<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 3, 1999.
FILE NO. 333-76591
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
-------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
-------------------------
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
NEVADA 4512 85-0302351
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
410 NORTH 44TH STREET
SUITE 700
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85008
(602) 685-4000
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
-------------------------
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
410 NORTH 44TH STREET
SUITE 700
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85008
(602) 685-4000
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
-------------------------
COPIES TO:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CHRISTOPHER D. JOHNSON C. RICHARD RAYBURN, JR.
SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY L.L.P. RAYBURN, MOON & SMITH, P.A.
TWO RENAISSANCE SQUARE 227 WEST TRADE STREET
40 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE, SUITE 2700 SUITE 1200
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85004 CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28202
(602) 528-4000 (704) 334-0891
</TABLE>
-------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: Upon the
Effective Time of the merger (the "Merger") of a subsidiary of the Registrant
with and into CCAIR, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CCAIR"), pursuant to the
Merger Agreement described in the enclosed Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
-------------------------
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
-------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
MERGER PROPOSED
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CCAIR, INC.
As you may know, the Boards of Directors of Mesa Air Group and CCAIR have agreed
on a merger intended on creating a stronger competitor in the regional airline
business. If the merger is completed, CCAIR will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of Mesa Air. CCAIR stockholders will receive between .435 and .6214
of Mesa Air common stock for each share of CCAIR common stock they own. Mesa Air
shareholders will continue to own their existing shares after the merger. The
maximum number of shares of Mesa Air common stock to be issued to CCAIR
shareholders in the merger is 5,546,738, which will represent on a fully diluted
basis, approximately 16.4% of the outstanding common stock of Mesa Air after the
merger.
Mesa Air's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the
trading symbol "MESA." On April , 1999, the most recent practicable date
before the printing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the closing price
of Mesa Air common stock was $ . Had the merger closed on this
date, the exchange ratio would have been . , or an equivalent CCAIR per share
price of $ .
The merger cannot be completed unless the stockholders of CCAIR approve and
adopt the merger agreement and the shareholders of Mesa Air approve the issuance
of shares of Mesa Air common stock to CCAIR shareholders in the merger. We have
each scheduled meetings for our shareholders to vote on this matter. At the Mesa
Air meeting, the Mesa Air shareholders will also be asked to vote on the
election of directors, the ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as Mesa
Air's independent auditors, and two shareholder proposals. Your vote is
important.
Whether or not you plan to attend your meeting, please take the time to vote by
completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card to us. If you need assistance in
voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, Georgeson & Company Inc.,
toll free at (800) 223-2064.
The dates, times and places of the meetings are:
FOR MESA AIR SHAREHOLDERS:
Tuesday, June 8, 1999
10:00 a.m.
Doubletree Suites
320 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona
FOR CCAIR SHAREHOLDERS:
Tuesday, June 8, 1999
10:00 a.m.
Doubletree Suites
320 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona
This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides detailed information about these
meetings and the proposed merger. We encourage you to read this entire document
carefully. In addition, you may obtain information about our companies from
documents that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
THE MERGER INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS TO CCAIR AND MESA AIR SHAREHOLDERS. SEE "RISK
FACTORS," BEGINNING ON PAGE 14.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Jonathan G. Ornstein Kenneth W. Gann
President and Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer
Mesa Air Group, Inc. CCAIR, Inc.
</TABLE>
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE SHARES OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK TO BE
ISSUED UNDER THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR DETERMINED IF THIS JOINT
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated May , 1999 and is first being
mailed to shareholders on or about May , 1999.
<PAGE> 3
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Mesa Air and CCAIR each file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. You may read and copy any document filed by Mesa Air or CCAIR at the
SEC's public reference facilities. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information about its public reference facilities. The SEC filings are
also available to the public at the SEC's internet website at
http://www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning
Mesa Air and CCAIR can also be inspected at the Nasdaq National Market,
Operations, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
Mesa Air filed a registration statement on Form S-4 to register with the SEC the
Mesa Air common stock to be issued to CCAIR stockholders in the merger. This
joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part of that registration statement and
constitutes a prospectus of Mesa Air in addition to being a proxy statement of
Mesa Air for its special meeting and a proxy statement of CCAIR for its special
meeting. As allowed by the SEC's rules, this joint proxy statement/prospectus
does not contain all of the information you can find in the registration
statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. This joint proxy
statement/prospectus summarizes some of the documents that are exhibits to the
registration statement, and you should refer to the exhibits for a more complete
description of the matters covered by those documents.
The SEC allows Mesa Air and CCAIR to "incorporate by reference" the information
such companies file with the SEC, which means that Mesa Air and CCAIR can
disclose important information to you by referring you to documents they have
previously filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is
considered a part of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and any later
information that Mesa Air and CCAIR file with the SEC will automatically update
and supersede this information. Mesa Air and CCAIR incorporate by reference the
documents listed below, and any additional documents filed by such companies
with the SEC until the offering of the securities is terminated. This joint
proxy statement/prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed
by Mesa Air with the SEC (registration no. 333-76591). The documents Mesa Air
and CCAIR incorporate by reference are as follows:
MESA AIR
- Mesa Air's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1998, as amended;
- Mesa Air's 1998 annual report to shareholders;
- Mesa Air's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December
31, 1998, as amended;
- The description of Mesa Air's common stock contained in its registration
statement on Form 8-A filed on March 16, 1987; and
- Mesa Air's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 1999.
CCAIR
- CCAIR's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, as amended;
- The description of CCAIR's common stock contained in its registration
statement on Form 8-A declared effective on July 13, 1989; and
- CCAIR's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 1998, September
2, 1998 and October 29, 1998.
2
<PAGE> 4
Copies of the Mesa Air annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998, and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
December 31, 1998, as amended, and CCAIR's annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as amended, are included with this joint
proxy statement/prospectus and should be carefully reviewed in conjunction with
this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Mesa Air has supplied all information
contained or incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus
relating to Mesa Air and CCAIR has supplied all such information relating to
CCAIR. Documents incorporated by reference are available from the respective
companies without charge, excluding all exhibits unless such exhibits have been
specifically incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Shareholders may obtain documents incorporated by reference by requesting them
in writing or by telephone from the appropriate party at the following address:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MESA AIR GROUP, INC. CCAIR, INC.
410 North 44th Street, Suite 700 4700 Yorkmont Road, 2nd Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85008 Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
Phone Number : (602) 685-4000 Phone Number: (704) 359-8990
Attention: Corporate Secretary Attention: Corporate Secretary
</TABLE>
In order to ensure timely delivery of requested documents, any requests should
be made by May , 1999 to receive such documents before the Mesa Air annual
meeting or CCAIR special meeting, as the case may be.
-------------------------
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representation not contained in or incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation
must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Mesa Air or CCAIR or any
other person. This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer
to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the shares of Mesa Air
common stock offered by this joint proxy statement/prospectus in any
jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such
jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this joint proxy statement/prospectus nor
any sale made pursuant to this document shall, under any circumstances, create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Mesa Air or
CCAIR since the date hereof or that the information contained or incorporated
herein by reference is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
3
<PAGE> 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Questions and Answers About The Mesa Air/CCAIR Merger....... 1
Summary..................................................... 4
The Companies............................................. 4
Our Reasons For The Merger................................ 4
Board Recommendations to Shareholders..................... 4
The Special Meetings...................................... 5
The Merger Agreement...................................... 5
Voting Information Regarding Mesa Air and CCAIR Directors
and Officers........................................... 5
Ownership Of Mesa Air Following The Merger................ 5
Treatment Of CCAIR Stock Options And Warrants............. 6
Markets And Market Prices................................. 6
Material Federal Income Tax Considerations................ 6
Fairness Opinions of Financial Advisors................... 6
Interests of CCAIR and Mesa Air Executive Officers and
Directors in the Merger................................ 6
Votes Required............................................ 7
Regulatory Approvals...................................... 7
Accounting Treatment...................................... 7
Management After The Merger............................... 7
Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal........................... 7
Comparative Rights Of CCAIR Stockholders Before And After
The Merger............................................. 7
Summary Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data..... 8
Selected Historical Financial Data of Mesa Air Group,
Inc....................................................... 8
Selected Historical Financial Data of CCAIR, Inc............ 9
Comparative Market Price and Dividend Data.................. 10
Comparative Per Share Data Historical and Pro Forma......... 12
Risk Factors................................................ 14
The Shareholders' Meetings.................................. 24
The Mesa Air Special Meeting.............................. 24
The CCAIR Special Meeting................................. 26
Background of The Merger.................................... 29
Recommendations of The Boards of Directors and Reasons for
The Merger................................................ 31
Reasons of Mesa Air for Engaging in the Merger;
Recommendation of the Mesa Air Board................... 31
Reasons of CCAIR for Engaging in the Merger;
Recommendation of the CCAIR Board...................... 33
Interests of CCAIR and Mesa Air Executive Officers and
Directors in the Merger; Conflicts of Interest............ 34
Affiliate Agreements...................................... 37
CCAIR Employment Agreements............................... 37
Opinions of Robinson-Humphrey............................... 38
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Opinion of Scott & Stringfellow............................. 44
The Merger Agreement........................................ 50
General................................................... 50
Effective Time and Effect of the Merger................... 50
Exchange of Certificates.................................. 50
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger.................. 52
Termination of the Merger Agreement....................... 54
Fees and Expenses; Termination Fees....................... 54
Amendment of the Merger Agreement; Waiver of Conditions... 55
Representations, Warranties And Covenants................. 55
Employee Benefit Plans and Stock Options.................. 56
Warrants.................................................. 56
Federal Income Tax Consequences........................... 56
Anticipated Accounting Treatment Of The Merger............ 58
Regulatory Matters........................................ 58
Resale Of Mesa Air Common Stock........................... 59
Absence of Dissenters Rights of Appraisal................... 60
Mesa Air Shareholders..................................... 60
CCAIR Stockholders........................................ 60
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combining Financial
Statements................................................ 61
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and CCAIR, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Condensed Balance Sheet at December 31, 1998..... 62
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and CCAIR, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Statement of Operations for the Three Months
Ended December 31, 1998................................... 63
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and CCAIR, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Condensed Statement of Operations for The Year
Ended September 30, 1998.................................. 64
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and CCAIR, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Condensed Statement of Operations for The Year
Ended September 30, 1997.................................. 65
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and CCAIR, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Condensed Statement of Operations for The Year
Ended September 30, 1996.................................. 66
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and CCAIR, Inc. Notes to Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Condensed Financial Data................... 67
Business of Mesa Air........................................ 69
Management of Mesa Air...................................... 69
General................................................... 69
Business and Management Following the Merger.............. 69
Mesa Air Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations....................... 70
Business of CCAIR........................................... 70
CCAIR Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations....................... 70
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management...... 71
Shareholders Of Mesa Air.................................. 71
Stockholders Of CCAIR..................................... 72
Description of Mesa Air Capital Stock....................... 75
General................................................... 75
Common Stock.............................................. 75
Preferred Stock........................................... 75
Transfer Agent............................................ 75
Comparative Rights of Mesa Air Shareholders and CCAIR
Stockholders.............................................. 76
Cumulative Voting......................................... 76
Stockholder Power to Call Special Stockholders Meeting.... 76
Dissolution............................................... 77
Size of Board of Directors................................ 77
Classified Board of Directors............................. 77
Removal of Directors...................................... 77
Voting Requirements to Amend Charter Documents............ 78
Inspection of Stockholders List........................... 78
Dividends................................................. 79
Bylaws.................................................... 79
Transactions Involving Officers or Directors.............. 79
Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors............... 80
Limitation of Liability of Directors and
Indemnification........................................ 80
Business Combinations/Reorganizations..................... 81
Additional Information for The Mesa Air Special Meeting..... 83
Election of Directors (Proposal Two)...................... 83
Committees................................................ 86
Common Stock Ownership and Compensation................... 86
Vote Required for Election of Directors................... 86
Mesa Air Director Compensation............................ 87
Compensation Committee Interlocks......................... 88
Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors............ 88
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation... 88
Compensation Summary of Mesa Air Executive Officers....... 90
Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year......................... 90
Aggregated Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year-End Option Values................................. 90
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Returns Performance
Report for Mesa Air Group, Inc. .......................... 90
Proposal to Ratify The Appointment of Independent Auditors
(Proposal Three).......................................... 91
Sell or Merge Mesa Air (Proposal Four)...................... 92
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Adopt Cumulative Voting (Proposal Five)..................... 94
Compliance With Reporting Requirements...................... 97
Legal Matters............................................... 97
Experts..................................................... 97
Shareholder Proposals....................................... 97
Mesa Air Proposals For Action At Mesa Air's Next Annual
Meeting................................................ 97
CCAIR Proposals For Action of CCAIR's Next Annual
Meeting................................................ 97
Independent Public Accountants.............................. 98
Part II Information Not Required in Prospectus.............. II-1
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers........ II-1
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules...... II-2
Item 22. Undertakings..................................... II-3
Signatures.................................................. S-1
Power of Attorney........................................... S-1
Index to Exhibits...........................................
Annex A -- Merger Agreement................................. A-1
Annex B -- Opinion of The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC.... B-1
Annex C -- Opinion of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. ........... C-1
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE> 9
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
-------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT OF MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
AND CCAIR, INC.
MESA AIR SPECIAL MEETING
CCAIR SPECIAL MEETING
-------------------------
PROSPECTUS OF MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
-------------------------
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MESA AIR/CCAIR MERGER
Q: WHAT WILL I, AS A CCAIR STOCKHOLDER, RECEIVE IN THE MERGER?
A: If the merger is completed, you will receive between 0.435 and 0.6214 of a
share of Mesa Air common stock in exchange for each share of CCAIR common
stock that you own. The actual fraction of a share of Mesa Air common stock
that will be issued to you will be determined by dividing $4.35 by the
average of the closing bid price of a share of Mesa Air common stock on the
Nasdaq National Market for the ten trading days up to and including the
second trading day before the closing date of the merger transaction.
Mesa Air will not issue fractions of its shares to you in the merger.
Instead, any fractional Mesa Air shares owed to you upon completion of the
merger will be rounded to the nearest whole share if the fraction is 0.5 or
greater and will be rounded down to the nearest whole share if the fraction
is less than 0.5.
Example: On January 28, 1999, the last trading day before the public
announcement of the execution of the merger agreement, the closing sale
prices of Mesa Air and CCAIR common stock were $9.06 and $3.6875 per share,
respectively. Had the merger closed on such date and you owned 100 shares of
CCAIR common stock, you would have been entitled to receive 48 shares of
Mesa Air common stock. This equates to an exchange ratio of .48 ($4.35 /
$9.06), or an equivalent CCAIR per share price of $4.35, thus giving CCAIR
stockholders an 18% premium over the price of CCAIR common stock on such
date.
Example: On April , 1999, the last practicable trading day prior to the
printing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the closing sale prices
of Mesa Air and CCAIR common stock were $ and $ per share,
respectively. Had the merger closed on such date and you owned 100 shares of
CCAIR common stock, you would have been entitled to receive shares of
Mesa Air common stock. This equals an exchange ratio of - , or an
equivalent CCAIR per share price of $ , thus giving CCAIR stockholders
a % premium over the price of CCAIR common stock on such date.
<PAGE> 10
The table below shows, for a range of potential average Mesa Air common stock
prices, the fraction of a share of Mesa Air common stock you will receive for
each share of CCAIR common stock and the implied value of one share of CCAIR
common stock at those prices:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IMPLIED APPROXIMATE VALUE
AVERAGE PRICE PER SHARE OF PER SHARE OF CCAIR
MESA AIR COMMON STOCK EXCHANGE RATIO COMMON STOCK
- -------------------------- -------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
6.00 0.6214 3.73
6.50 0.6214 4.03
7.00 0.6214 4.35
7.50 0.580 4.35
8.00 0.544 4.35
8.50 0.512 4.35
9.00 0.483 4.35
9.50 0.458 4.35
10.00 0.435 4.35
10.50 0.435 4.57
11.00 0.435 4.79
</TABLE>
Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?
A: Just mail your signed and dated proxy card in the enclosed return envelope
as soon as possible, so that your shares may be represented at the
applicable meeting to vote on the merger.
Both meetings will take place on June 8, 1999. You may attend the applicable
meeting and vote your shares in person, rather than by signing and mailing
your proxy card. In addition, you may revoke your proxy card up to and
including the day of your shareholders meeting and vote in person.
Q: CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE MAILED MY SIGNED PROXY?
A: Yes. Just send in a later-dated, signed proxy card before your meeting or
attend the meeting in person and vote.
If you are a Mesa Air shareholder, you may transmit your initial vote or
your request to change your vote by facsimile ((602) 685-4352) to Mesa Air
Group, Inc., 410 North 44th Street, Suite 700, Phoenix, Arizona 85008;
Attention: Corporate Secretary.
If you are a CCAIR stockholder, you may transmit your initial vote or your
request to change your vote by facsimile ((704) 359-0351) to CCAIR, Inc.,
4700 Yorkmont Road, 2nd Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208; Attention:
Corporate Secretary.
Q: IF MY BROKER HOLDS MY SHARES IN "STREET NAME," WILL MY BROKER VOTE MY SHARES
FOR ME?
A: Your broker will vote your shares with respect to the merger proposal and
the shareholder proposal to adopt cumulative voting only if you provide
instructions on how to vote. Please tell your broker how you would like him
or her to vote your shares. Without instructions, your broker will not vote
your shares.
Q: AS A CCAIR STOCKHOLDER, SHOULD I SEND IN MY CCAIR SHARE CERTIFICATES NOW?
A: No. After the merger is completed, Mesa Air will send you written
instructions for exchanging your CCAIR share certificates.
2
<PAGE> 11
Q: WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO COMPLETE THE MERGER?
A: We are working toward completing the merger as quickly as possible. In
addition to stockholder approvals, we must also obtain regulatory approval.
If all necessary approvals are obtained in a timely manner, we hope to
complete the merger by June 8, 1999, or earlier.
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
If you have additional questions about the merger, including questions regarding
the exchange ratio and the exact number of shares to be issued to you, please
contact:
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
410 North 44th Street, Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Phone Number: (888) 363-6787 (toll free)
Attention: Steven E. Markhoff
If you have additional questions about Mesa Air's solicitation of your proxy,
you should contact:
Georgeson & Company Inc.
88 Pine Street
30th Floor
New York, New York 10005
Phone Number (800) 223-2064
If you have additional questions about CCAIR's solicitation of your proxy,
you should contact:
Corporate Investor Communications, Inc.
111 Commerce Road
Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072-2586
Phone Number (877) 460-2556
or
CCAIR, INC.
4700 Yorkmont Road, 2nd Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
Phone Number: (704) 359-8990
Attention: Eric W. Montgomery
3
<PAGE> 12
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this document and does not
contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the
merger fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the
merger, you should read carefully this entire document and the documents to
which we have referred you. See "Where You Can Find More Information" (page 2).
We have included page references parenthetically to direct you to a more
complete description of the topics presented in this summary.
THE COMPANIES (SEE PAGE 70)
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
410 North 44th Street, Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
(602) 685-4000
Mesa Air and its subsidiaries is an independently owned regional airline serving
108 cities in 28 states, the District of Columbia, Toronto, Canada, and Guaymas
and Hermasillo, Mexico. Mesa Air operates a fleet of 112 aircraft and has
approximately 1,000 daily departures.
Mesa Air's airline operations are conducted by two regional airlines utilizing
hub-and-spoke systems. Mesa Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa
Air, operates as America West Express under a code-sharing agreement with
America West Airlines, Inc. and as US Airways Express under code-sharing
agreements with US Airways, Inc., and also operates an independent division,
Mesa Airlines, from a hub in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Air Midwest, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air, also operates under a code-sharing
agreement with US Airways and flies as US Airways Express.
MESA MERGER CORPORATION
410 North 44th Street, Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
(602) 685-4000
Mesa Merger Corporation is a Nevada corporation formed by Mesa Air on January
27, 1999 solely for use in the merger.
CCAIR, INC.
4700 Yorkmont Road, 2nd Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
(704) 359-8990
CCAIR is a Charlotte, North Carolina based regional air carrier providing
regularly scheduled passenger service to 25 cities in Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia,
primarily from a hub at the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. CCAIR
currently operates a fleet of 26 turboprop passenger aircraft with 1,463 weekly
departures scheduled over a route system covering primarily the Southeastern
United States. CCAIR was incorporated under Delaware law in July 1984 under the
name Sunbird Airlines 1984, Inc. for the purpose of purchasing substantially all
of the assets of Sunbird Airlines, Inc. CCAIR changed its name to CCAIR, Inc. in
January 1986.
OUR REASONS FOR THE MERGER
(SEE PAGE 31)
Mesa Air and CCAIR believe that the merger will benefit the shareholders of each
company by creating a new, stronger competitor within the airline industry.
Further, the merger will further Mesa Air's long-term business strategy of
expanding its operations to service routes not currently served by major air
carriers. These and other reasons for approving and recommending the merger, as
well as negative factors in considering the merger, are explained in greater
detail on pages 31 through 34 of this document.
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
(SEE PAGE 31)
TO MESA AIR SHAREHOLDERS:
THE MESA AIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE MERGER IS IN YOUR BEST
INTERESTS AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE
THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK TO CCAIR STOCKHOLDERS IN THE
MERGER.
4
<PAGE> 13
TO CCAIR STOCKHOLDERS:
THE CCAIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE MERGER IS IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS
AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AND ADOPT
THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
THE SPECIAL MEETINGS
(SEE PAGE 24)
THE MESA AIR SPECIAL MEETING:
Mesa Air shareholders owning shares of Mesa Air common stock at the close of
business on April 5, 1999, the record date, are entitled to vote at the Mesa Air
special meeting. On the record date, there were outstanding 28,369,081 shares of
Mesa Air common stock that are entitled to vote at the special meeting. At the
special meeting, the Mesa Air shareholders are being asked to:
- - approve the issuance of Mesa Air common stock in the merger,
- - elect nine directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders,
- - ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as Mesa Air's independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1999,
- - consider a proposal introduced by a shareholder to hire an investment banker
to sell Mesa Air, and
- - consider a proposal introduced by a shareholder to adopt cumulative voting.
THE CCAIR SPECIAL MEETING:
CCAIR stockholders owning shares of CCAIR common stock as of the close of
business on April 12, 1999, the record date, are entitled to vote at the CCAIR
special meeting. On the record date, there were outstanding 8,965,695 shares of
CCAIR common stock that are entitled to vote at the special meeting. At the
CCAIR special meeting, the CCAIR stockholders are being asked to approve and
adopt the merger agreement.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT (SEE PAGE 50)
The merger agreement is attached as Appendix A to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read the merger agreement because it
is the legal document governing the merger.
VOTING INFORMATION REGARDING MESA AIR AND CCAIR DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
(SEE PAGE 72)
As of the Mesa Air record date, Mesa Air directors and executive officers, as a
group, beneficially owned 981,522 shares, which represents approximately 3.5% of
the outstanding Mesa Air common stock entitled to vote at the Mesa Air special
meeting. All directors and executive officers of Mesa Air have indicated that
they will vote all outstanding shares of Mesa Air common stock owned by them for
approval of the above proposals to be voted on at the special meeting and
against the shareholder proposals to hire an investment banker and to adopt
cumulative voting.
As of the CCAIR record date, CCAIR directors and executive officers, as a group,
beneficially owned 619,167 shares, which represents approximately 6.9% of the
outstanding CCAIR common stock entitled to vote at the CCAIR special meeting.
All directors and executive officers of CCAIR have indicated that they will vote
all outstanding shares of CCAIR common stock owned by them for approval and
adoption of the merger agreement and the merger.
OWNERSHIP OF MESA AIR FOLLOWING THE MERGER
As a result of the merger, the maximum number of shares Mesa Air will issue is
approximately 5,571,283. We estimate that CCAIR stockholders will own
approximately 16.4% of the Mesa Air common stock outstanding based upon the
number of shares of Mesa Air common stock outstanding on April 5, 1999, and an
assumed exchange ratio of .6214. Using an assumed exchange ratio of .435, CCAIR
stockholders would own approximately 12.1% of the outstanding shares of Mesa Air
common stock following the merger.
5
<PAGE> 14
TREATMENT OF CCAIR STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (SEE PAGE 57)
Mesa Air will assume all outstanding CCAIR stock options and warrants to
purchase CCAIR common stock upon the closing of the merger. Each option and
warrant will be exercisable for Mesa Air common stock on the same terms as the
original option or warrant, subject in each case to adjustment for the actual
exchange ratio.
MARKETS AND MARKET PRICES (SEE PAGE 10)
Mesa Air common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"MESA." On January 28, 1999, the last trading day before the announcement that
Mesa Air and CCAIR entered into the merger agreement, the closing sale price of
Mesa Air common stock was reported at $9.063 per share. Following the merger,
Mesa Air common stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the same symbol.
CCAIR common stock is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol
"CCAR." On January 28, 1999, the last trading day before the announcement that
Mesa Air and CCAIR entered into the merger agreement, the closing sale price of
CCAIR common stock was reported at $3.6875 per share. Following the merger,
CCAIR common stock will no longer be traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or on
any other exchange.
The stock prices of both Mesa Air and CCAIR can fluctuate broadly even over
short periods of time. It is impossible to predict the actual price of Mesa Air
or CCAIR common stock prior to the effective time of the merger or at any other
time.
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS (SEE PAGE 57)
Mesa Air and CCAIR must each receive an opinion from legal counsel to Mesa Air
that the merger will be a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax
purposes and that, as a general matter, CCAIR stockholders should not be subject
to federal income tax as a result of the exchange of CCAIR stock in the merger.
Tax matters are complicated and the tax consequences of the merger to you will
depend on the facts of your own situation. You should consult your tax advisors
for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the merger to you.
FAIRNESS OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS
(SEE PAGE 38)
In deciding to approve the merger, the Mesa Air board of directors considered
the opinion of its financial advisor, The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC, that
from a financial point of view, the consideration to be paid by Mesa Air in the
merger is fair to the stockholders of Mesa Air. Mesa Air has attached the
opinion of Robinson-Humphrey as Appendix B to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. You should read Robinson-Humphrey's entire opinion
carefully.
In deciding to approve the merger, the CCAIR board of directors considered the
opinion of its financial advisor, Scott & Stringfellow, Inc., that from a
financial point of view the consideration to be received by the CCAIR
stockholders is fair. CCAIR has attached the opinion of Scott & Stringfellow as
Appendix C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should read Scott &
Stringfellow's entire opinion carefully.
INTERESTS OF CCAIR AND MESA AIR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS IN THE MERGER
(SEE PAGE 34)
The directors and executive officers of CCAIR hold options to acquire an
aggregate of 948,907 shares of CCAIR common stock. These options will be assumed
by Mesa Air following completion of the merger, subject to adjustment for the
actual exchange ratio. In addition, certain of the officers and directors of
Mesa Air and directors of CCAIR have an ownership interest in an entity, Barlow
Partners, L.P., that will be paid a fee equal to two percent of the aggregate
consideration paid in this merger transaction.
6
<PAGE> 15
Assuming a transaction value of $54.0 million, Barlow would be entitled to a fee
of $1,080,000. Further, Barlow Partners owns 538,617 shares of CCAIR common
stock and a warrant to acquire 150,000 shares of CCAIR common stock. Finally,
certain directors of CCAIR have the right to acquire an aggregate of 86,250
shares of CCAIR common stock under presently exercisable warrants. The Barlow
warrant and the warrants held by CCAIR directors will also be assumed by Mesa
Air following completion of the merger, subject to adjustment for the actual
exchange ratio.
VOTES REQUIRED (SEE PAGE 24)
A majority of the outstanding shares of Mesa Air common stock on the Mesa Air
record date must vote to approve the issuance of Mesa Air common stock in the
merger and the shareholder proposal to adopt cumulative voting. A majority of
the votes cast by shareholders at the Mesa Air special meeting must vote to
approve the other shareholder proposal and the proposal to ratify the selection
of KPMG LLP as Mesa Air's independent auditors. The nine director nominees
receiving a plurality of votes by shares represented and entitled to vote at the
special meeting will be elected as Mesa Air directors. A majority of the issued
and outstanding shares of Mesa Air common stock entitled to vote must be
present, either in person or by proxy, for any vote to be valid.
A majority of the outstanding shares of CCAIR common stock on the CCAIR record
date must vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement.
REGULATORY APPROVALS (SEE PAGE 59)
U.S. antitrust laws prohibit us from completing the merger until we have
furnished certain information and materials to the Antitrust Division of the
U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and a required
waiting period has expired. Mesa Air and CCAIR have each filed the required
notification and report forms with the Federal Trade Commission and the
Antitrust Division. Even though the required waiting period has expired, the
Antitrust Division and Federal Trade Commission continue to have the authority
to challenge the merger on antitrust grounds before or after we complete the
merger.
The companies must also obtain the approval of the U.S. Department of
Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration before completing the
merger.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT (SEE PAGE 59)
We expect the merger to be accounted for as a pooling of interests, which means
that we will treat our companies as if they had always been combined for
accounting and financial reporting purposes.
MANAGEMENT AFTER THE MERGER
(SEE PAGE 70)
Following the merger, the executive officers of Mesa Air will remain unchanged.
The directors of the surviving corporation immediately after the closing of the
merger will be: Kenneth W. Gann, Michael J. Lotz and Steven E. Markhoff. The
officers of the surviving corporation immediately after the closing of the
merger will be Kenneth W. Gann -- President; Eric W. Montgomery -- Treasurer;
and Steven E. Markhoff -- Secretary.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL (SEE
PAGE 61)
Neither Mesa Air shareholders nor CCAIR stockholders have dissenters' rights of
appraisal in connection with the merger.
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF CCAIR STOCKHOLDERS BEFORE AND AFTER THE MERGER (SEE PAGE
77)
The rights of the stockholders of CCAIR are currently governed by Delaware law
and by CCAIR's certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Upon the closing of the
merger, CCAIR stockholders will become shareholders of Mesa Air, a Nevada
corporation. As shareholders of Mesa Air, your rights will be governed by Nevada
law and by Mesa Air's articles of incorporation and bylaws. There are various
differences between the rights of CCAIR stockholders and the rights of holders
of Mesa Air common stock.
7
<PAGE> 16
SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
Mesa Air and CCAIR are providing the following financial information to help you
in your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger. As this information is
only a summary, you should read it in conjunction with the historical financial
statements, and related notes of Mesa Air and CCAIR contained in the annual
reports and other information that Mesa Air and CCAIR have filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. For the location of additional financial
information regarding Mesa Air and CCAIR see "Where You Can Find More
Information" on page 2.
The selected historical financial data of Mesa Air for the five years ended
September 30, 1998 presented below have been derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements. The selected financial data of Mesa Air
presented below for the three month periods ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 and
as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, are derived from unaudited consolidated
financial statements of Mesa Air incorporated by reference elsewhere herein.
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997(2) 1998(2) 1997(2) 1996 1995 1994
------------ ------------ -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues............... $ 77,120 $124,559 $423,541 $510,977 $500,363 $455,139 $396,134
Operating expenses............... 70,914 160,386 468,329 565,463 452,369 425,567 347,760
Operating income (loss).......... 6,206 (35,827) (44,788) (54,486) 47,994 29,572 48,374
Interest expense................. 4,325 6,234 22,508 27,776 12,777 6,395 7,916
Other income (expense)........... 404 459 6,100 3,087 14,302 (156) 3,534
Earnings (loss) before income
taxes.......................... 2,285 (41,602) (61,196) (79,175) 49,519 23,021 43,992
Net earnings (loss).............. $ 2,285 $(39,091) $(53,434) $(48,597) $ 30,407 $ 14,012 $ 27,688
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net earnings (loss) per share --
basic.......................... $ .08 $ (1.38) $ (1.89) $ (1.72) $ 1.01 $ 0.43 $ 0.78
Net earnings (loss) per share --
diluted........................ $ .08 $ (1.38) $ (1.89) $ (1.72) $ 1.00 $ 0.42 $ 0.76
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.................. $ 10,053 $ 65,429 $ 3,371 $ 68,561 $ 70,860 $115,378 $134,186
Total assets..................... 470,871 635,757 470,952 679,866 678,491 446,722 419,902
Long-term debt, excluding current
portion........................ 231,111 333,864 234,475 338,199 338,278 78,411 91,722
Stockholders' equity............. 123,654 140,014 121,099 177,088 224,666 255,883 234,316
Net book value per share......... $ 4.36 $ 4.95 $ 4.27 $ 6.26 $ 7.96 $ 7.53 $ 7.16
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE> 17
The selected financial data of CCAIR presented below have been derived from the
audited consolidated financial statements for the respective periods. The
selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements of CCAIR, the related notes and the audit report, which
refers to a change to the accrual method of accounting for the major component
overhauls appearing elsewhere herein.
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF CCAIR, INC.
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS
YEAR ENDED ENDED
------------ ------------ YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, -------------------------------------
1998 1997(3) 1997 1996 1995 1994
------------ ------------ ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues...................... $ 71,325 $ 32,836 $68,487 $66,233 $63,039 $62,092
Operating expenses...................... 66,969 43,540 67,092 65,347 62,486 65,969
Operating income (loss)................. 4,356 (10,704) 1,395 886 553 (3,877)
Interest expense........................ 1,073 (641) (742) (761) (920) (819)
Other income (expense).................. 97 27 8 (11) 5 (60)
Income (loss) before income taxes....... 3,380 (11,318) 661 114 (362) (4,756)
Income (loss) before cumulative effect
of a change in accounting principle... 3,380 (11,318) 520 96 (362) (4,756)
Cumulative effect on prior years (to
June 30, 1997) of changing to the
accrual method for major component
overhauls............................. (12,982) -- -- -- --
Net income (loss)....................... $ 3,380 $(24,300) $ 520 $ 96 $ (362) $(4,756)
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share -- basic.... $ .40 $ (3.10) $ .07 $ .01 $ (.05) $ (.68)
Net income (loss) per
share -- diluted...................... $ .36 $ (3.10) $ .07 $ .01 $ (.05) $ (.68)
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= =======
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Current assets.......................... $ 10,199 $ 8,751 $13,458 $14,165 $ 9,713 $11,242
Current liabilities..................... 15,324 25,651 16,998 15,525 10,272 11,937
Total assets............................ 15,166 12,140 27,971 27,130 22,153 24,629
Long-term debt, less current portion.... 10,625 2,642 3,346 4,010 4,876 5,902
Shareholders' equity (deficit).......... $(11,016) $(16,154) $ 6,357 $ 5,837 $ 5,032 $ 5,372
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Mesa Air financial statements are on a fiscal year beginning on October 1
and ending on September 30. Effective December 31, 1997, CCAIR changed its
reporting fiscal year end from June 30th to December 31st.
(2) Mesa Air's 1997 and 1998 results include effects of the loss of its code
share agreement with United Airlines. This resulted in approximately $106
million of restructuring provisions, $72 million in the fourth quarter of
1997 and $34 million in the first quarter of 1998 (December 31, 1997).
(3) In the period ended December 31, 1997, CCAIR changed its accounting method
for major component overhauls resulting in a $12.9 million charge. In
addition CCAIR had restructuring cost totaling $9.9 million in the period.
9
<PAGE> 18
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA
Mesa Air common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"MESA." CCAIR common stock trades on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol
"CCAR." The following table presents historical trading information for Mesa Air
common stock and CCAIR common stock for the periods presented. Mesa Air's fiscal
year ends on September 30. In 1997, CCAIR changed its fiscal year end from June
30 to December 31.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MESA AIR
COMMON STOCK
----------------
HIGH LOW
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
1996
First Quarter...................................... $10.75 $ 8.00
Second Quarter..................................... 13.25 7.75
Third Quarter...................................... 13.88 10.38
Fourth Quarter..................................... 12.13 8.44
1997
First Quarter...................................... 10.50 6.44
Second Quarter..................................... 7.63 5.44
Third Quarter...................................... 6.50 4.69
Fourth Quarter..................................... 6.63 5.00
1998
First Quarter...................................... 6.88 4.94
Second Quarter..................................... 9.40 5.25
Third Quarter...................................... 8.86 7.50
Fourth Quarter..................................... 8.31 4.67
1999
First Quarter...................................... 8.25 3.88
Second Quarter..................................... 9.61 5.75
Third Quarter (through April 27, 1999)............. 8.00 6.19
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE> 19
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CCAIR
COMMON STOCK
----------------
HIGH LOW
----- -----
<S> <C> <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
First Quarter...................................... $3.94 $2.25
Second Quarter..................................... 2.63 1.88
Third Quarter...................................... 2.38 1.50
Fourth Quarter..................................... 2.38 1.63
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
First Quarter...................................... 3.31 1.44
Second Quarter..................................... 3.06 1.44
Third Quarter...................................... 2.03 1.69
Fourth Quarter..................................... 2.00 1.81
1997 TRANSITION PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
First Quarter...................................... 3.47 1.88
Second Quarter..................................... 4.06 2.31
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
First Quarter...................................... 3.75 2.63
Second Quarter..................................... 4.50 3.00
Third Quarter...................................... 5.38 3.25
Fourth Quarter..................................... 3.88 2.69
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
First Quarter...................................... 3.88 2.88
Second Quarter (through April 27, 1999)............ 3.88 3.00
</TABLE>
On April 26, 1999, there were approximately 1,194 record holders of Mesa Air
common stock and approximately 343 record holders of CCAIR common stock. Mesa
Air has never paid cash dividends on its common stock. The policy of Mesa Air is
to retain earnings for use in its business. CCAIR has never paid cash dividends
on its common stock. The policy of CCAIR is to retain earnings for use in its
business. Following the merger, Mesa Air intends to retain future earnings for
use in the combined business and does not expect to declare and pay any
dividends in the foreseeable future.
The following table sets forth the closing sale price per share of Mesa Air
common stock on the Nasdaq National Market, the closing sale price per share of
CCAIR common stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and the estimated equivalent
per share price, as explained below, of CCAIR common stock on January 28, 1999,
the last trading day before the public announcement of the execution of the
merger agreement, and on April , 1999, the last trading day prior to the date
of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED
EQUIVALENT
MESA AIR CCAIR CCAIR PER
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK SHARE PRICE
------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
January 28, 1999............. $9.06 $3.69 $4.35
April , 1999...............
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE> 20
The estimated equivalent per share price of a share of CCAIR common stock
represents 0.51 of the price of a share of Mesa Air common stock. 0.51 is the
fraction of a share of Mesa Air common stock that you would have had the right
to receive if the CCAIR special meeting had taken place on January 28, 1999,
when the average closing price of Mesa Air common stock for the ten trading days
up to and including the second trading day before January 28, 1999, was $8.525.
The actual fraction of Mesa Air common stock that you will have the right to
receive if the merger closes may be different than this fraction because the
average closing price on the Nasdaq National Market for Mesa Air common stock
fluctuates continuously.
You should get a current market quotation for Mesa Air common stock and compare
it to the average closing price for Mesa Air common stock used in this table and
in the table on the following page.
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA
The following tables set forth book values, dividends and earnings (loss) per
share on a historical basis, a pro forma basis and on a pro forma equivalent per
share basis. The pro forma information gives effect to the merger accounted for
as a pooling of interests, which means that after the merger Mesa Air will treat
the companies as if they had always been combined for accounting and financial
reporting purposes. The companies may have performed differently if they had
always been combined. You should not rely on the pro forma information as being
indicative of the historical results that the companies would have had or the
results that Mesa Air will experience in the future. Further, CCAIR stockholders
will receive a fraction of a share of Mesa Air common stock equivalent in value
to $4.35 in the event the value of Mesa Air common stock falls between $7.00 and
$10.00.
The pro forma combined comparative per share data should be read together with
each company's historical financial statements, and related notes, contained in
their reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
USING AN ASSUMED VALUE OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK OF $7.00 OR LESS RESULTING IN AN
ASSUMED EXCHANGE RATIO OF .6214 AND AN ASSUMED VALUE OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK OF
$10.00 OR GREATER RESULTING IN AN ASSUMED EXCHANGE RATIO OF .435
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
THREE MONTHS SEPTEMBER 30,
ENDED -----------------------
.6214 RATIO: DECEMBER 31, 1998 1998 1997 1996
- ------------ ----------------- ------ ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net earnings (loss) per common share
before cumulative effect of accounting
change:
Historical Mesa Air.................... $ .08 $(1.89) $(1.72) $1.00
Historical CCAIR....................... $ (.04) $(1.07) $ .07 $ .01
Pro forma combined..................... $ .05 $(2.03) $(1.52) $ .86
Pro forma equivalent................... $ .03 $(1.26) $ (.94) $ .53
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE> 21
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
1998
-------------
<S> <C>
Book value per common share:
Historical Mesa Air....................................... $ 4.36
Historical CCAIR.......................................... $(1.23)
Pro forma combined........................................ $ 3.26
Pro forma equivalent...................................... $ 2.03
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
THREE MONTHS SEPTEMBER 30,
ENDED -----------------------
.435 RATIO: DECEMBER 31, 1998 1998 1997 1996
- ----------- ----------------- ------ ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net earnings (loss) per common share
before cumulative effect of accounting
change:
Historical Mesa Air.................... $ .08 $(1.89) $(1.72) $1.00
Historical CCAIR....................... $ (.04) $(1.07) $ .07 $ .01
Pro forma combined..................... $ .06 $(2.12) $(1.59) $ .89
Pro forma equivalent................... $ .02 $ (.92) $ (.69) $ .39
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
1998
-------------
<S> <C>
Book value per common share:
Historical Mesa Air....................................... $ 4.36
Historical CCAIR.......................................... $(1.23)
Pro forma combined........................................ $ 3.43
Pro forma equivalent...................................... $ 1.49
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE> 22
RISK FACTORS
The following factors should be considered carefully by the CCAIR stockholders
in evaluating whether to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger and
by the Mesa Air shareholders in evaluating whether to approve the issuance of
Mesa Air common stock in the merger and the other Mesa Air proposals being
presented at the Mesa Air special meeting. These factors should be considered
together with any additional risk factors in documents incorporated by reference
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and any other information included or
incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including
forward-looking statements made in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. For a
description of the documents incorporated by reference see "Where You Can Find
More Information" at page 2.
RISKS RELATING TO THE MERGER
IF OUR STOCK PRICE FLUCTUATES DOWNWARD DUE TO GENERAL MARKET VOLATILITY, THE
VALUE OF YOUR MESA AIR SHARES WILL DECREASE
As a result of the merger, each outstanding share of CCAIR common stock will be
converted into the right to receive between .435 and .6214 of a share of Mesa
Air common stock. The stock market has experienced significant price and volume
fluctuations that have affected the market prices of equity securities of
companies in the airline industry and that often have been unrelated to the
operating performance of such companies. In recent years, and particularly in
recent months, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations. The broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market
price of Mesa Air common stock. The value of Mesa Air common stock at the time
of the CCAIR special meeting, the date of completion of the merger, the date
that CCAIR stockholders receive shares of Mesa Air common stock, the date that
stockholders eventually sell Mesa Air shares or at any other time, may be
significantly different than the price of Mesa Air common stock today. The fact
that the minimum exchange ratio is .435 and the maximum exchange ratio is .6214,
regardless of the market price of Mesa Air common stock, at closing, means that
there is no guarantee as to the value of the consideration to be received by
CCAIR stockholders in the merger. See "Comparative Market Price Data and
Dividend Data on page 16 for a table showing the recent volatility of the market
price of Mesa Air common stock. CCAIR stockholders should obtain recent market
quotations for Mesa Air common stock and CCAIR common stock and understand the
exchange ratio being offered in the merger.
IF CCAIR PERSONNEL LEAVE FOLLOWING THE MERGER AND ARE NOT SUCCESSFULLY OR TIMELY
REPLACED, THE REVENUE OF THE COMBINED COMPANIES COULD DECREASE
After the merger, Mesa Air intends to operate CCAIR as a separate subsidiary,
with the exception of the integration of certain redundant management and
administrative functions. Except for the assumption of existing employment
agreements and stock options, Mesa Air has not offered any incentives to CCAIR
executive officers or management personnel to remain with CCAIR following the
merger. However, in order to avoid the departure of key CCAIR employees, CCAIR
intends to enter into agreements to pay bonuses in the aggregate amount of
$200,000 to such key employees, provided such employees remain employed until
July 31, 1999. Should key CCAIR personnel leave CCAIR because of the merger,
such departures could result in the diversion of the attention of Mesa Air's
management from the affairs of Mesa Air until such time as suitable replacements
are found. Such difficulties in the transition process could have a material
adverse impact on the combined companies. If Mesa Air is not able to
successfully replace any departing
14
<PAGE> 23
executive officers or management personnel, the operations of CCAIR may be
adversely affected and Mesa Air's expectations for its future results of
operations may not be met.
RISKS RELATING TO MESA AIR'S AND CCAIR'S BUSINESS
IF ANY OF OUR CODE-SHARING PARTNERS CANCEL THEIR AGREEMENTS WITH US, OUR REVENUE
WOULD DECLINE SIGNIFICANTLY
The cancellation of any of Mesa Air's or CCAIR's code-sharing agreements would
have a material adverse effect on the combined company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. Mesa Air has entered into code-sharing
agreements with America West and US Airways. CCAIR also has entered into a
code-sharing agreement with US Airways. In fiscal 1998, Mesa Air derived
approximately 23% and 70% of its consolidated revenues from the America West and
US Airways agreements, respectively. In fiscal 1998, CCAIR derived approximately
100% of its revenues from its code-share agreements. These agreements allow use
of the code-sharing partners' reservation system and flight designator code to
identify flights and fares in the computer reservation system, permit use of the
logo, service marks, exterior aircraft paint schemes and uniforms similar to the
code-sharing partners', and provide coordinated and joint advertising. These
agreements can be canceled by either party, provided the requisite notice
provisions are met. Although no notice has been given to date that any party
intends to cancel these contracts, there can be no assurance that they will not
serve notice at a later date of their intention to cancel, forcing either Mesa
Air or CCAIR to stop selling those routes with the major airline partners' code
and potentially reducing traffic and revenue.
IF OUR CODE-SHARING PARTNERS OR OTHER US AIRWAYS EXPRESS CARRIERS EXPERIENCE
EVENTS THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT THEIR OPERATIONS, OUR OPERATIONS ALSO MAY BE
NEGATIVELY IMPACTED
Any events having a long-term effect on the use of America West or US Airways by
airline travelers, such as strikes or airline tragedies, would likely have a
material adverse effect on the combined companies' business, financial condition
and results of operations. In addition, any negative events that occur to other
US Airways Express carriers and that affect public perception of such carriers
generally could have a material adverse effect on the combined companies'
business, financial condition and results of operations.
IF WE INCUR PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF OUR THIRD PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS, OUR
OPERATIONS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY A RESULTING DECLINE IN REVENUE OR
NEGATIVE PUBLIC PERCEPTION ABOUT OUR SERVICES
Mesa Air's and CCAIR's reliance upon others to provide essential services on
behalf of their respective operations may result in the relative inability to
control the efficiency and timeliness of contract services. Mesa Air and CCAIR
have each entered into agreements with contractors to provide various facilities
and services required for its operations, including aircraft maintenance, ground
facilities, baggage handling and personnel training. It is likely that similar
agreements will be entered into in any new markets these companies decide to
serve. All of these agreements are subject to termination after notice. Any
material problems with the efficiency and timeliness of contract services could
have a material adverse effect on the combined companies' business, financial
condition and results of operations.
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IF RECENT CHANGES IN OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT ARE UNSUCCESSFUL, WE MAY INCUR
LOSSES IN THE FUTURE
Since 1997, Mesa Air has made a number of changes in its management and
operations in an effort to improve its results of operations, including the
following:
- - Appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer.
- - Election of six new members to its board of directors.
- - Moving its corporate headquarters from Albuquerque to Phoenix.
No assurance can be given that any one or more of these changes will not
adversely affect Mesa Air's business, financial condition or results of
operations.
IF COMPETITION IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY INCREASES, WE MAY EXPERIENCE A DECLINE IN
REVENUE
Increased competition in the airline industry as well as competitive pressure on
the companies' code-sharing partners or in Mesa Air's and/or CCAIR's markets
could have a material adverse effect on the combined components' business,
financial condition and results of operation. The airline industry is highly
competitive. The earnings of many of the airlines have historically been
volatile. From 1990 to 1994, the airline industry experienced significant losses
due to high fuel costs, general economic conditions, intense price competition
and other factors. Airlines compete on the basis of pricing, scheduling,
including frequency and flight times, on-time performance, frequent flyer
programs and other services. The airline industry is susceptible to price
discounting, which involves the offering of discount or promotional fares to
passengers. Any such fares offered by one airline are normally matched by
competing airlines, which may result in lower revenue per passenger, i.e., lower
yields, without a corresponding increase in traffic levels. Also, in recent
years several new carriers have entered the industry, typically with low cost
structures. In some cases, new entrants have initiated or triggered price
discounting. The entry of additional new carriers in any of Mesa Air's or
CCAIR's markets, as well as increased competition from or the introduction of
new services by established carriers, could negatively impact the combined
companies financial condition and results of operations.
Mesa Air's reliance on its code-share agreements with its major airline partners
for the majority of its revenue means that the combined companies must rely on
the ability of both US Airways and America West to adequately promote their
respective services and to maintain their respective market share. Competitive
pressures by low-fare carriers and price discounting among major airlines could
have a material adverse effect on US Airways and America West and therefore
adversely affect the combined companies' business, financial condition and
results of operations. In addition, Mesa Air is the exclusive America West
Express operator. However, there are several airlines that operate as US Airways
Express. To the extent that Mesa Air cannot provide safe, reliable and
competitive service as US Airways Express, US Airways could assign Mesa Air
routes to other US Airways Express carriers.
Most of Mesa Air's and CCAIR's markets are highly competitive and are served by
larger carriers with substantially greater financial resources than Mesa Air. At
its hubs, Mesa Air's and CCAIR's principal competitors are other regional
code-sharing partners or established affiliates of the other major airlines,
such as Delta Express, United Express, other US Airways Express carriers and
American Eagle. A number of Mesa Air's and
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CCAIR's larger competitors have proprietary reservation systems providing them
with a competitive advantage.
The result of operations in the air travel business historically fluctuate in
response to general economic conditions. The airline industry is sensitive to
changes in economic conditions that affect business and leisure travel and is
highly susceptible to unforeseen events, such as political instability, regional
hostilities, recession, fuel price increases, inflation, adverse weather
conditions or other adverse occurrences that result in a decline in air travel.
Any event that results in decreased travel or increased competition among
airlines could have a material adverse effect on the combined companies'
business, financial condition and results of operations.
WE MAY INCUR DIFFICULTIES MEETING FUTURE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS IF WE ARE REQUIRED
TO FINANCE OUR OPERATIONS BY INCURRING ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS
At September 30, 1998, Mesa Air had $234.4 million of long-term indebtedness
secured by aircraft and capital leases, including current maturities. Mesa Air
does not have available significant assets which it could borrow against and
thus may be less able than many of its competitors to withstand adverse industry
conditions or a prolonged economic recession. In addition, at September 30,
1998, Mesa Air had firm commitments for a total of 16 aircraft for delivery
between September 30, 1998 and the first fiscal quarter of 2000. The aircraft
manufacturer, Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, is providing interim
financing and has agreed to provide back-up financing at agreed upon rates if
Mesa Air is not successful in obtaining permanent financing. The interest rate,
but not the commitment, is subject to there being no material adverse change in
Mesa Air's creditworthiness.
IF OUR OPERATING COSTS INCREASE AS OUR AIRCRAFT FLEET AGES AND WE ARE UNABLE TO
PASS ALONG SUCH COSTS, OUR EARNINGS WILL DECREASE
As Mesa Air's and CCAIR's fleet of aircraft age, the cost of maintaining such
aircraft, if not replaced, will likely increase. There can be no assurance that
costs of maintenance, including costs to comply with aging aircraft
requirements, will not materially increase in the future. Any material increase
in such costs could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition and results of operations of the combined companies. Because many
aircraft components are required to be replaced after specified numbers of
flight hours or take-off and landing cycles and because new aviation technology
may be required to be retrofitted, in general, the cost to maintain aging
aircraft will exceed the cost to maintain newer aircraft. Mesa Air and CCAIR
believe that the cost to maintain its aircraft in the long-term will be
consistent with industry experience for these aircraft types and ages used by
comparable airlines. Amendments to FAA regulations are under consideration which
would require certain heavy maintenance checks and other additional maintenance
requirements for aircraft operating beyond certain operational limits. While the
proposed amendments do not currently affect Mesa Air's and CCAIR's fleets, they
may be amended in the future to include aircraft operated by them. In addition,
both Mesa Air and CCAIR will be required to comply with any other future
regulations or Airworthiness Directives issued with respect to aging aircraft
applicable to the aircraft types operated by them.
Mesa Air and CCAIR believe that their aircraft are mechanically reliable based
on the percentage of scheduled flights completed. However, there can be no
assurance that such aircraft will continue to be sufficiently reliable over
longer periods of time. Furthermore, any public perception that Mesa Air's and
CCAIR's aircraft are less than completely
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reliable could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition and results of operations of the combined companies.
IF WE EXPERIENCE A LACK OF LABOR AVAILABILITY OR STRIKES, IT COULD RESULT IN A
DECREASE IN REVENUES DUE TO THE CANCELLATION OF FLIGHTS
The operation of Mesa Air and CCAIR is significantly dependent on the
availability of qualified employees, including, specifically, flight crews,
mechanics and avionics specialists. Historically, regional airlines have
experienced high pilot turnover from time to time as a result of major air
carriers hiring experienced commercial pilots away from regional carriers.
Further, the addition of aircraft, especially new aircraft types, can result in
pilots upgrading between aircraft types and becoming unavailable for duty during
the required extensive training periods. There can be no assurance that the
combined companies will be able to maintain an adequate supply of qualified
personnel or that labor expenses will not increase as a result of a shortage in
supply of such workers.
At December 31, 1998, Mesa Air and CCAIR had approximately 3,145 employees, a
significant number of whom are members of various labor unions, including the
Air Line Pilots Association, the Association of Flight Attendants and the
International Association of Machinists. The companies are parties to a number
of different collective bargaining agreements which expire at various dates
within the next five years. The inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with
existing unions as agreements expire or with new unions could result in work
stoppages by the affected workers, lost revenues resulting from the cancellation
of flights and increased operating costs as a result of higher wages or benefits
paid to union members. The combined companies cannot predict which, if any,
other employee groups may seek union representation or the outcome or the terms
of any future collective bargaining agreement and therefore the effect, if any,
on the financial condition and results of operations of the post-merger company.
If negotiations with unions over collective bargaining agreements prove to be
unsuccessful, following specified "cooling off " periods, the unions may
initiate a work action, including a strike, which could have a material adverse
effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the
combined company.
IF AIRCRAFT FUEL COSTS WERE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE, IT WOULD RESULT IN A
DECREASE IN EARNINGS
Aircraft fuel costs constitute approximately eleven percent of Mesa Air's total
operating expenses during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, and
approximately seven and one-half percent of CCAIR's total operating expenses
during CCAIR's fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. Accordingly, a substantial
increase in the price of jet fuel or the lack of adequate fuel supplies in the
future would have an adverse effect on the combined companies' financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, CCAIR pays service fees in
some of its markets where neither CCAIR nor US Airways operates the station.
These fees significantly increase the cost of fuel in the aircraft and there may
not be any other source of supply. Any increase in these service fees would also
have an adverse effect on the combined companies' financial condition and
results of operations.
Mesa Air and CCAIR purchase their fuel from petroleum refiners and suppliers on
standard trade terms under master agreements. Standard industry contracts do not
generally provide protection against fuel price increases, nor do they ensure
availability of supply. Although both companies are currently able to obtain
adequate supplies of jet fuel, future supplies and price trends may change as a
result of political developments in
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relevant countries, regional production patterns, environmental concerns and
other unpredictable events.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO PASS ALONG INCREASED AVIATION TAXES, IT WOULD RESULT IN A
DECREASE IN EARNINGS
On August 5, 1997 President Clinton signed into law new aviation ticket taxes to
be imposed through September 30, 2007. As a result of competitive pressures,
Mesa Air, CCAIR and other airlines may be limited in their ability to pass on
the cost of these taxes to passengers through increases. The inability of the
combined companies to pass along these costs may result in decreased revenues.
IF ADDITIONAL SECURITY AND SAFETY MEASURES REGULATIONS ARE ADOPTED, WE MAY INCUR
INCREASED OPERATING COSTS AND A DECREASE IN EARNINGS
Congress recently adopted increased safety and security measures designed to
increase airline passenger security and protect against terrorist acts. Such
measures have resulted in additional operating costs to the airline industry.
The Aviation Safety Commission's report recommends the adoption of further
measures aimed at improving the safety and security of air travel. Mesa Air
cannot forecast what additional security and safety requirements may be imposed
on its combined operations in the future or the costs or revenue impact that
would be associated with complying with such requirements, although such costs
and revenue impact could be significant.
IF NEW AIRLINE REGULATIONS ARE PASSED OR ARE IMPOSED UPON OUR OPERATIONS, WE MAY
INCUR INCREASED OPERATING COSTS AND A DECREASE IN EARNINGS
Laws and regulations, such as those described below, have been proposed from
time to time that could significantly increase the cost of Mesa Air's operations
by imposing additional requirements or restrictions on its operations. Mesa Air
cannot predict what laws and regulations will be adopted or what changes to air
transportation agreements will be effected, if any, or how they will affect Mesa
Air, and there can be no assurance that laws or regulations currently proposed
or enacted in the future will not increase Mesa Air's operating expenses and
therefore adversely affect Mesa Air's financial condition and results of
operations.
As interstate air carriers, Mesa Air and CCAIR are subject to the economic
jurisdiction, regulation and continuing air carrier fitness requirements of the
Department of Transportation, which include required levels of financial,
managerial and regulatory fitness. The DOT is authorized to establish consumer
protection regulations to prevent unfair methods of competition and deceptive
practices, to prohibit certain pricing practices, to inspect a carrier's books,
properties and records, to mandate conditions of carriage and to suspend an air
carriers fitness to operate. The DOT also has the power to bring proceedings for
the enforcement of air carrier economic regulations, including the assessment of
civil penalties, and to seek criminal sanctions.
Mesa Air and CCAIR are also subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation
Administration with respect to its aircraft maintenance and operations,
including equipment, ground facilities, dispatch, communication, training,
weather observation, flight personnel and other matters affecting air safety. To
ensure compliance with its regulations, the FAA requires airlines to obtain an
operating certificate, which is subject to suspension or revocation for cause,
and provides for regular inspections.
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As a result of a special review by the FAA of Mesa Air's operations, and other
factors, a Consent Order was signed with the FAA in September 1996, assessing a
compromise civil penalty of $500,000. Mesa Air paid $250,000 of the compromise
amount, and the remaining $250,000 was waived after Mesa Air complied with
provisions of the Consent Order by September 30, 1997. Mesa Air agreed to adopt
operational standards that exceed the requirements of the Federal Aviation
Regulations and consolidate control of operational areas, including maintenance,
flight operation and training, under one central management team.
Effective in March 1997, the FAA required regional airlines with aircraft of 10
or more passenger seats to transition from operations pursuant to FAR Part 135
regulations to FAR Part 121 regulations. Mesa Air, one of the largest regional
airlines operating under FAR Part 135 regulations, completed the transition to
Part 121 on the FAA's deadline. These requirements have resulted in increases in
Mesa Air's costs, affecting Mesa Air's ability to profitably serve various
markets. Such increased costs are primarily related to additional training,
dispatch and maintenance procedures. Efforts are being made to minimize the cost
of these new operating procedures while fully complying with FAR Part 121
operating requirements.
OUR OPERATIONS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE YEAR
2000 ISSUE
Many currently installed computer systems, imbedded microchips and software
products are coded to accept two digits entries in the date code field. These
date code fields will need to accept four digit entries to distinguish 21st
century dates from 20th century dates. Any programs that have time sensitive
software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year
2000. This could result in the computer shutting down or performing incorrect
computations. As a result, in less than nine months, computer systems and
software used by many companies will need to be upgraded to comply with such
"Year 2000" requirements. Some of Mesa Air's systems, including information and
computer systems and automated equipment, will be affected by the Year 2000
issue.
Mesa Air has begun to compile a comprehensive inventory of its core business
applications to determine the adequacy of these systems to meet future business
requirements. Mesa's evaluation of its state of readiness is approximately 50%
complete, with completion of the evaluation scheduled for late March 1999. After
this evaluation is complete, testing and system upgrades will begin. To date,
Mesa Air's Year 2000 remediation efforts have focused on its core business
computer applications, such as those systems that Mesa is dependent upon for the
conduct of day-to-day business operations. Year 2000 readiness is only one of
many factors considered in this assessment. Out of this effort, a number of
systems have already been identified for upgrade or replacement. In no case has
a system been replaced or contemplated to be replaced solely because of Year
2000 issues, although in some cases the timing of system replacements is being
accelerated. Accordingly, Mesa Air does not believe the costs of these system
replacements are specifically Year 2000 related. Additionally, while Mesa Air
may have incurred an opportunity cost for addressing the Year 2000 issue, it
does not believe that any specific information technology projects have been
deferred as a result of its Year 2000 efforts.
Mesa Air's reservation systems are tied to its code-sharing partners, US Airways
and America West. Mesa Air representatives have met with the reservation system
providers and are engaged in on-going discussions regarding their Year 2000
progress. Mesa Air has installed an upgraded version of its current accounting
system which is represented by the
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vendor to be Year 2000 compliant but has not yet been tested. A new flight
operations software package which will handle crew scheduling and dispatch is
currently being installed to replace an in-house system and is expected to be
Year 2000 compliant after implementation of a vendor supplied upgrade. Mesa Air
has had extensive discussions with the manufacturers of its various aircraft to
discuss Year 2000 issues and identify the required avionics and flight systems
upgrades which will be implemented during 1999. The aircraft manufacturers are
also required to report the Year 2000 status of their aircraft to the FAA. Mesa
currently has two employees devoted full-time to Year 2000 issues -- one in
Information Technology and one in Mesa Air's Maintenance department. Projects
are currently underway to evaluate the remaining systems, including tracking of
maintenance parts, revenue accounting and payroll, and replace them if needed,
with implementations and testing scheduled for the remainder of calendar year
1999. As with systems that have already been replaced, Mesa Air does not believe
the costs of these replacements are specifically Year 2000 related, but were
part of a larger system upgrade. As of March 1, 1999, Mesa Air has spent
approximately $1 million on all of these upgrades, and anticipates another $1
million in expenditures to complete its system upgrade, both for those related
to Year 2000 issues and those accelerated because of Year 2000 concerns. Mesa
Air expects to incur costs to replace or repair some of its systems, but it has
not at this time quantified the amount of these costs.
Mesa Air is currently assessing other potential Year 2000 issues, including
non-information technology systems. A broad-based Year 2000 task force is being
formed by Mesa Air and will begin meeting to identify areas of concern and
develop action plans. Mesa Air has also been meeting with similar task forces at
America West, US Airways and SABRE. Also as part of the task force effort, Mesa
Air's relationships with vendors, contractors, financial institutions and other
third parties will be examined to determine the status of the Year 2000 issue
efforts on the part of the other parties to material relationships. The Year
2000 task force will include both internal and company-external representation.
Mesa Air expects to incur Year 2000-specific costs in the future but does not at
present anticipate that these costs will be material. Mesa Air believes that the
most reasonably likely worst-case scenario for the Year 2000 issue would be that
Mesa Air or the third parties with whom it has relationships would cease or not
successfully complete their Year 2000 remediation efforts. If this were to
occur, Mesa Air would encounter disruptions to its business that could have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial position and results of
operations. Mesa Air could be materially impacted by widespread economic or
financial market disruption or by Year 2000 computer system failures. Mesa Air
is in the process of assessing the state of readiness of its business partners.
If some of its business partners are not compliant and have wide-spread system
failures, it could adversely affect Mesa Air's business resulting in the loss of
revenue due to flight cancellations and incremental expenses to address such
problems.
The failure of Mesa Air's code-sharing partners to fully upgrade their
reservations systems and the failure of SABRE to fully upgrade its system could
result in the inability of Mesa Air to collect revenue for passengers who have
flown on Mesa Air, and, as a result, could materially adversely affect Mesa
Air's cash flow.
Mesa Air has not at this time established a formal Year 2000 contingency plan
but will consider and, if necessary, address doing so as part of its Year 2000
task force activities. Mesa Air maintains and deploys contingency plans designed
to address various other potential business interruptions. These plans may be
applicable to address the interruption of support provided by third parties
resulting from their failure to be Year 2000 ready. All
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of Mesa Air's critical systems have manual back-up procedures that already
exist, with the exception of the avionics systems in Mesa Air's aircraft.
