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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

¨

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the transition period from                        To

 

Commission file number  333-109064

 

WORLDSPAN, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

75-3125716

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

300 Galleria Parkway, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia

 

30339

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (770) 563-7400

 

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.

 

ý                                    Yes                            o                                    No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

o                                    Yes                            ý                                    No

 

As of November 8, 2004, Registrant’s parent had outstanding 83,037,160 shares of Class A Common Stock and 11,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

 



 

WORLDSPAN, L.P.

REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

INDEX

 

PART I:

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, three months ended September 30, 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital – Nine months ended September 30, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine months ended September 30, 2004, three months ended September 30, 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 



 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Worldspan, L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited) (dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Successor Basis

 

 

 

September 30, 2004

 

December 31, 2003

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

75,038

 

$

43,746

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

133,840

 

103,122

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

17,068

 

23,629

 

Total current assets

 

225,946

 

170,497

 

Property and equipment, net

 

122,798

 

120,510

 

Deferred charges

 

32,623

 

33,544

 

Debt issuance costs, net

 

10,826

 

13,626

 

Supplier and agency relationships, net

 

279,453

 

304,752

 

Developed technology, net

 

213,722

 

228,322

 

Trade name

 

72,142

 

72,142

 

Goodwill

 

114,435

 

109,740

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

32,616

 

34,722

 

Investments

 

804

 

6,377

 

Other long-term assets

 

21,776

 

25,263

 

Total assets

 

$

1,127,141

 

$

1,119,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

11,244

 

$

19,675

 

Accrued expenses

 

163,991

 

144,415

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

19,202

 

16,136

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

10,373

 

8,000

 

Total current liabilities

 

204,810

 

188,226

 

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

 

57,973

 

55,002

 

Long-term debt

 

328,115

 

385,000

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

63,109

 

68,405

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

11,126

 

6,310

 

Total liabilities

 

665,133

 

702,943

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital

 

462,008

 

416,552

 

Total liabilities and Partners’ capital

 

$

1,127,141

 

$

1,119,495

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

Worldspan, L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited) (dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Successor
Basis

 

Successor
Basis

 

Successor
Basis

 

Predecessor
Basis

 

 

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2003

 

Nine months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Six months
ended
June 30,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic travel distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third party

 

$

217,937

 

$

212,916

 

$

682,963

 

$

272,968

 

Related party

 

 

 

 

141,965

 

Information technology services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third party

 

15,851

 

16,598

 

48,159

 

6,572

 

Related party

 

 

 

 

45,967

 

Total revenues

 

233,788

 

229,514

 

731,122

 

467,472

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues excluding developed technology amortization

 

164,819

 

163,685

 

508,337

 

334,469

 

Developed technology amortization

 

5,508

 

5,508

 

16,523

 

7,359

 

Total cost of revenues

 

170,327

 

169,193

 

524,860

 

341,828

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

29,406

 

34,648

 

95,434

 

76,141

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

9,136

 

9,136

 

27,405

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

208,869

 

212,977

 

647,699

 

417,969

 

Operating income

 

24,919

 

16,537

 

83,423

 

49,503

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(10,104

)

(10,319

)

(30,758

)

(2,355

)

Change-in-control expense

 

 

 

 

(17,259

)

Other, net

 

(1,285

)

240

 

(1,167

)

(1,331

)

Total other expense, net

 

(11,389

)

(10,079

)

(31,925

)

(20,945

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

13,530

 

6,458

 

51,498

 

28,558

 

Income tax expense

 

3,685

 

87

 

3,987

 

144

 

Net income

 

$

9,845

 

$

6,371

 

$

47,511

 

$

28,414

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

Worldspan, L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital

(Unaudited) (dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Partners’
Capital

 

Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Successor Basis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

$

416,127

 

$

425

 

$

416,552

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

47,511

 

 

47,511

 

Unrealized holding loss on investment

 

 

(465

)

(465

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

47,046

 

Distribution to WTI

 

(4,091

)

 

(4,091

)

Stock-based compensation

 

2,501

 

 

2,501

 

Balance at September 30, 2004

 

$

462,048

 

$

(40

)

$

462,008

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

Worldspan, L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited) (dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Successor Basis

 

Successor Basis

 

Predecessor Basis

 

 

 

Nine months
ended
September 30, 2004

 

Three months
ended
September 30, 2003

 

Six months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

47,511

 

$

6,371

 

$

28,414

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

76,871

 

26,656

 

32,322

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

2,799

 

656

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

2,501

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment, net

 

444

 

194

 

1,010

 

Gain on sale of investment in other entity

 

(953

)

 

 

Write-down of impaired investments

 

1,498

 

 

 

Other

 

(56

)

(19

)

170

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

(30,717

)

(3,529

)

(17,075

)

Related party accounts receivable, net

 

 

 

(3,396

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

6,563

 

2,024

 

5,412

 

Deferred charges

 

921

 

(241

)

1,945

 

Other long-term assets

 

1,564

 

(3,275

)

(16,840

)

Accounts payable

 

(8,433

)

(5,270

)

640

 

Accrued expenses

 

18,144

 

(12,475

)

6,330

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

(5,296

)

2,493

 

3,203

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(1,444

)

(898

)

(1,112

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

111,917

 

12,687

 

41,023

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(9,521

)

(5,064

)

(4,236

)

Proceeds from sale of investment in other entity

 

5,765

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

117

 

50

 

396

 

Capitalized software for internal use

 

(1,994

)

(1,395

)

(1,367

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(5,633

)

(6,409

)

(5,207

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments to seller airlines

 

 

(702,846

)

 

Distributions to seller airlines

 

 

 

(110,000

)

Equity contribution from WTI, net of transaction costs

 

 

308,374

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of debt issuance costs

 

 

390,063

 

 

Principal payments on capital leases

 

(16,389

)

(6,894

)

(13,986

)

Principal payments on debt

 

(54,512

)

 

 

Distributions to WTI, net

 

(4,091

)

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(74,992

)

(11,303

)

(123,986

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

31,292

 

(5,025

)

(88,170

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

43,746

 

43,931

 

132,101

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

75,038

 

$

38,906

 

$

43,931

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6



 

Worldspan, L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) (dollars in thousands)

 

1.  Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Business.  Worldspan, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership formed in 1990. On June 30, 2003, Worldspan Technologies Inc. (“WTI”), formerly named Travel Transaction Processing Corporation, formed by Citigroup Venture Capital Equity Partners, L.P. (“CVC”) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (“OTPP”), indirectly acquired 100% of the outstanding partnership interests of the Partnership from affiliates of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”), Northwest Airlines, Inc. (“Northwest”) and American Airlines, Inc. (“American”) (the “Acquisition”). WTI owns all of the general partnership interests in the Partnership. WS Holdings LLC (“WS Holdings”), which is owned by WTI, is the sole limited partner of the Partnership, owning all of the limited partnership interests. Prior to the Acquisition, Delta, Northwest and American (collectively, the Partnership’s “founding airlines”) owned, through affiliates, approximately 40%, 34% and 26%, respectively, of the general partnership interests in the Partnership. NEWCRS Limited, Inc. (“NEWCRS”), which was owned by the founding airlines, owned all of the limited partnership interests. American acquired its interest in the Partnership as part of its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Trans World Airlines, Inc. (“TWA”) in April 2001.

 

The Partnership provides information, reservations, transaction processing and related services for airlines, travel agencies and other travel-related entities. The Partnership owns and operates a global distribution system (“GDS”) and provides subscribers with access to and use of this GDS. The Partnership also charges Delta, Northwest and others for the use of the GDS.

 

Basis of Presentation.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management these financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, three months ended September 30, 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2004.  The Partnership’s quarterly financial data should be read in conjunction with its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 (including the notes thereto), set forth in its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.

 

The consolidated financial statements present the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and three months ended September 30, 2003 (“successor basis” reflecting the Acquisition and associated basis), and the six months ended June 30, 2003 (“predecessor basis” for the period of Delta’s, Northwest’s and American’s ownership of the Partnership and associated basis).

 

In accordance with the requirements of purchase accounting, the assets and liabilities of the Partnership were adjusted to their estimated fair values and the resulting goodwill was computed for the Acquisition (see Note 2). The application of purchase accounting generally results in higher depreciation and amortization expense in periods following an acquisition. Accordingly, and because of other effects of purchase accounting, the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the period prior to the Acquisition are not comparable with those periods subsequent to the Acquisition.

 

7



 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Under the WTI stock incentive plan, from time to time, WTI offers restricted shares of its Class A Common Stock and grants options to purchase shares of its Class A Common Stock to certain employees of the Partnership. WTI accounts for employee stock options and restricted shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation. WTI values stock options based upon a binomial option-pricing model. As the WTI options and restricted shares of WTI Class A Common Stock are being granted to employees of the Partnership, the Partnership recognizes this value as an expense over the period in which the options and restricted shares vest, with a corresponding increase in partners’ capital.

 

Risks and Uncertainties.  The Partnership derives substantially all of its revenues from the travel industry. Accordingly, events, circumstances and changes affecting the travel industry, particularly changes in airline travel and the financial well-being of the participating airlines, can significantly affect the Partnership’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The Partnership’s customers are primarily located in the United States and Europe.

