and extended the term from 2004 to 2007. In addition, the
agreement was amended to eliminate the ability of USAirways to terminate the
agreement without cause. Unlike the USAirways turboprop service agreements,
which are standard prorate revenue agreements, Mesa does not have passenger
revenue exposure under the USAirways regional jet agreement. USAirways is
responsible for marketing, pricing and scheduling the regional jets. Mesa
operates the routes and is paid via a combination of direct cost reimbursements
and a negotiated formula. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 (giving
effect to the CCAIR acquisition), USAirways Express represented approximately
60% of the available seat mile capacity of Mesa's aircraft, and 71% of its
consolidated passenger revenue.
Mesa operates 19 turboprops and 14 regional jets as America West
Express out of hubs in Phoenix and Columbus. Under the America West code-sharing
agreement, America West is responsible for generating passenger revenue while
Mesa is reimbursed for its operating costs. This structure covers both
turboprops and regional jets. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999,
America West represented approximately 37% of the available seat mile capacity
of Mesa's aircraft, and 26% of its consolidated passenger revenue.
.
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER RELATIONSHIPS
During 1999, Mesa entered into an agreement with Embraer to acquire 36
regional jets, consisting of the 50 seat ERJ-145. Deliveries could commence as
soon as March 2000 and continue through mid-2002 at a rate of approximately one
aircraft per month. Mesa has options for at least 64 additional aircraft. The
agreement with Embraer includes standard product support provisions, including
training support, preferred initial provisioning pricing, maintenance support
and technical publication support. The agreement has various contingencies
related to
4
7
financing and product support, which as of the date of this report remain open.
Should Mesa exercise its ability to terminate the agreement, Embraer would
return to Mesa a deposit of $11.8 million, plus interest.
Mesa intends to introduce the ERJ-145 aircraft into revenue service
early in the third quarter of fiscal 2000 as USAirways Express. Mesa intends to
replace the CRJ-200 regional jets currently flying as USAirways Express with the
ERJ-145s. The CRJs will be transitioned over to the America West Express
operation over 18 months and by the end of 2001, the fleets will be isolated,
with ERJs operating under USAirways and CRJs with America West Express. This
discussion of the proposed allocation of the ERJs and the CRJ transition plan is
a forward-looking statement and is subject to change depending upon, among other
factors, the availability of ERJ-145 aircraft from the manufacturer, the
willingness of America West and USAirways to agree to deployment of additional
aircraft and the Company's ability to introduce the new fleet type.
In August 1996, Mesa entered into an agreement with Bombardier Regional
Aircraft Division ("BRAD") to acquire 16 CRJ 50-passenger jet aircraft with an
option to acquire an additional 16 jet aircraft and rolling options to acquire a
third block of 16 aircraft. In August 1997, Mesa exercised options to purchase
16 of the 32 CRJ aircraft reserved under the option agreement. This exercise
included the conversion of eight of its Dash 8-200 aircraft then on order to CRJ
50-passenger jet aircraft. In addition, BRAD agreed to take Embraer Brasilia
aircraft in trade upon the delivery of CRJs. Twenty-nine (29) CRJ aircraft had
been delivered to Mesa as of September 30, 1999. The 32nd aircraft was delivered
to Mesa in January 2000.
In October 1999, Mesa resolved various disputed claims it had against
BRAD regarding Bombardier's obligation to accept trade-in Brasilia aircraft and
the availability of 16 additional rolling option CRJs. Under this settlement,
Mesa will receive up to $9 million ($8.5 million cash, $.5 million credit), $7.1
million of which has been paid to date and the remainder of which will be paid
as each of the remaining 5 CRJ aircraft are permanently financed.
Under the accord reached with an aircraft lessor in November 1997,
CCAIR agreed to replace its 14 Jetstream 31 aircraft with 20 Jetstream Super 31
aircraft. In return for renegotiated lease rates, CCAIR agreed to lease fourteen
of the Jetstream Super 31 aircraft for seven years, and the additional six
Jetstream Super 31 aircraft until December 31, 1998. CCAIR returned four of the
six Jetstream Super 31 aircraft at the end of the lease term and agreed to lease
two until December 31, 1999. Mesa is currently in negotiations to extend the
leases on these two (2) aircraft. The Jetstream Super 31 aircraft are newer and
faster than the predecessor Jetstreams 31s, and can operate with fewer weight
restrictions. CCAIR leases four Dash 8-100 aircraft from one lessor that have
leases which extend to 2007. The six additional Dash 8-100 aircraft are under
operating leases that expire at various times through 2005.
MARKET CHARACTERISTICS
The key characteristics of the regional airline market include:
- Relationships with major airlines, operating feeder service to
hubs for connecting passengers under code-sharing
arrangements;
5
8
- Allocation of new-generation regional jet aircraft to routes
that were traditionally larger jet routes;
- Service in low-density markets which remain unattractive to
major airlines and low-fare carriers; and
- Ability to provide complementary service in existing major
airline markets by operating flights in scheduling gaps
between those of the major air carriers.
CORPORATE STRATEGY
Mesa's long-term business strategy is to operate a competitive and
profitable, high-frequency, quality-service airline, primarily with a
hub-and-spoke route system. The strategy is implemented through a disciplined
approach to the regional airline business which incorporates (i) the previously
discussed regional airline market characteristics, (ii) a focus on profitable
markets, (iii) reactions to the changing economic and competitive environment,
and (iv) a modern, efficient aircraft fleet that positions the airline to be
able to capitalize on future growth opportunities.
For Mesa's USAirways Express turboprop operations, Mesa's market
selection process follows an in-depth analysis on a route-by-route basis.
Agreement is then reached, where appropriate, with USAirways regarding the level
of service and fares. Mesa believes that this selection process enhances the
likelihood of profits in a given market. Under the America West agreement and
the USAirways Express regional jet agreement, market selection, pricing, and
yield management is accomplished by America West and USAirways, respectively.
AIRLINE OPERATIONS
The Company's corporate headquarters, which includes flight operations,
dispatch, accounting, training, personnel and planning, is located in Phoenix,
Arizona. Headquarters for Mesa's Air Midwest subsidiary is located in Wichita,
Kansas, and CCAIR is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Over the last three fiscal years, Mesa has reduced the number and type
of aircraft it operates. In July 1997, Fokker 70 aircraft were retired and
replaced by CRJ aircraft. The May 1998 termination of Mesa's and WestAir's
code-sharing agreement with United Airlines resulted in a surplus of 21 British
Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft, 29 Embraer Brasilia aircraft and 39 Beech 1900D
aircraft. Management also elected to cease the operation of five Embraer
Brasilia aircraft in Florida. Through a settlement agreement reached with
WestAir's creditors, Mesa retired all 21 of the British Aerospace Jetstream 31
aircraft as well as 22 of the remaining 30-seat Embraer Brasilia aircraft. With
the acquisition of CCAIR, Mesa currently operates five (5) aircraft types:
Beechcraft 1900D, Dash 8-200, Dash 8-100, Jetstream Super 31 and CRJ aircraft.
The last Embraer Brasilia aircraft in the system was parked on October 4, 1998.
Seven Embraer Brasilia aircraft remain on Mesa's operating certificate and the
lease payments are being fully reimbursed by Bombardier as part of the trade-in
agreement. Of the 39 surplus Beech 1900D
6
9
aircraft, 22 were sold by Mesa prior to September 30, 1998 and 17 were sold
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999. Mesa has adopted a plan to
dispose of thirty (30) additional Beech 1900D aircraft and, accordingly, has
recorded a $20.8 million impairment charge to operations during fiscal 1999 to
reflect the impairment in value to these aircraft. See Note 17 to the
consolidated financial statements.
MAI commenced independent jet service under its own name, "Mesa
Airlines," between Ft. Worth and Houston, Texas in May 1997 and between Ft.
Worth and San Antonio, Texas in September 1997. Subsequent to September 30,
1997, CRJ flights were initiated between Ft. Worth and Austin, Texas; San
Antonio, Texas; and Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Colorado Springs and
Nashville, Tennessee. This independent jet operation was discontinued in
February 1998, and the CRJ aircraft were redeployed in Mesa's USAirways Express
and America West Express operations.
MARKETING
Under Mesa's code-sharing agreements, America West and USAirways (the
major partners) coordinate advertising and public relations within their
respective regions. In addition, Mesa benefits from the major partners'
advertising programs in regions outside those served by Mesa, with the major
partners' customers becoming customers of Mesa as a result of through-fares.
Under these code-sharing arrangements, Mesa's passengers also benefit from
through-fare ticketing with the major partners and greater accessibility to
Mesa's flights on computer reservation systems and in the Official Airline
Guide.
Mesa's services are promoted through listings in computer reservation
systems, the Official Airline Guide and through direct contact with travel
agencies and corporate travel departments. Mesa participates in shared
advertising with resort and rental property operators and ski areas in leisure
markets in which it operates. Mesa's non-code-share operation utilizes SABRE, a
computerized reservation system widely used by travel agents, corporate travel
offices and other airlines. The reservation systems of Mesa's code-sharing
partners are also utilized in each of Mesa's other operations through their
respective code-sharing agreements. Mesa also pays booking fees to owners of
other computerized reservation systems based on the number of passengers booked
by travel agents using such systems. Mesa believes that it has good
relationships with the travel agents handling its passengers.
FARES AND FEE PER DEPARTURE
Since 1978, airlines in the United States have been free to set their
own domestic fares without governmental regulation. Mesa has increasingly relied
on fee per departure contractual agreements with its two code-sharing partners
to generate revenue. All of Mesa's America West Express operations (except
Guaymas and Hermasillo, Mexico) and all of its USAirways Express jet operations
are on a fee per departure basis. The percentage of revenue generated under the
fee per departure agreements is expected to increase in fiscal year 2000 as Mesa
adds additional regional jets to its America West Express and USAirways Express
operations and reduces the number of B1900 aircraft. In the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1999, 45.7% of Mesa's total operating revenue was fee per departure. This
percent is expected to grow by 2 to 4% per quarter in fiscal
7
10
2000. Mesa derives the remainder of its passenger revenues from a combination of
local fares, through fares, joint fares and fee per departure arrangements.
Local fares are fares for one-way and round-trip travel provided by Mesa within
its route system. Passengers connecting with other carriers also frequently use
local fares. A through-fare is a fare offered to passengers by either America
West or USAirways which generally provides cost savings to the passenger who
transfers to the major carrier's code-sharing partner on routes flown by the
code-sharing partner. Through-fares are prorated in accordance with standards
specified in the various code-sharing agreements. Joint fares are single fares
for travel combining flights with Mesa and other airlines which are not
code-sharing partners with Mesa. With joint fares, the passenger generally pays
a single lower fare than the sum of the local fares charged for the combined
flights. Mesa has been able to negotiate joint-fare arrangements with some major
carriers as an additional means of deriving passengers connecting through its
hub cities.
COMPETITION
The airline industry is highly competitive and volatile. Airlines
compete in the areas of pricing, scheduling (frequency and timing of flights),
on-time performance, type of equipment, cabin configuration, amenities provided
to passengers, frequent flyer plans, travel agents' commissions and the
automation of travel agents' reservation systems. Further, because of the
Airline Deregulation Act, airlines are currently free to set prices and
establish new routes without the necessity of seeking governmental approval. At
the same time, deregulation has allowed airlines to abandon unprofitable routes
where the affected communities will not be left without air service.
Mesa believes that the Airline Deregulation Act facilitated Mesa's
entry into scheduled air service markets and will allow it to compete on the
basis of service and fares. The Airline Deregulation Act, however, makes
possible the entry of other competitors, some of which may have substantial
financial resources and experience, creating the potential for intense
competition among regional air carriers in Mesa's markets.
Mesa believes its code-sharing agreements provide a significant
competitive advantage in hub airports where its major partner has a predominant
share of the market. The ability to control connecting passenger traffic by
offering a superior service makes it very difficult for other regional airlines
to compete at such hubs. In addition to the enhanced competitive edge offered by
the code-sharing agreements, Mesa competes with other airlines by offering
frequent flights, flexible schedules and numerous fare levels.
FUEL
During its operating history, Mesa has experienced few problems with
the availability of fuel, and it believes that it will be able to obtain fuel in
quantities sufficient to meet its existing and anticipated future requirements
at competitive prices. Standard industry contracts do not generally provide
protection against fuel price increases, nor do they ensure availability of
supply. Both the USAirways and America West fee per departure contracts allow
fuel costs to be passed directly back to the codeshare partner thereby reducing
the overall exposure to Mesa of fuel price fluctuations. In the fourth quarter
of fiscal 1999, 62.2% of Mesa fuel was associated
8
11
to these contracts. A substantial increase in the price of jet fuel or the lack
of adequate fuel supplies in the future would have a material adverse effect on
Mesa's business, financial condition, and results of operation and liquidity.
MAINTENANCE OF AIRCRAFT AND TRAINING
All mechanics and avionics specialists employed by Mesa have the
appropriate training and experience and hold the required licenses issued by the
Federal Aviation Administration (the "FAA"). Using a combination of FAA
certified maintenance vendors and its own personnel and facilities, Mesa
maintains its aircraft on a scheduled and "as-needed" basis. Mesa emphasizes
preventive maintenance and inspects its aircraft engines and airframes as
required. Mesa has also developed an inventory of spare parts specific to the
aircraft it flies and has instituted a computerized tracking system to increase
maintenance efficiency and to avoid excess inventories of spare parts.
Mesa provides periodic in-house and outside training for its
maintenance and flight personnel and also takes advantage of factory training
programs that are offered when acquiring new aircraft.
Maintenance and repairs, including major engine overhauls, are charged
to operating expenses as incurred. Engine overhaul costs for the Dash 8-200's,
Jetstream Super 31's and CRJ engines are subject to power by the hour contracts
with outside vendors and considered incurred as the aircraft are flown.
INSURANCE
Mesa carries types and amounts of insurance customary in the airline
industry, including coverage for public liability, passenger liability, property
damage, product liability, aircraft loss or damage, baggage and cargo liability
and workers' compensation.
Mesa's captive insurance company, MAGI Insurance, Ltd., handles baggage
and freight claims in addition to a portion of Mesa's hull and liability
insurance.
EMPLOYEES
Mesa currently has approximately 3,400 employees. Mesa's success is in
part dependent upon its ability to continue to attract and retain qualified
personnel. Historically, Mesa has had no difficulty attracting qualified
personnel to meet its requirements.
Pilot turnover at times is a significant issue among regional carriers
when major carriers are hiring experienced commercial pilots away from regional
carriers. The addition of aircraft, especially new aircraft types, can result in
pilots upgrading between aircraft types and becoming unavailable for duty during
the extensive training periods required. No assurances can be made that pilot
turnover and unavailability will not again be a significant problem in the
future, particularly if major carriers expand their operations. Similarly, there
can be no assurance that sufficient numbers of new pilots will be available to
support any future growth.
9
12
During December 1996, Mesa reached a five-year agreement with the Air
Line Pilots Association ("ALPA") for a single pilot contract for MAI and Air
Midwest, Inc. The contract provides for industry-average pay, economic work
rules and opportunities for advancement. Air Midwest mechanics are represented
by the International Association of Machinists ("IAM"), and flight attendants at
MAI are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants ("AFA"). The current
agreement with the IAM is amendable on December 31, 2000 and the AFA contract is
amendable on June 13, 2003. Except for CCAIR, no other Mesa subsidiaries are
parties to any other collective bargaining agreement or union contracts.
CCAIR has three organized employee groups; pilots are represented by
the ALPA, its flight attendants are represented by the AFA and its mechanics are
represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters). The ALPA
collective bargaining agreement was renewed on November 6, 1998, and becomes
amendable on October 31, 2002. The contract with the AFA was renewed on May 16,
1996, and will become amendable on May 16, 2001. The contract with the Teamsters
was ratified on July 15, 1998, and becomes amendable on December 31, 2001. The
Company believes that relations with its employees are favorable.
ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM
The Essential Air Service program administered by the United States
Department of Transportation (the "DOT") guarantees a minimum level of air
service in certain communities, predicated on predetermined guidelines set forth
by Congress. Based on these guidelines, the DOT will subsidize air service to
communities which might otherwise not have air service. Mesa services 11 such
markets for an annual subsidy of approximately $6.7 million.
REGULATION
As an interstate air carrier, Mesa is subject to the economic
jurisdiction, regulation and continuing air carrier fitness requirements of the
DOT which include required levels of financial, managerial, and regulatory
fitness. The DOT is authorized to establish consumer protection regulations to
prevent unfair methods of competition and deceptive practices, to prohibit
certain pricing practices, to inspect a carrier's books, properties and records,
and to mandate conditions of carriage. The DOT also has the power to bring
proceedings for the enforcement of air carrier economic regulations, including
the assessment of civil penalties, and to seek criminal sanctions.
Mesa is subject to the jurisdiction of the FAA with respect to its
aircraft maintenance and operations, including equipment, ground facilities,
dispatch, communication, training, weather observation, flight personnel and
other matters affecting air safety. To ensure compliance with its regulations,
the FAA requires airlines to obtain an operating certificate, which is subject
to suspension or revocation for cause, and provides for regular inspections.
Effective in March 1997, the FAA required that regional airlines with
aircraft of 10 or more passenger seats operating under FAR Part 135 rules to
begin operating those aircraft under FAR Part 121 regulations. Mesa, one of the
largest regional airlines operating under FAR Part
10
13
135 regulations, completed the transition to Part 121 within the FAA's deadline.
These requirements have resulted in significant increases in Mesa's costs,
affecting Mesa's ability to profitably serve certain markets. Such increased
costs are primarily related to additional training, dispatch and maintenance
procedures. Efforts are being made to minimize the cost of these new operating
procedures while fully complying with FAR Part 121 operating requirements.
Management's decision to adopt a plan to dispose of 30 B1900 aircraft is partly
in response to these increased costs.
Mesa is subject to various federal and local laws and regulations
pertaining to other issues of environmental protocol. Mesa believes it is in
compliance with all governmental laws and regulations regarding environmental
protection.
Mesa is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications
Commission regarding the utilization of its radio facilities and to the
jurisdiction of the United States Postal Service with respect to carriage of
United States mail. Local governments in certain markets have adopted
regulations governing various aspects of aircraft operations, including noise
abatement and curfews.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Mesa's primary property consists of the aircraft used in the operation
of its business. The following table lists the aircraft owned and leased by Mesa
as of September 30, 1999:
11
14
NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ON PASSENGER
TYPE OF AIRCRAFT OWNED LEASED TOTAL SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 CAPACITY
---------------- ----- ------ ----- ------------------ --------
Beechcraft 1900 68 10 78 73 19
Jetstream Super 31 -- 16 16 16 19
Dash 8-100 -- 10 10 10 37
Dash 8-200 -- 12 12 12 37
Canadair Regional Jet 29 29 29 50
Embraer-Brasilia -- 7 7 -- 30
------ ------ ------ ------
Total 68 84 152 140
====== ====== ====== ======
See "Business - Airline Operations" and "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources" for a discussion regarding Mesa's aircraft fleet commitments.
In addition to aircraft, Mesa has office and maintenance facilities to
support its operations. The facilities are as follows:
APPROXIMATE
TYPE LOCATION OWNERSHIP SIZE
- ---- -------- --------- ----
Admin/Acctg/Exec/Training/Dispatch Phoenix, AZ Leased 21,003 sq. ft.