Mesa Air has relationships with certain governmental entities such as the FAA
upon which it is dependent to operate its aircraft. The FAA has represented on
its web page that it's systems are Year 2000 compliant. If, however, systems at
the FAA fail, Mesa Air's aircraft will not be able to operate, or will operate
at a substantially reduced level. If this were to occur, Mesa Air approximates
that it would lose substantially all the revenue associated with these
non-operated flights.
There has been some discussion in the media about the difficulty that could be
associated with air travel as the Year 2000 begins. Mesa Air has only recently
begun taking reservations for travel in early 2000. As of March 1, 1999, there
has been no appreciable decrease in the level of advanced bookings for January
1, 2000. Mesa Air anticipates that the effect on bookings for this date will be
further reduced by the fact that the number of passengers traveling on January 1
is traditionally very low, and that in the Year 2000 such date falls on a
Saturday, which is also traditionally not a day for significant amounts of
travel.
Mesa Air has had discussions with CCAIR as to their state of readiness for the
Year 2000 issue. These discussions are still in an early evaluation stage, and
no representation can yet be made as to CCAIR's risk with respect to Year 2000
system failures. Mesa Air anticipates that if CCAIR experiences software
problems which cause the airline to cease operations, the effect may be material
to the combined companies.
For each day that Mesa is unable to operate flights as a result of Year 2000
failures, Mesa anticipates a loss of revenue of approximately $1 million and net
loss of approximately $500,000 per day.
IF WE BECOME INVOLVED IN ANY MATERIAL LITIGATION OR ANY EXISTING LITIGATION IS
CONCLUDED IN A MANNER ADVERSE TO THE COMPANIES, OUR EARNINGS MAY DECLINE
Mesa Air and some of its subsidiaries are currently involved in significant
litigation with United Airlines regarding the provision of operating agreements
previously entered into between the parties. In addition, Mesa Air is from time
to time subject to various legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or
unasserted. Any such claims, whether with or without merit, could be
time-consuming and expensive to defend and could divert management's attention
and resources. There can be no assurance regarding the outcome of current or
future litigation.
IF THE ECONOMY IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES EXPERIENCES A DOWNTURN, THE
OPERATIONS OF CCAIR COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED
Currently, the majority of CCAIR's flights originate and end in the Southern
region of the United States. The success of such operations is therefore
dependent to some extent on the economy of this region. If the Southern states
experience an economic downturn or recession, the financial condition and
business prospects of the combined companies could be materially and adversely
affected.
THE SALE OF SHARES UNDERLYING OUTSTANDING OPTIONS AND WARRANTS MAY PUT DOWNWARD
PRESSURE ON THE TRADING PRICE OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK
Various events, including the issuance of additional shares of Mesa Air common
stock upon the exercise of currently outstanding options of Mesa Air and
currently outstanding
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options and warrants of CCAIR to be assumed by Mesa Air in the merger, could
result in substantial dilution of Mesa Air common stock. As of September 30,
1998, Mesa Air had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 4,309,150
shares of Mesa Air common stock. As of March 31, 1999, CCAIR had outstanding
options to purchase an aggregate of 1,014,907 shares of CCAIR common stock, and
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 451,217 shares of CCAIR common stock, all
of which will become options and warrants to purchase Mesa Air common stock in
the merger, subject to adjustment for the actual exchange ratio. For the
respective terms of the Mesa Air options and warrants, the holders thereof are
given an opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of Mesa Air
common stock with a resulting dilution in the interests of the other
shareholders. Further, the terms on which Mesa Air may obtain additional
financing during that period may be adversely affected by the existence of such
options.
RISK THAT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY NOT COME TRUE
This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains statements, including statements
regarding the combined operations of Mesa Air and CCAIR, which we believe are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future
events or the future financial performance of Mesa Air and CCAIR. In some cases,
you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may,"
"will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates,"
"predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of such terms and other
comparable terminology. These statements only reflect management's expectations
and estimates. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating
those statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including
the risks outlined beginning on page 14 under "Risk Factors." These factors may
cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking
statements. We are not undertaking and we expressly disavow any obligations to
update any forward-looking statements contained in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
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THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS
THE MESA AIR SPECIAL MEETING
PURPOSE OF THE MESA AIR MEETING
At the special meeting of the Mesa Air shareholders to be held at the Doubletree
Suites, 320 North 44th Street, Phoenix, Arizona on June 8, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting, holders of
Mesa Air common stock will consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the
issuance of Mesa Air common stock in exchange for shares of CCAIR common stock
in connection with the merger of Mesa Merger Corporation, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Mesa Air, into CCAIR, pursuant to the merger agreement, dated as
of January 28, 1999, among Mesa Air, Mesa Merger Corporation and CCAIR. An
aggregate of approximately 5,571,283 shares of Mesa Air common stock will be
issued in the merger. Mesa Air shareholders also are being asked to consider and
vote upon the following proposals:
- - the election of nine directors to serve until the next annual meeting of
shareholders of Mesa Air;
- - a proposal to ratify the appointment by the board of directors of Mesa Air of
KPMG LLP to act as independent auditors of Mesa Air for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1999;
- - a shareholder proposal to hire an investment banker to sell Mesa Air; and
- - a shareholder proposal to adopt cumulative voting.
Along with each copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus mailed to holders
of Mesa Air common stock, we are sending a form of proxy for use at the Mesa Air
meeting. Mesa Air is also sending this joint proxy statement/prospectus to
holders of CCAIR common stock as a prospectus in connection with the issuance of
shares of Mesa Air common stock in exchange for CCAIR common stock in the
merger.
THE MESA AIR BOARD HAS APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE ISSUANCE OF MESA AIR COMMON
STOCK IN EXCHANGE FOR CCAIR COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER, AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK IN EXCHANGE FOR CCAIR
COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER.
RECORD DATE; VOTING RIGHTS; PROXIES
Mesa Air has fixed the close of business on April 26, 1999 as the record date
for determining holders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Mesa Air
meeting. Only holders of Mesa Air common stock who are holders at the close of
business on the Mesa Air record date will be entitled to notice of and to vote
at the Mesa Air meeting.
As of April 26, 1999, there were 28,369,081 shares of Mesa Air common stock
issued and outstanding, each of which entitles the holder thereof to one vote.
Shares of Mesa Air common stock held in the treasury of Mesa Air or any of its
subsidiaries do not have voting rights.
All shares of Mesa Air common stock represented by properly executed proxies
will, unless such proxies have been previously revoked, be voted in accordance
with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If your shares are represented
by more than one properly executed proxy, the proxy bearing the most recent date
will be voted at the Mesa Air
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meeting. IF YOUR PROXY CARD DOES NOT SHOW HOW YOU WANT TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES OF
MESA AIR COMMON STOCK WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF MESA AIR
COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER, THE ELECTION OF THE NINE DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND THE
APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS MESA AIR'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1999. SUCH PROXY CARDS WILL BE VOTED AGAINST THE TWO
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS.
If you give the proxy we are soliciting, you may revoke it at any time before it
is exercised by giving written notice to Mesa Air Group, Inc., 410 North 44th
Street, Suite 700, Phoenix, Arizona; Attention: Corporate Secretary (Facsimile
No. (602)685-4352), by signing and returning a later-dated proxy or by voting in
person at the Mesa Air meeting. You should note that just attending the Mesa Air
meeting without voting in person will not revoke an otherwise valid proxy.
Inspectors of election appointed for the meeting will tabulate votes cast by
proxy or in person at the Mesa Air meeting and will determine whether or not a
quorum is present. The election inspectors will treat abstentions as shares that
are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of any matter
submitted to the shareholders for a vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy
that it does not have discretionary authority as to some shares to vote on a
particular matter, those shares will be considered as present but not entitled
to vote with respect to that matter.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Mesa Air will bear its own cost of solicitation of proxies, except that Mesa Air
and CCAIR have agreed to share equally all printing, mailing and delivery
expenses in connection with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition
to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and employees of Mesa Air may
solicit proxies personally or by telephone, facsimile transmission or otherwise.
Such directors, officers and employees will not be additionally compensated for
their solicitation efforts but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with these efforts. Mesa Air will reimburse brokerage
houses, fiduciaries, nominees and others for their out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of stock held in
their names. In addition, Mesa Air has engaged Georgeson & Company Inc. to act
as its proxy solicitor and has agreed to pay it $10,000 plus expenses for such
services.
QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE
Under applicable rules of the Nasdaq National Market, a majority of the votes
cast by the shareholders entitled to vote at the Mesa Air meeting must vote for
approval of the issuance of Mesa Air common stock in the merger for it to be
approved. For any such vote to be valid, a quorum must be present at the Mesa
Air meeting. To have a quorum at the Mesa Air meeting, we must have the holders
of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Mesa Air common stock
entitled to vote present, either in person or by properly executed proxy. Shares
of Mesa Air common stock that are marked "abstain" will be counted as shares
present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. If fewer shares
of Mesa Air common stock are present, in person or by proxy, than necessary to
constitute a quorum, we expect to adjourn or postpone the Mesa Air meeting to
allow additional time for obtaining additional proxies or votes. At any
subsequent reconvening of the Mesa Air meeting, all proxies obtained before such
adjournment or postponement will be voted in the manner such proxies would have
been voted at the original convening of the Mesa Air meeting, except for any
proxies which have been effectively revoked or
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withdrawn, even if they were voted on the same or any other matter at a previous
convening of the Mesa Air meeting.
As of April 26, 1999, directors and executive officers of Mesa Air and their
respective affiliates beneficially owned an aggregate of 981,522 shares of Mesa
Air common stock, representing approximately 3.5% of the shares of Mesa Air
common stock entitled to vote on that date. The directors and executive officers
of Mesa Air have indicated their intention to vote their shares of Mesa Air
common stock in favor of the issuance of Mesa Air common stock in the merger.
Brokers who hold shares in nominee or "street name" for the beneficial owners of
such shares are prohibited from giving a proxy to vote the shares for the stock
issuance proposal and the shareholder proposal to adopt cumulative voting
without specific instructions from the beneficial owner. Shares represented by
proxies returned by a broker holding such shares in "street name" will be
counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, even if such shares
are not voted in matters where discretionary voting by the broker is not
allowed.
Because approval of the stock issuance proposal requires the affirmative vote of
a majority of the votes cast on such matter, abstentions or failure to instruct
your broker if your shares are held in "street name" will have no effect in
determining whether the issuance of Mesa Air common stock in the merger will be
approved, although they will count toward determining whether a quorum is
present.
THE ISSUANCE OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF MESA AIR. THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE A MESA AIR SHAREHOLDER, WE
URGE YOU TO READ AND CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION IN THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. WE ALSO URGE YOU TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN
PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
THE CCAIR SPECIAL MEETING
PURPOSE OF THE CCAIR MEETING
At the special meeting of the stockholders of CCAIR to be held at the Doubletree
Suites, 320 North 44th Street, Phoenix, Arizona on June 8, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, and at any adjournments or postponements of that meeting, holders of
CCAIR common stock will consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt
the merger agreement and such other matters as may properly come before the
CCAIR meeting.
Along with each copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus mailed to holders
of CCAIR common stock, we are sending a form of proxy for use at the CCAIR
meeting. Mesa Air is also sending this joint proxy statement/prospectus to
holders of CCAIR common stock as a prospectus in connection with the issuance of
shares of Mesa Air common stock in exchange for CCAIR common stock in the
merger.
THE CCAIR BOARD HAS APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
RECORD DATE; VOTING RIGHTS; PROXIES
The CCAIR board has fixed the close of business on April 12, 1999 as the record
date for determining holders entitled to notice of and to vote at the CCAIR
meeting. Only holders
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of CCAIR common stock who are holders at the close of business on the CCAIR
record date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the CCAIR meeting.
As of March 31, 1999, there were 8,965,695 shares of CCAIR common stock issued
and outstanding and entitled to vote at the CCAIR meeting, each of which
entitles the holder thereof to one vote. Shares of CCAIR common stock held in
the treasury of CCAIR or any of its subsidiaries do not have voting rights.
All shares of CCAIR common stock represented by properly executed proxies will,
unless such proxies have been previously revoked, be voted in accordance with
the instructions indicated in such proxies. If your shares are represented by
more than one properly executed proxy, the proxy bearing the most recent date
will be voted at the CCAIR meeting. IF YOUR PROXY CARD DOES NOT SHOW HOW YOU
WANT TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES OF CCAIR COMMON STOCK WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
If you give the proxy we are soliciting, you may revoke it at any time before it
is exercised by giving written notice to CCAIR, Inc., 4700 Yorkmont Road, 2nd
Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208; Attention: Corporate Secretary
(Facsimile No. (704) 359-0351), by signing and returning a later-dated proxy or
by voting in person at the CCAIR meeting. You should note that just attending
the CCAIR meeting without voting in person will not revoke an otherwise valid
proxy.
Inspectors of election appointed for the meeting will tabulate votes cast by
proxy or in person at the CCAIR meeting and will determine whether or not a
quorum is present. The inspectors of election will treat abstentions as shares
that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence
of a quorum but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of any
matter submitted to the shareholders for a vote. If a broker indicates on the
proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to some shares to vote on
a particular matter, those shares will be considered as present but not entitled
to vote with respect to that matter.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
CCAIR will bear its own cost of solicitation of proxies, except that CCAIR and
Mesa Air have agreed to share equally all printing, mailing and delivery
expenses in connection with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition
to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and employees of CCAIR may solicit
proxies personally or by telephone, facsimile transmission or otherwise. Such
directors, officers and employees will not be additionally compensated for such
solicitation efforts but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection with these efforts. CCAIR will reimburse brokerage houses,
fiduciaries, nominees and others for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of stock held in their names. In
addition, CCAIR has engaged Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. to act as
its proxy solicitor and has agreed to pay it $10,000 plus expenses for such
services.
CCAIR SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND CCAIR COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR
PROXY CARDS.
QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE
Under Delaware law, a majority of the outstanding shares of CCAIR common stock
entitled to vote at the CCAIR meeting must vote for approval and adoption of the
merger agreement for it to be approved and adopted. For any such vote to be
valid, a quorum must be present at the CCAIR meeting. Shares of CCAIR common
stock that are marked
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"abstain" will be counted as shares present for the purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum. If fewer shares of CCAIR common stock are present, in
person or by proxy, than necessary to constitute a quorum, we expect to adjourn
or postpone the CCAIR meeting to allow additional time for obtaining additional
proxies or votes. At any subsequent reconvening of the CCAIR meeting, all
proxies obtained before such adjournment or postponement will be voted in the
manner such proxies would have been voted at the original convening of the CCAIR
meeting except for any proxies which have been effectively revoked or withdrawn,
even if they were effectively voted on the same or any other matter at a
previous meeting.
As of April 12, 1999, directors and executive officers of CCAIR and their
respective affiliates beneficially owned an aggregate of 619,167 shares of CCAIR
common stock, representing approximately 6.9% of the shares of CCAIR common
stock entitled to vote on that date. The directors and executive officers of
CCAIR have indicated their intention to vote their shares of CCAIR common stock
in favor of approval and adoption of the merger agreement.
A properly executed proxy marked "abstain" will not be voted on the approval and
adoption of the merger agreement but will count toward determining whether a
quorum is present. Brokers who hold CCAIR common stock in "street name" for the
beneficial owners of such shares cannot vote these shares on the approval and
adoption of the merger agreement without specific instructions from their
customers.
Because approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of CCAIR common stock entitled to
vote at the CCAIR meeting, abstentions or, if your shares are held in "street
name," your failure to instruct your broker, will have no effect in determining
whether the merger agreement will be approved and adopted.
THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE CCAIR MEETING ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE
STOCKHOLDERS OF CCAIR. THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE A CCAIR STOCKHOLDER, WE URGE YOU TO
READ AND CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION IN THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. WE ALSO URGE YOU TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN
PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
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BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
The terms and conditions of the merger were determined through arm's length
negotiations between the senior management of Mesa Air and CCAIR, and the
respective boards of directors of Mesa Air and CCAIR. In determining the form of
the transaction and the form and amount of the consideration, numerous factors
were reviewed by the senior managements and boards of directors of Mesa Air and
CCAIR. For a complete discussion of these factors see "Recommendations of the
Boards of Directors and Reasons for the Merger." The following is a brief
discussion of the contacts and negotiations that have occurred between Mesa Air
and CCAIR.
As part of the continuing efforts to maximize shareholder value, the Mesa Air
board and the CCAIR board have from time to time over the past years separately
discussed the advisability of entering into a strategic business relationship or
combination with one or more companies in the airline industry. On or about
March 8, 1994, representatives of Mesa Air contacted representatives of CCAIR
regarding a possible combination of the two companies. The discussions were
subsequently terminated by Mesa Air in the Spring of 1995 prior to reaching any
agreement. Subsequently, in August 1997 the CCAIR board engaged Barlow Partners,
L.P. as CCAIR's exclusive financial advisor with respect to possible business
combinations with other regional airlines. The Barlow agreement, which expired
by its terms on August 30, 1998, provides for the payment to Barlow of a fee
equal to two percent of the aggregate consideration paid in a business
combination transaction involving CCAIR, including transactions initiated during
the agreement term but later consummated. During the remainder of 1997 and the
first eight months of 1998, Barlow made contact with several other regional
airlines regarding a possible business combination or strategic alliance. Mesa
Air was not among the carriers contacted. None of these contacts led to any
substantive discussions and there are no alternative arrangements with any of
those parties.
On July 24, 1998, Jonathan G. Ornstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Mesa Air, apprised the Mesa Air board of the status of the preliminary concept
for a strategic business combination with CCAIR and the feasibility of a
combination of the two companies. The Mesa Air board authorized management to
continue to pursue the possibility of a strategic business combination between
the companies.
During the first week of August 1998, Mr. Ornstein first contacted Kenneth W.
Gann, President and Chief Executive Officer of CCAIR, to discuss the possibility
of a strategic business combination between the two companies. Mr. Ornstein made
this contact in light of CCAIR's strong presence as a regional airline in
geographic markets not currently served by Mesa Air, as well as Mesa Air's
desire to expand into such markets. During this conversation, Messrs. Ornstein
and Gann engaged in preliminary discussions regarding the possibility of Mesa
Air acquiring CCAIR and exchanged views regarding each company's business,
prospects for future growth and the synergies that a merger would bring.
On August 15, 1998, the CCAIR board was apprised of the preliminary discussions
between Messrs. Ornstein and Gann and authorized CCAIR management to continue to
pursue the possibility of a business combination. On such date, the CCAIR board
formed a special board committee for the purpose of evaluating the proposed
transaction. The committee is comprised of Mr. Gann, Dean E. Painter, Jr. and
Gordon Linkon.
Following the directives of the Mesa Air board to move forward with
negotiations, discussions continued between Messrs. Ornstein and Gann regarding
the potential price,
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material terms and structure of the proposed transaction through the remainder
of August. During this period, Mesa Air circulated a draft of a letter of intent
setting forth the general terms of a merger between Mesa Air and CCAIR. The
terms of the letter of intent contemplated a $5.40 per share price to the
holders of CCAIR common stock, with the actual exchange ratio containing minimum
and maximum thresholds on the number of shares Mesa Air common stock that would
have to be issued depending on an increase or decrease in the average per share
price of Mesa Air common stock over a specified period of trading days prior to
the closing of the merger. These collars were initially set at .568 and .942
should the price of Mesa Air common stock equal or exceed $9.50 or equal or fall
below $5.50, respectively. On August 27, 1998, the parties entered into a letter
of intent on the terms described above.
Between September 1998 and January 1999, Mesa Air and CCAIR performed due
diligence investigations and engaged in further discussions. The due diligence
investigations included visits to Charlotte, North Carolina by members of Mesa
Air management to meet with members of CCAIR management and CCAIR's legal
counsel. These visits occurred during the weeks of November 16, 1998 and
December 22, 1998.
During this same period, Mesa Air circulated a draft of the proposed merger
agreement for discussion purposes to give CCAIR ample opportunity to review the
general scope of the representations, warranties, conditions and covenants that
Mesa Air contemplated would be part of any definitive merger agreement in order
to facilitate the negotiation of the merger agreement once the potential price,
material terms and structure of the proposed transaction has been agreed to.
On December 4, 1998, Mesa Air engaged The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC to
provide financial advisory services to Mesa Air and to render a fairness opinion
with respect to the consideration to be paid by Mesa Air in the proposed merger
transaction with CCAIR. Similarly, CCAIR engaged Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. to
render a fairness opinion with respect to the consideration to be received by
the CCAIR stockholders in the contemplated Merger.
On January 5-7, 1999, Mr. Gann and representatives of CCAIR's legal counsel
visited with members of Mesa Air management and Mesa Air's legal counsel in
Phoenix, Arizona. During these discussions, Mr. Ornstein advised Mr. Gann of
Mesa Air's decision to lower its offer of a per share price of $5.40 to $4.35,
together with new collars. The decision to offer the lower price was based on
the recent financial performance of CCAIR as well as a decline in the market
price of CCAIR's common stock. Subsequently, at a meeting held on January 12,
1999, Mr. Gann advised the special committee of the CCAIR board of the new
economic terms of the proposed transaction with Mesa Air. The special committee
of the CCAIR board authorized management to continue its negotiations with Mesa
Air.
On January 22, 1999, the Mesa Air board met to consider the merger. After
reviewing the findings of the management, financial and legal due diligence
investigations of CCAIR, discussing with senior management of Mesa Air and legal
counsel the benefits and risks associated with the proposed merger, reviewing
the terms of the merger agreement with senior management and legal counsel, and
reviewing and considering a draft of the fairness opinion of Robinson-Humphrey,
the Mesa Air board unanimously determined that the merger was fair to, and in
the best interests of, Mesa Air and voted to approve and adopt the merger
agreement and the merger and to submit the proposal to issue shares of Mesa Air
common stock in the merger to the Mesa Air shareholders for their approval at
the Mesa Air annual meeting. Jonathan G. Ornstein and James R. Swigart abstained
from voting on this matter as a result of their equity interest in Barlow.
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On January 28 and January 29, 1999, the CCAIR board received updates from
management and legal counsel as to the status of negotiations and due diligence
and the probable valuations of CCAIR.
On January 29, 1999, the CCAIR special committee and board met separately to
consider the merger. Upon the recommendation of the CCAIR special committee and
after reviewing the findings of the management and legal due diligence
investigations of Mesa Air, discussing with senior management of CCAIR and legal
counsel the benefits and rights associated with the proposed merger, reviewing
the terms of the merger agreement and the preliminary pooling analysis of Arthur
Andersen LLP with senior management and legal counsel, and reviewing and
considering the preliminary analysis of Scott & Stringfellow, the CCAIR board
unanimously determined that, subject to the delivery of the final fairness
opinion, the merger was fair to, and in the best interests of, CCAIR and its
stockholders and voted to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the merger,
with George Murnane, III and Richard Magurno abstaining, and to call a special
meeting of the stockholders of CCAIR to consider and vote on the merger. Messrs.
Murnane and Magurno abstained from voting on the merger in light of their status
as director designees of Barlow. In addition, Mr. Murnane has an equity interest
in Barlow.
The definitive merger agreement was executed by the parties as of January 28,
1999.
On March 29, 1999, representatives of Scott & Stringfellow visited with Mesa Air
management in Phoenix, Arizona. By March 26, 1999, Scott & Stringfellow received
audited financial statements of Mesa Air for its fiscal year ended September 30,
1998 and of CCAIR for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. On March 29,
1999, the CCAIR special committee and board met separately to receive
information from Scott & Stringfellow developed from its due diligence
investigation and analysis of audited financial statements of CCAIR and Mesa
Air. Scott & Stringfellow reported on its financial due diligence investigation
of Mesa Air and then delivered an oral opinion, as of March 29, 1999 and subject
to the assumptions and qualifications described to the CCAIR board, that the
consideration expressed in terms of Mesa Air shares was fair to the holders of
shares of CCAIR from a financial point of view to such holders. The CCAIR board
unanimously determined, subject to the delivery of the final fairness opinion,
to continue CCAIR's efforts to consummate the merger, with George Murnane, III
and Richard Magurno abstaining.
The Mesa Air and CCAIR boards of directors were aware of the interests in the
merger of various directors and executive officers of Mesa Air and CCAIR and
considered them, among other matters, in approving the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby. For a complete discussion of the interests of
Mesa Air and CCAIR officers and directors see "Interests of CCAIR and Mesa Air
Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger; Conflicts of Interest."
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER
REASONS OF MESA AIR FOR ENGAGING IN THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE MESA AIR
BOARD
The Mesa Air board believes that the terms of the merger are fair to, and in the
best interests of, Mesa Air and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Mesa Air
board has approved
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the merger agreement and the merger, and recommends that holders of Mesa Air
common stock vote for approval of the issuance of shares of Mesa Air common
stock in the merger.
Prior to recommending action on the merger, the Mesa Air board reviewed various
materials and engaged in discussions with Mesa Air's management and its advisors
regarding the business, operations and financial condition of CCAIR. The Mesa
Air board also reviewed the terms and conditions of the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement with Mesa Air's senior management, legal
counsel and its financial advisor, Robinson-Humphrey. The presentations at the
meetings of the Mesa Air board included discussions of Mesa Air's long-term
strategic objectives and general information regarding CCAIR's business. At such
meetings, Mesa Air legal counsel discussed the terms of the merger agreement and
the fiduciary duties of the Mesa Air board with respect to the merger.
We have set forth below all of the material factors in favor of the merger that
the Mesa Air board and management of Mesa Air considered in reaching its
decision to approve the merger agreement and to recommend that Mesa Air's
shareholders vote to approve the issuance of Mesa Air common stock in the
merger:
- - Mesa Air board's assessment that the senior management of CCAIR, including
specifically Kenneth W. Gann, has the requisite experience to successfully
operate CCAIR as an independent subsidiary of Mesa Air following the merger;
- - Mesa Air board's assessment that Mesa Air, as a larger and better capitalized
company, would be able to enhance the financial stability of CCAIR and give
CCAIR access to lower cost capital to fund its growth in its geographic
markets in the Southeastern United States;
- - the expanded geographic coverage represented by the combined companies after
the merger, including CCAIR's strong position as a regional airline in the
Southeastern United States;
- - the complementary operating philosophies of Mesa Air and CCAIR, with both
having a strong focus in a particular level of airline services;
- - the opinion of Robinson-Humphrey that as of such date the consideration to be
paid in the merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
shareholders of Mesa Air;
- - advice of Mesa Air's legal counsel that the merger should be treated as a tax
free reorganization;
- - advice of Mesa Air's independent auditors that the merger could be accounted
for as a pooling of interests;
- - Mesa Air board's assessment that the combined company resulting from the
merger would better serve customers utilizing regional airline services;
- - Mesa Air board's belief, after consultation with its legal counsel, that the
regulatory approvals necessary to complete the merger could be obtained; and
- - the principal terms and conditions of the merger agreement, in particular:
- the extent to which CCAIR's obligation to consummate the merger was
unconditional, other than the CCAIR stockholders approval and other
conditions that the Mesa Air board believed were typical or likely
to be satisfied, and
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- the restrictions on certain transactions by CCAIR during the period
prior to completion of the merger.
We have set forth all material factors against the merger that the Mesa Air
board considered in reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and to
recommend that Mesa Air's shareholders vote to approve its issuance of stock in
the merger:
- - the amount of CCAIR's indebtedness and the relatively high rates of interest
being paid on such indebtedness;
- - the dilution to Mesa Air shareholders as a result of the issuance of Mesa Air
common stock in the merger and the potential dilution that could occur as a
result of the significant number of CCAIR options to be assumed in the merger;
- - the risk that key personnel of CCAIR to be retained by Mesa Air following the
merger would not continue their employment following the merger causing
disruption in the operations of CCAIR; and
- - the poor financial performance of CCAIR in the recent past, namely its losses
in 1997.
On balance, the Mesa Air board determined that the benefits outweighed the
potential risks and approved the merger.
The foregoing discussion of information and factors considered by the Mesa Air
board is not intended to be exhaustive but is intended to include the material
factors considered. In view of the wide variety of factors considered, the Mesa
Air board did not find it practical to, and did not, quantify or otherwise
assign relative weight to the specific factors considered and individual
directors may have given different weights to various factors.
REASONS OF CCAIR FOR ENGAGING IN THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE CCAIR BOARD
The CCAIR board believes that the terms of the merger are fair to, and in the
best interests of, CCAIR and its stockholders. After carefully considering the
analyses and advice of Scott & Stringfellow, the risks and opportunities facing
CCAIR as an independent company, and the absence of any alternative acquisition
or other proposals, the special committee recommended approval of the merger.
Accordingly, the CCAIR board has approved the proposed merger and believes the
merger is in the best interests of CCAIR and its stockholders. The CCAIR board
recommends that CCAIR stockholders vote for approval of the merger agreement and
the merger. We have set forth below all the material factors in favor of the
merger that the CCAIR directors and management considered in reaching its
decision to approve the merger agreement and recommend that CCAIR's stockholders
vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement:
- - the merger provides CCAIR stockholders with Mesa Air common stock in a
tax-free exchange at a premium over the historical market prices for their
shares of CCAIR common stock;
- - the merger agreement provides for a minimum exchange ratio which offers CCAIR
stockholders protection if the Mesa Air share price exceeds a specified
amount;
- - CCAIR board's assessment that the agreements Mesa Air has with its
code-sharing partners contain favorable terms for Mesa Air, particularly the
agreements for regional jet service;
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- - CCAIR board's assessment that the merger offers CCAIR stockholders an
opportunity to participate in the long-term growth and appreciation of CCAIR's
business through their ownership interest in Mesa Air;
- - CCAIR board's belief that Mesa Air possesses greater access to capital
markets, which would assist in stabilizing CCAIR's operations and fund future
growth;
- - CCAIR board's assessment that the strategic fit between CCAIR and Mesa Air
complements the nature of their respective businesses;
- - CCAIR board's belief that the prospects of each of CCAIR and Mesa Air indicate
that the combined company will have a stronger presence in the regional
airline market than either company alone;
- - CCAIR's chronic inability to obtain adequate debt or equity capital to expand
its operations or to improve its balance sheet and liquidity;
- - anticipated operating synergies and cost savings, including the consolidation
of certain corporate, administrative and support functions, and the
elimination of public reporting obligations of CCAIR. The CCAIR board did not
consider any quantified amount of such cost savings in reaching its decision
to engage in the merger;
- - the opinion of Scott & Stringfellow that as of such date the consideration to
be paid in the transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
CCAIR stockholders;
- - the principal terms and conditions of the merger agreement, in particular:
- that the issuance of shares of Mesa Air common stock in the merger will be
subject to the approval by Mesa Air shareholders;
- While the merger agreement contains a "no-shop" clause, the merger agreement
permits CCAIR to provide information to or enter into discussions or
negotiations with other persons if the CCAIR board determines, based on the
advice of counsel, that it is appropriate in the exercise of the directors'
fiduciary duties; and
- current and historical market prices of CCAIR common stock and Mesa Air
common stock and the premise that the exchange ratio in the merger
represented a premium over recent trading prices of CCAIR common stock.
We have set forth below all the material factors against the merger that the
CCAIR board considered in reaching its determination to approve the merger
agreement and to recommend that CCAIR's stockholders vote to approve and adopt
the merger agreement:
- - the possibility of management disruption associated with the merger and the
risk that, despite the efforts of the combined company, key management
personnel of CCAIR might not continue their employment with the combined
company;
- - the possibility of CCAIR's failure to be successfully integrated into Mesa Air
as a wholly owned subsidiary thereof;
- - the maximum exchange ratio which caps the number of shares of Mesa Air common
stock that CCAIR stockholders would receive upon consummation of the merger if
the Mesa Air share price falls below a specified amount;
- - the transitional status of Mesa Air's operations after the termination of the
United Airlines code-sharing agreement and the losses sustained as a result
thereof; and
- - the principal terms and conditions of the merger agreement, in particular the
restrictions on transactions by CCAIR during the period prior to completion of
the merger.
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On balance, however, the CCAIR board determined that the benefits of the merger
outweighed the potential risks and unanimously approved the merger. The
foregoing discussion of information and factors considered by the CCAIR board is
not intended to be exhaustive but is intended to include the material factors
considered. In view of the wide variety of factors considered, the CCAIR board
did not find it practical to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative
weight to the specific factors considered and individual directors may have
given different weights to different factors.
INTERESTS OF CCAIR AND MESA AIR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS IN THE MERGER;
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF MESA AIR. Members of Mesa Air's management and board
of directors may be deemed to have interests in the merger that are in addition
to their interests as shareholders of Mesa Air generally. The Mesa Air board was
aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
BARLOW PARTNERS AGREEMENT. In April 1997, CCAIR entered into a letter agreement
with Barlow Partners, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, pursuant to which
Barlow agreed to act as CCAIR's exclusive financial advisor for a term of one
year with respect to the re-negotiation of CCAIR's existing aircraft leases and
the negotiation of CCAIR's fleet acquisition program. In consideration for such
services, CCAIR issued to Barlow a warrant to purchase 150,000 shares of CCAIR
common stock at a per share exercise price of $2.00. The Barlow warrant expires
on April 21, 2008.
In August 1997, CCAIR entered into a second letter agreement with Barlow
pursuant to which Barlow agreed to act as CCAIR's exclusive financial advisor
with respect to possible business combinations involving CCAIR. Under the terms
of that agreement, Barlow is entitled to receive a fee from CCAIR equal to two
percent, or $1,080,000, of the aggregate consideration to be paid by Mesa Air
upon the closing of the merger transaction. According to a Schedule 13-D filed
by Barlow with the SEC, Barlow owns 538,617 shares of CCAIR common stock. George
Murnane, III, a director of CCAIR, is the sole general partner of Barlow. The
Schedule 13-D reports that while he has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares, his general partnership interest entitles him to a 3.92%
economic interest in the CCAIR shares held by Barlow. In addition, Jonathan G.
Ornstein, a member of the board of directors and the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Mesa Air, and James E. Swigart, a director of Mesa Air, are
limited partners of Barlow. Mr. Ornstein reports that he has a 72.56% limited
partnership interest in the CCAIR shares held by Barlow. Mr. Swigart reports
that he has a 19.6% limited partnership interest in the CCAIR shares held by
Barlow.
According to a Schedule 13-D filed by Barlow Partners II, L.P. with the SEC,
Barlow Partners II, L.P. reports that it owns 1,755,513 shares of Mesa Air
common stock and 26,000 shares of CCAIR common stock. Mr. Ornstein reports that
he has a 18.273% limited partnership interest in the CCAIR and Mesa Air shares
held by Barlow Partners II, L.P. Mr. Swigart reports that he has a 5.783%
limited partnership interest in the CCAIR and Mesa Air shares held by Barlow
Partners II, L.P.
In addition, Mr. Ornstein reports that he is the controlling shareholder of
Barlow Management, Inc., an entity that owns 6,500 shares of Mesa Air common
stock, and owns 71.43% of the outstanding shares of Barlow Management.
Similarly, Mr. Swigart reports that he also is a shareholder of Barlow
Management and owns 28.57% of the outstanding
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<PAGE> 44
shares of Barlow Management. Barlow Management is the general partner of Barlow
Partners II, LP.
DIRECTORS OF CCAIR. George Murnane and Richard Magurno, directors of CCAIR,
serve on the CCAIR board as designees of Barlow. In addition, as set forth
above, George Murnane has an equity interest in Barlow, which owns 538,617
shares of CCAIR common stock and a warrant to purchase 150,000 shares of CCAIR
common stock. Further, Ray Allen and Dean Painter, also CCAIR directors, hold
warrants to acquire an aggregate of 78,750 shares of CCAIR common stock. These
warrants will be assumed by Mesa Air upon completion of the merger, subject to
adjustment for the exchange ratio. The CCAIR board was aware of these interests
and considered them, among other matters, in approving the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby.
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. The merger agreement provides that all rights to
indemnification existing in favor of the directors and officers of CCAIR as of
the date of the merger agreement, for acts and omissions occurring prior to the
closing of the merger, as provided in CCAIR's bylaws and as provided in the
indemnification agreements between CCAIR and its officers and directors, shall
survive the merger. These indemnification rights shall be observed by the
surviving corporation following the closing of the merger to the fullest extent
available under the Delaware Law for a period of one year from the closing of
the merger. The merger agreement also provides that from the closing of the
merger until the one year anniversary of the closing of the merger, the
surviving corporation, CCAIR, Inc., shall maintain in effect, for the benefit of
the indemnified persons, with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to
the effective time of the merger, the existing policy of directors' and
officers' liability insurance maintained by CCAIR as of the date of the merger
agreement. However, the surviving corporation may substitute for the existing
policy a policy or policies of comparable coverage, and the surviving
corporation shall not be required to pay an annual premium for the existing
policy or for any substitute policies in excess of $253,125. In the event any
future annual premium for the existing policy, or any substitute policies
exceeds $253,125, the surviving corporation shall be entitled to reduce the
amount of coverage of the existing policy, or any substitute policies, to the
amount of coverage that can be obtained for a premium equal to $253,125.
STOCK OPTIONS. At the effective time, each employee stock option and each
director stock option of CCAIR will become an option to purchase shares of Mesa
Air common stock, provided, however, that the CCAIR director stock options will
terminate 90 days following their resignation from the CCAIR board, which will
occur upon the closing of the merger. Each option to purchase CCAIR common stock
assumed by Mesa Air will be converted into an option to purchase Mesa Air common
stock. The number of shares of Mesa Air common stock that each CCAIR option is
converted into will be determined by multiplying the number of CCAIR shares
subject to such options by the actual exchange ratio. The exercise price of a
CCAIR option assumed by Mesa Air is derived by multiplying the number of shares
subject to the CCAIR option by the actual exchange ratio, and then dividing that
product by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Mesa
Air common stock subject to such assumed option and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of CCAIR common stock the option was originally exercisable
for. Substitute options which are not exercisable at the effective time continue
to become exercisable in accordance with their original vesting schedules.
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<PAGE> 45
At March 31, 1999, an aggregate of 1,014,907 shares of CCAIR common stock were
subject to stock options granted to employees and directors of CCAIR under
various stock option plans. The number of shares of CCAIR common stock subject
to stock options held by executive officers and directors of CCAIR as of March
31, 1999 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
NAME SHARES
- ---- ---------
<S> <C>
Kenneth W. Gann 420,243
Eric W. Montgomery 85,000
Peter J. Sistare 65,000
K. Ray Allen 90,000
Gordon Linkon 65,000
George Murnane, III 55,000
Dean E. Painter 157,000
Richard Magurno 11,664
-------
948,907
</TABLE>
AFFILIATE AGREEMENTS
It is a condition to consummation of the merger that each person who could
reasonably be determined to be an "affiliate," as such term is defined in Rule
145 of the Securities Act of CCAIR execute an agreement that prohibits, during
the period from the date 30 days prior to the date of consummation of the merger
through the date on which financial results covering at least 30 days of
post-merger combined operations of Mesa Air and CCAIR have been published by
Mesa Air, within the meaning of the applicable pooling of interests accounting
requirements, the following:
- - the sale, transfer or other disposition or reduction of such affiliate's
interest in or risk relating to:
- any capital stock of CCAIR, except pursuant to and upon consummation
of the merger, or
- any option or other right to purchase any shares of capital stock of
CCAIR, except pursuant to and upon consummation of the merger, and
- - the sale, transfer or other disposition or reduction of such affiliate's
interest in or risk relating to:
- any shares of capital stock of Mesa Air, or
- any option or other right to purchase any shares of capital stock of
Mesa Air.
CCAIR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Under the terms of the merger agreement, existing employment agreements with
CCAIR executive officers will remain in place for the duration of their term.
Kenneth W. Gann, Eric W. Montgomery, Peter J. Sistare and Carletta S. Sullivan,
executive officers of CCAIR, are parties to employment agreements with CCAIR
that provide for the receipt of certain severance payments and other benefits
should any of them be terminated without cause prior to the expiration of the
applicable employment agreement term. The CCAIR employment agreements provide
that, in the event of a termination without cause, the CCAIR employee will be
entitled to receive his or her full salary plus the continuation of health
insurance and travel benefits for a period of 12 months following the
termination date. In addition, each employee also is entitled to receive the
portion of any bonus
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accrued as of such termination date, the acceleration of vesting of unvested
options granted to such employees and the ability to exercise such options for a
period of 12 months.
CCAIR RETENTION BONUSES
In order to avoid the departure of any key employees, CCAIR intends to enter
into agreements to pay bonuses in the aggregate amount of $200,000 to key CCAIR
employees, provided such employees remain employed by CCAIR until July 31, 1999.
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OPINIONS OF ROBINSON-HUMPHREY
Mesa Air has retained Robinson-Humphrey to act as its financial advisor in
connection with the merger. Representatives of Robinson-Humphrey participated in
the due diligence review of CCAIR and in the meeting of the Mesa Air Board of
Directors held on January 22, 1999 when the Merger with CCAIR was considered in
depth. On January 22, 1999, the Mesa Air Board of Directors approved the merger.
At the January 22, 1999 meeting, Robinson-Humphrey rendered its oral opinion to
the effect that, as of such date, an exchange ratio of 0.5194 shares of Mesa Air
common stock for each share of CCAIR common stock, subject to a maximum of
0.6214 shares, at a Mesa Air price of $7.00 per share, and a minimum of 0.435
shares, at a Mesa Air price of $10.00 per share, was fair to the Mesa Air
stockholders from a financial point of view. Robinson-Humphrey has also rendered
its written opinion to the Mesa Air Board of Directors that on the date of this
joint proxy statement/prospectus, based on the information set forth therein,
the consideration offered was fair, from a financial point of view, to the Mesa
Air shareholders.
The full text of Robinson-Humphrey's written opinion is attached as Annex B to
this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.
The description of the opinion set forth herein is qualified in its entirety by
reference to Annex B. Mesa Air shareholders are urged to read the opinion in its
entirety for a description of the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters
considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by
Robinson-Humphrey in connection with such opinion.
Robinson-Humphrey's opinion is directed only to the consideration offered and
does not constitute a recommendation to any Mesa Air shareholder regarding how
such stockholder should vote at the Mesa Air special meeting.
In arriving at its opinion, Robinson-Humphrey among other things:
- - reviewed the merger agreement and other related documents;
- - analyzed audited and unaudited financial statements and other information of
Mesa Air and CCAIR;
- - reviewed and discussed with appropriate management personnel of Mesa Air and
CCAIR, the past and current business activities and financial results and the
business and financial outlook of Mesa Air and CCAIR;
- - reviewed the historical price and trading activity of the common stock of Mesa
Air and CCAIR and other airlines;
- - compared financial and stock market data relating to Mesa Air and CCAIR with
similar data of other publicly held airlines;
- - performed an analysis comparing the pro forma consequences of the merger to
Mesa Air shareholders with respect to earnings per share and tangible book
value per share represented by the Mesa Air common stock;
- - considered the relative contributions of Mesa Air and CCAIR to a combined
company in terms of balance sheet, earnings and current equity market
valuation measures;
- - reviewed the premiums, prices and multiples paid in comparable acquisition
transactions of airlines and of merger transactions in general;
- - considered the potential synergies and cost savings that could be achieved
through the merger;
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<PAGE> 48
- - evaluated the financial and capital implications to Mesa Air of the merger;
and
- - performed such other analyses as Robinson-Humphrey deemed appropriate.
In conducting its analysis and arriving at its opinion, Robinson-Humphrey
assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the accuracy and
completeness of the information it reviewed for the purposes of the opinion.
Robinson-Humphrey also relied upon the managements of Mesa Air and CCAIR with
respect to the reasonableness and achievability of the financial forecasts, and
the assumptions and bases underlying such forecasts, provided to
Robinson-Humphrey. Robinson-Humphrey did not make, nor was it furnished with,
independent valuations or appraisals of the assets or liabilities of either Mesa
Air or CCAIR or any of their subsidiaries. Robinson-Humphrey did not express any
opinion about the expected price of Mesa Air common stock when issued to the
holders of CCAIR common stock pursuant to the merger or the price at which Mesa
Air common stock will trade subsequent to the merger. Mesa Air has informed
Robinson-Humphrey, and Robinson-Humphrey has assumed, that the merger will be
recorded utilizing the pooling of interests method of accounting under generally
accepted accounting principles.
No limitations were imposed by Mesa Air or the Mesa Air Board on the scope of
Robinson-Humphrey's investigation or the procedures to be followed by Robinson-
Humphrey in rendering its opinion. The opinion is necessarily based on economic,
market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available
to Robinson-Humphrey as of, the date of its analysis.
In addressing the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration
to be offered by Mesa Air to the stockholders of CCAIR, Robinson-Humphrey
employed a variety of generally recognized valuation methodologies and merger
analyses and performed those which it believed were most appropriate for
developing its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various
determinations of the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial
analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances,
and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to summary
description. In arriving at its fairness opinion, Robinson-Humphrey did not
attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it, but
rather made qualitative judgments about the significance and relevance of each
analysis and factor. None of the analyses performed by Robinson-Humphrey was
assigned a greater significance by Robinson-Humphrey than any other.
Accordingly, Robinson-Humphrey believes that its analyses must be considered as
a whole and that a review of selected portions of such analyses and the factors
considered therein, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a
misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying its opinion and any
conclusions reached therein. In its analyses, Robinson-Humphrey made numerous
assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic
conditions, and other matters, many of which are beyond Mesa Air's control. Any
estimates contained in Robinson-Humphrey's analyses are not necessarily
indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values that may
be significantly more or less favorable than such estimates. Estimates of values
of companies do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices
at which companies or their securities actually may be sold. In addition, as
described above, Robinson-Humphrey's opinion and presentation to the Mesa Air
Board was one of many factors taken into consideration by the Mesa Air Board in
making its determination to approve the merger agreement.
The following is a brief summary of analyses performed by Robinson-Humphrey in
connection with its oral opinion delivered to the Mesa Air Board on January 22,
1999. This summary contains all material analyses performed by
Robinson-Humphrey.
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<PAGE> 49
COMPARABLE PUBLIC COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Using publicly available information,
Robinson-Humphrey compared the financial and operating information and ratios,
described below, for CCAIR with corresponding financial and operating
information and ratios for a group of publicly traded airlines. The companies
included in the CCAIR comparable public companies analysis were Atlantic Coast
Airlines, Inc., ASA Holdings, Inc., Comair Holdings, Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd.,
Mesaba Holdings, Inc., and SkyWest, Inc., which are referred to collectively
below as the CCAIR comparables. Robinson-Humphrey compared:
- - price of common stock divided by earnings per share ("P/E") ratios for
calendar 1998, based on information from First Call Earnings Estimates and
Robinson-Humphrey Research Department Estimates The P/E ratio reflects the
price investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings. The magnitude
of the ratio reflects both the growth potential and the riskiness of a
company's future earnings. Riskier and slower growing companies tend to have
lower P/E ratios than companies with fast growing or predictable earnings. The
calender 1998 P/E ratios ranged from 14.8x to 25.2x for the CCAIR comparables
with a mean of 20.9x and a median of 22.0x, compared to 10.2x for CCAIR based
on Mesa Air management's estimate for CCAIR. The average multiple of 20.9
times CCAIR's calendar 1998 earnings generates an implied CCAIR value of $8.90
per share and an exchange ratio of 1.062 based on Mesa Air's closing stock
price on January 19, 1999 of $8.38;
- - P/E ratios for calendar 1999 based on information from First Call and
Robinson-Humphrey Research which ranged from 12.3x to 20.2x for the CCAIR
comparables, with a mean of 16.2x and a median of 16.8x, compared to 7.8x for
CCAIR, based on the Mesa Air management forecast for CCAIR. The average
multiple of 16.2 times CCAIR's calendar 1999 earnings generates an implied
CCAIR value of $9.02 per share and an exchange ratio of 1.076;
- - the ratio of the stock market price per share to book value per share, which
is shareholders' equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding.
Market to book value measures the amount of shareholder money invested or
reinvested in the firm, i.e., the common stock and retained earnings, compared
to the current value of that investment, i.e., the market value. Market to
book ratios ranged from 2.9x to 6.8x for the CCAIR comparables with a mean of
4.6x and a median of 4.1x, compared to -4.1 for CCAIR. The CCAIR book value
multiple implies a negative equity value and negative exchange ratio;
- - the ratio of enterprise value, stock market equity value plus debt and
preferred stock minus cash and marketable securities, to revenues for the
latest twelve months. The equity based ratios such as the P/E ratio can be
affected by a company's amount of leverage or borrowings. This enterprise
value to revenue ratio is a measurement of the firm performance before the
effects of leverage and shows the enterprise value of the firm for each dollar
generated in revenues. The ratios ranged from 1.12x to 3.22x for the CCAIR
comparables with a mean of 2.22x and a median of 2.15x, compared to 0.80x for
CCAIR. The average multiple of 2.22 times CCAIR's latest twelve months
revenues generates an implied CCAIR value of $14.62 per share and an exchange
ratio of 1.745;
- - the ratio of enterprise value as a multiple of 1999 revenues, based on
Robinson-Humphrey Research estimates, which ranged from 1.23x to 1.81x for the
CCAIR comparables, with a mean of 1.61x and a median of 1.71x, compared to
0.70x for CCAIR, based on the Mesa Air management forecast for CCAIR. The
average
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<PAGE> 50
multiple of 1.61 times CCAIR's 1999 revenue generates an implied CCAIR value
of $11.98 per share and an exchange ratio of 1.430;
- - the ratio of enterprise value plus capitalized aircraft rental payments as a
multiple of latest twelve months earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization and rent ("EBITDAR"). A company's ratio of
enterprise value to its cash flow or EBITDA can be affected by a company's
decision to buy versus lease its assets such as airplanes. Accordingly, the
EBITDAR ratio was utilized to analyze the value of a firm while adjusting for
the impact of buying or leasing its assets by adding the value of its future
operating lease payments to its enterprise value as well as increasing its
EBITDA by the amount of lease or rent expense. The EBITDAR ratios ranged from
6.6x to 10.6x for the CCAIR comparables, with a mean of 9.1x and a median of
9.9x, compared to 8.5x for CCAIR. The average multiple of 9.1 times CCAIR's
EBITDAR generates an implied CCAIR value of $5.07 per share and an exchange
ratio of 0.605.
When we compared the implied CCAIR ratios based upon the merger price to the
average ratios of comparable companies we found that five of the six ratios we
analyzed indicated that the price being paid for CCAIR shares in the merger was
below the implied CCAIR price based on the ratios of the comparable firms. As a
whole, this analysis suggested that the price being paid for CCAIR in the merger
may be relatively less costly than its public market peers.
ANALYSIS OF SELECTED MERGER TRANSACTIONS. Robinson-Humphrey analyzed and
compared the consideration paid in sixteen mergers and acquisitions involving
airlines occurring since December 12, 1985. The transactions which were analyzed
included: Southwest Airlines' purchase of Muse Air; Delta Air Lines' purchase of
Western Airlines; American Airlines' purchase of ACI Holdings; USAir Group's
purchase of Pacific Southwest; USAir Group's purchase of Piedmont Aviation;
Wings Holdings' acquisition of NWA; Delta Air Lines' purchase of Pan Am; Mesa
Airlines' purchase of Air Midwest; Mesa Airlines' purchase of WestAir Holding;
Southwest Airlines' purchase of Morris Air; United Airlines' employee buyout of
UAL Corp; and AirTran Holdings' acquisition of Airways Corp. Announced
transactions that have not closed or were withdrawn included: Northwest
Airlines' transaction with Midway Airlines; Express Airlines' transaction with
Northwest Airlines; Western Pacific's transaction with Frontier; and American
Airlines' transaction with Reno Air.
In each such transaction, Robinson-Humphrey calculated enterprise value as a
multiple of latest twelve months revenues, as a multiple of latest twelve months
EBITDA, and as a multiple of latest twelve months earnings before interest and
taxes ("EBIT") with resulting average multiples of .66x, 10.6x, and 16.1x,
respectively, compared to CCAIR multiples of .80x, 9.25x and 10.91x,
respectively. The analysis utilizing enterprise value as a multiple of revenue
generates an implied CCAIR value of $3.32 per share and an exchange ratio of
0.396. The analysis utilizing enterprise value as a multiple of latest twelve
months EBITDA generates an implied CCAIR value of $5.22 per share and an
exchange ratio of 0.623. The analysis utilizing enterprise value as a multiple
of latest twelve months EBIT generates an implied CCAIR value of $7.12 per share
and an exchange ratio of 0.850. Robinson-Humphrey also calculated equity value
as a multiple of book value and as a multiple of latest twelve months net income
with resulting average multiples of 2.5x and 19.2x, respectively, compared to
CCAIR multiples of -4.1 and 10.2, respectively. The book value multiple implies
a negative equity value and negative exchange ratio while the multiple of latest
twelve months net income generates an implied
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CCAIR value of $8.20 per share and an exchange ratio of 0.979. As a whole, this
analysis suggested that CCAIR may be less costly than its public market peers.
PREMIUM ANALYSIS. Robinson-Humphrey reviewed purchase price premiums paid for
the stock of selected publicly held companies in eighty-two acquisitions
involving total consideration of between $40 million and $100 million during the
period from January 1, 1997 to January 11, 1999. This analysis measured the
average purchase price premium paid by acquirors over the prevailing stock
market prices of acquirees one day prior to the announcement of an offer, one
week prior to the announcement of an offer, and four weeks prior to the
announcement of an offer, resulting in average premiums of 28.7%, 32.5%, and
41.8%, respectively and median premiums of 23.8%, 28.1% and 34.0%, respectively.
CCAIR was trading at $4.25, $4.25 and $4.50 one day, one week and four weeks
prior to the August 28, 1998 announcement date, respectively. The average
premiums paid in these transactions imply CCAIR share prices of $5.47, $5.63 and
$6.38, respectively, and exchange ratios 0.653, 0.672 and 0.761, respectively.
For the thirty-seven transactions with total consideration ranging from $40
million to $100 million that were announced between January 1, 1998 and January
11, 1999, the average purchase price premium paid by acquirors over the
prevailing open market stock prices of acquirees one day prior, one week prior
and four weeks prior to the announcement of an offer resulted in average
premiums of 31.6%, 36.2% and 41.7%, respectively, and median premiums of 23.8%,
31.6% and 30.0%, respectively. The average premiums paid in these transactions
imply CCAIR share prices of $5.59, $5.79 and $6.38, respectively, and exchange
ratios of 0.668, 0.691 and 0.761, respectively.
PRO FORMA CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS. Robinson-Humphrey analyzed the pro forma
effects resulting from the merger, including the potential impact of the merger
on projected earnings per share for the combined company. Robinson-Humphrey
analyzed the pro forma effects for the combined company with and without merger
synergies. The financial projections for Mesa Air and the potential merger
synergies were provided by Mesa Air management and the financial projections for
CCAIR were provided by CCAIR and modified by Mesa Air management. Based on the
CCAIR forecast provided by Mesa Air management and excluding potential merger
synergies, the pro forma contribution analysis indicated that the merger would
be accretive to Mesa Air's earnings per share for the years ending September 30,
1999 and September 30, 2000.
No company or transaction used in the above analyses as a comparison is
identical to Mesa Air, CCAIR or the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of the
results of the foregoing necessarily involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of
the companies and other factors that could effect the public trading value of
the companies to which they are being compared.
In connection with its opinion dated the date of the joint proxy
statement/prospectus, Robinson-Humphrey confirmed the appropriateness of its
reliance on the analyses used to render its January 22, 1999 report and oral
opinion by performing procedures to update certain of such analyses and by
reviewing the assumptions on which such analyses were based and the factors
considered in connection with its opinion.
Robinson-Humphrey is a nationally recognized investment banking firm and, as a
customary part of its investment banking activities, is regularly engaged in the
valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, private placements and valuations for
corporate and other purposes.
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In the ordinary course of Robinson-Humphrey's business, Robinson-Humphrey
actively trades in Mesa Air's common stock for its own account and for the
accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short
position in such securities.
Pursuant to a letter agreement dated December 4, 1998, Mesa Air engaged
Robinson-Humphrey to provide financial advisory services related to Mesa Air's
proposed transaction with CCAIR. Mesa Air agreed to pay Robinson-Humphrey a fee
of $75,000 upon rendering an opinion as to whether or not the consideration
offered by Mesa Air in the merger is fair from a financial point of view. In
addition, if the merger is consummated, Mesa Air has agreed to pay
Robinson-Humphrey an additional fee of $125,000. Due to its contingent nature,
this compensation arrangement could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest
for Robinson-Humphrey. Pursuant to the Robinson-Humphrey engagement letter, Mesa
Air has agreed to reimburse Robinson-Humphrey for reasonable expenses incurred
by Robinson-Humphrey, subject to limitations, including fees and disbursements
of counsel, and to indemnify Robinson-Humphrey against specified liabilities in
connection with its engagement.
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OPINION OF SCOTT & STRINGFELLOW
CCAIR retained Scott & Stringfellow to render a fairness opinion in connection
with the merger. On January 29, 1999, Scott & Stringfellow delivered a
preliminary analysis to the CCAIR board that, as of such date and based upon the
procedures and subject to the assumptions and qualifications described to the
CCAIR board, the consideration to holders of shares of CCAIR expressed in dollar
terms was fair from a financial point of view to such holders. After an analysis
of Mesa Air, Scott & Stringfellow then set forth in the oral opinion of Scott &
Stringfellow rendered to the CCAIR board on March 29, 1999, as of such date and
based upon the procedure and subject to the assumptions and qualifications
described to the CCAIR board and in the written opinion of Scott & Stringfellow
dated April 29, 1999, the consideration expressed in terms of shares of Mesa Air
to be received by the holders of shares of CCAIR pursuant to the merger
agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders.
The full text of Scott & Stringfellow's written opinion dated as of April 29,
1999, which sets forth, among other things, assumptions made, matters
considered, and scope and limitations on the review undertaken, is attached as
Annex C hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. Holders of shares of
CCAIR are urged to, and should, read the Scott & Stringfellow opinion carefully
and in its entirety. The Scott & Stringfellow opinion is directed to the CCAIR
board, addresses the fairness of the consideration, from a financial point of
view, to be rendered by the holders of CCAIR shares pursuant to the merger
agreement and does not address any other aspect of the merger. The summary of
the Scott & Stringfellow opinion set forth below should be read together with
the full text of such opinion.
In arriving at its opinion, Scott & Stringfellow:
- reviewed publicly available financial statements and other information of
CCAIR and Mesa;
- reviewed historical internal financial statements and other financial and
operating data concerning CCAIR prepared by the management of CCAIR and
concerning Mesa prepared by the management of Mesa;
- analyzed financial projections prepared by the management of CCAIR and of
Mesa;
- discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and the
prospects of CCAIR, including CCAIR's expected future relationship with
Mesa, with management of CCAIR and of Mesa;
- reviewed the historical prices and trading activity for the shares of
CCAIR and Mesa;
- compared the financial performance of CCAIR and the prices and trading
activity of the CCAIR shares with that of other comparable
publicly-traded companies and their securities;
- reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
comparable acquisitions;
- reviewed the premiums paid to the stock prices of similar sized
transactions, as well as comparable airline industry transactions, one
day, one week and four weeks prior to announcement;
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<PAGE> 54
- considered the relative contributions of CCAIR and Mesa to a combined
company in terms of balance sheet, earnings and current equity market
valuation measures;
- considered the capitalization and liquidity/financial condition of CCAIR;
- reviewed the merger agreement and related documents; and
- performed such other analyses and considered such other factors as Scott
& Stringfellow deemed appropriate.
In rendering its opinion, Scott & Stringfellow assumed and relied upon without
independent verification the accuracy and completeness of all information
reviewed by Scott & Stringfellow for the purposes of the Scott & Stringfellow
opinion. With respect to the financial projections, Scott & Stringfellow assumed
that they were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of the future financial performance of CCAIR
and Mesa. In addition, Scott & Stringfellow assumed that the merger would be
consummated on the terms set forth in the merger agreement. Scott & Stringfellow
did not make any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
of CCAIR, nor was Scott & Stringfellow furnished with any such appraisals. The
Scott & Stringfellow opinion was necessarily based on economic, market and other
conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Scott &
Stringfellow as of, the date of the Scott & Stringfellow opinion.
In arriving at its opinion, Scott & Stringfellow was not authorized to solicit,
and did not solicit, interest from any party, nor did it have discussions with
any party other than Mesa with respect to the acquisition of CCAIR or any of its
assets. Furthermore, Scott & Stringfellow was not authorized to negotiate the
terms of the transaction and has based its opinion solely on the terms of the
merger agreement as negotiated by others.
Below is a brief summary of the material analyses performed by Scott &
Stringfellow and reviewed with the CCAIR board on April 30, 1999 in connection
with the preparation of the Scott & Stringfellow opinion and with its oral
presentation to the CCAIR board on such date.
COMPARABLE PUBLIC COMPANY ANALYSIS. As part of its analysis, Scott &
Stringfellow compared financial information of CCAIR with corresponding publicly
available information of a group of seven publicly-traded regional airline
carrier companies that Scott & Stringfellow considered comparable in several
respects with CCAIR, which included: Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc.; ASA
Holdings, Inc.; Comair Holdings, Inc.; Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd.; Mesa Air
Group, Inc.; Mesaba Holdings, Inc.; and SkyWest, Inc. These companies are
referred to below as the comparable companies.
Scott & Stringfellow analyzed the relative performance of CCAIR by comparing
market trading statistics for CCAIR with those of the comparable public
companies. The market trading information used in ratios provided below is as of
April 28, 1999. The market trading information used in the valuation analysis
was:
- market price to trailing twelve months earnings per share ("P/E") ratios.
The P/E ratio reflects the price investors are willing to pay for each
dollar of earnings. The magnitude of the ratio reflects a variety of
company specific factors, including historical and projected growth
rates, predictability of earnings, size, trading liquidity and research
sponsorship. As general rule, slower growing companies with less
predictable earnings tend to have lower P/E ratios than companies with
fast growing or predictable earnings;
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- market price to calendar 1999 estimated earnings per share, or P/E ratios
for calendar 1999, based on First Call estimates as of April 28, 1999.
This P/E ratio is based on estimates of future earnings;
- enterprise value to trailing twelve months total revenue, or the ratio of
enterprise value, which is stock market equity value plus debt and
preferred stock minus cash and marketable securities, to revenues for the
latest twelve months. The equity based ratios such as the P/E ratio can
be affected by a company's amount of leverage or borrowings. This
enterprise value to revenue ratio is a measurement of the firm
performance before the effects of leverage and shows the enterprise value
of the firm for each dollar generated in revenues;
- enterprise value to trailing twelve months EBITDA, which is a ratio that
represents a multiple of the cash flow generated by a company. EBITDA
means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The
magnitude of this ratio reflects a variety of company specific factors,
including historical and projected growth rates, predictability of
earnings, size, trading liquidity and research sponsorship. As a general
rule, slower growing companies with less predictable EBITDA tend to have
lower enterprise value to EBITDA ratios than companies with fast growing
or predictable EBITDA; and
- enterprise value to trailing twelve months EBIT, which is a ratio that
represents a multiple of the operating income generated by a company. The
difference between EBITDA and EBIT is that EBIT does not reflect an
add-back for depreciation and amortization.
Earnings estimates for fiscal 1999 for CCAIR were based on projections provided
by CCAIR management. Earnings per share estimates for the comparable public
companies were based on First Call estimates as of April 28, 1999, and reflect
the calendar year ending December 31, 1999. An analysis of the multiples for the
comparable public companies yielded:
- multiples of the current market price per common share to trailing
twelve months earnings per share of 3.7x to 19.1x with a median of
15.9x. Applying these multiples to CCAIR results in an implied equity
share value range of $1.40 to $7.28 with a median of $6.07;
- multiples of the current market price per common share to estimated
calendar 1999 estimated earnings per share of 11.1x to 15.3x with a
median of 13.2x. Applying these multiples to CCAIR results in an implied
equity share value range of $7.43 to $10.29 with a median of $8.83;
- multiples of the current enterprise value to trailing twelve months
total revenue of 0.4x to 2.6x with a median of 1.4x. Applying these
multiples to CCAIR results in an implied equity share value range of
$1.76 to $19.11 with a median of $9.64;
- multiples of the current enterprise value to trailing twelve months
EBITDA of 4.8x to 13.8x with a median of 6.6x. Applying these multiples
to CCAIR results in an implied equity share value range of $1.50 to
$6.78 with a median of $2.52; and
- multiples of the current enterprise value to trailing twelve months EBIT
of 7.4x to 10.8x with a median of 9.3x. Applying these multiples to
CCAIR results in an implied equity share value range of $2.25 to $3.92
with a median of $3.17.