 

Travel agencies are the primary channel of distribution for the services offered by travel vendors. If the Partnership were to lose and not replace the transactions generated by any significant travel agencies, its business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, three months ended September 30, 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003, one subscriber generated transactions in the Partnership’s electronic travel distribution segment which resulted in revenues of approximately $186,469, $49,481 and $89,322 respectively. These amounts represented 26%, 22% and 19% of total operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, three months ended September 30, 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.

 

Furthermore, the Partnership charges airline carriers, rental car companies, hotels and other providers of travel products and services (collectively referred to as “associates”) for electronic travel distribution services and information technology services. Revenues generated by two associates for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, three months ended September 30, 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003 were $210,114, $68,727 and $152,506, respectively. These amounts, included in the electronic travel distribution segment and the information technology services segment, represented approximately 29% of total operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, 30% of total operating revenues for three months ended September 30, 2003 and 33% of total operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2003. At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, accounts receivable from these same two associates was approximately $37,554 and $32,704, respectively.

 

The Partnership maintained an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $14,469 and $15,530 at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

Reclassifications.  Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year’s financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year.

 

2.  WTI Acquisition of Worldspan

 

On June 30, 2003, WTI indirectly acquired 100% of the outstanding partnership interests of the Partnership from affiliates of Delta, Northwest and American. The aggregate consideration for the Acquisition was $901,500, consisting of $817,500 in cash and the issuance by WTI of $84,000 of holding company subordinated seller notes payable by WTI to American and Delta. The holding company subordinated seller notes are unsecured obligations of WTI and are not the Partnership’s debt. The purchase consideration was subject to adjustment based upon certain items, such as the Partnership’s closing cash, debt and working capital. The resulting net aggregate consideration for the Acquisition was $837,766. The Acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase transaction in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations.

 

8



 

The $116,048 excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net tangible assets and separately identifiable intangible assets of the Partnership was recorded as goodwill. As all income or losses of the Partnership are allocated to WTI and WS Holdings for inclusion in their respective income tax returns, none of the goodwill is expected to be tax deductible by the Partnership. The purchase price was allocated among tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the Acquisition date. The following represents the allocation of the purchase price that was pushed down to the Partnership at the time of the Acquisition:

 

Current assets

 

$

178,756

 

Property and equipment

 

129,504

 

Deferred charges

 

33,975

 

Other long-term assets

 

59,901

 

Goodwill

 

116,048

 

Other identifiable intangibles

 

666,723

 

Current liabilities

 

(203,085

)

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

(64,067

)

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

 

(62,640

)

Other long-term liabilities

 

(17,349

)

Allocated purchase price

 

$

837,766

 

 

The $116,048 of goodwill was allocated as follows: $102,189 to the electronic travel distribution segment and $13,859 to the information technology services segment.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, goodwill decreased $1,613 as a result of the reduction of a valuation allowance on pre-acquisition foreign deferred tax assets.

 

Other identifiable intangibles acquired consist of the following:

 

Asset

 

Fair Value

 

Estimated
Useful Life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplier and agency relationships

 

$

321,618

 

8-11 years

 

Information technology services contracts

 

36,126

 

5-15 years

 

Developed technology

 

236,837

 

11 years

 

Trade name

 

72,142

 

Indefinite

 

 

The weighted average life of acquired identifiable intangibles, subject to amortization, is approximately nine years. Goodwill and trade name are not amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis or at an interim date if indicators of impairment exist.

 

The following unaudited financial information presents the results of operations of the Partnership as if the Acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. Adjustments related to the Acquisition that affect the results of operations include credits provided to Delta and Northwest under their respective founder airline services agreement (the”FASAs”), interest expense associated with the debt issued in conjunction with the Acquisition, depreciation of the step-up of fixed assets, amortization of the fair value of amortizing intangible assets, and the advisory fee payable to WTI. This pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of what would have occurred had the Acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2003 or of results of operations that may occur in the future.

 

 

 

Predecessor Basis

 

 

 

Six months ended
June 30, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

405,805

 

Net loss

 

(12,357

)

 

9



 

3.  Debt

 

In conjunction with the Acquisition, the Partnership, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, WS Financing Corp., issued and sold $280,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2011 (“Senior Notes”) and the Partnership borrowed $125,000 under the term loan facility portion of a senior credit facility due 2007 (“Term Loan”). The senior credit facility also provides for a four-year revolving credit facility of up to $50,000 in revolving credit loans and letters of credit. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the Term Loan, which is secured by substantially all of the assets of the issuers and the guarantors of the Senior Notes. The interest rate applicable to borrowings under the Term Loan is based on the LIBOR rate, or, at the Partnership’s option, the higher of several other common indices. At September 30, 2004, the interest rate on the Term Loan was 5.59%. The Partnership is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the difference between committed amounts and amounts actually utilized under the revolving credit facility.

 

Debt covenants require the Partnership to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum senior secured leverage ratio and a maximum total leverage ratio. In addition, certain non-financial covenants restrict the activities of the Partnership.

 

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Successor Basis

 

 

 

September 30,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes

 

$

280,000

 

Term Loan

 

58,488

 

 

 

338,488

 

Less current portion of long-term debt

 

10,373

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

$

328,115

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Partnership paid $54,512 in principal on the Term Loan, of which $4,512 was scheduled principal payments.

 

4.  Employee Benefit Plans

 

The components of net pension and postretirement costs were as follows:

 

 

 

Successor Basis

 

Successor Basis

 

Successor Basis

 

Predecessor Basis

 

 

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2003

 

Nine months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Six months
ended
June 30,
2003

 

Pension benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

4,404

 

$

 

$

5,483

 

Interest cost

 

2,762

 

2,636

 

8,286

 

6,061

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(3,389

)

(3,170

)

(10,167

)

(7,061

)

Amortization of transition obligation

 

 

 

 

86

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

 

59

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

 

 

 

214

 

Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense

 

$

(627

)

$

3,870

 

$

(1,881

)

$

4,842

 

 

10



 

 

 

Successor Basis

 

Successor Basis

 

Successor Basis

 

Predecessor Basis

 

 

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2003

 

Nine months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Six months
ended
June 30,
2003

 

Postretirement benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

82

 

$

82

 

$

246

 

$

955

 

Interest cost

 

418

 

418

 

1,254

 

1,681

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of transition obligation

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

 

(425

)

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

 

 

 

228

 

Net periodic postretirement benefit expense

 

$

500

 

$

500

 

$

1,500

 

$

2,439

 

 

In December 2003, the United States enacted into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”). The Act establishes a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, known as “Medicare Part D,” and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. In January 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position No. 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (“FSP 106-1”). The Partnership elected to defer accounting for the effects of the Act, as permitted by FSP 106-1.  In May 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (“FSP 106-2”). FSP 106-2 requires companies to account for the effect of the subsidy on benefits attributable to past service as an actuarial experience gain and as a reduction of the service cost component of net postretirement health care costs for amounts attributable to current service, if the benefit provided is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.  In 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to issue regulations governing how employers should determine whether their prescription drug benefits are at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.  Based on the proposed regulations, the Partnership has concluded that its retiree prescription drug benefits are not at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.  As such, the adoption of FSP 106-2 during the third quarter of 2004 did not effect the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations.

 

5.  Other Significant Events

 

During the first quarter of 2004, the Partnership announced a workforce reduction. This reduction was the result of improved organizational efficiency and the outsourcing of programming for certain applications. The total charge recorded for this workforce reduction, which affected approximately 125 employees, was $1,290, all of which was for severance and benefits. This amount is included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The $1,290 charge included $960 for the electronic travel distribution segment and $330 for the information technology services segment.  At September 30, 2004, there was no remaining liability associated with this workforce reduction.

 

On May 5, 2004, the Partnership announced that it had been informed by Expedia that Expedia intends to move a portion of its transactions to another GDS provider in order to diversify its GDS relationships beyond using a single provider to process substantially all of its GDS transactions.  Expedia has not specified the volumes or percentages of volumes it intends to process through this other GDS.  To date, the anticipated movement of Expedia’s transactions has not yet occurred.

 

11



 

6.  Contingencies

 

In September 2003, the Partnership received multiple assessments totaling €39,503 from the tax authorities of Greece relating to tax years 1993-2000. The Partnership has filed appeals of these assessments, the outcome of which is currently uncertain. The Partnership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated March 3, 2003, provides that each of the founding airlines shall severally indemnify WTI and hold WTI harmless on a net after-tax basis from and against any and all taxes of the Partnership and its subsidiaries related to periods prior to the sale of the Partnership on June 30, 2003. The Partnership has informed the founding airlines of the receipt of these assessments and the indemnity obligation of the founding airlines under the Partnership Interest Purchase Agreement. Subsequent to this notice, the founding airlines elected to take control of the defense of the claims.  On October 4, 2004, the Partnership applied to the Greek authorities for partial relief under the terms of a formal tax amnesty program.  The Greek authorities have not yet responded to that application.  Because of the indemnity provision, the Partnership believes that amounts paid, if any, to settle this assessment will be reimbursed by the founding airlines and will not have an effect on the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations.

 

7.  Business Segment Information

 

The Partnership’s operations are classified into two reportable business segments: electronic travel distribution and information technology services. The Partnership’s two reportable business segments are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations. In addition, each business segment offers different products and services. The electronic travel distribution segment distributes travel services of its associates to subscribers of the Worldspan GDS. By having access to the Worldspan GDS, subscribers are able to book reservations with the associates. The information technology services segment provides technology services to Delta and Northwest and other companies in the travel industry.