Flight Operations/Training Phoenix, AZ Leased 7,559
Hangar Farmington, NM Leased 30,000
Engine Shop Farmington, NM Leased 6,000
Hangar Fresno, CA Leased 50,000
Warehouse/Office Fresno, CA Leased 21,750
Hangar/Officer Wichita, KS Leased 30,000
Hangar/Office(1) Jacksonville, FL Leased 30,256
Hangar Jamestown, NY Leased 30,000
Hangar/Office Dubois, PA Leased 23,000
Hangar Reading, PA Leased 56,250
Hangar/Office Grand Junction, CO Leased 32,768
Hangar/Office Bullhead City, AZ Leased 12,852
Parts Storage Phoenix, AZ Leased 1,000
Office Space Charlotte, NC Leased 11,018
Hangar Space Charlotte, NC Leased 30,000
Mesa's Administration/Executive/Accounting/Dispatch space is on a ten
year lease that commenced November 1, 1998. The Flight Operations/Training space
is subject to a two year lease that commenced on August 15, 1998. Approximately
16,000 square feet of the hangar space in Fresno also has been sub-leased.
Subsequent to September 30, 1999, Mesa entered into
12
15
a letter of intent for the sale of the Jacksonville property for a book loss of
approximately $470,000, which was recognized in the fiscal year ended September
30, 1999.
CCAIR presently occupies approximately 11,018 square feet of office
space in the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport's old terminal building, in
Charlotte, North Carolina, and 30,000 square feet of hangar space. The office
space is used for CCAIR's principal executive and administrative offices and the
hangar facility contains CCAIR's maintenance operations for its aircraft, as
well as maintenance support and inventory. The office space and hangar facility
are leased under commercial use permits with the City of Charlotte, North
Carolina. The permits are a month-to-month tenancy with an annual rental of
$171,448 and are cancelable upon thirty (30) days' notice by either party. With
respect to ground operations at the Charlotte/Douglas Airport, CCAIR provides
these services under contract with USAirways.
Mesa, as the lessee, leases space at each of the airports in which it
operates to accommodate its operations. These leases are generally
month-to-month or relatively short-term leases.
Mesa believes its current real property is both suitable and adequate
for its current and anticipated needs.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
United Airlines, Inc.
In June 1997, United Air Lines, Inc., ("UAL") filed a complaint in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against two
Mesa subsidiaries, MAI and WestAir. UAL filed its complaint seeking a judicial
declaration of the parties' rights and obligations under two separate written
agreements, pursuant to which MAI and WestAir allegedly agreed to provide
certain airline transportation services to UAL including the provision of
scheduled air transportation services in certain areas of the United States
under the service mark "United Express." UAL contends that, under these
agreements, UAL possessed the right to "increase, decrease, or in any other way
adjust the flight frequencies, markets, or both" in certain airports then being
served by WestAir and/or MAI. In January 1998, UAL amended its complaint to
include a claim for damages related to MAI's purported breach of its contractual
obligation to provide specified levels of service in certain cities. On November
1, 1998, UAL filed a motion to amend its complaint to include an additional $4.0
million in damages resulting from MAI's alleged failure to remit baggage fees at
Denver International Airport to UAL. This motion has not yet been considered.
MAI and WestAir dispute the principal contentions in UAL's complaint and, unless
a satisfactory negotiated resolution is achieved, intend to defend their
positions vigorously. Furthermore, MAI and WestAir believe that UAL has breached
its code-sharing agreements with the respective entities and have filed a
counterclaim seeking to recover damages for the substantial harm to the business
of MAI and WestAir. Management does not believe that ultimate resolution of this
issue will have a significant adverse impact on the Company's results of
operations, financial position or liquidity.
13
16
In addition, MAI and WestAir have asserted claims against UAL and
SkyWest Airlines, Inc. ("SkyWest"). SkyWest contracted with UAL to be MAI's
successor on the West Coast. The complaint alleges that SkyWest unlawfully
interfered with MAI's and WestAir's contracts with UAL. It further alleges
improper conduct on the part of UAL and SkyWest in terminating markets under the
contract and in leading to the non-renewal of the WestAir agreement. MAI is
seeking substantial damages against each defendant.
WestAir
In November 1998, Mesa settled all claims with the aircraft and
equipment lessors of WestAir for approximately $15 million. WestAir contributed
approximately $11.2 million toward the settlement and Mesa contributed
approximately $3.8 million. WestAir had operated 43 leased aircraft pursuant to
a Partnership Agreement with United Airlines, a division of UAL, and upon
cessation of United Express service had considerable liabilities for the
remaining terms of the leases. Mesa worked closely with all lessors to develop
and implement a plan that was acceptable to both Mesa and the various lessors.
In February 1999, a complaint was filed against WestAir and MAI in
Superior Court of California for Fresno County, by the former WestAir pilots,
seeking severance pay in the amount of $1.2 million plus economic and punitive
damages as a result of WestAir's termination of airline operations, following
United's non-renewal of the WestAir agreement. Mesa does not believe that the
pilots will prevail on their claims and intends to defend this matter
vigorously.
Lynrise Air Lease, Inc.
On June 29, 1999, Lynrise Air Lease, Inc. ("Lynrise") filed suit
against Mesa and CCAIR in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. Lynrise
was the lessor of certain Shorts model 360 aircraft to CCAIR. In 1998, CCAIR
restructured its aircraft fleet and elected to terminate the leases held by
Lynrise for the Shorts aircraft. In connection with the early termination of the
leases, CCAIR issued to Lynrise an Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note (the
"Note") in the principal amount of $8,334,770. The Note was convertible into
shares of CCAIR common stock at a price of $8.00 per share of common stock, and
as a result of the June 1999 merger between CCAIR and Mesa Merger Corporation,
the Note became convertible into shares of Mesa common stock at a price of
$12.87 per share of Mesa common stock. The Note is due June 30, 2004, accrues
interest at the rate of 7% per annum and requires the repayment of principal in
10 equal semiannual installments commencing December 31, 1999, and the payment
of interest in quarterly installments commencing March 31, 1999.
The Note contains a provision that upon a change of control, Lynrise
may, at its option, require CCAIR to repay the entire unpaid balance of the
note. In its lawsuit filed against Mesa and CCAIR, Lynrise alleges that it has
exercised its option to require CCAIR to repurchase the Note after CCAIR became
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa on June 9, 1999. Both Mesa and CCAIR contend
that Lynrise waived its rights with respect to the repurchase option and both
intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously. In addition, by letter dated August 9,
1999, Lynrise declared that in accordance with the terms of the Note, an Event
of Default had occurred as against CCAIR for its failure to make a repurchase
offer and declared the principal amount of the Note and all accrued interest
thereon due and payable immediately. On October 21, 1999, Lynrise filed a motion
to amend its complaint to add a count for breach of contract against CCAIR.
Lynrise alleges that CCAIR failed to make an interest payment due June 30, 1999.
Mesa made the June 30, 1999 payment in September 1999.
14
17
Lynrise's claims against CCAIR include a claim for Declaratory Judgment
that CCAIR is obligated to repurchase the Note and a claim for breach of
contract. As against Mesa, Lynrise has claimed tortious interference. Should
Lynrise prevail against CCAIR and require it to repurchase the Note, CCAIR is
without sufficient assets to repurchase the Note and would be unable to satisfy
such a judgment.
Other Legal Proceedings
Mesa is also a party to other legal proceedings and claims, which arise
in the ordinary course of its business.
Although the ultimate outcome of the above pending lawsuits cannot be
determined at this time, Mesa believes, based upon currently available
information, that the ultimate outcome of all the proceedings and claims pending
against Mesa is not expected to have a material adverse effect on Mesa's
consolidated financial position results of operations or liquidity. Mesa's
belief regarding the outcome of all pending proceedings and claims is a
forward-looking statement.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The Company did not submit any matters to a vote of security
holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999.
15
18
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET PRICE OF COMMON STOCK
Presented below are the high and low sales prices of the Common Stock
of Mesa Air Group, Inc. on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol
"MESA".
FISCAL 1999 FISCAL 1998
QUARTER HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
First $8.125 $4.12 $6.875 $4.938
Second 9.313 5.813 9.406 5.250
Third 7.75 6.188 8.875 7.500
Fourth 8.344 6.063 8.313 4.672
On December 31, 1999, Mesa had 1452 shareholders of record. Mesa has
never paid cash dividends on its common stock. However, the board of directors
may in the future consider the payment of dividends provided that, among other
things, it is in the best interests of the shareholders.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING STATISTICS
In thousands of dollars except per share data and average fare amounts
and as otherwise indicated.
YEARS ENDED: 1999(1) 1998(2) 1997(3) 1996(3) 1995(3)
Operating revenues $ 404,616 $ 494,866 $ 579,464 $ 566,597 $ 518,178
Operating expenses $ 402,487 $ 533,910 $ 634,805 $ 517,716 $ 488,053
Operating income (loss) $ 2,129 $ (39,044) $ (55,341) $ 48,881 $ 30,125
Other income (Expense) $ 4,152 $ 6,197 $ 3,095 $ 14,291 $ (151)
Interest expense $ 19,096 $ 25,382 $ 28,518 $ 13,538 $ 7,316
Earnings (loss) before income taxes $ (12,815) $ (58,229) $ (80,704) $ 49,634 $ 22,658
Net earnings (loss) $ (13,412) $ (50,467) $ (50,326) $ 30,503 $ 13,650
Net earnings (loss) per share: basic $ (0.40) $ (1.50) $ (1.52) $ 0.81 $ 0.34
Net earnings (loss) per share:
diluted $ (0.40) $ (1.50) $ (1.52) $ 0.80 $ 0.33
16
19
YEARS ENDED: 1999(1) 1998(2) 1997(3)` 1996(3) 1995(3)
Working capital (deficit) $ 33,040 $ (1,446) $ 64,940 $ 69,500 $ 114,819
Total assets $ 403,773 $ 484,376 $ 677,837 $ 705,621 $ 468,875
Long-term debt, excluding current
portion $ 114,234 $ 245,100 $ 341,463 $ 339,649 $ 80,274
Stockholders' equity $ 96,435 $ 108,649 $ 183,445 $ 230,503 $ 260,916
Net book value per share $ 2.83 $ 2.95 $ 5.09 $ 6.06 $ 6.40
Passengers carried 4,255,696 5,969,104 7,514,644 7,247,687 6,931, 203
Revenue passenger miles (000) 1,324,867 1,407,345 1,544,212 1,509,376 1,321,896
Available seat miles (000) 2,594,861 2,581,946 2,789,575 2,749,629 2,616,283
Average passenger journey 311 miles 236 miles 205 miles 208 miles 191 miles
Average stage length 225 miles 190 miles 178 miles 169 miles 168 miles
Load factor 51.1% 54.5% 55.4% 54.9% 50.5%
Break-even passenger load factor 52.7% 60.1% 60.2% 51.9% 49.20%
Revenue per available seat mile 15.3(cent) 18.7(cent) 20.4(cent) 20.6(cent) 19.8(cent)
Operating Cost per available seat
mile 15.5(cent) 20.7(cent) 22.8(cent) 18.8(cent) 18.7(cent)
Average yield per revenue passenger
mile 30.1(cent) 34.3(cent) 36.8(cent) 37.5(cent) 39.2(cent)
Average fare $93.59 $80.91 $ 75.56 $ 76.43 $ 72.55
Aircraft in service 140 138 204 202 203
Cities served 138 134 189 188 196
Number of employees 3,423 3,241 5,445 4,635 4,537
The June 9, 1999 acquisition of CCAIR by Mesa was accounted for as a pooling of
interests and accordingly Mesa's consolidated financial statements have been
restated to include the results of CCAIR for all periods presented. Except for
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 1999, the
consolidated financial statements of CCAIR for the fiscal years ended 1998,
1997, 1996, 1995, respectively, have not been restated to change CCAIR's audited
year end to September 30, 1999. The SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING
STATISTICS includes results of:
(1) Mesa as of and for the twelve months ended September 30, 1999
CCAIR as of and for the twelve months ended September 30, 1999
(2) Mesa as of and for the twelve months ended September 30, 1998
CCAIR as of and for the twelve months ended December 31, 1998
(3) Mesa as of and for the twelve months ended September 30, 1997,
1996, 1995
CCAIR as of and for the twelve months ended June 30, 1997,
1996, 1995
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF
17
20
OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are a group of regional
airlines and related companies providing service across the United States as
America West Express, Mesa Airlines, USAirways Express and, until May 31, 1998,
as United Express. All information has been restated to include results of CCAIR
for the periods presented.
The following tables set forth selected operating and financial data of
Mesa for the years indicated below:
OPERATING DATA
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
Passengers 4,255,696 5,969,104 7,514,644
Available seat miles (000) 2,594,861 2,581,946 2,789,575
Revenue passenger miles (000) 1,324,867 1,407,345 1,544,212
Load factor 51.1% 54.5% 55.4%
Revenue per ASM 15.3(cent) 18.7(cent) 20.4(cent)
Yield per RPM 30.1(cent) 34.3(cent) 36.8(cent)
Cost per ASM (1) 15.5(cent) 20.7(cent) 22.8(cent)
FINANCIAL DATA
YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30
1999 1998 1997
--------------------------------- ------------------------------ ---------------------------------
PERCENT COST PERCENT COST PERCENT COST
AMOUNT OF PER AMOUNT OF PER AMOUNT OF PER
(000) REVENUES ASM (000) REVENUES ASM (000) REVENUES ASM
----- -------- --- ----- -------- --- ----- -------- ---
Operating Expenses (1)
Flight Operations $173,367 42.8% 6.7 cents $195,037 39.4% 7.6 cents $212,352 36.6% 7.6 cents
Maintenance 76,309 18.9% 2.9 cents 101,226 20.5% 3.9 cents 107,908 18.6% 3.9 cents
Aircraft & Traffic 55,675 13.8% 2.1 cents 78,673 15.9% 3.0 cents 94,128 16.2% 3.4 cents
Promotion & Sales 32,550 8.0% 1.3 cents 67,706 13.7% 2.6 cents 85,316 14.7% 3.1 cents
General &
Administrative 31,658 7.8% 1.2 cents 31,345 6.3% 1.2 cents 30,659 5.3% 1.1 cents
Depreciation &
Amortization 18,053 4.5% 0.7 cents 26,580 5.4% 1.0 cents 36,558 6.3% 1.3 cents
Other Operating Items (14,027) (3.5)% (0.6)cents 33,343 6.7% 1.3 cents 67,884 11.7% 2.4 cents
------- ---- ---------- ------ ----- --------- ------ ----- ----------
Total Operating
Expenses (1) $373,585 92.3% 14.4 cents $533,910 107.9% 20.7 cents $634,805 109.6% 22.8 cents
======== ==== ========== ======== ===== ========== ======== ===== ==========
Interest Expense $ 19,096 4.7% 0.7 cents $ 25,382 5.1% 1.0 cents $ 28,518 4.9% 1.0 cents
======== ==== ========== ======== ===== ========== ======== ===== ==========
(1) Excluding amounts for impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill.
18
21
FISCAL 1999 VERSUS FISCAL 1998
Operating revenues decreased by $90 million (18.2%) for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1999 as compared to the prior fiscal year. This decrease was
primarily due to the inclusion in 1998 of revenues associated with the since
terminated United Express operation. Capacity, measured by Available Seat Miles
(ASM's), increased by 0.5% due to the continued addition of CRJ aircraft into
Mesa's fleet, offset by fewer B1900 and EMB120 aircraft associated with the
United Express operation. Passenger traffic, measured by Revenue Passenger Miles
(RPM's) and representing one passenger carried one mile, decreased by 6.2%. The
passenger load factor decreased from 54.5% to 51.1%, yield (passenger revenue
per RPM) decreased by 4.2 cents in 1999 from 34.3 cents per RPM, and revenue per
ASM decreased to 15.3 cents from 18.7 cents per ASM in fiscal 1998. The airline
industry has a history of fare and traffic volatility. The regional jet
aircraft, which are generally faster and flown over a longer stage length than
turboprop aircraft, typically generate lower revenue per ASM. Because Mesa
expects to operate increasing numbers of regional jet aircraft in the future,
overall revenue per ASM and cost per ASM are expected to be lower in the 2000
fiscal year than that attained in fiscal 1999.
Flight Operations expense decreased by 11.1% to $173.4 million (6.7
cents per ASM) for the 1999 fiscal year, from $195.0 million (7.6 cents per ASM)
for the comparable period in 1998, primarily due to the discontinuation of the
United Express operation. Fuel costs, pilot costs, and dispatch costs all
declined for the 1999 fiscal year, as compared to the prior period. Pilot
training costs also declined compared to the prior period, primarily due to the
inclusion in fiscal year 1998 of a major portion of training expenses associated
with integrating CRJ aircraft into the fleet.
Maintenance costs decreased by 24.6% to $76.3 million (2.9 cents per
ASM) for the 1999 fiscal year, from $101.2 million (3.9 cents per ASM) for the
prior year. Decreased maintenance costs are the result of a smaller fleet and
the continued introduction of new, warranted CRJ aircraft.
Aircraft and Traffic Servicing costs decreased by 29.2% to $55.7
million (2.1 cents per ASM) during fiscal 1999 from $78.7 million (3.0 cents per
ASM) in fiscal 1998. Station wages decreased due to a reduction in staffing.
Station rent decreased in fiscal 1999 from fiscal 1998 due to the elimination of
the United Express West Coast and Denver operations.
Promotion and Sales expense decreased by 51.9% to $32.5 million (1.4
cents per ASM) during fiscal 1999 from $67.7 million (2.6 cents per ASM) in
fiscal 1998. This decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in booking
fees charged to Mesa for processing reservations on computer reservation
systems. Mesa's contract with America West eliminates booking fees and travel
agency commissions being charged directly to Mesa, and thus these expenses are
expected to continue to decrease in fiscal 2000.
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $8.5 million to $18.1
million in fiscal 1999 and interest expense decreased by $6.3 million to $19.1
million in such period. The decrease in
19
22
depreciation and amortization was due to fewer aircraft being depreciated in
fiscal year 1999 compared to fiscal year 1998. The decrease in interest expense
was due to the retirement of aircraft, the proceeds of which were used to pay
down debt secured by such aircraft.
During fiscal 1999, Mesa recognized an impairment loss amounting to
approximately $20.6 million as a result of the Company's decision to dispose of
30 Beech 1900D aircraft during fiscal year 2000. The amount of impairment was
determined by comparing the net book value of the aircraft against data provided
by Raytheon Aircraft Corporation (RAC), the manufacturer of the aircraft, on
current resale values for aircraft of comparable age and condition. In order to
expedite disposal of the aircraft, the Company has signed an agreement with RAC
wherein RAC will broker the sale of up to 30 aircraft to third parties.
Additionally, $8.3 million of the goodwill associated with routes acquired by
Mesa was written off due to the continued losses in those specific routes.
During fiscal 1998 and 1997, Mesa recognized expected costs and
expenses amounting to approximately $33.9 million and $72.1 million,
respectively, for the termination of the United Express Operations which
included the non-renewal of the WestAir, and early termination of the MAI,
code-sharing agreements with UAL. These costs and expenses are included in other
operating items. (See footnotes 12 and 16 to the accompanying consolidated
financial statements for additional discussion.) Both the $33.9 million and the
$72.1 million provide for the estimated loss on retirement or sale of aircraft,
parts, and equipment which were surplus to the needs of Mesa upon expiration and
early termination of the UAL code sharing agreements. In fiscal 1998, Mesa also
recognized provisions amounting to $4.0 million for the termination of the Ft.