Scott & Stringfellow calculated an overall median range of implied equity share
values of $2.52 to $9.64.
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Scott & Stringfellow has relied more heavily on trailing twelve months operating
cash flow and operating income data multiples, rather than forward net income
and trailing twelve months income multiples, due to a lack of comparability of
income tax rates between CCAIR and the comparable public companies. For each of
these enterprise value multiples, Scott & Stringfellow applied CCAIR's actual
operating results to the multiples for the comparable companies to develop a
range of implied values. The consideration to be paid to CCAIR shareholders, of
$4.35, is within the range of these implied values.
COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS ANALYSIS. Using publicly available information, Scott &
Stringfellow performed an analysis of eight completed and/or pending
transactions of airline carrier companies that Scott & Stringfellow deemed
comparable to the merger, which we refer to below as the airline transactions.
The transactions constituting the airline transactions were (acquiror/acquiree):
Delta Air Lines, Inc./ASA Holdings, Inc., American Airlines, Inc./Reno Air,
Inc., AirTran Holdings Inc./Airways Corp., Pan American World Airways
Inc./Carnival Airlines, Southwest Airlines Co./Morris Air, UAL Corp./Air
Wisconsin Services Inc., Mesa Air Group, Inc./Air Midwest and US Air/ Piedmont
Airlines.
Scott & Stringfellow analyzed the relative performance of CCAIR to certain
transaction multiples implied in the airline transactions. In each such
transaction, Scott & Stringfellow calculated:
- enterprise value as a multiple of trailing twelve months revenues;
- enterprise value as a multiple of trailing twelve months EBITDA;
- enterprise value as a multiple of trailing twelve months EBIT; and
- equity value as a multiple of trailing twelve months net income.
An analysis of the airline transactions multiples yielded:
- multiples of enterprise value to total revenue of 0.3x to 2.1x with a
median of 0.8x; applying these multiples to CCAIR results in an implied
equity share value range of $1.17 to $15.33 with a median of $5.33.
- multiples of enterprise value to EBITDA of 5.8x to 6.6x with a median of
6.4x; applying these multiples for CCAIR results in an implied equity
share value range of $2.07 to $2.55 with a median of $2.44.
- multiples of enterprise value to EBIT of 8.9x to 15.2x with a median of
11.9x; applying these multiples to CCAIR results in an implied equity
share value range of $2.98 to $6.03 with a median of $4.42, and
- multiples of equity value to net income of 7.1x to 25.2x with a median of
16.5x; applying these multiples to CCAIR results in an implied equity
share value range of $2.70 to $9.62 with a median of $6.30.
Scott & Stringfellow calculated an overall median range of implied equity share
values of $2.44 to $6.30.
Scott & Stringfellow has relied more heavily on trailing twelve months operating
cash flow and operating income data multiples, rather than forward net income
and trailing twelve months net income multiples, due to a lack of comparability
of income tax rates between CCAIR and the comparable public companies. For each
of these enterprise value multiples, Scott & Stringfellow applied CCAIR's actual
operating results to the multiples of the comparable public companies to develop
a range of implied values. The consideration to be paid to CCAIR shareholders,
of $4.35, is within the range of these implied values.
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No comparable public company or airline transaction is identical to CCAIR or the
merger, respectively. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of the foregoing
necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning financial
and operating characteristics of CCAIR and other general business, economic,
market, or financial factors that could affect the public trading value of the
companies to which they are being compared. Mathematical analysis, such as
determining the average or the median, is not itself a meaningful method of
using comparable public company data.
PREMIUMS PAID ANALYSIS. Scott & Stringfellow reviewed purchase price premiums
paid for the stock of the airline transactions, referred to below as the airline
transactions premiums analysis, and of selected publicly held companies in
acquisitions where the equity was valued between $25 million and $150 million
from January 1, 1997 through January 15, 1999, referred to below as the small
cap premiums analysis. In both analyses, Scott & Stringfellow measured the
average purchase price premium paid by acquirors over the prevailing stock
market prices of acquirees.
The airline transactions premiums analysis resulted in:
- - One day prior to the announcement of an offer, of premium ranges from 2.9% to
70.0% with a median of 16.8%; applying these multiples to CCAIR results in an
implied equity share value range of $3.79 to $6.27 with a median of $4.31.
- - One week prior to the announcement of an offer, of premium ranges from 5.9%
to 63.2% with a median of 22.8%; applying these multiples to CCAIR results in
an implied equity share value range of $3.90 to $6.02 with a median of $4.53.
- - Four weeks prior to the announcement of an offer, of premium ranges from 4.2%
to 89.8% with a median of 38.6%; applying these multiples to CCAIR results in
an implied equity share value range of $3.84 to $7.00 with a median of $5.11.
The small cap premiums analysis resulted in:
- - One day prior to the announcement of an offer, of premium ranges from -59.7%
to 223.6% with a median of 24.5%; applying these multiples to CCAIR results
in an implied equity share value range of $1.48 to $11.93 with a median of
$4.59.
- - One week prior to the announcement of an offer, of premium ranges from -52.8%
to 184.8% with a median of 30.3%; applying these multiples to CCAIR results
in an implied equity share value range of $1.59 to $9.61 with a median of
$4.40.
- - Four weeks prior to the announcement of an offer, of premium ranges from
-52.2% to 223.6% with a median of 36.7%; applying these multiples to CCAIR
results in an implied equity share value range of $1.46 to $9.91 with a
median of $4.19.
The premiums to CCAIR shareholders were:
- - 18.0% one day prior to the announcement of the offer;
- - 28.9% one week prior to the announcement of the offer, and;
- - 42.0% four weeks prior to the announcement of the offer.
In performing the premiums paid analysis, Scott & Stringfellow relied more
heavily on the airline transactions premiums analysis. The premium to be paid to
CCAIR shareholders over the one day, one week and four weeks prior stock prices
compares favorably in all three measures to the airline transactions premiums
analysis medians. However, Scott & Stringfellow assigned the premiums paid
analysis less weight in arriving at its opinion than the weight assigned to each
of the other material analyses described herein due to the broad range of
premiums paid in both the airline transactions premiums paid analysis and the
small cap premiums paid analysis as well as the relative illiquidity of CCAIR's
stock.
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PRO FORMA CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS. Scott & Stringfellow reviewed the relative
contributions of, among other things, net sales, gross profit, operating cash
flow, operating income and net income for the publicly available trailing twelve
months data, projected net income for the twelve months ending September 30,
1999, book value and total assets as of most recent public filings and market
capitalization as of April 28, 1999 to be made by CCAIR to the combined company
resulting from the merger. Scott & Stringfellow compared such contributions to
the percentage of outstanding shares of the combined company which would be
owned by the stockholders of CCAIR, based upon the exchange ratio. The pro forma
contribution analysis indicated that, as of April 28, 1999, CCAIR's median
contribution to the combined company would be 17.3%, versus its ownership of the
combined company of 15.8%
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Scott & Stringfellow determined that a
discounted cash flow analysis was not relevant due to the short-term nature
(through December 31, 1999) of the projections provided by CCAIR management.
In arriving at its opinion, Scott & Stringfellow gave consideration to
additional issues. The most important of these issues were as follows:
- - strategic fit between CCAIR and Mesa;
- - CCAIR's chronic inability to obtain adequate debt or equity capital to expand
its operations or to improve its balance sheet and liquidity; and
- - The lack of trading volume, small float and corresponding illiquidity of
CCAIR's common stock.
Furthermore, due to the lack of comparability between CCAIR's and the comparable
companies' tax rates, as well as CCAIR's historical difficulty achieving its
projected operating results, Scott & Stringfellow's analysis placed greater
emphasis on the implied values reached using CCAIR's actual operating cash flow
and operating income results when compared to the multiple ranges of comparable
companies and comparable transactions. Scott & Stringfellow also viewed the
contribution analysis as being of particular importance in reaching its opinion.
Scott & Stringfellow's consideration of these specific items in combination with
its complete analysis discussed herein led it to reach the conclusion set forth
in its opinion.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not
necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. In
arriving at its opinion, Scott & Stringfellow considered the results of all its
analysis as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis
or factor considered by it. Scott & Stringfellow believes that selecting any
portion of Scott & Stringfellow's analyses, without considering all analyses,
would create an incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion. In
addition, Scott & Stringfellow may have deemed various assumptions more or less
probable than other assumptions, so that the ranges of valuations resulting for
any particular analysis described above should not be taken to be Scott &
Stringfellow's view of the actual value of CCAIR.
In performing its analyses, Scott & Stringfellow made numerous assumptions with
respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond the control of CCAIR. The analyses
performed by Scott & Stringfellow are not necessarily indicative of actual
value, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such
analyses. Such analyses were performed solely as part of Scott & Stringfellow's
analysis of whether the consideration to be received by the holders of shares of
CCAIR pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial
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point of view to such holders, and were conducted in connection with the
delivery of the Scott & Stringfellow opinion. The analyses do not purport to be
appraisals or to reflect the prices at which CCAIR might actually be sold.
As described above, the Scott & Stringfellow opinion provided to the CCAIR board
was one of a number of factors taken into consideration by the CCAIR board in
making its determination to recommend adoption of the merger agreement and the
transactions resulting from it. Consequently, the Scott & Stringfellow analyses
described above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of the
CCAIR board or the view of the management with respect to the value of CCAIR.
The consideration to be received by the holders of shares of CCAIR pursuant to
the merger agreement was determined through negotiations between CCAIR and Mesa
and was approved by the entire CCAIR board.
Scott & Stringfellow was selected by CCAIR to render a fairness opinion in
connection with the merger because of Scott & Stringfellow's reputation and
expertise as an investment banking firm and its expertise and familiarity with
the logistics and transportation services industries. Scott & Stringfellow, as
part of its investment banking business, is regularly engaged in the valuation
of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
underwritings of equities, private placements and valuations for estate,
corporate and other purposes. In the ordinary course of its business, Scott &
Stringfellow may actively trade the equity securities of CCAIR and Mesa for
their own account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short term position in such securities.
Pursuant to two letter agreements between CCAIR and Scott & Stringfellow, dated
December 17, 1998 and February 2, 1999, CCAIR agreed to pay Scott &
Stringfellow:
- a non-refundable retainer of $50,000;
- an additional $100,000 payable upon initial delivery of its preliminary
analysis to the CCAIR Board;
- an additional $50,000 payable upon delivery of the oral opinion;
- an additional $50,000 payable upon closing of the transaction; and
- an additional $25,000 payable upon delivery of each additional update to
the oral opinion.
In addition to any fees for professional services, Scott & Stringfellow will
also be reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with Scott &
Stringfellow's representation of CCAIR. CCAIR has also agreed to indemnify Scott
& Stringfellow against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the
federal securities laws, related to, arising out of or in connection with the
engagement of Scott & Stringfellow by CCAIR.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete description of the
analyses performed by Scott & Stringfellow and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Scott & Stringfellow opinion attached as Annex C to this joint
proxy statement/prospectus.
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
GENERAL
The respective boards of directors of Mesa Air and CCAIR, meeting separately,
each authorized the execution and performance of the merger agreement. The
following is a summary of the material terms of the merger agreement. You should
carefully review the specific provisions of the merger agreement, which is
attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated
herein by reference.
EFFECTIVE TIME AND EFFECT OF THE MERGER
The merger agreement provides that, following the approval by Mesa Air
shareholders of the issuance of shares of Mesa Air common stock pursuant to the
merger agreement, and the approval of the merger and the merger agreement by
CCAIR stockholders, and the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to
the merger, Mesa Merger Corporation will be merged into CCAIR, with CCAIR
continuing as the surviving corporation, and CCAIR will then be a wholly owned
subsidiary of Mesa Air. Following the effective time, the corporate name of the
surviving corporation will remain as CCAIR, Inc.
The merger will become effective upon the filing of such articles of merger with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be
provided in the articles of merger. The effective time is expected to occur as
promptly as practicable after the approval of the issuance of Mesa Air common
stock in the merger by the shareholders of Mesa Air and the approval of the
merger agreement and the merger by the stockholders of CCAIR at their respective
meetings, subject to the conditions described under "-- Conditions to
Consummation of the Merger." The separate corporate existence of Mesa Merger
Corporation will terminate upon completion of the merger and, pursuant to the
merger agreement and applicable law, each outstanding share of CCAIR common
stock will be converted, without any action on the part of the CCAIR
stockholder, into the right to receive a fraction of a share of Mesa Air common
stock equal to the average closing price per share for shares of Mesa Air common
stock during the ten trading days ending on the second trading day prior to the
closing of the merger. The exchange ratio will be calculated by dividing $4.35
by such average price; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the
exchange ratio exceed 0.6214 or be less than 0.435. The exchange ratio shall be
appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, exchange, subdivision, combination, or other similar change in
Mesa Air common stock or CCAIR common stock prior to the effective time.
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Promptly after the effective time, Mesa Air will deposit in trust with American
Securities Transfer & Trust, Inc. as exchange agent in connection with the
merger, certificates representing the number of whole shares of Mesa Air common
stock to which the holders of CCAIR common stock are entitled pursuant to the
merger agreement. The exchange agent will, pursuant to irrevocable instructions
received from Mesa Air, deliver the number of shares of Mesa Air common stock.
As soon as practicable after the effective time, the exchange agent will mail to
each holder of CCAIR common stock on the CCAIR record date a letter of
transmittal and instructions for use in effecting the exchange of certificates
representing outstanding shares of CCAIR common stock for shares of Mesa Air
common stock issuable in the merger.
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Upon surrender to the exchange agent of a CCAIR stock certificate, together with
such letter of transmittal properly completed and duly executed and any other
required documents, the holder of such certificate shall be entitled to receive
the merger consideration, and such CCAIR stock certificate shall then be
canceled. If a Mesa Air stock certificate is to be issued to a person other than
the person in whose name the certificate surrendered is registered, it shall be
a condition of issuance that the certificate so surrendered shall be properly
endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting
such issuance shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
issuance to a person other than the registered holder of the certificate
surrendered. Alternatively, Mesa Air may require the requesting person establish
to the reasonable satisfaction of Mesa Air that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable. Until surrendered, each certificate shall represent for all purposes
only the right to receive the merger consideration, without any interest on the
value thereof. All payments in respect of shares of CCAIR common stock that are
made in accordance with the terms of this joint proxy statement/prospectus will
be deemed to have been made in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
such securities.
Neither Mesa Air nor Mesa Merger Corporation shall be liable to any holder of
certificates formerly representing shares of CCAIR common stock for any property
properly delivered or amount paid to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. Mesa Air will pay any
transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate
representing shares of Mesa Air common stock, provided that such certificate is
issued in the name of the person in whose name the certificate surrendered is
registered. However, Mesa Air will not pay any transfer or other tax if the
obligation to pay such tax under applicable law is solely that of the
stockholder or if payment of any such tax by Mesa Air otherwise would cause the
merger to fail to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
In case of any lost, mislaid, stolen, or destroyed certificate, the holder may
be required, as a condition to the delivery to such holder of the consideration
under the merger agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the General Corporation Law of Nevada, to deliver to Mesa Air a bond in such
reasonable sum as Mesa Air may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be
made against the exchange agent, Mesa Air, or the surviving corporation with
respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, mislaid, stolen, or
destroyed.
After the effective time, there will be no transfers on the stock transfer books
of surviving corporation of the shares of CCAIR common stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to the effective time. If, after the effective
time, certificates are presented to the surviving corporation for transfer, they
will be canceled and exchanged for Mesa Air common stock according to the merger
agreement.
Any holder of CCAIR common stock who has not complied with the transmittal
procedures will thereafter look only to Mesa Air for issuance of the number of
shares of Mesa Air common stock to which such holder has become entitled
pursuant to the merger agreement.
No fractional shares of Mesa Air common stock will be issued in connection with
the merger. Each fractional share of Mesa Air common stock which a holder of
CCAIR common stock would otherwise have been entitled to receive shall be
rounded up to the nearest whole share if such fraction is 0.5 or greater and
shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share if such fraction is less than
0.5.
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The holders of Mesa Air common stock will continue to hold their shares without
any change in number, designation, terms or rights.
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
The obligations of Mesa Air and Mesa Merger Corporation, on the one hand, and of
CCAIR, on the other hand, to consummate the merger are contingent upon and
subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
- - the absence of any legal or regulatory proceedings with respect to the merger;
- - the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended;
- - the approval of the merger and the merger agreement and any related matters by
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of CCAIR common stock on the
CCAIR record date;
- - the approval of the issuance of the shares of Mesa Air common stock in the
merger by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Mesa Air common
stock on the Mesa Air record date;
- - the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this joint proxy
statement/prospectus is a part shall have been declared effective by the SEC
and no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC with respect to the
registration statement;
- - the receipt by the Mesa Air board of a fairness opinion of Robinson-Humphrey
dated as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus;
- - the receipt by the CCAIR board of a fairness opinion of Scott & Stringfellow
dated as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus; and
- - the receipt by Mesa Air and CCAIR of a legal opinion of Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey L.L.P., dated as of the closing of the merger, to the effect that the
merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of
the Code.
The obligations of Mesa Air to consummate the merger are contingent upon and
subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:
- - the representations and warranties of CCAIR set forth in the merger agreement
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the effective time as
if made at and as of the effective time, and CCAIR shall in all material
respects have performed each obligation and agreement and complied with each
covenant to be performed and complied with by it under the merger agreement at
or prior to the effective time;
- - CCAIR shall have furnished to Mesa Air a certificate in which CCAIR's Chief
Executive Officer and Secretary certify that an appropriate inquiry has been
made of the executive officers and employees of CCAIR and its subsidiaries
having principal responsibilities for the matters as to which representations
and warranties have been made by CCAIR in the merger agreement and for the
performance of the covenants of CCAIR set forth in the merger agreement, and
after completion of such inquiry, neither CCAIR nor any of its subsidiaries
nor any of the individuals executing such certificate shall have any reason to
believe that such conditions have not been satisfied;
- - Mesa Air shall have received an opinion of Rayburn, Moon & Smith P.A., counsel
to CCAIR, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Mesa Air and its
counsel as to the legal matters described in the merger agreement;
- - Mesa Air shall have received a letter from Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
auditors of CCAIR, dated the date of the effective time bringing down to a
date not more than three
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days prior to such effective time certain information regarding CCAIR's
financial statements;
- - Mesa Air shall not have discovered any fact or circumstance existing as of the
date of the merger agreement which has not been publicly disclosed by CCAIR as
of such date regarding the business, assets, properties, condition, financial
or otherwise, results of operations or prospects of CCAIR and its subsidiaries
which is, individually or in the aggregate with other such facts and
circumstances, materially adverse to CCAIR and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole, or to the value of the shares of CCAIR common stock;
- - Mesa Air shall have received a letter from KPMG LLP, independent auditors of
Mesa Air, dated as of the merger closing date, confirming that Mesa Air may
account for the Merger as a pooling of interests in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and
all published rules, regulations and policies of the SEC;
- - on the date of the joint proxy statement/prospectus the Mesa Air board shall
have received from Robinson-Humphrey a written update confirming its
previously delivered opinion; and
- - CCAIR shall have entered into a new agreement with US Airways, Inc. relating
to the sharing of joint passenger fares and division of revenue, the terms of
which shall be acceptable to Mesa Air.
The obligation of CCAIR to consummate the merger is contingent upon, and subject
to the satisfaction or waiver of, the following additional conditions:
- - the representations and warranties of Mesa Air and Mesa Merger Corporation set
forth in the merger agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the effective time as if made at and as of the effective time,
and each of Mesa Air and Mesa Merger Corporation shall in all material
respects have performed each obligation and agreement and complied with each
covenant to be performed and complied with by it under the merger agreement at
or prior to the effective time;
- - Mesa Air shall have furnished to CCAIR a certificate in which Mesa Air shall
certify that Mesa Air has no reason to believe that the conditions described
in the preceding paragraph have not been fulfilled;
- - CCAIR shall have received an opinion of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.,
legal counsel to Mesa Air, reasonably satisfactory to CCAIR and its legal
counsel as to the legal matters;
- - CCAIR shall have received from Scott & Stringfellow a written opinion
regarding the fairness to CCAIR's shareholders, from a financial point of
view, of the consideration to be paid in the merger. The form of such letter
shall have been delivered to CCAIR's board prior to the mailing of the joint
proxy statement/prospectus and shall not have been subsequently withdrawn or
amended; and
- - CCAIR shall not have discovered any fact or circumstance existing as of the
date of the merger agreement which has not been publicly disclosed by Mesa Air
as of such date regarding the business, assets, properties, condition,
financial or otherwise, results of operations or prospects of Mesa Air and its
subsidiaries which is, individually or in the aggregate with other such facts
and circumstances, materially adverse to Mesa Air and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole, or to the value of the shares of Mesa Air common stock.
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Under the terms of the merger agreement, Mesa Air and Mesa Merger Corporation
have no obligation to consummate the merger if any condition to their
obligations to consummate the merger are not satisfied on or prior to the
closing date of the merger. Similarly, CCAIR has no obligation to consummate the
merger if any condition to its obligation to consummate the merger is not
satisfied on or prior to the closing date of the merger. Except with respect to
obtaining the respective shareholder and stockholder approvals solicited by this
joint proxy statement/prospectus, any of the conditions to the obligations of
Mesa Air, Mesa Merger Corporation or CCAIR to consummate the merger may be
waived or modified by the party that is, or whose shareholders are, entitled to
the benefits of such conditions.
Please see Article 6 of the merger agreement for a complete statement of the
conditions to the obligations of the respective parties to consummate the
merger.
TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The merger agreement may be terminated and the merger abandoned at any time
prior to the effective time, whether before or after the approval by the Mesa
Air shareholders or the CCAIR stockholders, as follows:
- - by mutual written consent of Mesa Air and CCAIR;
- - by either Mesa Air or CCAIR if the merger has not been consummated by June 1,
1999;
- - by either Mesa Air or CCAIR if a court of competent jurisdiction or other
governmental entity shall have issued a nonappealable final order, decree or
ruling, or taken any other action, having the effect of permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the merger;
- - by either Mesa Air or CCAIR if, at their respective special meetings, the
requisite vote of the shareholders of Mesa Air in favor of the issuance of
Mesa Air common stock pursuant to the merger agreement or of the stockholders
of CCAIR in favor of the merger and the merger agreement is not obtained;
- - by either Mesa Air or CCAIR if the board of directors of the other withdraws
or modifies its recommendation to its shareholders to approve the merger or
fails to call and send notice of the Mesa Air special meeting or the CCAIR
special meeting, as the case may be;
- - by Mesa Air if the CCAIR board recommends an alternative transaction to its
stockholders; or
- - by either Mesa Air or CCAIR if there has been a material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the other set
forth in the merger agreement that is not cured within a specified time
period.
If Mesa Air or CCAIR terminates the merger agreement as provided above, there
will be no liability on the part of any party or its officers, directors or
shareholders.
FEES AND EXPENSES; TERMINATION FEES
Whether or not the merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
will be paid by the party incurring such costs or expenses.
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<PAGE> 65
AMENDMENT OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT; WAIVER OF CONDITIONS
The respective boards of directors of CCAIR, Mesa Air and Mesa Merger
Corporation may, by written agreement, at any time before or after the approval
of the merger and the merger agreement by the CCAIR stockholders and the
approval of the issuance of shares of Mesa Air common stock pursuant to the
merger agreement by the Mesa Air shareholders, amend the merger agreement.
However, following approval by the CCAIR or Mesa Air shareholders, no amendment
or modification may be made that would materially adversely affect the rights of
the CCAIR or Mesa Air shareholders without the further approval of such
shareholders. Each party to the merger agreement may, to the extent legally
permitted, extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any
other party to the merger agreement, waive any inaccuracies in the
representations or warranties of any other party contained in the merger
agreement, or waive compliance by any other party with any of the agreements or
conditions contained in the merger agreement.
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
In the merger agreement, Mesa Air, Mesa Merger Corporation and CCAIR have made
various representations, warranties, covenants and agreements relating to, among
other things, their respective organization, capital structure, business and
financial condition, the completeness and accuracy of filings made with the SEC
and the satisfaction of various legal requirements for the merger. In addition,
each of Mesa Air and CCAIR has represented and warranted that they will cause
their respective directors, officers and certain other persons to enter into
agreements that such individuals will vote their respective Mesa Air and CCAIR
shares in favor of the merger, will not sell any Mesa Air common stock for a
period of 90 days following the effective time and, in the case of CCAIR, will
comply with Rule 145 under the Securities Act. Except with respect to the
restrictions on sales of stock and compliance with Rule 145, the representations
and warranties of each of the parties to the merger agreement will expire upon
consummation of the merger.
The merger agreement provides that CCAIR will not directly or indirectly
solicit, initiate, or encourage any inquiries or proposals relating to any
liquidation, dissolution, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or acquisition
or purchase of all or a material portion of the assets of, or any equity
interest in, CCAIR or any subsidiary of CCAIR. CCAIR also has agreed not to
participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any
other person any information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way
with, or assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt
by any other person or entity to do or seek any of the matters described in the
preceding sentence. CCAIR has agreed to immediately notify Mesa Air if it
receives any inquiries or proposals with respect to such proposal, offer or
inquiry. CCAIR may engage in any of the activities described in this paragraph
if its board receives a written opinion from outside legal counsel stating that
there would be a material risk of liability to its stockholders for failure to
do so.
Under the merger agreement, CCAIR is generally obligated prior to the effective
time to carry on its business in the usual, regular, and ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as previously conducted, to pay its debts and
taxes when due, to pay or perform other obligations when due, and to preserve
intact its present business organization. CCAIR has agreed to notify Mesa Air of
changes in the normal course of its business and to refrain from taking certain
actions without the prior written consent of Mesa Air. As to CCAIR, the
prohibited actions include, among other matters, accelerating or amending
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<PAGE> 66
options, transferring intellectual property rights, declaring dividends, issuing
stock, subject to certain exceptions, acquiring or merging with third parties,
disposing of any of its assets, subject to a de minimis exception, increasing
compensation, revaluing any of its assets, incurring indebtedness, except
pursuant to existing credit agreements, or voluntarily prepaying outstanding
indebtedness, amending its charter documents or bylaws or making any capital
expenditure or commitment, subject to some exceptions.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND STOCK OPTIONS
Following the effective time, Mesa Merger Corporation has agreed to honor in
accordance with their terms all employee benefit plans of CCAIR and all accrued
benefits vested under such plans. Mesa Air has agreed to provide, after the
effective time, employees of CCAIR, not otherwise covered by collective
bargaining agreements, with employee benefits in the aggregate substantially no
less favorable than those benefits provided to Mesa Air's similarly situated
employees for a period ending on the first anniversary of the effective time.
At March 31, 1999, a total of 1,014,907 shares of CCAIR common stock were
subject to outstanding CCAIR stock options issued under CCAIR stock option
plans. At the effective time, each CCAIR stock option outstanding will be
converted into an option to acquire shares of Mesa Air common stock, based on
the exchange ratio, and the exercise price of each such option will be
correspondingly adjusted. All other terms and conditions of such option will
remain unchanged from the terms and conditions under the applicable CCAIR stock
option plan.
WARRANTS
At March 31, 1999, a total of 451,217 shares of CCAIR common stock were reserved
for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants. At the effective time,
each outstanding warrant to purchase CCAIR common stock will be converted into a
warrant to purchase shares of Mesa Air common stock based on the terms of such
warrant. The exercise price and the number of shares underlying such warrant
will be adjusted based on the exchange ratio.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion summarizes the material federal income tax
considerations of the merger that are generally applicable to holders of CCAIR
common stock. This discussion is based on currently existing provisions of the
Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and current administrative
rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Any such
change, which may or may not be retroactive, could alter the tax consequences to
Mesa Air, CCAIR, or CCAIR's stockholders as described herein.
CCAIR stockholders should be aware that this discussion does not deal with all
federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to particular CCAIR
stockholders in light of their particular circumstances, such as stockholders
who are dealers in securities, who are subject to the alternative minimum tax
provisions of the Code, who are foreign persons, or who acquired their shares in
connection with stock option or stock purchase plans or in other compensatory
transactions. In addition, the following discussion does not address the tax
consequences of the merger under foreign, state or local tax laws or the tax
consequences of the exercise of CCAIR stock options or any other transactions
effectuated prior to or after the merger, whether or not such transactions are
in connection with the merger. Accordingly, CCAIR option holders, warrant
holders and stockholders are urged to
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<PAGE> 67
consult their own tax advisors as to the specific consequences of the merger,
including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to
them of the merger in their particular circumstances.
Neither Mesa Air nor CCAIR has requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service with regard to any of the federal income tax consequences of the merger.
It is a condition to consummation of the merger that Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
L.L.P., legal counsel to Mesa Air, render an opinion addressed to Mesa Air and
CCAIR that the merger will constitute a reorganization under Section 368(a) of
the Code. Such tax opinion will be based on certain assumptions as well as
representations received from Mesa Air, CCAIR, Mesa Merger Corporation and
certain stockholders of CCAIR, including an assumption, based on
representations, concerning the "continuity of interest" requirement discussed
below, and is subject to the limitations discussed below. Moreover, such tax
opinion will not be binding on the IRS nor preclude the IRS from adopting a
contrary position. The discussion below assumes that the merger will qualify as
a reorganization.
Subject to the limitations and qualifications referred to herein, and as a
result of the merger's qualifying as a reorganization, the following federal
income tax consequences should result:
- - No gain or loss will be recognized by the stockholders of CCAIR on the
exchange of their CCAIR common stock solely for shares of Mesa Air common
stock.
- - The federal income tax basis of Mesa Air common stock received by the
stockholders of CCAIR for their shares of CCAIR common stock will be the same
as the federal income tax basis of the CCAIR common stock surrendered in
exchange therefor.
- - The holding period of the Mesa Air common stock received by the stockholders
of CCAIR in exchange for their shares of CCAIR common stock will include the
period for which the CCAIR common stock was held, provided that the exchanged
CCAIR common stock was held as a capital asset by such stockholder at the
effective time.
- - None of Mesa Air, CCAIR or Mesa Merger Corporation will recognize gain solely
as a result of the merger.
The tax opinion is subject to various assumptions and qualifications and is
based on the truth and accuracy of representations of Mesa Air, CCAIR, Mesa
Merger Corporation and specified stockholders of CCAIR, including
representations in certificates delivered to counsel by the respective
managements of Mesa Air, CCAIR and Mesa Merger Corporation and specified
stockholders of CCAIR. Of particular importance are the assumptions and
representations relating to the "continuity of interest" requirement.
The continuity of interest requirement is satisfied if a substantial part of the
proprietary interest in CCAIR is preserved in the merger. A substantial part of
the proprietary interest in CCAIR will generally be preserved in the merger if
the aggregate amount of Mesa Air common stock received by the CCAIR stockholders
in the merger represents a substantial portion of the entire consideration
received by the CCAIR stockholders pursuant to the merger. In determining
whether a substantial proprietary interest in CCAIR is preserved, certain
dispositions of Mesa Air stock received in exchange for CCAIR stock, such as
dispositions to Mesa Air or related entities, will be taken into account.
Although representations have been received from Mesa Air, Mesa Merger
Corporation, CCAIR, and substantial shareholders of CCAIR evidencing that the
continuity of interest requirement will likely be satisfied, no assurance can be
made that such requirement will
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<PAGE> 68
in fact be satisfied. If the continuity of interest requirement were not
satisfied, the merger would not be treated as a reorganization.
A successful IRS challenge to the reorganization status of the merger, as a
result of a failure of the "continuity of interest" requirement or otherwise,
would result in significant tax consequences. A CCAIR stockholder would
recognize gain or loss with respect to each share of CCAIR common stock
surrendered equal to the difference between the shareholder's basis in such
share and the fair market value, as of the effective time, of the Mesa Air
common stock received in exchange therefor. In such event, a stockholder's
aggregate basis in the Mesa Air common stock so received would equal its fair
market value, and the stockholder's holding period for such stock would begin
upon receipt of the CCAIR common stock.
The foregoing discussion is based on the existing provisions of the Code, and
existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, any of which may
be altered retroactively.
CCAIR stockholders, option holders and warrant holders are urged to consult
their own tax advisors for more specific and definitive advice as to the federal
income tax consequences to them from the conversion of their shares of CCAIR
common stock pursuant to the merger, as well as advice as to the application and
effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws and possible
amendments to such laws.
ANTICIPATED ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF THE MERGER
It is a condition to the consummation of the merger that Mesa Air shall have
received letters, dated as of the date hereof and as of the merger closing date,
from Arthur Andersen LLP, CCAIR's independent public accountants, setting forth
their concurrence with the conclusion of CCAIR's management that no conditions
exist with respect to CCAIR that would preclude accounting for the merger as a
pooling of interests, and from KPMG LLP, Mesa Air's independent auditors, to the
effect that the merger can be accounted for as a pooling of interests, in each
case under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and assuming that the
merger is closed and consummated in accordance with the merger agreement. As a
condition to the merger being accounted for as a pooling of interests, each
affiliate of Mesa Air and CCAIR must not reduce their risk relative to any
shares of Mesa Air common stock received in the merger during the 30 days prior
to the date of consummation of the merger through the date on which financial
results covering at least 30 days of post-merger combined operations of Mesa Air
and CCAIR have been published by Mesa Air. See "Interests of Certain Persons in
the Merger; Conflicts of Interest -- Affiliate Agreements" for a complete
discussion of the restrictions placed on affiliates. If the merger is
consummated but fails to qualify for pooling of interests accounting treatment,
the transaction would be accounted for as a purchase. Accounting for the merger
as a purchase would require Mesa Air to record certain intangible assets and
charges against future results of operations in connection with the acquisition,
which would adversely affect Mesa Air's results of operations.
REGULATORY MATTERS
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, the merger
may not be consummated until notifications have been given and certain
information has been furnished to the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust
Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and specified waiting period
requirements have been satisfied or early termination of the waiting period is
granted at the request of Mesa Air and CCAIR.
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<PAGE> 69
Mesa Air and CCAIR filed notification and report forms under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with the FTC and the Antitrust Division on February 9,
1999. These filings commenced a 30-day waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
As of March 11, 1999, the 30-day waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act
expired. Mesa Air and CCAIR have received notification from the Department of
Justice that no further information or documentary material will be requested
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
There can be no assurance that a challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds
will not be made, or if such challenge is made, that Mesa Air and CCAIR would
prevail or would not be required to terminate the merger agreement, to divest
certain assets, or to accept certain conditions in order to consummate the
merger. Mesa Air does not have any obligation under the merger agreement to:
- - dispose or cause any of its subsidiaries to dispose of any assets;
- - discontinue or make any changes to its operations or proposed operations or to
the operations or proposed operations of any of its subsidiaries; or
- - make any commitment (to any governmental body or otherwise) regarding its
future operations, or the future operations of its subsidiaries, or the future
operations of CCAIR or its subsidiaries, even though the disposition of such
assets or the making of such change or commitment might facilitate the
obtaining of a required governmental authorization or might otherwise
facilitate the consummation of the merger.
RESALE OF MESA AIR COMMON STOCK
The shares of Mesa Air common stock to be received in the merger will be freely
transferable, except for shares of Mesa Air common stock received by persons who
are deemed to be "affiliates," as that term is defined in the rules under the
Securities Act, of CCAIR immediately prior to the effective time, or of Mesa Air
after the effective time. An affiliate is defined generally as including,
without limitation, directors, executive officers and other persons who control
a company. Shares of Mesa Air common stock received in the merger by persons who
are affiliates of CCAIR immediately prior to the effective time but do not
become affiliates of Mesa Air may be sold by them only in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 145 under the Securities Act, which imposes limitations on
the volume and manner of sales by such affiliates, or pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act, or in transactions exempt from
registration thereunder. The CCAIR affiliates are Kenneth W. Gann, Eric W.
Montgomery, Peter J. Sistare, Mickey J. Bowman, Carletta S. Sullivan, Albert I.
Beamon, Patricia H. Bergman, K. Ray Allen, Gordon Linkon, George Murnane, III,
Dean E. Painter and Richard Magurno. Shares of Mesa Air common stock received in
the merger by persons who are affiliates of Mesa Air following the merger may be
sold by them only in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, which imposes limitations on the volume and manner of sales by
such affiliates, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, or in transactions exempt from registration thereunder.
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<PAGE> 70
ABSENCE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
MESA AIR SHAREHOLDERS
Under Nevada law, no holder of Mesa Air common stock will be entitled to
dissenters' rights of appraisal.
CCAIR STOCKHOLDERS
Under Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, CCAIR
stockholders will not be entitled to dissenters' rights of appraisal in
connection with the merger because the Mesa Air common stock is listed on a
national securities exchange.
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<PAGE> 71
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combining financial statements
reflect the merger of CCAIR into a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air. The
merger will be accounted for as pooling of interests under generally accepted
accounting principles. The pro forma statements of operations combine the
operations of Mesa Air and CCAIR for the three months ended December 31, 1998,
and the operations of Mesa Air for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998,
with the operations of CCAIR for the six months ended December 31, 1997, and the
six months ended June 30, 1998, and the operations of Mesa Air for the fiscal
years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 with the operations of CCAIR for the
fiscal years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The pro forma balance
sheet combines Mesa Air with CCAIR as of December 31, 1998, and assumes the
merger occurred as of December 31, 1998. The historical consolidated financial
information of Mesa Air and CCAIR has been derived from their respective
financial statements which are included elsewhere herein or incorporated herein
by reference. The pro forma financial statements should be read in conjunction
with these historical financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the
accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combining financial
statements. The pro forma financial statements are not necessarily indicative of
the financial position or operating results that would have been achieved had
the merger occurred as of the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of future
operating results or financial position.
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<PAGE> 72
MESA AIR GROUP, INC. AND CCAIR, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1998
(000 OMITTED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MESA CCAIR PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
(HISTORICAL) (HISTORICAL) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------ ------------ ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents...................... $ 65,865 $ 46 $ 65,911
Receivables, primarily traffic................. 18,794 6,346 25,140
Expendable parts and supplies, less allowance
for obsolescence............................ 21,772 1,913 23,685
Prepaid expenses and other current assets...... 3,866 1,894 5,760
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total current assets........................ $110,297 $ 10,199 $120,496
Property and equipment, net...................... 327,416 4,221 331,637
Lease and equipment deposits..................... 11,347 11,347
Intangible, less amortization.................... 20,295 719 (719)(5) 20,295
Other assets..................................... 1,516 27 1,543
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total assets................................ $470,871 $ 15,166 (719) $485,318
======== ======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital
leases...................................... $ 39,491 $ 1,053 $ 40,544
Short-term borrowings.......................... 717 717
Accounts payable............................... 12,822 5,541 18,363
Air traffic liability.......................... 3,624 3,624
Accrued compensation........................... 1,303 1,303
Other accrued expenses......................... 43,004 8,014 (1,193)(2) 52,325
2,500(4)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities................... 100,244 15,325 1,307 116,876
Long-term debt and capital leases, excluding
current portion................................ 231,111 10,625 241,736
Deferred credits and other liabilities........... 15,862 232 16,094
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock of no par value, 2,000,000
shares authorized; common stock of no par
value, 75,000,000 shares authorized......... 101,868 21,349(3) 123,217
Common stock, $.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares
authorized.................................. 89 (89)(3)
Additional paid-in-capital..................... 21,260 (21,260)(3)
Retained earnings (deficit).................... 21,786 (32,365) 1,193(2) (12,605)
(2,500)(4)
(719)(5)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity.................. 123,654 (11,016) (2,026) 110,612
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity.................................... $470,871 $ 15,166 (719) $485,318
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial data.
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<PAGE> 73
MESA AIR GROUP, INC. AND CCAIR, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
(000 OMITTED, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MESA CCAIR PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
(HISTORICAL) (HISTORICAL) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------ ------------ ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues
Passenger revenue............................... $75,880 $20,375 $96,255
Freight and other............................... 1,240 225 1,466
------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating revenues................ 77,120 20,601 -- 97,721
------- ------- ------- -------
Operating expenses
Flight operations 33,404 8,603 -- 42,007
Maintenance..................................... 13,341 4,173 254(2) 17,768
Aircraft and traffic servicing.................. 9,575 3,267 12,842
Promotion and sales............................. 5,358 2,899 8,257
General and administrative...................... 4,744 1,455 6,200
Depreciation and amortization................... 4,492 315 (103)(5) 4,704
------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating expenses................ 70,914 20,713 151 91,708
------- ------- ------- -------
Operating income (loss)................. 6,206 (112) (151) 5,943
------- ------- ------- -------
Non-operating income (expense)
Interest expense................................ (4,325) (333) (4,658)
Interest income 93 93
Other........................................... 311 75 386
------- ------- ------- -------
Total non-operating income
(expense)............................ (3,921) (258) -- (4,179)
------- ------- ------- -------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes............... 2,285 (370) (151) 1,764
Income tax expense (benefit)...................... --
------- ------- ------- -------
Net earnings (loss)............................... 2,285 (370) (151) 1,764
======= ======= ======= =======
Average common shares outstanding:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6214............. 28,328 8,541 33,635
======= ======= =======
Assuming an exchange ratio of .4350............. 28,328 8,541 32,043
======= ======= =======
Earnings (loss) per common share:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6124............. 0.08 (0.04) 0.05
======= ======= =======
Assuming an exchange ratio of .4350............. 0.08 (0.04) 0.06
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial data.
64
<PAGE> 74
MESA AIR GROUP, INC. AND CCAIR, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
(000 OMITTED, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED(1)(5)
----------------------------------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 JUNE 30, 1998
MESA CCAIR PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
(HISTORICAL) (HISTORICAL) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------------ ------------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues:
Passenger revenue........................ $412,526 $ 64,395 $ $476,921
Freight and other........................ 11,015 1,098 12,113
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total operating revenues.............. 423,541 65,493 -- 489,034
-------- -------- ------- --------
Operating Expenses:
Flight operations........................ 167,630 24,886 192,516
Maintenance.............................. 81,847 13,831 141(2) 95,819
Aircraft and traffic servicing........... 68,125 9,003 77,128
Promotion and sales...................... 57,767 9,404 67,171
General and administrative............... 26,768 4,876 31,644
Depreciation and amortization............ 25,749 1,160 26,909
Other operating items.................... 40,443 9,881 5,333(2) 55,657
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total operating expenses.............. 468,329 73,041 5,474 546,844
-------- -------- ------- --------
Operating income (loss)............... (44,788) (7,548) (5,474) (57,810)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense......................... (22,508) (1,174) (23,682)
Interest income.......................... 802 802
Other.................................... 5,298 56 5,354
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total non-operating income
(expense)........................... (16,408) (1,118) -- (17,526)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and
cumulative effective of accounting
change................................... (61,196) (8,666) (5,474) (75,336)
Income tax expense (benefit)............... (7,762) (7,762)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change........................ $(53,434) $ (8,666) $(5,474) $(67,574)
======== ======== ======= ========
Average common shares outstanding:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6214...... 28,328 8,102 33,363
======== ======== ========
Assuming an exchange ratio of .435....... 28,328 8,102 31,852
======== ======== ========
Earnings (loss) per common share before
cumulative effect of accounting
change:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6214...... $ (1.89) $ (1.07) $ (2.03)
======== ======== ========
Assuming an exchange ratio of .435....... $ (1.89) $ (1.07) $ (2.12)
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial data.
65
<PAGE> 75
MESA AIR GROUP, INC. AND CCAIR, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
(000 OMITTED, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED(1)(5)
------------------------------------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 JUNE 30, 1997
MESA CCAIR PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
(HISTORICAL) (HISTORICAL) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------------- -------------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues:
Passenger revenue....................... $500,822 $67,020 $ $567,842
Freight and other....................... 10,155 1,467 11,622
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total operating revenues............. 510,977 68,487 -- 579,464
-------- ------- ------- --------
Operating Expenses:
Flight operations....................... 181,696 30,656 212,352
Maintenance............................. 93,278 12,381 2,249(2) 107,908
Aircraft and traffic servicing.......... 85,755 8,373 94,128
Promotion and sales..................... 75,448 9,868 85,316
General and administrative.............. 26,543 4,115 30,658
Depreciation and amortization........... 34,859 1,699 36,558
Other operating items................... 67,884 67,884
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total operating expenses............. 565,463 67,092 2,249 634,804
-------- ------- ------- --------
Operating income (loss).............. (54,486) 1,395 (2,249) (55,340)
-------- ------- ------- --------
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense........................ (27,776) (742) (28,518)
Interest income......................... 1,837 1,837
Other................................... 1,250 8 1,258
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total non-operating income
(expense).......................... (24,689) (734) -- (25,423)
-------- ------- ------- --------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes....... (79,175) 661 (2,249) (80,763)
Income tax expense (benefit).............. (30,578) 141 (30,437)
-------- ------- ------- --------
Net earnings (loss)....................... $(48,597) $ 520 $(2,249) $(50,326)
======== ======= ======= ========
Average common shares outstanding:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6214..... 28,275 7,741 33,085
======== ======= ========
Assuming an exchange ratio of .435...... 28,275 7,741 31,642
======== ======= ========
Net earnings (loss) per common share:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6214..... $ (1.72) $ 0.07 $ (1.52)
======== ======= ========
Assuming an exchange ratio of .435...... $ (1.72) $ 0.07 $ (1.59)
======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial data.
66
<PAGE> 76
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
MESA AIR GROUP, INC. AND CCAIR, INC.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
(000 OMITTED, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED(1)(5)
----------------------------------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 JUNE 30, 1996
MESA CCAIR PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
(HISTORICAL) (HISTORICAL) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------------ ------------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues:
Passenger revenue........................ $489,432 $64,482 $ $553,914
Freight and other........................ 10,931 1,751 12,682
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total operating revenues.............. 500,363 66,233 -- 566,596
-------- ------- ------- --------
Operating Expenses:
Flight operations........................ 166,151 29,752 195,903
Maintenance.............................. 81,400 12,566 369(2) 94,335
Aircraft and traffic servicing........... 73,469 7,839 81,308
Promotion and sales...................... 74,844 9,104 83,948
General and administrative............... 29,186 4,273 33,459
Depreciation and amortization............ 24,296 1,813 26,109
Other operating items.................... 3,023 3,023
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total operating expenses.............. 452,369 65,347 369 518,085
-------- ------- ------- --------
Operating income (loss)............... 47,994 886 (369) 48,511
-------- ------- ------- --------
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense......................... (12,777) (761) (13,538)
Interest income.......................... 2,274 2,274
Other.................................... 12,028 (11) 12,017
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total non-operating income
(expense)........................... 1,525 (772) -- 753
-------- ------- ------- --------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes........ 49,519 114 (369) 49,264
Income tax expense (benefit)............... 19,112 18 19,130
-------- ------- ------- --------
Net earnings (loss)........................ $ 30,407 $ 96 $ (369) $ 30,134
======== ======= ======= ========
Average common shares outstanding:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6214...... 30,449 7,565 35,150
======== ======= ========
Assuming an exchange ratio of .435....... 30,449 7,565 33,740
======== ======= ========
Net earnings (loss) per common share:(5)
Assuming an exchange ratio of .6214...... $ 1.00 $ 0.01 $ 0.86
======== ======= ========
Assuming an exchange ratio of .435....... $ 1.00 $ 0.01 $ 0.89
======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial data.
67
<PAGE> 77
MESA AIR GROUP, INC. AND CCAIR, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL DATA
1. The acquisition of CCAIR by Mesa Air is expected to qualify for the
pooling-of-interests method of accounting. Mesa Air has a September year
end, while CCAIR has a December year end. CCAIR changed their fiscal year
end from June 30 to December 31 in 1997. For the purpose of these pro forma
combined condensed statements of operations, Mesa Air's three months ended
December 31, 1998 are combined with CCAIR's for the same period and Mesa
Air's years ended September 30, 1998, 1997, and 1996 are combined with
CCAIR's financial years ended June 30, 1998, 1997, and 1996.
2. CCAIR had primarily used the deferral method of accounting for engine
overhauls, but effective July 1, 1997, CCAIR elected to change its method of
accounting for engine, propeller and landing gear overhauls from the
deferral method to the accrual method. Mesa Air had used the direct expense
method. To conform these methods of accounting on the pro forma combined
condensed financial statements, a retroactive restatement has been made to
CCAIR's prior period financial statements to reflect results as though the
direct expense method has been used. The restatement resulted in additional
expense of $254,000, $5,474,000, $2,249,000, and $369,000 for the three
months ended December 31, 1998 and for the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997,
and 1996, respectively.
3. The additional paid in capital of CCAIR has been combined with Mesa Air's no
par value common stock.
4. It is anticipated that Mesa Air and CCAIR together will incur approximately
$2,500,000 of costs associated with this transaction. Under the
pooling-of-interests method, this will be expensed, consequently, the effect
of this anticipated cost is accrued on the pro forma combined condensed
balance sheet. Actual merger costs may vary from such estimates.
5. CCAIR had capitalized $822,000 of preoperating costs in the quarter ending
September 30, 1998 relating to the addition of new aircraft. In the December
31, 1998 quarter $103,000 of these costs were amortized leaving $719,000 of
unamortized cost at December 31, 1998. To conform to Mesa Air's accounting
method this amount would not be capitalized nor amortized. CCAIR's quarter
ending September 30, 1998 is not included in these pro forma statements,
consequently the December 31, 1998 balance sheet and statement of operations
for the three months ended December 31, 1998 have been adjusted accordingly.
Due to a change in accounting policy under SOP 98-5 the balance of this will
be written off in the March 31, 1999 quarter for CCAIR. However, upon
completion of the merger the adjustment will retroactively be made to the
period in which it occurred.
6. Based on the possible exchange ratios the following table represents the
various pro forma combined shares outstanding and net earnings per share.
68
<PAGE> 78
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXCHANGE AVERAGE COMMON NET EARNINGS
RATIO SHARES OUTSTANDING PER SHARE
-------- ------------------ ------------
(000 OMITTED)
<S> <C> <C>
Three months ended December 31, 1998
.6214 33,635 $ . 05
.544 32,974 $ .05
.483 32,453 $ .05
.435 32,043 $ .06
Year ended September 30, 1998
.6214 33,363 $(2.03)
.544 32,735 $(2.06)
.483 32,241 $(2.10)
.435 31,852 $(2.12)
Year ended September 30, 1997
.6214 33,085 $(1.52)
.544 32,486 $(1.55)
.483 32,014 $(1.57)
.435 31,642 $(1.59)
Year ended September 30, 1996
.6214 35,150 $ .86
.544 34,564 $ .87
.483 34,103 $ .88
.435 33,740 $ .89
</TABLE>
69
<PAGE> 79
BUSINESS OF MESA AIR
For the most current description of Mesa Air's business, please see Mesa Air's
1998 annual report to shareholders, which is being mailed with this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus.
MANAGEMENT OF MESA AIR
GENERAL
The current executive officers of Mesa Air are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME POSITION
- ---- --------
<S> <C>
Jonathan G. Ornstein.............. President and Chief Executive
Officer
Michael J. Lotz................... Chief Operating Officer
Archille R. Pacquette............. President -- Air Midwest
Michael Ferverda.................. Sr. Vice President -- Flight Operations
Robert Moye....................... Sr. Vice President -- Maintenance
Blaine M. Jones................... Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>
For information regarding Mesa Air's directors and executive officers, including
ages and business backgrounds, executive compensation, security ownership of
certain beneficial owners and management and certain relationships and related
transactions, please refer to "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management -- Certain Shareholders of Mesa Air" and "Additional Information
for the Mesa Air Special Meeting" in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and
in Mesa Air's 1998 annual report to shareholders, which is being mailed with
this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING THE MERGER
Mesa Air intends to operate CCAIR in a manner substantially consistent with its
current operations. The headquarters of the surviving corporation after the
merger will be Charlotte, North Carolina. Mesa Air and the surviving corporation
will carefully review the operations of the combined companies in an attempt to
identify additional opportunities for expense reduction through the use of
shared resources. It is uncertain how this analysis will affect CCAIR's existing
employees.
The following persons will be appointed as officers of the surviving
corporation, effective as of the effective time:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME POSITION
- ---- --------
<S> <C>
Kenneth W. Gann................... President
Eric W. Montgomery................ Treasurer
Steven E. Markhoff................ Secretary
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 80
The directors of the surviving corporation will be:
NAME
----------
Kenneth W. Gann
Michael J. Lotz
Steven E. Markhoff
Mesa Air has no plans to eliminate any executive officer positions of CCAIR
following the merger.
MESA AIR MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For the most current discussion of Mesa Air Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, please see Mesa Air's 1999
annual report to shareholders and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended December 31, 1998, each as amended, which are being mailed with
this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
BUSINESS OF CCAIR
For the most current description of CCAIR's business, please see CCAIR's annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as amended,
which is being mailed with this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
CCAIR MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For the most current discussion of CCAIR Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, please see CCAIR's annual report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as amended, which is
being mailed with this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
71
<PAGE> 81
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
SHAREHOLDERS OF MESA AIR
The following table sets forth information as of September 30, 1998, regarding
beneficial ownership of Mesa Air common stock as of the Mesa Air record date by:
- - each person or entity known by Mesa Air to own beneficially more than five
percent of the outstanding Mesa Air common stock;
- - each Mesa Air director;
- - the Chief Executive Officer of Mesa Air and other executive officers with
annual compensation greater than $100,000, including salary and bonus; and
- - all directors and executive officers of Mesa Air as a group.
Except as otherwise noted below, the listed beneficial owner has sole voting and
investment power with respect to such shares and the address of the listed
beneficial owner is that of Mesa Air.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
-----------------------
VESTED PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES OPTIONS(1) TOTAL(1) OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------ --------- ---------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Larry L. Risley.................... 516,380 800,000 1,316,380 4.6%
2325 East 30th Street
Farmington, New Mexico 87401
Jack Braly......................... -- 19,000 19,000 *
Paul R. Madden..................... 5,000 13,000 18,000 *
Jonathan G. Ornstein(2)............ 343,664 333,333 681,997 2.4%
Blaine M. Jones.................... 264 50,000 50,264 *
James E. Swigart(3)................ 110,214 -- 110,214 *
Daniel J. Altobello................ 1,000 -- 1,000 *
Herbert A. Denton(4)............... 329,280 -- 329,280 *
Ronald R. Fogleman................. -- -- -- *
Maurice A. Parker.................. -- -- -- *
Arlo E. Clough..................... -- -- -- *
Archille R. Paquette............... -- 122,665 122,665 *
Timothy L. Coon.................... -- -- -- *
J. Clark Stevens................... -- -- -- *
2400 State Highway 121, #2501
Euless, Texas 76034
Barlow Partners II, L.P............ 1,785,513 -- 1,785,513 6.3%
1954 Airport Road, Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Wisconsin Investment Board......... 3,190,000 -- 3,190,000 11.2%
121 East Wilson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53702
</TABLE>
72
<PAGE> 82
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
-----------------------
VESTED PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES OPTIONS(1) TOTAL(1) OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------ --------- ---------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Capital................... 2,881,500 -- 2,881,500 10.2%
1345 Avenue of the Americas,
39th Floor
New York, New York 10105
Franklin Advisers.................. 2,497,000 -- 2,497,000 8.8%
777 Mariners Island Blvd
San Mateo, California 94404
Dimension Fund..................... 1,989,400 -- 1,989,400 7.0%
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, California 90401
All directors and officers as a
group(9 persons)................. 981,522 1,337,998 2,319,520 8.2%
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* Represents less than one percent of the outstanding shares of Mesa Air
common stock.
(1) Includes options vested on September 30, 1998 and options which the
individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of such date. This table
is based upon information supplied by executive officers, directors and
principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC.
(2) Includes 326,267 shares of stock held in the name of Barlow Partners II,
L.P. and 17,397 shares of stock held in the name of Barlow Management, Inc.
Mr. Ornstein is a limited partner in Barlow Partners II, L.P. and a
shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc. As such, he claims beneficial
ownership of the shares held by those entities to the extent of his
proportional interest therein. Barlow Management also is a general partner
for Barlow Partners II, L.P.
(3) Includes 103,256 shares of stock held in the name of Barlow Partners II,
L.P. and 6,958 shares of stock held in the name of Barlow Management, Inc.
Mr. Swigart is a limited partner in Barlow Partners II, L.P. and a
shareholder in Barlow Management Inc. As such, he claims beneficial
ownership of the shares held by these entities to the extent of his
proportional interest therein. Barlow Management also is general partner for
Barlow Partners II.
(4) Includes 100,000 shares of stock held in the name of Providence Investors
LLC, 219,280 shares of stock held in the name of Providence Jet LLC, and
10,000 shares of stock held in the name of Providence Capital, Inc. Mr.
Denton has shared investment and voting power with respect to the shares
held by Providence Investors, and sole investment and voting power with
respect to the shares held by Providence Jet and Providence Capital.
STOCKHOLDERS OF CCAIR
The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership
of CCAIR common stock as of the CCAIR record date, by:
- - each stockholder known by CCAIR to own beneficially more than five percent of
the outstanding CCAIR common stock;
73
<PAGE> 83
- - each director of CCAIR;
- - the President of CCAIR and other executive officers with annual compensation
greater than $100,000, including salary and bonus; and
- - all executive officers and directors of CCAIR as a group.
Except as otherwise noted below, the listed beneficial owner has sole voting and
investment power with respect to such shares and the address of the listed
beneficial owner is that of CCAIR. See "Comparative Rights of Mesa Air
Shareholders and CCAIR Stockholders" for a discussion of the voting and other
rights of holders of CCAIR common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS(11)
- ---- ----------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Kenneth W. Gann........................ 420,793(1) 4.0%
Dean E. Painter, Jr.................... 277,000(2) 2.7%
K. Ray Allen........................... 98,750(3) *
Gordon Linkon.......................... 95,000(4) *
George Murnane, III.................... 731,117(5) 7.0%
Eric W. Montgomery..................... 85,000(6) *
Richard P. Magurno..................... 11,664(7) *
Peter J. Sistare....................... 65,000(8) *
Barlow Partners, L.P................... 688,617(9) 6.6%
c/o International Airline Support Group
1954 Airport Road, Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
PAR Investment Partners, L.P........... 836,100(10) 8.0%
c/o Par Capital Management, Inc.
One Financial Center, S-1600
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
All directors and executive officers as 1,784,324(11) 17.1%
a group (8 persons)..................
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of CCAIR common stock.
(1) Mr. Gann has the right to acquire 420,243 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options.
(2) Mr. Painter has the right to acquire 227,000 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options and warrants.
(3) Mr. Allen has the right to acquire 98,750 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options and warrants.
(4) Mr. Linkon has the right to acquire 65,000 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options.
(5) Mr. Murnane has the right to acquire 62,500 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options and warrants. Mr. Murnane has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to the 538,617 shares of CCAIR common stock
and warrants to acquire 150,000 shares of common stock held by Barlow
Partners, L.P. See footnote (9) for additional information.
(6) Mr. Montgomery has the right to acquire 85,000 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options.
74
<PAGE> 84
(7) Mr. Magurno has the right to acquire 11,664 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options.
(8) Mr. Sistare has the right to acquire 65,000 shares pursuant to presently
exercisable options.
(9) Barlow Partners, L.P. is a Texas limited partnership that has sole
beneficiary ownership of 538,617 shares and a presently exercisable warrant
to acquire 150,000 shares of CCAIR common stock. George Murnane, III, a
CCAIR director, is the sole general partner of Barlow Partners, L.P. and
Barlow Partners, L.P. reports that Mr. Murnane has beneficial ownership of
all of the shares.
Barlow Partners, L.P., in an amendment filed on April 14, 1998 to its
Schedule 13-D, reports that each of the limited partners of Barlow Partners,
L.P. shares beneficial ownership of a portion of the shares of CCAIR common
stock held by Barlow Partners, L.P. The limited partners are Jonathan G.
Ornstein, Alexius A. Dyer III and James E. Swigart.
Barlow Partners, L.P. states that Jonathan G. Ornstein has shared power to
vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of
370,200 shares as a result of his limited partnership interest. It is
reported that Mr. Ornstein has shared beneficial ownership of 44,500 shares
of CCAIR common stock held by his wife and minor children. Finally, Mr.
Ornstein has sole beneficial ownership of 62,500 shares of CCAIR common
stock, including 17,500 shares which he has a right to acquire within 60
days. Mr. Ornstein reports total beneficial ownership of 477,200 shares,
without giving effect to the warrant to acquire 150,000 shares.
Barlow Partners, L.P. states that Alexius A. Dyer III has shared power to
vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of
20,000 shares as a result of his limited partnership interest. Mr. Dyer
reports total beneficial ownership of 20,000 shares, without giving effect
to the warrant to acquire 150,000 shares.
Barlow Partners, L.P. states that James E. Swigart has shared power to vote
or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of 128,417
shares as a result of his limited partnership interest. It is reported that
Mr. Swigart has sole beneficial ownership of 61,000 shares, including 7,500
shares which he has a right to acquire within 60 days. Mr. Swigart reports
total beneficial ownership of 179,417 shares, without giving effect to the
warrant to acquire 150,000 shares.
(10) PAR Investment Partners, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership and its
general partner is PAR Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. PAR
Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation is the sole general
partner of PAR Group. PAR Investment Partners, PAR Group and PAR Capital
jointly report that they have sole beneficial ownership of the shares.
(11) Includes 1,185,157 shares which executive officers and directors have the
right to acquire pursuant to presently exercisable options and warrants.
(12) The percentage of shares of CCAIR common stock is based upon the
outstanding shares (8,965,695) and assumes all presently exercisable stock
options and warrants (1,466,124) have been exercised.
75
<PAGE> 85
DESCRIPTION OF MESA AIR CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the Mesa Air articles
of incorporation, as amended, and the Mesa Air bylaws, as amended. If you would
like to review copies of such documents, they are on file with the SEC.
GENERAL
The authorized capital stock of Mesa Air consists of 75,000,000 shares of common
stock, no par value per share, and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par
value per share. As of December 31, 1998, 28,369,081 shares of Mesa Air common
stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of Mesa Air preferred stock were
issued or outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of Mesa Air common
stock are, and the shares of Mesa Air common stock to be issued in the merger
will be, fully paid and non-assessable.
COMMON STOCK
Upon liquidation or dissolution of Mesa Air, the holders of Mesa Air common
stock share ratably, in proportion to the number of shares held, in the assets
available for distribution after payment of all prior claims, including all
prior claims of the holders of any Mesa Air preferred stock then outstanding.
Holders of Mesa Air common stock have no preemptive rights and are entitled to
one vote for each share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders.
Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not permitted. Subject to any
prior rights of any Mesa Air preferred stock then outstanding, holders of Mesa
Air common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be
declared by the Mesa Air board out of funds legally available therefor.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Mesa Air board has the authority to issue from time to time all or any part
of the authorized Mesa Air preferred stock, in one or more series. The Mesa Air
board is authorized to determine the designation of and number of shares in each
series and to fix the dividend, redemption, liquidation, retirement, conversion
and voting rights, if any, of such series, and any other rights and preferences
thereof. Any shares of Mesa Air preferred stock which may be issued may have
disproportionately high voting rights or class voting rights, may be convertible
into shares of Mesa Air common stock and may rank prior to shares of Mesa Air
common stock as to payment of dividends and upon liquidation. The Mesa Air board
could authorize the issuance of one or more series of the Mesa Air preferred
stock with voting rights or other rights and preferences which would impede the
success of any proposed merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other attempt to
gain control of Mesa Air not approved by the Mesa Air board. Although the
issuance of Mesa Air preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the rights of
holders of Mesa Air common stock, the consent of the holders of Mesa Air common
stock would not be required for any such issuance of Mesa Air preferred stock.
TRANSFER AGENT
The transfer agent for the Mesa Air common stock is American Securities Transfer
& Trust, Inc., Lakewood, Colorado.
76
<PAGE> 86
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF MESA AIR SHAREHOLDERS
AND CCAIR STOCKHOLDERS
Upon consummation of the merger, the stockholders of CCAIR, a Delaware
corporation, will become shareholders of Mesa Air, a Nevada corporation, and the
rights of such former CCAIR stockholders will be governed by Nevada Law and by
the Mesa Air articles of incorporation and bylaws. The rights of the former
CCAIR stockholders under the Nevada law and the Mesa Air articles of
incorporation and bylaws will differ in various respects from the rights of
CCAIR stockholders under Delaware law and the CCAIR certificate of incorporation
and bylaws. The following is a summary of the material difference between the
rights of Mesa Air shareholders and CCAIR stockholders. We encourage you to read
the relevant provisions of Delaware and Nevada law, the Mesa Air articles of
incorporation and bylaws and the CCAIR certificate of incorporation and bylaws.