 

The Partnership evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating income. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. There are no intersegment sales.

 

12



 

 

 

Successor Basis

 

Successor Basis

 

Successor Basis

 

Predecessor Basis

 

 

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2003

 

Nine months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Six months
ended
June 30,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic travel distribution

 

$

217,937

 

$

212,916

 

$

682,963

 

$

414,933

 

Information technology services

 

15,851

 

16,598

 

48,159

 

52,539

 

Total revenues

 

$

233,788

 

$

229,514

 

$

731,122

 

$

467,472

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic travel distribution

 

$

33,625

 

$

25,783

 

$

108,316

 

$

45,803

 

Information technology services

 

(8,706

)

(9,246

)

(24,893

)

3,700

 

Total operating income

 

$

24,919

 

$

16,537

 

$

83,423

 

$

49,503

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic travel distribution

 

$

21,030

 

$

21,581

 

$

64,256

 

$

26,701

 

Information technology services

 

4,757

 

5,075

 

12,615

 

5,621

 

Total depreciation andamortization

 

$

25,787

 

$

26,656

 

$

76,871

 

$

32,322

 

Geographic areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

195,356

 

$

190,689

 

$

619,512

 

$

406,854

 

Foreign

 

38,432

 

38,825

 

111,610

 

60,618

 

Total

 

$

233,788

 

$

229,514

 

$

731,122

 

$

467,472

 

Long-lived assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

871,427

 

$

952,756

 

$

871,427

 

$

173,362

 

Foreign

 

29,768

 

32,128

 

29,768

 

31,772

 

Total

 

$

901,195

 

$

984,884

 

$

901,195

 

$

205,134

 

 

13



 

8.  Supplemental Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information

 

Concurrent with the closing of the Acquisition discussed in Note 2, the Senior Notes became fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the domestic operations and assets of the Partnership (referred to as “Worldspan, L.P.—Guarantor” in the accompanying financial information). Included in Worldspan, L.P.—Guarantor are Worldspan, L.P. and all of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries including WS Financing Corp.  These domestic subsidiaries collectively represent less than one percent of the Partnership’s total assets, Partners’ capital, total revenues, net income, and cash flows from operating activities. The guarantees of each of the legal entities comprised by Worldspan, L.P.—Guarantor are joint and several.  The foreign subsidiaries (referred to as “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries” in the accompanying financial information) represent the foreign operations of the Partnership. WS Financing Corp., the co-issuer of the Senior Notes, was incorporated on June 6, 2003.  WS Financing Corp. does not have any substantial operations, assets or revenues. The following financial information presents condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows for Worldspan, L.P.—Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. The information has been presented as if Worldspan, L.P.—Guarantor accounted for its ownership of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.

 

14



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

as of September 30, 2004

(Successor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

72,047

 

$

2,991

 

$

 

$

75,038

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

130,644

 

3,196

 

 

133,840

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

15,103

 

1,965

 

 

17,068

 

Total current assets

 

217,794

 

8,152

 

 

225,946

 

Property and equipment, net

 

116,442

 

6,356

 

 

122,798

 

Deferred charges

 

16,910

 

15,713

 

 

32,623

 

Debt issuance costs

 

10,826

 

 

 

10,826

 

Goodwill

 

114,435

 

 

 

114,435

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

597,933

 

 

 

597,933

 

Investments

 

241

 

563

 

 

804

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

16,390

 

 

(16,390

)

 

Other long-term assets

 

14,640

 

7,136

 

 

21,776

 

Total assets

 

$

1,105,611

 

$

37,920

 

$

(16,390

)

$

1,127,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

9,580

 

$

1,664

 

$

 

$

11,244

 

Intercompany accounts payable (receivable)

 

12,127

 

(12,127

)

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

131,941

 

32,050

 

 

163,991

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

19,202

 

 

 

19,202

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

10,373

 

 

 

10,373

 

Total current liabilities

 

183,223

 

21,587

 

 

204,810

 

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

 

57,973

 

 

 

57,973

 

Long-term debt

 

328,115

 

 

 

328,115

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

63,151

 

(42

)

 

63,109

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

11,141

 

(15

)

 

11,126

 

Total liabilities

 

643,603

 

21,530

 

 

665,133

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital

 

462,008

 

16,390

 

(16,390

)

462,008

 

Total liabilities and Partners’ capital

 

$

1,105,611

 

$

37,920

 

$

(16,390

)

$

1,127,141

 

 

15



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2003

(Successor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

41,615

 

$

2,131

 

$

 

$

43,746

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

100,593

 

2,529

 

 

103,122

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

21,422

 

2,207

 

 

23,629

 

Total current assets

 

163,630

 

6,867

 

 

170,497

 

Property and equipment, net

 

113,321

 

7,189

 

 

120,510

 

Deferred charges

 

17,472

 

16,072

 

 

33,544

 

Debt issuance costs, net

 

13,626

 

 

 

13,626

 

Goodwill

 

109,740

 

 

 

109,740

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

639,938

 

 

 

639,938

 

Investments

 

5,064

 

1,313

 

 

6,377

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

7,845

 

 

(7,845

)

 

Other long-term assets

 

18,472

 

6,791

 

 

25,263

 

Total assets

 

$

1,089,108

 

$

38,232

 

$

(7,845

)

$

1,119,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

16,933

 

$

2,742

 

$

 

$

19,675

 

Intercompany accounts payable (receivable)

 

(1,226

)

1,226

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

117,944

 

26,471

 

 

144,415

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

16,136

 

 

 

16,136

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

8,000

 

 

 

8,000

 

Total current liabilities

 

157,787

 

30,439

 

 

188,226

 

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

 

55,002

 

 

 

55,002

 

Long-term debt

 

385,000

 

 

 

385,000

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

68,439

 

(34

)

 

68,405

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

6,328

 

(18

)

 

6,310

 

Total liabilities

 

672,556

 

30,387

 

 

702,943

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital

 

416,552

 

7,845

 

(7,845

)

416,552

 

Total liabilities and Partners’ capital

 

$

1,089,108

 

$

38,232

 

$

(7,845

)

$

1,119,495

 

 

16



 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

(Successor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

195,356

 

$

38,432

 

$

 

$

233,788

 

Operating expenses

 

175,913

 

32,956

 

 

208,869

 

Operating income

 

19,443

 

5,476

 

 

24,919

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(10,114

)

10

 

 

(10,104

)

Income from subsidiaries

 

753

 

 

(753

)

 

Other, net

 

(237

)

(1,048

)

 

(1,285

)

Total other expense, net

 

(9,598

)

(1,038

)

(753

)

(11,389

)

Income before income taxes

 

9,845

 

4,438

 

(753

)

13,530

 

Income tax expense

 

 

3,685

 

 

3,685

 

Net income

 

$

9,845

 

$

753

 

$

(753

)

$

9,845

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

(Successor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

190,689

 

$

38,825

 

$

 

$

229,514

 

Operating expenses

 

181,310

 

31,667

 

 

212,977

 

Operating income

 

9,379

 

7,158

 

 

16,537

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(10,422

)

103

 

 

(10,319

)

Income from subsidiaries

 

5,271

 

 

(5,271

)

 

Other, net

 

2,143

 

(1,903

)

 

240

 

Total other expense, net

 

(3,008

)

(1,800

)

(5,271

)

(10,079

)

Income before income taxes

 

6,371

 

5,358

 

(5,271

)

6,458

 

Income tax expense

 

 

87

 

 

87

 

Net income

 

$

6,371

 

$

5,271

 

$

(5,271

)

$

6,371

 

 

17



 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

(Successor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

619,512

 

$

111,610

 

$

 

$

731,122

 

Operating expenses

 

548,773

 

98,926

 

 

647,699

 

Operating income

 

70,739

 

12,684

 

 

83,423

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(30,825

)

67

 

 

(30,758

)

Income from subsidiaries

 

7,801

 

 

(7,801

)

 

Other, net

 

(207

)

(960

)

 

(1,167

)

Total other expense, net

 

(23,231

)

(893

)

(7,801

)

(31,925

)

Income before income taxes

 

47,508

 

11,791

 

(7,801

)

51,498

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(3

3,990

 

 

3,987

 

Net income

 

$

47,511

 

$

7,801

 

$

(7,801

)

$

47,511

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

(Predecessor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

406,854

 

$

60,618

 

$

 

$

467,472

 

Operating expenses

 

351,447

 

66,522

 

 

417,969

 

Operating income (loss)

 

55,407

 

(5,904

)

 

49,503

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(2,396

)

41

 

 

(2,355

)

Loss from subsidiaries

 

(5,632

)

 

5,632

 

 

Change-in-control expense

 

(17,259

)

 

 

(17,259

)

Other, net

 

(1,706

)

375

 

 

(1,331

)

Total other (expense) income, net

 

(26,993

)

416

 

5,632

 

(20,945

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

28,414

 

(5,488

)

5,632

 

28,558

 

Income tax expense

 

 

144

 

 

144

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

28,414

 

$

(5,632

)

$

5,632

 

$

28,414

 

 

18



 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

(Successor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

117,094

 

$

(5,177

)

$

 

$

111,917

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(7,013

)

(2,508

)

 

(9,521

)

Proceeds from sale of investments in other entity

 

5,765

 

 

 

5,765

 

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

117

 

 

 

117

 

Capitalized software for internal use

 

(1,994

)

 

 

(1,994

)