Worth jet operations and $2.5 million for the settlement of a shareholder
lawsuit.
FISCAL 1998 VERSUS FISCAL 1997
Operating revenues decreased by $84.6 million (14.6%) for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1998, compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease
was primarily attributable to the termination of Mesa's United Express
operations on the West Coast and in Denver, Colorado in April and May, 1998.
Capacity, measured by Available Seat Miles (ASM's), decreased by 7.5% and
passenger traffic, measured by Revenue Passenger Miles (RPM's) and representing
one passenger carried one mile, decreased by 8.9%. The load factor decreased
from 55.4% to 54.5%, yield (passenger revenue per RPM) decreased to 34.3 cents
in fiscal 1998 from 36.8 cents in fiscal 1997, and revenue per ASM decreased to
18.7 cents from 22.8 cents per ASM in fiscal 1997. The airline industry has a
history of fare and traffic volatility. The regional jet aircraft, which are
generally faster and flown over a longer stage length than turbo prop aircraft,
typically generate lower revenue per ASM.
Flight Operations expense decreased by 8.1% to $195.0 million (7.6
cents per ASM) for the 1998 fiscal year, from $212.3 million (7.6 cents per ASM)
for the comparable period in 1997. Fuel costs, pilot costs and aircraft lease
expense all declined in fiscal year 1998 as a result of operating fewer
aircraft, primarily due to the termination of the United Express operations.
20
23
These cost decreases were partially offset by an increase in pilot training
costs associated with adding CRJ aircraft into the fleet, and an increase in
dispatch costs due to more strict operating requirements under FAR Part 121
These cost increases were partially offset by a reduction in aircraft lease
expense, which resulted from flying fewer aircraft. Ownership costs of owned
aircraft are reported as depreciation and interest expense rather than flight
operations expense.
Maintenance costs decreased by 6.2% to $101.2 million (3.9 cents per
ASM) for the 1998 fiscal year, from $107.9 million (3.9 cents per ASM) for the
prior year. Engine overhaul expense decreased due to the decline in fleet size.
The savings were partially offset by increased parts usage and accrued costs for
engine overhauls for the Dash 8 and CRJ engines on power by the hour contracts.
Aircraft and Traffic Servicing costs decreased by 16.4% to $78.7
million ($3.0 cents per ASM) during fiscal 1998 from $94.1 million (3.4 cents
per ASM) in fiscal 1997. Station wages decreased due to a reduction in staffing.
Station rent decreased in fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997 due to the
elimination of the West Coast and Denver operations.
Promotion and Sales expense decreased by 20.6% to $67.7 million (2.6
cents per ASM) during fiscal 1998 from $85.3 million (3.1 cents per ASM) in
fiscal 1997. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in booking
fees charged to Mesa for processing reservations on computer reservations
systems.
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $10.0 million to $26.6
million in fiscal 1998 from the prior fiscal year and interest expense decreased
by $3.2 million to $25.4 million in fiscal 1998 from fiscal 1997. The decrease
in depreciation and amortization was due to fewer aircraft being depreciated in
fiscal year 1998, compared to 1997. The decrease in interest expense was due to
lower outstanding loan balances as a result of the retirement of aircraft, the
proceeds of which were used to pay down debt secured by such aircraft.
As described above, during fiscal years 1997 and 1998 Mesa recognized
provisions of $33.9 million and $72.1 million, respectively, for the termination
of the United Express operations which included the non-renewal of the WestAir,
and early termination of the MAI, code-sharing agreements with UAL. These
provisions are included in other operating items. Other operating items in
fiscal 1998 also include $4.0 million for the termination of the Ft. Worth jet
operations, and $2.5 million for the settlement of a shareholder lawsuit. Other
operating items in fiscal 1997 also include a gain from the settlement with an
aircraft manufacturer of $5.2 million and reversal of a $1 million aircraft
return provision related to the final settlement and return of Mesa's Fokker 70
aircraft.
The provisions discussed above were the primary reasons for the net
losses in 1998 and 1997. However, other factors have contributed to the net
losses. The cost of operating 19 passenger aircraft has risen sharply in the
past three years. The increase is primarily attributable to a combination of
factors discussed elsewhere herein, including increased governmental regulation,
higher labor costs due to union contracts, older aircraft requiring more
maintenance, higher training costs due to increased pilot turnover and other
items. As a result, Mesa has adopted a plan to reduce the number of 19 passenger
aircraft in fiscal 2000.
21
24
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Mesa's cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September
30, 1999 were $56.2 million, representing an increase of $20.5 million over the
prior year. Mesa incurred a net loss of $13.4 million in 1999. After adjustment
for non-cash activities and the change in certain balance sheet accounts, the
Company provided $31.8 million in its operating activities. The primary factors
resulting in the difference between earnings from operation and cash flow were:
1) a $20.9 million provision and a corresponding $8.3 million
write-off of goodwill related to the planned sale of up to 30
Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.
2) the non-cash items of depreciation and amortization accounted
for $18.2 million of the difference between the net loss and
the net cash flow.
3) other differences identified in the Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows resulting primarily from the operation of business
in the normal course.
Mesa provided cash flows from investing activities of $22.2 million in
fiscal 1999, which included $50.6 million from the sale of property and
equipment. However, these proceeds were used primarily to reduce the long-term
debt collateralized by the property and equipment sold. In addition, the Company
generated $3.9 million from the sale of investment securities and used $16.1
million for the acquisition of property and equipment and other capital assets.
Under financing activities, long-term debt reduction of approximately
$38.0 million resulted from scheduled debt payments during the year and the sale
of 17 Beech 1900D aircraft, the proceeds of which were used principally to
retire debt secured by the aircraft. Mesa's cash, cash equivalents and
investment securities are intended to be used for working capital, capital
expenditures and acquisitions. Management believes that the Company's existing
cash and cash equivalents and currently anticipated cash flows from operations
will provide the Company with adequate capital resources to fund the Company's
currently anticipated operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Mesa had receivables of approximately $22.8 million at September 30,
1999, which consist primarily of amounts due from code-sharing partner US
Airways. Under the terms of the US Airways agreement, Mesa receives a
substantial portion of its revenues through the Airline Clearing House.
Historically, Mesa has generated adequate cash flow to meet its operating needs.
Mesa has significant lease obligations and debt payments on existing
aircraft. At September 30, 1999, Mesa had 68 aircraft with debt balances having
maturities through December 2011. During 1996, Raytheon Aircraft Credit
Corporation ("RACC") provided financing on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft. In April
1998, Mesa reached an agreement with RACC to defer the monthly principal and
interest payments due on the aircraft for the months of May, June and July of
1998, and extend the term of the financing by three months. In addition, RACC
agreed to finance two Beech 1900 aircraft owned by Mesa for an amount equal to
the monthly payments due on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft for the months of August,
September, and October
22
25
1998. Mesa then used the proceeds of the financing for those monthly payments.
The two aircraft were financed by RACC with non-recourse, non-interest bearing
loans and are currently being held for sale. In September 1998, RACC refinanced
from another lender an additional 11 Beech 1900D aircraft. The total financing
by RACC is secured by the aircraft and totals $222 million at September 30, 1999
with monthly payments of $2.1 million. In November 1998, RACC refinanced from
another lender three more Beech 1900D aircraft.
In August 1998 Mesa reached an Agreement with RACC whereby RACC agreed
to purchase excess Beech 1900 aircraft parts from Mesa. Future lease payments
due under all aircraft operating leases were approximately $893 million at
September 30, 1999. In addition, Mesa has significant lease obligations on the
operating and non-operating aircraft. These leases are classified as operating
leases and therefore are not reflected as liabilities in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet. At September 30, 1999, 84 aircraft were leased by
Mesa with terms extending through June 2018. Total lease expense for the twelve
months ended September 30, 1999 was $29.1 million.
In June 1999 Mesa placed an $11.8 million refundable deposit with
Embraer for the purchase of regional jet aircraft to be delivered beginning in
2000. [See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements].
In August 1996, Mesa entered into an agreement with BRAD to acquire 16
CRJ 50-passenger jet aircraft with an option to acquire an additional 16 of the
jet aircraft and rolling options to acquire a third block of 16 aircraft. In
August 1997, Mesa exercised options to purchase 16 of the 32 CRJ aircraft
reserved under the option agreement. This exercise included the conversion of
eight of its Dash 8-200 aircraft then on order to CRJ 50-passenger jet aircraft.
In addition, BRAD agreed to take Embraer Brasilia aircraft in trade upon
delivery of CRJs. Twenty-nine (29) CRJ aircraft were delivered to Mesa by
September 30, 1999. The remaining three (3) CRJ aircraft have been delivered
subsequent to September 30, 1999, with the final delivery taking place in
January, 2000.
In October 1999 Mesa resolved various disputed claims it had against
BRAD regarding Bombardier's obligation to accept trade in Brasilia aircraft and
the availability of 16 additional rolling option CRJs. Under this settlement,
Mesa will receive up to $9.0 million ($8.5 million cash, $0.5 million credit),
$7.1 million of which has been paid to date, and the remainder of which will be
paid as each of the remaining 5 CRJ aircraft are permanently financed.
23
26
At September 30, 1999, the average age of Mesa's aircraft fleet
deployed in revenue service was:
- six years for the Beech 1900D fleet
- four years for the Dash 8 fleet
- one and three quarter years for the Canadair Regional Jet
fleet
Due to the young age of Mesa's fleet, Mesa does not anticipate
replacing any of its aircraft with newer aircraft of the same model type during
the foreseeable future.
Mesa sold Farmington, New Mexico real estate properties, which were
vacated when the Company relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, for $5.2 million during
fiscal 1999. The amount received approximated book value.
During fiscal 1999, Mesa, through its wholly owned subsidiary Ritz
Hotel Management Corporation, purchased a motel in Mesa, Arizona for use as a
dormitory facility for its flight crews in training. The hotel was purchased for
$1.475 million and financed with a 10 year mortgage loan of $1.125 million.
WestAir ceased operations on May 31, 1998 as a result of the
termination of its United Express code-share agreement. In November 1998, Mesa
settled all claims with the aircraft and equipment lessors of WestAir for
approximately $15 million. WestAir contributed approximately $11.2 million of
the settlement and Mesa contributed approximately $3.8 million. Mesa anticipates
recovering up to $2 million from WestAir's receivables and deposits in the
future. WestAir had operated 43 leased aircraft pursuant to the United Express
code-sharing agreement, and upon cessation of United Express service had
considerable liabilities for the remaining terms of the leases. Mesa worked
closely with all lessors to develop and implement a plan that was acceptable to
both Mesa and the various lessors.
On June 29, 1999, Lynrise Air Lease, Inc. ("Lynrise") filed suit
against Mesa and CCAIR in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. As a
result of the suit, CCAIR could be required to repay the entire unpaid balance
of an unsecured note issued by CCAIR to Lynrise (approximately $8.3 million).
Should Lynrise prevail against CCAIR and require it to repurchase the note,
CCAIR is without sufficient assets to repurchase the note and would be unable to
satisfy such a judgement.
Mesa has negotiated 10-year maintenance contracts with General Electric
Aircraft Engines ("GE") for the CRJ and with Pratt and Whitney, Canada Aircraft
Services ("PWC") for the Dash 8-200 aircraft. The GE engine maintenance contract
provides coverage for the engines on the first 16 CRJ aircraft to be delivered.
Mesa is presently negotiating with GE to add the CRJ aircraft engines for 16
additional CRJ aircraft to this maintenance contract. The PWC contract provides
coverage for all Dash 8-200 aircraft engines operated by Mesa. Both contracts
provide for payment at the time of the repair event and a fixed dollar amount
per flight hour, subject to escalation based on changes in the CPI, for the
number of flight hours incurred since the previous event.
24
27
Management's belief that Mesa will have adequate cash flow to meet its
operating needs is a forward-looking statement. Actual cash flow could
materially differ from this forward-looking statement as a result of many
factors, including: in the event of the termination of one or more code-sharing
agreements; failure to sell, dispose of, or re-deploy excess aircraft in a
timely manner; a substantial decrease in the number of routes allocated to MAI
under its code-sharing agreement with US Airways; reduced levels of passenger
revenue, additional taxes or costs of compliance with governmental regulations;
fuel cost increases; increases in competition; increases in interest rates;
general economic conditions; and unfavorable settlement or disposition of
existing or potential litigation. Mesa has minimal market risk with respect to
market risk instruments such as foreign currency exchange risk and commodity
price risk. Mesa is subject to interest rate risk with respect to current and
future aircraft financing.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
The Company so far has experienced no disruptions in the operation of
its internal information systems or in the availability of its facilities during
its transition to the year 2000. The Company is not aware that any of its
vendors experienced any disruptions during their transition to the year 2000 or
that there have been any year 2000 problems with its material held for sale. The
Company will continue to monitor the transition to year 2000 and will act
promptly to resolve any problems that occur. If the Company or any third parties
with which it has business relationships experience problems related to the year
2000 transition that have not yet been discovered, it could have a material
adverse impact on the Company.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued several
new pronouncements that have been adopted by Mesa.
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," to establish
standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income (all changes in
equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and
distributions to owners) and its components in financial statements. This new
standard was effective for Mesa for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999.
In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information," to establish standards for reporting
information about operating segments in annual financial statements, selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports and
disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
This new standard was effective for Mesa for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1999.
Mesa has not yet adopted the following new pronouncement. In June 1998,
the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments and hedging activities and requires that an entity recognize all
derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial
position and measure those instruments at fair value. The provisions of SFAS No.
133 are effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June
15, 1999. In July
25
28
1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities-Deferral of the Effective Data of FASB Statement No.133, an
Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, "which defers the effective date of SFAS
No.133 to be effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 2000. Management does not expect adoption of SFAS No. 133 will have a
material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or
liquidity.
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company has exposure to market risk associated with changes in
interest rates related primarily to its debt obligations and short term
investment portfolio. The Company's debt obligations are primarily variable in
rate and therefore have minimal exposure to change in interest rates. The
Company's investment portfolio has minimal exposure to change in interest rates
due to the short term nature of its maturities. The Company has not generally
experienced material losses due to the sale of short-term securities prior to
maturity.
The Company has exposure to certain market risks associated with its
aircraft fuel. Aviation fuel expense is a significant expense for any air
carrier and even marginal changes greatly impact a carriers profitability.
Standard industry contracts do not generally provide protection against fuel
price increases, nor do they insure availability of supply. However, both the
USAirways and America West fee for departure contracts allow fuel costs to be
passed directly back to the codeshare partner, thereby reducing the overall
exposure of Mesa to fuel price fluctuations. In the fourth quarter of fiscal
1999, 62.2% of Mesa fuel requirements were associated with these contracts. A
substantial increase in the price of jet fuel or the lack of adequate fuel
supplies in the future would have a material adverse effect on Mesa's business,
financial condition, and the results of operations and liquidity. A one cent
change in the price of fuel oil has an impact on the Company's operating
expenses of approximately $26,000 per month.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K contains certain statements including, but not limited
to, information regarding the replacement, deployment, and acquisition of
certain numbers and types of aircraft, and projected expenses associated
therewith; costs of compliance with FAA regulations and other rules and acts of
Congress; the passing of taxes, fuel costs, inflation, and various expenses to
the consumer; the relocation of certain operations of Mesa; the resolution of
litigation in a favorable manner; compliance with Year 2000 issues, and certain
projected financial obligations. These statements, in addition to statements
made in conjunction with the words "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan,"
"believe," "seek," "estimate," and similar expressions, are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Safe harbor provision of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 as amended. These statements relate to future events or the future
financial performance of Mesa and only reflect Management's expectations and
estimates. The following is a list of factors, among others, that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:
changing business conditions in certain market segments and industries; an
increase in competition along the routes Mesa operates or plans to operate;
material delays in completion by the manufacturer of the ordered and yet-to-be
delivered aircraft; changes in general economic
26
29
conditions; changes in fuel price; changes in regional economic conditions;
Mesa's relationship with employees and the terms of future collective bargaining
agreements; and the impact of current and future laws, Congressional
investigations, and governmental regulations affecting the airline industry and
Mesa's operations; bureaucratic delays; amendments to existing legislation;
consumers unwilling to incur greater costs for flights; unfavorable resolution
of negotiations with municipalities for the leasing of facilities; and risks
associated with litigation outcomes. One or more of these or other factors may
cause Mesa's actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking
statement. Mesa is not undertaking any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements contained in this Form 10-K.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
1. Consolidated Financial Statements
Page 28 - Independent Auditors' Report
Page 29 - Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended
September 30, 1999, 1998, and 1997.
Page 30 - Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1999 and
1998.
Page 31, - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended
September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997.
Page 32 - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and
Comprehensive Loss - Years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997.
Page 33 - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted because
they are not applicable, not required or the information has been furnished
elsewhere.