The Mesa Air articles of incorporation and bylaws are exhibits to the
registration statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part
or to documents that are incorporated in the registration statement by reference
and are further incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
CUMULATIVE VOTING
In an election of directors under cumulative voting, each share of stock
normally having one vote is entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of
directors to be elected. A stockholder may then cast all such votes for a single
candidate or may allocate them among as many candidates as the stockholder may
choose, up to the number of directors to be elected. Without cumulative voting,
the holders of a majority of the shares present at an annual meeting or any
special meeting held to elect directors would have the power to elect all the
directors to be elected at that meeting, and no person could be elected without
the support of holders of a majority of the shares voting at such meeting.
Under Delaware law, cumulative voting in the election of directors is not
available unless specifically provided for in a corporation's certificate of
incorporation. The CCAIR certificate of incorporation does not provide for
cumulative voting. Under Nevada law, cumulative voting in the election of
directors is only available if the corporation's articles of incorporation
provide for such an election. The Mesa Air articles of incorporation do not
provide for cumulative voting. However, at the Mesa Air annual meeting Mesa Air
shareholders are being asked to consider and vote upon a shareholder proposal to
adopt cumulative voting, which the Mesa Air board does not support.
STOCKHOLDER POWER TO CALL SPECIAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING
Under Delaware law, a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the board
of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the corporation's
certificate of incorporation or bylaws. The CCAIR bylaws provide that special
meetings of stockholders may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the
President, the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority
of the total number of authorized directors or by the holders of shares entitled
to cast not less than 50% of the votes at such meeting.
Nevada law does not specifically address who may call special meetings of
stockholders. The Mesa Air bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders
may be called by the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Board or the
Secretary shall, on written request of two members of the board of directors or
of shareholders owning not less than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the
corporation, call a special meeting.
77
<PAGE> 87
DISSOLUTION
Under Delaware law, a dissolution must be approved by stockholders holding 100%
of the total voting power or the dissolution must be initiated by the board of
directors and approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
shares of the corporation. Under Nevada law, stockholders holding 50% or more of
the total voting power may authorize a corporation's dissolution, and this right
may not be modified by its articles of incorporation.
SIZE OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Delaware law permits the board of directors of a Delaware corporation to change
the authorized number of directors by amendment to the corporation's bylaws or
in the manner provided in the bylaws, unless the number of directors is fixed in
the corporation's certificate of incorporation, in which case a change in the
number of directors may be made only by amendment to the certificate of
incorporation.
The CCAIR bylaws provide that the authorized number of directors of the
corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors of CCAIR.
The number of directors presently authorized is seven.
Under Nevada law, although changes in the number of directors must in general be
approved by the stockholders, a Nevada corporation may fix the exact number of
directors within a stated range set forth in the corporation's articles of
incorporation or bylaws. The Mesa Air bylaws provide that the number of
directors shall be no less than seven and no more than eleven.
CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A classified board of directors is one with respect to which a number of the
directors, but not necessarily all, are elected on a rotating basis each year.
Delaware law permits, but does not require, a Delaware corporation to provide in
its certificate of incorporation for a classified board of directors, pursuant
to which the directors can be divided into up to three classes of directors with
staggered terms of office, with only one class of directors to be elected each
year for a maximum term of three years.
The CCAIR certificate of incorporation and CCAIR bylaws currently do not provide
for a classified board of directors.
Under Nevada law, a corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws may
provide for a classified board of directors, but at least one-fourth of the
directors must be elected annually.
Mesa Air's Bylaws provide that the board may, by resolution, classify the board
into three classes of directors if the total number of directors reaches nine or
more. To date, Mesa Air has not determined to classify its board.
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Under Delaware law, any director or the entire board of directors of a Delaware
corporation may be removed with or without cause by the holders of a majority of
the shares entitled to vote unless the certificate of incorporation provides
otherwise. The CCAIR bylaws provide that any director or the entire board of
directors may be removed with or without cause by a majority of shares entitled
to vote.
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Under Nevada law, subject to the corporation's articles of incorporation, any
director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause,
with the approval of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote, however, under cumulative voting no director may be removed, unless the
entire board of directors is removed, if the number of shares voted against the
removal would be sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting.
The Mesa Air bylaws provide that any director or the entire board of directors
may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of not less than two-thirds of
the shares entitled to vote at a shareholder meeting expressly called for
removal of directors.
VOTING REQUIREMENTS TO AMEND CHARTER DOCUMENTS
Unless otherwise specified in a Delaware corporation's certificate of
incorporation, an amendment to the certificate of incorporation requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote
thereon. Furthermore, under Delaware law, the holders of the outstanding shares
of a class are entitled to vote as a class upon any proposed amendment to the
certificate of incorporation, whether or not entitled to vote thereon by the
provisions of the corporation's certificate of incorporation, if the amendment
would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such
class, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class, or alter
or change the powers, preferences or specific rights of the shares of such class
so as to adversely affect them. The CCAIR certificate of incorporation does not
contain any provision modifying the statute.
Under Nevada law, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide
otherwise, amendments to the articles of incorporation generally require the
approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote
thereon, and if such amendments would increase or decrease the number of
authorized shares of any class or series or the par value of such shares or
would adversely affect the shares of such class or series, the holders of the
outstanding shares of a class shall be entitled to vote as a class to approve
the amendment. Mesa Air's articles of incorporation or bylaws do not contain any
provisions modifying the statute.
Under both Delaware and Nevada law, with certain exceptions, any merger,
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of a corporation's assets must
be approved by the corporation's board of directors and a majority of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote.
INSPECTION OF STOCKHOLDERS LIST
Delaware law allows any stockholder to inspect the stockholders list for a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder.
Under Nevada law, any person who has been a stockholder of record of a
corporation for at least six months, or any person holding or representing at
least five percent of its outstanding shares, upon at least five days' written
demand, to inspect, in person or by an agent, during usual business hours, its
stock ledger and to make extracts therefrom. A corporation must allow
stockholders of record who own or represent at least fifteen percent of a
corporation's shares the right, upon at least five days' written demand, to
inspect, in person or by an agent, during normal business hours, the books of
account and financial records of the corporation, to make extracts therefrom and
to conduct an audit of such records, except any corporation listed and traded on
any recognized stock exchange or any corporation that furnishes to its
stockholders a detailed, annual financial statement is exempt from this
requirement.
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DIVIDENDS
Subject to any restrictions contained in a corporation's certificate of
incorporation, Delaware law generally provides that a corporation may declare
and pay dividends out of surplus or, when no surplus exists, out of net profits
for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or for the preceding
fiscal year. Surplus is defined as net assets minus stated capital. Dividends
may not be paid out of net profits if the capital of the corporation is less
than the amount of capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of
all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets. CCAIR's
certificate of incorporation contains no restrictions on the declaration or
payment of dividends.
Except as otherwise provided in the corporation's articles of incorporation,
Nevada law authorizes the corporation to make distributions to its stockholders,
unless
- - the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the
usual course of business, or
- - the corporation's total assets would be less than the sum of its total
liabilities plus any amount owed, if the corporation would be dissolved at the
time of distribution, to stockholders with preferential rights superior to
those receiving the distribution.
Mesa Air's articles of incorporation do not contain any restrictions on the
declaration or payment of dividends.
BYLAWS
Under Delaware law, the authority to adopt, amend, or repeal the bylaws of a
Delaware corporation is held exclusively by the stockholders unless such
authority is conferred upon the board of directors in the corporation's
certificate of incorporation. The CCAIR certificate of incorporation expressly
grants to its directors the power to make, alter, or repeal any bylaws. Under
the CCAIR bylaws, the CCAIR bylaws may be altered, repealed or amended by a vote
of a majority of CCAIR's outstanding stock or a majority of the board of
directors.
Under Nevada law, subject to any bylaws adopted by the stockholders, the
directors may make the bylaws of the corporation. Under the Mesa Air bylaws,
such bylaws may be altered, amended or new bylaws may be adopted by a vote of
the majority of the board of directors.
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS
A Delaware corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation incurred
by, its officers or directors if, in the judgment of the board of directors,
such loan or guarantee may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation.
With respect to any other contract or transaction between the corporation and
one or more of its directors or officers, such transactions are neither void nor
voidable if either:
- - the director's or officer's interest is made known to the disinterested
directors or the stockholders of the corporation, who thereafter approve the
transaction in good faith, or
- - the contract or transaction is fair to the corporation as of the time it is
approved or ratified by either the board of directors, a committee thereof, or
the stockholders.
Under Nevada law, there is no corresponding provision with respect to loans or
guarantees. A contract or transaction, under Nevada law, between a corporation
and one or more of its directors or officers, or between a corporation and any
other corporation, partnership,
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association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or
officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall not be
void or voidable solely for that reason, or solely because the director or
officer was present at or participated in the meeting of the board or committee
thereof which authorized the contract or transaction, or solely because his or
her vote was counted for such purpose, provided that the contract or transaction
is known to the board of directors or shareholders, and the contract or
transaction is fair as to the corporation at the time it is authorized or
approved.
FILLING VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Under Delaware law, vacancies on the board of directors and newly created
directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even
though less than a quorum, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of the corporation or the certificate of incorporation
directs that a particular class is to elect such director, in which case any
other directors elected by such class, or a sole remaining director, shall fill
such vacancy. The CCAIR bylaws provide that such vacancies may be filled by a
majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by
a sole remaining director.
Under the Nevada Law, all vacancies, including those caused by an increase in
the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors,
even though less than a quorum, unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation. The Mesa Air articles of incorporation provides for the Mesa Air
bylaws to govern the filling of vacancies. The Mesa Air bylaws provide that any
vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors, though
not less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND INDEMNIFICATION
Under Delaware law, a corporation may include in its certificate of
incorporation a provision that would, subject to the limitations described
below, eliminate or limit directors' liability for monetary damages for breaches
of their fiduciary duty of care. Under the Delaware law, a director's liability
cannot be eliminated or limited:
- - for breaches of the duty of loyalty,
- - for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law,
- - for the payment of unlawful dividends or expenditure of funds for unlawful
stock purchases or redemptions, or
- - for transactions from which such director derived an improper personal
benefit.
The CCAIR certificate of incorporation contains provisions limiting a director's
liability to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Under Section 145 of
the General Corporation Law of Delaware, CCAIR also has broad powers to
indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such
capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. CCAIR's bylaws
provide that CCAIR will indemnify its directors and executive officers and may
indemnify other officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. The CCAIR
bylaws also require CCAIR to advance litigation expenses in the case of
stockholder derivative actions or other actions, against an undertaking by the
indemnified party to repay such advances if its is ultimately determined that
the indemnified party is not entitled to indemnification.
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Nevada law allows a corporation, through its articles of incorporation, to limit
or eliminate the personal liability of directors and officers to the corporation
and its stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty. However, this
provision excludes any limitation on liability for acts or omissions which
involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law or the
payment of distributions in violation of Section 78.300 of the General
Corporation Law of Nevada.
Section 78.751 of the General Corporation Law of Nevada provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person made a party or threatened to be made a
party to any type of proceeding, other than certain actions by or in right of
the corporation, because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, against expenses,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
in connection with such proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation; or in a criminal proceeding, if he or she had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Expenses incurred
by an officer or director, or other employees or agents as deemed appropriate by
the board of directors, in defending civil or criminal proceedings may be paid
by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if
it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified
by the corporation. To indemnify a party, the corporation must determine that
the party met the applicable standards of conduct. The Mesa Air articles of
incorporation and bylaws provide for limitation of liability and indemnification
to the fullest extent possible under Nevada law.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS/REORGANIZATIONS
A provision of Delaware law prohibits certain transactions between a Delaware
corporation and an "interested stockholder." An "interested stockholder" for
purposes of this Delaware law provision is a stockholder that is directly or
indirectly a beneficial owner of fifteen percent or more of the voting power of
the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation, or its affiliate or
associate. This provision prohibits certain business combinations between an
interested stockholder and a corporation for a period of three years after the
date the interested stockholder acquired its stock unless:
- - the business combination is approved by the corporation's board of directors
prior to the stock acquisition date;
- - the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of the voting stock of the
corporation in the transaction in which such stockholder became an interested
stockholder; or
- - the business combination is approved by a majority of the board of directors
and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of disinterested stockholders.
Sections 78.411 to 78.444 of the General Corporation Law of Nevada, inclusive,
restrict the ability of a resident domestic corporation to engage in any
combination with an interested stockholder for three years after the interested
stockholder's date of acquiring the shares that cause such stockholder to become
an interested stockholder unless the combination or the purchase of shares by
the interested stockholder on the interested stockholder's date of acquiring the
shares that cause such stockholder to become an interested stockholder is
approved by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation before
that date. If the combination was not previously approved, the interested
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stockholder may effect a combination after the three-year period only if such
stockholder receives approval from a majority of the disinterested shares or the
offer meets various fair price criteria. For purposes of the foregoing
provisions, "resident domestic corporation" means a Nevada corporation that has
200 or more stockholders and "interested stockholder" means any person, other
than the resident domestic corporation or its subsidiaries, who is:
- - the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the
voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the resident domestic
corporation; or
- - an affiliate or associate of the resident domestic corporation and at any time
within three years immediately before the date in question was the beneficial
owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of
the outstanding shares of the resident domestic corporation.
The above provisions do not apply to any combination involving a resident
domestic corporation:
- - whose original articles of incorporation expressly elect not to be governed by
Sections 78.411 to 78.444 of Nevada law, inclusive;
- - which does not, as of the date of acquiring shares, have a class of voting
shares registered with the SEC under Section 12 of the Securities Act, unless
the corporation's articles of incorporation provide otherwise;
- - whose articles of incorporation were amended to provide that the corporation
is subject to the above provisions and which did not have a class of voting
shares registered with the SEC under Section 12 of the Securities Act on the
effective date of such amendment, if the combination is with an interested
stockholder whose date of acquiring shares is before the effective date of
such amendment; or
- - that amends its articles of incorporation, approved by a majority of the
disinterested shares, to expressly elect not to be governed by Sections 78.411
to 78.444 of Nevada law, inclusive. Such an amendment, however, would not
become effective until eighteen months after its passage and would apply only
to stock acquisitions occurring after the effective date of the amendment. The
Mesa Air articles of incorporation exempt Mesa Air from the restrictions
imposed by such provisions of Nevada law.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE MESA AIR SPECIAL MEETING
Information regarding the business background of Messrs. Lotz and Moye, which
are not included on Mesa Air's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1998, are set forth below.
Robert Moye, age 53, joined Mesa Air in January 1999 as Senior Vice President,
Maintenance. From July 1997 through September 1998, he served as President of
The Aircraft Group, Inc. an aviation technical consulting firm. From 1995
through July 1997, Mr. Moye served as Director of Marketing and Sales and Vice
President of Marketing for SabreTech, Inc. (formerly Dynair Tech of Arizona,
Inc.). From 1993 to 1995, he served as Vice President of Maintenance and
Engineering for MarkAir, Inc. From 1991 through 1992, Mr. Moye served as Vice
President Aircraft Programs for Aerotest Corporation and from 1990 through 1991
as Vice President of Pegasus Capital Corporation. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Moye
served as Staff Vice President of Polaris Aircraft Leasing Corporation and from
1986 to 1987 he served as Staff Vice President, Procedural Compliance at Eastern
Airlines. Prior to joining Eastern Airlines, Mr. Moye served as Director of
Engineering and Quality Control (1983-1986) and Director of Quality Assurance
and Control (1981-1983) at Western Airlines. Mr. Moye holds an FAA Airframe and
Powerplant Certificate and is admitted to practice law in the State of
California. He has also served on the Boeing 737-300 Maintenance Review Board.
Michael J. Lotz, age 38, joined Mesa Air in July, 1998 to facilitate Mesa Air's
restructuring efforts. In January 1999, Mr. Lotz assumed the position of Chief
Operating Officer of Mesa. Prior to joining Mesa, Mr. Lotz served as Director of
Ground Operations and Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Express in Belgium from
October 1996 to June 1998. From September 1986 to October 1996, Mr. Lotz served
in various capacities at Continental Airlines including; Manager of Systems and
Procedures (1986-1988), Director of Finance and Administration, Senior Director
of Contract Services, Senior Director of Purchasing and as Vice President of
Airport Operations, Properties and Facilities at Continental Express. Prior to
joining Continental, Mr. Lotz served as Controller of New York Air from 1985 to
1986 and as a Senior Corporate Accountant and Assistant Controller for John
Brown Engineering and Construction from 1983 to 1985.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL TWO)
Mesa Air's articles of incorporation provide that the number of directors shall
be fixed from time to time by the board of directors. On January 22, 1998 the
Mesa Air board voted to amend Mesa Air's bylaws to increase the number of
directors from a maximum of nine to eleven. All nominees are currently members
of the board. The nine nominees named herein have been recommended for election
as directors until the next annual meeting or until their successors have been
elected and qualified. It is intended that proxies received in response to this
solicitation will be voted for the election of the nine persons so nominated,
unless otherwise specified. If, for any reason, any nominee shall become
unavailable for election or shall decline to serve, persons named in the joint
statement/prospectus proxy may exercise discretionary authority to vote for a
substitute nominee proposed by the board. No circumstances are presently known
which would render a nominee named herein unavailable.
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The following directors have been nominated for election:
PAUL R. MADDEN, age 72, was appointed as Chairman of the Board and Chairman of
the executive committee on February 3, 1998 and as a director of Mesa Air in
April 1997. Mr. Madden is currently Of Counsel to the Phoenix law firm of
Gallagher & Kennedy and specializes in the corporate and securities areas. From
June 1994 through November 1997, Mr. Madden was a partner of the Chicago firm of
Chapman and Cutler serving in its Phoenix office. Mr. Madden served as a partner
with the Phoenix law firm of Beus, Gilbert & Morrill from January 1991 until
June 1994. Prior to joining the board, Mr. Madden served as securities counsel
to Mesa Air for approximately nine years.
JONATHAN G. ORNSTEIN, age 41, was appointed Chief Executive Officer effective
May 1, 1998 and was appointed to the compensation committee on February 3, 1998,
the executive committee on March 13, 1998, and as a director on January 29,
1998. Mr. Ornstein is the controlling shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc.,
the general partner of Barlow Partners II, L.P., an investment partnership which
owns approximately eight percent of CCAIR, and approximately six percent of Mesa
Air and is Chairman of the Board of Virgin Express Holdings, plc, which operates
through a subsidiary called Virgin Express, S.A./N.V. as a low-cost European
airline. From April 1996 to the date Mr. Ornstein joined Mesa Air as its CEO, he
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Express S.A./N.V. From
1995 to April 1996, Mr. Ornstein served as Chief Executive Officer of Virgin
Express Holdings, plc. Mr. Ornstein joined Continental Express Airlines, Inc. as
President and Chief Executive Officer in July 1994, and in November 1994, he
assumed additional duties at Continental Airlines, Inc. as Senior Vice
President, Airport Services. Mr. Ornstein was employed by Mesa from 1988 to July
1994 where his positions included President of Mesa's WestAir Holding, Inc.
subsidiary and Executive Vice President. Mr. Ornstein's employment agreement
provides that Mesa Air will use its good-faith efforts to cause the Board to
include Mr. Ornstein among its nominees and to appoint him as Chief Executive
Officer through March 13, 2001.
JAMES E. SWIGART, age 47, has served as a director and as Vice Chairman of the
board of Mesa Air since January 29, 1998, a member of its Audit Committee since
February 3, 1998 and a member of the Nominating Committee since April 27, 1998.
Mr. Swigart is a minority shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc., the general
partner of Barlow Partners II, L.P. which owns approximately eight percent of
CCAIR, and approximately six percent of Mesa Air. Mr. Swigart is currently the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Express, S.A./N.V., a low-cost
European commuter airline, positions he has held since May 1, 1998. He was
appointed a director of Virgin Express Holdings, plc on May 22, 1998. From
December 1995 to April 1998, Mr. Swigart served as the Chief Financial Officer
of Virgin Express Holdings, plc. From April 1996 to April 1998, he served as
Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Express, S.A./N.V. Mr. Swigart served as the
Chief Financial Officer of Continental Express Airlines, Inc. from July 1994 to
November 1995 and President and controlling shareholder of Hydralign, a
manufacturer of machinery for the paper and plastics industries, from September
1993 to July 1994. From 1986 until August 1993, Mr. Swigart served as the Senior
Vice President of the Transportation Group at Lehman Brothers. He previously
served as a member of the board of the Mesa Air from December 6, 1993 until
August 10, 1994.
DANIEL J. ALTOBELLO, age 58, has been a director of Mesa Air since January 29,
1998, as Chairman of its compensation committee since February 3, 1998 and
Chairman of Mesa Air's nominating committee since April 27, 1998. Since
September 1995, Mr. Altobello has been the Chairman of Onex Food Services, Inc.,
the parent corporation
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of Caterair International, Inc. and LSG/SKY Chefs, and the largest airline
catering company in the world. From 1989 to 1995, Mr. Altobello served as
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caterair International
Corporation. From 1979 to 1989, he held various managerial positions with the
food service management and in-flight catering divisions of Marriott
Corporation, including Executive Vice President of Marriott Corporation and
President, Marriott Airport Operations Group. Mr. Altobello began his management
career at Georgetown University, including service as Vice President,
Administration Services. He is a member of the board of directors of American
Management Systems, Inc., Colorado Prime Foods, Care First, Inc., Care First of
Maryland, Inc., MESA Air Group, World Airways, Inc., First Union Realty Trust,
Atlantic Aviation Holdings and SodexhoMarriott Inc. and a trustee of Loyola
Foundation, Inc., Mt. Holyoke College, Suburban Hospital Foundation, Inc. and
the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.
JACK BRALY, age 57, has served as a director of Mesa Air since December 6, 1993,
as a member and Chairman of its audit committee since March 1994, as a member of
Mesa Air's compensation committee since December 6, 1993, and as a member of its
nominating committee since April 27, 1998. Since August 5, 1996, Mr. Braly has
served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of
directors of Sino Swearingen Aircraft Company, a private aircraft manufacturer.
From June 1994 to August 5, 1996, Mr. Braly was an officer of the North American
Aircraft Modification division of Rockwell International. He served as Vice
President Aircraft Manufacturing from June 1994 to October 1994, as Executive
Vice President from October 1994 to October 1995 and was Vice President and
General Manager from October 1995 to August 5, 1996. Before joining Rockwell
International, Mr. Braly served as a consultant to various aircraft
manufacturers and regional airlines from August 1993 until June 1994. Prior
thereto, Mr. Braly was President of Beech Aircraft Corporation from March 1991
until July 1993.
HERBERT A. DENTON, age 51, has been a director since January 29, 1998 and has
been a member of Mesa Air's executive committee since February 3, 1998. Mr.
Denton is the President of Providence Capital Inc., an investment banking firm
he co-founded in 1991. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Chic by
H.I.S., Inc., an apparel manufacturing company, where he is the Chairman of the
compensation committee.
GENERAL RONALD R. FOGLEMAN, U.S.A.F., retired, age 56, has been a director since
January 29, 1998. General Fogleman has been a member of Mesa Air's audit
committee since February 3, 1998, its executive committee since March 13, 1998,
and its nominating committee since April 27, 1998. In September 1997, he retired
from the Air Force with the rank of General. He served as Chief of Staff of the
United States Air Force from 1994 until 1997 and as Commander-in-Chief of the
United States Transportation Command from 1992 until 1994. General Fogleman
currently serves on the board of directors of North American Airlines, a feeder
airline for El Al; Southern Air, a private air transportation company; Rolls
Royce of North America; and World Airways.
MAURICE A. PARKER, age 53, has served as a director of Mesa Air since November
18, 1998, and has been a member of the compensation committee since January 22,
1999. From 1978 to January 1997, Mr. Parker served as a Federal Mediator, labor
mediation, for the National Mediation Board of the United States government.
LARRY L. RISLEY, age 54, is Chairman Emeritus of the board of directors of Mesa
Air and presently serves as Manager of Special Projects. He formerly served as
Chairman of the Board from the incorporation of Mesa Air until February 3, 1998
and as Chief Executive Officer from the incorporation of Mesa Air until April
30, 1998. He served as President of
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Mesa from 1983 through January 13, 1995. Mr. Risley's employment agreement with
Mesa Air provides the directors will continue to vote to nominate Mr. Risley and
to use their best efforts to cause his election to the board through the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2003.
The board held 17 meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998. Each
of the directors attended at least 75% of the meetings held by the board and any
committees on which he served during the year.
COMMITTEES
Mesa Air has an audit committee which in fiscal 1998 consisted of Jack Braly,
Chairman, and Ronald R. Fogleman and James E. Swigart. The principal functions
of the audit committee include the review of the annual financial statements,
reports and recommendations regarding the adequacy of internal accounting
controls made by the independent auditors and such other matters with respect to
the accounting, auditing and financial reporting procedures as it may deem
appropriate or as may be brought to its attention. The audit committee had five
meetings during fiscal 1998.
Mesa Air has a compensation committee which in fiscal 1998 consisted of Jack
Braly, Chairman, and Jonathan G. Ornstein and Daniel J. Altobello. The principal
functions of the compensation committee are to review and to make
recommendations to the board as to the compensation of executive officers and to
administer compensation programs including the granting or ratification of
options to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The compensation
committee had two meetings in fiscal 1998.
The executive committee met seven times in fiscal 1998. Effective February 3,
1998, the board appointed Mr. Madden, as Chairman, and Mr. Denton and Mr.
Swigart as members of the executive committee. On March 13, 1998, Mr. Swigart
resigned from the executive committee and Messrs. Ornstein and Fogleman were
appointed to it.
The nominating committee met one time in fiscal 1998. Effective April 27, 1998,
the Board elected Mr. Altobello, as Chairman, and Messrs. Braly, Fogleman, and
Swigart as members of the nominating committee. The nominating committee is
responsible for the nominations of persons to serve as directors and corporate
officers of Mesa Air. The nominating committee will consider, but is not
required to approve, nominations for directors by shareholders for all annual
meetings to be held after July 31, 1998, provided a written recommendation is
received by Mesa Air no later than the date shareholder proposals must be
submitted for consideration.
COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP AND COMPENSATION
For information concerning common stock ownership of the nominees for director,
see, "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management". For
information concerning the compensation of directors and executive officers, see
"Directors' Compensation".
VOTE REQUIRED FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The nine nominees receiving a plurality of votes by shares represented and
entitled to vote at the Mesa Air annual meeting, if a quorum is present, will be
elected as directors of Mesa Air. All of the directors and executive officers of
Mesa Air have advised Mesa Air that they will vote their shares of Mesa Air
common stock "FOR" the nine nominees named in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES
NAMED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
MESA AIR DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Each outside director receives a retainer of $10,000 per year, along with the
payment of $1,000 per meeting attended in person; $500 for each committee
meeting attended in person; $500 for each telephone board meeting attended and
reimbursement of all expenses associated with attending committee or board
meetings.
Prior to April 1, 1998 each outside Director participated in Mesa Air's Outside
Directors Stock Option Plan. Under this plan, each outside director was granted
10,000 options as of the first business day of the month following their
appointment to the board. Other than initial grants under this plan, grants
pursuant to such plan are contingent on improved returns for the shareholders.
No second grant has been issued under this plan except for Mr. Braly who
received an additional 10,000 options to purchase 10,000 shares of Mesa Air
common stock in March 1997. This plan has been terminated and no further options
are available under this plan.
The New Outside Director's Stock Option Plan, dated April 1, 1998 was approved
by the shareholders on July 24, 1998 and provides for the issuance of 150,000
options to purchase 150,000 shares of Mesa Air common stock. The new plan
provides that commencing on April 1, 1998, and continuing each April 1st
thereafter, each outside director shall receive an option to purchase 3,000
shares of Mesa Air common stock and a number of options equal to a value of
$13,000, calculated under the Black-Scholes valuation method at a risk-free rate
of a ten-year zero coupon bond. The options vest for directors serving as of
April 1, 1998 immediately upon the grant date. Options granted to directors who
become directors after April 1, 1998 vest in full, six months after the grant
date, and new directors are entitled to pro-rata grants. In addition, an outside
director serving as Chairman receives an annual grant of a number of options to
purchase Mesa Air common stock equal to a value of $10,000 under the
Black-Scholes valuation method. The new plan has a duration of ten years, unless
terminated earlier by the Board of Directors and options granted under the plan
expire ten years after they are granted. In fiscal 1998, each outside director
was granted 5,772 options to purchase 5,772 shares of Mesa Air common stock and
Mr. Madden as chairman received an additional grant of 2,132 options under this
plan.
Each non-employee director receives free travel on Mesa Air for himself and
family members and through arrangements with certain major air carriers receives
free or reduced-fare travel on those carriers at no cost to Mesa Air. Mesa Air
believes that the directors' use of free air travel is "de minimis" and
therefore did not maintain any records of their travel during fiscal 1998.
Directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until
their successors are elected and qualified.
During fiscal 1998, Mesa Air paid legal fees and expenses aggregating
approximately $250,000 incurred in connection with the defense of a
shareholders' derivative action on behalf of Mesa Air and a class action suit,
as a nominal defendant, the directors of Mesa Air, a former director and a
non-director officer. The aggregate amount paid has not been allocated between
Mesa Air and the individuals who are being indemnified pursuant to
indemnification agreements and Nevada law.
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The Chairman of the Board received a retainer for the months of February, March
and April 1998 based on an annual retainer of $250,000, will receive a retainer
for the months of May through October 1998 based on an annual retainer of
$100,000 and a retainer for the months of November and December 1998 based on an
annual retainer of $75,000. The retainer of the board's Chairman is subject to
adjustment and review by the board and depends on the amount of time devoted by
the Chairman to the affairs of Mesa Air.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
Jack Braly, Jonathan G. Ornstein and Daniel J. Altobello all served as members
of the compensation committee during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.
Of these directors, only Mr. Ornstein, the President and Chief Executive Officer
of Mesa Air, held any executive officer position or other employment with Mesa
Air prior to or during such service. None of these directors served on any other
company's compensation committee, with the exception of Mr. Braly who served on
the compensation committee of Sino Swearingen Aircraft during this period.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The report of the compensation committee and the five-year shareholder return
comparison and performance graph and related explanation and footnotes shall not
be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act, or under
the Exchange Act, notwithstanding statements made within Mesa Air's previous
filings that all subsequent filings, in whole or in part, include, without
limitation, this proxy statement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Mesa Air compensation committee consists of two non-employee directors and
Jonathan G. Ornstein, and has responsibility for allocation of cash compensation
and options to senior executive officers of Mesa Air. The compensation committee
primarily administers Mesa Air's cash compensation plans, employee stock option
plans, and employee stock purchase plans. In those instances in which Rule 16b-3
of the Exchange Act requires grants or awards of stock options to be made by a
"disinterested" committee, the compensation committee is solely responsible for
the administration of such plans. The full Mesa Air board regularly reviews the
compensation committee decisions relating to executive compensation. The
compensation committee has allocated various compensation decisions to Paul
Madden, the Chairman of the Board of Mesa Air.
The Mesa Air board approved new levels of base compensation and related
structured bonus plan and an Employee Stock Option Plan, on December 1, 1995 and
it was later approved by the shareholders of Mesa Air on April 8, 1996. The
compensation plan and Stock Option Plan were based on an independent
consultant's report on base pay and annual and long-term incentive compensation
with respect to 21 positions from four large carriers and three regional or
commuter airlines. In 1998, the compensation plan was terminated for all
executives with the exception of Jonathan G. Ornstein and Blaine M. Jones. The
employment contracts of Messrs. Ornstein and Jones provide for bonuses as
described below. The compensation committee believes that the base salaries of
current executives are below industry average and is therefore studying
alternative compensation plans for the remainder of the executives.
Pursuant to the employment contracts of Messrs. Ornstein and Jones, salaries
have been capped. Bonuses are limited to prescribed percentages of base salary,
based upon the
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percentage growth in earnings per share of Mesa Air. Growth in earnings per
share is categorized at four levels. Minimum -- any growth in earnings per share
during the prior fiscal year; Threshold -- 7.0% to 12.9% growth in earnings per
share; Target 13.0% to 17.9% growth in earnings per share; and Maximum -- 18.0%
or greater growth in earnings per share.
Since salary and bonuses are capped, an integral part of the Plan is the
issuance of stock options on an annualized basis to key employees under the
Stock Option Plan.
The Stock Option Plan provides for options to be issued to officers and key
employees on an annualized basis, which vest at the rate of approximately
one-third per year. The options have a 10-year term and are subject to standard
option provisions such as are included in existing Mesa Air plans and exclude
the requirement of continued employment and provisions to deal with termination
of employment due to retirement, death or disability. Under the plan, options
will be issued at the low selling price of Mesa Air common stock on the date of
grant.
The total number of options granted under the Stock Option Plan in fiscal 1998
was 1,445,000.
The compensation committee believes that the issuance of stock options to
officers and key employees related to the appreciation of Mesa Air common stock,
provides equitable incentives to increase the profitability of Mesa Air.
Compensation Committee
Jack Braly, Chairman
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<PAGE> 100
COMPENSATION SUMMARY OF MESA AIR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
For information concerning the compensation summary of Mesa Air executive
officers, see Mesa Air's 1998 annual report to shareholders, which is being
mailed with this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
For information concerning stock options granted to the executive officers of
Mesa Air during fiscal 1998, see Mesa Air's 1998 annual report to shareholders,
which is being mailed with this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES
For information concerning options exercised during fiscal 1998 and information
regarding unexercised options held by the executive officers of Mesa Air at
fiscal year-end, see Mesa Air's 1998 annual report to shareholders, which is
being mailed with this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
PERFORMANCE REPORT
FOR MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
FIVE-YEAR SHAREHOLDER RETURN COMPARISON
Set forth below is a graph comparing the five-year cumulative shareholder return
on the Mesa Air common stock against the five-year cumulative total return on
the CRSP Index for NASDAQ Stock Market, US Companies, and the CRSP Index for
NASDAQ Stocks (SIC 4510-4519). The latter index composed of NASDAQ companies
engaged in air transportation, and includes regional airlines whose stocks trade
on NASDAQ for the
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<PAGE> 101
periods indicated. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100.00 and
reinvestment of dividends, if any.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NASDAQ
Stock Market NASDAQ
'MESA AIR (U.S. Stocks (SIC
GROUP, INC.' Companies) 4510-4519)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
9/30/93 100.000 100.000 100.000
94.194 102.247 105.149
86.452 99.201 103.275
91.613 101.966 98.621
92.903 105.061 103.788
102.581 104.080 100.130
105.806 97.681 95.581
74.839 96.412 94.077
61.935 96.649 84.817
50.968 93.114 80.785
54.839 95.025 91.217
39.355 101.084 94.214
9/30/94 34.194 100.826 84.327
41.935 102.806 84.169
47.419 99.396 75.219
47.097 99.674 72.272
33.226 100.243 75.737
32.258 105.544 92.095
31.613 108.674 102.362
31.613 112.098 115.321
33.548 114.989 116.371
47.097 124.308 142.841
56.129 133.446 145.161
54.839 136.151 140.519
9/29/95 52.581 139.281 154.026
49.032 138.477 161.991
46.774 141.729 189.063
46.452 140.974 175.736
41.613 141.667 157.722
61.290 147.059 172.249
55.484 147.544 187.221
63.226 159.781 175.527
68.387 167.118 160.938
61.290 159.585 155.068
46.452 145.354 139.800
50.968 153.498 145.202
9/30/96 47.097 165.238 137.872
47.742 163.412 127.346
50.968 173.514 145.257
34.839 173.358 137.372
34.194 185.678 126.579
32.903 175.408 128.112
31.532 163.954 132.246
27.419 169.080 133.644
25.806 188.242 147.572
27.742 194.007 141.118
28.387 214.484 149.718
26.452 214.157 140.946
9/30/97 33.226 226.814 153.896
27.742 215.072 165.837
28.387 216.150 156.181
25.484 212.688 169.619
34.839 219.362 197.196
42.119 239.949 210.163
47.119 248.795 216.082
41.290 253.007 203.882
41.936 239.121 187.412
41.936 255.982 186.642
40.645 253.187 168.659
24.113 203.670 135.870
9/30/98 25.806 231.741 133.292
</TABLE>
PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
(PROPOSAL THREE)
The firm of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, has been the auditors for Mesa Air
since 1985. Upon the recommendation of Mesa Air's audit committee, the Mesa Air
board has again selected KPMG LLP to serve as Mesa Air's independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, subject to ratification by the
shareholders. While it is not required to do so, the Mesa Air board is
submitting the selection of that firm for ratification in order to ascertain the
view of the shareholders. If the selection is not ratified, the Mesa Air board
will reconsider its selection.
A representative of KPMG LLP will be present at the Mesa Air special meeting and
will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement if such representative so
desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions during the
meeting.
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<PAGE> 102
SELL OR MERGE MESA AIR
(PROPOSAL FOUR)
A shareholder has given Mesa Air notice of his intention to introduce the
following proposal for consideration and action by the shareholders at the Mesa
Air special meeting. The proposed resolution and accompanying statement have
been provided by the shareholder/proponent. For the reasons stated, the Mesa Air
board does NOT support this proposal. The affirmative vote of at least a
majority of Mesa Air's outstanding common stock represented in person or by
proxy at the special meeting is required for approval of the proposal.
The following shareholder resolution and Supporting Statement are submitted by
Lee Greenwood, owner of 1,000 shares, 510 South Burnside Avenue, No. 10K, Los
Angeles, California 90036; (213) 933-8645.
RECOMMEND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MESA AIR HIRE AN INVESTMENT BANKER TO
EXPLORE ALL ALTERNATIVES TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF MESA AIR, INCLUDING THE SALE OR
MERGER OF MESA AIR.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
In support of this resolution, the proponent believes that the resolution is
consistent with the Mesa Air statement at the 1998 shareholder meeting. Mesa Air
said the Mesa Air Board would put Mesa Air up for sale if company performance
did not improve by the March 1999 shareholder meeting. This statement was in
response to the 1998 Lee Greenwood proposal to sell Mesa Air.
This resolution has increased significance as further information is known about
Mesa Air's new management, its 24% dilution of stock value through management
stock options and its quest for less responsibility.
In June 1998, the new Board of Directors adopted management stock option
proposals and amendments that will result in 24% stock dilution and less
management responsibility. New options included 1.3 million shares for CEO
Jonathan G. Ornstein. The 24% dilution is double the average dilution for an
airline peer group. This follows the $79 million Mesa Air loss in 1997.
The new Board also adopted an escape-clause that increased indemnification
protection for management and directors. Legal liability of directors is
necessary to prevent corruption and negligence.
Additionally, Mesa purchased an errors-and-omissions policy to ensure its
directors and officers up to $20 million per occurrence.
WHAT NEWS REPORTS HIGHLIGHT CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH MESA AIR?
[Mesa Air] Riches to Rags
Air Transport World headline April 1998
Third-quarter loss increases to $4.4 million, versus $2.5 million loss last
year.
Revenue fell 23% from last year.
Los Angeles Times August 5, 1998
$44 million Mesa Air loss in Sept. quarter.
Also: $72 million Mesa Air charge against profit-&-loss
Wall Street Journal January 15, 1998
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<PAGE> 103
United Airlines canceled its contract with Mesa Airlines last week due to
dependability, quality and frequency of service disagreements.
Denver Post February 6, 1998
Over the last 3 years United Airlines received hundreds of complaints from
Chicago passengers frustrated by Mesa canceling or overbooking its feeder
flights from Denver to the Colorado ski resorts.
Chicago Tribune February 12, 1998
America West said Mesa's performance level has fallen recently. Mesa failed
to meet flight completion standards.
Wall Street Journal March 18, 1998
Mesa said its June traffic fell 30% from last year.
Wall Street Journal July 14, 1998
Nell Minow, highly acclaimed corporate governance specialist, and principle of
the LENS Fund, which specializes in increasing the value of under-performing
companies, said:
"If a company's performance lags over a sustained period, it is time
for the shareholders to send a message of no-confidence to the board,
reminding them that they have to hold management -- and themselves -- to a
higher standard."
VOTE YES FOR PROPOSAL NO. 4: HIRE AN INVESTMENT BANKER TO EXPLORE THE SALE OR
MERGER OF MESA AIR.
-------------------------
RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL
Although concurring with the spirit and goal of the proposal -- the enhancement
of Mesa Airs' value -- the Mesa Air board does not believe that hiring an
investment banker to explore selling Mesa Air is an efficient, effective or
necessary means to reach this goal at this time.
Since the submission of this proposal by the shareholder, Mesa Air has entered
into a merger agreement with CCAIR pursuant to which Mesa Air will acquire CCAIR
by issuing shares of Mesa Air common stock in exchange for the outstanding
capital stock of CCAIR. In connection with such merger transaction, Mesa Air has
engaged Robinson-Humphrey, an investment banking firm, to deliver an opinion
regarding the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the Mesa Air
shareholders of the consideration to be offered to the holders of CCAIR common
stock. The merger and the fairness opinion, among other things, are the subject
of extensive discussion in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition,
the shareholder submitted a similar proposal at Mesa Air's 1998 annual meeting,
which was not adopted by the shareholders at that meeting. Since receipt of the
shareholder proposal for the 1998 annual meeting, Mesa Air appointed a new
Chairman of the Board, new Chief Executive Officer, a new Chief Financial
Officer, six new members to its Board and has replaced every corporate officer
except Archille R. Paquette. The five new nominees that were elected to Mesa
Air's board at last year's annual meeting bring a great deal of industry
experience to Mesa Air. In addition, Maurice A. Parker was recently appointed to
Mesa Air's board in November 1998 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation
of J. Clark Stevens. Jonathan G. Ornstein and James E. Swigart of Barlow
Management, Inc. are experienced airline executives with previous Mesa Air
affiliation. Herbert A. Denton, President of Providence Capital, Inc., is
himself an investment banker. Daniel J. Altobello is Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Onex Food Services and serves on several other boards of Directors
as well, including World Airways, Sodexho Marriott Services, Inc., AMS, Inc. and
Colorado Prime Holdings. General Ronald R.
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<PAGE> 104
Fogleman, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force, serves on the Board of
Directors of North American Airlines, Southern Air, Rolls Royce of North America
and World Airways. The new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
have been given financial packages which provide significant financial rewards
for share price appreciation and are serving at salaries substantially below
those paid to previous executives. Also, the new Mesa Air board members
themselves indirectly control over ten percent of the total outstanding shares
of Mesa Air common stock. The Mesa Air board believes that before Mesa Air
commits substantial shareholder resources to outside consultants, ample time
should first be given to the new Board and senior management to institute its
policies and vision.
The Mesa Air board concurs that Mesa Air has experienced problems in the past.
However, Mesa Air was profitable for the five years ended September 30, 1996 and
for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1998. In fact, the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996 was the most profitable year in Mesa Air's history. After
incurring the large operating loss in fiscal 1997, Mesa Air embarked on a
business restructuring focusing on expansion of its jet operations with its
code-sharing partners. In November 1997, Mesa Air exercised its option to
purchase 16 Canadair Regional Jet Series 200LR from Bombardier Regional Aircraft
Division, a Canadian-based aircraft manufacturer. This exercise increased Mesa
Air's firm jet orders to 32. These new aircraft will help on-going expansion
into new markets.
Moreover, during the Spring of 1998, United Airlines terminated its code-sharing
relationship with Mesa Air, the partner which Mesa Air's management believes has
caused many of the problems it encountered in the past. Since appointment of
Mesa Air's new board members, Mesa Air has ceased independent jet operations out
of Fort Worth, Texas and redeployed those jet aircraft to profitable markets,
expanded US Airways code-sharing operations and has negotiated a new
code-sharing agreement with America West Airlines. At the present time,
management does not believe that an investment banker would add any additional
value beyond that being presently provided by its new board and management team.
The proponent has been given an opportunity to reconsider his proposal and not
include it for a shareholder vote but has chosen to include it against the
judgment of the Mesa Air board.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "AGAINST" THE RECOMMENDATION TO HIRE AN
INVESTMENT BANKER.
-------------------------
ADOPT CUMULATIVE VOTING
(PROPOSAL FIVE)
A shareholder has given Mesa Air notice of her intention to introduce the
following proposal for consideration and action by the shareholders at the Mesa
Air special meeting. The proposed resolution and accompanying statement have
been provided by the shareholder/proponent. For the reasons stated, the Mesa Air
board does NOT support this proposal. The affirmative vote of at least a
majority of Mesa Air's outstanding common stock on the Mesa Air record date is
required for approval of the proposal. The following shareholder resolution and
supporting statement are submitted by E. Pauline Berberian, 387 Hilton, Glendale
Heights, Illinois 60139; (630) 894-8349.
95
<PAGE> 105
Stockholders to adopt the Cumulative Voting by-law:
Section 2.9. Voting Rights. The last two sentences of Section 2.9 shall be
deleted and replaced with the following language: Stockholders voting for
directors are entitled to one vote per share, multiplied by the number of
directors standing for election. Stockholders can cast all their votes for one
director or distribute their votes in any manner for the director positions
standing for election.
Existing by-law language is repealed to permit cumulative voting and to make the
by-laws conform to cumulative voting rights to elect all directors each year
with cumulative voting. This includes the requirement that any future change in
the cumulative election of directors be submitted to shareholder vote as a
stand-alone issue. This resolution applies to successor company(s).
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
WHY ADOPT CUMULATIVE VOTING?
1. Cumulative voting checks management's tendency to operate the corporation
for management's own benefit. Cumulative voting provides additional
corporate oversight without additional cost.
2. Cumulative voting allows shareholders to cast all their votes for the most
qualified director on directors. Shareholders can thus concentrate their
votes on directors that are:
a) Independent
b) Free from conflicts-of-interest
c) Own substantial stock to encourage decisions in shareholder's best
interest
Cumulative voting is majority rule with a voice for minority shareholders.
Cumulative voting is frequently supported by institutional investors who own 50%
of Mesa Air's stock.
WHAT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DEFECTS CAN CUMULATIVE VOTING IMPACT AT MESA AIR?
1. Independent directors are out-numbered and out-voted on Mesa Air's new
board. There are more inside-directors and Mesa-affiliated directors than
independent directors.
2. The majority of independent directors own no stock. Director stock ownership
was a key factor in the acclaimed ouster of Al Dunlap at Sunbeam.
3. The key compensation and nomination board committees have 3 seats held by
Mesa-insiders or Mesa-affiliates. CalPERS, California's $100 billion pension
fund, said it is fundamental that the compensation and nomination committees
consist ENTIRELY of independent directors. Yet CEO Jonathan Ornstein sits on
the Compensation Committee that determines his pay.
WHAT QUESTIONS ARE THERE ABOUT CEO JONATHAN ORNSTEIN'S QUALIFICATIONS THAT WOULD
BENEFIT FROM A PROACTIVE AND CUMULATIVELY-ELECTED BOARD?
1. Mr. Ornstein was sanctioned in 1991 and 1992 for violations of the NASD's
Rules of Fair Practice, the Rules and Constitution of the American Stock
Exchange and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Mesa 1998 proxy
statement, page 2). This included making unauthorized trades in customers
option accounts as a securities broker.
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<PAGE> 106
2. Mr. Ornstein was fined $30,000 and suspended 2 years.
3. Meanwhile, Mr. Ornstein's previous company, Virgin Express was recently
down-graded by Merrill Lynch with the headline: "Virgin Express in the
Penalty Box."
Institutional Shareholder Services, a proxy advisory firm that prepares detailed
studies on shareholder resolutions, frequently supports cumulative voting for
directors.
The best boards continue to raise the bar, convinced that a stronger board
can only help improve competitiveness.
Business Week December 8, 1997 Cover Story
Further information to improve corporate governance can be obtained at web sites
http://www.cda.com/iss (Institutional Shareholder Services) and
http://www.iraa.com (Investor Rights Association of America).
VOTE YES FOR PROPOSAL NO. 5: ADOPT CUMULATIVE VOTING
-------------------------
RECOMMENDATION BY THE MESA AIR BOARD AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL
The Mesa Air board does not recommend the adoption of this proposal. The Mesa
Air board believes that cumulative voting would threaten to undermine effective
board functioning in at least two respects. First, cumulative voting introduces
the possibility of partisanship among board members that could impair their
ability to work together, a requirement essential to the effective functioning
of any board of directors. Second, it is the board's duty to represent all of
the shareholders. To do so, each director must feel a responsibility toward all
the shareholders, without any special loyalty to any one group. From this
perspective, cumulative voting is undesirable since directors so elected might
be principally concerned about representing and acting in the interest of
special groups of shareholders rather than in the interests of all shareholders.
At Mesa Air, a significant number of our shareholders are minority owners,
although some shareholders have more extensive holdings than others. The board
does not believe that some minority of shareholders should be advantaged -- or
disadvantaged -- compared with all other shareholders.
The possibility of factionalism that cumulative voting presents has led to a
trend against its adoption. Many companies have eliminated cumulative voting
over the years. Overall, its presence has declined. For example, the State of
California, considered among the most protective of shareholder interests,
amended its state laws to permit corporations to repeal cumulative voting in
1989. In supporting the change, the Committee on Corporations of the Business
Law Section of the State Bar of California argued:
"While a healthy diversity of opinion and experience, as represented
by independent directors, is desirable, factionalism is not
appropriate in the board's essential executive function. The principal
objective of a business enterprise should be profit and gain for its
shareholders, not political accommodation of competing
interests . . . Practical experience has shown that effective
management of a corporation requires candor and consensus in the
Boardroom, not rancor and contention."
No reason is given, and the Mesa Air board knows of none, why the present method
of voting should not continue to work as successfully in the future as it has in
the past. Further, the shareholder proposal contains factual inaccuracies.
Specifically, seven of Mesa Air's nine board members are independent,
non-employee directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "AGAINST" THE RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT
CUMULATIVE VOTING.
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<PAGE> 107
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of Mesa Air common stock to be issued in the merger
will be passed upon for Mesa Air by Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. The federal
income tax consequences of the merger will be passed upon for CCAIR by Squire,
Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Mesa Air as of September 30, 1998 and 1997, and for
each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 1998, have been
incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and in the
registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent
certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of CCAIR incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto and are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
MESA AIR PROPOSALS FOR ACTION AT MESA AIR'S NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholders proposals to be presented at Mesa Air's 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders must be received by Mesa Air's Secretary, at Mesa Air's corporate
offices, not later than January 4, 2000, in order to be included in the proxy
materials for that meeting. Such proposals should be addressed to the Secretary,
Mesa Air Group, Inc., 410 North 44th Street, Suite 700, Phoenix, Arizona 85008.
If a shareholder proposal is introduced at the 2000 annual meeting of Mesa Air
shareholders without any discussion of the proposal in Mesa Air's proxy
statement, and the shareholder does not notify Mesa Air on or before March 19,
2000, as required by SEC Rule 14(a)-4(c)(1), of the intent to raise such
proposal at such annual meeting of shareholders, then proxies received by Mesa
Air for the 2000 annual meeting will be voted by the persons named as such
proxies in their discretion with respect to such proposal. Notice of such
proposal is to be sent to the above address.
CCAIR PROPOSALS FOR ACTION OF CCAIR'S NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
If the stockholders of CCAIR do not approve the merger agreement or if the
merger is not consummated CCAIR anticipates holding its next annual meeting of
stockholders on or about May 15, 1999. Stockholder proposals to be presented at
that meeting were required to have been submitted by February 9, 1999, in order
to be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials for that meeting.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Representatives of KPMG LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to be present
at the Mesa Air special meeting and the CCAIR special meeting, respectively, and
will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
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<PAGE> 108
MERGER AGREEMENT
AMONG
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CCAIR, INC.
AND
MESA MERGER CORPORATION
DATED JANUARY 28, 1999
<PAGE> 109
ANNEX A
MERGER AGREEMENT
This MERGER AGREEMENT is dated January 28, 1999 (this "Agreement"), by and among
Mesa Air Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Parent"), Mesa Merger Corporation,
a Nevada corporation wholly owned directly by Parent (the "Merger Sub"), and
CCAIR, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
RECITALS
I. Parent and the Company are parties to a letter of intent dated August 27,
1998 (the "Letter of Intent"), which contemplates the merger described in
Article 1 (the "Merger").
II. The respective boards of directors of the Merger Sub and the Company have
determined that it is advisable to consummate the Merger, as a result of which
all of the outstanding common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company
("Company Common Stock") will be converted into shares of the common stock, no
par value per share, of Parent ("Parent Common Stock") and the Company will be
wholly owned directly or indirectly by Parent; all on the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER
The respective boards of directors of Parent, the Merger Sub and the Company
have, by resolutions duly adopted, approved the following provisions of this
Article 1 as the plan of merger required by the laws of the states of Delaware
and Nevada in connection with the Merger:
1.1 The Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3), in
accordance with this Agreement and applicable law, the Merger Sub shall be
merged with and into the Company, the separate existence of the Merger Sub
(except as may be continued by operation of law) shall cease, and the Company
shall continue as the surviving corporation under the name "CCAIR, Inc." as
provided in the Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company pursuant to
Section 1.4 of this Agreement. The Company, in its capacity as the corporation
surviving the Merger, sometimes is referred to herein as the "Surviving
Corporation."
1.2 Effect of the Merger. The Surviving Corporation shall possess all the
rights, privileges, immunities and franchises, of a public as well as of a
private nature, of each of the Merger Sub and the Company (collectively, the
"Constituent Corporations"); and all property, real, personal, and mixed, and
all debts due on whatever account, including subscriptions to shares, and all
other choses in action, and all and every other interest of or belonging to or
due to each of the Constituent Corporations, shall be taken and deemed to be
transferred to and vested in the Surviving Corporation without further act or
deed; and the Surviving Corporation shall be responsible and liable for all
liabilities and obligations of each of the Constituent Corporations.
A-1
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1.3 Consummation of the Merger. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices
of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., 40 North Central Avenue, Suite 2700,
Phoenix, Arizona 85004 at 10:00 a.m. on a date to be mutually agreed upon by
Parent and the Company, which date shall be no later than the third business day
after the Company Shareholders Meeting (as hereinafter defined) (the "Scheduled
Closing Time"). The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred
to in this Agreement as the "Closing Date." On the Closing Date, the parties
hereto will cause articles of merger relating to the Merger to be delivered to
the Secretaries of State of the states of Delaware and Nevada in such form as
required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of
applicable law. The Merger shall be effective at such time as such articles of
merger are duly filed with and accepted by the Secretaries of State of the
states of Delaware and Nevada in accordance with applicable law (the "Effective
Time").
1.4 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; Directors and Officers. The Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time, shall be the Articles of Incorporation (except that such
Articles of Incorporation shall be amended as set forth in Exhibit 1 attached
hereto) and Bylaws (except that such Bylaws shall be amended as set forth in
Exhibit 2 attached hereto) of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the
Effective Time and shall thereafter continue to be its Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws until amended as provided therein and under the applicable law. The
directors of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Effective Time
shall be Michael Lotz, Kenneth W. Gann and Steven E. Markhoff. The officers of
the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Effective Time shall be Kenneth
W. Gann -- President; Eric W. Montgomery -- Treasurer; and Steven E.
Markhoff -- Secretary.
1.5 Conversion of Securities. Subject to Sections 1.7(b) and 1.8, at the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
the Merger Sub, the Company or the holder of any of the following securities:
(a) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time (other than shares to be canceled pursuant
to Section 1.5(b)) shall automatically be canceled and extinguished and
be converted into and become a right to receive a fraction of a share
(the "Exchange Ratio") of Parent Common Stock determined in accordance
with the following:
(i) if the average closing bid price for Parent Common Stock as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market during the ten trading
days preceding the trading day that is two trading days prior to
the Closing Date (the "Calculation Period") is less than or equal
to $7.00 per share, each share of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
automatically be canceled and extinguished and be converted into
and become a right to receive .6214 shares of Parent Common
Stock;
(ii) if the average closing bid price for Parent Common Stock as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market during the Calculation
Period is greater than or equal to $10.00 per share, each share
of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall automatically be canceled and
extinguished and be converted into and become a right to receive
.435 shares of Parent Common Stock; or
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(iii) if the average closing bid price for Parent Common Stock as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market during the Calculation
Period is greater than $7.00 per share and less than $10.00 per
share, each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be
canceled and extinguished and be converted into and become a
right to receive a number of shares of Parent Common
Stock that is equivalent in value to $4.35 per share as
calculated based on the average closing bid price for Parent
Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market during
the Calculation Period.
(b) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time and held in the treasury of the Company or
owned by Parent or the Merger Sub shall automatically be canceled and
extinguished and no payment shall be made with respect thereto.
(c) Each share of Merger Sub Common Stock, par value $.001 per share,
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
automatically be converted into and become one validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.001 per
share, of the Surviving Corporation.
(d) If any shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time are unvested or are subject to a repurchase option,
risk of forfeiture or other condition under any applicable restricted
stock purchase agreement or other agreement with the Company, then the
shares of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange for such shares of
Company Common Stock will also be unvested and subject to the same
repurchase option, risk of forfeiture or other condition, and the
certificates representing such shares of Parent Common Stock may
accordingly be marked with appropriate legends.
1.6 Closing of Company Transfer Books. At the Effective Time, holders of
certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights as
shareholders of the Company, and the stock transfer books of the Company shall
be closed and no transfer of shares of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall thereafter be made.
If, after the Effective Time, valid certificates previously representing such
shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Disbursing Agent (as
defined in Section 1.7), they shall be exchanged as provided in Section 1.7.
1.7 Exchange of Certificates.
(a) After the Effective Time, a disbursing agent to be designated by Parent
(which may not be Parent or a subsidiary of Parent) shall act as disbursing
agent (the "Disbursing Agent") in effecting the exchange of Parent Common
Stock for certificates which, immediately prior to the Effective Time,
represented shares of Company Common Stock. As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, the Disbursing Agent shall mail a transmittal form to each
holder of certificates theretofore representing such shares advising such
holder of the procedure for surrendering such certificates to the Disbursing
Agent. If a certificate for Parent Common Stock issued pursuant to Section
1.5(a) is to be issued in the name of a person other than the person in
whose name the certificates for shares surrendered for exchange are
registered, it shall be a condition of the exchange that the person
requesting such exchange shall pay to the Disbursing Agent any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the issuance of such certificate in the
name of a person other than the registered owner of the
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certificates surrendered, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the
Disbursing Agent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Disbursing Agent nor any party
hereto shall be liable to a holder of certificates theretofore representing
shares of Company Common Stock for any amount paid to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. Upon
the surrender and exchange of a certificate theretofore representing shares
of Company Common Stock, the holder shall be issued a certificate
representing the number of shares of Parent Common Stock to which such
person is entitled pursuant to Section 1.5(a) and the certificate
theretofore representing shares of Company Common Stock shall forthwith be
canceled. Until so surrendered and exchanged, each Certificate theretofore
representing shares of Company Common Stock shall represent solely the right
to receive the Parent Common Stock into which the shares it theretofore
represented shall have been converted pursuant to Section 1.5(a), and the
Surviving Corporation shall not be required to pay the holder thereof the
Parent Common Stock to which such holder otherwise would be entitled;
provided that procedures allowing for payment against lost or destroyed
certificates against receipt of customary and appropriate certifications and
indemnities shall be provided.
(b) No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued in connection
with the Merger, and no certificates for any such fractional shares shall be
issued. In lieu of such fractional shares, any fractional share interest in
Parent Common Stock which a holder of Company Common Stock would otherwise
be entitled to receive in the Merger (after aggregating all fractional
shares of Parent Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable to such
holder) shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share if such fraction is
0.5 or greater and shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share if such
fraction is less than 0.5.
1.8 Dissenting Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any
shares of Company Common Stock that, as of the Effective Time, are or may
become "dissenting shares" within the meaning of Section 262 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law") shall not be converted into or
represent the right to receive Parent Common Stock in accordance with
Section 1.5, and the holder or holders of such shares shall be entitled only
to such rights as may be granted to such holder or holders under applicable
Delaware Law; provided, however, that if the status of any such shares as
"dissenting shares" shall not be perfected, or if any such shares shall lose
their status as "dissenting shares," then, as of the later of the Effective
Time or the time of the failure to perfect such status or the loss of such
status, such shares shall automatically be converted into and shall
represent only the right to receive (upon the surrender of the certificate
or certificates representing such shares) Parent Common Stock in accordance
with Section 1.5.
(b) The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any written demand
received by the Company prior to the Effective Time to require the Company
to purchase shares of capital stock of the Company pursuant to Delaware Law
and of any other demand, notice or instrument delivered to the Company prior
to the Effective Time pursuant to the Delaware Law, and (ii) the opportunity
to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such
demand, notice or instrument. The Company shall not make any payment or
settlement offer prior to the Effective Time with
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respect to any such demand unless Parent shall have consented in writing to
such payment or settlement offer.
1.9 Tax Consequences. For federal income tax purposes, the Merger is intended
to constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The parties to this Agreement
hereby adopt this Agreement as a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of
Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the United States Treasury Regulations.
1.10 Accounting Treatment. For accounting purposes, the Merger is intended to
be treated as a "pooling of interests."
1.11 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. Parent and the Merger Sub, on
the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall use all reasonable
efforts to take all such action (including, without limitation, action to cause
the satisfaction of the conditions of the other to effect the Merger) as may be
necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate the Merger as promptly as
possible. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is
necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest
the Surviving Corporation and Parent with full possession of all the rights,
privileges, immunities and franchises of the Constituent Corporations, the
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation and Parent are fully
authorized in the name of the Constituent Corporations or otherwise to take, and
shall take, all such action.
1.12 Stock Options.
(a) At the Effective Time, each option that is then outstanding under any of the
Company's Stock Option Plans (collectively, the "Stock Plan"), whether
vested or unvested (a "Company Option"), shall be assumed by Parent in
accordance with the terms (as in effect on the date hereof) of the Stock
Plan and the stock option agreement, if any, by which such Company Option is
evidenced. All rights with respect to Company Common Stock under outstanding
Company Options shall thereupon be converted, subject to the provisions
hereof, into rights with respect to Parent Common Stock. From and after the
Effective Time, (i) each Company Option assumed by Parent (collectively, the
"Assumed Options") may be exercised solely for shares of Parent Common
Stock, (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each such
Assumed Option shall be equal to the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
which the holder of such Assumed Option would have received pursuant to
section 1.5 in exchange for the shares of Company Common Stock subject to
such Assumed Option if such Assumed Option had been exercised immediately
prior to the Effective Time, (iii) the per share exercise price for the
Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each such Assumed Option shall
be determined by dividing the exercise price per share of Company Common
Stock subject to such Assumed Option, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares
of Parent Common Stock subject to such Assumed Option immediately after the
Effective Time and the denominator of which is the number of shares of
Company Common Stock subject to such Assumed Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time, and rounding the resulting exercise price up to the nearest
whole cent, and (iv) all restrictions on the exercise of each such Assumed
Option shall continue in full force and effect and the term, exercisability,
vesting schedule, status as an incentive or nonqualified option, and other
provisions of such Company Option shall otherwise remain unchanged;
provided, however, that each such Assumed Option shall, in accordance with
its terms, be subject to further adjustment as appropriate to reflect any
stock split, reverse stock
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split, stock dividend, recapitalization or other similar transaction
effected by Parent after the Effective Time. The Company and Parent shall
take all action that may be necessary (under the Stock Plan and otherwise)
to effectuate the provisions of this Section 1.12.
(b) Parent will use its best efforts to cause the Parent Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of the Assumed Options to be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on Form S-8 promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and to be registered or
qualified (or to have established that an exemption from such registration
or qualification is available) under the "blue sky" laws of all states in
which the holders of Company Options reside, within 30 business days after
the Effective Time, and Parent shall use its best efforts to maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements for
so long as such Assumed Options remain outstanding. With respect to any
Company employee or director who subsequent to the Merger will be subject to
the reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), with respect to the securities
of Parent beneficially owned by such person, Parent shall administer the
Assumed Options in a manner that complies with the disinterested
administration requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the
Exchange Act. At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent will reserve a
sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for issuance upon
exercise of the Assumed Options.