Investment in subsidiaries

 

(8,545

)

 

8,545

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(11,670

)

(2,508

)

8,545

 

(5,633

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on capital leases

 

(16,389

)

 

 

(16,389

)

Principal payments on debt

 

(54,512

)

 

 

(54,512

)

Distributions to WTI, net

 

(4,091

)

 

 

(4,091

)

Contributions to subsidiaries

 

 

8,545

 

(8,545

)

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(74,992

)

8,545

 

(8,545

)

(74,992

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

30,432

 

860

 

 

31,292

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

41,615

 

2,131

 

 

43,746

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

72,047

 

$

2,991

 

$

 

$

75,038

 

 

19



 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

(Successor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

10,352

 

$

2,335

 

$

 

$

12,687

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(4,511

)

(553

)

 

(5,064

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

50

 

 

 

50

 

Capitalized software for internal use

 

(1,395

)

 

 

(1,395

)

Investments in subsidiaries

 

(18

)

 

18

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(5,874

)

(553

)

18

 

(6,409

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments to seller airlines

 

(702,846

)

 

 

(702,846

)

Equity contribution from WTI, net of transaction costs

 

308,374

 

 

 

308,374

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of debt issuance costs

 

390,063

 

 

 

390,063

 

Principal payments on capital leases

 

(6,894

)

 

 

(6,894

)

Contributions to subsidiaries

 

 

18

 

(18

)

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(11,303

)

18

 

(18

)

(11,303

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(6,825

)

1,800

 

 

(5,025

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

42,841

 

1,090

 

 

43,931

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

36,016

 

$

2,890

 

$

 

$

38,906

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

(Predecessor Basis)

 

 

 

Worldspan, L.P.—
Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminating
Entries

 

Worldspan
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

44,815

 

$

(3,792

)

$

 

$

41,023

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(2,102

)

(2,134

)

 

(4,236

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

396

 

 

 

396

 

Capitalized software for internal use

 

(1,367

)

 

 

(1,367

)

Investments in subsidiaries

 

(55

)

 

55

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(3,128

)

(2,134

)

55

 

(5,207

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution to seller airlines

 

(110,000

)

 

 

(110,000

)

Principal payments on capital leases

 

(13,986

)

 

 

(13,986

)

Contributions to subsidiaries

 

 

55

 

(55

)

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(123,986

)

55

 

(55

)

(123,986

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(82,299

)

(5,871

)

 

(88,170

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

125,140

 

6,961

 

 

132,101

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

42,841

 

$

1,090

 

$

 

$

43,931

 

 

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ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations includes periods prior to the consummation of the Acquisition. Accordingly, the discussion and analysis of historical periods prior to July 1, 2003 does not reflect the significant impact that the Acquisition has had and will have on us, including increased leverage and increased liquidity requirements. References to “WTI” refer to Worldspan Technologies Inc.  References to the “company” refer to Worldspan, L.P. The terms “we”, “us”, “our” and other similar terms refer to the consolidated businesses of the company and all of its subsidiaries. References to the “Acquisition” refer to the acquisition by WTI, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, of the general partnership interests and limited partnership interest of Worldspan, L.P. The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.

 

In accordance with the requirements of purchase accounting, our assets and liabilities were adjusted to their estimated fair values and the resulting goodwill computed for the Acquisition.  The application of purchase accounting generally results in higher depreciation and amortization expense in periods following an acquisition.  Accordingly, and because of other effects of purchase accounting, the results discussed for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not comparable with the three months ended September 30, 2003 and six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Overview

 

We are a provider of mission-critical transaction processing and information technology services to the global travel industry. Globally, we are the largest transaction processor for online travel agencies, having processed 64% of all global distribution system, or GDS, online air transactions during the twelve months ended September 30, 2004. In the United States (the world’s largest travel market), we are the second largest transaction processor for travel agencies, accounting for 32% of GDS air transactions and over 67% of online GDS air transactions processed during the twelve months ended September 30, 2004. We provide subscribers (including traditional travel agencies, online travel agencies and corporate travel departments) with real-time access to schedule, price, availability and other travel information and the ability to process reservations and issue tickets for the products and services of approximately 800 travel suppliers (such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, tour companies and cruise lines) throughout the world. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, we processed approximately 201 million transactions. We also provide information technology services to the travel industry, primarily airline internal reservation systems, flight operations technology and software development.

 

Our business is highly dependent upon the air travel industry. During the first half of 2003, travel booking volumes were significantly depressed industry wide, affected primarily by the war and on-going conflict in Iraq and concerns over severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Our leading position in processing online travel transactions provided for growth in our business during the second half of 2003. The recovery that we saw in travel transactions beginning late in the second quarter of 2003 continued during the later part of the year and into 2004, particularly for our online business. Our relationships with four of the largest online travel agencies in the world have positioned us well to take advantage of the continuing shift to the online travel agency channel, where we have a higher market share. In addition, airlines have responded to the difficult operating conditions by offering lower prices on tickets distributed through direct and online channels, resulting in an increase in airline travel transactions generated through online travel agencies relative to traditional travel agencies. We believe our strong position in the online travel agency channel has allowed us to increase our airline transactions market share, despite the decrease in the number of total transactions since the beginning of 2001. Total transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, including airline and hospitality and destination services, were up 5.7% compared to the same period in 2003.

 

As a result of the market conditions and industry pressures described above, we took steps to reduce our operating expenses. For example, effective December 31, 2003, we froze all further benefit accruals under our defined benefit pension plan. In addition, we restructured our medical benefits in the first quarter of 2004 by increasing employee contributions and co-pays, implementing charges for working spouses, consolidating and changing providers, and eliminating medical benefits for future retirees, except for a limited grandfathered group of employees. These changes to

 

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our employee benefits have resulted in cost savings in 2004. During the first quarter of 2004, we also renegotiated our network and communication contracts with our primary providers, which have resulted in reduced telecommunication charges during 2004. We have also renegotiated our technology agreement with IBM and our headquarters office lease, which reduced our costs, as well. Each of these steps has started to generate cost savings which are expected to continue in future years; however, the actual amount of our ongoing expenses may ultimately be impacted by future changes in healthcare and technology costs and usage, which we are unable to predict.

 

We depend upon a relatively small number of airlines and online travel agencies for a significant portion of our revenues. Our five largest airline relationships represented an aggregate of approximately 51% and 54% of our total revenues for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively, while our top ten largest airline relationships represented an aggregate of approximately 64% and 66% of our total revenues for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Our relationships with four online travel agencies, Expedia, Hotwire, Orbitz and Priceline, represented 46% of our total transactions during the twelve months ended September 30, 2004. We expect to continue to depend upon a relatively small number of airlines and online travel agencies for a significant portion of our revenues.

 

Supplier Content and Transaction Fees

 

Historically, we have increased annually the transaction fees we collect from our airline suppliers, which pay a substantial portion of our transaction fees. We anticipate that this historic trend of annual transaction fee increases could be reduced in the future due to our plan to enter into fare content agreements with major airlines. For instance, we have entered into fare content agreements with American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, Northwest, United Air Lines and US Airways. Generally, in these agreements, the airlines commit (subject to the exceptions contained in the agreements) to provide the traditional and online travel agencies covered by the agreements in the territories covered by the agreements with substantially the same fare content it provides to the travel agency subscribers of other GDSs (including web fares) in exchange for payments from us to each airline and subject to us keeping steady the average transaction fees paid by each airline for travel agency transactions in the territories covered by the agreements. In addition, pursuant to these agreements, each airline has agreed, among other things, to commit to the highest level of participation in our GDS. Subject to termination rights, these obligations continue until late 2005 (in the case of US Airways) or 2006 (with respect to the other contracted airlines). Further, in February 2004, we executed a three-year fare content agreement with British Airways to provide access to virtually all of their published fares (including web fares) to some of our U.K. travel agencies. We expect that these fare content agreements will provide our travel agencies in the territories covered by the agreements with access to improved content concerning the flights and fares of the participating airlines and other forms of non-discriminatory treatment. We believe that obtaining similar fare content from our other major airline travel suppliers is important to our ability to compete, since other GDSs have also entered into fare content agreements with various airlines. Consequently, we plan to pursue agreements similar to these fare content agreements with other major airlines in order to obtain access to such content. We expect that the fare content agreements will require us to make, in the aggregate, significant payments or other concessions to the participating airlines, which we expect will reduce our revenues.

 

Financial Conditions in the Airline Industry

 

The downturn in the commercial airline market, together with, and resulting from, the ongoing threat of terrorist acts after September 11, 2001, war in Iraq and rising fuel costs for commercial airlines, among other issues, have adversely affected the financial condition of many commercial airlines.  Several major airlines are experiencing liquidity problems, some have sought bankruptcy protection and still others are considering, or may consider, bankruptcy relief.  We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from transaction fees received directly from airlines and from the sale of products and services directly to airlines.  If an airline declared bankruptcy, we may be unable to collect our outstanding accounts receivable from the airline.  In addition, the bankruptcy of the airline might result in reduced transaction fees and other revenues from the airline, a rejection by the airline of some or all of our agreements with it, or loss of the revenue by other means such as an airline liquidation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

 

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Channel Shift

 

An increasing number of travel transactions are being made online. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, airline transactions generated through online travel agencies accounted for approximately 30% of all airline transactions in the United States processed by a GDS, up from approximately 28% in 2003, approximately 23% in 2002 and approximately 17% in 2001. Between 2001 and 2003, the number of airline transactions in the United States generated through online travel agencies and processed by us increased at a compound annual growth rate of 24.3%. We believe that this shift to online travel agency bookings will continue, but the extent and pace of the shift is difficult to anticipate. Other industry developments, such as Expedia’s announcement that it intends to move a portion of its transactions to another GDS provider, compound our difficulty in forecasting the growth of our transactions from online travel agencies. We typically pay a higher inducement per transaction to our large online travel agency customers than our traditional agencies. Accordingly, as we continue to experience significant channel shift, we expect our inducements cost to continue to grow and direct costs related to supporting traditional travel agencies to continue to decline.