27
30
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mesa Air Group,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999 and 1998, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive
loss and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
September 30, 1999. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mesa Air Group, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999 and 1998, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended September 30, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
KPMG LLP
Phoenix, Arizona
January 20, 2000
28
31
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Years Ended September 30,
1999 1998 1997
--------- --------- ---------
Operating revenues:
Passenger ....................................... $ 398,206 $ 482,936 $ 567,842
Freight and other ............................... 6,410 11,930 11,622
--------- --------- ---------
Total operating revenues ............... 404,616 494,866 579,464
--------- --------- ---------
Operating expenses:
Flight operations ............................... 173,367 195,037 212,352
Maintenance ..................................... 76,309 101,226 107,908
Aircraft and traffic servicing .................. 55,675 78,673 94,128
Promotion and sales ............................. 32,550 67,706 85,316
General and administrative ...................... 31,658 31,345 30,659
Depreciation and amortization ................... 18,053 26,580 36,558
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill..... 28,902 -- --
Other operating items ........................... (14,027) 33,343 67,884
--------- --------- ---------
Total operating expenses ................. 402,487 533,910 634,805
--------- --------- ---------
Operating income (loss) ......................... 2,129 (39,044) (55,341)
--------- --------- ---------
Other income (expense):
Interest expense ................................ (19,096) (25,382) (28,518)
Interest income ................................. 2,166 899 1,837
Other ........................................... 1,986 5,298 1,258
--------- --------- ---------
Total other expense ...................... (14,944) (19,185) (25,423)
--------- --------- ---------
Loss before income taxes ............. (12,815) (58,229) (80,764)
Income taxes (benefit) .............................. 597 (7,762) (30,438)
--------- --------- ---------
Net loss ................................. $ (13,412) $ (50,467) $ (50,326)
========= ========= =========
Average common shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 33,826 33,636 33,085
Net loss per share: Basic and Diluted .............. $ (.40) $ (1.50) $ (1.52)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
29
32
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
September 30,
1999 1998
--------- ---------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents .......................................... $ 52,905 $ 35,668
Investment securities .............................................. 3,306 --
Receivables, primarily traffic ..................................... 30,859 29,153
Refundable income taxes ............................................ -- 9,057
Expendable parts and supplies, less allowance for obsolescence of
$ 2,313 and $2,418, respectively ................................. 24,727 31,687
Aircraft held for sale ............................................. 77,412 --
Prepaid expenses and other current assets .......................... 12,739 6,791
--------- ---------
Total current assets ..................................... 201,948 112,356
Property and equipment, net ............................................ 160,453 336,194
Lease and equipment deposits ........................................... 22,392 11,515
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $5,140 and $6,625,
respectively ......................................................... 10,855 20,646
Other assets ........................................................... 8,125 3,665
--------- ---------
Total assets ............................................. $ 403,773 $ 484,376
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases ............... $ 121,297 $ 35,714
Accounts payable ................................................... 17,480 17,784
Air traffic liability .............................................. 2,128 4,758
Accrued compensation ............................................... 2,324 3,834
Other accrued expenses ............................................. 25,679 51,712
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities ................................ 168,908 113,802
Long-term debt and capital leases, excluding current portion ........... 114,234 245,100
Deferred credits and other liabilities ................................. 24,196 16,825
--------- ---------
Total liabilities ........................................ 307,338 375,727
--------- ---------
Stockholders' equity :
Common stock of no par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized;
34,197,752 and 33,727,340 shares issued and outstanding .......... 123,492 122,174
Accumulated deficit ................................................ (27,057) (13,525)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity ............................... 96,435 108,649
Commitments, contingencies and subsequent events (notes 5,8,9,10,12,16,
17, 18, and 19)
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ............................. $ 403,773 $ 484,376
========= =========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
30
33
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year Ended September 30,
1999 1998 1997
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss ............................................................. $(13,412) $(50,467) $(50,326)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization .................................... 18,053 26,637 40,532
Lease payments in excess of expense amounts ...................... -- -- (488)
Provision for cancellation of code share agreements and
other operating items .......................................... (14,027) 40,443 72,100
Impairment of long - lived assets ............................... 20,562 -- --
Write-off of goodwill ............................................ 8,340 -- --
Deferred income taxes ............................................ -- (1,600) (20,439)
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment ................ 164 (20) 5
Gain on sale of investment securities ............................ (1,213) (4,544) --
Amortization and write-off of deferred credits ................... (529) (5,721) (1,745)
Stock bonus plan ................................................. -- -- 349
Provision for doubtful accounts .................................. 159 1,036 --
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables .................................................. (1,865) 29,235 (12,439)
Refundable income taxes ...................................... 9,057 (2,058) (6,999)
Expendable parts and supplies ................................ 6,960 1,405 (4,745)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets .................... (5,938) 3,656 90
Accounts payable ............................................. (304) (12,229) 8,047
Other accrued liabilities .................................... 5,756 (42,240) (6,060)
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES ..................... 31,763 (16,467) 17,882
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures ............................................. (16,140) (9,774) (11,517)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment ..................... 50,637 17,659 1,877
Proceeds from sale of investment securities ...................... 3,907 11,102 1,000
Purchases of investment securities ............................... (6,000) -- --
Change in other assets ........................................... 1,559 (481) 9,539
Lease and equipment deposits ..................................... (11,800) (1,161) (339)
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: .................... 22,163 17,345 560
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt ......................... -- 29,697 573
Principal payments on long-term debt and obligations under capital
leases ....................................................... (37,997) (53,449) (18,446)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock ........................... 1,308 2,200 123
Change in short term borrowings .................................. -- (904) 641
Common stock repurchased and retired ............................. -- -- --
Change in deferred credits ...................................... -- 1,023
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: .................... (36,689) (22,454) (16,086)
-------- -------- --------
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: ..................... 17,237 (21,576) 2,356
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD ...................... 35,668 57,244 54,888
-------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD ............................ $ 52,905 $ 35,668 $ 57,244
======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
31
34
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except number of shares)
Retained Accumulated
earnings Other
Years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 Number of Compre- (Accumulated Comprehensive
and 1997 shares Common stock hensive Loss deficit) Income Total
- ------------------------------------------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Balance at September 30, 1996
as previously reported.................. 28,243,382 $100,876 $121,283 $ 2,507 $224,666
Effect of merger with CCAIR............... 4,810,068 17,803 (16,492) -- 1,311
---------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Balance at September 1996 33,053,450 118,679 104,791 2,507 225,977
Exercise of options ....................... 16,333 123 -- -- 123
Stock bonus plan .......................... 34,869 349 -- -- 349
Tax benefits from sale of optioned stock... -- 13 -- -- 13
Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized change in
investment securities, net of taxes...... -- -- $534 534 534
Net loss................................. -- -- (50,326) (50,326) -- (50,326)
--------
Total comprehensive loss................... -- -- $(49,792) -- -- --
---------- -------- ======== -------- ------ -------
Balance at September 30, 1997................ 33,104,652 119,164 54,465 3,041 176,670
Exercise of options ......................... 159,745 623 -- -- 623
Issuance of stock............................ 649,363 3,125 -- -- 3,125
Grant of compensatory warrants............... -- 240 -- -- 240
Retirement of stock.......................... (186,420) (1,022) -- -- (1,022)
Tax benefits from sale of optioned stock..... -- 44 -- -- 44
Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized change in
investment securities, net of taxes........ -- -- (3,041) -- (3,041) (3,041)
Net loss................................... -- -- (50,467) (50,467) -- (50,467)
--------
Total comprehensive loss..................... -- -- $(53,508) -- -- --
========
CCAIR, Inc. net loss for the six months ended
December 31, 1997.......................... -- -- (17,523) -- (17,523)
---------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Balance at September 30, 1998.............. 33,727,340 122,174 (13,525) -- 108,649
Exercise of options.......................... 470,412 1,308 -- -- 1,308
Tax benefits from sale of optioned stock..... -- 10 -- -- 10
Net loss and total comprehensive loss........ -- -- (13,412) -- (13,412)
CCAIR, Inc. net loss for the
quarter ended December 31, 1998............ -- -- (120) -- (120)
---------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Balance at September 30, 1999 34,197,752 $123,492 $(27,057) -- $96,435
========== ======== ======== ======= =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
32
35
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
a. Principles of Consolidation and Organization
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Mesa") is a group of
regional airlines providing service in various regions across the United States,
plus the District of Columbia, as well as Toronto, Canada and Guaymas and
Hermasillo, Mexico. Mesa operates as America West Express in the Southwest,
USAirways Express throughout the East Coast and Midwest, and independently as
Mesa Airlines in New Mexico and Colorado, utilizing 116 turboprop aircraft and
29 jet aircraft.
Mesa is a Nevada corporation which owns Mesa Airlines, Inc. ("MAI"), a
Nevada corporation and certificated air carrier; WestAir Holdings, Inc., a
California corporation and owner of certificated air carrier WestAir Commuter
Airlines, Inc. which ceased operations in 1998; Air Midwest, Inc., a Kansas
corporation and certificated air carrier and CCAIR, Inc., a Delaware corporation
and certificated air carrier. Mesa's non-certified subsidiaries are MPD, Inc., a
Nevada corporation, d.b.a. Mesa Pilot Development, Mesa's pilot training
program; FCA, Inc., a Nevada Corporation, d.b.a. Four Corners Aviation; Mesa
Leasing, Inc., a Nevada corporation established to facilitate Mesa's acquisition
and leasing of aircraft; and MAGI Insurance, Ltd., a Barbados, West Indies-based
captive insurance company. The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Mesa and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant
inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Mesa operates as America West Express under a code-sharing agreement
that expires in 2004 with America West Airlines, utilizing Phoenix, Arizona and
Columbus, Ohio as hubs.
Mesa utilizes an Albuquerque, New Mexico hub as Mesa Airlines, serving
the Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions.
Mesa operates as USAirways Express under five code-sharing agreements
with US Airways, Inc. ("US Airways"). One agreement covers operations utilizing
a Kansas City hub and expires in 2000. Another US Airways code-sharing agreement
covers operations out of the Pittsburgh hub and expires in 2003. The third
agreement covers hubs in New Orleans, Tampa, Orlando, Philadelphia and Boston
and expires in 2004. The agreement that provides for Canadair Regional Jet
("CRJ") 50-passenger jet service on certain defined routes expires in 2007. The
fifth code-share agreement between CCAIR, Inc. and US Airways covers operations
from the Charlotte, North Carolina hub and expires in 2003.
MPD, Inc. provides flight training in coordination with a community
college. FCA, Inc. is a fixed-base operation in Farmington, New Mexico and,
during 1999, substantially all of the assets of FCA, Inc. were sold for their
approximate book value of $4.5 million. Regional
33
36
Aircraft Services, Inc. and Desert Turbine Services provide aircraft and engine
maintenance services to Mesa. MAGI Insurance, Ltd. is a captive insurance
company created to handle freight and baggage claims in addition to a portion of
Mesa's aviation insurance.
Substantially all of the Company's operating revenues are
derived from the America West Express (26%) and US Airways (71%) code-sharing
agreements.
b. Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, Mesa
considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturaties of three
months or less to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 1999, the Company had
$2.7 million of cash restricted as collateral for letters of credit.
c. Investment Securities
Investment securities consist of common stock. Investment securities
are stated at market value as determined by the most recently traded price of
each security at the balance sheet date. All investment securities are defined
as either trading securities or available-for-sale securities under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. ("SFAS") 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities."
Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments
in securities at the time of purchase, and reevaluates such determination at
each balance sheet date. Securities that are bought and held principally for the
purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities
and unrealized holding gains and losses are included in earnings. Debt
securities for which the Company does not have the intent or ability to hold to
maturity and equity securities not classified as trading are classified as
available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value,
with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate
component of stockholders' equity. The cost of investments sold is determined on
the specific identification or the first-in, first-out method.
d. Receivables
Mesa provides commercial air transportation into most regions of the
United States. The majority of the passenger tickets collected by Mesa at the
time of travel are sold by other air carriers largely as a result of the
code-sharing agreements discussed above. As a result, Mesa has a significant
concentration of its accounts receivable with other air carriers and does not
have any collateral securing such accounts receivable. At September 30, 1999 and
1998, accounts receivable from air carriers totaled approximately $20.0 million
and $21.2 million, respectively. Accounts receivable credit losses have not been
significant and have been within management's expectations.
34
37
e. Expendable Parts and Supplies
Expendable parts and supplies are stated at the lower of average cost
or market, less an allowance for obsolescence. Expendable parts and supplies are
charged to expense as they are used.
f. Property and Equipment
Flight equipment and other property and equipment are carried at cost.
Major additions, betterments, and renewals are capitalized. Depreciation and
amortization to estimated residual values is computed on the straight-line basis
over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.
At the time assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and
accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the related accounts,
and the difference, net of proceeds, is recorded as a gain or loss.
Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying
amount may not be recoverable. When required, impairment losses on assets to be
held and used are recognized based on the fair value of the asset. Certain
long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount
or fair value less cost to sell.
Interest related to deposits on aircraft purchase contracts is
capitalized as part of the aircraft. The Company capitalized $896,000 of
interest during fiscal 1999.
Leases primarily for flight equipment are classified and accounted for
as capital leases under FASB Statement No. 13.
Estimated useful lives of the various classifications of property and
equipment are as follows:
Buildings........................... 30 years
Flight equipment.................... 7-20 years
Leasehold improvements.............. Life or term of lease,
whichever is less
Equipment........................... 5-12 years
Furniture and fixtures.............. 3-5 years
Vehicles............................ 5 years
Assets utilized under capital leases are amortized over the lesser of
the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line
method. Amortization of capital leases is included in depreciation and
amortization expense.
g. Intangible Assets
Mesa evaluates the recoverability of its intangible assets by measuring
the carrying amount of the assets against the estimated undiscounted future cash
flows associated with such
35
38
assets. At the time such evaluations indicate that the future undiscounted cash
flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of such assets, the
assets are adjusted to their fair values.
In July 1991, Mesa acquired Air Midwest, Inc. This acquisition resulted
in purchased intangible goodwill of approximately $10.2 million, which is being
amortized over a 40-year period. The cost basis of the goodwill intangible has
been reduced by approximately $4.7 million as a result of tax benefits realized
through utilization of net operating loss and investment tax credit carryovers
acquired in the Air Midwest purchase.
In 1994, Mesa entered into separate Asset Purchase Agreements related
to developing its operations as USAirways. Intangible assets acquired amounting
to $21.8 million in the aggregate are being amortized over a 20-year period.
During fiscal year 1999, Mesa determined that the goodwill amount related to a
separately identified segment of the U.S. Airways acquired operations was
impaired and, accordingly, a charge for approximately $8,340,000 was recognized
to write-off the unamortized balance of the asset.
In connection with the discontinuance of United Express operations
(Notes 12 and 16), the related intangible assets were determined to be impaired
and the related unamortized carrying amount of $26.3 million was charged to
operations during fiscal year 1997.
h. Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in future years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date. Mesa and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax
return.
i. Deferred Credits
Deferred lease incentives consist of credits for parts or services and
deferred gains from the sale and leaseback of aircraft. Deferred credits are
amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of lease expense over the term
of the respective leases.
j. Revenues
Passenger, freight and other revenues are recognized as earned when the
service is provided. Mesa receives public service revenues (subsidies) for
providing scheduled air service to certain small or rural communities. These
revenues are recognized as earned in the period to which the payments relate.
The amount of such payments is determined by the Department of Transportation on
the basis of its evaluation of the amount of revenue needed to meet operating
expenses and to provide a reasonable return on investment with respect to
eligible routes.
36
39
k. Maintenance
Maintenance and repairs, including major engine overhauls, are charged
to operating expenses as incurred. Engine overhaul costs for the Jetstream 31's
Dash 8 and CRJ engines are subject to power by the hour contracts with external
vendors and considered incurred as the aircraft are flown. Accrued maintenance
of $18.3 million and $10.1 million is included in other accrued liabilities as
of September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
l. Net Loss Per Share
The numbers of shares used in the net loss per share calculation are as
follows:
Year ended September 30,
------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding during the year 33,826 33,636 33,085
====== ====== ======
Options to purchase 605,000, 447,000 and 161,000 shares of common stock and
debt convertible into common stock were outstanding during 1999, 1998, and 1997,
respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share
because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the period presented.
m. Stock Options
Mesa accounts for its stock-based compensation arrangements in
accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations.
Effective October 1, 1996, Mesa adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which
permits entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value
of all stock-based awards on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also
allows entities to continue to apply the measurement provisions of APB Opinion
No. 25 and provide pro forma net earnings and pro forma earnings per share
disclosures for employee stock option grants made in fiscal 1996 and future
years as if the fair-value-based measurement method defined in SFAS No. 123 had
been applied. Mesa has elected to continue to apply the measurement provisions
of APB Opinion No. 25, and to provide pro forma disclosures required by SFAS No.
123. (See note 7, "Stockholders' Equity.")
n. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues
and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual
results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that
are particularly susceptible to significant change include the determination of
impairment of long-lived and other intangible assets, the valuation of deferred
tax assets and accruals for loss
37
40
contingencies. Management believes that such estimates have been appropriately
established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
o. Operating Segment
The Company is engaged in one line of business, the scheduled and
chartered transportation of passengers, which constitutes nearly all of its
operating revenues.
p. New Statements of Financial Accounting Standards
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and
display of comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains
and losses) in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. This
statement requires that all items recognized under accounting standards as
components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is
displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements and is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company
adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 130 in fiscal 1999. Financial statements
presented for earlier periods have been reclassified in accordance with the
requirements of SFAS No. 130.
In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information." This statement provides guidance for
public business enterprises in reporting information about operating segments in
annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports to
shareholders. This statement also establishes standards for related disclosures
about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. This
statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS
No. 131 need not be applied to interim financial statements in the initial year
of its application. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 131 in fiscal
1999.
In February 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures
about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits," which amends the disclosure
requirements of SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions," SFAS No. 88,
"Employers' Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit
Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits," and SFAS No. 106, "Employers
Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions." This statement
standardizes the disclosure requirements of SFAS No.'s 87 and 106 to the extent
practicable and recommends a parallel format for presenting information about
pensions and other postretirement benefits. SFAS No. 132 addresses disclosure
only and does not change any of the measurement or recognition provisions
provided for in SFAS No.'s 87, 88 or 106. This statement is effective for
financial statements for periods beginning after December 15, 1997. Adoption of
the provisions of SFAS No. 132 in fiscal 1999 did not impact the Company's
financial reporting.
In June 1998, the FASB Issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivative
38
41
instruments and hedging activities and requires that an entity recognize all
derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial
position and measure those instruments at fair value. The provisions of SFAS No.
133 are effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June
15, 1999. In July 1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB
Statement No. 133, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133," which defers the
effective date of SFAS No. 133 to be effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal
years beginning after June 15, 2000. Management does not expect adoption of SFAS
No. 133 will have a material effect on the Company's financial condition,
results of operations or liquidity.
q. Reclassifications
Certain 1998 and 1997 balances have been reclassified to conform to the
1999 presentation.
2. Merger
Effective June 9, 1999, Mesa merged with CCAIR, Inc. (CCAIR), a
regional carrier based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in connection therewith
the Company issued 5,933,381 shares of common stock in exchange for all of
CCAIR's outstanding common stock. CCAIR is a regional airline serving the East
Coast as US Airways Express.
The merger was accounted for as a pooling of interests and,
accordingly, the companies' consolidated financial statements have been restated
to include the results of CCAIR for all periods presented.
39
42
Combined and separate results of Mesa and CCAIR are as follows (in
thousands):
Mesa CCAIR Adjustments Combined
---- ----- ----------- --------
Year ended September 30, 1999
Operating revenues $ 325,559 $ 79,057 $ -- $ 404,616
Net earnings (loss) $ (16,428) $ 2,194 $ 822 $ (13,412)
Year ended September 30, 1998
(CCAIR as of December 31, 1998)
Operating revenues $ 423,541 $ 71,325 $ -- $ 494,866
Net earnings (loss) $ (53,434) $ 3,380 $ (413) $ (50,467)
Year ended September 30, 1997
(CCAIR as of June 30, 1997)
Operating revenues $ 510,977 $ 68,487 $ -- $ 579,464
Net earnings (loss) $ (48,597) $ 519 $ (2,248) $ (50,326)
The combined financial information contains adjustments to conform the
accounting policies of the two companies. This conforming adjustment reflects
the restatement of CCAIR's engine overhaul amounts to the direct expense method
from the accrual method from July 1, 1997 forward and from the deferral method
prior to July 1, 1997. Mesa owned 300,000 shares of common stock in CCAIR prior
to the merger, which has been accounted for as a stock repurchase as of the date
acquired.
The consolidated financial statements for September 30, 1998 and 1997
have not been restated to change CCAIR's fiscal year from December 31, 1998 and
June 30, 1997 to September 30. Those consolidated financial statements include
Mesa's results of operations on a September 30 fiscal year and CCAIR's for the
twelve month periods ended December 31, 1998 and June 30, 1997, respectively.
CCAIR changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31 in 1997. The year
ends have been conformed beginning October 1, 1998 and include CCAIR's results
of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 1998, which results were also
included in its year ended December 31, 1998. CCAIR reflected net income from
operations for the quarter of $120,000 which has been reflected as an adjustment
to retained earnings in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The
1997 combined results of operations include CCAIR's results for its fiscal year
ended June 30, 1997, and, accordingly, CCAIR's loss from operations for the
six-month period ended December 31, 1997 of $17,523,000 has also been reflected
as an adjustment to retained earnings. CCAIR's results of operations for the
six-month period ended December 31, 1997 were:
Operating revenues $ 32,836
Operating expenses (49,743)
---------
Operating loss (16,907)
---------
Net loss $ (17,523)
=========
40
43
3. Investment Securities
Investment securities classified as trading are summarized as follows:
September 30,
----------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998
------------------------ ------------------------
Cost Market Cost Market
Basis Value Basis Value
----- ----- ----- -----
(in thousands)
Trading securities - $3,139 $3,306 $--- $---
====== ====== ==== ====
Mesa purchased a less than 5% interest in an aviation related company
during 1999 and sold a majority of those shares for a realized gain of
$1,045,000 during 1999. The unrealized gain totaled $167,000 as of September 30,
1999.