1.13 Warrants. At the Effective Time, each warrant to purchase shares of
Company Common Stock that is then outstanding (the "Company Warrants") shall be
assumed by Parent in accordance with the terms (as in effect on the date hereof)
of the agreement or instrument by which such Company Warrant is evidenced. All
rights with respect to Company Common Stock under outstanding Company Warrants
shall thereupon be converted, subject to the provisions hereof, into rights with
respect to Parent Common Stock. From and after the Effective Time, (i) each
Company Warrant assumed by Parent (collectively, the "Assumed Warrants") may be
exercised solely for shares of Parent Common Stock, (ii) the number of shares of
Parent Common Stock subject to each such Assumed Warrant shall be equal to the
number of shares of Parent Common Stock which the holder of such Assumed Warrant
would have received pursuant to Section 1.5 in exchange for the shares of
Company Common Stock subject to such Assumed Warrant if such Assumed Warrant had
been exercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, (iii) the per share
exercise price for the Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each such
Assumed Warrant shall be determined by dividing the exercise price per share of
Company Common Stock subject to such Assumed Warrant, as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, by a fraction the numerator of which is the number
of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such Assumed Warrant immediately
after the Effective Time and the denominator of which is the number of shares of
Company Common Stock subject to such Assumed Warrant immediately prior to the
Effective Time, and rounding the resulting exercise price up to the nearest
whole cent, and (iv) all restrictions on the exercise of each such Assumed
Warrant shall continue in full force and effect and the term, exercisability,
limitations, and other provisions of such Company Warrant shall otherwise remain
unchanged; provided, however, that each such Assumed Warrant shall, in
accordance with its terms, be subject to further adjustment as appropriate to
reflect any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization
or other similar transaction effected by Parent after the Effective Time. The
Company and Parent shall
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take all action that may be necessary (under the agreements and instruments
evidencing the Assumed Warrants and otherwise) to effectuate the provisions of
this Section 1.13.
1.14 Other Agreements. At or prior to the Effective Time, the number of
directors to serve on the Board of Directors of Mesa Air shall be increased by
one, and such opening shall be filled by George Murnane, III.
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND THE MERGER SUB
Parent and the Merger Sub hereby represent and warrant to the Company that,
except as otherwise disclosed in Parent's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1998 (the "Parent's Latest 10-K"):
2.1 Organization and Qualification. Each of Parent and the Merger Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has the requisite corporate power to
carry on its business as now conducted.
2.2 Authority Relative to This Agreement. Each of Parent and the Merger Sub
has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
to carry out its obligations hereunder (it being understood that Parent's
obligations hereunder to issue shares of Parent Common Stock in connection with
the Merger is subject to the approval of Parent's shareholders as set forth in
Section 6.1(a)). The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and the
Merger Sub and the consummation by Parent and the Merger Sub of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by Parent and by the Board of
Directors and sole shareholder of the Merger Sub, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of Parent or the Merger Sub are necessary to authorize
this Agreement and such transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Parent and the Merger Sub and constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of each, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Neither Parent nor
the Merger Sub is subject to, or obligated under, any provision of (a) its
Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, (b) any
agreement, arrangement or understanding, (c) any license, franchise or permit or
(d) subject to compliance with the statutes referred to in the next sentence,
any law, regulation, order, judgment or decree, which would be breached, or
violated, or in respect of which a right of termination or acceleration or any
encumbrance on any of its or any of its subsidiaries' assets would be created,
by its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any such
breaches or violations which will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of
Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Other than authorizations,
consents and approvals of or filings or registrations with the Delaware General
Corporation Law ("Delaware Law") or the Nevada General Corporation Law ("Nevada
Law"), the SEC, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the "Hart-Scott Act"), the United States Department of Transportation
and other applicable federal and state governmental authorities, no
authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any public body, court or
authority is necessary on the part of Parent or the Merger Sub for the
consummation by Parent and the Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, except for such authorizations, consents, approvals and filings
as to which the failure to obtain or make would not, individually or in
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the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or
financial condition of Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
2.3 Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of
75,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, no par value ("Parent Preferred Stock"). At the close of business on
January 15, 1999, 28,369,081 shares of Parent Common Stock were issued and
outstanding, no shares of Parent Common Stock were held by Parent in its
treasury. As of the date hereof, no shares of Parent Preferred Stock were issued
and outstanding. All outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock are validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights
contained in Parent's charter documents or in any contract or agreement to which
Parent is a party. All outstanding shares of the capital stock of each of
Parent's subsidiaries are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are
owned by Parent or one of its subsidiaries free and clear of any liens, security
interests, pledges, agreements, claims, charges or encumbrances.
2.4 SEC Filings; Financial Statements.
(a) Parent has delivered to the Company accurate and complete copies (excluding
copies of exhibits) of each report, registration statement (on a form other
than Form S-8) and definitive proxy statement filed by Parent with the SEC
between January 1, 1997 and the date of this Agreement (the "Parent SEC
Documents"). As of the time it was filed with the SEC (or, if amended or
superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date
of such filing): (i) each of the Parent SEC Documents complied in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act (as the case may be); and (ii) as of their respective
dates, or as of the date of any amendment thereto, none of the Parent SEC
Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.
(b) The audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements
of Parent included (or incorporated by reference) in the Parent SEC
Documents have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), are accurate and
complete in all material respects and fairly present the consolidated
financial position of Parent as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
results of Parent's operations and the changes in Parent's consolidated
financial position for the periods then ended, in the case of the unaudited
interim financial statements subject to year-end audit adjustments which
will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material in magnitude. Such
unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to
present a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.
2.5 Valid Issuance. Subject to Section 1.5(d), the Parent Common Stock to be
issued in the Merger will be, when issued in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2.6 Accuracy of Information. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
the Form S-4 (as hereinafter defined) and the Joint Prospectus/Proxy Statement
(as hereinafter defined in Section 5.1) will, at the time the S-4 is declared
effective or at the date the Joint
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Prospectus/Proxy Statement is mailed, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in light of the circumstances under
which they are made) not misleading.
2.7 Title to Properties.
(a) Parent or one of Parent's subsidiaries owns good and marketable title to
each of the tangible properties and tangible assets reflected on the balance
sheet included in Parent's Latest 10-K or acquired since the date thereof,
free and clear of all material liens and encumbrances, except for (A) liens
for current taxes not yet due and payable, (B) liens or mortgages described
in Parent's Latest 10-K, (C) the properties subject to the leases described
in Parent's Latest 10-K, (D) liens securing indebtedness described in
Parent's Latest 10-K and (E) assets disposed of since the date of the
balance sheet included in Parent's Latest 10-K in the ordinary course of
business.
(b) All of the buildings, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets
necessary for the conduct of Parent's and its subsidiaries' businesses are
in good condition and repair (except where the failure to be in such
condition and repair, either individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a material adverse effect on Parent or any subsidiary of Parent and
except for ordinary wear and tear), and are usable in the ordinary course of
business. Parent and its subsidiaries own, or lease under valid leases which
afford peaceful and undisturbed possession of the subject matter of the
lease, all buildings, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets
necessary for the conduct of their businesses.
2.8 Accounts Receivable. Parent's and its subsidiaries' notes and accounts
receivable recorded on the balance sheet included in Parent's Latest 10-K and
those arising since the date thereof are valid receivables (subject to a
reasonable allowance for doubtful accounts as set forth in Parent's Latest 10-K)
arising from bona fide transactions entered into in the ordinary course of
business and are current and collectible in full in accordance with their terms,
subject to no valid counterclaims or setoffs.
2.9 Employment Matters. To the knowledge of Parent, (i) no key executive
employee of Parent or any subsidiary of Parent, and no group of Parent's or any
subsidiary's employees, has any plans to terminate his or its employment, (ii)
Parent and the subsidiaries have complied with all laws relating to the
employment of labor, including provisions thereof relating to wages, hours,
equal opportunity, collective bargaining and the payment of social security and
other taxes, and (iii) Parent and its subsidiaries have no material labor
relations problems pending and their labor relations are satisfactory.
2.10 Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth in Parent's Latest 10-K or as
set forth under the caption "Affiliate Transactions" in a disclosure letter
delivered to the Company by Parent simultaneously with the execution of this
Agreement (the "Parent Disclosure Letter"), no officer or director of Parent or
any subsidiary of Parent or any member of the immediate family of any such
officer or director, or any entity in which any of such persons owns any
beneficial interest (other than a publicly-held corporation whose stock is
traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and
less than five percent (5%) of the stock of which is beneficially owned by any
of such persons) (collectively "Insiders"), (a) has any material agreement with
Parent or any subsidiary of Parent (other than normal employment arrangements)
or any material interest in any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or
intangible, used in or pertaining to the
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business of Parent or any subsidiary of Parent, or (b) has been indebted to
Parent in amounts in excess of $60,000 in the aggregate at any time (other than
for purchases subject to usual trade terms, for ordinary travel and expense
payments and for other transactions in the ordinary course of business). For
purposes of the preceding sentence, the members of the immediate family of an
officer or director shall consist of the spouse, parents, children, siblings,
mothers- and fathers-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, and brothers- and
sisters-in-law of such officer or director.
2.11 Compliance with Laws; Permits; Certain Operations. Parent, each of
Parent's subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors, agents and
employees have complied in all material respects, and currently are in
compliance in all material respects, with all applicable laws and regulations of
foreign, federal, state and local governments and all agencies thereof which
affect the businesses or any owned or leased properties of Parent and its
subsidiaries and to which Parent or any of its subsidiaries may be subject, and
no claims have been filed against Parent or any of its subsidiaries alleging a
material violation of any such law or regulation. Parent and its Subsidiaries
hold all material permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations of
foreign, federal, state and local governmental agencies required for the conduct
of their businesses. Parent has not received any notice or other communication
from any governmental authority regarding any actual or possible violation of,
or failure to comply with, any legal requirement, except where failure to comply
with such legal requirement has not had and could not reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on Parent.
2.12 Non-Contravention; Consents. Neither the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement or any of the other agreements referred to in this
Agreement, nor the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, will directly or indirectly (with or without
notice or lapse of time):
(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of (i) any of the
provisions of Parent's or Merger Sub's certificate of incorporation or
bylaws, or (ii) any resolution adopted by Parent's or Merger Sub's
stockholders or board of directors or committee of such board of directors;
(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of the terms or
requirements of, or give any governmental authority the right to revoke,
withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any material governmental
authorization that is held by Parent or Merger Sub or that otherwise relates
to Parent's business or to any of the assets owned or used by Parent;
(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or result
in a default under, any provision of any material contract of Parent or
Merger Sub, or give any Person the right to (i) declare a default or
exercise any remedy under any such material contract, (ii) accelerate the
maturity or performance of any such material contract, or (iii) cancel,
terminate or modify any such material contract; or
(d) result in the imposition or creation of any lien or other encumbrance upon
or with respect to any asset owned or used by Parent or Merger Sub (except
for minor liens and encumbrances that will not, in any case or in the
aggregate, materially detract from the value of the assets subject thereto
or materially impair the operations of Parent or Merger Sub).
2.13 Brokerage. Except as set forth under the caption "Brokerage" in Parent's
Disclosure Letter, there are no claims for investment banking fees, brokerage
commissions, finders' fees or similar compensation in connection with the
transactions contemplated by
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this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of
Parent, Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Parent.
2.14 No Material Adverse Changes. Except as set forth in Parent's 10-K or
under the caption "Material Adverse Changes" in Parent's Disclosure Letter,
since September 30, 1998, there has been no material adverse change, and no
event has occurred that will or that would reasonably be expected to result in a
material adverse change, in the consolidated assets, financial condition,
operating results, customer, employee, supplier or franchise relations, business
condition or prospects, or financing arrangements of Parent.
2.15 Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed in Parent's Latest 10-K, there are
no actions, suits, claims, proceedings, orders or other investigations pending
or threatened against Parent that challenges or may have the effect or
preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with the Merger or
any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that could reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties,
assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or business prospects of Parent.
2.16 Pooling of Interests. Parent is not aware of any event, condition, fact
or circumstance that to its knowledge could prevent the Merger from being
accounted for as a "pooling of interests" transaction for accounting purposes.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and the Merger Sub that,
except as otherwise disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the transition period from July 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997 (the "Company's
Latest 10-K") or the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended June 30, 1998 (the "Company's Latest 10-Q"):
3.1 Organization and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of
Delaware, and has the requisite corporate and other power and authority
(including all licenses, permits and authorizations) to own and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and presently proposed
to be conducted and to perform its obligations under all contracts, instruments,
notes or other binding commitments to which it is or may become a party or by
which it or its assets is or may become bound. The copies of the Company's
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws which have been furnished by the Company to
Parent prior to the date of this Agreement reflect all amendments made thereto
through the date hereof and are correct and complete. The Company is qualified
to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in every
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or its ownership of property
requires it to be qualified. Except as set forth under the caption "Other Names"
in a letter delivered to Parent by the Company simultaneously with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Letter"), the Company
has not conducted any business under or otherwise used, for any purpose or in
any jurisdiction, any fictitious name, assumed name, trade name or other name,
other than the name "US Airways."
3.2 Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Company has the requisite
corporate and other power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement
and to carry out its obligations hereunder (it being understood that the
Company's obligations hereunder to
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effect the Merger is subject to the approval of its shareholders as set forth in
Section 3.27). The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and
the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company and, except for
the approval of its shareholders as set forth in Section 3.27, no other
corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this
Agreement and such transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (as
defined in Section 3.6(b)) is subject to, or obligated under, any provision of
(a) its Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, (b)
any agreement, arrangement or understanding, (c) any license, franchise or
permit or (d) subject to compliance with any of the statutes referred to in the
next sentence, any law, regulation, order, judgment or decree, which would be
breached or violated, or in respect of which a right of termination or
acceleration or any encumbrance on any of its or any of its Subsidiaries' assets
would be created, by its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the
Company has not taken any action that is inconsistent in any material respect
with any resolution adopted by the Company's shareholders, its board of
directors or any committee of its board of directors. The books of account,
stock records, minute books and other records of the Company are accurate,
up-to-date and complete in all material respects and have been maintained in
accordance with prudent business practices. Other than in connection with or in
compliance with the provisions of the Delaware Law, the SEC, and the Hart-Scott
Act, no authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any public body,
court or authority is necessary on the part of the Company for the consummation
by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.3 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized equity capitalization of the Company consists of 30,000,000
shares of Company Common Stock, [8,921,195] shares of which are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof, and no shares of preferred stock. All of
the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The Company's capital structure as of
the date hereof is disclosed to Parent under the caption "Capitalization" in
the Company Disclosure Letter.
(b) The Company has reserved 1,148,993 shares of Company Common Stock for
issuance under the Stock Plan, of which vested and unvested options to
purchase 1,148,993 shares are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement.
The Company Disclosure Letter, under the caption "Company Options,"
accurately sets forth, with respect to each Company Option that is
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement: (i) the name of the holder of
such Company Option; (ii) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock
that are subject to such Company Option and the number of shares of Company
Common Stock with respect to which such Company Option is immediately
exercisable; (iii) the date on which such Company Option was granted and the
term of such Company Option; (iv) the vesting schedule for such Company
Option; (v) the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock purchasable
under such Company Option; and (vi) whether such Company Option has been
designated an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the
Code. The Company Disclosure Letter, under the caption "Company Warrants,"
accurately sets forth, with respect to each Company Warrant that is
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement: (i) the name of the holder of
such Company Warrant; (ii) the total
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number of shares of Company Common Stock that are subject to such Company
Warrant; (iii) the date on which such Company Warrant was granted and the
expiration date of such Company Warrant; (iv) the exercise price per share
of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Warrant; and (v) a
description of any registration or other rights granted to the holder of
such Company Warrant.
(c) Except as specifically referred to in Sections 3.3(a) and (b) above, or as
set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, there is no: (i) outstanding
subscription, option, call, warrant or right (whether or not currently
exercisable) to acquire any shares of the capital stock or other securities
of the Company; (ii) outstanding security, instrument or obligation that is
or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital
stock or other securities of the Company; (iii) contract or agreement under
which the Company is or may become obligated to sell or otherwise issue any
shares or its capital stock or any other securities; or (iv) condition or
circumstance that may give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a
claim by any person or entity to the effect that such person or entity is
entitled to acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other
securities of the Company.
(d) All outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and all outstanding Company
Options and Company Warrants have been issued and granted in compliance with
(i) all applicable securities laws and other applicable laws and
regulations, and (ii) all requirements set forth in applicable contracts and
agreements.
(e) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter under the caption
"Acquisition of Shares," the Company has never repurchased, redeemed or
otherwise reacquired shares of capital stock or other securities of the
Company. All securities so reacquired by the Company were reacquired in
compliance with (i) the applicable provisions of the Delaware Law and all
other applicable laws and regulations, and (ii) all requirements set forth
in applicable restricted stock purchase agreements and other applicable
contracts and agreements.
(f) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter under the caption
"Registration Rights," the Company is not under any obligation to register
under the Securities Act any of its presently outstanding securities or any
securities that may be subsequently issued, and no person or entity holds
any right to participate in new issuances of securities by the Company.
(g) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter under the caption
"Agreements Relating to Company Common Stock," the Company is not a party to
or obligated under any agreement, arrangement or understanding, contingent
or otherwise, (i) involving the repurchase or redemption of any amount of
Company Common Stock, (ii) requiring the Company to issue any amount of
Company Common Stock to any person at any time, or (iii) contemplating the
issuance at any time of shares of Company Common Stock or other
consideration to any person as a guarantee by the Company of a minimum
market price for Company Common Stock.
3.4 Commission Filings. The Company has heretofore delivered to Parent copies
of the Company's (a) Latest 10-K, (b) Latest Form 10-Q, (c) definitive proxy
statement relating to the Company's 1998 annual meeting of shareholders held on
June 25, 1998, and (e) all other reports, registrations statements and other
documents filed by the Company with the SEC since January 1, 1995, in each case
as filed with the SEC (collectively, the "SEC Filings"), and the Company has
heretofore made available to Parent all other reports, registration statements
and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC
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under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since the Company's inception.
Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, since January 1, 1995 the
Company has timely filed all reports, registration statements and other
documents required to be filed with the SEC under the rules and regulations of
the SEC, and all such reports, registration statements and other documents
complied as to form with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, as the case may be. As of their respective dates, or as of the date of any
amendment thereto, the reports, statements and other documents referred to in
the immediately preceding sentence did not contain any untrue statement of
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
3.5 Financial Statements. The audited financial statements and unaudited
interim financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries included (or
incorporated by reference) in the SEC Filings have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto),
are accurate and complete in all material respects and fairly present the
consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the
dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and the changes
in their consolidated financial position for the periods then ended, in the case
of the unaudited interim financial statements subject to year-end audit
adjustments which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material in
magnitude. Such unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments
necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the interim periods
presented.
3.6 Subsidiaries.
(a) Except as set forth under the caption "Subsidiaries" in the Disclosure
Letter, the Company does not own, beneficially or otherwise, any stock or
other equity interest, partnership interest, joint venture interest, or any
other security issued by any other corporation, organization or entity, and
the Company has not agreed and is not obligated to make any future
investment in or capital contribution to any such corporation, organization
or entity. Except as set forth under the caption "Subsidiaries" in the
Company Disclosure Letter, the Company owns all of the outstanding capital
stock of each Subsidiary, free and clear of all liens, charges and
encumbrances, and there are no subscription rights, warrants, options,
conversion rights or agreements of any kind outstanding to purchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary or any
securities or obligations of any kind convertible into or exchangeable for
any such shares of capital stock. Each Subsidiary is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, and has the requisite corporate and other
power and authority (including all authorizations, licenses and permits)
necessary to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as
now conducted and presently proposed to be conducted. The copies of the
charter documents and bylaws of each Subsidiary which have been furnished by
the Company to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement reflect all
amendments made thereto through the date hereof and are correct and
complete. Each Subsidiary is qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation and is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the nature
of its business or its ownership of property requires it to be qualified.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Subsidiary" means any corporation
of which securities having a majority of the ordinary voting power in
electing directors
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are, at the time of determination, owned by the Company directly or through
another Subsidiary.
3.7 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
has any obligations or liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent,
unliquidated or otherwise, whether due or to become due and regardless of when
asserted) arising out of transactions heretofore entered into, or any action or
inaction, or any state of facts existing, including taxes with respect to or
based upon transactions or events heretofore occurring, except (a) obligations
under contracts or commitments described in the Disclosure Letter under the
caption "Contracts," or under contracts and commitments which are not required
to be disclosed thereunder (but not liabilities for breaches thereof), (b)
liabilities reflected on the balance sheet included in the Company's Latest
10-K, (c) liabilities which have arisen after the date of the balance sheet
included in the Company's Latest 10-K in the ordinary course of business (none
of which is a material uninsured liability for breach of contract, breach of
warranty, tort, infringement, claim or lawsuit), and (d) liabilities otherwise
disclosed in the Disclosure Letter.
3.8 No Material Adverse Changes. Except as set forth under the caption
"Adverse Changes" in the Company Disclosure Letter, since June 30, 1998, there
has been no material adverse change, and no event has occurred that will or that
would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the
consolidated assets, financial condition, operating results, customer, employee,
supplier or franchise relations, business condition or prospects, or financing
arrangements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
3.9 Absence of Certain Developments. Except as set forth under the caption
"Developments" in the Company Disclosure Letter, since June 30, 1998, the
Company has not and, since the date of acquisition by the Company, each
Subsidiary has not:
(a) redeemed or purchased, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital
stock, or declared, accrued, set aside or paid any dividends or
distributions with respect to any shares of its capital stock;
(b) other than upon the exercise of outstanding warrants or options, issued or
sold any of its equity securities, securities convertible into or
exchangeable for its equity securities, warrants, options or other rights
to acquire its equity securities, or its bonds or other securities;
(c) borrowed any amount or incurred, guaranteed or become subject to any
material liability, except current liabilities incurred in the ordinary
course of business;
(d) discharged or satisfied any material lien or encumbrance or paid any
material liability, other than current liabilities paid in the ordinary
course of business;
(e) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to, or otherwise permitted to become
subject to, any lien, charge or other encumbrance, any of the assets of the
Company or any Subsidiary with a fair market value in excess of $50,000,
except liens for current property taxes not yet due and payable;
(f) sold, assigned or transferred (including without limitation transfers to
any employees, shareholders or affiliates of the Company or any Subsidiary)
any tangible assets, except for fair value in the ordinary course of
business, or canceled any debts or claims;
(g) sold, assigned or transferred (including without limitation transfers to
any employees, shareholders or affiliates of the Company or any Subsidiary)
any patents, trademarks,
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trade names, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets, except
for fair value in the ordinary course of business, or disclosed any
proprietary confidential information to any person other than Parent or the
Merger Sub;
(h) suffered any extraordinary loss or waived any rights of material value,
whether or not in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past
practice;
(i) taken any other action or entered into any other transaction other than in
the ordinary course of business and in accordance with past custom and
practice, or entered into any transaction with any Insider (as defined in
Section 3.21);
(j) suffered any material theft, damage, destruction or loss of or to, or any
material interruption in the use of, any property or properties owned or
used by it, whether or not covered by insurance;
(k) made or granted any bonus or any wage, salary or compensation increase, or
made or granted any increase in any employee benefit plan or arrangement,
or amended or terminated any existing employee benefit plan or arrangement
or adopted any new employee benefit plan or arrangement, with respect to
any director, officer or consultant of the Company or, except in the
ordinary course of the Company's business and consistent with the Company's
historical compensation practices, any other employee or group of
employees;
(l) amended or waived any of its rights under, or permitted the acceleration of
vesting under, (i) any provision of its Stock Plan or (ii) any provision of
any agreement evidencing any outstanding Company Option or Company Warrant;
(m) made any capital expenditures or commitments therefor (other than any such
expenditures or commitments made in the ordinary course of business for
leasehold improvements at, or the furnishing or equipping of, the facilities
operated by the Company as of the date of this Agreement) that aggregate in
excess of $60,000;
(n) made any loans or advances to, or guarantees for the benefit of, any
persons that aggregate in excess of $50,000;
(o) effected or been a party to any acquisition transaction, recapitalization,
reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar
transaction;
(p) formed any subsidiary or acquired any equity interest or other interest in
any other entity;
(q) written off as uncollectible, or established any reserve with respect to,
any account receivable or other indebtedness in excess of a total of
$50,000;
(r) changed any of its methods of accounting or accounting practices in any
material respect;
(s) made any tax election;
(t) commenced or settled any legal proceeding;
(u) waived or agreed to waive any applicable statute of limitations or any
similar statutory or judicial doctrine benefiting the Company or any
Subsidiary;
(v) entered into any material transaction or taken any other material action
outside the ordinary course of business or inconsistent with its past
practices; or
(w) made charitable contributions or pledges which in the aggregate exceed
$10,000.
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3.10 Title to Properties.
(a) The Company or one of the Subsidiaries owns good and marketable title to
each the tangible properties and tangible assets reflected on the balance
sheet included in the Company's Latest 10-Q or acquired since the date
thereof, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, except for (A) liens
for current taxes not yet due and payable, (B) liens set forth under the
caption "Real Estate" in the Company Disclosure Letter, (C) the aircraft and
properties subject to the leases set forth under the caption "Leases" in the
Company Disclosure Letter, (D) liens securing indebtedness of the Company
under that certain line of credit with British Aerospace Asset Management
and (E) assets disposed of since the date of the balance sheet included in
the Company's Latest 10-Q in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices.
(b) (i) the real estate described under the caption "Real Estate" in the Company
Disclosure Letter and the demised leases described under the caption
"Leases" in the Company Disclosure Letter constitutes all of the real estate
used or occupied by the Company and the Subsidiaries (the "Real Estate") and
(ii) the Real Estate has access, sufficient for the conduct of the Company's
and the Subsidiaries' businesses as now conducted or as presently proposed
to be conducted, to public roads and to all utilities, including
electricity, sanitary and storm sewer, potable water, natural gas and other
utilities, used in the operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
(c) The leases described under the caption "Leases" in the Company Disclosure
Letter are in full force and effect, and the Company or one of the
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, has a valid and existing leasehold
interest under each such lease for the term set forth therein. The Company
has delivered to Parent complete and accurate copies of each of the leases
described under such caption and none of such leases has been modified in
any respect, except to the extent that such modifications are disclosed by
the copies delivered to Parent. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in
default, and no circumstances exist which could result in such default,
under any of such leases; nor, to the best knowledge of the Company or any
Subsidiary, is any other party to any of such leases in default.
(d) All of the buildings, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets
necessary for the conduct of the Company's and the Subsidiaries' businesses
are in good condition and repair (except where the failure to be in such
condition and repair, either individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a material adverse effect on the Company or any Subsidiary and except
for ordinary wear and tear), and are usable in the ordinary course of
business. The Company and the Subsidiaries own, or lease under valid leases
which afford peaceful and undisturbed possession of the subject matter of
the lease, all buildings, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets
necessary for the conduct of their businesses.
(e) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of any
applicable zoning ordinance or other law, regulation or requirement relating
to the operation of any properties used in the operation of its business,
including without limitation applicable environmental protection and
occupational health and safety laws and regulations, and neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of any such violation, or of the
existence of any condemnation proceeding with respect to any properties
owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary.
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3.11 Accounts Receivable. The Company's and the Subsidiaries' notes and
accounts receivable recorded on the balance sheet included in the Company's
Latest 10-K and those arising since the date thereof are valid receivables
(subject to a reasonable allowance for doubtful accounts as set forth in the
Company's Latest 10-K) arising from bona fide transactions entered into in the
ordinary course of business and are current and collectible in full in
accordance with their terms, subject to no valid counterclaims or setoffs.
3.12 Inventories. Except as set forth under the caption "Inventory" in the
Company Disclosure Letter, the inventories of the Company and the Subsidiaries
recorded on the balance sheet included in the Company's Latest 10-K, and the
inventory created or purchased since the date thereof, consists of a quantity
and quality usable and salable in the ordinary course of business, is not
slow-moving as determined in accordance with past practices, obsolete or
damaged, is merchantable and fit for its particular use, and is not defective.
3.13 Tax Matters. Except as set forth under the caption "Tax Matters" in the
Company Disclosure Letter,
(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries have (i) filed all Tax Returns required to
be filed by any jurisdiction to which any of them is subject, (ii) paid in
full on a timely basis all Taxes due and claimed to be due by each such
jurisdiction, (iii) duly collected or withheld and timely paid all Taxes
required to be collected from others or deducted and withheld from any
amounts paid to employees or others, and (iv) properly completed and filed
all sales tax exemption certificates for sales where Tax was not charged.
Such Tax Returns accurately and completely set forth all relevant items and
accurately reflect the Tax Liabilities for such periods. No Tax deficiency
or penalty has been asserted or threatened by any such jurisdiction against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. "Tax" or "Taxes" means any federal,
state, local, or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll,
employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall
profits, environmental (including taxes under Code sec.59A), customs
duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or
similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property,
sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on
minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any
interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not. "Tax
Return" or "Tax Returns" means any return, declaration, report, claim for
refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any
schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
(b) There is no audit of any Tax Return of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in progress. There is no threatened action, suit, proceeding,
investigation, audit, or claim for or relating to Taxes, there are no
matters under discussion with any governmental authorities with respect to
Taxes that could result in an additional amount of Taxes, and no
governmental authority has indicated that it intends to audit any Tax
Return of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) waived any statute of
limitations with respect to Tax obligations or agreed to any extension of
time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, (ii) has been a party
to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement, (iii) has been a member of an
affiliated group (other than the affiliated group of which the Company is
the common parent) filing a consolidated federal income tax return, nor
taken any other action that could result in Liability for Taxes of an
affiliated group (other than the affiliated group of which the Company is
the
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common parent) under Treas. Reg. sec.1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of
state, local, or foreign law), including as a transferee or successor, by
contract, or otherwise, or (iv) is currently the beneficiary of any
extensions of time within which to file any Tax Return. "Liability" means
any liability (whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted,
whether absolute or contingent, whether accrued or unaccrued, whether
liquidated or unliquidated, and whether due or to become due), including
any liability for Taxes. No claim has ever been made by an authority in a
jurisdiction where any of the Company and its Subsidiaries does not file
Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction,
nor, to the best knowledge of the Company, its Subsidiaries, their counsel,
their representatives, and their tax advisers, is there any factual or
legal basis for any such claim.
(d) The earliest taxable period of the Company and its Subsidiaries for which
the statute of limitations is still open is the calendar year 199 .
Schedule 3.13(d) lists all federal, state, local, and foreign income Tax
Returns filed with respect to any of the Company and its Subsidiaries for
all taxable periods for which the statute of limitations is still open, and
indicates those income Tax Returns that have been audited and those that
are currently the subject of an audit. The Company has delivered to the
Purchaser correct and complete copies of all state, federal, and foreign
income tax returns with respect to all taxable periods for which the
statute of limitations is still open, and copies of all examination reports
and statements of deficiencies that have been assessed against or agreed to
by any of the Company and its Subsidiaries and that may have any material
effect on the tax liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for
any present or future taxable period or for any past taxable period for
which the statute of limitations is still open.
(e) (All material Tax elections that have been made by the Company or its
Subsidiaries are shown on Schedule 3.13(e). Neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has any net operating losses or other tax attributes that
are subject to limitation under Code Sections 382, 383, or 384, or the
federal consolidated return regulations.
(f) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a United States
real property holding corporation within the meaning of Code sec.897(c)(2)
during the applicable period specified in Code sec.897(c)(1)(A)(ii).
(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has agreed or consented
at any time under Section 341(f) of the Code to have the provisions of
Section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply to any disposition of any assets, (ii)
has agreed, or is required, to make any adjustment under Section 481(a) of
the Code by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise that will
affect the liability of the Company or its Subsidiaries for Taxes, (iii)
has made an election, or is required, to treat any asset as owned by
another person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f) of the Code or
as tax-exempt bond financed property or tax-exempt use property within the
meaning of section 168 of the Code, (iv) has made any of the foregoing
elections or is required to apply any of the foregoing rules under any
comparable state or local tax provision, or (v) owns any material assets
that were financed directly or indirectly with, or that directly or
indirectly secure, debt the interest on which is tax-exempt under section
103(a) of the Code.
(h) The transaction contemplated herein, either by itself or in conjunction
with any other transaction that the Company may have entered into or agreed
to, will not give rise to any federal income tax liability under section
355(e) of the Code for which the Company may in any way be held liable.
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(i) The Company is not a party to any "Gain Recognition Agreements" as such
term is used in the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 367 of
the Code.
(j) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made or become
obligated to make, nor will the Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, or any of
its Subsidiaries, as a result of any event connected with any transaction
contemplated herein and/or any termination of employment related to such
transaction, make or become obligated to make, any "excess parachute
payment," as defined in Section 280G of the Code (without regard to
subsection (b)(4) thereof).
(k) There are no liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes that are not yet
due and payable or are being contested in good faith) upon the assets of
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.
(l) There are no joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies, or
other arrangements or contracts to which the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries is a party and that could be treated as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes.
(m) The Company has no excess loss account, as such term is used in Section
1.1502-19 of the Treasury Regulations, with respect to the stock of any
Subsidiary.
(n) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has outstanding any "deferred gain"
resulting from any "deferred intercompany transaction," as both such terms
were used in Section 1.1502-13 of the Treasury Regulations as such was in
effect for taxable years beginning before July 12, 1995.
(o) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has outstanding any "intercompany
items" or any "corresponding items" from any "intercompany transactions,"
as such terms are used in Section 1.1503-13 of the Treasury Regulations as
such is in effect for taxable years beginning on or after July 12, 1995,
that have not previously been taken into account under the terms of such
regulation.
(p) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has or has had a "permanent
establishment" in any foreign country, as such term is defined in any
applicable Tax treaty or convention between the United States and such
foreign country or has otherwise taken steps that have exposed, or will
expose, it to the taxing jurisdiction of a foreign country.
(q) The unpaid Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries (A) did not, as of the
most recent fiscal month end prior to the date hereof, exceed the reserve
for Tax Liability (not including any reserve for deferred Taxes established
to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the
face of the most recent balance sheet (other than in any notes thereto)
that has been made available to the Purchaser and (B) will not, as of the
Closing Date, exceed such reserve in the Closing Balance Sheet.
3.14 Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Except as set forth under the caption "Contracts" in the Company Disclosure
Letter, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any: (i)
collective bargaining agreement or contract with any labor union; (ii)
bonus, pension, profit sharing, retirement, or other form of deferred
compensation plan; (iii) hospitalization insurance or similar plan or
practice, whether formal or informal; (iv) contract for the employment of
any officer, individual employee, or other person on a full-time or
consulting basis or relative to severance pay for any such person; (v)
agreement or indenture relating to the borrowing of money in excess of
$100,000 or to mortgaging,
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pledging or otherwise placing a lien on any of the assets of the Company or
any Subsidiary; (vi) guaranty of any obligation for borrowed money or
otherwise, other than endorsements made for collection; (vii) lease or
agreement under which it is lessor of, or permits any third party to hold or
operate, any property, real or personal, for an annual rental in excess of
$100,000; (viii) contract or group of related contracts with the same party
for the purchase of products or services, under which the undelivered
balance of such products and services has a purchase price in excess of
$50,000; (ix) contract or group of related contracts with the same party for
the sale of products or services under which the undelivered balance of such
products or services has a sales price in excess of $50,000; (x) other
contract or group of related contracts with the same party continuing over a
period of more than six months from the date or dates thereof, either not
terminable by it on 30 days' or less notice without penalty or involving
more than $50,000; (xi) contract which prohibits either the Company or any
Subsidiary from freely engaging in business anywhere in the world; (xii)
contract relating to the distribution of the Company's or any Subsidiary's
products; (xiii) franchise agreement; (xiv) contract, agreement or
understanding with any shareholder who beneficially owns five percent (5%)
or more of the Company Common Stock or with any officer, director or
employee (other than for employment on customary terms); (xv) license
agreement or agreement providing for the payment or receipt of royalties or
other compensation by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the
proprietary rights listed under the caption "Proprietary Rights" in the
Company Disclosure Letter; or (xvi) other agreement material to the
Company's or any Subsidiary's business or not entered into in the ordinary
course of business.
(b) Except as specifically disclosed under the caption "Contracts" in the
Company Disclosure Letter, (i) no contract or commitment required to be
disclosed under such caption has been breached or canceled by the other
party; (ii) since the date of the balance sheet included in the Company's
Latest 10-Q, no customer or supplier has indicated that it will stop or
decrease the rate of business done with the Company or any Subsidiary,
except for changes in the ordinary course of the Company's and the
Subsidiaries' businesses; (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have
performed all obligations required to be performed by them in connection
with the contracts or commitments required to be disclosed under such
caption and are not in receipt of any claim of default under any contract or
commitment required to be disclosed under such caption; (iv) neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has any present expectation or intention of not
fully performing any obligation pursuant to any contract or commitment or
commitment set forth under such caption; and (v) neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach by any
other party to any contract or commitment set forth under such caption.
(c) Prior to the date of this Agreement, Parent has been supplied with a true
and correct copy of each written contract or commitment, and a written
description of each oral contract or commitment, referred to under the
caption "Contracts" in the Company Disclosure Letter, together with all
amendments, waivers or other changes thereto.
3.15 Proprietary Rights. Except as set forth under the caption "Proprietary
Rights" in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no patents, patent
applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names,
copyrights, trade secrets or other proprietary rights owned by the Company or
any Subsidiary or necessary to the conduct of the Company's or any Subsidiary's
businesses as now conducted. The Company or a Subsidiary owns and possesses all
rights, titles and interest, or a valid license, in and to the
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proprietary rights set forth under such caption. The Company Disclosure Letter
describes under such caption all proprietary rights which have been licensed to
third parties and all proprietary rights which are licensed from third parties
by the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company and the Subsidiaries have taken
all necessary action to protect the proprietary rights set forth under such
caption. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of, nor
is it aware of any facts which indicate a likelihood of, any infringement,
misappropriation, or conflict from any third party with respect to the
proprietary rights which are listed under such caption; neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with any
proprietary rights of any third parties, nor is it aware of any infringement,
misappropriation or conflict which will occur in the continued operation of the
Company or any Subsidiary; and no claim by any third party contesting the
validity of any proprietary rights listed under such caption has been made, is
currently outstanding, or to the best knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary
is threatened.
3.16 Litigation. Except as set forth under the caption "Litigation" in the
Company Disclosure Letter, there are no actions, suits, claims, proceedings,
orders or investigations pending or threatened against the Company or any
Subsidiary or otherwise affecting any of their respective properties or assets,
or that challenges or may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making
illegal or otherwise interfering with the Merger or any other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, at law or in equity, or before or by any
federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board,
bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or that could reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties,
assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or business prospects of the Company
and there is no basis known to the Company or any Subsidiary for any of the
foregoing. There is no order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree:
(a) to which the Company or any Subsidiary or any of the assets owned or used by
the Company or any Subsidiary is subject, or
(b) to which any officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject
that prohibits such officer or employee from engaging in or continuing any
conduct, activity or practice relating to the Company's or any Subsidiary's
business. Except as set forth under such caption, neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary has received any opinion or legal advice to the effect that
the Company or any Subsidiary is exposed from a legal standpoint to any
liability or disadvantage which may be material to it or its prospects.
3.17 Brokerage. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, there
are no claims for investment banking fees, brokerage commissions, finders' fees
or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the
Company or any Subsidiary. The Company currently intends, however, to enter into
an agreement or arrangement with a qualified investment banking or financial
advisory firm regarding the study of and the rendering of an opinion with
respect to the fairness of the Merger.
3.18 Employment Matters. To the best knowledge of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, (i) no key executive employee of the Company or any Subsidiary,
and no group of the Company's or any subsidiary's employees, has any plans to
terminate his or its employment, (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have
complied with all laws relating to the employment of labor, including provisions
thereof relating to wages, hours, equal opportunity, collective bargaining and
the payment of social security and other taxes, and
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(iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have no material labor relations problems
pending and their labor relations are satisfactory.
3.19 Employee Benefit Plans.
With respect to the employee benefits provided to current and former employees,
officers and directors of the Company and the Subsidiaries:
(a) The Company and the Subsidiaries currently maintain only the employee
pension benefit plans, as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), as are
listed under the caption "Employee Benefits" in the Company Disclosure
Letter (the "Pension Plans").
(b) The Company and the Subsidiaries currently maintain only the employee
welfare benefit plans, as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA (including
but not limited to, life insurance, medical, hospitalization, holiday,
vacation, disability dental and vision plans) as are listed under the
caption "Employee Benefits" in the Company Disclosure Letter (the
"Welfare Plans").
(c) The Company and the Subsidiaries currently maintain, or have entered
into, only the compensation programs and/or employment arrangements,
(including but not limited to, incentive compensation, bonus, stock
option, stock purchase, severance, sick pay, salary continuation,
deferred compensation, supplemental executive compensation plans, and
employment and consulting agreements) as are listed under the caption
"Employee Benefits" in the Company Disclosure Letter (the
"Compensation Programs").
(d) The Company and the Subsidiaries do not contribute, have not
contributed within the ten years, to any multiemployer plan, as
defined in Sections 3(37) and 4001 of ERISA, and have not incurred any
withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA.
(e) Each Pension Plan and Welfare Plan is in compliance with ERISA; each
Pension Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be so
qualified or a request for such determination has been timely filed
with the Internal Revenue Service (and to Company's best knowledge
nothing has occurred between the date of the last such determination
and the Closing Date to cause the Internal Revenue Service to revoke
such determination).
(f) Any Pension Plan or any Welfare Plan designed to satisfy the
requirements of Section 125, Section 401, Section 401(k), Section
409, Section 501(c)(9), Section 4975(e)(7), and/or Section 4980B of
the Code, complies with the requirements of such section and
applicable regulations thereunder.
(g) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor any other employer that is,
or at any relevant time was, together with the Company or any
Subsidiary, treated as a "single employer" under Section 414 of the
Code, has at any time on or after January 1, 1998 maintained or
contributed to a defined benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35) of
ERISA, that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA; and no accumulated
funding deficiency, as defined in Section 302(a)(2) of ERISA, exists
(whether or not waived) with respect to any Pension Plan as of the
date hereof.
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(h) All amounts required to be paid by the Company and or any Subsidiary
with respect to each Pension Plan, Welfare Plan and Compensation
Program on or before the Closing Date have been paid.
(i) None of the Pension Plans or the Company or any party in interest or
disqualified person has engaged in any non-exempt "prohibited
transactions" as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Code.
(j) Except as disclosed under the caption "Employee Benefits" in the
Company Disclosure Letter, no Pension Plan or Welfare Plan provides
benefits, including without limitation death or medical benefits
(whether or not insured), with respect to current or former employees
beyond their retirement or other termination of service other than
(i) coverage mandated by applicable law, (ii) retirement benefits
under a Pension Plan, (iii) death benefits under a Welfare Plan, (iv)
deferred compensation accrued on the books of the Company or a
Subsidiary, or (v) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the
current or former employee (or his or her beneficiary).
(k) No "leased employee," as that term is defined in Section 414(n) of the
Code, performs or has performed services for the Company or any
Subsidiary.
(l) No liability has been, or is expected by the Company or any
Subsidiary to be, incurred by the Company or a Subsidiary under Title
IV (including, without limitation, Section 4062) of ERISA with
respect to any Pension Plan.
(m) No reportable event within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA has
occurred with respect to any Pension Plan.
(n) The Company has furnished Parent with correct and complete copies of
each Pension Plan, Welfare Plan, and Compensation Program, together
with any trust agreements, summary plan descriptions, employee
informational material, financial statements relating thereto and
participant listings.
3.20 Insurance. The Company Disclosure Letter, under the caption "Insurance,"
lists and briefly describes (including name of insurer, agent, coverage and
expiration date) each insurance policy maintained by, at the expense of or for
the benefit of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to its
properties and assets and describes any material claims made thereunder. All of
such insurance policies are in full force and effect and neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary is in default with respect to its obligations under any of such
insurance policies. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter under
the caption "Insurance," the Company is the sole beneficiary of each such
policy. The insurance coverage of the Company and the Subsidiaries is customary
for corporations of similar size engaged in similar lines of businesses. The
Company has not received any notice or other communication regarding any actual
or possible (a) cancellation or invalidation of any insurance policy, (b)
refusal of any coverage or rejection of any claim under any insurance policy or
(c) material adjustment in the amount of premiums payable with respect to any
insurance policy.
3.21 Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth under the caption "Affiliate
Transactions" in the Company Disclosure Letter, no officer or director of the
Company or any Subsidiary or any member of the immediate family of any such
officer or director, or any entity in which any of such persons owns any
beneficial interest (other than a publicly-held corporation whose stock is
traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and
less than 5% of the stock of which is beneficially owned by any of
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such persons) (collectively "Insiders"), (a) has any agreement with the Company
or any Subsidiary (other than normal employment arrangements) or any interest in
any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or
pertaining to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) has been
indebted to the Company in amounts in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate at any
time, (c) has at any time competed, directly or indirectly, with the Company, or
(d) has any claim or right against the Company (other than rights under Company
Options and rights to receive compensation for services performed as an employee
of the Company). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the members of the
immediate family of an officer or director shall consist of the spouse, parents,
children, siblings, mothers- and fathers-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, and
brothers- and sisters-in-law of such officer or director.
3.22 Suppliers. The Company Disclosure Letter, under the caption "Suppliers,"
lists the 10 largest suppliers of the Company and the Subsidiaries (on a
consolidated basis) for the fiscal year (transaction period) ended December 31,
1997, and sets forth opposite the name of each such supplier the total amount of
purchases from such supplier by the Company and the Subsidiaries during such
period.
3.23 Officers and Directors; Bank Accounts. The Company Disclosure Letter,
under the caption "Officers and Directors," lists all officers and directors of
the Company and the Subsidiaries and, under the caption "Bank Accounts," lists
all of the Company's and the Subsidiaries' accounts at any bank or other
financial institution (designating each authorized signer).
3.24 Compliance with Laws; Permits; Certain Operations. The Company, each of
the Subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors, agents and employees
have complied in all respects, and currently are in compliance in all respects,
with all applicable laws and regulations of foreign, federal, state and local
governments and all agencies thereof which affect the businesses or any owned or
leased properties of the Company and the Subsidiaries and to which the Company
or any of the Subsidiaries may be subject, and no claims have been filed against
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries alleging a violation of any such law or
regulation, except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter under the
caption "Compliance." Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has given or agreed
to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than incidental gifts of
articles of nominal value, gifts and prizes awarded pursuant to promotional
programs approved by the Company's management and non-extraordinary
entertainment expenditures) to any actual or potential customer, supplier,
foreign or domestic governmental employee or any other person in a position to
assist or hinder the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with any
actual or proposed transaction. The Company and the Subsidiaries hold all of the
permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations of foreign, federal,
state and local governmental agencies required for the conduct of their
businesses. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has violated, or received a notice or charge
asserting any violation of, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 or
any other state or federal acts or laws (including rules and regulations
thereunder) regulating or otherwise affecting employee health and safety or the
environment.
3.25 Disclosure.
(a) Neither this Agreement nor any other agreement or instrument executed in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby nor any of the
attachments or exhibits hereto nor the Company Disclosure Letter contains
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits a material fact necessary
to make the statements contained herein or therein, in
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light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, and
there is no fact which has not been disclosed in writing to Parent of which
any officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary is aware which
materially affects adversely or could reasonably be anticipated to
materially affect adversely the business, including operating results,
assets, customer relations, employee relations and business prospects, of
the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(b) None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form S-4 and the Joint
Prospectus/Proxy Statement will, at the time the S-4 is declared effective,
at the date the Joint Prospectus/Proxy Statement is mailed to the
shareholders of the Company or at the time of the Company Shareholders
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein (in light of the circumstances under which they are made)
not misleading.
3.26 Non-Contravention; Consents. Except as set forth under the caption
"Consents" in the Company Disclosure Letter, neither (1) the execution, delivery
or performance of this Agreement or any of the other agreements referred to in
this Agreement, nor (2) the consummation of the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will directly or indirectly (with
or without notice or lapse of time):
(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of (i) any of the
provisions of the Company's or any Subsidiary's Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws, or (ii) any resolution adopted by the
Company's or any Subsidiary's shareholders, the Company's or any
Subsidiary's board of directors or any committee of such board of
directors;
(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any
governmental authority or other person or entity the right to challenge
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to exercise
any remedy or obtain any relief under, any legal requirement or any
order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which the Company or any
Subsidiary, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company or any
Subsidiary, is subject;
(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the terms
or requirements of, or give any governmental authority the right to
revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any
governmental permit or authorization that is held by the Company or any
Subsidiary or that otherwise relates to the Company's business or to
any of the assets owned or used by the Company or any Subsidiary;
(d) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or
result in a default under, any provision of any contract or agreement
to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party, or give any person
or entity the right to (i) declare a default or exercise any remedy
under any such contract or agreement, (ii) accelerate the maturity or
performance of any such contract or agreement, or (iii) cancel,
terminate or modify any such contract or agreement; or
(e) result in the imposition or creation of any lien or other encumbrance
upon or with respect to any asset owned or used by the Company or any
Subsidiary (except for minor liens that will not, in any case or in the
aggregate, materially detract from the value of the assets subject
thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company).
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Except as set forth under the caption "Consents" in the Company Disclosure
Letter, the Company is not and will not be required to make any filing with or
give any notice to, or to obtain any consent from, any person or entity in
connection with (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or
any of the other agreements referred to in this Agreement, or (y) the
consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
3.27 Stockholder Vote Required. The affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast by holders of the outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock (voting as a class) are the only votes of the holders of any class or
series of the Company's capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement and
the Merger under Delaware Law.
3.28 Pooling of Interests. The Company is not aware of any event, condition,
fact or circumstance that to its knowledge could prevent the Merger from being
accounted for as a "pooling of interests" transaction for accounting purposes.
ARTICLE 4
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
4.1 Conduct of Business Pending the Merger. The Company covenants and agrees
that, prior to the Effective Time, unless Parent shall otherwise consent in
writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or as otherwise
expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement:
(a) The businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries shall be conducted
only in, and the Company shall not take any action except in, the
ordinary course, on an arm's-length basis and in accordance in all
material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and
past custom and practice; and the Company and the Subsidiaries shall
maintain their facilities in good condition and repair and in
accordance with the Company's policies and procedures relating thereto
as in effect prior to the execution of this Agreement;
(b) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, do or permit to occur
any of the following: (i) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber
(or permit any of the Subsidiaries to issue, sell, pledge, dispose of
or encumber) (A) any additional shares of, or any options, warrants,
conversion privileges or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of,
any of its capital stock, except for issuances upon the exercise of
options or warrants outstanding on the date hereof, or (B) any of its
assets, except for fair value in the ordinary course of business; (ii)
amend or propose to amend its Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws; (iii) split, combine or reclassify any
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or other securities of the
Company, or declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
distribution payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise with respect
to shares of Company Common Stock or other securities of the Company;
(iv) redeem, purchase or acquire or offer to acquire any shares of
Company Common Stock or other securities of the Company; (v) acquire
(by merger, exchange, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or
otherwise) any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
business organization or division or material assets thereof; (vi)
incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any
debt securities except the borrowing of working capital in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practice or (vii) enter
into or propose to enter into, or modify or propose to modify, any
agreement,
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arrangement or understanding with respect to any of the matters set
forth in this Section 4.1(b);
(c) The Company shall not (and shall not permit any Subsidiary to),
directly or indirectly, (i) enter into or modify any material contract,
agreement or understanding to which the Company is a party; (ii) enter
into or modify any employment, severance or similar agreements or
arrangements with, or grant any bonuses, salary increases, severance or
termination pay to, any officers or directors or consultants; (iii)
make any capital expenditures, including any capitalizable lease
obligations, other than expenditures necessary to maintain existing
assets in good repair and other capital expenditures in amounts not
exceeding $50,000 in the aggregate; (iv) enter into any new aircraft
leases or amendment to any existing aircraft lease; or (v) in the case
of employees who are not officers or directors or consultants, grant or
take any action with respect to the granting of any salary increases,
severance or termination pay or increases in other benefits, other than
grants or such actions as are in the ordinary course of the Company's
business and are consistent with the Company's historic compensation
practices, or grant or take any actions with respect to the granting of
any bonuses;
(d) The Company shall not (and shall not permit any Subsidiary to) adopt or
amend any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, stock option, pension,
retirement, deferred compensation, employment or other employee benefit
plan, trust, fund or group arrangement for the benefit or welfare of
any employees or any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, stock option,
pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment or other
employee benefit plan, agreement, trust, fund or arrangements for the
benefit or welfare of any director;
(e) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause its and the
Subsidiaries' current insurance (or reinsurance) policies not to be
canceled or terminated or reduced in coverage amount or any of the
coverage thereunder to lapse, unless simultaneously with such
termination, cancellation, reduction in coverage amount or lapse,
replacement policies providing coverage equal to or greater than the
coverage under the canceled, terminated, reduced or lapsed policies for
substantially similar premiums are in full force and effect;
(f) The Company and each Subsidiary (i) shall use its best efforts to
preserve intact its business organization and good will, keep available
the services of its officers and employees as a group and maintain
satisfactory relationships with suppliers, distributors, customers and
others having business relationships with it; (ii) shall confer at
Parent's request (but in no event less frequently than weekly) with
representatives of Parent to report on operational matters and the
general status of ongoing operations; (iii) shall not take any action
which would render, or which reasonably may be expected to render, any
representation or warranty made by it in this Agreement or in any other
agreement or instrument executed in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby untrue at, or at any time prior to, the Effective
Time; (iv) shall notify Parent of any emergency or other change in the
normal course of its business or in the operation of its properties and
of any governmental or third party complaints, investigations or
hearings (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated) if such emergency, change, complaint, investigation or
hearing would be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the
business, operations or financial condition of the Company and the
Subsidiaries or to the Company's, Parent's or the Merger
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Sub's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; and (v) shall notify Parent if the Company shall discover
that any representation or warranty made by it in this Agreement was
when made, or has subsequently become, untrue;
(g) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall change any of its methods
of accounting or accounting practices in any material respect;
(h) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will waive or agree to waive any
applicable statute of limitations or any similar statutory or judicial
doctrine benefiting the Company or any Subsidiary;
(i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall commence or settle any
material legal action or proceeding, provided, that the Company may
settle any legal actions or proceedings which were pending as of the
date of the Company's Latest 10-Q so long as the consideration paid or
agreed to be paid by the Company in connection with such settlements
does not exceed $10,000 in any individual case or $50,000 in the
aggregate for all such settlements (in the case of cash settlements) or
cause the number of shares of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding, after taking into account any shares issued or canceled in
connection with such settlement, to exceed the number of shares of
Company Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this
Agreement;
(j) The Company shall cause its officers to report at Parent's request (but
in no event less frequently than weekly) to Parent concerning the
status of the Company's business; and
(k) Subject to the fiduciary obligations of its directors as advised by
counsel, the Company shall not, except as required by law, call any
meeting of its shareholders other than the meeting contemplated in
Section 5.2.
(l) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall make or amend any federal,
state, or local Tax election, agree to waive or extend any statute of
limitations, or resolve or agree to resolve any audit or proceeding
relating to Taxes.
4.2 Notification; Updates to Disclosure Schedule.
(a) During the period subsequent to the execution of this Agreement and prior to
the Effective Time (the "Pre-Closing Period"), the Company shall promptly
notify Parent in writing of:
(i) the discovery by the Company of any event, condition, fact or
circumstance that occurred or existed on or prior to the date of this
Agreement and that caused or constitutes an inaccuracy in or breach of
any representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement;
(ii) any event, condition, fact or circumstance that occurs, arises or
exists after the date of this Agreement and that would cause or
constitute an inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or
warranty made by the Company in this Agreement if (A) such
representation or warranty had been made as of the time of the
occurrence, existence or discovery of such event, condition, fact or
circumstance, or (B) such event, condition, fact or circumstance had
occurred, arisen or existed on or prior to the date of this Agreement;
(iii) any breach of any covenant or obligation of the Company; and
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(iv) any event, condition, fact or circumstance that would make the timely
satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2
or 6.3 impossible or unlikely.
(b) If any event, condition, fact or circumstance that is required to be
disclosed pursuant to Section 4.2(a) requires any change in the Company
Disclosure Letter, or if any such event, condition, fact or circumstance would
require such a change assuming the Company Disclosure Letter were dated as of
the date of the occurrence, existence or discovery of such event, condition,
fact or circumstance, then the Company shall promptly deliver to Parent an
update to the Company Disclosure Letter specifying such change. No such update
shall be deemed to supplement or amend the Company Disclosure Letter for the
purpose of (i) determining the accuracy of any of the representations and
warranties made by the Company in this Agreement, or (ii) determining whether
any of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3 has been satisfied.
4.3 Shareholder Approval.
(a) The Company will call a meeting of its shareholders (the "Company
Shareholders' Meeting"), to be held after the Form S-4 shall have been
declared effective by the SEC, to submit this Agreement, the Merger and
related matters for the consideration and approval of the Company's
shareholders. Subject to the fiduciary obligations of the Company's
directors, the Form S-4 will include a statement to the effect that the
Company's board of directors has recommended that the Company's shareholders
vote in favor of the Merger. The Company Shareholder Meeting will be called,
held and conducted, and any proxies will be solicited, in compliance with
applicable law. The Company shall, if and to the extent requested by Parent,
subject to the fiduciary obligations of the directors of the Company as
advised by counsel, use its best efforts to solicit from shareholders of the
Company proxies in favor of such adoption and approval and shall take all
other action necessary or, in the opinion of Parent, helpful to secure a
vote of shareholders in favor of the Merger. At the Company Shareholder
Meeting, the Company shall cause to be voted all shares of Company Common
Stock with respect to which proxies in the form distributed by the Company
shall have been given in favor of the Merger.
(b) Parent will call a meeting of its shareholders (the "Parent Shareholders'
Meeting"), to be held after the Form S-4 shall have been declared effective
by the SEC, to submit the issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger and related matters for the consideration and approval of Parent's
shareholders (the "Parent Voting Proposals"). The Parent Shareholder Meeting
will be called, held and conducted, and any proxies will be solicited, in
compliance with applicable law. The Parent shall, if and to the extent
requested by the Company, subject to the fiduciary obligations of the
directors of the Parent as advised by counsel, use its best efforts to
solicit from shareholders of the Parent proxies in favor of such adoption
and approval and shall take all other action necessary or, in the opinion of
Parent, helpful to secure a vote of shareholders in favor of the Parent
Voting Proposals. At the Parent Shareholder Meeting, the Parent shall cause
to be voted all shares of Parent Common Stock with respect to which proxies
in the form distributed by the Parent shall have been given in favor of the
Parent Voting Proposals.
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ARTICLE 5
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
5.1 Joint Proxy Statement; Registration Statement.
(a) As promptly as practical after the execution of this Agreement, Parent and
the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a joint proxy
statement/prospectus to be sent to the shareholders of Parent and the
Company in connection with the Parent Shareholders' Meeting and the Company
Shareholders' Meeting to consider the Merger (the "Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus"), and Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC a
registration statement on Form S-4 pursuant to which the shares of Parent
Common Stock to be issued as a result of the Merger will be registered with
the SEC (the "Registration Statement"), in which the Joint Proxy Statement/
Prospectus will be included as a prospectus. Parent and the Company shall
use all reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become
effective as soon after such filing as practical. The Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus shall include the recommendation of the Board of
Directors of the Company in favor of this Agreement and the Merger and the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of Parent in favor of the issuing
of Parent Common Stock in the Merger (the "Parent Voting Proposal"),
provided that the Board of Directors of either the Company or Parent may
withdraw such recommendation if such Board of Directors shall have
determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel,
that the withdrawal of such recommendation is necessary for such Board of
Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties under applicable law. Parent
and the Company shall make all other necessary filings with respect to the
Merger under the Securities Act and Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
(b) The Company shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that (i)
the information to be supplied by the Company for inclusion in the
Registration Statement shall not at the time the Registration Statement is
declared effective by the SEC contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated in the
Registration Statement or necessary in order to make the statements in the
Registration Statement, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, and (ii) the information supplied by the Company for
inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall not, on the date the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is first mailed to shareholders of the
Company or Parent, at the time of the Company Shareholders' Meeting and the
Parent Shareholders' Meeting, and at the Effective Time, contain any
statement which, at such time and in light of the circumstances under which
it shall be made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact,
or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
made in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus not false or misleading, or
omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any
earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies for the
Company Shareholders' Meeting or Parent Shareholders' Meeting which has
become false or misleading. If at any time prior to the Effective Time any
event relating to the Company or any of its Affiliates, officers, or
directors should be discovered by the Company which should be set forth in
an amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Company shall promptly so inform Parent.
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(c) Parent shall take such action as may be necessary to insure that (i) the
information supplied by Parent for inclusion in the Registration Statement
shall not at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by
the SEC contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement or
necessary in order to make the statements in the Registration Statement, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and
(ii) the information supplied by Parent for inclusion in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus shall not on the date the Joint Proxy Statement/
Prospectus is first mailed to shareholders of Parent or the Company, at the
time of the Parent Shareholders' Meeting and Company Shareholders' Meeting,
and at the Effective Time, contain any statement which, at such time and in
light of the circumstances under which it shall be made, is false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements made in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus not false or misleading, or omit to state any material
fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with
respect to the solicitation of proxies for the Parent Shareholders' Meeting
or Company Shareholders' Meeting which has become false or misleading. If at
any time prior to the Effective Time any event relating to Parent or any of
its Affiliates, officers, or directors should be discovered by Parent which
should be set forth in an amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, Parent shall promptly so
inform the Company.
5.2 Shareholders Meetings. Parent and the Company each shall call a meeting of
its respective shareholders to be held as promptly as practicable for the
purpose of voting, in the case of the Company, upon this Agreement and the
Merger and, in the case of Parent, upon the Parent Voting Proposals. Subject to
Section 5.1 hereof, Parent and the Company will, through their respective Boards
of Directors, recommend to their respective shareholders approval of such
matters and will coordinate and cooperate with respect to the timing of such
meetings and shall use their best efforts to hold such meetings on the same day
and as soon as practicable after the date hereof. Subject to Section 5.1 hereof,
each party shall use all reasonable efforts to solicit from its shareholders
proxies in favor of such matters.
5.3 Accountant Comfort Letters.
(a) In addition, prior to the date (the "Mailing Date") the Joint Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus is mailed to the shareholders of the Company, the
Company shall deliver to Parent a letter from Arthur Andersen LLP addressed
to the Company and Parent and dated a date not more than one day (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Mailing Date, confirming that
they are independent accountants within the meaning of the Exchange Act and
the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder and stating to the
effect that:
(i) in their opinion the audited financial statements and financial
statement schedules included in the Joint Prospectus/Proxy Statement
and reported on by them comply as to form in all material respects with
the applicable accounting requirements of the Exchange Act and the
related published rules and regulations;
(ii) on the basis of a reading of the amounts included in the Joint
Prospectus/Proxy Statement in response to Item 301 of Regulation S-K
and of the latest unaudited consolidated financial statements made
available by the Company and the Subsidiaries and the latest unaudited
financial statements included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
relating to the Company and the Subsidiaries;
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carrying out certain specified procedures (but not an examination in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) which would not
necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the
comments set forth in such letter; a reading of the minutes of the
meetings of the shareholders, directors and executive committees of
the Company and the Subsidiaries; and inquiries of certain officials
of the Company and the Subsidiaries who have responsibility for
financial and accounting matters of the Company and the Subsidiaries
as to transactions and events subsequent to the date of the latest
unaudited financial statements included in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus relating to the Company and the Subsidiaries,
nothing came to their attention which would cause them to believe
that:
(A) the unaudited financial statements included in the Joint Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus of the Company and the Subsidiaries do not comply
as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements of the Exchange Act and with the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect to proxy statements; or that said
unaudited financial statements are not fairly presented in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements
included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and reported on by
them; or
(B) with respect to the period subsequent to the date of the latest
unaudited financial statements included in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus relating to the Company and the Subsidiaries,
there were any changes, at a specified date not more than five days
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the date of the
letter, in the long-term debt of the Company and the Subsidiaries or
capital stock of the Company or any decreases in the cash and cash
equivalents, marketable securities or shareholders' equity of the
Company and the Subsidiaries as compared with the amounts shown on the
unaudited consolidated balance sheet included in the Joint
Prospectus/Proxy Statement, or for the period from the date of the
latest unaudited financial statements included in the Joint
Prospectus/Proxy Statement relating to the Company and the
Subsidiaries, to such specified date there were any decreases, as
compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year, in income
(loss) before extraordinary items, or in total or per share amounts of
net income (loss), of the Company and the Subsidiaries, except in all
instances for changes or decreases set forth in such letter, in which
case the letter shall be accompanied by an explanation by the Company
as to the significance thereof; and
(iii) they have performed certain other specified procedures as a result of
which they determined that certain information of an accounting,
financial or statistical nature (which is limited to accounting,
financial or statistical information derived from the general
accounting records of the Company and the Subsidiaries) set forth in
the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as reasonably designated by
Parent, insofar as it relates to the Company and the Subsidiaries,
agrees with the accounting records of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, excluding any legal interpretation.