 

Since 2001, the combination of channel shift, declines in the global economy, terrorist actions and threats, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and health concerns over SARS has resulted in annual declines in transactions generated by traditional travel agencies. As a result of these declines, we have completed restructuring activities in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 which have largely been focused on reducing the operating costs associated with servicing traditional travel agencies in areas such as labor, network, agency hardware and advertising.

 

Uncertainty in Transaction Volumes from Online Travel Agencies

 

Although we have historically processed most of the airline transactions for our online travel agencies, these agencies may move their business to other technologies and technology providers, subject to some contractual limitations. For example, Expedia announced in May that it intends to diversify its GDS relationships beyond using a single provider to process substantially all of its GDS transactions and that it intends to move a portion of its transactions to another GDS provider.  Expedia has not specified the volumes or percentages of volumes it intends to process through this other GDS.  To date, the anticipated movement of Expedia’s transactions has not occurred and, at this time, we cannot forecast the timing or magnitude of any such movement on our financial position or results of operations.  In connection with the Acquisition, we recorded an intangible asset related to online customer contracts of $131.9 million, of which we estimate $35.2 million was related to the Expedia contract. Based on that estimate, the portion of this intangible asset that was unamortized as of September 30, 2004 was $29.7 million. Upon determination of the specific volumes, percentage of volumes or timing relating to Expedia’s announced agreement with the other GDS provider, we will further assess the impact, if any, on our overall financial condition as prescribed by SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. In addition, Orbitz has developed direct connections with travel suppliers which bypass our GDS.  Further, Orbitz and Cendant Corporation (“Cendant”) recently announced that they have reached an agreement for the acquisition by Cendant of all the shares of Orbitz.  Cendant’s Travel Distribution Services Division includes Galileo, which is a competitor of ours.  Orbitz is one of our largest online travel agency customers with whom we have a long-term agreement which extends into 2011.

 

Although we currently continue to operate under these agreements, it is uncertain as to whether or not these and our other major online travel agencies will attempt to terminate their respective agreements with us or otherwise move business to another GDS in the future. With this uncertainty, we cannot reliably forecast the volume of such transactions and may experience transaction volume decreases that result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

 

Neutrality

 

We do not own an online travel agency. Unlike our competitors, we have intentionally not pursued a strategy of vertical integration and instead have forged strategic partnerships with leading online travel agencies. Given the highly competitive nature of the travel agency business, we believe our customers value our neutrality. As the shift towards the online travel agency channel continues, we believe the traditional travel agencies will increasingly view the GDS-owned online travel agencies as competitive to their core business. As a result, our neutrality gives us an opportunity to capture

 

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additional business from both online and traditional travel agencies.  However, to the extent that such agencies are acquired by or become affiliated with one of our competitors, the likelihood of our capturing additional business from those agencies may be reduced and our existing business with those agencies may be at risk.

 

FASA Credits

 

Pursuant to the terms of our founder airline services agreements, or FASAs, with Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”) and Northwest Airlines, Inc. (“Northwest”), we provide FASA credits to Delta and Northwest to be applied against FASA service fee payments due from these airlines to us. The FASA credits are structured and will be applied through June 2012 in scheduled monthly installments up to an aggregate total of approximately $104.2 million to each of Delta and Northwest as of September 30, 2004, and are reflected as reductions of FASA revenue in the corresponding periods. In the event that the monthly FASA credits deliverable by us to Delta or Northwest are more than the FASA service fee payments due from the applicable airline, then we will be obligated to pay such excess to such airline in cash. The FASA credits are described in additional detail under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

Impacts of the Acquisition

 

We were initially founded by Delta, Northwest and TWA. Although we were owned by Delta, Northwest and American (as successor of TWA) since our inception until the Acquisition, we operated as an autonomous entity during that time. The expenses reflected in our historical financial statements do not reflect any allocation of overhead costs incurred by our founding airlines. For the periods following the Acquisition, our expenses changed as a result of the purchase accounting treatment of the Acquisition and the costs associated with financing the Acquisition. Under the rules of purchase accounting, we adjusted the value of our assets and liabilities to their respective estimated fair values, and any excess of the purchase price over the fair market value of the net assets acquired was allocated to goodwill. As a result of these adjustments to our asset basis, our depreciation and amortization expenses increased. In addition, for the periods following the Acquisition, our revenues have been affected by the accounting treatment of our obligation to provide FASA credits and make FASA credit payments under the FASAs with Delta and Northwest. These payments are accounted for as a reduction to our gross information technology services revenues.

 

Business Segment Summary

 

Our revenues are primarily derived from transaction fees paid by our travel suppliers for electronic travel distribution services, and to a lesser extent, other transaction and subscription fees from our information technology services operations:

 

                  Electronic travel distribution revenues are generated by charging a fee per transaction, which is generally paid by the travel supplier, based upon the number of transactions involved in the booking. We record and charge one transaction for each segment of an air travel itinerary (e.g., four transactions for a round-trip airline ticket with one connection each way). We record and charge one transaction for each car rental, hotel, cruise or tour company booking, regardless of the length of time associated with the booking. Fees paid by travel suppliers vary according to the levels of functionality at which they can participate in our GDS. These levels of functionality generally depend upon the type of communications and real-time access allowed with respect to the particular travel supplier’s internal systems. Revenues are based on the volume of transactions and are not dependent on the revenues earned by the supplier for that booking. We recognize revenues for airline travel transactions in the month the transactions are processed, net of cancellations processed in that month. Revenues for other types of travel transactions are recognized at the time the booking is used by the traveler. Although the substantial majority of our electronic travel distribution revenues are derived from transaction fees paid by travel suppliers, we have an agreement with Hotwire which does not follow this traditional business model. Under our agreement with Hotwire, we generally derive revenues from a service fee payable by Hotwire (rather than the travel supplier) based upon the number of travel transactions booked.

 

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                  Information technology services revenues are generated by charging a fee for hosting travel supplier inventory, reservations, flight operations and other computer applications within our data center and by providing software development and maintenance services on those applications. Fees paid by travel suppliers are generally based upon the volume of messages processed on behalf of the travel supplier or software development hours performed on the travel supplier’s applications. In some cases, we charge fees for access to and usage of certain of our proprietary applications on a per transaction basis. Revenues for information technology services are recognized in the month that the services are provided and are recorded net of the value of the FASA credits earned by Delta and Northwest in the corresponding month.

 

Our costs and expenses consist of the cost of electronic travel distribution and information technology services revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization:

 

                  Cost of electronic travel distribution revenues consists primarily of inducements paid to travel agencies, technology development and operations personnel, software costs, network costs, hardware leases, maintenance of computer and network hardware, the data center building, help desk and other travel agency support headcount. As our transactions from online travel agencies increase as a percent of our total transactions, we incur additional inducement and technology costs due to the average inducement paid to our large on-line customers typically exceeding the average inducement that we pay to traditional travel agencies and due to a higher volume of messages processed per transaction in the online channel compared to traditional travel agency transactions. Cost of information technology services revenues consists primarily of technology development and operations personnel, software costs, network costs, hardware leases, depreciation of computer hardware and the data center building, amortization of capitalized software and maintenance of computer and network hardware.

 

                  Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of sales and marketing, labor and associated costs, advertising services, professional fees, a portion of the expenses associated with our facilities, depreciation of computer equipment, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements, internal management costs and expenses for finance, legal, human resources and other administrative functions.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies from the information provided in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table shows information derived from our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the three months ended September 30, 2003 and the six months ended June 30, 2003 expressed as a percentage of revenues for the periods presented.

 

 

 

Successor
Basis

 

Successor
Basis

 

Successor
Basis

 

Predecessor
Basis

 

 

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2003

 

Nine months
ended
September 30,
2004

 

Six months
ended
June 30,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic travel distribution

 

93.2

%

92.8

%

93.4

%

88.8

%

Information technology services

 

6.8

 

7.2

 

6.6

 

11.2

 

Total revenues

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues excluding developed technology amortization

 

70.5

 

71.3

 

69.5

 

71.5

 

Developed technology amortization

 

2.4

 

2.4

 

2.3

 

1.6

 

Total cost of revenues

 

72.9

 

73.7

 

71.8

 

73.1

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

12.5

 

15.1

 

13.1

 

16.3

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

3.9

 

4.0

 

3.7

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

89.3

 

92.8

 

88.6

 

89.4

 

Operating income

 

10.7

 

7.2

 

11.4

 

10.6

 

Total other expense, net

 

(4.9

)

(4.4

)

(4.4

)

(4.5

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

5.8

 

2.8

 

7.0

 

6.1

 

Income tax expense

 

1.6

 

 

0.5

 

 

Net income

 

4.2

%

2.8

%

6.5

%

6.1

%

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues were $233.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $4.3 million or 1.9% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 revenues of $229.5 million. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the volume of transactions processed and higher average fees per transaction during the third quarter of 2004 when compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

Electronic travel distribution revenues were $217.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $5.0 million or 2.3% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 revenues of $212.9 million. The increase in revenues was attributable to a 0.2 million or 0.4% increase in transactions processed during the period.  The increase was also attributable to a 5.8% higher average fee per car transaction processed.