In 1994, Mesa invested $18.7 million in America West Class A shares of common
stock, Class B shares of common stock and warrants. In 1996, Mesa sold a portion
of the America West Class B common stock, resulting in a realized gain of $22
million. In January 1998, Mesa sold its remaining investment in America West
comprising Class A common shares, Class B common shares and warrants to acquire
Class B common shares. Mesa received cash of approximately $11.1 million and
recognized other income of approximately $4.5 million on the sale of these
securities.
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following:
September 30,
-------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(in thousands)
Flight equipment, substantially pledged.................. $190,974 $392,969
Other equipment.......................................... 19,285 16,255
Leasehold improvements................................... 4,457 3,685
Furniture and fixtures................................... 2,603 1,802
Buildings................................................ 4,150 10,091
Land..................................................... -- 525
Vehicles................................................. 1,573 1,662
-------- --------
223,042 426,989
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization........... (62,589) (90,795)
------- -------
Net property and equipment............................... $160,453 $336,194
======== ========
41
44
5. Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases
Long-term debt and capital leases consist of the following:
September 30,
-------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(in thousands)
Notes payable to manufacturers: approximately $2.1
million, including interest, due monthly through
2011. Notes provide variable rates of interest
ranging from 6.87% to 7.5% at September 30, 1999.
Secured by aircraft ................................ $220,079 $236,639
Notes payable to manufacturers: principal and interest due
in October 1999. Notes provide for fixed interest at
7.5%.
Secured by aircraft ................................ 2,100 23,100
Notes payable to banks: Approximately $93,500 in
principal due monthly plus interest indexed to
adjusted LIBOR rates (7.31% to 7.56% at September 30,
1999) through 2006.
Secured by aircraft ................................ 1,500 8,174
Mortgage note payable to bank, secured by real estate, due
monthly: interest only in year one at 7%, years 2-10
principal plus interest at 7-1/2%, with balance due
April 2009 ......................................... 1,114 --
Capital leases: due in monthly installments through
December 1999; interest indexed to the prime rate.
Secured by equipment ............................... 36 2,677
Note payable to manufacturer (note 12) .................. 8,336 8,336
Other.................................................... 2,366 1,888
-------- --------
Total long-term debt and capital leases.................. 235,531 280,814
Less current portion .................................... (121,297) (35,714)
-------- --------
Net long-term debt and capital leases.................... $114,234 $245,100
======== ========
42
45
Principal maturities of long-term debt and capital leases for each of
the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
Years ending September 30,
--------------------------
(in thousands)
2000
.................................................... $121,297
2001 .................................................... 7,185
2002 .................................................... 7,606
2003 .................................................... 7,926
2004..................................................... 8,277
Thereafter .............................................. 83,240
At September 30, 1999, Mesa owned 68 aircraft collateralizing debt with
maturities through December 2011. During 1996, Raytheon Aircraft Credit
Corporation ("RACC") provided financing on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft. In April
1998, Mesa reached an agreement with RACC to defer the monthly principal and
interest payments due on the aircraft for the months of May, June and July. The
payments were deferred by extending the financing terms for an additional three
months. In addition, RACC agreed to finance two Beech 1900 aircraft owned by
Mesa for an amount equal to the monthly payments due on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft
for the months of August, September and October 1998. Mesa then used the
proceeds of the financing for those monthly payments. The two aircraft were
financed by RACC with non-recourse, non-interest bearing loans and are in the
process of being sold. In September 1998, RACC refinanced from another lender an
additional 11 Beech 1900D aircraft. The total financing by RACC is secured by
the aircraft and totals approximately $220 million at September 30, 1999, with
monthly payments of approximately $2.1 million. In November 1998, RACC
refinanced from another lender three more Beech 1900D aircraft. Unpaid amounts
associated with aircraft held for sale at September 30, 1999 and classified as
a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet totalled
$98.8 million.
In August 1998, Mesa reached an Agreement with RACC whereby RACC agreed
to purchase excess Beech 1900 aircraft parts from Mesa. As a result of disputes
between Mesa and RACC regarding the applicability and value of certain aircraft
parts under the Agreement, Mesa withheld its monthly payment on 83 Beech 1900
aircraft to RACC for the months of October and November 1998. In an Agreement
dated January 7, 1999, Mesa and RACC resolved the issues regarding these parts
and RACC accepted them in lieu of payment for the months of October and
November, 1998. To the extent that any Event of Default, as defined in the
Loans, may have occurred for the months of October and November 1998, they have
been deemed fully cured pursuant to the terms of the Agreement with RACC.
As more fully described in note 12, a holder of an $8.3 million note
has declared an Event of Default and demanded payment in full from CCAIR on the
note as a result of such alleged default. Additionally, as a result of certain
cross covenant default provisions, CCAIR may be in technical default on the $1.5
million note payable to bank. While the bank has not yet declared CCAIR in
default, CCAIR may be required to pay in full the bank debt on demand. Both of
the aforementioned debt amounts have been classified current in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet as of September 30,1999. In addition, CCAIR is party
to an operating lease agreement containing certain cross covenant
43
46
default provisions. The operating lease is for four aircraft and CCAir may be
in technical default as a result of the previously discussed Lynrise issue. In
the event CCAir were declared in default on the operating lease, the lessor
would have the right to take possession of the aircraft on demand. Management
does not believe that resolution of these matters will have a significant
adverse impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or
liquidity.
6. Income Taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
Year ended September 30,
------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Current:
Federal ................................. $422 $(6,162) $ (9,999)
State ................................... 175 -- --
---- ------- --------
597 (6,162) (9,999)
---- ------- --------
Deferred:
Federal ................................. -- (1,451) (16,054)
State ................................... -- (149) (4,385)
---- ------- --------
-- (1,600) (20,439)
---- ------- --------
$597 $(7,762) $(30,438)
==== ======= ========
The actual income tax expense (benefit) differs from the "expected" tax
expense benefit (computed by applying the U.S. federal corporate income tax
rate of 35 percent in 1999, 1998 and 1997 to loss before income taxes) as
follows:
Year ended September 30,
--------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Computed "expected" tax benefit .............. $(4,485) $(20,380) $(28,246)
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting
from:
Non-deductible amortization of
intangibles.............................. 207 98 98
Utilization of net operating loss
carryforward............................ -- (1,183) --
Tax exempt interest ..................... -- -- (1)
State taxes, net of federal tax impact
Benefit ............................... (114) (97) (2,850)
Other.................................... (636) (700) 561
Increase in valuation allowance .............. 5,397 14,500 --
------ ------- --------
Total income tax expense (benefit) ..... $ 597 $(7,762) $(30,438)
====== ======= ========
44
47
Elements of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
September 30,
-------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(in thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets:
Inventory, parts and equipment allowances ......... $5,170 $3,729
Accrued expenses .................................. 279 1,860
Other accrued liabilities ......................... 11,376 2,825
Provisions not deductible for tax ................. 19,642 20,764
AMT credit carryover .............................. 2,751 2,233
Benefit of net operating loss and tax credit carry
forwards............................................ 52,459 61,461
------ ------
91,677 92,872
Valuation allowance................................ (28,497) (23,100)
------ ------
Net deferred tax assets............................ 63,180 69,772
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment ............................ (63,180) (69,772)
------ ------
$--0-- $--0--
====== ======
Deferred tax assets include benefits expected to be realized from the
utilization of minimum tax credits carryforwards of $2.8 million which do not
expire; from the utilization of investment tax credit carryforwards of $3.67
million which will expire in 2000 through 2001; and net operating loss
carryforwards of $7.2 million and $96.1 million which will expire during 2012
and 2018 respectively. In addition, the acquisition during the year of CCAIR
brought the carryover of separately restricted net operating loss carryforwards
totaling $17.7 million which will expire at various dates from 2006 though 2018.
The tax benefits from the investment tax credit and loss carryforwards that were
obtained in the acquisition of Air Midwest, Inc. have been recorded as a
reduction of intangibles. During 1999 and 1998, the valuation allowance was
increased by $5.4 million and $14.5 million, respectively.
7. Stockholders' Equity
At September 30, 1999, Mesa sponsors the following stock-based
compensation plans:
A. On June 2, 1992, Mesa adopted an employee stock option plan that
provides for the granting of options to purchase up to 2,250,000
shares of Company common stock at the fair market value on the
date of grant. Under this plan, 1,999,481 options have been
granted. In 1996, shareholders voted to reduce the number of
options available for granting under the plan by 250,519. This
action eliminated all remaining options available for granting
under this plan.
B. On December 1, 1995, Mesa adopted an additional employee stock
option plan under the new management incentive program (Omnibus
Plan) which provides for the granting of options to purchase up
to 2,800,000 shares of Company common
45
48
stock at the fair market value on the date of grant. On July
24, 1998, an additional 1,250,000 options were approved by the
stockholders to be granted under this plan. Under the plan,
options to acquire 2,399,797 common shares are outstanding.
C. In March 1993, Mesa adopted a directors' stock option plan for
outside directors. This plan provides for the grant of options
for up to 800,000 shares of Mesa's common stock at the fair
market value on the date of grant. This is a formula-based plan
under which options to acquire 150,000 shares have been granted.
In 1996, shareholders voted to reduce the number of options
available for granting under the plan by 590,000. There are
options to acquire 60,000 common shares remaining under this
plan.
D. On December 9, 1994, Mesa adopted an additional directors' stock
option plan for outside directors. This plan provides for the
grant of options for up to 50,000 shares of Mesa's common stock
at the fair market value on the date of grant. This is a
formula-based plan under which options to acquire 33,000 common
shares have been granted and are outstanding.
E. On June 1, 1998, Mesa adopted a Key Officer Stock Option Plan,
which provided for the granting of options to purchase up to
1,600,000 shares of Mesa common stock at the fair market value on
the date of grant. Under this plan, 1,150,000 options have been
granted.
Generally, options granted to employees vest over a three-year period
and options granted to directors vest immediately upon grant. At September 30,
1999, 2,051,541 shares of common stock were available for grant under these
plans.
Transactions involving stock options under these plans are summarized
as follows:
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Shares Exercise Shares Exercise Shares Exercise
(000) Price (000) Price (000) Price
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Outstanding at beginning of year: 5,165 8.29 4,174 8.49 4,087 9.03
Granted.......................... 1,305 5.86 1,619 8.05 824 5.54
Exercised ....................... (470) 2.78 (128) 4.67 (20) 6.43
Canceled/Forfeited .............. (90) 5.32 (500) 9.75 (717) 7.92
----- ---- ----- ---- ----- ----
Outstanding at end of year ...... 5,910 8.24 5,165 8.34 4,174 8.54
===== ==== ===== ==== ===== ====
46
49
At September 30, 1999, the range of exercise prices for the
aforementioned options was $4.88 - $17.25 and the weighted-average contractual
life of all options was 9.2 years. The number of options exercisable at
September 30, 1999 was 2,779,633, and the weighted-average exercise price of
these options was $10.04.
The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted
during 1999, 1998 and 1997 was $4.24, $3.24, and $4.97, respectively, on the
grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following average
assumptions: expected dividend yield 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of 4.5% in
1999 and 5.9% in 1998 and 1997, volatility of 54.2% in each year and an expected
life of 6 years.
Mesa applies the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and related
Interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans.
Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for awards made pursuant
to its fixed stock option plans. Had the compensation cost for Mesa's four fixed
stock-based compensation plans been determined consistent with the measurement
provisions of SFAS No. 123, Mesa's net loss and loss per share would have been
as indicated by the pro forma amounts indicated below:
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
Net loss
As reported ............................. $(13,412) $(50,467) $(50,326)
========= ========= =========
Pro forma ............................... $(18,863) $(50,741) $(50,391)
========= ========= =========
Loss per share -- Basic:
As reported ............................. $(0.40) $(1.50) $(1.52)
======= ======= =======
Pro forma ............................... $(0.56) $(1.51) $(1.52)
======= ======= =======
Loss per share -- Diluted:
As reported ............................. $(0.40) $(1.50) $(1.52)
======= ======= =======
Pro forma ............................... $(0.53) $(1.51) $(1.52)
======= ======= =======
Pro forma net loss does not reflect options granted prior to 1996.
Therefore, the full impact of calculating compensation cost for stock options
under SFAS No. 123 is not reflected over the option vesting period and
compensation cost for options granted prior to October 1, 1995 is not
considered.
8. Benefit Plans
Mesa previously sponsored three 401(k) plans, one for employees of
WestAir Commuter, another for employees of MAI, Air Midwest and the airline
support operations, and one for CCAIR, Inc., under which employees may
contribute up to 15 percent of their annual compensation, as defined. The
WestAir plan was terminated in fiscal year 1998. Mesa currently makes matching
contributions of 50 percent of employee contributions up to 10 percent of
employee compensation. These plans are not available to certain union employees.
Upon completing three years of service, the employee is 20 percent vested in
employer contributions and the remainder of the employer contributions vest 20
percent per year. Employees become
47
50
fully vested in employer contributions after seven years of employment. Mesa has
the right to terminate the 401(k) plans at any time.
CCAIR sponsors an employee savings plan (the "Plan") which permits
participants to make contributions by tax deferred salary deductions pursuant to
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. In accordance with the Plan
document and union contracts, CCAIR is required to make a matching contribution
on behalf of certain employees for the Plan years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997. Contributions by CCAIR to this plan were nil, $351,000 and $200,000 in
1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Contributions by Mesa to the above plans for the years ended September
30, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $1,485,618, $1,679,802, and $1,286,746,
respectively.
On March 9, 1993, Mesa adopted an Employee Stock Bonus Plan that
provides for employees of Mesa to receive shares of Common Stock in lieu of
discretionary cash bonuses accrued each quarter. The custodian of the plan is
empowered to determine the times at which and the conditions under which the
plan, on behalf of participating employees, purchases shares of Common Stock.
All purchases of Common Stock by the custodian will be made at prices
approximating fair market value on the date of purchase, subject to the
limitation that only 1,000,000 shares may be purchased over the life of the
plan. Bonuses paid under the plan for the year ended September 30, 1997 amounted
to $348,693. No bonuses were paid under this program for fiscal year 1998.
Effective May 9, 1997 the Employee Stock Bonus Plan was discontinued and
replaced with a monthly completion bonus based on improvements in percentage of
on time completed flights. As of September 30, 1999, a total of 405,501 shares
have been issued pursuant to the plan. This monthly completion bonus program was
discontinued in the second calendar quarter of 1998.
9. Lease Commitments
At September 30, 1999, Mesa leased 58 aircraft under non-cancelable
operating leases with remaining terms ranging up to 18.5 years. The aircraft
leases require Mesa to pay all taxes, maintenance, insurance and other operating
expenses. Mesa has the option to terminate certain of the leases at various
times throughout the lease. At September 30, 1999, 12 of the CRJ aircraft are
subject to interim financing agreements. The Company expects to replace these
interim arrangements with operating leases and, accordingly, requirements under
the interim arrangements are included in the minimum lease commitments table
below.
Under an accord reached with British Aerospace Asset Management (BAAM)
in November 1997, CCAIR agreed to replace its fourteen Jetstream 31 aircraft
with twenty Jetstream Super 31 aircraft. In return for renegotiated lease rates,
CCAIR agreed to lease fourteen of the Jetstream Super 31 aircraft for seven
years, and the additional six Jetstream Super 31 aircraft through December 31,
1998. In December 1998, CCAIR extended the lease on two of these aircraft for an
additional year and in January 1999, returned four of the aircraft to BAAM. The
terminated leases on the fourteen Jetstream 31 aircraft would have expired on
December 31, 2001. This new agreement with BAAM provides for reductions in lease
payments
48
51
of approximately $140,000 per month on the fourteen long-term Jetstream Super 31
leases as compared to the predecessor Jetstream 31 aircraft leases, commencing
November 1997.
CCAIR leases four Dash 8 aircraft from CIT Leasing Corporation
("CIT"),which leases expire in June 2007. (See note 5.)
Aggregate rental expense totaled $46.9 million (net of approximately $8
million in aircraft rental payments recorded against the United Express
code-share provision (note 16)), $53.6 million, and $69 million for the years
ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997 respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases are
as follows:
Years Ending September 30: (in thousands)
2000 ....................................... $61,770
2001 ....................................... 60,379
2002 ....................................... 60,185
2003 ....................................... 59,351
2004 ....................................... 58,834
Thereafter ................................. 529,688
10. Aircraft Acquisitions and Commitments
During 1999, Mesa entered into an agreement with Embraer to acquire thirty-six
fifty-seat ERJ 145 regional jets. Mesa secured its order of the jets by paying a
deposit of $11.8 million. Mesa also received the right to purchase an additional
64 Option Aircraft. Deliveries could commence as soon as March 2000 and continue
through mid-2002 at a rate of approximately one aircraft per month. The
transaction includes standard product support provisions, including training
support, preferred initial provisioning pricing, maintenance support and
technical publication support. The transaction has various contingencies related
to financing and product support, which at the time of publication of this
report are still open. The value of the regional jets at listed prices is
$19.5 million per aircraft. Should Mesa exercise its right to terminate the
transaction, Embraer would return to Mesa a deposit of $11.8 million, plus
interest.
Mesa has ordered 32 CRJ aircraft for use in its America West Express
operation in Phoenix, Arizona and Columbus, Ohio, and for its USAirways Express
operations on the East Coast. As of January 4, 2000, Mesa had received all 32 of
the CRJ aircraft. The value of these 16 CRJ aircraft at listed prices is
approximately $320 million.
On January 9, 1997, one of Mesa's wholly owned subsidiaries, FCA, Inc.,
entered into a distributorship agreement ("the Distributorship Agreement") with
Sino Swearingen Aircraft Company, L.P. ("SSAC"). On March 31, 1999, the assets
of FCA were sold to SB Aviation Group, Inc. In conjunction with the purchase of
the FCA assets, SB Aviation Group, Inc., was assigned FCA's rights under the
Distributorship Agreement.
49
52
On September 9, 1998, Mesa Airlines, Inc. entered into an agreement
with International Airline Support Group ("IASG") whereby Mesa would consign
surplus aircraft parts to IASG to sell on the open market. IASG in turn would
submit the proceeds to Mesa less a fee of 25%. During 1999 Mesa consigned
approximately $8 million in parts at cost to IASG and realized $1.7 million in
proceeds. The chief operating officer of IASG is a member of the Board of
Directors of Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Mesa has negotiated 10-year engine maintenance contracts with General
Electric Aircraft Engines ("GE") for the CRJ and with Pratt and Whitney, Canada
Aircraft Services ("PWC") for the Dash 8-200 aircraft. The GE engine maintenance
contract provides coverage for the engines on the CRJ aircraft. The PWC contract
provides coverage for all Dash 8-200 aircraft engines operated by Mesa. Both
contracts provide for payment at the time of the repair event and a fixed dollar
amount per flight hour, subject to escalation based on changes in the CPI, for
the number of flight hours incurred since the previous event.
11. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Years ended September 30,
-------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized $15,702 $15,889 $28,499
Cash paid for income taxes.................... -- $4,138 $2,697
In 1999, Mesa purchased property and equipment amounting to $3.5 million which
was principally financed by issuing a note to the seller amounting to $1.1
million.