5.4 Expenses. Each party to this Agreement shall bear their own costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
5.5 Additional Agreements. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all
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action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable
to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including using reasonable efforts to obtain all
necessary waivers, consents and approvals and to effect all necessary
registrations and filings, including, but not limited to, any required filings
under the Hart-Scott Act and submissions of information requested by
governmental authorities.
5.6 No Negotiations, etc. The Company shall not (nor shall it permit any of
the Subsidiaries to), directly or indirectly, through any officer, director,
agent or otherwise, solicit, initiate or encourage submission of any inquiry,
proposal or offer from any person or entity (including any of its or their
officers or employees) other than Parent relating to any liquidation,
dissolution, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or acquisition or purchase
of all or a material portion of the assets of, or any equity interest in, the
Company or any Subsidiary or other similar transaction or business combination
involving the Company or any Subsidiary, or, unless the Company's Board of
Directors receives a written opinion from the Company's outside counsel stating
that there would be a material risk of liability on the part of the members of
the Company's Board of Directors to the Company's shareholders for failure to do
so, or participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to
any other person any information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any
way with, or assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage, any effort or
attempt by, or consider, entertain or accept any proposal or offer from, any
other person or entity to do or seek any of the foregoing. The Company shall
promptly notify Parent and the Merger Sub if any such proposal or offer, or any
inquiry from or contact with any person with respect thereto, is made and shall
promptly provide Parent with such information regarding such proposal, offer,
inquiry or contact as Parent may request.
5.7 Notification of Certain Matters. Each party shall give prompt notice to
each other party of (a) the occurrence or failure to occur of any event,
conditions, fact or circumstance which occurrence or failure would be likely to
cause any representation or warranty on its part contained in this Agreement to
be untrue or inaccurate at, or at any time prior to, the Effective Time, and (b)
any material failure of such party, or any officer, director, shareholder,
employee or agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder.
5.8 Access to Information; Confidentiality. Parent and its attorneys,
accountants, consultants and representatives shall continue to have access to
the books and records of the Company and such other information pertaining to
the business and assets of the Company as Parent shall reasonably request, and
the Company and its attorneys, accountants, consultants and representatives
shall continue to have access to the books and records of Parent and such other
information pertaining to the business and assets of Parent as the Company shall
reasonably request, and each of Parent and the Company shall provide the other
with reasonable access to its officers and other personnel, as provided in Part
Two, paragraph 1 of the Letter of Intent. The terms of Part Two, paragraph 5 of
the Letter of Intent shall apply, in the event of a termination of this
Agreement, to information obtained as a result of such access and assistance.
5.9 Shareholder Claims. The Company shall not settle or compromise any claim
brought by any present, former or purported holder or owner of any securities of
the Company in connection with the Merger without the prior written consent of
Parent.
5.10 Consents. As promptly as practicable after the execution of this
Agreement, each party to this Agreement (a) shall make all filings (if any) and
give all notices (if any) required to be made and given by such party in
connection with the Merger and the other
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transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain all consents (if any) required to be obtained
(pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, contract or agreement, or
otherwise) by such party in connection with the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Parent shall (upon request)
promptly deliver to the Company a copy of each such filing made, each such
notice given and each such consent obtained by Parent or Merger Sub during the
period subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time; and the
Company shall (upon request) promptly deliver to Parent a copy of each such
filing made, each such notice given and each such consent obtained by the
Company during the period subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
Effective Time.
5.11 State Securities Law Compliance. Parent shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to (a) qualify, prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Common Stock to
be issued pursuant to the Merger under state "blue sky" laws of every
jurisdiction of the United States in which (i) any registered shareholder of the
Company has an address on the records of the Company as of the date of this
agreement, and (ii) an exemption from the qualification requirements under such
laws is unavailable with respect to the issuance of Parent Common Stock in the
Merger, and (b) qualify, prior to the Effective Time, the Assumed Options and
Assumed Warrants under the state "blue sky" laws of every jurisdiction of the
United States in which (i) the records of the Company, as of the date of this
Agreement, indicate that a holder of such Assumed Options or Assumed Warrants
resides, and (ii) an exemption from the qualification requirements under such
laws is unavailable.
5.12 Notification; Updates to Parent Disclosure Letter. (a) During the
Pre-Closing Period, Parent shall promptly notify the Company in writing of:
(i) the discovery by Parent of any event, condition, fact or circumstance
that occurred or existed on or prior to the date of this Agreement and
that caused or constituted an inaccuracy in or breach of any
representation or warranty made by Parent in this Agreement;
(ii) any event, condition, fact or circumstance that occurs, arises or
exists after the date of this Agreement and that would cause or
constitute an inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or
warranty made by Parent in this Agreement if (A) such representation
or warranty had been made as of the time of the occurrence, existence
or discovery of such event, condition, fact or circumstance, or (B)
such event, condition, fact or circumstance had occurred, arisen or
existed on or prior to the date of this Agreement;
(iii) any breach of any covenant or obligation of Parent; and
(iv) any event, condition, fact or circumstance that would make the timely
satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2
or 6.3 impossible or unlikely.
(b) If any event, condition, fact or circumstance that is required to be
disclosed pursuant to Section 5.12(a) requires any change in the Parent
Disclosure Letter, or if any such event, condition, fact or circumstance
would require such a change assuming the Parent Disclosure Letter were dated
as of the date of the occurrence, existence or discovery of such event,
condition, fact or circumstance, then the Parent shall promptly deliver to
the Company an update to the Parent Disclosure Letter specifying such
change. No such update shall be deemed to supplement or amend the Parent
Disclosure Letter for the purpose of (i) determining the accuracy of any of
the
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representations and warranties made by the Parent in this Agreement, or (ii)
determining whether any of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2 or
6.3 has been satisfied.
5.13 Pooling of Interests. During the Pre-Closing Period, no party to this
Agreement shall take any action that could reasonably be expected to have an
adverse effect on the ability of Parent to account for the Merger as a "pooling
of interests."
5.14 Affiliate Agreements. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable
efforts to cause each Company-Affiliated Person identified on Exhibit 5 (and any
other Person that Parent notifies the Company may reasonably be deemed to be an
"Affiliate" of the Company for purposes of the Securities Act), to execute and
deliver to Parent, as promptly as practicable after the execution of this
Agreement, an Affiliate Agreement in the form of Exhibit 3. Parent shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Parent-Affiliated Person listed on
Exhibit 5 and each other Person that could reasonably be deemed to be an
"Affiliate" of Parent for purposes of the Securities Act to execute and deliver
to Parent, as promptly as practical after execution of this Agreement, an
Affiliate Agreement in the form of Exhibit 4.
5.15 Commercially Reasonable Efforts. During the Pre-Closing Period, (a) the
Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions
set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.3 to be satisfied on a timely basis, and (b)
Parent and Merger Sub shall each use all commercially reasonable efforts to
cause the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 to be satisfied on a
timely basis.
5.16 Tax Matters. Prior to the Closing:
(a) Parent and the Company shall execute and deliver to Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey L.L.P. Representation Certificates in substantially the forms
of Exhibits 6 and 7 (which shall be used in connection with the legal
opinion contemplated by Section 6.1(s)),
(b) Each of the Company-Affiliated Persons listed on Exhibit 5 shall
execute and deliver to Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. a Shareholders'
Representation Certificate in the form of Exhibit 8,
(c) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall give the Parent and its
authorized representatives full access to all properties, books,
records and Tax Returns of or relating to the Company and its
Subsidiaries, whether in the possession of the Company, its
Subsidiaries, or third-party representatives in order that the Parent
may have full opportunity to make such investigations as it shall
desire to make of the affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The
Company and its Subsidiaries shall ensure that all third-party
representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including without
limitation accountants and attorneys, fully cooperate and be available
to the Parent in connection with such investigation.
(d) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall terminate all tax allocation
agreements and tax sharing agreements with respect to the Company and
its Subsidiaries and shall ensure that such agreements are of no
further force or effect as to the Company and its Subsidiaries on and
after the Closing and there shall be no further liability of the
Company or its Subsidiaries under any such agreements.
5.17 Key Employee Options. [Intentionally Deleted.]
5.18 Board of Directors. [Intentionally Deleted.]
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5.19 Indemnification.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former officers,
directors and employees of the Company (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties") against all losses, expenses, claims, damages, liabilities or
amounts that are paid in settlement of (with approval of Parent and the
Surviving Corporation), or otherwise in connection with, any claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation (a "Claim"), based in whole or in part on
the fact that such person is or was such a director, officer or employee and
arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective
Time, in each case to the fullest extent permitted under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), (and shall pay
expenses in advance of the final disposition of any such action or
proceeding to each Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted under
the DGCL, upon receipt from the Indemnified Party to whom expenses are
advanced of the undertaking to repay such advances contemplated by Section
145(e) of the DGCL).
(b) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under this Section
5.19, upon learning of any such Claim, shall notify Parent and the Surviving
Corporation (although the failure so to notify Parent and the Surviving
Corporation shall not relieve the Surviving Corporation from any liability
that it may have under this Section 5.19, except to the extent such failure
materially prejudices such party), and shall deliver to the Surviving
Corporation the undertaking contemplated by Section 145(e) of the DGCL.
Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall have the right to assume the
defense thereof and the Surviving Corporation, including its affiliates,
shall not be liable to such Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of
other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such
Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof, except that if
Parent and the Surviving Corporation elect not to assume such defense or
there is a conflict of interest between, or different defenses exist for
Parent and the Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified Parties, the
Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory to them (and reasonably
satisfactory to Parent) and the Surviving Corporation shall pay all
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties
promptly as statements therefor are received; provided, however, that (i)
the Surviving Corporation, including its affiliates, shall not, in
connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but
substantially similar actions or proceedings arising out of the same general
allegations, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate
firm of attorneys at any time for all Indemnified Parties except to the
extent that local counsel, in addition to such parties' regular counsel, is
necessary or desirable in order to effectively defend against such action or
proceeding, (ii) Parent, the Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified
Parties will cooperate in the defense of any such matter, and (iii) the
Surviving Corporation, including its affiliates, shall not be liable for any
settlement effected without Parent's prior written consent, which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and provided, further,
however, that the Surviving Corporation, including its affiliates, shall not
have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party when and if a court
of competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination
shall have become final and not subject to further appeal, that the
indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby
is prohibited by applicable law. No Indemnified Party shall consent to entry
of judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
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Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of
such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled
to indemnification hereunder.
(c) Parent shall cause to be maintained in effect for not less than one year
after the Effective Time (except to the extent not generally available in
the market) directors' and officers' liability insurance that is
substantially equivalent in coverage to the Company's current insurance,
with an amount of coverage of not less than the amount of coverage
maintained by the Company as of the date of this Agreement with respect to
matters occurring prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that
Parent shall not be required to pay an annual premium for such insurance in
excess of 150% of the last annual premium paid by the Company prior to the
date of this Agreement (which the Company represents and warrants to have
been $253,125 plus applicable taxes), but in such case shall purchase as
much coverage as possible for such amount.
(d) This Section 5.19 is intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be
enforceable by, the Indemnified Parties referred to herein, their heirs and
personal representatives and shall be binding on Parent and Merger Sub and
the Surviving Corporation and their respective successors and assigns.
5.20 Nasdaq National Market Listing. Parent shall use all reasonable efforts
to cause the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger and the
shares of Parent Common Stock to be reserved for issuance under the Assumed
Options and the Assumed Warrants to be approved for listing on the Nasdaq
National Market, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the Closing
Date.
5.21 Employees. Following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
honor in accordance with their terms all employee benefit plans disclosed by the
Company under the caption "Employee Benefit Plans" in the Company Disclosure
Letter, and all accrued benefits vested thereunder. Parent agrees to provide,
after the Effective Time, or cause the Surviving Corporation to provide,
employees of the Company, not otherwise covered by collective bargaining
agreements, with employee benefits in the aggregate substantially no less
favorable than those benefits provided to Parent's similarly situated employees
for a period ending on the first anniversary of the Effective Time.
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party To Effect the Merger. The
respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) this Agreement (including without limitation the plan of merger contained
herein) and the Merger, and, in the case of Parent only, the Parent Voting
Proposals, shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite vote of the
shareholders of Parent and the Company as may be required by law, by the
rules of the Nasdaq National Market System or SmallCap Market, and by any
applicable provisions of their respective charter and bylaw;
(b) any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
consummation of the Merger under the Hart-Scott Act shall have expired or
been terminated;
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(c) the Form S-4 shall have been declared effective by the SEC and no order or
other declaration suspending the effectiveness of the S-4 shall have been
issued or promulgated;
(d) the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact and shall not omit any statement required to be contained
therein or necessary to make any statement contained therein, in the light
in which made, not misleading;
(e) there shall have been no law, statute, rule or regulation, domestic or
foreign, enacted or promulgated which would make consummation of the Merger
illegal;
(f) no injunction or other order entered by a United States (state or federal)
court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued and remain in effect
which would prohibit consummation of the Merger;
(g) there shall not be threatened, instituted or pending any action or
proceeding, before any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic
or foreign, (i) challenging or seeking to make illegal, or to delay or
otherwise directly or indirectly to restrain or prohibit, the consummation
of the Merger, or seeking to obtain material damages in connection with the
Merger, (ii) seeking to prohibit direct or indirect ownership or operation
by Parent of all or a material portion of the business or assets of the
Company and the Subsidiaries or of Parent and its subsidiaries, or to compel
Parent or any of its subsidiaries or the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
to dispose of or to hold separately all or a material portion of the
business or assets of Parent and its subsidiaries or of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, as a result of the Merger, (iii) seeking to impose or confirm
limitations on the ability of Parent effectively to exercise directly or
indirectly full rights of ownership of any shares of Company Common Stock on
all matters properly presented to the Company's shareholders, (iv) seeking
to require direct or indirect divestiture by Parent of any shares of Company
Common Stock or any shares of the Surviving Corporation to be issued in the
Merger, (v) seeking or causing any material diminution in the direct or
indirect benefits expected to be derived by Parent a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (vi) invalidating or rendering
unenforceable any material provision of this Agreement (including without
limitation any of the exhibits or attachments hereto) or the Letter of
Intent, (vii) which otherwise might materially adversely affect the Company
and the Subsidiaries or Parent and its subsidiaries, or (viii) otherwise
relating to the Letter of Intent or the Merger;
(h) there shall not be any action taken, or any injunction issued, or any order,
statute, rule or regulation proposed, enacted, promulgated, issued or deemed
applicable to the Merger by any federal, state or foreign court, government
or governmental authority or agency, other than the application of the
waiting period provisions of the Hart-Scott Act to the Merger, which may,
directly or indirectly, result in any of the consequences referred to in (g)
above;
(i) during the period prior to the Effective Time, no party to this Agreement
shall take any action that could reasonably be expected to have an adverse
effect on the ability of Parent to account for the Merger as a "pooling of
interests;"
(j) there shall not have occurred (i) any general suspension of, or limitation
on prices for, trading in securities on the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market or the
Nasdaq National Market System, (ii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or
any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States or any
limitation by United States
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<PAGE> 148
authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions, (iii) a
commencement of war, armed hostilities or other international or national
calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, (iv) any
limitation by any governmental authority on, or any other event which, in
the sole judgment of Parent, might affect the extension of credit by banks
or other lending institutions in the United States, or (v) in the case of
any of the foregoing existing at the date hereof, a material acceleration or
worsening thereof;
(k) the Company and the Subsidiaries shall have obtained each consent and
approval necessary in order that the Merger and the transactions
contemplated herein not constitute a breach or violation of, or result in a
right of termination or acceleration or any encumbrance on any of the
Company's or the Subsidiaries' assets pursuant to the provisions of, any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or any license, franchise or permit;
(l) prior to the Closing, Parent and the Company shall execute and deliver to
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Representation Certificates in
substantially the forms of Exhibits 6 and 7 (which will be used in
connection with the legal opinion contemplated by Section 6.1(t)), and each
of the Company-Affiliated Persons listed on Exhibit 5 shall execute and
deliver to Squire, Sanders & Dempsey a Shareholder's Representation
Certificate in the form of Exhibit 8;
(m) Parent and the Company shall have received Affiliate Agreements, in the form
of Exhibit 3, executed by the Company-Affiliated Persons identified on
Exhibit 5 and by any other person who Parent notifies the Company may be
deemed to be an "Affiliate" of the Company for purposes of the Securities
Act (collectively, the "Designated Persons"), and Affiliate Agreements, in
the form of Exhibit 4, executed by the Parent-Affiliated Persons identified
on Exhibit 5;
(n) there shall have been no damage, destruction or loss of or to any property
or properties owned or used by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries,
whether or not covered by insurance, which in the aggregate has a material
adverse effect on the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(o) the principal terms of this Agreement and the Merger shall have been
approved and adopted by the Company's shareholders in accordance with all
applicable laws and regulations and the Company's Articles of Incorporation
and ByLaws;
(p) the shareholders of Parent shall have approved of the issuance of the Parent
Common Stock in accordance with the requirements of the Nasdaq National
Market System rules and regulations;
(q) no party hereto shall have terminated this Agreement as permitted herein;
(r) the United States Department of Transportation shall have approved of the
Merger;
(s) Parent and the Company shall have received a letter from Arthur Andersen
LLP, dated as of the Closing Date, confirming that such firm is not aware of
any fact or circumstance which could reasonably be interpreted as rendering
the Merger ineligible for the "pooling-of-interests" method of accounting in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and all published rules, regulations and
policies of the SEC; and
(t) Parent, the Company and the shareholders of the Company shall have received
a legal opinion of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., dated the Closing Date,
to the effect that the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368 of
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the Code (it being understood that, in rendering such opinion, such counsel
may rely upon the tax Representation Certificates and Shareholder's
Certificates referred to in Section 6.1(l)).
6.2 Additional Conditions to Obligation of the Company. The obligation of the
Company to effect the Merger is also subject to the following conditions:
(a) the representations and warranties of Parent and the Merger Sub set
forth in Article 2 shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of the Effective Time,
and each of Parent and the Merger Sub shall in all material respects
have performed each obligation and agreement and complied with each
covenant to be performed and complied with by it hereunder at or prior
to the Effective Time. A representation or warranty that is expressly
subject to a materiality limitation shall not be subject to a further
materiality limitation as a result of the use of the phrase "in all
material respects" in the preceding sentence;
(b) Parent shall have furnished to the Company a certificate in which
Parent shall certify that Parent has no reason to believe that the
conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) have not been fulfilled;
(c) Parent shall have furnished to the Company (i) a copy of the text of
the resolutions by which the corporate action on the part of Parent and
the Merger Sub necessary to approve this Agreement and the Merger were
taken, (iii) certificates executed on behalf of Parent and the Merger
Sub by their respective corporate secretaries or one of their
respective assistant corporate secretaries certifying to the Company,
in each case, that such copy is a true, correct and complete copy of
such resolutions and that such resolutions were duly adopted and have
not been amended or rescinded, and (iii) an incumbency certificate
executed on behalf of Parent and the Merger Sub by their respective
corporate secretaries or one of their respective assistant corporate
secretaries certifying, in each case, the signature and office of each
officer executing this Agreement or any other agreement, certificate or
other instrument executed pursuant hereto;
(d) the Company shall have received a letter addressed to the Company from
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. based on customary reliance and
subject to customary qualifications, to the effect that:
(i) Parent is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Nevada.
(ii) Merger Sub is a corporation validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Nevada.
(iii) Parent has the corporate power to consummate the transactions on
its part contemplated by this Agreement. Parent has duly taken
all requisite corporate action to authorize this Agreement; and
this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Parent.
(iv) The Merger Sub has the corporate power to consummate the
transactions on its part contemplated by this Agreement. The
Merger Sub has duly taken all requisite corporate action to
authorize this Agreement and the articles of merger contemplated
in Section 1.3; and this Agreement and
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<PAGE> 150
such articles of merger have been duly executed and delivered by
the Merger Sub and constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Merger Sub.
(e) a letter from a qualified investment banking or financial advisory firm
confirming the fairness to the Company's shareholders from a financial
point of view of the consideration to be paid in the Merger (the form
of which letter shall have been received by the Company for inclusion
in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus prior to the filing of any
amendment to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed with the SEC)
shall have been delivered to the Company's Board of Directors prior to
the Mailing Date and shall not have been subsequently withdrawn or
amended; and
(f) on the date of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have received from Scott & Stringfellow,
Inc. a written update, dated as of such date, confirming that, from a
financial point of view, the consideration to be offered to the
stockholders of the Company in the Merger contemplated hereby is fair
to the Company.
(g) the Company shall not have discovered any fact or circumstance existing
as of the date of this Agreement which has not been publicly disclosed
by Parent as of the date of this Agreement regarding the business,
assets, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results of
operations or prospects of Parent and its Subsidiaries which is,
individually or in the aggregate with other such facts and
circumstances, materially adverse to Parent and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, or to the value of the shares of Parent Common Stock.
6.3 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Parent and the Merger Sub. The
obligations of Parent and the Merger Sub to effect the Merger are also subject
to the following conditions:
(a) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article
3 of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of the Effective Time,
and the Company shall in all material respects have performed each
obligation and agreement and complied with each covenant to be
performed and complied with by it hereunder at or prior to the
Effective Time. A representation or warranty that is expressly subject
to a materiality limitation shall not be subject to a further
materiality limitation as a result of the use of the phrase "in all
material respects" in the preceding sentence;
(b) the Company shall have furnished to Parent a certificate in which the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and Secretary shall certify that an
appropriate inquiry has been made of the executive officers and
employees of the Company and the Subsidiaries having principal
responsibilities for the matters as to which representations and
warranties have been made by the Company in this Agreement and for the
performance of the covenants of the Company set forth in this
Agreement, and after completion of such inquiry, neither the Company
nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any of the individuals executing such
certificate has any reason to believe that the conditions set forth in
Section 6.3(a) have not been fulfilled;
(c) the Company shall have furnished to Parent (i) a copy of the text of
the resolutions by which the board of Directors and shareholders of the
Company approved this Agreement (including, without limitation, the
plan of merger
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<PAGE> 151
contained herein) and the Merger; (ii) a certificate executed on behalf
of the Company by its corporate secretary certifying to Parent that
such copy is a true, correct and complete copy of such resolutions and
that such resolutions were duly adopted and have not been amended or
rescinded; and (iii) an incumbency certificate executed on behalf of
the Company by its corporate secretary certifying the signature and
office of each officer executing this Agreement or any other agreement,
certificate or other instrument executed pursuant hereto;
(d) Parent shall have received a letter addressed to Parent from the law
firm of Rayburn, Moon & Smith P.A., based on customary reliance and
subject to customary qualifications, to the effect that:
(i) The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(ii) The authorized capital of the Company consists of shares of
capital stock, designated "Common Stock," having a par value of
$.01 per share, of which the number of shares indicated in such
letter are outstanding, all of which were duly and validly issued
and are fully paid and non-assessable.
(iii) Each of the Subsidiaries is a corporation validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.
(iv) The Company owns all of the outstanding capital stock of each of
the Subsidiaries, free and clear of any lien, claim or
encumbrance.
(v) The Company has the corporate power to consummate the transactions
on its part contemplated by this Agreement; the Company has duly
taken all requisite corporate action to authorize this Agreement
and the articles of merger contemplated in Section 1.3; and this
Agreement and such articles of merger have been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company.
(vi) No actions are required to be taken in order to make the Merger
effective which have not been taken on or prior to the delivery of
such letter except the delivery of the articles of merger
contemplated in Section 1.3 to the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware in accordance with Delaware Law;
(e) Parent shall have received a letter from Arthur Andersen LLP dated the
date of the Effective Time bringing down to a date not more than three
days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior thereto the
information specified in Section 5.3(b);
(f) Parent shall not have discovered any fact or circumstance existing as
of the date of this Agreement which has not been publicly disclosed by
the Company as of the date of this Agreement regarding the business,
assets, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results of
operations or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries which is,
individually or in the aggregate with other such facts and
circumstances, materially adverse to the Company and the Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, or to the value of the shares of Company Common
Stock;
(g) Parent shall have received a letter from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, dated
as of the Closing Date, confirming that Parent may account for the
Merger as a "pooling-of-interests" in accordance with generally
accepted accounting princi-
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<PAGE> 152
ples, Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and all published
rules, regulations and policies of the SEC;
(h) the Company shall not have received written objections to the Merger
pursuant to applicable Delaware Law covering more than 5% of the shares
of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time;
(i) on the date of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus the Board of
Directors of Parent shall have received from The Robinson-Humphrey
Company, LLC a written update, dated as of such date, confirming that,
from a financial point of view, the consideration to be offered to the
Company's stockholders in the Merger contemplated hereby is fair to
Parent; and
(j) the Company shall have entered into a new agreement (or renewal of the
existing agreement) with US Airways, Inc. relating to the sharing of
joint passenger fares and division of revenue, the terms of which shall
be acceptable to Parent.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
7.1 Termination. Subject to Section 7.4, this Agreement may be terminated
prior to the Effective Time:
(a) by Parent if there has been a material breach by the Company or any of
the Designated Persons of any covenant or agreement of the Company or
any of the Designated Persons set forth in this Agreement or in any
other agreement or instrument delivered to Parent, which breach has not
been cured within 30 days of the date on which written notice of such
breach was first given to the Company or which is not capable of being
cured by the Scheduled Closing Time;
(b) by the Company if there has been a material breach by Parent of any
covenant or agreement of Parent in this Agreement, which breach has not
been cured within 30 days of the date on which written notice of such
breach was first given to Parent or which is not capable of being cured
by the Scheduled Closing Time;
(c) by Parent if Parent reasonably determines that the timely satisfaction
of any condition set forth in Section 6.1 or 6.3 by the Scheduled
Closing Time has become impossible (other than as a result of any
failure on the part of Parent or Merger Sub to comply with or perform
any covenant or obligation of Parent or Merger Sub set forth in this
Agreement);
(d) by the Company if the Company reasonably determines that the timely
satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 6.1 or 6.2 by the
Scheduled Closing Time has become impossible (other than as a result of
any failure on the part of the Company or any of the Designated Persons
to comply with or perform any covenant or obligation set forth in this
Agreement or in any other agreement or instrument delivered to Parent);
(e) by Parent at or after the Scheduled Closing Time if any condition set
forth in Section 6.1 or 6.3 has not been satisfied by the Scheduled
Closing Time (other than as a result of any failure on the part of
Parent or Merger Sub to comply with or perform any covenant or
obligation of Parent or Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement); or
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<PAGE> 153
(f) by the Company at or after the Scheduled Closing Time if any condition
set forth in Section 6.1 or 6.2 has not been satisfied by the Scheduled
Closing Time (other than as a result of any failure on the part of the
Company or any of the Designated Persons to comply with or perform any
covenant or obligation set forth in this Agreement or in any other
agreement or instrument delivered to Parent);
(g) by Parent if the Closing has not taken place on or before the Final
Date (other than as a result of any failure on the part of Parent to
comply with or perform any covenant or obligation of Parent set forth
in this Agreement);
(h) by the Company if the Closing has not taken place on or before the
Final Date (other than as a failure on the part of the Company or any
of the Designated Persons to comply with or perform any covenant or
obligation set forth in this Agreement or in any other agreement or
instrument delivered to Parent);
(i) by the mutual consent of Parent and the Company.
As used herein, the Final Date shall be June 1, 1999, except that if a
temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order by any Federal or
state court that would prohibit or otherwise restrain consummation of the Merger
shall have been issued and shall remain in effect on June 1, 1999, and such
injunction shall not have become final and nonappealable, either party, by
giving the other written notice thereof on or prior to June 1, 1999, may extend
the time for consummation of the Merger up to and including the earlier of the
date such injunction shall become final and nonappealable or June 1, 1999, so
long as such party shall, at its own expense, use its best efforts to have such
injunction dissolved.
7.2 Termination Procedures. If Parent wishes to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1(a), Section 7.1(c), Section 7.1(e) or Section 7.1(g),
Parent shall deliver to the Company a written notice stating that Parent is
terminating this Agreement and setting forth a brief description of the basis on
which Parent is terminating this Agreement. If the Company wishes to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(b), Section 7.1(d), Section 7.1(f) or
Section 7.1(h), the Company shall deliver to Parent a written notice stating
that the Company is terminating this Agreement and setting forth a brief
description of the basis on which the Company is terminating this Agreement.
7.3 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section
7.1, all further obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall
terminate; provided, however, that: (a) neither the Company nor Parent shall be
relieved of any obligation or liability arising from any prior breach by such
party of any provision of this Agreement or of any obligation or liability
arising pursuant to Section 7.4. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 7.1 as a result of the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of
Parent or the Merger Sub set forth in Article 2 or the inaccuracy of any
representation or warranty of the Company set forth in Article 3, the party
making such inaccurate representation or warranty shall be subject to liability
for the termination of this Agreement as a result thereof only if and to the
extent that any Responsible Officer (as defined below) of such party had actual
knowledge of such inaccuracy. For purposes hereof, "Responsible Officer" of any
party shall mean the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive
officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, any executive
vice president, the treasurer or the secretary of such party.
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<PAGE> 154
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing approved by the parties to this Agreement and signed on behalf of each
of the parties hereto; provided, however, that, after approval of the Merger by
the shareholders of the Company, no amendment may be made which changes the
amount into which each share of Company Common Stock will be converted in the
Merger or effects any change which would materially and adversely affect the
shareholders of the Company without the further approval of the shareholders of
the Company.
8.2 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party hereto may (a)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of
any other party hereto or (b) waive compliance with any of the agreement of any
other party or with any conditions to its own obligations, in each case only to
the extent such obligations, agreements and conditions are intended for its
benefit. No failure on the part of any party hereto to exercise any power,
right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of any
party hereto in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this
agreement, shall operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy,
and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy
shall preclude any other or future exercise thereof or of any other power,
right, privilege or remedy. No party hereto shall be deemed to have waived any
claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy
under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege
or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and
delivered on behalf of such party, and any such waiver shall not be applicable
or have any effect except in the specific instance in which it was given.
8.3 Public Statements. Except as required by applicable law, no party shall
make any public announcement or statement with respect to the Merger, this
Agreement or any related transaction without the approval of the other parties,
which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. Moreover, each party agrees to
consult with the other parties prior to issuing any such public announcement or
statement.
8.4 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery, by telex, by
telecopier, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid and return
receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by it by like notice):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
If to Parent or Mesa Air Group, Inc.
the Merger Sub: 410 North 44th Street
Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Attn.: Steven E. Markhoff
With a copy to: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
40 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Telecopy: (602) 253-8129
Attn: Christopher D. Johnson
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 155
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
If to the Company: CCAIR, Inc.
4700 Yoakmont Road
Second Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Attn.: Kenneth W. Gann
With a copy to: Rayburn, Moon & Smith, P.A.
227 West Trade Street
Suite 1200
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Telecopy: (704) 377-1897
Attn.: C. Richard Rayburn
</TABLE>
All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if delivered by mail; when
answered back, if telexed; and when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied.
8.5 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to subsidiaries
of Parent, the word "subsidiary" means any "majority-owned subsidiary" (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of Parent; provided, however, that
the Company shall in no event and at no time be considered a subsidiary of
Parent for purposes of this Agreement. The headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. References to Sections and Articles refer to
sections and articles of this Agreement unless otherwise stated. Words such as
"herein," "hereinafter," "hereof," "hereto," "hereby" and "hereunder," and words
of like import, unless the context requires otherwise, refer to this Agreement
(including the exhibits and attachments hereto). As used in this Agreement, the
masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be deemed to include the others if
the context requires.
8.6 Severability. If term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants, and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated and the parties shall negotiate
in good faith to modify this Agreement to preserve each party's anticipated
benefits under this Agreement.
8.7 Miscellaneous. This Agreement (together with all other documents and
instruments referred to herein): (a) constitutes the entire agreement, and
supersedes all other prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral,
among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof; (b) is not
intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies hereunder; (c)
shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise, except that Parent and
the Merger Sub may assign all or any portion of their rights under this
Agreement to any wholly owned subsidiary, but no such assignment shall relieve
Parent and the Merger Sub of their obligations hereunder, and except that this
Agreement may be assigned by operation of law to any corporation with or into
which Parent may be merged; and (d) shall be governed in all respects, including
validity, interpretation and effect, by the internal laws of the State of
Arizona, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws thereof;
provided, however, that the Letter of Intent shall remain in full force and
effect notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Agreement and nothing
in this Agreement shall supersede any of the provisions of the Letter of Intent.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts which together shall
constitute a single agreement.
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<PAGE> 156
8.8 Non-survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of the parties set forth herein shall terminate as of the Effective
Time.
8.9 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries; Rights of Ownership. This
Agreement (including the documents and the instruments referred to herein) (a)
constitutes the entire agreement among the parties and supercedes all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, other than the confidentiality provision
of the letter dated August 27, 1998, which should survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and (b) except as provided in Sections 5.19 and 5.21,
is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any
rights or remedies hereunder. The parties acknowledge that no party shall have
the right to acquire or shall be deemed to have acquired shares of common stock
of the other party pursuant to the Merger until consummation thereof.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.]
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<PAGE> 157
MERGER AGREEMENT
SIGNATURE PAGE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, the Merger Sub and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be executed on the date first written above by their respective
officers thereunder duly authorized.
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------
MESA MERGER CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------
CCAIR, INC.
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------
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<PAGE> 158
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE 1............................ 1
1.1 The Merger.................. 1
1.2 Effect of the Merger........ 1
1.3 Consummation of the
Merger...................... 2
1.4 Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws; Directors and
Officers.................... 2
1.5 Conversion of Securities.... 2
1.6 Closing of Company Transfer
Books....................... 3
1.7 Exchange of Certificates.... 3
1.8 Dissenting Shares........... 4
1.9 Tax Consequences............ 5
Accounting Treatment........ 5
1.10
Taking of Necessary Action;
1.11 Further Action.............. 5
Employee Stock Options...... 5
1.12
Warrants.................... 6
1.13
Other Agreements............ 7
1.14
ARTICLE 2............................ 7
2.1 Organization and
Qualification............... 7
2.2 Authority Relative to This
Agreement................... 7
2.3 Capital Structure........... 8
2.4 SEC Filings; Financial
Statements.................. 8
2.5 Valid Issuance.............. 8
2.6 Accuracy of Information..... 8
2.7 Title to Properties......... 9
2.8 Accounts Receivable......... 9
2.9 Employment Matters.......... 9
Affiliate Transactions...... 9
2.10
Compliance with Laws;
2.11 Permits; Certain
Operations.................. 10
Non-Contravention;
2.12 Consents.................... 10
Brokerage................... 10
2.13
No Material Adverse
2.14 Changes..................... 11
Legal Proceedings........... 11
2.15
Pooling of Interests........ 11
2.17
ARTICLE 3............................ 11
3.1 Organization and
Qualification............... 11
3.2 Authority Relative to this
Agreement................... 11
3.3 Capitalization.............. 12
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
3.4 Commission Filings.......... 13
3.5 Financial Statements........ 14
3.6 Subsidiaries................ 14
3.7 Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities................. 15
3.8 No Material Adverse
Changes..................... 15
3.9 Absence of Certain
Developments................ 15
Title to Properties......... 17
3.10
Accounts Receivable......... 18
3.11
Inventories................. 18
3.12
Tax Matters................. 18
3.13
Contracts and Commitments... 20
3.14
Proprietary Rights.......... 21
3.15
Litigation.................. 22
3.16
Brokerage................... 22
3.17
Employment Matters.......... 22
3.18
Employee Benefit Plans...... 23
3.19
Insurance................... 24
3.20
Affiliate Transactions...... 24
3.21
Suppliers................... 25
3.22
Officers and Directors; Bank
3.23 Accounts.................... 25
Compliance with Laws;
3.24 Permits; Certain
Operations.................. 25
Disclosure.................. 25
3.25
Non-Contravention;
3.26 Consents.................... 26
Stockholder Vote Required... 27
3.27
Board Approval..............
3.28
Pooling of Interests........ 27
3.29
ARTICLE 4............................ 27
4.1 Conduct of Business Pending
the Merger.................. 27
4.2 Notification; Updates to
Disclosure Schedule......... 29
4.3 Shareholder Approval........ 30
ARTICLE 5............................ 31
5.1 Joint Proxy Statement/
Registration Statement...... 31
5.2 Shareholders Meetings....... 32
5.3 Accountant Comfort
Letters..................... 32
5.4 Expenses.................... 33
5.5 Additional Agreements....... 33
5.6 No Negotiations, etc........ 34
5.7 Notification of Certain
Matters..................... 34
</TABLE>
A-50
<PAGE> 159
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
5.8 Access to Information;
Confidentiality............. 34
5.9 Shareholder Claims.......... 34
Consents.................... 34
5.10
State Securities Law
5.11 Compliance.................. 35
Notification; Updates to
5.12 Parent Disclosure Letter.... 35
Pooling of Interests........ 36
5.13
Affiliate Agreements........ 36
5.14
Commercially Reasonable
5.15 Efforts..................... 36
Tax Matters................. 36
5.16
Key Employee Options........ 36
5.17
Board of Directors.......... 36
5.18
Indemnification............. 37
5.19
Nasdaq National Market
5.20 Listing..................... 38
Employees................... 38
5.21
ARTICLE 6............................ 38
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of
Each Party To Effect the
Merger...................... 38
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
6.2 Additional Conditions to
Obligation of the Company... 41
6.3 Additional Conditions to
Obligations of Parent and
the Merger Sub.............. 42
ARTICLE 7............................ 44
7.1 Termination................. 44
7.2 Termination Procedures...... 45
7.3 Effect of Termination....... 45
ARTICLE 8............................ 46
8.1 Amendment................... 46
8.2 Waiver...................... 46
8.3 Public Statements........... 46
8.4 Notices..................... 46
8.5 Interpretation.............. 47
8.6 Severability................ 47
8.7 Miscellaneous............... 47
8.8 Non-survival of
Representations and
Warranties.................. 48
8.9 Entire Agreement; No Third
Party Beneficiaries; Rights
of Ownership................ 48
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exhibit 1 Form of Amended Articles of Incorporation
Exhibit 2 Form of Amended Bylaws
Exhibit 3 Form of Affiliate Agreement (Company)
Exhibit 4 Form of Affiliate Agreement (Parent)
Exhibit 5 Affiliated Persons
Exhibit 6 Form of Representation Certificate (Parent)
Exhibit 7 Form of Representation Certificate (Company)
Exhibit 8 Form of Shareholder's Representation Certificate
</TABLE>
A-51
<PAGE> 160
ANNEX B
The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC
3333 Peachtree Road, N.E., 10th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
January 22, 1999
Board of Directors
Mesa Air Group, Inc.
410 North 44th Street
Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Gentlemen:
We understand that Mesa Air Group, Inc. ("Mesa" or the "Company") has entered
into a proposed Merger Agreement with CCAIR, Inc. ("CCAIR") (the "Proposed
Transaction"). We understand that under the Proposed Transaction, Mesa will
acquire all outstanding shares of CCAIR's common stock by issuing shares of Mesa
common stock equivalent in value to $4.35 for each share of CCAIR common stock,
subject to a maximum of 0.6214 shares (at a Mesa share price of $7.00 per share)
and a minimum of 0.435 shares (at a Mesa share price of $10.00 per share). The
terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction are set forth in more detail in
the Merger Agreement dated January 28, 1999 (the "Agreement").
We have been requested by the Company to render our opinion with respect to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to the Company's stockholders of the
consideration to be offered in the Proposed Transaction.
In arriving at our opinion, we have: (i) reviewed the Agreement and certain
related documents; (ii) analyzed certain audited and unaudited financial
statements and other information of Mesa and CCAIR provided to us by Mesa and
CCAIR; (iii) reviewed and discussed with management of Mesa and CCAIR, the past
and current business activities and financial results and the business and
financial outlook for Mesa and CCAIR; (iv) reviewed the historical price and
trading activity of the common stock of Mesa and CCAIR and other airlines; (v)
compared certain financial and stock market data relating to Mesa and CCAIR with
similar data of other publicly held airlines; (vi) performed an analysis
comparing the pro forma consequences of the Proposed Transaction to Mesa
stockholders with respect to earnings per share and tangible book value per
share; (vii) considered the relative contributions of Mesa and CCAIR to a
combined company in terms of balance sheet, earnings and current equity market
valuation measures; (viii) reviewed the premiums, prices and multiples paid in
certain comparable acquisition transactions of airlines and of merger
transactions in general; (ix) considered the potential synergies and cost
savings that could be achieved through the Proposed Transaction based on
discussions with the managements of Mesa and CCAIR; (x) evaluated the financial
and capital implications to Mesa of the Proposed Transaction; and (xi) performed
such other analyses as Robinson-Humphrey deemed appropriate.
We have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial
and other information used by us in arriving at our opinion without independent
verification. Robinson-Humphrey also relied upon the managements of Mesa and
CCAIR with respect to the reasonableness and achievability of the financial
forecasts (and the assumptions and bases underlying such forecasts) provided to
Robinson-Humphrey. Robinson-Humphrey
B-1
<PAGE> 161
did not undertake, nor was it furnished with, independent valuations or
appraisals of the assets or liabilities of either Mesa or CCAIR or any of their
subsidiaries. Our opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic and other
conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the date of this
letter.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
Proposed Transaction and will receive a fee for our services, a portion of which
will be paid upon the consummation of the Proposed Transaction. In addition, the
Company has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities arising out of the
rendering of this opinion. We have also performed various investment banking
services for the Company in the past (including providing financial advisory
services and underwriting equity securities) and have received customary fees
for such services. In the ordinary course of our business, we actively trade in
the equity securities of the Company for our own account and for the accounts of
our customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities. We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as an
exhibit to any proxy statement or registration statement distributed in
connection with the Proposed Transaction.
Based upon and subject to the forgoing as well as to the execution of the
Agreement, we are of the opinion as of the date hereof that, from a financial
point of view, the consideration to be paid by the Company in the Proposed
Transaction is fair to the stockholders of the Company.
THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY COMPANY, LLC
By:
--------------------------------------
Gordon R. Watt
First Vice President
B-2
<PAGE> 162
ANNEX C
[ ], 1999
Board of Directors and
Special Committee of the Board of Directors
CCAIR, Inc.
P.O. Box 19929
Charlotte, NC 28219
Gentlemen:
CCAIR, Inc. ("CCAIR" or the "Company"), Mesa Air Group, Inc. ("Mesa"), and Mesa
Merger Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa (the "Merger Sub"), have
entered into a Merger Agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of January 29, 1999,
pursuant to which the Merger Sub will be merged with and into CCAIR (the
"Merger") and CCAIR will survive as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa.
You have requested our opinion with respect to the fairness from a financial
point of view, as of the date of this letter, to the stockholders of the Company
of the consideration to be received by them in the Merger pursuant to the
Agreement.
At the Effective Time (as defined in this Agreement) of the Merger, each share
of the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of CCAIR (the "Company Shares")
issued and outstanding will be converted into that number of shares of common
stock, no par value per share, of Mesa (the "Mesa Shares") to be determined and
calculated as provided in the Agreement.
Scott & Stringfellow, Inc., as a customary part of its investment banking
business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and
unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and
other purposes. We will receive a fee upon the delivery of this opinion and the
Company has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities arising out of the
rendering of this opinion. In the ordinary course of our business, we and our
affiliates may actively trade or hold the securities of CCAIR or Mesa for our
own account or for the account of our customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities.
In developing our opinion, we have, among other things: (1) reviewed the
Agreement and other related documents; (2) reviewed, among other public
information, CCAIR's Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial
information for the two fiscal years ended June 30, 1997, the two fiscal years
ended December 31, 1998 and the unaudited Annual Report for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998; (3) reviewed, among other public information, Mesa's
Annual Reports and Forms 10-K and related financial information for the five
fiscal years ended September 30, 1998 and Mesa's Form 10-Q and the related
unaudited financial information for the three months ended December 31, 1998;
(4) reviewed certain information, including financial forecasts, relating to the
business, earnings, cash flow, assets and prospects of CCAIR and Mesa, furnished
to us by CCAIR and Mesa, respectively; (5) conducted discussions with members of
senior management of CCAIR and Mesa concerning their respective businesses and
prospects; (6) reviewed the historical market prices and trading activity for
the CCAIR common stock and the Mesa common stock and compared such prices and
trading activity with those of certain publicly traded companies which we deemed
to be relevant; (7) compared the financial position and results of operation of
CCAIR and Mesa with those of certain publicly traded companies which we deemed
to be relevant; (8) compared the proposed financial terms of the Merger with the
financial terms of certain other business combinations which we deemed to be
relevant; (9) considered the relative contributions of CCAIR
<PAGE> 163
Board of Directors
Special Committee of the Board of Directors
CCAIR, Inc.
[ ], 1999
Page 2
and Mesa to a combined company in terms of earnings, balance sheet, shares
outstanding, and current equity market valuation measures; (10) reviewed the
premiums paid by the purchaser in business combinations of similar size relative
to the closing price of the target the day of the announcement, one day prior to
the announcement and four weeks prior to the announcement; (11) considered the
potential pro forma financial effects of the Merger on Mesa; (12) prepared a
discounted cash flow analysis of Mesa based on Mesa's internally generated
financial projections; (13) reviewed other such financial studies and analyses
and performed such other investigations and took into account all other matters
as we deemed to be material or otherwise necessary to render our Opinion,
including our assessment of regulatory, economic, market, and monetary
conditions.
In conducting our review and arriving at our opinion, we discussed with members
of management of CCAIR and Mesa the background of the Merger, the reasons and
basis for the Merger and the business and future prospects of CCAIR and Mesa
individually and as a combined entity. We have relied upon and assumed the
accuracy and completeness of the information furnished to us by or on behalf of
CCAIR and Mesa. We have not attempted independently to verify such information,
nor have we made any independent appraisal of the assets of CCAIR or Mesa. We
have taken into account our assessment of general economic, financial market and
industry conditions as they exist and can be evaluated as of the date hereof, as
well as our experience in business valuation in general. We have also assumed
that, in the course of obtaining regulatory and third party consents for the
Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, no restriction will
be imposed that will have a material adverse effect on the future results of
operations or financial condition of CCAIR or Mesa. Furthermore, we are
expressing no opinion as to the price at which Mesa's common stock will trade in
any future time.
Our opinion expressed herein was prepared for the use of the Board of Directors
of CCAIR and its Special Committee and does not constitute a recommendation to
the Company's stockholders as to how they should vote at the stockholders'
meeting in connection with the Merger. Our opinion may not be used for any other
purpose without our prior written consent. We hereby consent, however, to the
inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to any proxy statement or registration
statement distributed in connection with the Merger.
On the basis of our analyses and review and in reliance on the accuracy and
completeness of the information furnished to us and subject to the conditions
and assumptions noted above, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the
consideration to be received in the Merger is fair from a financial point of
view to the stockholders of CCAIR.
Very truly yours,
SCOTT & STRINGFELLOW, INC.
<PAGE> 164
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Subsection (1) of Section 751 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Nevada empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (2) of Section 751 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action, or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the
capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim,
issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to
the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such
person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnify for such expenses which
the court shall deem proper.
Section 751 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (1) and (2) of Section
751, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith; that indemnification provided for by
Section 751 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the
indemnified party may be entitled; that indemnification provided for by Section
751 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to
a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall
inure to the benefit of such person's heirs, executors and administrators; and
empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a
director or officer of the corporation against any liability asserted against
him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against such liabilities under Section 145.
Section 037 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Nevada provides that
the articles of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting
the personal liability of a director or officer to the corporation or its
stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer
provided that such provision shall not
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<PAGE> 165
eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer (i) for acts or
omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of
law, or (ii) for the payment of distributions in violation of Section 300 of the
Nevada General Corporation Law.
Article Seven of the Registrant's articles of incorporation states that:
To the fullest extent allowable under the Nevada Revised Statutes, no
director or officer shall have personal liability to the Corporation or its
Shareholders, or to any other person or entity, for monetary damages for
breach of his fiduciary duty as a director, except where there has been:
(a) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud
or knowing violation of law; or
(b) authorization of the unlawful payment of a dividend or other
distribution on the Corporation's capital stock, or the unlawful
purchase of its capital stock.
Article Eight of the Registrant's articles of incorporation states that:
The Corporation may, to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions
of Section 78.751 of the Corporation Code of the Nevada Revised Statutes as
the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify all persons whom it
shall have power to indemnify under such section from and against any and
all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered
by such section, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be
entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as
to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue
as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent
and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators
of such a person. The Corporation may pay or otherwise advance all expenses
of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action,
suit or proceeding as such expenses are incurred and in advance of the
final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, provided that the
indemnified officer or director undertakes to repay the amounts so advanced
if a court of competent jurisdiction ultimately determines that such
officer or director is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation.
Nothing herein shall be construed to affect any rights to advancement of
expenses to which personnel other than officers or directors of the
Corporation may be entitled under any contract or otherwise by law.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES
(a) Exhibits
The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement: see the
exhibit index immediately following the Annexes to this document.
(c) Reports, Opinions or Appraisals
Information requested hereunder is furnished as Exhibits 99.3 and 99.4 hereto
and as Annexes B and C to the joint proxy statement/prospectus.
II-2
<PAGE> 166
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the joint proxy statement/prospectus any facts or
events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or
the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase
or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar amount of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated offering range may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration
Statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement:
provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the registration
statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to
be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference
in the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
(1) that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered
hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration
statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the
meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus
will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with
respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed
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<PAGE> 167
underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other Items of
the applicable form; and
(2) that every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to the paragraph
immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in connection with an offering of
securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as part of an amendment to the
registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective,
and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(e) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the joint proxy
statement/prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form S-4,
within one business day of receipt of such requests, and to send the
incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This
includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective
date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the
requests.
(f) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
(g) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the joint proxy statement/prospectus, to each person to whom the
joint proxy statement/prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to
security holders that is incorporated by reference in the joint proxy
statement/prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of
Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where
interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of
Regulation S-X are not set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus, to
deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the joint proxy
statement/ prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is
specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim
financial information.
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<PAGE> 168
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has
duly caused this Amendment to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Phoenix, State of
Arizona, on the 3rd day of May, 1999.
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
By /s/ JONATHAN G. ORNSTEIN
------------------------------------
Jonathan G. Ornstein,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to
Registration Statement has been signed on the 3rd day of May, 1999, by the
following persons in the capacities indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ JONATHAN G. ORNSTEIN Director, President and May 3, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan G. Ornstein (Principal Executive
Officer)
/s/ BLAINE M. JONES Chief Financial Officer May 3, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial
Blaine M. Jones Officer)
* Director and Chairman of May 3, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------- the Board
Paul R. Madden
* Director May 3, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
James R. Swigart
* Director May 3, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
Daniel J. Altobello
* Director May 3, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
Jack Braly
* Director May 3, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
Herbert A. Denton
* Director May 3, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
General Ronald R. Fogleman
</TABLE>
S-1
<PAGE> 169
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
* Director April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
Maurice A. Parker
* Director April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
Larry L. Risley
*By /s/ BLAINE M. JONES
----------------------------------------------
Blaine M. Jones
Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
S-2
<PAGE> 170
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
2.1 Plan and Agreement of Merger of Mesa Air Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's
Group, Inc. into Mesa Holding, Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
dated September 16, 1996 September 30, 1996, incorporated herein
by reference
2.2 Merger Agreement, dated as of January Included herein as Annex A to the Joint
28, 1999, between Mesa Air Group, Inc., Proxy Statement/Prospectus
Mesa Merger Corporation, and CCAIR, Inc.
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Mesa Air Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's
Holding, Inc. dated May 28, 1996 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996, incorporated herein
by reference
3.2 Bylaws of Mesa Air Group, Inc., as Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's
amended Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996, incorporated herein
by reference
4.1 Form of Common Stock certificate Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Amendment No. 1
to Registrant's Form S-18, Registration
No. 33-11765 filed March 6, 1987,
incorporated herein by reference
4.2 Form of Common Stock certificate (issued Filed as Exhibit 4.8 to Form S-1,
after November 12, 1990) Registration No. 33-35556 effective
December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
reference
4.8 Form of Employee Non-Incentive Stock Filed as Exhibit 4.12 to Registrant's
Option Plan, dated as of June 2, 1992 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1992, Commission File No.
33-15495, incorporated herein by
reference
4.9 Form of Non-Incentive Stock Option Filed as Exhibit 4.13 to Registrant's
issued under Mesa Airlines, Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
Employee Non-Incentive Stock Option September 30, 1992, Commission File No.
Plan, dated as of June 2, 1992 33-15495, incorporated herein by
reference
4.10 Form of Mesa Airlines, Inc. Outside Filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 to
Directors Stock Option Plan, dated as of Registration No. 33-09395 effective
March 9, 1993 August 1, 1996
4.11 Form of Stock Option issued under Mesa Filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Registration No.
Airlines, Inc. Outside Directors Stock 33-09395 effective August 1, 1996
Option Plan, dated as of March 9, 1993
4.12 Form of Mesa Airlines, Inc. Additional Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Registration No.
Outside Directors Stock Option Plan 33-09395 effective August 1, 1996
dated as of December 9, 1994
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 171
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
4.13 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Filed as Exhibit 4.6 to Registration No.
Issued Under Mesa Airlines, Inc. 33-09395 effective August 1, 1996
Additional Outside Directors Stock
OptionPlan
4.14 Form of Mesa Air Group, Inc. Restated Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registration No.
and Amended Employee Stock Option Plan 33-02791 effective April 24, 1996
dated April 23, 1996
4.15 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registration No.
issued under Mesa Air Group, Inc. 33-02791 effective April 24, 1996
Restated and Amended Employee Stock
Option Plan dated April 23, 1996
4.16 Form of Qualified Stock Option issued Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Registration No.
under Mesa Air Group, Inc. Restated and 33-02791 effective April 24, 1996
Amended Employee Stock Option Plan dated
April 23, 1996
5 Legal Opinion of Squire, Sanders & **
Dempsey L.L.P.
8 Tax Opinion of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey **
L.L.P.
10.17 Agreement between Beech Aircraft Filed as Exhibit 10.30 to Form S-1,
Corporation and Mesa Airlines, Inc., Registration No. 33-35556 effective
dated April 30, 1990 December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
reference
10.18 Sublease Agreement between Air Midwest, Filed as Exhibit 10.32.1 to Form S-1,
Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated Registration No. 33-35556 effective
April 27, 1990 for Embraer Brasilia December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
aircraft 120.180 reference
10.20 Agreement between Air Midwest, Inc. and Filed as Exhibit 10.32.3 to Form S-1,
Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated February 27, Registration No. 33-35556 effective
1990, for purchase of four Embraer December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
Brasilia aircraft reference
10.21 Letter Agreement between McDonnell Filed as Exhibit 10.32.4 to Form S-1,
Douglas Finance Corporation, Air Registration No. 33-35556 effective
Midwest, Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc., December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
dated March 19, 1990, as amended, reference
regarding lease and sublease of four
Embraer Brasilia aircraft
10.22 Sublease Agreement between Air Midwest Filed as Exhibit 10.32.5 to Form S-1,
Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated July Registration No. 33-35556 effective
26, 1990, for Embraer Brasilia aircraft December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
120.193 reference
10.23 Lease Agreement between McDonnell Filed as Exhibit 10.32.6 to Form S-1,
Douglas Finance Corporation and Mesa Registration No. 33-35556 effective
Airlines, Inc., dated July 26, 1990, for December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
Embraer Brasilia aircraft 120.193 reference
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 172
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
10.24 Sublease Agreement between Air Midwest Filed as Exhibit 10.32.7 to Form S-1,
Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dated Registration No. 33-35556 effective
September 26, 1990, for Embraer Brasilia December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
aircraft 120.203 reference
10.25 Lease Agreement between McDonnell Filed as Exhibit 10.32.8 to Form S-1,
Douglas Finance Corporation and Mesa Registration No. 33-5556 effective
Airlines, Inc., dated September 26, December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
1990, for Embraer Brasilia aircraft reference
120.203
10.27 Expanded Partner Agreement between Filed as Exhibit 19.3 to Registrant's
United Air Lines, Inc., and Mesa Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
Airlines, Inc., dated February 15, 1990 June 30, 1990, Commission File No.
0-15495, incorporated herein by
reference
10.29 Form of Directors' and Officers' Filed as Exhibit 10.41 to Form S-1,
Indemnification Agreement Registration No. 33-35556 effective
December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
reference
10.31 Agreement Relating to the Settlement of Filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form S-1,
Interline Accounts through Airlines Registration No. 33-35556 effective
Clearing House, Inc., between Airlines December 6, 1990, incorporated herein by
Clearing House, Inc. and Mesa Airlines, reference
Inc., dated September 2, 1981
10.32 Agreement between Beech Aircraft Filed as Exhibit 10.42 to Form 10-K for
Corporation and Mesa Airlines, Inc., fiscal year ended September 30, 1991,
dated September 18, 1991 Commission File No. 0-15495,
incorporated herein by reference
10.33 Agreement between USAirways, Inc. and Filed as Exhibit 10.43 to Form 10-K for
Air Midwest, Inc. fiscal year ended September 30, 1991,
Commission File No. 0-15495,
incorporated herein by reference
10.34 Agreement between USAirways, Inc. and Filed as Exhibit 10.44 to Form 10-K for
FloridaGulf Airlines, Inc. fiscal year ended September 30, 1991,
Commission File No. 0-15495,
incorporated herein by reference
10.35 Sublease agreement between Trans States Filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form 10-K for
Airlines, Inc. and Air Midwest, Inc. fiscal year ended September 30, 1992,
Commission File No. 0-15495,
incorporated herein by reference
10.37 Agreement between Beech Aircraft Filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Form 10-K for
Corporation, Beech Acceptance fiscal year ended September 30, 1992,
Corporation, Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Commission File No. 0-15495,
Inc., dated August 21, 1992 incorporated herein by reference
10.38 Agreement between America West Airlines, Filed as Exhibit 10.48 to Form 10-K for
Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc. fiscal year ended September 30, 1992,
Commission File No. 0-15495,
incorporated herein by reference
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 173
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
10.39 Agreement between United Air Lines, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.49 to Form 10-K for
and WestAir Commuter Airlines, Inc. fiscal year ended September 30, 1992,
(WestAir) Commission File No. 0-15495,
incorporated herein by reference
10.40 Plan and Agreement to Merge between Mesa Filed as Exhibit A to Form S-4
Airlines, Inc., Mesa Acquisition Registration No. 33-45638, effective
Corporation and WestAir Holding, Inc., April 17, 1992, incorporated hereby by
dated February 7, reference.
10.41 Certificate of Public Convenience and Filed as Exhibit 10.1(a) to WestAir
Necessity for WestAir Commuter Airlines, Holding, Inc.'s Registration Statement
Inc. on Form S-1, Commission File No.
33-24316, incorporated herein by
reference
10.42 Air Carrier Operating Certificate for Filed as Exhibit 10. to WestAir Holding,
WestAir Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form
S-1, Commission File No. 33-24316,
incorporated herein by reference
10.46 Original Agreement to Lease dated as of Filed as Exhibit 10.44 to WestAir
April 27, 1987 between NPA, Inc. (NPA:) Holding, Inc.'s Registration Statement
and British Aerospace, Inc. ("BAe") with on Form S-1, Commission File No.
a Letter to FG Holdings, Inc. ("FGH") 33-24316, incorporated herein by
dated March 11, 1988 and Amendment No. 1 reference
to Agreement to Lease dated as of March
3, 1988 between BAe and FGH
10.47 Side Letter Agreement to NPA from JACO Filed as Exhibit 10.48 to WestAir
dated June 4, 1987 Holding, Inc.'s Registration Statement
on Form S-1, Commission File No.
33-24316, incorporated herein by
reference
10.49 Employment Agreement dated as of Filed as Exhibit 10.51(b) to WestAir
September 1, 1988 between WestAir and Holding, Inc.'s Registration Statement
Maurice J. Gallagher Jr. on Form S-1, Commission File No.
33-24316, incorporated herein by
reference
10.50 Aviation Land and Building Lease and Filed as Exhibit 10.164 to the
Agreement between City of Fresno, Pre-effective Amendment No. 1, filed
California and WestAir dated January 7, October 19, 1988, to WestAir Holding,
1986 Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form
S-1, Commission File No. 33-24316,
incorporated herein by reference
10.51 Airport Operating Permit between Airport Filed as Exhibit 10.67 to WestAir
Commission of City and County of San Holding, Inc.'s Registration Statement
Francisco and WestAir on Form S-1, Commission File No.
33-24316, incorporated herein by
reference
10.58 Promissory Note to Textron for spare Filed as Exhibit 10.80 to WestAir
parts as executed by WestAir, dated Holding, Inc.'s Form 10-K dated December
December 30,1988 31, 1988, Commission File No. 33-24316,
incorporated herein by reference
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 174
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
10.59 Agreement to lease Jetstream model 3101 Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to WestAir Holding,
aircraft and Jetstream model 3201 Inc.'s Form 8-K filed June 8, 1989,
aircraft File between Bae and WestAir, Commission File No. 33-24316,
dated May 11, 1989 incorporated herein by reference
10.60 Amendment to Agreement to Lease dated Filed as Exhibit 10.38 to WestAir
May 11, 1989 between WestAir and Bae, Holding, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year
dated February 15, 1990 ended December 31, 1989, Commission File
No. 33-24316, incorporated herein by
reference
10.61 Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Filed as Exhibit 10.42(a) to WestAir
Agreement, dated September 30, 1991 Holding, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year
among WestAir Holding, Inc., WestAir ended December 31, 1991, Commission File
Commuter Airlines, Inc. and Atlantic No. 33-24316, incorporated herein by
Coast Airlines, Inc., relating to the reference
sale of the Atlantic Coast division of
WestAir Commuter Airlines, Inc.
10.65 Agreement of Purchase and Sales of Filed as Exhibit 10.90 to Mesa Airlines,
Assets by and among Crown Airways, Inc., Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
Phillip R. Burnaman, A.J. Beiga and Mesa September 30, 1994, Commission File No.
Airlines, Inc., dated as of December 16, 0-15495
1993
10.66 Supplemental Agreement No. 9/03/94 Filed as Exhibit 10.66 to Mesa Airlines,
Beechcraft 1900 D Airliner Acquisition Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
Master Agreement between Mesa Airlines, September 30, 1994, Commission File No.
Inc., Beech Aircraft Corporation and 0-15495
Beech Acceptance Corporation, Inc. dated
as of September 23, 1994
10.67 Form of Lease Agreement between Beech Filed as Exhibit 10.67 to Mesa Airlines,
Acceptance Corporation, Inc. and Mesa Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
Airlines, Inc., negotiated September 30, September 30, 1994, Commission File No.
1994 for all prospective 1900 D Airliner 0-15495
leases.
10.68 Asset Purchase Agreement dated July 29, Filed as Exhibit 10.68 to Mesa Airlines,
1994 among Pennsylvania Commuter Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
Airlines, Inc., d.b.a. Allegheny September 30, 1994, Commission File No.
Commuter Airlines, USAirways Leasing and 0-15495
Services, Inc., and Mesa Airlines, Inc.
10.69 Letter Agreement in Principle dated as Filed as Exhibit 10.69 to Mesa Airlines,
of October 16, 1994 among Air Wisconsin, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
Inc., United Air Lines, Inc. and Mesa September 30, 1994, Commission File No.
Airlines, (certain portions deleted 0-15495
pursuant to request for confidential
treatment) (Referred to erroneously as
Exhibit 10.94 in letter asking for
confidential treatment to Securities and
Exchange Commission dated 12-23-94 from
Chapman & Cutler)
10.70 Subscription Agreement between AmWest Filed as Exhibit 10.70 to Mesa Airlines,
Partners, L.P. and Mesa Airlines, Inc. Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
dated as of June 28, 1994 September 30, 1994, Commission File No.