 

Information technology services revenues were $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $0.7 million or 4.2% decrease from the three months ended September 30, 2003 revenues of $16.6 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $0.9 million decline in FASA revenues caused by a reduction in certain operating expenses which are passed through to Delta and Northwest.

 

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Cost of Revenues Excluding Developed Technology Amortization

 

Cost of revenues excluding developed technology amortization was $164.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $1.1 million increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 cost of revenues of $163.7 million. Cost of revenues excluding developed technology amortization as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 70.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 71.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This decrease was primarily attributable to lower employee costs, network costs and software expenses, partially offset by higher inducements paid to travel agencies.

 

Cost of electronic travel distribution revenues excluding developed technology amortization was $143.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $2.2 million or 1.6% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 cost of electronic travel distribution revenues excluding developed technology amortization of $141.5 million. Cost of electronic travel distribution revenues excluding developed technology amortization as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 61.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 61.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2003. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 12.2% decline in employee costs, a 28.9% reduction in network and communication charges and a 23.5% decrease in software costs, which was partially offset by a 17.6% increase in inducements paid to travel agencies. Employee costs declined as a result of the workforce reductions during the quarter ended March 31, 2004.  In addition, we froze all further benefit accruals under the defined benefit pension plan effective December 31, 2003, which reduced the pension benefits net periodic costs during the three months ended September 30, 2004. Network costs decreased due to migration of customers to Internet-based products rather than dedicated circuits. In addition, during the first quarter of 2004, we renegotiated our network and communication contracts with our primary providers. Software expenses decreased as a result of our exercising our right to terminate agreements with two technology providers, for which there was no corresponding charge during the three months ended September 30, 2004.  Inducements grew due to the growth in transaction volumes and the continuing shift toward online travel agency transactions, which tend to have higher inducement costs than traditional travel agency transactions.

 

Cost of information technology services revenues excluding developed technology amortization was $21.1 million or 9.0% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $1.1 million or 5.0% decrease from the three months ended September 30, 2003 cost of information technology revenues excluding developed technology amortization of $22.2 million or 9.7% of total revenues. This decrease was primarily driven by the reduced costs attributable to the hosting operations for Delta and Northwest.

 

Developed Technology Amortization

 

Developed technology amortization was $5.5 million or 2.4% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004, which is unchanged from the three months ended September 30, 2003 developed technology amortization of $5.5 million or 2.4% of total revenues. The intangible assets acquired as a result of the Acquisition are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives and the related amortization is expected to be unchanged from the same period in the prior year.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $29.4 million or 12.6% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $5.2 million or 15.0% decrease from the three months ended September 30, 2003 selling, general and administrative expenses of $34.6 million or 15.1% of total revenues. The decrease was attributable to reduced advertising and promotion activities, a decrease in bad debt reserves and a series of smaller transactions.  Advertising and promotion decreased as a result of our cost savings initiatives.  The decrease in bad debt reserves was related to the improved aging of receivables of our customers.

 

Amortization of Intangible Assets

 

Amortization of intangible assets was $9.1 million or 3.9% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004, which is unchanged from the three months ended September 30, 2003 amortization of intangible assets of $9.1 million or 4.0% of total revenues. The intangible assets acquired as a result of the Acquisition are

 

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amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives and the related amortization is expected to be unchanged from when compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

Operating Income

 

Operating income was $24.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, an $8.4 million or 50.9% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 operating income of $16.5 million. Operating income as a percentage of total revenues increased to 10.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 7.2% in the three months ended September 30, 2003. The increase in operating income primarily resulted from a 2.3% increase in electronic travel distribution revenues, a 12.2% decrease in employee costs, a 28.9% decrease in network and communication charges and a 23.5% decrease in software costs, partially offset by a 17.6% increase in inducements paid to travel agencies.

 

Net Interest Expense

 

Net interest expense was $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $0.2 million or 1.9% decrease from the three months ended September 30, 2003 net interest expense of $10.3 million. The decrease in net interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in interest expense related to our senior credit facility, partially offset by accelerated amortization of our capitalized debt issuance costs related to the senior credit facility, both of which were caused by $50.0 million in accelerated payments of debt principal during 2004.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense attributable to foreign jurisdictions was $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $3.6 million increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 income tax expense of $0.1 million. The increase in income tax expense relates to an increase in the taxable income of our foreign subsidiaries during the three months ended September 30, 2004 and the utilization of foreign deferred tax assets of $1.6 million.

 

Net Income

 

Net income was $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a $3.4 million increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 net income of $6.4 million. This increase was primarily as a result of an $8.4 million increase in operating income, partially offset by an increase in income tax expense attributable to our foreign subsidiaries and the utilization of foreign deferred tax assets of $1.6 million.

 

Comparison of Successor Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 to the Successor Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 and the Predecessor Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues were $731.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $34.1 million or 4.9% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 revenues of $229.5 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 revenues of $467.5 million. This increase was primarily attributable to higher average fees per transaction and an increase in the volume of transactions processed during the first nine months of 2004 when compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

Electronic travel distribution revenues were $683.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $55.2 million or 8.8% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 revenues of $212.9 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 revenues of $414.9 million. The increase in revenues was largely attributable to a 2.9% higher average fee per air transaction coupled with a 7.3 million or 5.4% increase in transactions generated from air travel suppliers during the period. The increase was also attributable to a 2.5% higher average fee per car and hotel transaction coupled with a 1.4 million or 10.1% increase in the volume of car and hotel transactions processed.

 

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Information technology services revenues were $48.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $20.9 million or 30.2% decrease from the three months ended September 30, 2003 revenues of $16.6 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 revenues of $52.5 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to $16.7 million of FASA credits for the first six months of 2004, which are provided under the terms of the FASAs, for which there was no corresponding credit during the first six months of 2003 and a reduction in certain operating expenses which are passed through to Delta and Northwest.

 

Cost of Revenues Excluding Developed Technology Amortization

 

Cost of revenues excluding developed technology amortization was $508.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $10.1 million increase from cost of revenues excluding developed technology amortization of $163.7 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $334.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Cost of revenues excluding developed technology amortization as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 69.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 71.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 71.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2003.  This decrease was primarily attributable to lower employee costs, network costs, software expenses and depreciation on hardware provided to traditional travel agencies, partially offset by higher inducements paid to travel agencies.

 

Cost of electronic travel distribution revenues excluding developed technology amortization was $444.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $14.5 million or 3.4% increase from cost of electronic travel distribution revenues excluding developed technology amortization of $141.5 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $288.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Cost of electronic travel distribution revenues excluding developed technology amortization as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 60.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 61.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 61.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2003. This decrease was primarily attributable to an 18.8% decline in employee costs, a 25.3% reduction in network and communication charges, a 22.8% decrease in software costs and a 15.1% reduction in depreciation, principally on hardware provided to traditional travel agencies, which was partially offset by a 24.3% increase in inducements paid to travel agencies. Employee costs declined as a result of the April 2003 workforce reductions.  In addition, as part of a cost savings initiative, we reduced the salaries of U.S. and Canada employees by 5%, which was effective May 1, 2003. We also froze all further benefit accruals under the defined benefit pension plan effective December 31, 2003, which reduced the pension benefits net periodic costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  Network costs decreased due to migration of customers to Internet-based products rather than dedicated circuits. In addition, during the first quarter of 2004, we renegotiated our network and communication contracts with our primary providers.  Software expenses decreased as a result of our exercising our right to terminate agreements with two technology providers, for which there was no corresponding charge during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  Depreciation on hardware provided to traditional travel agencies decreased during the period due to the decrease in capital expenditures for this type of hardware. As traditional travel agencies purchase their own equipment, our need to continue this capital expenditure decreases.  Inducements grew due to the growth in transaction volumes and the continuing shift toward online travel agency transactions, which tend to have higher inducement costs than traditional travel agency transactions.

 

Cost of information technology services revenues excluding developed technology amortization was $64.2 million or 8.8% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $4.4 million or 6.4% decrease from cost of information technology services revenues excluding developed technology amortization of $22.2 million, or 9.7% of total revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $46.4 million, or 9.9% of total revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 2003. This decrease was primarily caused by the reduced costs attributable to the hosting operations for Delta and Northwest.