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Mesa operates under a five-year agreement with the Air Line Pilots
Association (ALPA) covering pilots at MAI and Air Midwest, Inc. Air Midwest
mechanics are represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM)
and flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants
(AFA). CCAIR has three organized employee groups; pilots are represented by
ALPA, its flight attendants by the AFA and its mechanics by the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters.)
The ALPA collective bargaining agreement was renewed on November 6,
1998 and becomes amendable on October 31, 2002. Mesa's contract with the AFA was
renewed on May 16, 1995 and becomes amendable on May 15, 2001. Mesa's contract
with the Teamsters was ratified on July 15, 1998 and becomes amendable on
December 31, 2002.
50
53
Effective in March 1997, the FAA required that commuter airlines with
aircraft of 10 or more passenger seats begin operating those aircraft under FAR
Part 121 regulations instead of FAR Part 135. Mesa completed the transition to
FAR Part 121 by the FAA's deadline. Company management is monitoring the cost
increases resulting from compliance with FAR Part 121 regulations. The cost
increase is primarily related to additional training, dispatch and maintenance
procedures.
During 1994, seven shareholder class action complaints were filed in
the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico against Mesa,
certain of its present and former corporate officers and directors, its
independent auditor, and certain underwriters who participated in Mesa's June
1993 public offering of Common Stock. During October 1995, the court certified a
class consisting of persons who purchased Mesa stock between January 28, 1993
and August 5, 1994. The complaints were consolidated by court order, and, after
the court granted in part a motion to dismiss in May 1996, a third amended
consolidated complaint was filed alleging that during the class period the
defendants caused or permitted Mesa to issue publicly misleading financial
statements and other misleading statements in the registration statement for the
June 1993 public offering, annual and quarterly reports to shareholders, press
releases and interviews with securities analysts. In May 1998, Mesa entered into
a memorandum of understanding with the plaintiffs to settle the litigation.
While Mesa and its corporate officers and directors believed substantial and
meritorious defenses against the plaintiff's allegations existed and defended
their position vigorously, a settlement was reached to avoid ongoing litigation.
A total of $8 million was paid to the class plaintiffs on behalf of the
defendants. Mesa, for its part, paid a substantial portion of the settlement. On
December 1, 1998, the Court approved the settlement and the cases were
dismissed.
In June 1997, UAL filed a complaint in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Illinois against two subsidiaries of Mesa, Mesa
Airlines, Inc. ("MAI") and WestAir Commuter Airlines, Inc. ("WestAir"), seeking
a judicial declaration of the parties' rights and obligations under two separate
written agreements, pursuant to which MAI and WestAir allegedly agreed to
provide certain airline transportation services to UAL including the provision
of scheduled air transportation services in certain areas of the United States
under the service mark "United Express." UAL contends that, under these
agreements, UAL has the right to "increase, decrease, or in any other way adjust
the flight frequencies, or markets, or both" in certain airports currently
serviced by WestAir and/or MAI. In January 1998, UAL amended its complaint to
include damages related to MAI's purported breach of contract to provide
specified levels of service in certain cities. On November 30, 1998, UAL filed a
motion with the Court to amend its Complaint to include an additional $4 million
in damages resulting from Mesa's alleged failure to remit baggage fees at Denver
International Airport to UAL. The motion has not yet been considered. MAI and
WestAir dispute the principal contentions in UAL's complaint, and unless a
satisfactory negotiated resolution is achieved, intend to defend their positions
vigorously. Furthermore, MAI and WestAir contend that UAL breached its
code-sharing agreements with the respective entities and have filed a
counterclaim seeking to recover for the damage to the business of MAI and
WestAir which management believes has been incurred as a result of UAL's breach
of contract pertaining to premature termination and revenue sharing.
In addition, Mesa and WestAir have filed suit against UAL and SkyWest
Airlines, Inc. ("SkyWest"). SkyWest was contracted to be Mesa's successor on the
West Coast. The
51
54
complaint alleges that SkyWest unlawfully interfered with Mesa's and WestAir's
contracts with UAL. It further alleges improper conduct on the part of UAL, and
SkyWest in terminating markets under the Mesa agreement and in leading to the
non-renewal of the WestAir agreement. Mesa is seeking damages against each
defendant.
In November 1998, Mesa settled all claims with the aircraft and
equipment lessors of WestAir for approximately $15 million. WestAir contributed
approximately $11.2 toward the settlement and Mesa contributed approximately
$3.8 million. WestAir had operated 43 leased aircraft pursuant to a Partnership
Agreement with United Airlines, a division of UAL, and upon cessation of United
Express service had considerable liabilities for the remaining terms of the
leases. Mesa worked closely with all lessors to develop and implement a plan
that was acceptable to both Mesa and the various lessors.
In February 1999, a complaint was filed against WestAir and MAI in
Superior Court of California for Fresno County, by the former WestAir pilots,
seeking severance pay in the amount of $1.2 million plus economic and punitive
damages as a result of WestAir's termination of airline operations, following
United's non-renewal of the WestAir agreement. Mesa does not believe that the
pilots will prevail on their claims and intends to defend this matter
vigorously.
On June 29, 1999, Lynrise Air Lease, Inc. ("Lynrise") filed suit
against the Company and CCAIR in Supreme Court of the State of New York. Lynrise
was the lessor of certain Shorts model 360 aircraft to CCAIR. In 1999, CCAIR
restructured its aircraft fleet and elected to terminate the leases held by
Lynrise for the Shorts aircraft. In connection with the early termination of the
leases, CCAIR issued to Lynrise an Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note (the
"Note") in the principal amount of $8,334,370, the Note was convertible into
CCAIR stock at a price of $8.00 per share of common stock, and as result of the
merger with CCAIR, the Note is convertible into Mesa stock at a price of $12.47
per share of common stock. The Note is due June 30, 2004, accrues interest at
the rate of 7% per annum and requires the repayment of principal in 10 equal
semiannual installments commencing December 31, 1999 and the payment of interest
in quarterly installments commencing March 31, 1999.
The Note contains a provision that upon a change of control, Lynrise
may, at its option, require CCAIR to repurchase the Note. In its lawsuit filed
against the Company and CCAIR, Lynrise alleges that it has exercised its option
to require CCAIR to repurchase the Note after CCAIR became a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company on June 9, 1999. Both the Company and CCAIR contend
that Lynrise waived its rights with respect to the repurchase option and both
intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously. In addition, by letter dated August 9,
1999, Lynrise declared that in accordance with the terms of the Note, an Event
of Default had occurred as against CCAIR for its failure to make the Repurchase
Offer and declared the principal amount of the Note and all accrued interest
there on due and payable immediately. Accordingly, the entire unpaid balance of
$8.3 million is classified as a current liability in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 1999.
Lynrise's claim against CCAIR is for Declaratory Judgement that CCAIR
is obligated to repurchase the Note and a claim for breach of contract. As
against the Company, Lynrise has claimed tortuous interference. Should Lynrise
prevail against CCAIR and require it to repurchase
52
55
the Note, CCAIR does not have sufficient assets to repurchase the Note and would
be unable to satisfy such a judgement without obtaining replacement financing or
other financial support.
Mesa is also a party to various other legal proceedings and claims
which arise in the ordinary course of business.
In the belief of management, based upon information available at this
time, the ultimate outcome of all the proceedings and claims pending against
Mesa referred to above is not expected to have a material adverse effect on
Mesa's consolidated financial position, results of operation or liquidity.
13. Financial Instrument Disclosure
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables,
refundable income taxes, accounts payable, income taxes payable, accrued
compensation and other liabilities approximate fair values due to the short
maturity periods of these instruments. The fair value of securities is based on
quoted marked prices (see note 3). The carrying value of Mesa's long-term debt
approximates fair value based on the current terms offered for debt of the same
or similar remaining maturities. The difference between the estimated fair
values and carrying values of the Company's financial instruments are not
material.
14. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Additions
Charged to
Balance at Costs and Balance at
Beginning of Year Expenses Deductions End of Year
----------------- -------- ---------- -----------
(in thousands)
ALLOWANCE FOR OBSOLESCENCE DEDUCTED FROM
EXPENDABLE PARTS AND SUPPLIES
September 30, 1999........................... $2,418 $ --- $(105) $2,313
September 30, 1998........................... 3,097 -0- (679) 2,418
September 30, 1997........................... 1,816 1,281 -0- 3,097
15. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The following table presents selected unaudited quarterly financial
data (in thousands):
First Third Fourth
Quarter Second Quarter Quarter Quarter
------- -------------- ------- -------
1999
Operating revenues............................... $97,720 $97,194 $105,272 $104,430
53
56
Operating income (loss).......................... 5,838 7,587 8,374 (19,670)
Net earnings (loss).............................. 1,762 4,302 4,782 (24,258)
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic............ 0.05 0.13 0.14 (0.72)
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted ......... 0.05 0.13 0.14 (0.72)
First Third Fourth
Quarter Second Quarter Quarter Quarter
------- -------------- ------- -------
1998
Operating revenues............................... $139,122 $137,726 $117,590 $100,428
Operating income (loss).......................... (35,094) (9,026) 1,275 3,801
Net earnings (loss).............................. (38,543) (11,156) (3,263) 2,495
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic............ (1.14) (0.33) (0.10) 0.07
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted ......... (1.14) (0.33) (0.10) 0.07
The net loss in the fourth quarter ended September 30, 1999, includes
an asset impairment charge of $28.9 million.
The net earnings in the fourth quarter ended September 30, 1998
includes an income tax benefit of $5.3 million.
The net loss in the first quarter ended December 31, 1997 includes a
provision for the non-renewal of the WestAir code-share agreement and early
termination of the Denver code-share agreement with UAL and other adjustments as
discussed in note 16.
16. Other Operating Items
Other operating items consist of the following expenses (income):
September 30,
------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Provision for non-renewal of the WestAir and
Early termination of the UAL code-share
agreement (elimination of excess reserve) .................. $(14,027) $26,843 $72,100
Cessation of Ft. Worth jet operations.......................... -- 4,000 --
Settlement of shareholder lawsuit.............................. -- 2,500 --
Settlement with manufacturer................................... -- -- (5,220)
Aircraft return provision...................................... -- -- 1,004
------- ------- -------
$(14,027) $33,343 $67,884
======== ======= =======
54
57
In July 1997, WestAir received a proposal from UAL for the extension of
WestAir's code-sharing agreement that was due to expire on May 31, 1998. The
proposal contained certain material amendments to the existing code-sharing
agreement. The Company did not accept this proposal because it provided for
significant cost increases and did not include certain changes to the proposal
requested by the Company. Management continued to negotiate for improvements in
the proposal. On July 22, 1997, UAL awarded WestAir's eight Los Angeles contract
markets to SkyWest Airlines, effective October 1, 1997. UAL subsequently granted
additional pro rata markets to WestAir, sufficient to utilize the aircraft
previously serving the eight Los Angeles system contract markets. There was no
material cost of transition to these new pro rata markets, and the new pro rata
markets were attaining similar financial results as the discontinued contract
markets. The Company is in litigation to resolve UAL's unilateral termination of
WestAir's contract markets in the Los Angeles area (note 12).
In late November 1997, WestAir received written notice from UAL that
WestAir's code-sharing agreement would not be renewed. Subsequent to November
1997, management on repeated occasions sought a reconsideration of UAL's
decision and to renew the WestAir code-sharing agreement. At a meeting on
January 6, 1998, UAL confirmed that it would not reconsider renewing WestAir's
code-sharing agreement upon its expiration. WestAir had significant assets in
excess of its needs upon expiration of the agreement on May 31, 1998.
Accordingly, by resolution of the Board of Directors on January 10, 1998, the
Company recognized a loss provision to provide for the cost of discontinuation
of WestAir operations.
The $72.1 million provision recognized in fiscal 1997 provided for the
estimated loss on the retirement or sale of aircraft, parts and equipment which
were surplus to the needs of Mesa upon expiration and early termination of the
code-share agreements. In addition, the provision included an estimate for all
other anticipated costs of discontinuation of the WestAir, Denver and Pacific
Northwest operations. The provision consisted of an impairment charge of $26.3
million for the Denver intangibles; $39.5 million for costs to sell or retire
aircraft and related parts and equipment; and $6.3 million for severance and
other costs.
On January 22, 1998, Mesa received notice from UAL of the termination
of the Company's code-sharing agreement covering the Denver system, Pacific
Northwest and Los Angeles markets to be effective April 22, 1998. UAL also
terminated WestAir's markets in the Pacific Northwest as of April 22, 1998. Mesa
notified UAL that the Company considered the termination notice, although
improper, wrongful and arbitrary, to have been effective as of February 6, 1998,
15 days after issuance of the January 22, 1998 termination notice in accordance
with the termination provisions of the contract. All service to these markets
was discontinued by April 22, 1998. As a result of UAL's new code-sharing
partners for these markets not needing the Company's aircraft and equipment
associated with these operations, the Company recorded a $33.9 million loss
provision in the quarter ended December 31, 1997, to provide for costs to
dispose of or redeploy certain aircraft, as well as other costs to shut down the
Denver system.
Termination of Mesa's and WestAir's code-sharing agreement with United
Airlines resulted in a surplus of 21 British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft, 29
Embraer Brasilia aircraft,
55
58
39 1900D Beech aircraft and 11 Dash 8 aircraft, for a total of 100 aircraft. The
British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft, the Embraer aircraft and the Dash 8
aircraft are subject to long-term leases. Although the surplus 1900D Beech
aircraft are not specifically identified, the majority of these aircraft are
owned with an average net book value of approximately $3.3 million per aircraft.
The Company recognized a loss provision of approximately $4.0 million
during the quarter ended March 31, 1998, to provide for the expense of closing
the facilities associated with the Ft. Worth independent jet operation and
relocating the related aircraft.
The restructuring provisions and the activity in the accruals, related
to the UAL code-share agreements and the Ft. Worth operations, can be summarized
as follows:
Provision
------------------------------------------
September 30, December 30, March 31, Total
1997 1997 1998 Provision
------------- ------------ --------- ---------
Aircraft and related parts ... $ 39,500 $ 21,943 $ -- $ 61,443
Denver intangibles ........... 26,343 -- -- 26,343
Severance and other .......... 6,257 12,000 -- 18,257
Ft. Worth operations ......... -- -- 4,000 4,000
-------- -------- -------- --------
$ 72,100 $ 33,943 $ 4,000 $110,043
======== ======== ======== ========
Provision Balance Provision Balance
Total utilized/ September 30, utilized September 30,
Provision released 1998 /released 1999
--------- -------- ---- --------- ----
Aircraft and related parts ... $ 61,443 $ (34,172) $ 27,271 $ (27,271) $ --
Denver intangibles ........... 26,343 (26,343) -- -- --
Severance and other .......... 18,257 (11,423) 6,834 (6,008) 826
Ft. Worth operations ......... 4,000 (3,723) 277 (277) --
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
$ 110,043 $ (75,661) $ 34,382 $ (33,556) $ 826
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Mesa believes that the provisions remaining at September 30, 1999 will
be adequate to satisfy any remaining costs associated with the UAL Code Share
Agreement cancellations. Previously established reserves amounting to
approximately $14.0 million were considered to be excess and such amount is
reflected as a reduction in operating expenses in fiscal year 1999.
17. Impairment of Long-lived Assets
At September 30, 1999, Mesa had approximately 30 surplus Beech 1900D
aircraft which Mesa intends to dispose of and which were determined to be
impaired during fiscal year 1999. Mesa's plan of disposition of these surplus
aircraft, as approved by the Board of Directors in
56
59
September 1999, calls for disposal of all 30 aircraft prior to September 30,
2000. Mesa has entered into a brokerage agreement with Raytheon Aircraft Credit
Corporation for disposition on a part time basis or until specific routes are
abandoned. All related routes are expected to be abandoned prior to May 31, 2000
and management believes such routes may be abandoned at the Company's discretion
on 30 days notice. Consequently, Mesa recorded an impairment charge in fiscal
year 1999 of $20.6 million.
Additionally, Mesa recognized an $8.3 million charge against the
previously recorded goodwill of the related east coast operations acquired in
fiscal 1994 which have been deemed to have insufficient undiscounted cash flow
to recover the intangible asset.
18. Related Party Transactions.
In August 1998, CCAIR entered into a letter agreement with Barlow
Partners, L.P. ("Barlow") pursuant to which Barlow agreed to act as CCAIR's
exclusive financial advisor with respect to possible business combinations
involving CCAIR. Under the terms of that agreement, Barlow was entitled to
receive a fee from CCAIR equal to two percent (2%) of the aggregate
consideration paid by Mesa upon the closing of the merger transaction. Such fee
amounted to $1.1 million and was paid to Barlow in fiscal year 1999.
19. Subsequent Events
On November 4, 1999, Mesa settled various outstanding disputes with
Bombardier, Inc. Under terms of the settlement, Bombardier will pay to Mesa a
total of $8,500,000. To date, Bombardier has paid $7,100,000.
During December 1999, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the
Company to repurchase up to ten percent of the outstanding shares of its Common
Stock. As of January 14, 2000, the Company has acquired 458,800 shares of Common
Stock for approximately $2,381,000.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following table sets forth the names and ages of the directors and
executive officers of Mesa and certain additional information:
57
60
NAME AGE POSITION DIRECTOR SINCE
---- --- -------- --------------
Jonathan G. Ornstein 42 Chairman of the Board, Director, President and 1998
Chief Executive Officer
Paul R. Madden 73 Vice Chairman of the Board and Director 1997
Daniel J. Altobello 59 Director 1998
Jack Braly 58 Director 1993
Herbert A. Denton 52 Director 1998
Ronald R. Fogleman 57 Director 1998
Maurice A. Parker 53 Director 1998
George Murnane III 41 Director 1999
Larry L. Risley 55 Chairman Emeritus and Director 1983
James E. Swigart 48 Director 1998
Michael J. Lotz (1) 39 Chief Operating Officer --
Robert B. Stone (2) 43 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer --
Blaine M. Jones (3) 44 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer --
Andre H. Merrett 35 Vice President and General Counsel --
William P. Kostel 36 Vice President of Planning --
Michael Ferverda 55 Senior Vice President of Flight Operations --
George Lippemeier 58 Vice President of Safety and Regulatory Compliance --
Robert Moye 54 Senior Vice President of Maintenance --
Greg Stephens 35 Vice President of Customer Service --
Pete Hayes 59 Vice President of Flight Training --
Mike Suckow 41 Vice President of Systems Control --
(1) Served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from August 1999 to
January 2000.
(2) Named Chief Financial officer and Treasurer, January, 2000.
(3) Served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer until August, 1999.
JONATHAN G. ORNSTEIN, age 42, was appointed President and Chief
Executive Officer effective May 1, 1998. Mr. Ornstein was appointed to the
Executive Committee on March 13, 1998. He has also served as a member of the
Compensation Committee. Mr. Ornstein became a director on January 29, 1998. Mr.
Ornstein assumed the role of Chairman of the Board on June 9, 1999. Mr. Ornstein
is the controlling shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc., the general partner
of Barlow Partners II, L.P., an investment partnership. From April 1996 to his
joining Mesa as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ornstein served as President and
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Virgin Express S.A./N.V. (a European jet
carrier). From 1995 to April 1996, Mr. Ornstein served as Chief Executive
Officer of Virgin Express Holdings, plc. Mr. Ornstein joined Continental Express
Airlines, Inc., as President and Chief Executive Officer in July 1994, and in
November 1994, he assumed additional duties at Continental Airlines, Inc., as
Senior Vice President, Airport Services. Mr. Ornstein was employed by Mesa from
1988 to July 1994 where his positions included President of Mesa's WestAir
Holding, Inc., subsidiary and Executive Vice President. Mr. Ornstein's
employment agreement provides that the Company will use its good-faith efforts
to cause the Board to include Mr. Ornstein among its nominees and to appoint him
as
58
61
Chief Executive Officer through March 31, 2001. From March 1985 to December
1987, Mr. Ornstein was a securities broker.