0-15495
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 175
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
10.71 Omnibus Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.71 to Mesa Air
Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.72 Aircraft Purchase and Sale Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.72 to Mesa Air
Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.73 Expendable and Rotable Spare Parts and Filed as Exhibit 10.73 to Mesa Air
Sale Agreement Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.74 United Express Agreement Amendment Filed as Exhibit 10.74 to Mesa Air
Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.75 Side Letter Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.75 to Mesa Air
Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.76 First Amendment to Omnibus Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.76 to Mesa Air
Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.77 Operating Lease Agreement Filed as Exhibit 10.77 to Mesa Air
Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.78 Item 3 Legal Proceedings -- Form 10-K Filed as Exhibit 10.78 to Mesa Air
dated September 30, 1994 Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1994, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.79 Purchase Agreement B95-7701-PA-200 Filed as Exhibit 10.79 to Mesa Air
between Bombardier Inc. and Mesa Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
Airlines, Inc. ended March 31, 1996, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.81 Letter of Understanding between Mesa Air Filed as Exhibit 10.81 to Mesa Air
Group, Inc. and Raytheon Aircraft Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
Company (RAC) dated April 12, 1996 ended March 31, 1996, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.82 Supplemental Agreement No. 05/22/96, Filed as Exhibit 10.82 to Mesa Air
Beechcraft 1900D Airliner Acquisition Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
Master Agreement between Mesa Air Group, ended March 31, 1997, Commission File
Inc., Raytheon Aircraft Company and No. 0-15495
Raytheon Aircraft Credit Corporation
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 176
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
10.83 Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Filed as Exhibit 10.83 to Mesa Air
Purchase Agreement CRJ-0351 between Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
Bombardier Inc. and Mesa Air Group, Inc. ended December 31, 1996, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.84 Aircraft Option Exercise B97-7701-RJTL- Filed as Exhibit 10.84 to Mesa Air
3492L dated as of August 15, 1997 Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
between Mesa Air Group, Inc. and ended December 31, 1997, Commission File
Bombardier Inc. (Request for No. 0-15495
confidential treatment submitted to
SEC.)
10.85 Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Filed as Exhibit 10.85 to Mesa Air
Settlement Agreement B97-7701-RJTL- Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
3493L dated as of August 15, 1997 ended December 31, 1997, Commission File
between Mesa Air Group, Inc. and No. 0-15495
Bombardier Inc. (Request for
confidential treatment submitted to
SEC.)
10.86 Service Agreement dated as of November Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air
11, 1997 between Mesa Airlines, Inc. and Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
US Airways, Inc. (Request for ended December 31, 1997, Commission File
confidential treatment submitted to No. 0-15495
SEC.)
10.87 Letter Agreement dated as of March 26, Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air
1998 between Mesa Airlines, Inc. and Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
America West Airlines, Inc. (Request for ended March 31, 1997, Commission File
confidential treatment submitted to No. 0-15495
SEC.)
10.88 Employment Agreement dated as of March Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air
13, 1998, between Mesa Air Group, Inc. Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
and Jonathan G. Ornstein ended March 31, 1998, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.89 Form of Employment Agreement dated as of Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air
January 5, 1998, entered into by and Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
between Mesa Air Group, Inc. and Gary E. ended March 31, 1998, Commission File
Risley, W. Stephen Jackson, J. Clark No. 0-15495
Stevens and various other officers of
Mesa and its subsidiaries
10.90 Letter Agreement dated as of February 4, Filed as Exhibit 10.86 to Mesa Air
1998 between Mesa Air Group, Inc. and Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
Larry L. Risley ended March 31, 1998, Commission File
No. 0-15495
10.91 Letter of Intent between Mesa Air and Filed as Exhibit 10.91 to Mesa Air
CCAIR to merge, dated August 27, 1998. Group, Inc. Form 10K/A for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1998,
Commission File No. 0-15495
13 Mesa Air Group, Inc. 1998 *
Annual Report to Shareholders
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP **
23.2 Consent of KPMG LLP **
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 177
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE OR METHOD OF FILING
- -------------- ----------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
23.3 Consent of The Robinson-Humphrey Included in Annex B to the Joint Proxy
Company, L.L.C. Statement/Prospectus
23.4 Consent of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. Included in Annex C to the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus
23.5 Consent of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey Included in Exhibits 5 and 8
L.L.P.
24 Power of Attorney (See Signature Page)
99.1 Form of Mesa Air Proxy **
99.2 Form of CCAIR Proxy **
99.3 Opinion of Robinson-Humphrey Company, Included herein as Annex B to the Joint
LLC Proxy Statement/Prospectus
99.4 Opinion of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. Included herein as Annex C to the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* Filed herewith
** Previously filed
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 13
1998 ANNUAL REPORT
[SCENIC PHOTOGRAPH IN BACKGROUND]
[MESA AIR GROUP LOGO]
<PAGE> 2
RETURN TO EXCELLENCE
[SCENIC PHOTOGRAPH]
"1998 was a year of
transition for Mesa.
We made a lot of promises
in our 1997 report to you.
We feel we have come a long way
toward fulfilling those promises."
/s/ Paul R. Madden /s/ Jonathan G. Ornstein
Paul R. Madden, Jonathan G. Ornstein,
Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 3
LETTER TO THE
SHAREHOLDERS
[PHOTOGRAPH OF JONATHAN G. ORNSTEIN (LEFT)
AND PAUL R. MADDEN, CHAIRMAN]
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
It is INDEED a new day at Mesa.
While we are reporting on Fiscal Year 1998, which was a difficult year
for Mesa financially, we are also delighted to report that changes made toward
the end of the year have been the catalyst for the renaissance Mesa is now
experiencing.
In our 1997 report, your management committed to focus on five
constituencies: our customers, our airline partners, our regulatory authorities,
our employees and our shareholders. We have worked very hard in the last year to
make significant improvements in each of these areas. To meet and exceed the
expectations of just one of these groups, we must meet and exceed the
expectations of all.
OUR CUSTOMERS:
During this past year, we recommitted ourselves to return Mesa to its
prior level of outstanding performance and service. Our on-time performance
record as measured by the Department of Transportation to the date of this
writing bests that of all of the top ten major carriers -- at 85.16%. Weekly, we
experience 100% completion days, and, on average, our dispatch reliability in
recent months has been 99%. We attribute this directly to the enthusiasm and
professionalism of our people in the field. And while we know these numbers are
favorably embraced by the passengers, it's nice to receive hundreds of letters
complimenting the outstanding efforts made by crew members, ground staff,
reservation agents, and others who make up Mesa's front line team. Superior
on-time performance and completion ratings coupled with friendly service has
significantly improved the overall response we receive from our passengers.
OUR AIRLINE PARTNERS:
During Fiscal Year 1998, Mesa's relationships with its airline partners
suffered several serious setbacks. After successfully turning around two near
bankrupt United Express carriers (Aspen Airways, operating out of Denver, and
WestAir, operating on the West Coast), purchased in 1990 and 1992 respectively,
Mesa's overall operations were seriously disrupted when United Airlines decided
not to renew Mesa's WestAir contract and to cancel Mesa's Denver contract. At
about the same time, America West cancelled Mesa's America West Express
contract. Also at that time, US Airways was expressing concerns related to
Mesa's performance and aircraft deployment.
Beginning in April 1998, responding to these cancellations and concerns,
Mesa's new management shut down its unprofitable Fort Worth regional jet
operation which enabled your company to provide additional jets to US Airways to
immediately escalate the level of service in that system. Management also
negotiated and signed a new six-year agreement with America West under which
your company, in conjunction with America West, has been able to greatly expand
those operations. Your company also consolidated the non-East Coast Beech 1900D
operation and its Florida operations by placing these operations in our Air
Midwest subsidiary, creating a one fleet type operation that continues to
operate at or near the top of all US Airways Express carriers.
Following cancellation of Mesa's United Express contract, Mesa
successfully disposed of 40 Beech 1900D aircraft, 21 Jetstreams, and 36
Brasilias, which has permitted a faster emergence into a substantial regional
jet program. Mesa's fleet is now comprised of 24 Canadair regional jets, 12 de
Havilland Dash 8-200s and 79 Beech 1900Ds. Slated for delivery are an additional
eight regional jets during the next eight months. We also anticipate ordering
more regional jets for deliveries commencing in fiscal year 2000.
IT'S A NEW DAY!
<PAGE> 4
As part of the many operational changes taking place, Mesa's headquarters
were moved to Phoenix, Arizona from Farmington, New Mexico in October 1998 and
our Training Center, previously located near Dallas, Texas, has also been moved
to Phoenix.
Restructuring our fleet of aircraft and our immediate actions to return
Mesa's performance to a high level, has, in addition to significantly increasing
customer satisfaction, gone a long way in regaining the confidence of our
airline partners.
OUR REGULATORY AUTHORITIES:
Following Mesa's entry into the Consent Order in 1997 with the FAA, Mesa
made significant changes in senior management. These changes included adding new
Vice Presidents in the areas of Flight Operations, Safety and Regulatory
Compliance, and Maintenance. Each of these new additions to senior management
has an excellent track record with the FAA, as well as an extensive background
in the airline industry. In addition, we have directed significant time and
financial resources to upgrading all of our systems. Management intends to take
full advantage of the technology available in our industry to satisfy our
regulatory requirements and bring us to new levels of efficiency and performance
excellence.
OUR EMPLOYEES:
It is no secret that, in general, the airline industry has historically
had difficult relations with employees. Knowing this and believing that the
fundamental cause of these difficulties is ineffective communication, Mesa has
made significant efforts in the past year to concentrate on improving employee
communications and relations. We are seeing the direct results of these
improvements through better performance.
Senior management road trips, motivational videos, a clean-up and focus
on station appearances and equipment, perfect attendance reward programs, a
toll-free weekly CEOvoice message, a response-guaranteed email system in which
we literally receive hundreds of email each week, pizza parties for 100%
completion, turkeys at Thanksgiving, seasonal employee parties, a company store
that sells almost anything you can print a logo on, and a new corporate image
have brought our team closer together. Despite having operations from coast to
coast, our employees are a cohesive group, and their commitment is essential to
our success. Each person is part of the Mesa team. These are the people who are
responsible for the success Mesa has enjoyed during the past six months.
In recognition of everyone's contribution, in May 1999, Mesa Airlines was
honored with the 1999 Regional Airline Management-Pilot Teamwork Award presented
by Professional Pilot Magazine.
OUR SHAREHOLDERS:
While the year saw Mesa stock reach a new low, by year-end our stock
closed in a much stronger position. It is our belief that if all the other
pieces -- our customers, our regulators, our airline partners and our employees
- -- come together the financial picture will take care of itself. Evidence of
Mesa's return to excellence first became visible in the second half of 1998 when
we reported our first profit in over two years. While earnings go a long way in
restoring the confidence of our shareholders, we feel the stock does not
adequately reflect the long-term value of your company. We are confident as we
go forward that this too will fall into place.
Beginning in April 1998, we undertook to bring to Mesa a new and highly
experienced management team. Of the seventeen top managers at Mesa, all have
been replaced in the past year. It is important to note that all of Mesa's new
senior management team came to Mesa at lower salaries and with enhanced option
and bonus programs based on profitability, reflecting their confidence in the
future of our company. While there is still much work to be done, the new
management team has done a tremendous job thus far.
Fiscal Year 1998 was a year of transition for Mesa. We made a lot of
promises in our 1997 Fiscal Year report to you. We feel we have come a long way
toward fulfilling those promises. Mesa, working closely and in cooperation with
its airline partners, is poised to move forward and reclaim its position as the
nation's largest independent and most successful regional carrier.
We thank you for your continued support.
/s/ Paul R. Madden
Paul R. Madden,
Chairman
/s/ Jonathan G. Ornstein
Jonathan G. Ornstein,
President and Chief Executive Officer
[3 PHOTOGRAPHS OF AIRPLANES]
<PAGE> 5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM 10-K/A
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-15495
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NEVADA 85-0302351
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
410 NORTH 44TH STREET, SUITE 700, PHOENIX, 85008
ARIZONA
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (602) 685-4000
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
(TITLE OF CLASS)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the Registrant as of December 17, 1998:
Common Stock, no par value: $199,729,822
On December 17, 1998, the Registrant had outstanding 28,369,081 shares of
Common Stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOCUMENTS FORM 10-K REFERENCE
--------- -------------------
<S> <C>
None None
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 6
PART I
This Form 10-K includes certain statements, including statements regarding
the Company's operations which we believe are within the meaning of the safe
harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases,
you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may,"
"will," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"seeks," "estimates," or the negative of such terms and other comparable
terminology. However, this Form 10-K also contains other forward-looking
statements. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause Mesa's future
results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements made by or on behalf of Mesa. Many of such factors are not under
Mesa's ability to control or predict. Readers are cautioned not to put undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. Mesa disclaims any intent or obligation
to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. See, "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS."
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to herein
as "Mesa" or the "Company") is an independently owned regional airline serving
108 cities in 28 states, the District of Columbia, Toronto, Canada, and Guaymas
and Hermasillo, Mexico. Mesa operates a fleet of 112 aircraft and has
approximately 1,000 daily departures. Mesa was originally incorporated under the
name Mesa Air Shuttle, Inc. and began airline operations in August 1982.
Mesa's airline operations are conducted by two regional airlines utilizing
hub-and-spoke systems. Mesa Airlines, Inc. ("MAI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Mesa, operates as America West Express under a code-sharing agreement with
America West Airlines, Inc. ("America West") and as US Airways Express under
code-sharing agreements with US Airways, Inc. ("US Airways") and also operates
an independent division, Mesa Airlines, from a hub in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Air Midwest, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa, also operates under a
code-sharing agreement with US Airways and flies as US Airways Express.
Approximately 93% of Mesa's consolidated revenues for the year ended
September 30, 1998, were derived from operations associated with code-sharing
agreements with America West and US Airways. These code-sharing agreements allow
use of the code-sharing partner's reservation system and flight designator code
to identify flights and fares in the computer reservation system, permit use of
the logo, service marks, exterior aircraft paint schemes, and uniforms similar
to the code-sharing partners', and provide coordinated schedules and joint
advertising. Mesa's passengers receive mileage credits in the respective
frequent flyer programs of America West and US Airways, and credits in those
programs can be used on Mesa's flights.
During fiscal 1998, Mesa Air Group restructured its management and
operations, including the following changes:
- The appointment of Jonathan G. Ornstein as the new President and Chief
Executive Officer of Mesa effective May 1, 1998.
- The replacement of all of corporate officers of MAI and Mesa Air Group.
- The restructuring of Mesa Air Group's Board of Directors, which included
the appointment of four new outside directors.
- The termination by United Airlines of the WestAir United Express
code-share agreement and the subsequent cessation of operations by
WestAir.
- The termination by United Airlines of the Mesa Airlines Denver and
Pacific Northwest United Express code-share agreement.
- The execution of new code-share agreements with America West and US
Airways.
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<PAGE> 7
- The signing of a letter of intent by Mesa Air Group to acquire, as a
wholly owned subsidiary, CCAIR, Inc., a Charlotte, North Carolina-based
US Airways Express Airline.
The cancellation by United of the code-sharing agreements of both WestAir
and Mesa Airlines resulted in Mesa having 100 excess aircraft. As of September
30, 1998, 85 of these aircraft have either been returned to their respective
lessors with Mesa's obligations with respect to the leases terminated, have been
sold to other airlines or otherwise redeployed. Mesa is negotiating with various
parties to dispose of the remaining 15 excess aircraft.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Mesa is a Nevada corporation and has its principal executive office in
Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to its airline operating subsidiaries, MAI and Air
Midwest, Inc., a Kansas corporation and certificated air carrier ("Air
Midwest"), Mesa owns WestAir Holdings, Inc., a California corporation, and the
owner of WestAir Commuter Airlines, Inc. ("WestAir"), a certificated carrier,
which ceased operations in 1998; and various non-airline operations which
include:
- MPD, Inc., a Nevada corporation d.b.a. Mesa Pilot Development, which
operates Mesa's Training Programs for new pilots in conjunction with San
Juan college in Farmington, New Mexico.
- Regional Aircraft Services, Inc., a California corporation owned by
WestAir Holdings, Inc., which performs component overhaul and repair
services.
- FCA, Inc., a Nevada corporation d.b.a. Four Corners Aviation, a
fixed-base operation in Farmington, New Mexico.
- Mesa Leasing, Inc. a Nevada corporation, a subsidiary established to
assist Mesa's acquisition and leasing of aircraft.
- MAGI Insurance, Ltd., a Barbados, West Indies based captive insurance
company established for the purpose of obtaining more favorable liability
rates for Mesa and its subsidiaries.
Mesa and CCAIR, Inc., a regional airline based in Charlotte, North Carolina
that operates under a code-sharing agreement with US Airways, announced in
August 1998 that they had signed a Letter of Intent whereby Mesa would acquire
CCAIR as a wholly owned subsidiary. The transaction would be valued at
approximately $60 million (including $15 million of debt assumed) and is
intended to be accounted for as a pooling of interests. The agreement
contemplated by the Letter of Intent is an all stock transaction whereby Mesa
would acquire all outstanding shares of CCAIR's common stock by issuing Mesa
shares equivalent in value to $5.40 for each share of CCAIR common stock,
subject to a maximum of .982 shares (at a Mesa share price of $5.50) and a
minimum of .568 shares (at a Mesa share price of $9.50). Consummation of the
transaction is subject to certain conditions, including completion of mutual due
diligence, the negotiation and execution of a definitive merger agreement,
receipt of regulatory approval, shareholder approval from both the CCAIR
shareholders (as to the merger) and the Mesa shareholders (as to the issuance of
Mesa shares in the merger), and satisfaction of closing conditions to be
contained in a definitive purchase agreement.
On January 28, 1999, Mesa announced that it had entered into a Merger
Agreement whereby CCAIR will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group.
The transaction, valued at approximately $53 million, reflects a $4.35 per share
purchase price, a reduction from the $5.40 share price referred to in the press
release issued August 28, 1998, announcing the letter of intent.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon consummation of the merger,
each outstanding share of CCAIR common stock will be converted into the right to
receive a fraction of a share of Mesa common stock, determined by dividing $4.35
by the average Mesa share price for a specified ten day trading period prior to
the closing. The conversion is subject to a maximum exchange ratio of .6214 if
the Mesa share price falls below $7.00 and a minimum exchange ratio of .435 if
the Mesa share price exceeds $10.
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<PAGE> 8
MESA AIRCRAFT IN OPERATION BY CODE SHARE PARTNER AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BEECH EMBRAER
1900 DASH 8 BRASILIA CRJ TOTAL
----- ------ -------- --- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
US Airways Express.......................... 68 -- 1 12 81
America West Express........................ 7 12 -- 4 23
Mesa........................................ 8 -- -- -- 8
-- -- -- -- ---
TOTAL............................. 83 12 1 16 112
== == == == ===
</TABLE>
In addition to carrying passengers, Mesa carries freight and express
packages on its passenger flights and has interline small cargo freight
agreements with many other carriers. Mesa has contracts with the U.S. Postal
Service for carriage of mail by air to the cities it serves and occasionally
operates charter flights when aircraft are not otherwise utilized for scheduled
service.
CODE-SHARING RELATIONSHIPS
Mesa's subsidiaries have one code-sharing agreement with America West and
four separate code-sharing agreements with US Airways. Renewal of one
code-sharing agreement with a code-sharing partner does not guarantee the
renewal of any other code-sharing agreement with the same code-sharing partner.
The code-sharing agreements provide for terms of six years for America West
(expiring in 2004), and five to 10 years for US Airways (Air Midwest expires in
2000 in the Kansas City hub, and the various MAI agreements expire in 2003 in
Pittsburgh and for the Canadair Regional Jets ("CRJ") service (described below)
and 2004 in the New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, Tampa and Orlando hubs). Mesa
intends to seek renewal of the Air Midwest US Airways code-sharing agreement.
Although the provisions of the agreements vary, generally they are subject to
cancellation should Mesa's subsidiaries fail to meet certain operating and
performance standards, the breach of other contractual terms and conditions,
and, in the case of the US Airways code-sharing agreements (other than the new
CRJ service agreement described below), upon six months' notice by either party.
The code-sharing agreements do not prohibit the major carrier from serving
routes served by the various subsidiaries of Mesa. The code-sharing agreements
contain varying provisions allowing Mesa's partners to terminate the agreements
upon certain potential operational or "change in control" events. The agreements
with US Airways provide that US Airways may terminate its code-sharing
agreements upon a change in control of Mesa consisting of not less than 51
percent of the outstanding voting stock or a replacement of 50 percent or more
of the members of the Board of Directors. A termination or expiration without
renewal of any code-sharing agreements with America West or US Airways would
have a material adverse effect on Mesa's business, financial condition, and
results of operation.
In November 1997, MAI entered into a new code-sharing agreement with US
Airways to provide CRJ service between various domestic city pairs. The CRJ
code-sharing agreement terminates five years after CRJ service first begins. but
is subject to earlier termination by US Airways (i) in the event certain
performance requirements are not met and remain uncured for 90 days or (ii)
without cause on a "per aircraft basis" three years after such aircraft have
been installed in the system upon 180 days' notice. In addition, payments to MAI
are based on operating performance goals and may be increased or decreased based
on actual results. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, US Airways
Express represented approximately 66% of the available seat mile (ASM) capacity
of Mesa's aircraft and 70% of its consolidated revenue.
Mesa operates 23 of its fleet of 112 aircraft as America West Express out
of hubs in Phoenix, Arizona and Columbus, Ohio. For the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998, the America West Express operation represented approximately
27% of the ASMs of Mesa's aircraft and approximately 23% of its consolidated
revenue. Mesa is currently operating four CRJ aircraft in the America West
system, and intends to add one additional CRJ each month through September 1999.
Allocation of additional CRJ aircraft is a forward looking statement and is
subject to change depending on, among other factors, the availability of CRJ
aircraft from the manufacturer, the willingness of management of America West to
agree to deployment of additional aircraft, and changes in competitors' routes.
3
<PAGE> 9
MARKET FACTORS
The key factors supporting the regional airline market are:
- Service in low-density markets which remain unattractive to major
airlines and low-fare carriers;
- Relationships with the major airlines, operating feeder service to hubs
for connecting passengers under code-sharing arrangements;
- Allocation of new-generation, lower-cost turboprop and smaller regional
jet aircraft to routes that were traditionally larger jet routes;
- Ability to provide complementary service in existing major airline
markets by operating flights in scheduling gaps between those of the
major air carrier; and
- Lower costs than a major airline operating a similar route due to lower
wages, more flexible work rules and more suitable aircraft for that
particular route.
CORPORATE STRATEGY
Mesa's long-term business strategy is to operate a competitive and
profitable, high frequency, quality-service airline, primarily with a
hub-and-spoke route system. The strategy is implemented through a disciplined
approach to the regional airline business which incorporates (i) the previously
discussed regional diversification, (ii) a focus on profitable markets, (iii)
reactions to the changing economic and competitive environment , and (iv) a
modern, efficient aircraft fleet that positions the airline to be able to
capitalize on future growth opportunities.
For Mesa's USAirways Express turboprop operations, Mesa's market selection
process follows an in-depth analysis on a route-by-route basis. Agreement is
then reached, where appropriate, with US Airways regarding the level of service
and fares. Mesa believes that this selection process enhances the likelihood of
profits in a given market. Under the America West Contract and the US Airways
Express Regional Jet operation, market selection is accomplished by America West
and US Airways respectively.
AIRLINE OPERATIONS
In 1998, Mesa moved its corporate headquarters from Farmington, New Mexico
and training department from Ft. Worth, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona. Departments
included in the move were executives, flight operations including dispatch,
accounting, training, personnel, and planning. Headquarters for Mesa's Air
Midwest subsidiary is located in Wichita, Kansas.
In July 1997, WestAir received a proposal from United Airlines to extend
WestAir's code-share agreement which was due to expire on May 31, 1998. The
Company did not accept the proposal due to significant cost increases proposed
by United. The Company continued to negotiate with United. However, on July 22,
1997, United awarded eight of WestAir's Los Angeles contract markets to Skywest
Airlines effective October 1, 1997, and subsequently granted WestAir additional
markets sufficient to utilize the aircraft previously operating the eight Los
Angeles markets awarded to Skywest. In November 1997, WestAir received notice
from United that WestAir's code-sharing agreement would not be renewed upon its
expiration on May 31, 1998.
In September 1997, upon notice to United, Mesa began a reduction of service
in some United Express markets from Denver and termination of service to other
markets. The reduction in service and termination of certain markets was a
result of significantly increased costs associated with operating from the new
Denver International Airport and a 20 percent decrease in the average connecting
fare received from United. The increased costs associated with operating from
Denver International Airport and the reduction in connecting fares received from
United resulted in a substantial operating loss in the Denver system in fiscal
year 1997.
In response to Mesa's notice to United to reduce and eliminate service in
certain markets, United asserted that Mesa's past and proposed termination of
service was a "material default" under the code-sharing agreement. United
requested an increase in service in certain markets and claimed damages and
remedies,
4
<PAGE> 10
including termination of the code-sharing agreement. Mesa claimed that the
code-sharing agreement allowed Mesa to terminate service in an unprofitable
market. In January 1998, United notified Mesa that it was canceling the Denver
and Pacific Northwest code-sharing agreements effective September 30, 1998.
In June 1997, United filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Illinois against Mesa Airlines and WestAir seeking
a judicial declaration of the parties' rights and obligations under the
code-sharing agreements. In response, Mesa filed a counterclaim against United
for the termination of the Mesa code-sharing agreement and for damages resulting
from the non-renewal of the WestAir code-sharing agreement. These lawsuits are
discussed in further detail in Item 3, "LEGAL PROCEEDINGS."
Mesa has reduced the number and type of aircraft it operates. In July 1997,
the Fokker 70 aircraft were retired and replaced by CRJ aircraft. Termination of
Mesa's and WestAir's code-sharing agreement with United Airlines resulted in a
surplus of 21 British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft, 29 Embraer Brasilia
aircraft and 37 1900D Beech aircraft. Management also elected to cease the
operation of five Embraer Brasilia aircraft in Florida. Through a settlement
agreement reached with WestAir's creditors, Mesa retired all 21 of the British
Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft as well as 17 of the remaining 30-seat Embraer
Brasilia aircraft. Retirement of these aircraft reduced the type of aircraft
operated by Mesa to three: the 1900D, Dash 8-200 and CRJ aircraft. The last
Embraer Brasilia aircraft in the system was parked on October 4, 1998. Of the 37
surplus Beech 1900D aircraft, 22 were sold to Great Lakes Aviation prior to
September 30, 1998, and two Beech 1900D aircraft were sold on November 30, 1998.
Mesa has entered into an agreement with Beechcraft whereby Beechcraft will
market Mesa's remaining excess 1900D aircraft for a fee. SkyWest Airlines
purchased two Embraer Brasilia aircraft and assumed leases on eight other
Embraer aircraft. There were seven Embraer Aircraft left at September 30, 1998
which are scheduled to be traded in as Mesa receives CRJ deliveries.
MESA'S JET SERVICE
In August 1996, Mesa entered into a memorandum of understanding with
Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division ("BRAD") to acquire 16 CRJ 50-passenger
jet aircraft with an option to acquire an additional 16 of the jet aircraft and
Rolling Options to acquire a third block of sixteen aircraft. In August 1997,
Mesa exercised options to purchase 16 of the 32 CRJ aircraft reserved under the
option agreement. This exercise included the conversion of eight of its Dash
8-200 aircraft then on order to CRJ 50-passenger jet aircraft. Twenty CRJ
aircraft had been delivered to Mesa by December 18, 1998. Delivery of the
remaining twelve CRJ aircraft is scheduled to be completed before the end of
calendar 1999.
MAI commenced independent jet service under its own name, "Mesa Airlines"
between Ft. Worth and Houston, Texas in May 1997 and between Ft. Worth and San
Antonio, Texas in September 1997. Subsequent to September 30, 1997, CRJ flights
were initiated between Ft. Worth and Austin, Texas; San Antonio and Colorado
Springs, Colorado; and Colorado Springs and Nashville, Tennessee. This
independent jet operation was discontinued in February 1998, and the CRJ
aircraft were redeployed in Mesa's US Airways Express and America West Express
operations.
MARKETING
Under Mesa's code-sharing agreements, America West and US Airways (the
major partners) coordinate advertising and public relations within their
respective regions. In addition, Mesa benefits from the major partners'
advertising programs in regions outside those served by Mesa, with the major
partners' customers becoming customers of Mesa as a result of through-fares.
Under these code-sharing arrangements, Mesa's passengers also benefit from
through-fare ticketing with the major partners and greater accessibility to
Mesa's flights on computer reservation systems and in the Official Airline
Guide.
Mesa's services are promoted through listings in computer reservation
systems, the Official Airline Guide, and through direct contact with travel
agencies and corporate travel departments. Mesa participates in shared
advertising with resort and rental property operators and ski areas in leisure
markets in which it operates. Mesa's non-code-share operation utilizes SABRE, a
computerized reservation system widely used by travel agents, corporate travel
offices and other airlines. The reservation systems of Mesa's code-sharing
5
<PAGE> 11
partners are also utilized in each of Mesa's other operations through their
respective code-sharing agreements. Mesa also pays booking fees to owners of
other computerized reservation systems based on the number of passengers booked
by travel agents using such systems. Mesa believes that it has good
relationships with the travel agents handling its passengers.
FARES AND FEE PER DEPARTURE
Since 1978, airlines in the United States have been free to set their own
domestic fares without governmental regulation. Mesa has increasingly relied on
fee per departure contractual agreements with its two code-sharing partners to
generate revenue. All of Mesa's America West Express operations (except Guaymas
and Hermasillo, Mexico) and all its US Airways Express jet operations are on a
fee per departure basis. The percentage of revenue generated under the fee per
departure agreements is expected to significantly increase in 1999 as Mesa adds
additional regional jets to its America West Express and US Airways Express
operations. Mesa derives the remainder of its passenger revenues from a
combination of local fares, through fares, joint fares and fee per departure
arrangements. Local fares are fares for one-way and round-trip travel provided
by Mesa within its route system. Passengers connecting with other carriers also
frequently use local fares. A through-fare is a fare offered to passengers by
either America West or US Airways which generally provides cost savings to the
passenger who transfers to the major carrier's code-sharing partner on routes
flown by the code-sharing partner. Through-fares are prorated in accordance with
standards specified in the various code-sharing agreements. Joint fares are
single fares for travel combining flights with Mesa and other airlines, which
are not code-sharing partners with Mesa. With joint fares, the passenger
generally pays a single lower fare than the sum of the local fares charged for
the combined flights. Mesa has been able to negotiate joint-fare arrangements
with some major carriers as an additional means of deriving passengers
connecting through its hub cities.
COMPETITION
The airline industry is highly competitive and volatile. Airlines compete
in the areas of pricing, scheduling (frequency and timing of flights), on-time
performance, type of equipment, cabin configuration, amenities provided to
passengers, frequent flyer plans, travel agents' commissions and the automation
of travel agents' reservation systems. Further, because of the Deregulation Act,
airlines are currently free to set prices and establish new routes without the
necessity of seeking governmental approval. At the same time, deregulation has
allowed airlines to abandon unprofitable routes where the affected communities
will not be left without air service. See, "ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM."
Mesa believes that the Deregulation Act facilitated Mesa's entry into
scheduled air service markets and will allow it to compete on the basis of
service and fares. The Deregulation Act, however, makes possible the entry of
other competitors, which have substantial financial resources and experience,
creating the potential for intense competition among regional air carriers in
Mesa's markets.
Mesa believes its code-sharing agreements provide a significant competitive
advantage in hub airports where its major partner has a predominant share of the
market. The ability to control connecting passenger traffic by offering a
superior service makes it very difficult for other regional airlines to compete
at such hubs. In addition to the enhanced competitive edge offered by the
code-sharing agreements, Mesa competes with other airlines by offering frequent
flights, flexible schedules and numerous fare levels.
Mesa's reliance on its code-share agreements with its major airline
partners for the majority of its revenue means that Mesa must rely on the
ability of both US Airways and America West to adequately promote their
respective service and to maintain their respective market share. Competitive
pressures by low-fare carriers and price discounting among major airlines could
have an adverse effect on US Airways and America West and therefore adversely
affect Mesa.
Mesa is the exclusive America West Express operator. However, there are
several airlines that operate as US Airways Express, and to the extent that Mesa
cannot provide safe, reliable and competitive service as US Airways Express, US
Airways could reassign Mesa routes to other US Airways Express carriers.
6
<PAGE> 12
FUEL
During its operating history, Mesa has experienced few problems with the
availability of fuel, and it believes that it will be able to obtain fuel
sufficient to meet its existing and anticipated future requirements at
competitive prices. Standard industry contracts do not generally provide
protection against fuel price increases, nor do they ensure availability of
supply. The extent and the duration of fuel price increases are not predictable;
however, to the extent that fuel price increases cannot be passed on to the
customer they are absorbed as an additional expense by Mesa. A substantial
increase in the price of jet fuel or the lack of adequate fuel supplies in the
future would have a material adverse effect on Mesa's business, financial
condition and results of operation.
MAINTENANCE OF AIRCRAFT AND TRAINING
All mechanics and avionics specialists employed by Mesa have the
appropriate training and experience and hold the required licenses issued by the
Federal Aviation Administration (the "FAA"). Using a combination of FAA
certified maintenance vendors and its own personnel and facilities, Mesa
maintains its aircraft on a scheduled and "as-needed" basis. Mesa emphasizes
preventive maintenance and inspects its aircraft engines and airframes as
required. Mesa has also developed an inventory of spare parts specific to the
aircraft it flies and has instituted a computerized tracking system to increase
maintenance efficiency and to avoid excess inventories of spare parts.
Mesa provides periodic in-house and outside training for its maintenance
and flight personnel and also takes advantage of factory training programs that
are offered when acquiring new aircraft.
Maintenance and repairs, including major engine overhauls, are charged to
operating expenses as incurred. Engine overhaul costs for the Dash 8 and CRJ
engines are subject to power by the hour contracts with outside vendors and
considered incurred as the aircraft are flown.
INSURANCE
Mesa carries types and amounts of insurance customary in the airline
industry, including coverage for public liability, passenger liability, property
damage, product liability, aircraft loss or damage, baggage and cargo liability
and workers' compensation.
Mesa's captive insurance company, MAGI Insurance, Ltd., handles baggage and
freight claims in addition to a two percent portion of Mesa's hull and liability
insurance.
Mesa carries a $300 million combined single limit aircraft liability and
comprehensive general liability policy and a $25 million per occurrence
aggregate personal injury policy, except with respect to passengers, which is a
$250 million per occurrence aggregate policy. In addition, Mesa's aircraft are
insured to their full hull value.
EMPLOYEES
Mesa currently has approximately 2,500 employees. Mesa's success is in part
dependent upon its ability to continue to attract and retain qualified
personnel. Historically, Mesa has had no difficulty attracting qualified
personnel to meet its requirements.
Pilot turnover at times is a significant issue among regional carriers when
major carriers are hiring experienced commercial pilots away from regional
carriers. The addition of aircraft, especially new aircraft types, can result in
pilots upgrading between aircraft types and becoming unavailable for duty during
the extensive training periods required. Commencing in early 1997, the
consolidation and standardizing of Mesa's pilot training program resulted in
training delays and impacted Mesa's operations and resulted in unavailability of
flight crews and cancellation of flights. The pilot shortage was reduced in
October 1997 when Mesa reduced service in certain markets and temporarily
removed aircraft from service, however, in early 1998 10 aircraft remained out
of service to comply with the reduced levels of service required by US Airways
until pilot and crew shortages could be alleviated in the second quarter of
1998. There has been no pilot shortages since the
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<PAGE> 13
termination of Mesa's United Express operation in April 1998. No assurances can
be made that pilot turnover and unavailability will not again be a significant
problem in the future, particularly if major carriers expand. Similarly, there
can be no assurance that sufficient numbers of new pilots will be available to
support any future growth.
During December 1996, Mesa reached a five-year agreement with the Air Line
Pilots Association (ALPA) for a single pilot contract for MAI and Air Midwest,
Inc. The contract provides for industry-average pay, economic work rules and
opportunities for advancement. Air Midwest mechanics are represented by the
International Association of Machinists (IAM), flight attendants at MAI are
represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). No other Mesa
subsidiaries are parties to any other collective bargaining agreement or union
contracts.
ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM
The Essential Air Service program administered by the United States
Department of Transportation (the "DOT") guarantees a minimum level of air
service in certain communities, predicated on predetermined guidelines set forth
by Congress. Based on these guidelines, the DOT will subsidize air service to
communities, which might otherwise not have air service. Mesa services 14 such
markets for an annual subsidy of approximately $4.7 million.
REGULATION
As an interstate air carrier, Mesa is subject to the economic jurisdiction,
regulation and continuing air carrier fitness requirements of the DOT which
include required levels of financial, managerial, and regulatory fitness. The
DOT is authorized to establish consumer protection regulations to prevent unfair
methods of competition and deceptive practices, to prohibit certain pricing
practices, to inspect a carrier's books, properties and records, and to mandate
conditions of carriage. The DOT also has the power to bring proceedings for the
enforcement of air carrier economic regulations, including the assessment of
civil penalties, and to seek criminal sanctions.
Mesa is subject to the jurisdiction of the FAA with respect to its aircraft
maintenance and operations, including equipment, ground facilities, dispatch,
communication, training, weather observation, flight personnel and other matters
affecting air safety. To ensure compliance with its regulations, the FAA
requires airlines to obtain an operating certificate, which is subject to
suspension or revocation for cause, and provides for regular inspections.
As a result of a special review by the FAA beginning in July 1996 of Mesa's
operations, and certain other factors, the FAA alleged that Mesa violated
certain Federal Aviation Regulations. Mesa disputed many of the allegations and
as a result, a Consent Order was signed with the FAA in September 1996, in which
the FAA agreed that the execution of the Consent Order by Mesa did not
constitute or imply an admission by Mesa of the facts, circumstances or
regulatory violations contained in the Consent Order. In the Consent Order, the
FAA stated that, as a result of Mesa's positive responses to the FAA and its
prompt action to cure possible deficiencies and its planned improvements, the
FAA would assess a compromise civil penalty of $500,000. Mesa paid $250,000 of
the compromise amount, and the remaining $250,000 was waived after Mesa complied
with provisions of the Consent Order by September 30, 1997. Mesa agreed to adopt
operational standards that exceed the requirements of the Federal Aviation
Regulations ("FAR") and consolidate control of operational areas (maintenance,
flight operation and training) under one central management team.
Effective in March 1997, the FAA required that regional airlines with
aircraft of 10 or more passenger seats operating under FAR Part 135 rules to
begin operating those aircraft under FAR Part 121 regulations. FAR Part 121
rules previously governed the operation of aircraft with more than 30 seats.
Under the FAA's changes FAR Part 121 rules now encompass the operation of
aircraft with greater than nine seats. Mesa, one of the largest regional
airlines operating under FAR Part 135 regulations, completed the transition to
FAR Part 121 within the FAA's deadline. Some of the additional requirements of
FAR Part 121 include: increased pilot training, the necessity to have FAA
licensed dispatchers dispatch each flight, additional training of maintenance
personnel, additional maintenance and flight record keeping requirements,
additional mainte-
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<PAGE> 14
nance requirements for the aircraft, and a decrease in the number of hours that
a pilot may fly. These requirements have resulted in increases in Mesa's costs,
affecting Mesa's ability to profitably serve certain markets. Such increased
costs are primarily related to additional training, dispatch and maintenance
procedures. Mesa anticipates that the cost of the transition from FAR Part 135
to FAR Part 121 will be approximately $4.5 million per year. Efforts are being
made to minimize the cost of these new operating procedures while fully
complying with FAR Part 121 operating requirements.
Mesa is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications
Commission regarding the utilization of its radio facilities and to the
jurisdiction of the United States Postal Service with respect to carriage of
United States mail. Local governments in certain markets have adopted
regulations governing various aspects of aircraft operations, including noise
abatement and curfews.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Mesa's primary property consists of the aircraft used in the operation of
its business. The following table lists the aircraft owned and leased by Mesa as
of September 30, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT
------------------------ PASSENGER
TYPE OF AIRCRAFT OWNED LEASED TOTAL CAPACITY
- ---------------- ----- ------ ----- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Beechcraft 1900................................... 86 10 96 19
Embraer Brasilia.................................. -- 7 7 30
Dash 8-200........................................ -- 12 12 37
Canadair Regional Jet............................. -- 16 16 50
-- -- ---
Total................................... 86 45 131
== == ===
</TABLE>
Of the total aircraft, 13 of the Beechcraft 1900D aircraft were not in
active service at September 30, 1998. Two of these Beechcraft 1900D aircraft
were sold subsequent to September 30, 1998, while the remaining 11 are still
available for sale. Six of the seven Embraer Brasilia were not used in scheduled
service at September 30, 1998. The one Embraer Brasilia that was in active
service at September 30, 1998 was removed from service in October 1998. All of
these Embraer Brasilia aircraft are scheduled to be traded in to Bombardier upon
the delivery of additional CRJ's. At December 1998, three of the seven Embraer
Brasilia aircraft had been traded in on CRJ aircraft. See "Business -- Airline
Operations" and "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATION -- Liquidity and Capital Resources" for a discussion
regarding Mesa's aircraft fleet commitments.
9
<PAGE> 15
In addition to aircraft, Mesa has office and maintenance facilities to
support its operations. The facilities are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TYPE LOCATION OWNERSHIP APPROXIMATE SIZE
- ---- ------------------ --------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Administration/Executive Phoenix, AZ Leased 21,003sq. ft.
Accounting/Dispatch
Flight Phoenix, AZ Leased 7,559
Operations/Training Revenue
Accounting Farmington, NM Owned 7,000
Administration Farmington, NM Owned 18,000
Operations Farmington, NM Owned 16,000
Hangar Farmington, NM Leased 30,000
Engine Shop Farmington, NM Leased 6,000
Hangar Fresno, CA Leased 50,000
Warehouse/Office Fresno, CA Leased 21,750
Hangar/Office Wichita, KS Leased 30,000
Hangar/Office Jacksonville, FL Leased 30,256
Hangar Jamestown, NY Leased 30,000
Hangar/Office Dubois, PA Leased 23,000
Hangar Reading, PA Leased 56,250
Hangar/Office Grand Junction, CO Leased 32,768
Hangar/Office Bullhead City, AZ Leased 12,852
Parts Storage Phoenix, AZ Leased 1,000
</TABLE>
Mesa's Administration/Executive/Accounting/Dispatch space is on a ten year
lease that commenced November 1, 1998. The Flight Operations/Training space is
on a two year lease commencing August 15, 1998. The Administration building in
Farmington, New Mexico was sold in December 1998. Mesa anticipates selling the
Revenue Accounting and Operations buildings in early 1999 and leasing back
approximately 10,000 square feet for revenue accounting and reservations.
Included in this sale is an additional 32,000 square feet of commercial real
estate leased to unrelated entities. Almost 16,000 square feet of the hangar
space in Fresno has also been sub-leased.
Mesa, as the lessee, leases space at each of the airports in which it
operates to accommodate its operations. These leases are generally
month-to-month or relatively short-term leases.
Mesa believes its current real property is both suitable and adequate for
its current and anticipated needs.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
During 1994, seven shareholder class action complaints were filed in the
United States District Court for the District of New Mexico against Mesa,
certain of its present and former corporate officers and directors, its
independent auditor, and certain underwriters who participated in Mesa's June
1993 public offering of Common Stock. During October 1995, the Court certified a
class consisting of persons who purchased Mesa stock between January 28, 1993
and August 5, 1994. These complaints were consolidated by court order, and in
May, 1996, the court granted, in part, a motion to dismiss. Thereafter, a third
amended consolidated complaint was filed alleging that during the class period
the defendants caused or permitted Mesa to issue publicly misleading financial
statements and other misleading statements in the registration statement for the
June 1993 public offering, annual and quarterly reports to shareholders, press
releases and interviews with securities analysts. In May 1998, Mesa entered into
a memorandum of understanding with the plaintiffs to settle the litigation.
While Mesa and its corporate officers and directors believe they have
substantial and meritorious defenses against the plaintiff's allegations and
have defended their position vigorously, they have agreed to a settlement to
avoid ongoing litigation and associated costs. The memorandum of understanding
provides for a total of $8 million to be paid to the class plaintiffs on behalf
of the defendants. Mesa paid a substantial portion of the settlement. Mesa
accrued an additional $2.5 million as of September 30, 1998 and
10
<PAGE> 16
on December 1, 1998, the settlement was approved by the Court and the cases were
dismissed. A substantial portion of the ultimate settlement was provided by
Mesa's previous accrual to vigorously defend this litigation.
In June 1997, UAL filed a complaint in the United States District Court for
the Northern District of Illinois against two subsidiaries of Mesa, Mesa
Airlines, Inc. and WestAir Commuter Airlines, Inc., seeking a judicial
declaration of the parties' rights and obligations under two separate written
agreements, pursuant to which MAI and WestAir allegedly agreed to provide
certain airline transportation services to UAL including the provision of
scheduled air transportation services in certain areas of the United States
under the service mark "United Express." UAL contends that, under these
agreements, UAL has the right to "increase, decrease, or in any other way adjust
the flight frequencies, markets, or both" in certain airports currently serviced
by WestAir and/or MAI. In January 1998, UAL amended its complaint to include
damages related to MAI's purported breach of contract to provide specified
levels of service in certain cities. On November 1, 1998, UAL filed a motion
with the Court to amend its Complaint to include an additional $4.0 million in
damages resulting from Mesa's alleged failure to remit baggage fees at Denver
International Airport to UAL. The motion has not yet been considered. MAI and
WestAir dispute the principal contentions in UAL's complaint, and unless a
satisfactory negotiated resolution is achieved, intend to defend their positions
vigorously. Furthermore, MAI and WestAir believe that UAL has breached its
code-sharing agreements with the respective entities and have filed a
counterclaim seeking to recover the substantial damages to the business of MAI
and WestAir which have been incurred.
In addition, Mesa and WestAir have filed suit against UAL and SkyWest
Airlines, Inc. ("SkyWest"). SkyWest was contracted to be Mesa's successor of the
West Coast. The complaint alleges that SkyWest unlawfully interfered with Mesa's
and WestAir's contracts with UAL. It further alleges improper conduct on the
part of UAL and SkyWest in terminating markets under the Mesa agreement and in
leading to the non-renewal of the WestAir agreement. Mesa is seeking substantial
damages against each defendant.
In November 1998, Mesa settled all claims with the aircraft and equipment
lessors of WestAir for approximately $15 million. WestAir contributed
approximately $11.2 toward the settlement and Mesa contributed approximately
$3.8 million. Mesa anticipates recovering $2 million from WestAir in the future.
WestAir had operated 43 leased aircraft pursuant to a Partnership Agreement with
United Airlines, a division of UAL, and upon cessation of United Express service
had considerable liabilities for the remaining terms of the leases. Mesa worked
closely with all lessors to develop and implement a plan that was acceptable to
both Mesa and the various lessors.
Mesa is also a party to legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of business.
Although the ultimate outcome of the above pending lawsuits cannot be
determined at this time, Mesa believes, based upon information at this time, the
ultimate outcome of all the proceedings and claims pending against Mesa is not
expected to have a material adverse effect on Mesa's consolidated financial
position. Mesa's belief regarding the outcome of all pending proceedings and
claims is a forward-looking statement.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ON JULY 24, 1998, THE COMPANY HELD ITS ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS IN LAS
VEGAS, NEVADA. THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS WERE VOTED UPON BY MESA'S SHAREHOLDERS AT
THE ANNUAL MEETING.
1. The following directors were elected at the annual meeting:
- Paul R. Madden
- Jonathan G. Ornstein
- James E. Swigart
- J. Clark Stevens
- Daniel J. Altobello
11
<PAGE> 17
- Jack Braly
- Herbert A. Denton
- General Ronald R. Fogleman
- Larry L. Risley
Each nominee for Director received in excess of 90% of the total votes
cast.
2. The Key Officers' Stock Option Plan, which authorizes the grant of
options to purchase up to 1,600,000 shares of common stock, was approved with
17,322,436 (81.1%) voting for, 3.937,331 (18.4%) voting against, and 109,212
abstentions.
3. The Outside Directors Stock Option Plan, which authorizes the grant of
options to purchase up to 150,000 shares of common stock, was approved with
8,602,297 (82.7%) voting for, 3,780,533 (16.8%) voting against, and 107,370
abstentions.
4. The amendment to the 1996 Restated and Amended Employee Stock Option
Plan, to authorize the grant of additional options to purchase up to 1,500,000
shares of common stock, was approved with 15,831,818 (74%) voting for, 5,417,360
(25.4%) voting against, and 19,896 abstentions.
5. The Indemnification Agreements under the laws of the State of Nevada
entered into with the Company's officers and directors were ratified with
24,931,771 (97.7%) voting for, 477,458 (1.8%) voting against, and 107,744
abstentions.
7. The ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as independent auditors
of the Company for fiscal 1998 was approved with 26,651,950 (99.5%) voting for,
65,756 (0.2%) voting against, and 64,038 abstentions.
8. The shareholder proposal to hire an investment banker to explore the
sale or merger of the Company was defeated with 1,750,078 (8.2%) voting for,
17,475,205 (81.9%) voting against, and 2,113,991 abstentions.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET PRICE OF COMMON STOCK
Presented below are the high and low sales prices of the Common Stock of
Mesa Air Group, Inc. on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol
"MESA".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL 1998 FISCAL 1997
---------------- -----------------
QUARTER HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
- ------- ------ ------ ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First........................................ $6.875 $4.938 $10.500 $6.440
Second....................................... 9.406 5.250 7.630 5.440
Third........................................ 8.875 7.500 6.500 4.690
Fourth....................................... 8.313 4.672 6.630 5.000
</TABLE>
On December 2, 1998, Mesa had 1,236 shareholders of record. Mesa has never
paid cash dividends and does not intend to pay cash dividends in the future.
12
<PAGE> 18
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING STATISTICS
In thousands of dollars, except per share and average fare amounts and
otherwise indicated
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues.............. $ 423,541 $ 510,977 $ 500,363 $ 455,139 $ 396,134
Operating expenses.............. 468,329 565,463 452,369 425,567 347,760
Operating income (loss)......... (44,788) (54,486) 47,994 29,572 48,374
Other income (expense).......... 6,100 3,087 14,302 (156) 3,534
Interest expense................ 22,508 27,776 12,777 6,395 7,916
Earnings (loss) before income
taxes......................... (61,196) (79,175) 49,519 23,021 43,992
Net earnings (loss)............. (53,434) (48,597) 30,407 14,012 27,688
Net earnings (loss) per share:
basic......................... (1.89) (1.72) 1.01 0.43 0.78
Net earnings (loss) per share:
diluted....................... (1.89) (1.72) 1.00 0.42 0.76
Working capital................. 3,371 68,561 70,860 115,378 134,186
Total assets.................... 470,952 679,866 678,491 446,722 419,902
Long-term debt, excluding
current portion............... 234,475 338,199 338,278 78,411 91,722
Stockholders' equity............ 121,099 177,088 224,666 255,883 234,316
Net book value per share........ $ 4.27 $ 6.26 $ 7.96 $ 7.53 $ 7.16
Passengers carried.............. 5,103,931 6,720,631 6,463,690 6,086,782 5,170,252
Passengers carried.............. 1,239,900 1,397,645 1,364,681 1,179,397 982,642
Available seat miles (000)...... 2,289,488 2,484,489 2,437,662 2,310,895 1,897,933
Average passenger journey....... 243 208 211 194 190
Average stage length............ 191 171 167 167 163
Load factor(1).................. 54.2% 56.3% 56.0% 51.0% 51.8%
Break-even passenger load
factor........................ 93.9% 94.4% 51.7% 49.2% 47.0%
Revenue per available seat
mile.......................... 18.5c 20.6c 20.5c 19.7c 20.9c
Cost per available seat mile.... 20.5c 22.8c 18.6c 18.4c 18.3c
Average yield per revenue
passenger mile................ 34.2c 35.8c 35.9c 37.5c 38.9c
Average fare.................... $ 80.83 $ 74.52 $ 75.72 $ 72.53 $ 74.11
Aircraft in service............. 112 184 175 177 166
Cities served................... 108 168 164 172 165
Number of employees............. 2,500 4,800 4,000 3,900 3,500
</TABLE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are a group of regional airlines
and related companies providing service across the United States as America West
Express, Mesa Airlines, USAirways Express, and until May 31, 1998, as United
Express.
13
<PAGE> 19
The following tables set forth selected operating and financial data of
Mesa for the years indicated below:
OPERATING DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Passengers........................ 5,103,931 6,720,631 6,463,690
Available seat miles (000)........ 2,289,488 2,484,489 2,437,662
Revenue passenger miles (000)..... 1,239,900 1,397,645 1,364,681
Load factor(1).................... 54.23% 56.3% 56.0%
Revenue per ASM................... 18.5c 20.6c 20.5c
Yield per RPM..................... 34.2c 35.8c 35.9c
Cost per ASM...................... 20.5c 22.8c 18.6c
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Load factor is defined as the percentage of seats filled.
FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
PERCENT COST PERCENT COST PERCENT COST
AMOUNT OF PER AMOUNT OF PER AMOUNT OF PER
(000) REVENUES ASM (000) REVENUES ASM (000) REVENUES ASM
-------- -------- ----- -------- -------- ---- -------- -------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Flight operations.............. $167,630 39.65% 7.3c $181,696 35.6% 7.3c $166,151 33.2% 6.8c
Maintenance.................... 81,847 19.38% 3.6c 93,278 18.3% 3.8c 81,400 16.3% 3.3c
Aircraft and traffic
servicing.................... 68,125 16.1% 3.0c 85,755 16.8% 3.5c 73,469 15.0% 3.0c
Promotion and sales............ 57,767 13.60% 2.5c 75,448 14.8% 3.0c 74,844 15.0% 3.1c
General and administrative..... 26,768 6.3% 1.2c 26,543 5.2% 1.1c 29,186 5.8% 1.2c
Depreciation and
amortization................. 25,749 6.1% 1.1c 34,859 6.8% 1.4c 24,296 4.9% 1.0c
Other operating items.......... 40,443 9.6% 1.8c 67,884 13.3% 2.7c 3,023 0.6% 0.1c
Total operating expenses... $468,330 110.6% 20.5c $565,463 10.7% 2.8c $452,369 90.4% 18.6c
Interest expense............... $ 22,508 5.3% 1.0c $ 27,776 5.4% 1.1c $ 12,777 2.6% 0.5c
</TABLE>
REVENUE AND EXPENSE COMPARISON
Fiscal 1998 versus Fiscal 1997
Operating revenues decreased by $87.4 million (17.1%) for fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998, compared to the prior fiscal year. This decrease was
primarily attributable to the termination of Mesa's United Express operations on
the west coast and Denver, Colorado in April and May, 1998. This represents a
24.1% decrease in passengers, partially offset by an 8.5% increase in average
fares. Capacity, measured by Available Seat Miles (ASMs), decreased by 7.8% and
passenger traffic, measured by Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs), which represents
one passenger carried one mile, decreased by 11.3%. The load factor decreased
from 56.3% to 54.2%, yield (passenger revenue per RPM) decreased to 34.2c in
fiscal 1998 from 35.8c per RPM, and revenue per ASM decreased to 18.5c from
20.6c per ASM in fiscal 1997. The airline industry has a history of fare and
traffic volatility. Management expects revenue per available seat mile to remain
relatively stable in existing markets during the next fiscal year. However, the
CRJ jet aircraft, which is faster and flown over a longer stage length than
turbo prop aircraft, generates lower revenue per ASM than turbo prop aircraft.
Because Mesa expects to operate increasing numbers of CRJ aircraft in the
future, overall revenue per ASM and cost per ASM is expected to be lower in the
1999 fiscal year than that attained in fiscal 1998.
14
<PAGE> 20
Flight Operations expense decreased by 7.8 percent to $167.6 million (7.3c
per ASM) for the 1998 fiscal year, from $181.7 million (7.3c per ASM) for the
comparable period in 1997. Fuel costs decreased by $16.7 million during the
current period as compared to the prior period, primarily as a result of
operating fewer aircraft in 1998. On an ASM basis, fuel costs decreased to 2.2c
during the current period from 2.7c in the prior period as a result of longer
stage length and more efficient aircraft. Pilot costs decreased by $4.4 million
during the year, remaining at 2.2c per ASM for both the fiscal years ending
September 30, 1998 and 1997. Pilot training costs increased by $6.5 million for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, from the fiscal year ended September
30, 1997 due to the retraining costs associated with adding 11 CRJ aircraft into
the fleet. Dispatch costs increased by $.8 million in the 1998 period due to the
stricter operating requirements of FAR Part 121. These cost increases were
partially offset by an approximate $9.4 million reduction in aircraft lease
expense, from 2.7c per ASM in the 1997 fiscal year to 2.0c in the 1998 fiscal
year, which resulted from flying fewer aircraft. Ownership costs of owned
aircraft are reported as depreciation and interest expense rather than flight
operations expense.
Maintenance costs decreased by 12.3% to $81.8 million (3.6c per ASM) for
the 1998 fiscal year, from $93.3 million (3.8c per ASM) for the prior year.
Engine overhaul expenses decreased by $14.0 million due to the decline in fleet
size. These savings were partially offset by increased parts usage of $7.3
million and accrued costs for engine overhauls for the Dash 8 and CRJ engines on
power by the hour contracts.
Aircraft and Traffic Servicing costs decreased by 20.6% to $68.1 million
(3.0c per ASM) during fiscal 1998 from $85.8 million (3.5c per ASM) in fiscal
1997. Station wages decreased by $8.3 million or from 1.0c per ASM in fiscal
1998 to 0.7c per ASM in fiscal 1998 due to more efficient staffing. Station rent
decreased by $5.5 million in fiscal 1998 from fiscal 1997 due to the elimination
of the higher rental cost West Coast and Denver operations.
Promotion and Sales expense decreased by 23.4% to $57.8 million (2.5c per
ASM) during fiscal 1998 from $75.4 million (3.0c per ASM) in fiscal 1997. The
decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in booking fees. Mesa's new
contract with America West eliminates booking fees and travel agency
commissions, and thus these expenses are expected to continue to decrease in
fiscal year 1999.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $9.1 million to $25.7
million in fiscal 1998 and interest expense decreased by $5.3 million to $22.5
million in such period. The decrease in depreciation was due to the write-off of
the Denver system intangibles at September 30, 1997 in connection with the
termination of the United Express operations. The decrease in the interest
expense was due to lower outstanding loan balances as a result of the retirement
of aircraft.
At December 31, 1997 and September 30, 1997, Mesa recognized provisions of
$33.9 million and $72.1 million, respectively, for the termination of the United
Express operations which included the non-renewal of the WestAir, and early
termination of the MAI, code-sharing agreements with UAL. These provisions are
included in other operating items. (See footnotes 11 and 15 in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements for additional discussion). Both the $33.9
million and the $72.1 million provisions provide for the estimated loss on the
retirement or sale of aircraft, parts and equipment which were surplus to the
needs of Mesa upon expiration and early termination of the code-sharing
agreements. In addition, the provision includes an estimate for all other
anticipated costs of discontinuation or sale of Mesa's WestAir, Denver and
Pacific Northwest operations. Other operating items in fiscal 1998 also include
$4.0 million for the termination of the Ft. Worth jet operations, and $2.5
million for the settlement of a shareholder lawsuit. Other operating items in
fiscal 1997 also include a gain from the settlement with an aircraft
manufacturer of $5.2 million and a $1 million aircraft return provision related
to the final settlement and return of Mesa's Fokker 70 aircraft.
The provisions discussed above were the primary reasons for the net losses
in 1998 and 1997. However, other factors have contributed to the net losses. The
cost of operating 19 seat aircraft has risen sharply in the past three years.
This increase is primarily attributable to a combination of factors discussed
elsewhere herein, including increased governmental regulation, higher labor
costs due to union contracts, older aircraft requiring more maintenance, higher
training cost due to increased pilot turnover and other items. As a result Mesa
has made the determination to reduce the number of 19 passenger aircraft. At the
end of 1997, the Company was operating 139 19-seat aircraft, within the next
year it is expected this number will be less than 70. Also
15
<PAGE> 21
contributing to the losses in both years was the unprofitable attempt to start a
regional jet operation flying as Mesa Airlines in Ft. Worth, Texas. This
operation ceased in February 1998 and this equipment has been profitably
redeployed under a code sharing agreement with US Airways.
Fiscal 1997 Versus Fiscal 1996
Operating revenues increased by $10.6 million (2.1%) for fiscal 1997
compared to the prior fiscal year. This increase in operating revenues is the
result of a 4% increase in passengers, partially offset by a 1.6% decrease in
average fares. Capacity, measured by ASMs, increased by 1.9% and passenger
traffic, measured by RPMs, increased by 2.4%. The load factor increased from
56.0% to 56.3%, yield decreased to 35.8c in fiscal 1997 from 35.9c per RPM, and
revenue per ASM increased to 20.6c from 20c per ASM in fiscal 1996.
Flight Operations expense increased by 9.4% to $181.7 million (7.3c per
ASM) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, from $166.2 million (6.8c per
ASM) for the year ended September 30, 1996. Fuel costs increased by $10.1
million to 2.7c per ASM from 2.3c per ASM during the current period as compared
to the prior period. Of that increase, $6.2 million is a result of a 7.0c per
gallon increase in the average price of fuel with increased usage accounting for
the balance. Pilot costs increased by $14.0 million during the year due
primarily to a $10.2 million increase in pilot wages and payroll taxes. Of this
increase $6.1 million was a result of increased rates of pay associated with the
new pilot contract which became effective in December 1996 and $4.1 million of
the increase was due to an increase in the number of pilots employed. The costs
of pilot meals and lodging increased by $3.4 million as a result of the new
contract and conversion to operating under FAR Part 121. Dispatch costs
increased by $1.9 million and pilot training costs rose by $2.0 million in the
1997 period due to the stricter operating requirements of FAR Part 121. These
cost increases were partially offset by an approximate $17.0 million reduction
in aircraft lease costs during the 1997 fiscal year which resulted from the
purchase of 69 aircraft in May 1996, previously operated by Mesa under operating
leases. Aircraft ownership costs are reported as depreciation and interest
expense rather than flight operations expense.
Maintenance costs increased by $11.9 million to $93.3 million (3.8c per
ASM) for the 1997 fiscal year, from $81.4 million (3.3c per ASM) for the prior
year. The requirements of operating under FAR Part 121, the associated new
training requirements and implementation of the Consent Order with the FAA
resulted in a 20% increase in the number of mechanics per airplane in fiscal
1997 as compared to fiscal 1996. The increase in number of mechanics per
aircraft and a wage increase granted to the mechanics resulted in increasing
labor costs by approximately $3.8 million during the fiscal year. An increase in
the number of aircraft engine overhauls resulted in an increase in engine
overhaul expense of $8.1 million (35.7%).
Aircraft and Traffic Servicing costs increased to $85.7 million (3.5c per
ASM) during fiscal 1997 from $73.5 million (3.0c per ASM ) in fiscal 1996.
Station labor costs rose by $6.1 million due to an across the board wage
increase granted in September 1996 in order to attract and retain qualified
individuals. Non-completion costs increased by $1.4 million in fiscal 1997. The
increase was caused by a higher than normal level of flight cancellations as a
result of flight crew scheduling difficulties and training delays. The flight
crew scheduling difficulties and training delays were related to the significant
changes required by conversion to FAR Part 121 and compliance with the FAA
Consent Order. Deicing costs increased $.8 million and security expenses
increased $.5 million in 1997 over the prior year. Increased costs of security
are directly related to the increase in passengers carried.
Promotion and Sales expense increased slightly from $74.8 million in fiscal
1996 to $75.4 million in fiscal 1997.
General and Administrative costs declined from $29.2 million in fiscal 1996
to $26.5 million in fiscal 1997. The decrease was primarily attributable to
reduced management compensation expense under the management incentive program.
Depreciation and amortization expense rose by $10.5 million to $34.9
million and interest expense increased by $15.0 million to $27.8 million. The
increase in depreciation and interest expense was due to the purchase of 69
aircraft in May 1996, which had previously been operated by Mesa under operating
leases, and the purchase of 22 new Beechcraft aircraft financed with debt.