 

Developed Technology Amortization

 

Developed technology amortization was $16.5 million or 2.3% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $3.6 million or 27.9% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 developed technology amortization of $5.5 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 developed technology amortization of $7.4 million, or 2.4% and 1.6% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and the six months

 

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ended June 30, 2003, respectively. This increase was a result of the Acquisition.  Purchase accounting requires intangible assets to be recorded at their fair value and amortized over their estimated useful lives.  The related amortization during the first nine months of 2004 was higher when compared to the same period in the prior year because there was no corresponding amortization during the first six months of 2003.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $95.4 million or 13.1% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $15.3 million or 13.8% decrease from the three months ended September 30, 2003 selling, general and administrative expenses of $34.6 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 selling, general and administrative expenses of $76.1 million, or 15.1% and 16.3% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and the six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively. The decrease was attributable to our recording a workforce reduction charge of $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to a workforce reduction charge of $4.6 million recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2003, reduced advertising and promotion activities, a decrease in bad debt reserves and a series of smaller transactions.  The 2003 workforce reduction, which affected approximately 200 employees, was a result of decreased travel, and related booking volumes, caused by several factors including the war in Iraq, concerns over SARS and the weakened economy.  The $4.6 million charge included $4.0 million for the electronic travel distribution segment and $0.6 million for the information technology services segment.  The annual labor costs represented by the employees terminated in the 2003 workforce reduction was approximately $11.1 million.  We expect that the 2003 workforce reduction will decrease our labor costs in the future, although other factors, including any future expansion of our workforce, will also impact our ongoing labor costs.  Advertising and promotion decreased as a result of our cost savings initiatives.  The decrease in bad debt reserves was related to the improved aging of receivables of our customers.

 

Amortization of Intangible Assets

 

Amortization of intangible assets was $27.4 million or 3.7% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, an $18.3 million increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 amortization of intangible assets of $9.1 million or 4.0% of total revenues. This increase was a result of the Acquisition. Purchase accounting requires intangible assets to be recorded at their fair value and amortized over their estimated useful lives. The related amortization during the first nine months of 2004 was higher when compared to the same period in the prior year since there was no corresponding amortization during the first six months of 2003.

 

Operating Income

 

Operating income was $83.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $17.4 million or 26.4% increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 operating income of $16.5 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 operating income of $49.5 million. Operating income as a percentage of total revenues increased to 11.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 7.2% and 10.6% in the three months ended September 30, 2003 and the six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively. The increase in operating income primarily resulted from an 8.8% increase in electronic travel distribution revenues, an 18.8% decrease in employee costs, a 25.3% decrease in network and communication costs, a 22.8% decrease in software expenses, a 15.1% decrease in depreciation primarily on agency and office equipment and a 75.4% reduction in advertising and promotion activities, partially offset by a 24.3% increase in inducements paid to travel agencies and increased amortization of the fair value of amortizing intangible assets as a result of the Acquisition.

 

Net Interest Expense

 

Net interest expense was $30.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, an $18.1 million increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 net interest expense of $10.3 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 net interest expense of $2.4 million. This increase in net interest expense was primarily due to the interest expense associated with the debt issued in connection with the Acquisition.

 

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Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense attributable to foreign jurisdictions was $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $3.8 million increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 income tax expense of $0.1 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 income tax expense of $0.1 million. The increase in income tax expense relates to an increase in the taxable income of our foreign subsidiaries during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and the utilization of foreign deferred tax assets of $1.6 million.

 

Net Income

 

Net income was $47.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a $12.7 million increase from the three months ended September 30, 2003 net income of $6.4 million and the six months ended June 30, 2003 net income of $28.4 million. This increase was primarily as a result of a $17.4 million increase in operating income and a $17.3 million change-in-control expense recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2003, for which there was no corresponding charge during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  These amounts were partially offset by an $18.1 million increase in net interest expense associated with the debt issued in connection with the Acquisition and a $3.8 million increase in income tax expense attributable to our foreign subsidiaries and the utilization of foreign deferred tax assets of $1.6 million.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our principal source of liquidity will be cash flow generated from operations and borrowings under our senior credit facility. Our principal uses of cash will be to meet debt service requirements, finance our capital expenditures, make any FASA credit payments and provide working capital. Based on our current level of operations, we believe that our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our senior credit facility will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months, although no assurance can be given. Our future operating performance and ability to extend or refinance our indebtedness will be dependent on future economic conditions and financial, business and other factors that are beyond our control. We have historically generated significant cash flow from operations.  During 2004, we used this cash flow to prepay an aggregate of $50.0 million of our term loan in addition to the mandatory repayment schedule.

 

At September 30, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents of $75.0 million and working capital of $21.1 million as compared to $38.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of ($17.5) million at September 30, 2003. The $38.6 million increase in working capital and the $36.1 million increase in cash were primarily the result of increases in net income.

 

Historically, we have funded our operations through internally generated cash. We generated cash from operating activities of $111.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $12.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $41.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003.  The $58.2 million increase in cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2004 as compared to the first nine months of 2003 primarily resulted from a $14.1 million increase in net income, a $22.0 million increase for changes in operating assets and liabilities and an increase in non-cash charges of $22.1 million.

 

We used cash for investing activities of approximately $5.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $6.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $5.2 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease in cash used for investing activities during the first nine months of 2004 as compared to the first nine months of 2003 primarily resulted from proceeds realized on the sale of an investment in September 2004.

 

We used cash for financing activities of approximately $75.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $11.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $124.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease in cash used for financing activities during the first nine months of 2004 as compared to the first nine months of 2003 primarily resulted from a $110.0 million decrease in distributions to our founding airlines, partially offset by $54.5 million of payments made with respect to the senior credit facility.

 

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Senior Credit Facility

 

In June 2003, we entered into a senior credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders. The senior credit facility provides for aggregate borrowings by us of up to $175.0 million, consisting of:

 

                                          a four-year revolving credit facility of up to $50.0 million in revolving credit loans and letters of credit which is available until June 30, 2007, and

 

                                          a four-year term loan facility of $125.0 million which matures on June 30, 2007.

 

We borrowed $125.0 million under the term loan facility in connection with the Acquisition. The revolving credit facility is available for working capital and general corporate needs.

 

Obligations under the senior credit facility and the guarantees are secured by:

 

                                          a perfected first priority security interest in all of our tangible and intangible assets and all of the tangible and intangible assets of WTI and each of its direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries and certain foreign subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions, and

 

                                          a pledge of (i) all of the membership interests of WS Holdings LLC owned by WTI, (ii) all of our partnership interests owned by WTI and WS Holdings LLC, (iii) all of the capital stock of our domestic subsidiaries and some of our foreign subsidiaries and (iv) 65% of the capital stock of other of our first-tier foreign subsidiaries.

 

Borrowings under the senior credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option:

 

                                          a base rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the higher of (x) the prime rate (as quoted on the British Banking Association Telerate Page 5) and (y) the federal funds effective rate, plus one half percent (0.50%) per annum) and (ii) an applicable margin, or

 

                                          a LIBOR rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the rate at which euro deposits for one, two, three or six months (as selected by us) are offered in the interbank euro market as set forth on page 3750 of the Dow Jones Telerate Screen and (ii) an applicable margin.

 

The initial applicable margin for the base rate revolving loans is 2.75% and the applicable margin for the euro revolving loans is 3.75%. The applicable margin for the loans is subject to reduction based upon the ratio of our consolidated total bank debt to consolidated EBITDA. We are also required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the difference between committed amounts and amounts actually utilized under the revolving credit facility. Fees for letters of credit are based on the face amount of each letter of credit outstanding under the senior credit facility multiplied by to the applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings under the revolving credit facility and are payable quarterly in arrears. In addition, we must pay each letter of credit bank a fronting fee to be determined based upon the face amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued by it.

 

Total cash principal and interest payments related to the $125.0 million borrowed under the term loan facility portion of our senior credit facility were $16.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2004. The remaining principal payment schedules will require payments over a four-year period for the term loan, totaling to the following principal payments: $1.0 million in 2004, $12.5 million in 2005, $12.5 million in 2006 and $32.5 million in 2007.

 

The senior credit facility requires us to meet financial tests, including without limitation, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum senior secured leverage ratio and a maximum total leverage ratio. The minimum fixed charge ratio will be 1.00 to 1.00 until the end of the second quarter of 2005 and will be 1.10 to 1.00 thereafter. The minimum interest coverage ratio will be 2.15 to 1.00 until the end of the second quarter of 2005 and will increase to 3.00 to 1.00 by the end of the term of the senior credit facility. The maximum senior secured

 

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leverage ratio will be 1.65 to 1.00 through the second quarter of 2004 and will decrease to 1.00 to 1.00 by the end of the term of the senior credit facility. The maximum total leverage ratio will be 3.85 to 1.00 until the end of the second quarter of 2004 and will decrease to 2.75 to 1.00 by the end of the term of the senior credit facility. In addition, the senior credit facility contains customary covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, capital expenditures, mergers and consolidations, prepayments of other indebtedness, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in a senior credit facility. As of September 30, 2004, we were in compliance with these covenants.

 

9  5/8% Senior Notes Due 2011

 

On June 30, 2003, we issued $280.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2011 (“Senior Notes”). Interest on the notes accrues at 9 5/8% per annum.

 

We cannot redeem the Senior Notes before June 15, 2007 except that, until June 15, 2006, we can choose to redeem up to an aggregate of 35% of the original principal amount of the Senior Notes, or $98.0 million, at a redemption price of 109.625% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes we redeem with funds raised in certain equity offerings.

 

The Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations, are equal in right of payment to all of our existing and future unsecured senior debt, and are senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated debt. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by each subsidiary guarantor (as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes).

 

If we experience a change of control (as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes), each holder of Senior Notes may require us to repurchase all or any portion of the holder’s Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

 

The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit (i) the incurrence of additional debt by us and certain of our subsidiaries, (ii) the payment of dividends and the purchase, redemption or retirement of capital stock or subordinated indebtedness, (iii) investments, (iv) certain transactions with affiliates, (v) sales of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries and (vi) certain consolidations, mergers and transfers of assets. As of September 30, 2004, we were in compliance with these covenants. The indenture also prohibits certain restrictions on distributions from certain subsidiaries.