PAUL R. MADDEN, age 73, has served as a director since April 1997, and served as
Chairman of the Board from February 3, 1998 to June 8, 1999. On June 8, 1999 he
was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr. Madden has served as Chairman of
the Executive Committee since Feb 3, 1998 and as a member of the Audit Committee
since June 8, 1999. Mr. Madden is currently Of Counsel to the Phoenix law firm
of Gallagher & Kennedy and specializes in the corporate and securities areas.
From June 1994 through November 1997, Mr. Madden was a partner in the Chicago
firm of Chapman and Cutler serving in its Phoenix office. Mr. Madden was a
partner in the Phoenix law firm of Beus, Gilbert & Morrill from January 1991
until June 1994. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Madden served as securities
counsel to Mesa for approximately nine years.
DANIEL J. ALTOBELLO, age 59, has been a director of Mesa since January
29, 1998, and has served as Chairman of the Compensation and Nominating
Committees. Since September 1995, Mr. Altobello has been the Chairman of Onex
Food Services, Inc., the parent corporation of Caterair International, Inc., and
LSG/SKY Chefs, and the largest airline catering company in the world. From 1989
to 1995, Mr. Altobello served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Caterair International Corporation. From 1979 to 1989, he held various
managerial position with the food service management and in-flight catering
divisions of Marriott Corporation, including Executive Vice President of
Marriott Corporation and President, Marriott Airport Operations Group. Mr.
Altobello began his management career at Georgetown University, including
service as Vice President, Administration Service. He is a member of the board
of directors of American Management Systems, Inc., Colorado Prime Foods, Care
First, Inc., Care First of Maryland, Inc., Mesa Air Group, Inc., World Airways,
Inc., First Union Realty Trust, Atlantic Aviation Holdings and SodexhoMarriott,
Inc. and a trustee of Loyola Foundation, Inc., Mt. Holyoke College, Suburban
Hospital Foundation, Inc., and the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown
University.
JACK BRALY, age 58, has served as a director of Mesa since December 6,
1993, as a member and Chairman of its Audit Committee since March 1994, as a
member of Mesa's Compensation Committee since December 6, 1993, as a member of
its Nominating Committee since April 27, 1998. Since August 5, 1996, Mr. Braly
has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board
of Directors of Sino Swearingen Aircraft Company, a private aircraft
manufacturer. From June 1994 to August 5, 1996, Mr. Braly was an officer of the
North American Aircraft Modification division of Rockwell International. He
served as Vice President Aircraft Manufacturing from June 1994 to October 1994,
as Executive Vice President from October 1994 to October 1995 and was Vice
President and General Manager from October 1995 to August 5, 1996. Before
joining Rockwell International, Mr. Braly served as a consultant to various
aircraft manufacturers and regional airlines from August 1993 until June 1994.
Prior thereto, Mr. Braly was President of Beech Aircraft Corporation from March
1991 until July 1993.
HERBERT A. DENTON, age 52, has been a director since January 29, 1998,
and has been a member of Mesa's Executive Committee since February 3, 1998. Mr.
Denton is the
59
62
President of Providence Capital Inc., an investment-banking firm he co-founded
in 1991. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Chic by H.I.S., Inc., an
apparel manufacturing company, where he is the Chairman of the Compensation
Committee.
GENERAL RONALD R. FOGLEMAN, U.S.A.F., retired, age 57, has been a
director since January 29, 1998. General Fogleman has been a member of Mesa's
Audit Committee since February 3, 1998, its Executive Committee since March 13,
1998, and its Nominating Committee since April 27, 1998. In September 1997, he
retired from the Air Force with the rank of General. He served as Chief of Staff
of the United States Air Force from 1994 until 1997 and as Commander-in-Chief of
the United States Transportation Command from 1992 until 1994. General Fogleman
currently serves on the Board of Directors of North American Airlines, a feeder
airline for El Al; Southern Air, a private air transportation company; Rolls
Royce of North America; and World Airways.
MAURICE A. PARKER, age 53, has served as a director since November 18,
1998, and has been a member of the Compensation Committee since January 22,
1999. From 1978 to January 1997, Mr. Parker served as a Federal Mediator, Labor
Mediation, for the National Mediation Board of the United States government.
GEORGE MURNANE, III, age 41, has served as a director since June 8,
1999, and has been a member of the Audit Committee since June 8, 1999. Mr.
Murnane is the President of Barlow Management, Inc., general partner of Barlow
Partners II, L.P. Mr. Murnane is also currently the Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer and serves on the Board of Directors of
International Airlines Support Group, Inc., a leading redistributor of
aftermarket commercial aircraft spare parts and lessor and trader of commercial
aircraft and engines. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Murnane served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of Atlas Air, Inc., an air cargo company.
From 1986 to 1995, he was an investment banker with the New York
investment-banking firm of Merrill Lynch & Co., most recently as a Director in
the firm's Transportation Group.
LARRY L. RISLEY, age 55, is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors
of Mesa and presently serves a Manager of Special Projects. He formerly served
as Chairman of the Board from the incorporation of Mesa until February 3, 1998,
and as Chief Executive Officer from the incorporation of Mesa until April 30,
1998. He served as President of Mesa from 1983 through January 13, 1995. Mr.
Risley's employment agreement with Mesa provides that the directors will
continue to vote to nominate Mr. Risley and to use their best efforts to cause
his election to the Board through the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003.
JAMES SWIGART, age 48 has served as a director since January 29, 1998.
Mr. Swigart served as Vice Chairman until June 8, 1999. Mr. Swigart was a member
of the Audit Committee from February 3, 1998 to June 8, 1999. Additionally, Mr.
Swigart has been a member of the Nominating Committee since April 27, 1998. Mr.
Swigart is a minority shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc., the general
partner of Barlow Partners II, L.P. Mr. Swigart is the former President and
Chief Executive of Virgin Express, S.A./N.V., a low-cost European commuter
airline. He was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Virgin Express
Holdings, plc on May 22, 1998. From December 1995 to April 1998, Mr. Swigart
served as the Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Express Holdings, plc. From
April 1996 to April 1998, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Virgin
Express, S.A./N.V. Mr. Swigart served as the Chief Financial Officer of
Continental Express Airlines, Inc., from July 1994 to November 1995 and
President and controlling shareholder of Hydralign, a manufacturing company for
the paper and plastics industries, from September 1993 to July 1994. From 1986
until August 1993, Mr. Swigart served as the Senior Vice President of the
Transportation Group at Lehman Brothers. He previously served as a member of the
Board of the Company from December 6, 1993, until August 10, 1994.
60
63
2. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
MICHAEL J. LOTZ, age 39, joined Mesa in July 1998 to facilitate Mesa's
Restructuring efforts. In August 1999, Mr. Lotz became Mesa's Chief Financial
Officer and in January 2000 returned to the position of Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to joining Mesa, Mr. Lotz served as Chief Operating Officer of Virgin
Express, S.A./N.V., positions he held from October 1996 to June 1998. From
September 1986 to October 1996, Mr. Lotz served in various capacities at
Continental Airlines, Inc., including Manager of Systems and Procedures,
Director of Finance and Administration, Senior Director of Contract Services,
Senior Director of Purchasing, and Vice President of Airport Operations,
Properties and Facilities at Continental Express. Prior to joining Continental,
Mr. Lotz served as Controller of New York Air from 1985 to 1986 and as Senior
Corporate Accountant and Assistant Controller for John Brown Engineering and
Construction from 1983 to 1985.
ROBERT B. STONE, age 43, joined Mesa in January 2000 as Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer. Prior to Joining Mesa, Mr. Stone had a twenty-year career with
the Boeing Company, most recently as Vice President, Financial Planning and
Analysis. He also held a series of executive positions including Assistant
Treasurer and Senior Director, Customer Financing. Mr. Stone obtained his MBA
from Pacific Lutheran University and his Bachelor of Arts in Business
Administration at the University of Washington.
ANDRE H. MERRETT, age 35, Vice President and General Counsel, joined Mesa in
August 1999. Prior to joining Mesa, Mr. Merrett was a litigation associate with
the firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., in the firm's Phoenix office. Mr.
Merrett joined Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in October 1998. At Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey, Mr. Merrett devoted the majority of his practice to various Mesa legal
matters. Mr. Merrett was a litigation associate with the Des Moines, Iowa firm
of Nyemaster, Goode, Voigts, West, Hansell & O'Brien from May 1994 until joining
Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey. Mr. Merrett is a 1994 graduate of the University of
Iowa College of Law.
WILLIAM P. KOSTEL, age 36, Vice President of Planning, joined Mesa in February
1999. Prior to joining Mesa, Mr. Kostel spent nine years in the employ of
American Airlines where he last held the position of Director of Fleet Planning
at American Eagle. Mr. Kostel was also a member of the American Airlines'
Pricing and Yield Management Department. Mr. Kostel obtained his MBA from Texas
Christian University and his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Iowa State
University.
MICHAEL FERVERDA, age 55, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, joined
Mesa in September 1990. Mr. Ferverda has served Mesa in several capacities
including pilot, Flight Instructor/Check Airman, Assistant Chief Pilot, FAA
Designated Examiner, FAA Director of Operations and Divisional Vice President.
Mr. Ferverda was a pilot with Eastern Airlines from 1973 to 1989. Prior to
joining Eastern Airlines, Mr. Ferverda served as an Aviator in the United States
Navy. Mr. Ferverda is a graduate of Indiana University.
GEORGE LIPPEMEIER, age 58, Vice President of Safety and Regulatory Compliance
joined Mesa in September 1998. Mr. Lippemeier served as the Director of Quality
Assurance at Virgin
61
64
Express S.A./N.V. from April 1997 to July 1998. Mr. Lippemeier held several
positions with Mesa from November 1989 to March 1997 including, Director of
Operations, Vice President of Flight Operations - WestAir Airlines, and
President - Desert Sun Airlines. Prior to joining Mesa in 1989, Mr. Lippemeier
spent 25 years in the United States Air Force as a pilot, serving in numerous
management and command positions.
ROBERT MOYE, age 54, Senior Vice President of Maintenance, joined Mesa in
January 1999. Prior to joining Mesa, Mr. Moye spent 33 years in the aviation
industry serving in various capacities with Western Airlines, Eastern Airlines,
Mark Air, Polaris Aircraft Leasing and Pegasus Capital. Mr. Moye attended San
Fernando State College and is a 1976 graduate of the Mid Valley College of Law.
GREG STEPHENS, age 35, President, Air Midwest, joined Mesa in September, 1998.
Prior to joining Mesa, Mr. Stephens was employed by AirMidwest, Inc., for 13
years where he served in various capacities including, Ramp Agent, Freight
Agent/Customer Service Agent, Operations Agent, Director of Systems Control,
Director of Pricing and Planning, Director of Safety and Vice President and
General Manager.
62
65
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Employment Agreements have been entered into with the Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President and General Counsel.
COMPENSATION SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain compensation paid or accrued by
Mesa during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, to the Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of Mesa
whose total annual salary and bonuses exceeded $100,000.
Other
Annual All Other
Salary Bonus Compensation Options Compensation
Name and Principal Position Year ($) ($) ($)(1) (#) ($)
--------------------------- ---- --- --- ------ --- ---
Jonathan G. Ornstein ................ 1999 200,000 5,128 150,000
Chief Executive Officer .......... 1998 84,615 1,000,000
Larry Risley ........................ 1999 349,038
Manager of Special Projects ...... 1998 318,315
Archille Paquette ................... 1999 132,692 75,054 2,353
President, AirMidwest, Inc. ... 1998 130,000 65,000 60,000
Robert Moye ......................... 1999 69,808 35,000
Sr. VP of Maintenance ........... 1998 100,000 60,000
Michael J. Lotz ..................... 1999 122,654 90,054 385 300,000
Chief Financial Officer
Blaine Jones ........................ 1999 84,615 90,000 4,423 150,000
Chief Financial Officer (2) .... 1998 46,154 75,000
(1) These amounts represent both vested and non-vested Mesa contributions
to the individual named executive officer's 401(k) plan. Under Mesa's
401(k) plan, employees may contribute up to 15% of their annual salary
and bonus up to a specified maximum. Mesa currently makes matching
contributions equal to 50% of employees' contribution (including
officers) with a cap of 10% of the employees' annual compensation.
Contributions by Mesa to the 401(k) plans for the year ended September
30, 1999 were $1,485,618.
(2) Mr. Jones ceased to be employed by the Company as of August 13, 1999.
63
66
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
POTENTIAL
PERCENT OF REALIZABLE
TOTAL VALUE AT
OPTIONS/ ASSUMED ANNUAL
NUMBER OF SARS RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES GRANTED TO EXERCISE PRICE
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES OF BASE APPRECIATION
OPTIONS/SARS IN FISCAL PRICE FOR OPTION
NAME GRANTED (#) YEAR ($/SH) (3) EXPIRATION DATE TERM 5% (4) 10% (4)
---- ----------- ---- ---------- --------------- ----------- -------
Jonathan G. Ornstein (1) 150,000 11.5% 6.19 04/01/09 $ 562,841 $1,462,308
Michael J. Lotz (2), (3) 300,000 23.0% 6.00 12/28/08 $1,055,725 $2,721,997
Larry Risley 5486 0.4 6.19 04/01/04 $21,962 $57,944
Robert Moye (2) 30,000 2.3% 6.19 04/01/09 $112,568 $292,461
Archille Paquette 60,000 4.6% 5.00 10/21/08 $194,102 $512,112
Blaine Jones (5) 75,000 5.7% 6.19 04/01/09 $300,252 $792,173
(1) The options to Mr. Ornstein were granted under 1998 Key Officer Stock
Option Plan and are exercisable in annual 1/3 increments with 1/3
vesting immediately on the grant date of April 1, 1999.
(2) The options to Messrs. Lotz and Moye were granted under 1st Amendment
to the Restated &Amended Mesa Airline Stock Option Plan. The shares
issued under the Mesa Airline Stock Option Plan vest in annual 1/3
increments beginning one year after the date of the grant.
(3) The exercise price per share of the options granted of $6.00 per share
was less than the fair market value of the shares of Mesa Common Stock
of $6.50 per share on the date of the grant.
(4) Potential realizable values shown above represent the potential gains
based upon annual compound stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% from
September 30, 1999 through the full option term. The actual value
realized, if any, on stock option exercises will be dependent upon
overall market conditions and the future performance of Mesa and Mesa
Common Stock. There is no assurance that the actual value realized will
approximate the amounts reflected in this table.
(5) Mr. Jones ceased to be employed by the Company as of August 13, 1999
and these options expired 90 days thereafter.
64
67
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
SHARES OPTIONS AT SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
ACQUIRED ON VALUE REALIZED 1999 EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME EXERCISE (#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE (1)
---- ------------ --- ------------- -----------------
Jonathan G. Ornstein 0 0 729,667/433,333 $0/$0
Michael J. Lotz 0 0 0/300,000 $0/$0
Larry Risley 0 0 550,000/50,000 $25,000/$12,500
Robert Moye 0 0 0/60,000 $0/$0
Archille Paquette 0 0 109,333/68,333 $0/$0
Blaine Jones 0 0 125,000/100,000 $0/$0
(1) Based on the closing price of Mesa common stock on September 30, 1999
of $6.125 per share, as reported by the NASDAQ National Market.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Each non-employee director receives a salary of $10,000 per year, along
with the payment of $1,000 per meeting attended in person; $500 for each
committee meeting attended in person; $500 for each telephone Board meeting
attended and reimbursement of all expenses associated with attending committee
or Board of Directors meetings. In addition, each non-employee director was
granted 3,000 options in fiscal 1999 pursuant to a stock option plan which
automatically grants 3,000 options to each non-employee director on an annual
basis.
Each non-employee director also participates in Mesa's Outside
Director's Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, each non-employee
director serving on the board as of April 1, 1998 received (i) 3,000 options to
purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value, plus (ii) the number of
options to purchase Common Stock equivalent to a cash value of $13,000 as
calculated pursuant to the Black-Scholes valuation method at a risk-free rate of
a ten year zero coupon bond (collectively referred to herein as the "Formula
Amount") effective as of April 1, 1998. Each non-employee director receives an
additional Formula Amount on each April 1st thereafter or, if at any time there
is an insufficient number of options to make the full Formula Amount allocation,
a pro-rata amount of the options available under the Plan shall be granted to
each non-employee director.
Any non-employee director who was not serving as a director as of April
1, 1998, upon the first business day after being appointed as a director, is
granted a pro-rata portion of the Formula Amount ("Pro Rata Options") and
options are granted to such director pursuant to the Plan on each succeeding
April 1st in the Formula Amount. The amount of Pro Rata Options granted to each
new non-employee director are calculated by dividing the number of days prior to
April 1st by the number of days in the calendar year and multiplying the
quotient by the Formula Amount. Any non-employee director who is serving as
Chairman of the Board of Directors receives an annual grant of the number of
options equal to a value of $10,000 calculated in accordance with the
Black-Scholes method as specified above (the "Chairman's Options") on each April
1st, which is in addition to any other options granted to him as director.
65
68
Each director who is not an employee of Mesa also receives free travel
on Mesa for himself and certain family members and through arrangements with
certain major air carriers receives free or reduced-fare travel on those
carriers at no cost to Mesa. Mesa believes that the directors' use of free air
travel is "de minimis" and therefore did not maintain any records of their
travel during fiscal 1999.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, the Compensation
Committee consisted of Dan Altobello, Jack Braly, Ronald Fogleman, James Swigart
and Maurice Parker. None of the members of the committee held any executive
officer position or other employment with Mesa Airlines, Inc. prior to or during
such service.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of Mesa's Common Stock as of December 10, 1999 by all
directors, by each person who is known by Mesa to be the beneficial owner of
more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock, by each executive
officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and by all directors and
executive officers as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned by each director or executive
officer is determined under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial
ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes
any shares as to which the individual has the sole or shared voting power or
investment power and also any shares which the individual has the right to
acquire within 60 days of December 10, 1999 through the exercise of any stock
option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole
investment and voting power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with
respect to the shares set forth in the following table and the address of the
listed beneficial owner is that of Mesa Air. In certain instances, the number of
shares listed includes, in addition to shares owned directly, shares held by the
spouse or children of the person, or by a trust or estate of which the person is
a trustee or an executor or in which the person may have a beneficial interest.
The table that follows is based upon information supplied by executive officers,
directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the
SEC.