 

Depending on capital market conditions, we may elect to repurchase our outstanding Senior Notes in open market purchases or otherwise.

 

Capital Lease Obligations

 

We lease equipment and software under capital lease obligations.  As of September 30, 2004, our obligations under capital leases totaled $77.2 million.  The interest rate used in computing the present value of the minimum lease payments ranges from approximately 4.0% to 12.0% depending on the asset being leased.

 

Subordinated Notes

 

As part of the Acquisition, WTI issued to American and Delta subordinated seller notes in the original principal amounts of $39.0 million and $45.0 million, respectively. The subordinated seller notes mature on July 31, 2012; provided that to the extent that any portion of the subordinated seller notes are not prepaid by WTI by June 30, 2011, a 5% premium will be payable by WTI on the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest thereon which is prepaid or repaid following June 30, 2011 at the time of such prepayment or repayment. The subordinated seller notes are unsecured obligations of WTI, are not our debt obligations and are contractually and structurally subordinated to our senior notes and our senior credit facility and structurally subordinated to all of our other debt. The subordinated seller note originally issued to American bears interest at an annual rate equal to 12.0% and the subordinated seller note originally issued to Delta bears interest at an annual rate equal to 10.0%. So long as we are not in default under, and are in compliance with all financial covenants of, our senior credit facility, the indenture governing our senior notes and other permitted senior debt and continue to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) of 2.25x

 

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or better, WTI will pay interest equal to 5% of the then outstanding principal amount of the subordinated seller notes in cash, with the remaining interest payable in cash or in kind at WTI’s option. During a default under our senior credit facility, the indenture governing our senior notes and/or other permitted senior debt, WTI will be permitted to pay all interest on the subordinated seller notes in kind. While the subordinated seller notes are not our debt obligations, so long as we are not in default under, and are in compliance with all financial covenants of, our senior credit facility and the indenture governing our senior notes and continue to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) of 2.25x or better, we will be permitted to distribute funds to WTI sufficient to pay the 5% cash interest component of the subordinated seller notes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we distributed $2.2 million to WTI for this purpose.

 

FASAs

 

Pursuant to the terms of the FASAs, we provide FASA credits to Delta and Northwest to be applied against FASA service fee payments due from these airlines to us. The FASA credits are structured and will be applied through June 2012 in an amount up to an aggregate total of approximately $104.2 million to each of Delta and Northwest as of September 30, 2004, and are reflected as reductions to our FASA revenues in the corresponding periods. The FASA credits are provided to Delta and Northwest in monthly installments, with an annual amount of $16.7 million scheduled to be provided to each of these founding airlines during the first six years of the respective FASA term, an annual amount of $9.2 million scheduled to be provided to each of these founding airlines during the seventh and eighth years of the respective FASA term and an annual amount of $6.7 million scheduled to be provided to each of these founding airlines during the ninth year of the respective FASA term. In the event that the monthly FASA credits deliverable by us to Delta or Northwest are more than the FASA service fee payments due from the applicable airline, then we will be obligated to pay such excess to such airline in cash.

 

Delta or Northwest may terminate its FASA due to a failure by us to satisfy the mainframe processing time, system availability or critical production data performance standards under that agreement (which represent performance standards which we have historically met under our predecessor services agreements with Delta and Northwest). Furthermore, such a termination by Delta or Northwest of its FASA will constitute an event of default under our senior credit facility and may constitute a default under any other of our future senior credit facilities. In the event that the event of default is waived by the applicable lenders under our senior credit facilities (as defined in the subordination agreement executed by the founding airlines) or our senior credit facilities are no longer outstanding, then any remaining FASA credits deliverable by us to the terminating airline will not be provided according to the initial eight-year schedule specified above and will instead be payable in cash to such airline as and when, and only to the extent that, we are permitted to make such payments as “Restricted Payments” under the restricted payment covenant test contained in the indenture governing the Senior Notes. If a FASA is otherwise terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the expiration of its term, such as a termination by either Delta or Northwest without cause, or is rejected by Delta or Northwest in bankruptcy, then the obligation to provide the remaining FASA credits or to make the remaining FASA credit payments then deliverable or payable to the airline under the applicable FASA will terminate. Our obligations to provide FASA credits or to make the FASA credit payments will not terminate if either or both of Delta and Northwest reduce or cease operations in a way that reduces or eliminates the amount of airline services either founding airline obtains under the FASAs, although an airline’s failure to comply with its software development minimum and exclusivity obligations would constitute a breach of its agreement. If we terminate a FASA other than as expressly permitted by the agreement, then we will be obligated to provide the scheduled FASA credits to the applicable airline by way of a monthly cash payment rather than applying the FASA credits against FASA service fee payments due from the airline. In the event that the monthly FASA credits deliverable by us to Delta or Northwest are more than the FASA service fee payments due from the applicable airline, then we will be obligated to pay such excess to such airline in cash. In the event of our bankruptcy or insolvency, holders of our senior debt (as defined in the subordination agreement executed by the founding airlines), including the senior notes, will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before we may make any FASA credit payments in cash. In that event, Delta and Northwest will, however, retain their rights to apply the scheduled FASA credit payments against their obligations to pay us fees for our services under the FASAs. In the event that we wrongfully terminate a FASA, we will remain obligated to deliver the FASA credits to the applicable airline by paying the credit amounts to the applicable airline in cash on a monthly basis according to the eight-and-a-half-year schedule described above. However, if we reject a FASA in a bankruptcy of the company, our FASA credit payment obligations to the applicable airline will match the obligations described above in a termination of a FASA by such airline due to our failure

 

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to satisfy performance standards. Any FASA credit payment obligations by us to an airline in such a bankruptcy will be subordinated to our senior debt (as defined in the subordination agreement executed by the founding airlines), including the Senior Notes.

 

Taxes

 

Because we are a limited partnership, our partners will owe taxes on all of the income that we generate in the United States. We expect that WTI will cause us to make distributions to it from time to time sufficient to cover all income taxes owed by WTI. Under the terms of our senior credit facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes, we are specifically permitted to make these tax distributions.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Capital expenditures for property and equipment, including both purchased assets and assets acquired under capital leases, as well as capitalized software, totaled $33.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $4.6 million from capital expenditures of $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $22.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. We have forecasted approximately $38.8 million for capital expenditures in 2004. Of that amount, approximately $19.5 million relates to a significant upgrade of mainframe computer equipment at our data center. The upgraded equipment is expected to be in use through June 2008. The remaining $19.3 million represents normal growth in capacity requirements as well as routine replacement of older equipment.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

Effect of Inflation

 

Inflation generally affects us by increasing our costs of labor, equipment and new materials. We do not believe that inflation has had any material effect on our results of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements in this report and the exhibits hereto which are not purely historical facts, including statements about forecasted financial projections or other statements about anticipations, beliefs, expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies for the future, may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date this report was submitted. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks or uncertainties related to: our revenues being highly dependent on the travel and transportation industries; airlines limiting their participation in travel marketing and distribution services; or other changes within the travel industry. We may not succeed in addressing these and other risks.

 

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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk represents the risk of changes in value of a financial instrument, derivative or non-derivative, caused by fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in the results of our operations and cash flows. In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency and interest rate risks. These risks primarily relate to the sale of products and services to foreign customers and changes in interest rates on our long-term debt.

 

Foreign Exchange Rate Market Risk

 

We consider the U.S. dollar to be the functional currency for all of our entities. Substantially all of our net sales and the majority of our expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, foreign currency fluctuations did not materially impact our financial results in those periods. We have foreign currency exposure arising from the translation of our foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars. The primary currencies to which we are exposed to fluctuations include the euro and the British pound sterling. The fair value of our net foreign investments would not be materially affected by a 10% adverse change in foreign currency exchange rates from September 30, 2004 levels.

 

Interest Rate Market Risk

 

Our senior credit facility is variable rate debt. Interest rate changes therefore generally do not affect the market value of such debt but do impact the amount of our interest payments and, therefore, our future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. As of September 30, 2004, we had variable rate debt of approximately $58.5 million. Holding other variables constant, including levels of indebtedness, a one hundred basis point increase in interest rates on our variable debt would have had an estimated impact on pre-tax earnings and cash flows for the next year of approximately $0.6 million. Under the terms of our senior credit facility, we are required to have at least 50% of our total indebtedness subject to either a fixed interest rate or interest rate protection for a period of not less than three years.

 

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

As described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, we have received assessments totaling €39.5 million from the tax authorities of Greece and are in the process of filing appeals.  On October 4, 2004, we applied to the Greek authorities for partial relief under the terms of a formal tax amnesty program.  The Greek authorities have not yet responded to that application.

 

We are involved in various other litigation proceedings as both plaintiff and defendant. In the opinion of our management, none of these other litigation matters, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to us, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

On August 13, 2004, WTI filed an amendment to its certificate of incorporation to effect a stock split of each of WTI’s classes of common stock at a ratio of approximately 2.80 to 1.

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 

Exhibits:

 

31.1                           Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2                           Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1                           Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

WORLDSPAN, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 November 8, 2004

 

 /s/ Rakesh Gangwal

 DATE

By:

Rakesh Gangwal

 

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
and Director
(principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 November 8, 2004

 

 /s/ Michael S. Wood

 DATE

By:

Michael S. Wood

 

 

Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)

 

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