66
69
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OPTIONS/
BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES WARRANTS (1) TOTAL (1) PERCENT (1)
---------------- ------ ------------ --------- -----------
Larry L. Risley 516,380 561,258 1,077,638 3.10
Jack Braly 24,258 24,258 *
Paul R. Madden 5,000 28,302 33,302 *
Jonathan G. Ornstein (2) 2,291,223 724,860 3,016,083 8.64
James E. Swigart (3) 2,136,926 40,010 2,176,936 6.36
Daniel J. Altobello 1,000 24,258 25,258 *
Herbert A. Denton (4) 416,552 24,258 440,810 1.29
Ronald R. Fogleman 200 24,258 24,458 *
George Murnane III 43,837 21,021 64,858 *
Maurice Parker 7,297 7,297 *
Michael J. Lotz 100,000 100,000 *
Archille Paquette 111,667 111,667 *
Blaine Jones 264 264 *
Bob Moye *
Barlow Partners II, LP (5) 2,099,121 2,099,121 6.14
1954 Airport Rd., Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30341
Wisconsin Investment Board 3,190,000 3,190,000 9.33
P.O. Box 7842
Madison, Wisconsin 53702
The Equitable Companies Incorporated (6) 1,520,000 1,520,000 4.44
Alliance Capital (7)
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104
Franklin Advisors, Inc. 2,507,000 2,507,000 7.33
777 Mariners Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 2,004,500 2,004,500 5.86
1299 Ocean Ave., 11th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401-1038
All directors and officers as a group 3,311,997 1,628,780 4,940,777 13.79
(19 individuals)
- ----------
(1) Includes options and warrants exercisable on December 10, 1999 or
within 60 days thereafter. Holdings of less than 1% are indicated by
"*".
(2) Includes 2,099,121 shares of Common Stock held by Barlow Partners,
L.P., Barlow Partners II, L.P., Barlow Management, Inc. or any one of
them individually or jointly. Mr. Ornstein is a limited partner in
67
70
Barlow Partners, L.P. and/or Barlow Partners II, L.P., and is a
shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc. (which is the general partner of
Barlow Partners II, L.P.). Mr. Ornstein disclaims beneficial ownership
of such shares to the extent exceeding his proportionate interest in
such entities.
(3) Includes 2,099,121 shares of Common Stock held by Barlow Partners,
L.P., Barlow Partners II, L.P., Barlow Management, Inc. or any one of
them individually or jointly. Mr. Swigart is a limited partner in
Barlow Partners, L.P. and/or Barlow Partners II, L.P., and is a
shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc. (which is the general partner of
Barlow Partners II, L.P.). Mr. Swigart disclaims beneficial ownership
of such shares to the extent exceeding his proportionate interest in
such entities
(4) Includes shares of stock held in the name of Providence Capital, Inc.,
Providence Investors LLC, US Value Investment Company, PLC and
Providence Jet, LLC. As such, he claims beneficial ownership of the
shares held by these entities to the extent of his proportional
interest therein.
(5) Includes shares of Common Stock held certain affiliated entities
(including Barlow Partners, L.P. and/or Barlow Management, Inc.), as to
which Barlow Partners II, L.P. disclaims beneficial ownership.
(6) Filed by the Equitable Companies Incorporated in its capacity as a
parent holding company with respect to the holdings of Alliance Capital
Management L.P.
(7) Acquired solely for investment purposes on behalf of client
discretionary investment advisory accounts.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In August 1998, CCAIR entered into a letter agreement with Barlow
Partners, L.P. ("Barlow") pursuant to which Barlow agreed to act as CCAIR's
exclusive financial advisor with respect to possible business combinations
involving CCAIR. Under the terms of that agreement, Barlow received a fee from
CCAIR equal to two percent (2%) of the aggregate consideration paid by Mesa upon
the closing of the merger transaction ($1.1 million). Jonathan Ornstein,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa, and James Swigart,
member of the Board of Directors of Mesa, are partners in Barlow. George Murnane
III, member of the CCAIR Board of Directors, is also a partner in Barlow. Upon
the completion of the merger, Mr. Murnane became a member of the Mesa Board of
Directors.
On September 9, 1998, Mesa Airlines, Inc. entered into an agreement
with International Airline Support Group ("IASG") whereby Mesa would consign
certain surplus airplane parts to IASG to sell on the open market. IASG in turn
would submit proceeds to Mesa less a market-based fee. George Murnane, III, a
member of the Board of Directors of Mesa, is a member of executive management
and the Board of Directors of IASG. During 1999, Mesa paid IASG approximately
$400,000.
In February 1999, Mesa entered into an agreement with Barlow Partners,
LP ("Barlow") whereby Barlow would provide financial advisory services related
to aircraft leases, mergers and acquisitions, and route profitability. During
fiscal 1999, fees totaling $120,000 were paid to Barlow. Jonathan Ornstein,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa, James Swigart and
George Murnane III, members of the Board of Directors of Mesa, are partners in
Barlow.
68
71
Mesa will enter into future business arrangements with related parties
only where such arrangements are approved by a majority of disinterested
directors and are on terms at least as favorable as available from unaffiliated
third parties.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A) Documents filed as part of this report:
1. Reference is made to consolidated financial statement
schedules in item 8 hereof.
2. Reports on Form 8-K
None
3. Exhibits
The following exhibits are either filed as part of this report or are
incorporated herein by reference from documents previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission:
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION REFERENCE
------ ----------- ---------
2.1 Plan and Agreement of Merger of Mesa Air Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's Form 10-K for
Group, Inc. into Mesa Holding, Inc. dated the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996,
September 16, 1996 incorporated herein by reference
2.2 Merger Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1998 Filed as Annex A to the Registrant's Form S-4
between Mesa Air Group, Inc., Mesa Merger Registration Statement, Registration No.
Corporation and CCAIR, Inc. 333-76591, incorporated herein by reference
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Mesa Air Holdings, Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Form 10-K for
Inc. dated May 28, 1996 the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996,
incorporated herein by reference
3.2 Bylaws of Mesa Air Group, Inc., as amended Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996,
incorporated herein by reference
4.1 Form of Common Stock certificate Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-18, Registration No. 33-11765
filed March 6, 1987, incorporated herein by
reference
4.2 Form of Common Stock certificate (issued after Filed as Exhibit 4.8 to Form S-1, Registration No.
November 12, 1990) 33-35556 effective December 6, 1990,
incorporated herein by reference
10.1 Form of Employee Non-Incentive Stock Option Filed as Exhibit 4.12 to Registrant's Form 10-K
Plan, dated as of June 2, 1992 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1992,
Commission File No. 33-15495, incorporated herein
by reference
10.2 Form of Non-Incentive Stock Option issued under Filed as Exhibit 4.13 to Registrant's Form 10-K
Mesa Airlines, Inc. Employee Non-Incentive for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1992,
Stock Option Plan, dated as of June 2, 1992 Commission File No. 33-15495, incorporated herein
by reference
69
72
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION REFERENCE
------ ----------- ---------
10.3 Form of Mesa Airlines, Inc. Outside Filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 to
Directors Stock Option Plan, dated as of Registration No. 33-09395 effective August 1,
March 9, 1993 1996
10.4 Form of Stock Option issued under Mesa Filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Registration No.
Airlines, Inc. Outside Director's Stock 33-09395 effective August 1, 1996
Option Plan, dated as of March 9, 1993
10.5 Form of Mesa Airlines, Inc. Additional Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Registration No.
Outside Directors Stock Option Plan dated as 33-09395 effective August 1, 1996
of December 9, 1994
10.6 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Issued Filed as Exhibit 4.6 to Registration No.
Under Mesa Airlines, Inc. Additional Outside 33-09395 effective August 1, 1996
Directors' Stock Option Plan
10.7 Form of Mesa Air Group, Inc. Restated and Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registration No.
Amended Employee Stock Option Plan dated 33-02791 effective April 24, 1996
April 23, 1996
10.8 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option issued Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registration No.
under Mesa Air Group, Inc. Restated and 33-02791 effective April 24, 1996
Amended Employee Stock Option Plan dated
April 23, 1996
10.9 Form of Qualified Stock Option issued under Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Registration No.
Mesa Air Group, Inc. Restated and Amended 33-02791 effective April 24, 1996
Employee Stock Option Plan dated April 23,
1996
10.10 Mesa Air Group, Inc. Key Officer Stock Option Plan Filed as Appendix A to Registrant's Definitive
Proxy Statement, dated June 19, 1998
10.11 Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan Filed as Appendix B to Registrant's Definitive
Proxy Statement, dated June 19, 1998
10.12 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended Filed as Appendix C to Registrant's Definitive
Proxy Statement, dated June 19, 1998
10.13 Agreement between Beech Aircraft Corporation Filed as Exhibit 10.30 to Form S-1,
and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated April 30, 1990 Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
1990, incorporated herein by reference
10.14 Sublease Agreement between Air Midwest, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.32.1 to Form S-1,
and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated April 27, Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
1990 for Embraer Brasilia aircraft 120.180 1990, incorporated herein by reference
10.15 Agreement between Air Midwest, Inc. and Mesa Filed as Exhibit 10.32.3 to Form S-1,
Airlines, Inc., dated February 27, 1990, for Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
purchase of four Embraer Brasilia aircraft 1990, incorporated herein by reference
10.16 Letter Agreement between McDonnell Douglas Filed as Exhibit 10.32.4 to Form S-1,
Finance Corporation, Air Midwest, Inc. and Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated March 19, 1990, 1990, incorporated herein by reference
as amended, regarding lease and sublease of
four Embraer Brasilia aircraft
10.17 Sublease Agreement between Air Midwest Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.32.5 to Form S-1,
and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated July 26, Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
1990, for Embraer Brasilia aircraft 120.193 1990, incorporated herein by reference
10.18 Lease Agreement between McDonnell Douglas Filed as Exhibit 10.32.6 to Form S-1,
Finance Corporation and Mesa Airlines, Inc., Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
dated July 26, 1990, for Embraer Brasilia 1990, incorporated herein by reference
aircraft 120.193
10.19 Sublease Agreement between Air Midwest Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.32.7 to Form S-1,
and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated September 26, Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
1990, for Embraer Brasilia aircraft 120.203 1990, incorporated herein by reference
70
73
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION REFERENCE
------ ----------- ---------
10.20 Lease Agreement between McDonnell Douglas Filed as Exhibit 10.32.8 to Form S-1,
Finance Corporation and Mesa Airlines, Inc., Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
dated September 26, 1990, for Embraer 1990, incorporated herein by reference
Brasilia aircraft 120.203
10.21 Form of Directors' and Officers' Filed as Exhibit 10.41 to Form S-1,
Indemnification Agreement Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
1990, incorporated herein by reference
10.22 Agreement Relating to the Settlement of Filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form S-1,
Interline Accounts through Airlines Clearing Registration No. 33-35556 effective December 6,
House, Inc., between Airlines Clearing 1990, incorporated herein by reference
House, Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated
September 2, 1981
10.23 Agreement between Beech Aircraft Corporation Filed as Exhibit 10.42 to Form 10-K for fiscal
and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated September 18, year ended September 30, 1991, Commission File
1991 No. 0-15495, incorporated herein by reference
10.24 Agreement between USAirways, Inc. and Air Filed as Exhibit 10.43 to Form 10-K for fiscal
Midwest, Inc. year ended September 30, 1991, Commission File
No. 0-15495, incorporated herein by reference
10.25 Agreement between USAirways, Inc. and Filed as Exhibit 10.44 to Form 10-K for fiscal
FloridaGulf Airlines, Inc. year ended September 30, 1991, Commission File
No. 0-15495, incorporated herein by reference
10.26 Sublease agreement between Trans States Filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form 10-K for fiscal
Airlines, Inc. and Air Midwest, Inc. year ended September 30, 1992, Commission File
No. 0-15495, incorporated herein by reference
10.27 Agreement between Beech Aircraft Filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Form 10-K for fiscal
Corporation, Beech Acceptance Corporation, year ended September 30, 1992, Commission File
Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated August No. 0-15495, incorporated herein by reference
21, 1992
10.28 Agreement between America West Airlines, Filed as Exhibit 10.48 to Form 10-K for fiscal
Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc. year ended September 30, 1992, Commission File
No. 0-15495, incorporated herein by reference
10.29 Plan and Agreement to Merge between Mesa Filed as Exhibit A to Form S-4 Registration No.
Airlines, Inc., Mesa Acquisition Corporation 33-45638, effective April 17, 1992, incorporated
and WestAir Holding, Inc., dated February 7, herein by reference
1992.
10.30 Certificate of Public Convenience and Filed as Exhibit 10.1(a) to WestAir Holding,
Necessity for WestAir Commuter Airlines, Inc. Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1,
Commission File No. 33-24316, incorporated
herein by reference
10.31 Original Agreement to Lease dated as of Filed as Exhibit 10.44 to WestAir Holding,
April 27, 1987 between NPA, Inc. ("NPA") and Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1,
British Aerospace, Inc. ("BAe") with a Commission File No. 33-24316, incorporated
Letter to FG Holdings, Inc. ("FGH") dated herein by reference
March 11, 1988 and Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement to Lease dated as of March 3, 1988
between BAe and FGH
10.32 Side Letter Agreement to NPA from JACO dated Filed as Exhibit 10.48 to WestAir Holding,
June 4, 1987 Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1,
Commission File No. 33-24316, incorporated
herein by reference
71
74
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION REFERENCE
------ ----------- ---------
10.33 Promissory Note to Textron for spare parts Filed as Exhibit 10.80 to WestAir Holding,
as executed by WestAir, dated December 30, Inc.'s Form 10-K dated December 31, 1988,
1988 Commission File No. 33-24316, incorporated
herein by reference
10.34 Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Filed as Exhibit 10.42(a) to WestAir Holding,
Agreement, dated September 30, 1991 among Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December
WestAir Holding, Inc., WestAir Commuter 31, 1991, Commission File No. 33-24316,
Airlines, Inc. and Atlantic Coast Airlines, incorporated herein by reference
Inc., relating to the sale of the Atlantic
Coast division of WestAir Commuter Airlines,
Inc.
10.35 Agreement of Purchase and Sales of Assets by Filed as Exhibit 10.90 to Mesa Airlines, Inc.
and among Crown Airways, Inc., Phillip R. Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
Burnaman, A. J. Beiga and Mesa Airlines, 1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
Inc., dated as of December 16, 1993
10.36 Supplemental Agreement No. 9/03/94 Filed as Exhibit 10.66 to Mesa Airlines, Inc.
Beechcraft 1900 D Airliner Acquisition Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
Master Agreement between Mesa Airlines, 1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
Inc., Beech Aircraft Corporation and Beech
Acceptance Corporation, Inc., dated as of
September 23, 1994
10.37 Form of Lease Agreement between Beech Filed as Exhibit 10.67 to Mesa Airlines, Inc.
Acceptance Corporation, Inc. and Mesa Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
Airlines, Inc., negotiated September 30, 1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
1994 for all prospective 1900 D Airliner
leases.
10.38 Asset Purchase Agreement dated July 29, 1994 Filed as Exhibit 10.68 to Mesa Airlines, Inc.
among Pennsylvania Commuter Airlines, Inc., Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
d.b.a. Allegheny Commuter Airlines, USAirways 1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
Leasing and Services, Inc., and Mesa
Airlines, Inc.
10.39 Letter Agreement in Principle dated as of Filed as Exhibit 10.69 to Mesa Airlines, Inc.
October 16, 1994 among Air Wisconsin, Inc., Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
United Air Lines Inc. and Mesa Airlines, 1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
Inc. (Certain portions deleted pursuant to
request for confidential treatment)
(Referred to erroneously as Exhibit 10.94 in
letter asking for confidential treatment to
Securities and Exchange Commission dated
12-23-94 from Chapman & Cutler)
10.40 Subscription Agreement between AmWest Filed as Exhibit 10.70 to Mesa Airlines, Inc.
Partners, L.P. and Mesa Airlines, Inc. dated Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
as of June 28, 1994 1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.41 Omnibus Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.71 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.42 Aircraft Purchase and Sale Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.72 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.43 Expendable and Rotable Spare Parts and Sale Filed as Exhibit 10.73 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Agreement Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.44 United Express Agreement Amendment Filed as Exhibit 10.74 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
72
75
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION REFERENCE
------ ----------- ---------
10.45 Side Letter Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.75 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.46 First Amendment to Omnibus Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.76 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.47 Operating Lease Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.77 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.48 Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Form 10-K dated Filed as Exhibit 10.78 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
September 30, 1994 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1994, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.49 Purchase Agreement B95-7701-PA-200 between Filed as Exhibit 10.79 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Bombardier Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995,
Commission File No. 0-15495
10.50 Letter of Understanding between Mesa Air Filed as Exhibit 10.81 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Group, Inc. and Raytheon Aircraft Company Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996,
(RAC) dated April 12, 1996. Commission File No. 0-15495
10.51 Supplemental Agreement No. 05/22/96, Filed as Exhibit 10.82 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Beechcraft 1900D Airliner Acquisition Master Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997,
Agreement between Mesa Air Group, Inc., Commission File No. 0-15495
Raytheon Aircraft Company and Raytheon
Aircraft Credit Corporation
10.52 Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Filed as Exhibit 10.83 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Purchase Agreement CRJ-0351 between Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
Bombardier Inc. and Mesa Air Group, Inc. 1996, Commission File No. 0-15495
10.53 Aircraft Option Exercise B97-7701-RJTL-3492L Filed as Exhibit 10.84 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
dated as of August 15, 1997 between Mesa Air Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
Group, Inc. and Bombardier Inc. (Request 1997, Commission File No. 0-15495
for confidential treatment submitted to SEC.)
10.54 Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Filed as Exhibit 10.85 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Settlement Agreement B97-7701-RJTL-3493L Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
dated as of August 15, 1997 between Mesa Air 1997, Commission File No. 0-15495
Group, Inc. and Bombardier Inc. (Request
for confidential treatment submitted to SEC.)
10.55 Service Agreement dated as of November 11, Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
1997 between Mesa Airlines, Inc. and US Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
Airways, Inc. (Request for confidential 1997, Commission File No. 0-15495
treatment submitted to SEC.)
10.56 Letter Agreement dated as of March 26, 1998 Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air Group, Inc. Form
between Mesa Airlines, Inc. and America West 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997,
Airlines, Inc. (Request for confidential treatment Commission File No. 0-15495.
submitted to SEC.)
10.57 Employment Agreement dated as of March 13, 1998, Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air Group, Inc. Form
between Mesa Air Group, Inc. and Jonathan G. 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998,
Ornstein Commission File No. 0-15495.
10.58 Form of Employment Agreement dated as of January Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air Group, Inc. Form
5, 1998 entered into by and between Mesa Air 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998,
Group, Inc. and Gary E. Risley, W. Stephen Commission File No. 0-15495.
Jackson, J. Clark Stevens and various other
officers of Mesa and its subsidiaries
10.59 Letter Agreement dated as of February 4, 1998 Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air Group, Inc.
between Mesa Air Group, Inc. and Larry L. Risley Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998,
Commission File No. 0-15495.
23.1 Independent Auditors' Consent of KPMG LLP Filed herewith
73
76
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Jonathan G. Ornstein
_____________________________________
Jonathan G. Ornstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Michael J. Lotz
_____________________________________
Michael J. Lotz
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Dated: January 21, 2000
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Paul Madden
____________________ Vice Chairman of the Board and Director January 21, 2000
Paul R. Madden
____________________ Director January 21, 2000
James E. Swigart
/s/ Jonathan G. Ornstein
____________________ President, Chairman of the Board and Chief January 21, 2000
Jonathan G. Ornstein Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Michael J. Lotz
____________________ Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer January 21, 2000
Michael J. Lotz (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Daniel Altobello
____________________ Director January 21, 2000
Daniel J. Altobello
/s/ Jack Braly
____________________ Director January 21, 2000
Jack Braly
/s/ Herbert Denton
____________________ Director January 21, 2000
Herbert A. Denton
____________________ Director January 21, 2000
Ronald R. Fogleman
/s/ Maurice A. Parker
____________________ Director January 21, 2000
Maurice A. Parker
____________________ Chairman Emeritus of the Board and Director January 21, 2000
Larry L. Risley
/s/ George Murnane, III
____________________ Director January 21, 2000
George Murnane, III
74