16
<PAGE> 22
At September 30, 1997, Mesa recognized a provision of $72.1 million for the
non-renewal of the WestAir, and early termination of the MAI, code-sharing
agreements with UAL. This provision is included in other operating items. (See
footnotes 11 and 15 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for
additional discussion). The $72.1 million provision provides for the estimated
loss on the retirement or sale of aircraft, parts and equipment which are
expected to be surplus to the needs of Mesa upon expiration and early
termination of the code-sharing agreements. In addition, the provision included
an estimate for all other anticipated costs of discontinuation or sale of Mesa's
WestAir, Denver and Pacific Northwest operations. Other operating items in
fiscal 1997 also includes a gain from the settlement with an aircraft
manufacturer of $5.2 million and a $1 million aircraft return provision related
to the final settlement and return of Mesa's Fokker 70 aircraft. In fiscal 1996,
Mesa recognized a $3 million provision related to return of the Fokker 70
aircraft.
Mesa's effective tax rate of 38.6% is comparable with prior years.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Mesa's cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30,
1998 were $35.6 million, representing a decrease of $21.6 million over the prior
year. Mesa had a net loss of $53.4 million in 1998. After adjustment for
non-cash activities and the change in certain balance sheet accounts, the
Company used $18.3 million in its operating activities. The primary factors
affecting this difference between the net loss and cash used in operating
activities were:
1) a reduction in receivables of $30.5 million resulting from the
termination of the United Airlines code-sharing relationship.
2) a $40.4 million provision and $5.7 million write-off of deferred credits
also as a result of the termination of the United Airlines code-sharing
agreement. These two items had a net positive effect on cash of $34.7
million.
3) the non-cash items of depreciation and amortization accounted for $25.7
million of the difference between the net loss and the net cash flow.
4) the reduction in other accrued liabilities resulted in a reduction in
cash of $44.3 million, which included $31.0 million in payments on
excess aircraft.
5) other differences identified in the Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows result primarily from the operation of business in the normal
course.
Mesa had cash flows from investing activities of $19 million, which
included $17.6 million from the sale of equipment. However, these proceeds were
used primarily to reduce the associated long-term debt resulting in a reduction
in cash under financing activities. In addition, the Company generated $11.1
million from the sale of marketable securities but used $8.1 million for the
acquisition of equipment and other capital assets.
Under financing activities, the Company had cash from long-term debt of $27
million, however this was primarily replacement financing and all but
approximately $5.3 million was used for payments on long term debt. The balance
of the long term debt reduction of approximately $11 million resulted from
scheduled debt payments during the year. Mesa's cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities are intended to be used for working capital, capital
expenditures and acquisitions. Management believes that the Company's existing
cash and cash equivalents and currently anticipated cash flows from operations
will provide the Company with adequate capital resources to fund the Company's
currently anticipated operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Mesa had receivables of approximately $22.8 million at September 30, 1998,
which consist primarily of amounts due from code-sharing partner US Airways.
Under the terms of the US Airways agreement, Mesa receives a substantial portion
of its revenues through the Airline Clearing House. Historically, Mesa has
generated adequate cash flow to meet its operating needs. However, termination
of the United Express code-sharing agreement has left Mesa with excess aircraft
which will need to be re-deployed on other routes, or alternatively, sold or
returned to their lessors. At September 30, 1998, Mesa had 13 excess Beech 1900D
17
<PAGE> 23
aircraft, of which two were sold subsequent to September 30, 1998. At September
30, 1998, Mesa had seven Embraer Brasilia aircraft which will all be traded in
on new CRJ aircraft. The manufacturer intends to reimburse Mesa for the lease
cost until the aircraft are sold or leased elsewhere.
Mesa has significant lease obligations and debt payments on existing
aircraft. At September 30, 1998, Mesa had 86 aircraft with debt balances with
maturities through December 2011. During 1996, Raytheon Aircraft Credit
Corporation ("RACC") provided financing on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft. In April
1998, Mesa reached an agreement with RACC, to defer the monthly principle and
interest payments due on the aircraft for the months of May, June and July. The
payments were deferred by extending the financing terms for an additional three
months. In addition, RACC agreed to finance two Beech 1900 aircraft owned by
Mesa for an amount equal to the monthly payments due on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft
for the months of August, September and October 1998. Mesa then used the
proceeds of the financing for those monthly payments. The two aircraft were
financed by RACC with non-recourse, non-interest bearing loans and are in the
process of being sold. In September 1998, RACC refinanced from another lender an
additional 11 Beech 1900D aircraft. The total financing by RACC is secured by
the aircraft and totals $260 million at September 30, 1998 with monthly payments
of $2.1 million. In November 1998, RACC refinanced from another lender three
more Beech 1900D aircraft.
In August 1998 Mesa reached an Agreement with RACC whereby RACC agreed to
purchase excess Beech 1900 aircraft parts from Mesa. Future lease payments due
under all aircraft operating leases were approximately $535 million at September
30, 1998. In addition, Mesa has significant lease obligations on other operating
and non-operating aircraft. These leases are classified as operating leases and
therefore are not reflected as liabilities in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheet. At September 30,1998, 45 aircraft were leased by Mesa with terms
extending through June 2016. Total lease expense for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1998 was $29.1 million.
Mesa has ordered 32 CRJ aircraft for use in its America West Express
operation in Phoenix, Arizona and Columbus, Ohio, and for its USAirways Express
operations on the East Coast. As of December 18, 1998, Mesa had received 20 of
the 32 CRJ aircraft on order and expects to take delivery of the remaining 12 by
the end of 1999. Mesa has Rolling Options for an additional 16 CRJ aircraft with
a delivery schedule of one per month beginning June 2000. The value of these
additional 16 CRJ aircraft, at listed prices, is approximately $320 million. The
expected delivery schedule of aircraft is a forward-looking statement, which
could significantly differ based on manufacturer's delivery delays, among
factors. Permanent financing has been completed on 11 of these aircraft for
which Mesa has entered into operating leases. The manufacturer, Bombardier
Regional Aircraft Division, is providing interim financing and has agreed to
provide back up financing at agreed upon rates if Mesa is not successful in
obtaining permanent financing. The rate, but not the commitment, is subject to
there being no material adverse change in Mesa's creditworthiness. Mesa
anticipates finalizing operating leases upon the completion of permanent
financing for the additional nine aircraft delivered through December 1998 and
for the remaining 12 aircraft to be delivered in 1999. Historically, Mesa has
used various third party leasing to finance these aircraft. Mesa intends to
continue using similar financing for additional aircraft to be acquired. To the
extent such financing may not be available, Bombardier has committed to provide
financing.
At September 30, 1998, the average age of Mesa's aircraft fleet deployed in
revenue service was:
- Four years for the Beech 1900D fleet
- Two years for the Dash 8 fleet
- One year for the Canadair Regional Jet fleet
Due to the young age of Mesa's fleet, Mesa does not anticipate replacing
any of its aircraft with newer aircraft of the same model type.
Approximately $1.0 million was incurred as a one-time expense in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 related to the two Fokker 70 aircraft returned by Mesa to
Daimler-Benz.
18
<PAGE> 24
Mesa currently has offers for its various real properties located in
Farmington, New Mexico. The Administration Building was sold in December 1998
and Mesa anticipates closing on the Revenue Accounting and Operations buildings
in early 1999. Mesa expects to receive in excess of $5.5 million from these
sales. Mesa is also currently reviewing offers to buy Desert Turbine Services (a
division of Mesa Airlines, Inc.) and Four Corners Aviation.
WestAir ceased operations on May 31, 1998 as a result of the termination of
its United Express code-share agreement. In November 1998, Mesa settled all
claims with the aircraft and equipment lessors of WestAir for approximately $15
million. WestAir contributed approximately $11.2 million of the settlement and
Mesa approximately $3.8 million. Mesa anticipates recovering $2 million from
WestAir's receivables and deposits in the future. WestAir had operated 43 leased
aircraft pursuant to the Partnership Agreement and upon cessation of United
Express service had considerable liabilities for the remaining terms of the
leases. Mesa worked closely with all lessors to develop and implement a plan
that was acceptable to both Mesa and the various lessors.
Mesa has negotiated 10-year engine maintenance contracts with General
Electric Aircraft Engines ("GE") for the CRJ and with Pratt and Whitney, Canada
Aircraft Services ("PWC") for the Dash 8-200 aircraft. The GE engine maintenance
contract provides coverage for the engines on the first 16 CRJ aircraft to be
delivered. Mesa is presently negotiating with GE to add the CRJ aircraft engines
for 16 additional CRJ aircraft to this maintenance contract. The PWC contract
provides coverage for all Dash 8-200 aircraft engines operated by Mesa. Both
contracts provide for payment at the time of the repair event and a fixed dollar
amount per flight hour, subject to escalation based on changes in the CPI, for
the number of flight hours incurred since the previous event.
In connection with the $110 million loss provision recorded of which $72.1
million was for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 and $37.9 million was
for the year ended September 30, 1998, Mesa incurred $29.6 million in cash
expenditures in fiscal 1998 primarily for disposition of surplus aircraft
severance and other expenditures. Mesa estimates that the cash expenditures for
fiscal year 1999 attributable to the remaining costs related to the termination
of the United Express code-share agreements and the shut down of the Denver and
Fort Worth operations are approximately $6.9 million primarily related to
aircraft interest and severance costs. At September 30, 1998, Mesa had applied
$76.0 million to this provision, leaving a balance of $34 million for remaining
disposition costs. Mesa estimates that the remaining provision will be adequate
for the remaining disposition expenses. Mesa's estimation that the remaining
provision will be adequate for the remaining disposition expenses is a
forward-looking statement.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded
to accept two digits entries in the date code field. These date code fields will
need to accept four digit entries to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th
century dates. Any programs that have time sensitive software may recognize a
date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could result in
the computer shutting down or performing incorrect computations. As a result, in
less than eleven months, computer systems and software used by many companies
will need to be upgraded to comply with such "Year 2000" requirements. Certain
of Mesa's systems, including information and computer systems and automated
equipment, will be affected by the Year 2000 issue.
Mesa has begun to compile a comprehensive inventory of its core business
applications to determine the adequacy of these systems to meet future business
requirements. To date, Mesa's Year 2000 remediation efforts have focused on its
core business computer applications (i.e., those systems that Mesa is dependent
upon for the conduct of day-to-day business operations). Year 2000 readiness is
only one of many factors considered in this assessment. Out of this effort, a
number of systems have already been identified for upgrade or replacement. In no
case has a system been replaced or contemplated to be replaced solely because of
Year 2000 issues, although in some cases the timing of system replacements is
being accelerated. Thus, Mesa does not believe the costs of these system
replacements are specifically Year 2000 related. Additionally, while Mesa
19
<PAGE> 25
may have incurred an opportunity cost for addressing the Year 2000 issue, it
does not believe that any specific information technology projects have been
deferred as a result of its Year 2000 efforts.
Mesa's reservation systems are tied to its code-sharing partners, US
Airways and America West. Mesa representatives have met with the reservation
system providers and are engaged in on-going dialogue regarding their year 2000
progress. Mesa has installed an upgraded version of its current accounting
system which is represented by the vendor to be compliant but has not yet been
tested. A new flight operations software package which will handle crew
scheduling and dispatch is currently being installed to replace an in-house
system and is expected to be compliant after implementation of a vendor supplied
upgrade. Mesa has had extensive discussions with the manufacturers of its
various aircraft to discuss year 2000 issues and identify the required avionics
and flight systems upgrades which will be implemented during 1999. The aircraft
manufacturers are also required to report the Year 2000 status of their aircraft
to the FAA. Mesa currently has two employees devoted full-time to Year 2000
issues -- one in Information Technology and one in the Maintenance department.
Projects are currently underway to evaluate the remaining systems (including
tracking of maintenance parts, revenue accounting and payroll) and replace them
if needed, with implementations and testing scheduled for the remainder of
calendar year 1999. As with systems that have already been replaced, Mesa does
not believe the costs of these replacements are specifically Year 2000 related.
Mesa has upgraded or replaced much of its personal computers and related
systems. These replacements were not specifically related to Year 2000 but were
part of a larger system upgrade. Mesa has spent approximately $1 million on
these upgrades thus far, and anticipates another $.5 million in expenditures to
complete its system upgrade. Mesa expects to incur costs to replace or repair
some of its systems, but it has not at this time determined the amount of these
costs.
Mesa is currently assessing other potential Year 2000 issues, including
non-information technology systems. A broad-based Year 2000 Task Force is being
formed and will began meeting to identify areas of concern and develop action
plans. Mesa has also been meeting with similar task forces at America West, US
Airways, and SABRE. Also as part of the Task Force effort, the Company's
relationships with vendors, contractors, financial institutions and other third
parties will be examined to determine the status of the Year 2000 issue efforts
on the part of the other parties to material relationships. The Year 2000 Task
Force will include both internal and Company-external representation.
Mesa expects to incur Year 2000-specific costs in the future but does not
at present anticipate that these costs will be material. Mesa believes that the
most reasonably likely worst-case scenario for the Year 2000 issue would be that
Mesa or the third parties with whom it has relationships would cease or not
successfully complete their Year 2000 remediation efforts. If this were to
occur, Mesa would encounter disruptions to its business that could have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial position, and results of
operations. Mesa could be materially impacted by widespread economic or
financial market disruption or by Year 2000 computer system failures. Mesa Air
is in the process of assessing the state of readiness of its business partners.
If some of its business partners are not compliant and have wide-spread system
failures, it could adversely affect Mesa Air's business resulting in the loss of
revenue due to flight cancellations and incremental expenses to address such
problems.
The failure of Mesa Air's code-sharing partners to fully upgrade their
reservations systems and the failure of SABRE to fully upgrade its system could
result in the inability of Mesa Air to collect revenue for passengers who have
flown on Mesa Air, and, as a result, could materially adversely affect Mesa
Air's cash flow.
Mesa has not at this time established a formal Year 2000 contingency plan
but will consider and, if necessary, address doing so as part of its Year 2000
Task Force activities. Mesa maintains and deploys contingency plans designed to
address various other potential business interruptions. These plans may be
applicable to address the interruption of support provided by third parties
resulting from their failure to be Year 2000 ready. All of Mesa Air's critical
systems have manual back-up procedures that already exist, with the exception of
the avionics systems in Mesa Air's aircraft.
Mesa Air has relationships with certain governmental entities such as the
FAA upon which it is dependent to operate its aircraft. The FAA has represented
on its web page that its systems are Year 2000
20
<PAGE> 26
compliant. If, however, systems at the FAA fail, Mesa Air's aircraft will not be
able to operate, or will operate at a substantially reduced level. If this were
to occur, Mesa Air approximates that it would lose substantially all the revenue
associated with these non-operated flights.
There has been some discussion in the media about the difficulty that could
be associated with air travel as the Year 2000 begins. Mesa Air has only
recently begun taking reservations for travel in early 2000. As of March 1,
1999, there has been no appreciable decrease in the level of advanced bookings
for January 1, 2000. Mesa Air anticipates that the effect on bookings for this
date will be further mitigated by the fact that the number of passengers
traveling on January 1 is traditionally very low, and that in the Year 2000 such
date falls on a Saturday, which is also traditionally not a day for significant
amounts of travel.
For each day that Mesa is unable to operate flights as a result of Year
2000 failures, Mesa anticipates a loss of revenue of approximately $1 million
and net loss of approximately $500,000 per day.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued several new
pronouncements that are not yet adopted by Mesa.
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," to establish standards for
reporting and display of comprehensive income (all changes in equity during a
period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to owners)
and its components in financial statements. This new standard, which will be
effective for Mesa for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, is not
currently expected to have a material impact on Mesa's consolidated financial
statements based on the current financial structure and operations of Mesa.
In June 1997 the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information," to establish standards for reporting
information about operating segments in annual financial statements, selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports and
disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
This new standard, which will be effective for Mesa for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1999, will require Mesa to report financial information on the
basis that is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding
how to allocate resources to segments, which is currently anticipated to result
in more detailed information in the notes to Mesa's consolidated financial
statements than is currently required and provided.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K contains certain statements including, but not limited to,
information regarding the replacement, deployment, and acquisition of certain
numbers and types of aircraft, and projected expenses associated therewith;
costs of compliance with FAA regulations and other rules and acts of Congress;
the passing of taxes, fuel costs, inflation, and various expenses to the
consumer; the relocation of certain operations of Mesa; the resolution of
litigation in a favorable manner; compliance with Year 2000 issues, and certain
projected financial obligations. These statements, in addition to statements
made in conjunction with the words "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan,"
"believe," "seek," "estimate," and similar expressions, are forward-looking
statements which we believe are within the meaning of the Safe harbor provision
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. These statements relate to future
events or the future financial performance of Mesa and only reflect Management's
expectations and estimates. The following is a list of factors, among others,
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements changing business conditions in certain market segments and
industries; an increase in competition along the routes Mesa operates or plans
to operate; material delays in completion by the manufacturer of the ordered and
yet-to-be delivered aircraft; changes in general economic conditions; changes in
fuel price; changes in regional economic conditions; Mesa's relationship with
employees and the terms of future collective bargaining agreements; and the
impact of current and future laws, Congressional investigations, and
governmental regulations affecting the airline industry and Mesa's operations;
bureaucratic delays; amendments to existing legislation; consumers unwilling to
incur greater costs for flights; unfavorable resolution of negotiations with
municipalities for the
21
<PAGE> 27
leasing of facilities; and risks associated with litigation outcomes. One or
more of these or other factors may cause Mesa's actual results to differ
materially from any forward-looking statement. Mesa is not undertaking any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
1. Consolidated Financial Statements
Page 20 -- Independent Auditors' Report
Page 21 -- Consolidated Statements of Operations -- Years ended September
30, 1998, 1997, and 1996
Page 22 -- Consolidated Balance Sheets -- September 30, 1998 and 1997
Page 23 -- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Years ended September
30, 1998, 1997, and 1996
Page 24 -- Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity -- Years ended
September 30, 1998, 1997, and 1996
Page 25 -- Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted because
they are not applicable, not required or the information has been furnished
elsewhere.
22
<PAGE> 28
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board Of Directors And Stockholders
Mesa Air Group, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mesa Air
Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and stockholders' equity for
each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 1998. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mesa Air
Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998, and 1997, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended September 30, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
KPMG LLP
Phoenix, Arizona
January 7, 1999
23
<PAGE> 29
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues:
Passenger................................................ $412,526 $500,822 $489,432
Freight and other........................................ 11,015 10,155 10,931
-------- -------- --------
Total operating revenues......................... 423,541 510,977 500,363
Operating expenses:
Flight Operations........................................ 167,630 181,696 166,151
Maintenance.............................................. 81,847 93,278 81,400
Aircraft and traffic servicing........................... 68,125 85,755 73,469
Promotion and sales...................................... 57,767 75,448 74,844
General and administrative............................... 26,768 26,453 29,186
Depreciation and amortization............................ 25,749 34,859 24,296
Other operating Items (note 15).......................... 40,443 67,884 3,023
-------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses......................... 468,329 565,463 452,369
-------- -------- --------
Operating income (loss).................................. (44,788) (54,486) 47,994
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense......................................... (22,508) (27,776) (12,177)
Interest income.......................................... 802 1,837 2,274
Other.................................................... 5,298 1,250 12,028
-------- -------- --------
Total non-operating income (expense)............. (16,408) (24,689) 1,525
-------- -------- --------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes...................... (61,196) (79,175) 49,519
Income tax expense (benefit) (note 5)...................... (7,762) (30,578) 19,112
-------- -------- --------
Net earnings (loss)...................................... $(53,434) $(48,597) $ 30,407
======== ======== ========
Average common shares outstanding: Basic................... 28,328 28,275 29,988
Average common shares outstanding: Diluted................. 28,328 28,275 30,449
Net earnings (loss) per share: Basic....................... $ (1.89) $ (1.72) $ 1.01
Net earnings (loss) per share: Diluted..................... $ (1.89) $ (1.72) $ 1.00
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
24
<PAGE> 30
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 35,622 $ 57,232
Marketable securities (note 2)............................ -- 8,690
Receivables, primarily traffic............................ 22,807 53,852
Income tax refund receivable (note 5)..................... 9,057 6,999
Expendable parts and supplies, less allowance for
obsolescence of $1,952 and $2,631...................... 29,774 31,377
Prepaid expenses and other current assets................. 4,897 8,553
-------- --------
Total current assets.............................. 102,157 166,703
Property and equipment, net (notes 3 and 4)................. 331,974 440,890
Lease and equipment deposits (notes 8)...................... 11,515 10,354
Intangibles, less amortization of $6,625 and $5,200......... 20,646 22,071
Other assets................................................ 4,660 9,848
-------- --------
Total assets...................................... $470,952 $649,866
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases (note
4)..................................................... $ 33,945 $ 31,786
Accounts payable.......................................... 12,243 21,884
Air traffic liability..................................... 4,758 6,785
Accrued compensation...................................... 3,834 7,024
Other accrued expenses.................................... 44,006 30,662
-------- --------
Total current liabilities......................... 98,786 98,142
Long-term debt and capital leases, excluding current
portion................................................... 234,475 338,199
Deferred credit and other liabilities....................... 16,592 34,837
Deferred income taxes....................................... -- 1,600
Stockholders' equity (note 6)
Preferred stock of no par value, 2,000,000 shares
authorized; no shares issued and outstanding........... -- --
Common stock of no par value, 75,000,000 shares
authorized; 28,363,915 and 28,294,584 shares issued and
outstanding............................................ 101,847 101,361
Retained earnings......................................... 19,252 72,686
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of deferred
income taxes of $1,754 (note 2)........................ -- 3,041
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........................ 121,099 177,088
-------- --------
Commitments, contingencies, and subsequent events (notes
4, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 15)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.................. $470,952 $649,866
======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
25
<PAGE> 31
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings (loss)......................................... $(53,434) $(48,597) $ 30,407
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to
Net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization............................. 25,749 34,859 24296
Provision for code share agreements and other operating
items.................................................. 40,443 72,100 10,000
Deferred income taxes..................................... (1,600) (20,439) 10,473
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment......... -- -- 689
(Gain) loss on sale of securities......................... (4,544) -- (22,008)
Amortization and write-off of deferred credits............ (5,721) (1,745) (3,271)
Stock bonus plan.......................................... -- 349 970
Provision for doubtful accounts........................... 1,036 -- --
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables............................................ 30,533 (12,747) 3,706
Income tax refund receivable........................... (2,058) (6,999) --
Expendable parts and supplies.......................... 1,603 (4,421) (2,274)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets.............. 3,656 (2,159) 529
Accounts payable....................................... (9,641) 8,073 (4,361)
Other accrued liabilities.............................. (44,288) (7,306) (6,109)
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES............. (18,266) 10,968 43,047
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (8,062) (4,562) (20,263)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment.............. 17,624 1,874 1,616
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities............... 11,102 1,000 40,861
Other assets.............................................. (481) 9,539 (354)
Lease and equipment deposits.............................. (1,161) (339) 699
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES............. 19,022 7,512 22,559
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt.................. 27,464 -- --
Principal payments on long-term debt and obligations under
capital leases......................................... (50,272) (17,114) (12,141)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock.................... 442 123 1,510
Common stock repurchase and retirement.................... -- -- (53,930)
Proceeds from deferred credits............................ -- 1,023 --
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES............. (22,366) (15,968) (64,561)
-------- -------- --------
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.............. (21,610) 2,512 1,045
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD............ 57,232 54,720 53,675
-------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD.................. $ 35,622 $ 57,232 $ 54,720
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
26
<PAGE> 32
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NUMBER OF SHARES)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVAILABLE
NUMBER OF COMMON RETAINED FOR SALE
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, 1997, AND 1996 SHARES STOCK EARNINGS SECURITIES TOTAL
- ---------------------------------------------- ---------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at September 30, 1995............. 33,463,742 $151,957 $ 90,876 $ 13,050 $255,883
Exercise of options (note 6).............. 191,759 1,510 -- -- 1,510
Stock bonus plan (note 7)................. 94,281 970 -- -- 970
Common stock repurchase................... (5,506,400) (53,930) -- -- (53,930)
Tax benefits from sale of optioned stock... -- 369 -- -- 369
Change in unrealized gains, net of tax (note
2)...................................... -- -- -- (10,543) (10,543)
Net earnings.............................. -- -- 30,407 -- 30,407
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance at September 1996................. 28,243,382 100,876 121,283 2,507 224,666
Exercise of options (note 6).............. 16,333 123 -- -- 123
Stock bonus plan (note 7)................. 34,869 349 -- -- 349
Tax benefits from sale of optioned stock... -- 13 -- -- 13
Change in unrealized gains, net of tax (note
2)...................................... -- -- -- 534 534
Net loss.................................. -- -- (48,597) -- (48,597)
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance at September 30, 1997............. 28,294,584 101,361 72,686 3,041 177,088
Exercise of options (note 6).............. 69,331 442 -- -- 442
Tax benefit from sale of optioned stock... -- 44 -- -- 44
Change in unrealized gains, net of tax (note
2)...................................... -- -- -- (3,041) (3,041)
Net loss.................................. -- -- (53,434) -- (53,434)
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance at September 30, 1998............. 28,363,915 $101,847 $ 19,252 -- $121,099
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
27
<PAGE> 33
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a. Principles of Consolidation and Organization
Mesa Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Mesa") is a group of regional
airlines providing service in various regions across the United States, plus the
District of Columbia, as well as Toronto, Canada and Guaymas and Hermosillo,
Mexico. Mesa operates as America West Express in the Southwest, USAirways
Express throughout the East Coast and Midwest, and independently as Mesa
Airlines in New Mexico and Colorado utilizing 96 turboprop aircraft and 16 jet
aircraft.
Mesa is a Nevada corporation which owns Mesa Airlines, Inc. ("MAI"), a
Nevada corporation and certificated air carrier; WestAir Holdings, Inc., a
California corporation and owner of certificated air carrier WestAir Commuter
Airlines, Inc. which ceased operations in 1998; Air Midwest, Inc., a Kansas
corporation and certificated air carrier. Mesa's non-airline subsidiaries are
MPD, Inc., a Nevada corporation d.b.a. Mesa Pilot Development, Mesa's pilot
training program; FCA, Inc., a Nevada corporation, d.b.a. Four Corners Aviation;
Mesa Leasing, Inc. a Nevada corporation established to facilitate Mesa's
acquisition and leasing of aircraft; and MAGI Insurance, Ltd. a Barbados, West
Indies based insurance company. The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of Mesa and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Mesa currently operates as America West Express under a code-sharing
agreement which expires in 2004 with America West, utilizing Phoenix, Arizona
and Columbus, Ohio as hubs.
Mesa utilizes an Albuquerque hub as Mesa Airlines, serving the Southwest
and Rocky Mountain regions.
Mesa operates as USAirways Express under four code-sharing agreements with
US Airways, Inc. ("US Airways"). One agreement covers operations utilizing a
Kansas City hub and expires in 2000. Another US Airways code-sharing agreement
covers operations out of the Pittsburgh hub and expires in 2003. The third
agreement covers hubs in New Orleans, Tampa, Orlando, Philadelphia and Boston
and expires in 2004. The fourth agreement which provides for Canadair Regional
Jet ("CRJ") 50-passenger jet service on certain defined routes and expires in
2003.
MPD, Inc. provides flight training in coordination with a community
college. FCA, Inc. is a fixed-base operation in Farmington, New Mexico. Regional
Aircraft Services, Inc. and Desert Turbine Services provide aircraft and engine
maintenance service to Mesa. MAGI Insurance, Ltd. is a captive insurance created
to handle freight and baggage claims in addition to a portion of Mesa's aviation
insurance.
b. Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, Mesa considers all highly
liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be
cash equivalents. At September 30, 1998, the Company had $2.4 million of cash
restricted as collateral for letters of credit.
c. Marketable Securities
All marketable securities are considered to be available for sale. Any
unrealized holding gains or losses on available-for-sale securities have been
recorded net of deferred taxes through stockholders' equity. Premiums and
discounts on debt securities are amortized over the term to maturity using the
interest method.
d. Receivables
Mesa provides commercial air transportation into most regions of the United
States. The majority of the passenger tickets collected by Mesa at the time of
travel are sold by other air carriers largely as a result of the code-sharing
agreements discussed above. As a result, Mesa has a significant concentration of
its accounts receivable with other air carriers and does not have any collateral
securing such accounts receivable. At
28
<PAGE> 34
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
September 30, 1998 and 1997, accounts receivable from air carriers totaled
approximately $15.1 million and $41.7 million, respectively. Accounts receivable
credit losses have not been significant and have been within management's
expectations.
e. Expendable Parts and Supplies
Expendable parts and supplies are stated at the lower of average cost or
market, less an allowance for obsolescence. Expendable parts and supplies are
charged to expense as they are used.
f. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated to estimated
residual values. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided on a
straight-line basis over estimated useful lives as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Buildings...................... 30 years
Flight equipment............... 7-20 years
Leasehold improvements......... Life or term of lease, whichever is less
Equipment...................... 5-12 years
Furniture and fixtures......... 3-5 years
Vehicles....................... 5 years
</TABLE>
Assets utilized under capital leases are amortized over the lesser of the
lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line
method. Amortization of capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
g. Intangibles
Mesa evaluates the recoverability of its intangible assets by measuring the
carrying amount of the assets against the estimated undiscounted future cash
flows associated with them. At the time such evaluations indicate that the
future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value
of such assets, the assets are adjusted to their fair values.
In July 1991, Mesa acquired Air Midwest, Inc. This acquisition resulted in
purchased intangible goodwill of approximately $10.2 million, which is being
amortized over a 40-year period. Subsequently the intangibles were reduced by
approximately $4.7 million for the recognition of the tax effects of net
operating loss and investment tax credit carryovers acquired in the Air Midwest
purchase.
In 1994, Mesa entered into Asset Purchase Agreements related to its
operations as USAirways. Intangible assets acquired of $21.8 million are being
amortized over a 20-year period.
In connection with the discontinuance of United Express operations (Notes
11 and 15), the related intangibles were determined to be impaired at September
30, 1997 and a provision has been made for the carrying value of $26.3 million.
h. Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in future years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date. Mesa and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax
return.
29
<PAGE> 35
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
i. Deferred Credits
Deferred lease incentives consist of credits for parts or services and
deferred gains from the sale and leaseback of aircraft. Deferred credits are
amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of lease expense over the term
of the respective leases.
j. Revenues
Passenger, freight and other revenues are recognized as earned when the
service is provided. Mesa receives public service revenues for providing
scheduled air service to certain small communities. These revenues are
recognized as earned in the period to which the payments relate. The amount of
such payments is determined by the Department of Transportation on the basis of
its evaluation of the amount of revenue needed to meet operating expenses and to
provide a reasonable return on investment with respect to eligible routes.
k. Maintenance
Maintenance and repairs, including major engine overhauls, are charged to
operating expenses as incurred. Engine overhaul costs for the Dash 8 and CRJ
engines are subject to power by the hour contracts with external vendors and
considered incurred as the aircraft are flown.
l. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
On October 1, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", which standardizes the
reporting for earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") into basic EPS and diluted EPS,
and has restated all prior period EPS data to conform to SFAS No. 128.
The number of shares used in the per share computation are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------ ------ ------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding during the year.... 28,328 28,275 29,988
====== ====== ======
Diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding during the year.... 28,328 28,275 29,988
Common stock equivalent shares -- assumed exercise of
options............................................. -- -- 461
------ ------ ------
28,328 28,275 30,449
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
m. Stock Options
Prior to October 1, 1996, Mesa accounted for its stock option plan in
accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations.
As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the
current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. On
October 1, 1996, Mesa adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which permits
entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value of all
stock-based awards on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows
entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide
pro forma net earnings and pro forma earnings per share disclosures for employee
stock option grants made in fiscal 1996 and future years as if the
fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. Mesa has
elected to continue to apply the provisions of
30
<PAGE> 36
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma disclosure provision of SFAS No. 123.
(See note 6, "Stockholders' Equity.")
n. Use of Estimates
Management of Mesa has made certain estimates and assumptions relating to
the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
o. New Accounting Standards
The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued several new
pronouncements that are not yet adopted by Mesa.
In June 1997 the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income," to establish standards for reporting and display of comprehensive
income (all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from
investments by and distributions to owners) and its components in financial
statements. This new standard, which will be effective for Mesa for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1999, is not currently anticipated to have a
significant impact on Mesa's consolidated financial statements based on the
current financial structure and operations of Mesa.
In June 1997 the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information," to establish standards for reporting
information about operating segments in annual financial statements, selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports and
disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
This new standard, which will be effective for Mesa for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1999, will require Mesa to report financial information on the
basis that is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding
how to allocate resources to segments, which is currently anticipated to result
in more detailed information in the notes to Mesa's consolidated financial
statements than is currently required and provided.
2. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Marketable securities available for sale are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
-----------------------------------
1998 1997
--------------- ----------------
COST MARKET COST MARKET
BASIS VALUE BASIS VALUE
----- ------ ------ ------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Equity securities -- available for sale........... $-- $-- $3,895 $8,690
</TABLE>
Mesa invested $18.7 million in America West in 1994 and received Class A
shares of common stock, Class B shares of common stock and warrants. In 1996,
Mesa sold a portion of its Class B common stock of America West, resulting in a
realized gain of $22 million. In January 1998, Mesa sold its remaining
investment in America West comprising Class A shares, Class B shares and
warrants for Class B shares. Mesa received cash of approximately $11.1 million
and recognized non-operating income of approximately $4.5 million on the sale of
these securities.
31
<PAGE> 37
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Flight equipment, substantially pledged................ $386,300 $494,755
Other equipment........................................ 12,952 17,206
Construction in progress............................... -- 221
Leasehold improvements................................. 2,895 6,517
Furniture and fixtures................................. 1,570 2,422
Buildings.............................................. 10,091 9,098
Land................................................... 525 525
Vehicles............................................... 1,422 2,258
-------- --------
415,755 533,002
Less accumulated depreciation.......................... (83,781) (92,112)
-------- --------
Net property and equipment............................. $331,974 $440,890
======== ========
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1998, Mesa had 13 surplus Beech 1900D aircraft with a net
book value of approximately $40 million included in property and equipment,
which were non-operating. Estimated losses to be realized upon the disposition
of these aircraft are included in the restructuring provision (note 15). As of
September 30, 1998 and 1997, Mesa had property and equipment consisting
primarily of aircraft parts held for sale with a fair value of approximately $.9
million and $5.0 million, respectively, included in Other Assets.
4. LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES
Long-term debt and capital leases consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Notes payable to manufacturers: approximately $2.1
million including interest due monthly through 2011.
Notes provide variable rates of interest ranging from
6.87% to 7.5% at September 30, 1998. Secured by
aircraft............................................. $236,639 $319,442
Notes payable to manufacturers principal and interest
due in September 1999. Notes provide fixed interest
at 7.5%. Secured by aircraft......................... 23,100 --
Notes payable to banks: Approximately $93,500 due
monthly plus interest indexed to adjusted LIBOR rates
(7.31% to 7.56% at September 30, 1998) through 2006.
Secured by aircraft.................................. 8,174 49,569
Capital leases; due in monthly installments through
1999; interest indexed to prime rate. Secured by
equipment............................................ 507 974
Total long-term debt and capital leases................ 268,420 369,985
-------- --------
Less current portion................................... (33,945) (31,786)
-------- --------
Long-term debt and capital leases, excluding current
portion.............................................. $234,475 $338,199
======== ========
</TABLE>
32
<PAGE> 38
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Principal maturities of long-term debt and capital leases for each of the
next five years are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30
------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
1999........................................... $ 33,945
2000........................................... 10,950
2001........................................... 11,630
2002........................................... 12,203
2003........................................... 12,841
Thereafter..................................... 186,852
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1998, Mesa had 86 aircraft with debt balances with
maturities through December 2011. During 1996, Raytheon Aircraft Credit
Corporation ("RACC") provided financing on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft. In April
1998, Mesa reached an agreement with RACC, to defer the monthly principle and
interest payments due on the aircraft for the months of May, June and July. The
payments were deferred by extending the financing terms for an additional three
months In addition, RACC agreed to finance two Beech 1900 aircraft owned by Mesa
for an amount equal to the monthly payments due on 69 Beech 1900D aircraft for
the months of August, September and October 1998. Mesa then used the proceeds of
the financing for those monthly payments. The two aircraft were financed by RACC
with non-recourse, non-interest bearing loans and are in the process of being
sold. In September 1998, RACC refinanced from another lender an additional 11
Beech 1900D aircraft. The total financing by RACC is secured by the aircraft and
totals $260 million at September 30, 1998 with monthly payments of $2.1 million
In November 1998, RACC refinanced from another lender three more Beech 1900D
aircraft.
In August 1998 Mesa reached an Agreement with RACC whereby RACC agreed to
purchase excess Beech 1900 aircraft parts from Mesa. As a result of disputes
between Mesa and RACC regarding the applicability and value of certain aircraft
parts under the Agreement, Mesa withheld its monthly payment on 83 Beech 1900
aircraft to RACC for the months of October and November 1998. In an Agreement
dated January 7, 1999, Mesa and RACC resolved the issues regarding these parts
and RACC accepted them in lieu of payment for the months of October and
November, 1998. To the extent that any Event of Default, as defined in the
Loans, may have occurred for the months of October and November 1998, they have
been deemed fully cured pursuant to the terms of the Agreement with RACC.
Mesa leases a flight simulator which has been recorded as a capital lease.
This simulator was sold subsequent to year end.
33
<PAGE> 39
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
5. INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------- -------------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CURRENT:
Federal......................................... $(6,162) $(10,139) $ 7,912
State........................................... 727
------- -------- -------
(6,162) (10,139) 8,639
DEFERRED:
Federal......................................... (1,451) (16,054) 8,457
State........................................... (149) (4,385) 2,016
------- -------- -------
(1,600) (20,439) 10,473
------- -------- -------
$(7,762) $(30,578) $19,112
======= ======== =======
</TABLE>
The actual income tax expense (benefit) differs from the "expected" tax
expense (benefit) (computed by applying the U.S. federal corporate income tax
rate of 35 percent in 1998, 1997 and 1996 to earnings (loss) before income
taxes) as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Computed "expected" tax expense (benefit)........ $(21,419) $(27,711) $17,332
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting
from:
Intangibles.................................... 98 98 98
Investment tax credits......................... -- -- (29)
Tax exempt interest............................ -- (1) (32)
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit........ (2,203) (2,850) 1,783
Increase in valuation allowance................ 14,500 -- --
Other............................................ 1,262 (114) (40)
-------- -------- -------
Total income tax expense (benefit)..... $ (7,762) $(30,578) $19,112
======== ======== =======
</TABLE>
Elements of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred Tax Assets:
Inventory, parts and equipment allowances.............. $ 3,566 $ 2,485
Accrued expenses....................................... 500 904
Deferred credit........................................ -- 536
Other accrued liabilities.............................. 757 770
Provisions not deductible for tax...................... 20,724 27,831
AMT credit carryover................................... 2,099 12,922
</TABLE>
34
<PAGE> 40
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Unrealized holding gain on marketable securities....... -- (1,754)
Benefit of net operating loss and tax credit carry
forwards............................................. 55,337 20,129
-------- --------
82,983 63,823
Valuation allowance.................................... (15,500) (1,000)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax assets................................ 67,483 62,823
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and tax capital lease differences......... (67,483) (64,423)
-------- --------
Net deferred taxes..................................... $ -- $ (1,600)
======== ========
</TABLE>
Deferred tax assets include benefits estimated to be realized from the
utilization of minimum tax credit carryforwards of $2.1 million which do not
expire; from the utilization of investment tax credit carryforwards of $3.7
million which expire in 2000 through 2001; and net operating loss carryforwards
of $41.9 million and $87.1 million which expire during 2012 and 2018
respectively. The tax benefits from the investment tax credit and loss
carryforwards, which were obtained in the acquisition of Air Midwest, Inc., have
been recorded as a reduction of intangibles.
During 1998, the valuation allowance was increased by $14.5 million due to
a determination that the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit
carryforwards was not considered to be "more likely than not". Mesa's U.S.
federal income tax returns for the tax years ended September 30, 1993 and 1994
are being examined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A final report of
proposed adjustments, including a tax assessment of approximately $1.9 million,
has been received from the IRS. Although the ultimate outcome of the examination
cannot be predicted with certainty, management is of the opinion that adequate
provision exists in the consolidated financial statements for the estimated
impact of the examination.
6. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
At September 30, 1998, Mesa has the following stock-based compensation
plans:
A. On June 2, 1992, Mesa adopted an employee stock option plan which
provides for the granting of options to purchase up to 2,250,000
shares of Company common stock at the fair market value on the
date of grant. Under this plan, 1,999,481 options have been
granted. In 1996 shareholders voted to reduce the number of
options available for granting under the plan by 250,519. This
eliminated all remaining options available for granting under this
plan.
B. On December 1, 1995, Mesa adopted an additional employee stock
option plan under the new management incentive program (Omnibus
Plan) which provides for the granting of options to purchase up to
2,800,000 shares of Company common stock at the fair market value
on the date of grant. On July 24, 1998, an additional 1,250,000
options were approved by the stockholders to be granted under this
plan. Under the plan, options to 2,399,797 shares are outstanding.
C. In March 1993, Mesa adopted a directors' stock option plan for
outside directors. This plan provides for the grant of options for
up to 800,000 shares of Mesa's common stock at fair market value
on the date of grant. This is a formula-based plan under which
options to 150,000 shares have been granted. In 1996 shareholders
voted to reduce the number of options available for granting under
the plan by 590,000 There are 60,000 remaining shares reserved for
options under this plan.
35
<PAGE> 41
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
D. On December 9, 1994, Mesa adopted an additional directors' stock
option plan for outside directors. This plan provides for the
grant of options for up to 50,000 shares of Mesa's common stock at
fair market value on the date of grant. This is a formula-based
plan under which options to 33,000 shares have been granted and
are outstanding.
E. On June 1, 1998, Mesa adopted a Key Officer Stock Option Plan,
which provided for the granting of options to purchase up to
1,600,000 shares of Mesa common stock at the fair market value on
the date of grant. Under this plan, 1,150,000 options have been
granted.
At September 30, 1998, there were 2,051,541 shares of common stock
available for grant under these plans.
Transactions involving stock options under these plans are summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE
SHARES EXERCISE SHARES EXERCISE SHARES EXERCISE
FIXED OPTIONS (000) PRICE (000) PRICE (000) PRICE
- ------------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year.... 3,365 $ 9.93 3,389 $10.30 1,625 $11.38
Granted............................. 1,445 8.21 709 6.03 2,007 9.17
Exercised........................... (69) 6.91 (16) 7.48 (195) 7.75
Canceled/Forfeited.................. (345) 11.85 (717) 7.92 (48) 9.95
----- ----- -----
Outstanding at end of year.......... 4,396 $ 9.26 3,365 $ 9.93 3,389 $10.30
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1998, the range of exercise prices was $4.88 - $17.25 and
weighted-average contractual life of all options was 9.2 years. The number of
options exercisable at September 30, 1998 was 2,779,633, and the
weighted-average exercise price of these options was $10.04.
The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during,
1997, and 1996 was $4.24, $3.24, and $4.97, respectively, on the date grant
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following -- average
assumptions: expected dividend yield 0.0%, risk-free interest rate of 4.5% in
1998 and 5.9% in 1997 and 1996, volatility of 54.2% and an expected life of 6
years.
Mesa applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting
for its plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its
fixed stock option plans. Had the compensation cost for Mesa's four stock-based
compensation plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, Mesa's net
earnings (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been changed to the pro
forma amounts indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net earnings (loss)
As reported....................................... $(53,434) $(48,597) $30,407
======== ======== =======
Pro forma......................................... $(56,721) $(50,643) $27,422
======== ======== =======
Earnings (loss) per share: Basic
As reported....................................... $ (1.89) $ (1.72) $ 1.01
======== ======== =======
Pro forma......................................... $ (2.00) $ (1.80) $ 0.91
======== ======== =======
Earnings (loss) per share: Diluted
As reported....................................... $ (1.89) $ (1.72) $ 1.00
======== ======== =======
Pro forma......................................... $ (2.00) $ (1.80) $ 0.90
======== ======== =======
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE> 42
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Pro forma net earnings (loss) does not reflect options granted prior to
1996. Therefore, the full impact of calculating compensation cost for stock
options under SFAS No. 123 is not reflected over the option vesting period and
compensation cost for options granted prior to October 1, 1995 is not
considered.
7. BENEFIT PLANS
Mesa had sponsored two 401(k) plans, one for employees of WestAir Commuter
and another for employees of MAI, Air Midwest and the non-airline operations,
under which employees may contribute up to 15 percent of their annual
compensation, as defined. The WestAir plan was terminated in 1998. Mesa
currently makes matching contributions of 50 percent of employee contributions
up to 10 percent of employee compensation. These plans are not available to
certain union employees. Upon completing three years of service, the employee is
20 percent vested in employer contributions and the remainder of the employer
contributions vest 20 percent per year. Employees become fully vested in
employer contributions after seven years of employment. Mesa has the right to
terminate the 401(k) plan at any time.
Contributions by Mesa to the above plans for the years ended September 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996 were $1,485,618, $1,679,802, and $1,286,746, respectively.
A management incentive program (Omnibus Plan), approved in September 1995
and ratified by shareholders at the April 1996 annual meeting, has a cash
incentive provision that ties the corporate officers to an increase in the
earnings per share over the previous year, and the division/subsidiary
executives to a specified rate of return on revenue. The total incentive expense
under the Omnibus Plan for fiscal year 1997 and 1996 was approximately $191,000,
and $1.9 million respectively. This plan was inactivated during 1998, and
consequently, there was no expense under this plan for fiscal year 1998.
On March 9, 1993, Mesa adopted an Employee Stock Bonus Plan which provides
for employees of Mesa to receive shares of Common Stock in lieu of discretionary
cash bonuses accrued each quarter. The custodian of the plan is empowered to
determine the times at which and the conditions under which the plan, on behalf
of participating employees, purchases shares of Common Stock. All purchases of
Common Stock by the custodian will be made at prices approximating fair market
value on the date of purchase, subject to the limitation that only 1,000,000
shares may be purchased over the life of the plan. The bonuses paid under the
plan for the year ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 were $348,693, and $969,937,
respectively. No bonuses were paid under this program for fiscal year 1998. As
of September 30, 1998, a total of 405,501 shares have been issued pursuant to
the plan. As of May 9, 1997 the Employee Stock Bonus Plan was discontinued and
replaced with a monthly completion bonus based on improvements in percentage of
on-time completed flights. This monthly completion bonus program was
discontinued in the second calendar quarter of 1998.
8. LEASE COMMITMENTS
At September 30, 1998, Mesa leased 45 aircraft under non-cancelable
operating leases with remaining terms ranging up to 18.5 years. The aircraft
leases require Mesa to pay all taxes, maintenance, insurance and other operating
expenses. Mesa has the option to terminate certain of the leases at various
times throughout the lease. At September 30, 1998 five of the CRJ aircraft are
under interim financing agreements which are expected to be replaced by
operating leases and accordingly are included in the minimum lease commitments
below. Included as leased aircraft are seven Embraer Brasilia aircraft which are
to be traded in on CRJ's. The manufacturer intends to reimburse Mesa for the
lease cost until the aircraft are sold or leased elsewhere.
Aggregate rental expense totaled $21.9 million (net of approximately $8
million in aircraft rental payments recorded against the United Express
code-share provision (note 15)), $43.6 million, and $59 million for the years
ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 respectively.
37
<PAGE> 43
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30
------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
1999........................................... $38,666
2000........................................... 37,217
2001........................................... 36,152
2002........................................... 35,815
2003........................................... 35,126
Thereafter..................................... 351,977
</TABLE>
9. AIRCRAFT ACQUISITIONS AND COMMITMENTS
Mesa has ordered 32 CRJ aircraft for use in its America West Express
operation in Phoenix, Arizona and Columbus, Ohio, and for its USAirways Express
operations on the East Coast. As of December 18, 1998, Mesa had received 20 of
the 32 CRJ aircraft on order and expects to take delivery of the remaining 12 by
the end of 1999. Mesa has Rolling Options for an additional 16 CRJ aircraft with
a delivery schedule of one per month beginning June 2000. The value of these 16
CRJ aircraft at listed prices is approximately $320 million. The remaining seven
Embraer Brasilia aircraft will be traded in on new CRJ aircraft on a one-for-one
basis.
Approximately $1.0 million was incurred as a one-time expense in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 related to the return of two Fokker 70 aircraft to
Daimler-Benz.
On January 9, 1997, one of Mesa's wholly owned subsidiaries, FCA, Inc.,
entered into a distributorship agreement ("the Distributorship Agreement") with
Sino Swearingen Aircraft Company, L. P. ("SSAC"). The Distributor Agreement
grants FCA exclusive distribution rights in the states of Colorado, Louisiana,
New Mexico and Texas for sale of SSAC aircraft and parts. The Distributorship
Agreement also requires FCA to maintain a retail sales area, hangar and
maintenance facility, with appropriate staff, and an adequate supply of spare
parts at a general aviation airport strategically located within FCA's
distribution area. FCA has agreed to purchase eight aircraft from SSAC with
delivery dates beginning in the first quarter of 1999 and ending in the first
quarter of 2001. The current purchase price of each aircraft is approximately
$4.2 million and is subject to change by SSAC. FCA is required to make progress
payments to SSAC on each aircraft as follows: upon execution of the purchase
agreement, $75,000; 365 days prior to delivery date, $50,000; 180 days prior to
delivery date, $150,000; at delivery, approximately $3.9 million (based upon the
current purchase price) reduced by the distributors' profit. In total, FCA is
presently obligated to purchase approximately $33.5 million of SSCA aircraft at
current prices. FCA is also obligated to purchase an adequate supply of parts to
support aircraft sold in the distribution area. In February 1997, FCA made
progress payments of $600,000 to SSAC against its purchase order for eight
aircraft. SSAC has subsequently notified FCA that the delivery schedule for the
eight aircraft will be delayed until the fourth quarter of calendar year 1999.
The Distributorship Agreement is cancelable by mutual agreement of the parties
or unilaterally by SSAC. The Chief Executive Officer of SSAC, Mr. Jack Braly, is
a member of the Board of Directors of Mesa.
Mesa has negotiated 10-year engine maintenance contracts with General
Electric Aircraft Engines ("GE") for the CRJ and with Pratt and Whitney, Canada
Aircraft Services ("PWC") for the Dash 8-200 aircraft. The GE engine maintenance
contract provides coverage for the engines on the CRJ aircraft. The PWC contract
provides coverage for all Dash 8-200 aircraft engines operated by Mesa. Both
contracts provide for payment at the time of the repair event and a fixed dollar
amount per flight hour, subject to escalation based on changes in the CPI, for
the number of flight hours incurred since the previous event.
38
<PAGE> 44
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
10. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
-----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash paid for interest................................ $14,743 $27,776 $12,047
Cash paid for income taxes............................ $ 4,138 $ 2,600 $12,445
</TABLE>
In 1996 Mesa purchased property and equipment upon which debt was incurred
of approximately $280 million. In 1997 Mesa purchased property and equipment
upon which debt was incurred totaling approximately $31.7 million. In 1998 Mesa
did not purchase any property or equipment upon which debt was incurred.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Mesa and CCAIR, Inc., a regional airline based in Charlotte, North Carolina
that operates under a code-sharing agreement with USAirways, announced in August
1998 that they had signed a letter of intent whereby Mesa would acquire CCAIR as
a wholly owned subsidiary. The transaction would be valued at approximately $60
million (including $15 million of debt assumed) and is intended to be accounted
for as a pooling of interests. The agreement contemplated by the Letter of
Intent is an all stock transaction whereby Mesa would acquire all outstanding
shares of CCAIR's common stock by issuing Mesa shares equivalent in value to
$5.40 for each share of CCAIR common stock, subject to a maximum of .982 shares
(at a Mesa share price of $5.50) and a minimum of .568 shares (at a Mesa share
price of $9.50). Consummation of the transaction is subject to certain
conditions, including completion of mutual due diligence, the negotiation and
execution of a definitive merger agreement, receipt of regulatory approval,
shareholder approval from both the CCAIR shareholders (as to the merger) and the
Mesa shareholders (as to the issuance of Mesa shares in the merger), and
satisfaction of closing conditions to be contained in a definitive purchase
agreement.
Mesa operates under a five-year agreement with the Air Line
PilotsAssociation (ALPA) covering pilots at MAI and Air Midwest, Inc. The
contract provides for industry-average pay, economic work rules and excellent
opportunities for advancement. Air Midwest mechanics are represented by the
International Association of Machinists (IAM) and flight attendants are
represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). No other Mesa
subsidiaries are parties to collective bargaining agreement or union contracts.
During December 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced
rules which require commuter airlines with aircraft of 10 or more passenger
seats operating under FAR Part 135 rules to begin operating those aircraft FAR
Part 121 regulations by the end of March 1997. Mesa was one of largest regional
airlines operating under FAR Part 135 regulations. In of Mesa's conversion to
FAR Part 121 and to address issues raised in past inspections, the FAA began a
special review of Mesa's operations in June 1996. As a result of a special
review by the FAA of Mesa's operations, and other factors, a Consent Order was
signed with the FAA in September 1996, assessing a compromise civil penalty of
$500,000. Mesa paid $250,000 of the compromise amount, and the remaining
$250,000 was waived after Mesa complied with provisions of the Consent Order.
Mesa agreed to adopt operational standards that exceed the requirements of the
Federal Aviation Regulations and to consolidate control of operational areas
(maintenance, flight operation and training) under one central management team.
Effective in March 1997, the FAA required that commuter airlines with aircraft
of 10 or more passenger seats begin operating those aircraft under FAR Part 121
regulations instead of FAR Part 135. Mesa completed the transition to FAR Part
121 on the FAA's deadline. Company management is monitoring the cost increases
resulting from compliance with FAR Part 121 regulations. The cost increase is
primarily related to additional training, dispatch and maintenance procedures.
39
<PAGE> 45
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
During 1994, seven shareholder class action complaints were filed in the
United States District Court for the District of New Mexico against Mesa,
certain of its present and former corporate officers and directors, its
independent auditor, and certain underwriters who participated in Mesa's June
1993 public offering of Common Stock. During October 1995, the court certified a
class consisting of persons who purchased Mesa stock between January 28, 1993
and August 5, 1994. These complaints have been consolidated by court order, and,
after the court granted in part a motion dismiss in May 1996, a third amended
consolidated complaint has been filed alleging that during the class period the
defendants caused or permitted Mesa to issue publicly misleading financial
statements and other misleading statements in the registration statement for the
June 1993 public offering, annual and quarterly reports to shareholders, press
releases and interviews with securities analysts. In May 1998, Mesa entered into
a memorandum of understanding with the plaintiffs to settle the litigation.
While Mesa and its corporate officers and directors believe they have
substantial and meritorious defenses against the plaintiff's allegations and
have defended their position vigorously, they have agreed to a settlement to
avoid ongoing litigation. The memorandum of understanding provides for a total
of $8 million to be paid the class plaintiffs on behalf of the defendants. Mesa
paid a substantial portion of the settlement. On December 1, 1998, the
settlement was approved by the Court and the cases dismissed. Mesa used funds
reserved for the defense of the case as its contribution towards the settlement.
In June 1997, UAL filed a complaint in the United States District Court for
the Northern District of Illinois against two subsidiaries of Mesa, Mesa
Airlines, Inc. ("MAI") and WestAir Commuter Airlines, Inc. ("WestAir"), seeking
a judicial declaration of the parties' rights and obligations under two separate
written agreements, pursuant to which MAI and WestAir allegedly agreed to
provide certain airline transportation services to UAL including the provision
of scheduled air transportation services in certain areas of the United States
under the service mark "United Express." UAL contends that, under these
agreements, UAL has the right to "increase, decrease, or in any other way adjust
the flight frequencies, or markets, or both" in certain airports currently
serviced by WestAir and/or MAI. In January 1998, UAL amended its complaint to
include damages related to MAI's purported breach of contract to provide
specified levels of service in certain cities. On November 30, 1998, UAL filed a
motion with the Court to amend its Complaint to include an additional $4 million
in damages resulting from Mesa's alleged failure to remit baggage fees at Denver
International Airport to UAL. The motion has not yet been considered. MAI and
WestAir dispute the principal contentions in UAL's complaint, and unless a
satisfactory negotiated resolution is achieved, intend to defend their positions
vigorously. Furthermore, MAI and WestAir believe that UAL has breached its
code-sharing agreements with the respective entities and have filed a
counterclaim seeking to recover the substantial damages to the business of MAI
and WestAir which have been incurred.
In addition, Mesa and WestAir have filed suit against UAL and SkyWest
Airlines. SkyWest was contracted to be Mesa's successor on the West Coast for
the operation of United Express flights. The complaint alleges that SkyWest
unlawfully interfered with Mesa's and WestAir's contracts with UAL. It further
alleges improper conduct on the part of UAL and SkyWest in terminating markets
under the Mesa agreement and in leading to the non-renewal of the WestAir
agreement. Mesa is seeking substantial damages against each defendant.
Mesa settled all claims with the aircraft and equipment lessors of WestAir
for approximately $15.0 million. WestAir contributed approximately $11.2 million
toward the settlement and Mesa approximately $3.8 million. Mesa anticipates
recovering $2.0 million from WestAir's receivables and deposits in the future.
WestAir had operated 43 leased aircraft pursuant to the Partnership Agreement
and upon cessation of United Express service had considerable liabilities for
the remaining terms of the leases.
Mesa is also a party to legal proceedings and claims which arise during the
ordinary course of business.
In the belief of management, based upon information at this time, the
ultimate outcome of all the proceedings and claims pending against Mesa referred
to above is not expected to have a material adverse effect on Mesa's
consolidated financial position.
40
<PAGE> 46
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT DISCLOSURE
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, notes
receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short maturity
periods of these instruments. The fair value of marketable securities is based
on quoted market prices (see note 2). At September 30, 1998 the carrying value
of Mesa's long-term debt approximates fair value.
13. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE AT ADDITIONS
BEGINNING OF CHARGED TO COSTS BALANCE AT END
YEAR AND EXPENSES DEDUCTIONS OF YEAR
------------ ---------------- ---------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLOWANCE FOR OBSOLESCENCE DEDUCTED
FROM EXPENDABLE PARTS AND SUPPLIES
September 30, 1998................... $2,631 $ -- $(679) $1,952
September 30, 1997................... 1,350 1,281 -- 2,631
September 30, 1996................... 1,200 150 -- 1,350
</TABLE>
14. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following table presents selected quarterly unaudited financial data
(in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
1998 QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
- ---- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues............................ $124,559 $119,633 $ 99,522 $ 79,827
Operating income (loss)....................... (35,827) (11,448) (38) 2,525
Net earnings (loss)........................... (39,091) (13,259) (4,361) 3,278
Net earnings (loss) per share (Basic and
diluted)................................... $ (1.38) $ (.47) $ (.15) $ .11
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
1997 QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
- ------------------------------------------------ -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating revenues............................ $121,412 $125,410 $129,443 $134,712
Operating income (loss)....................... 4,650 4,570 1,772 (65,478)
Net loss...................................... (875) (989) (2,503) (44,230)
Net loss per share (Basic and diluted)........ $ (0.03) $ (0.03) $ (0.09) $ (1.57)
</TABLE>
The net earnings in the fourth quarter ended September 30, 1998 includes an
income tax benefit of $5.3 million.
The net loss in the fourth quarter ended September 30, 1997 and first
quarter ended December 31, 1997, include a provision for the non-renewal of the
WestAir code-share agreement and early termination of the Denver code-share
agreement with UAL and other adjustments as discussed in note 15.
41
<PAGE> 47
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
15. OTHER OPERATING ITEMS
Other operating items consist of the following expenses (income):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30
------------------
1998 1997
------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Provision for non-renewal of the WestAir and early
termination of the Denver code-share agreements with
UAL.................................................... $33,943 $72,100
Cessation of Ft. Worth jet operations.................... 4,000 --
Settlement of shareholder lawsuit........................ 2,500 --
Settlement with manufacturer............................. -- (5,220)
Aircraft return provision................................ -- 1,004
------- -------
$40,443 $67,884
======= =======
</TABLE>
In July 1997, WestAir received a proposal from UAL for the extension of
WestAir's code-sharing agreement which was due to expire on May 31, 1998. The
proposal contained certain material amendments to the existing code-sharing
agreement. The Company did not accept this proposal because it provided for
significant cost increases and did not include certain changes to the proposal
requested by the Company. Management continued to negotiate for improvements in
the proposal. On July 22, 1997 UAL awarded WestAir's eight Los Angeles contract
markets to Skywest Airlines, effective October 1, 1997. UAL subsequently granted
additional pro-rate markets to WestAir, sufficient to utilize the aircraft
previously serving the eight Los Angeles system contract markets. There was no
material cost of transition to these new pro-rate markets, and the new pro-rate
markets were attaining similar financial results as the discontinued contract
markets. The Company is in litigation to resolve UAL's unilateral termination of
WestAir's contract markets in the Los Angeles area.
In late November 1997, WestAir received written notice from UAL that
WestAir's code-sharing agreement would not be renewed. Subsequent to November
1997, management on repeated occasions sought a reconsideration of UAL's
decision not to renew the WestAir code-sharing agreement. At a meeting on
January 6, 1998, UAL confirmed that it would not reconsider renewing WestAir's
code-sharing agreement upon its expiration. WestAir had significant assets in
excess of its needs upon expiration of the agreement on May 31, 1998.
Accordingly, by resolution of the Board of Directors on January 10, 1998, the
Company recognized a loss provision to provide for the cost of discontinuation
of WestAir operations.
The $72.1 million provision provided for the estimated loss on the
retirement or sale of aircraft, parts and equipment which are surplus to the
needs of Mesa upon expiration and early termination of the code-share
agreements. In addition, the provision includes an estimate for all other
anticipated costs of discontinuation of the WestAir, Denver and Pacific
Northwest operations. The restructuring provision consists of $26.3 million for
the Denver intangibles; $39.5 million for costs to sell or retire aircraft and
related parts and equipment; and $6.3 million for severance and other costs.
On January 22, 1998, Mesa received notice from UAL of the termination of
the Company's code-sharing agreement covering the Denver system, Pacific
Northwest and Los Angeles markets to be effective April 22, 1998. UAL also
arbitrarily terminated WestAir's markets in the Pacific Northwest as of April
22, 1998. Mesa notified UAL that the Company considered the termination notice,
although improper, wrongful and arbitrary, to been effective as of February 6,
1998, 15 days after issuance of the January 22, 1998 termination notice in
accordance with the termination provisions of the contract. All service to these
markets was discontinued by April 22, 1998. As a result of UAL's new
code-sharing partners for these markets not needing the Company's aircraft and
equipment associated with these operations, the Company recorded a $33.9 million
loss provision
42
<PAGE> 48
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
in the quarter ended December 31, 1997, to provide for costs to dispose of or
redeploy certain aircraft, as well as other costs to shut down the Denver
system.
Termination of Mesa's and WestAir's code-sharing agreement with United
Airlines resulted in a surplus of 21 British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft, 29
Embraer Brasilia aircraft, 39 1900D Beech aircraft and 11 Dash 8 aircraft for a
total of 100 aircraft. The British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft, the Embraer
aircraft and the Dash 8 aircraft are subject to long-term leases. Although the
surplus 1900D Beech aircraft are not specifically identified, the majority of
these aircraft are owned with an average net book value of $3.3 million per
aircraft.
The Company recognized a loss provision of approximately $4.0 million
during the quarter ended March 31, 1998, to provide for the expense of closing
the facilities associated with the Ft. Worth independent jet operation and
relocating the related aircraft.
The restructuring provisions and the activity in the accruals during 1998,
related to the UAL code-share agreements and the Ft. Worth operations, can be
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROVISION BALANCE
------------------------------------------ -------------
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 30, MARCH 31, PROVISION SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 1997 1998 UTILIZED 1998
------------- ------------ --------- --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aircraft and related parts.... $39,500 $21,943 -- $(34,172) $27,271
Denver intangibles............ 26,343 -- -- (26,343) --
Severance and other........... 6,257 12,000 -- (11,423) 6,834
Ft. Worth operations.......... -- -- 4,000 (3,723) 277
------- ------- ------ -------- -------
$72,100 $33,943 $4,000 $(75,661) $34,382
======= ======= ====== ======== =======
</TABLE>
Mesa believes these provisions will be adequate to cover the costs of
terminating the WestAir agreement, shutting down the Denver United Express
system and relocating aircraft from the Fort Worth operation.
The aircraft return provision of $1.0 million in 1997 is related to the two
Fokker-70 aircraft returned by Mesa to Daimler-Benz in August and September,
1997.
43
<PAGE> 49
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following information sets forth the names and ages of the directors
and executive officers of Mesa and certain additional information regarding
their respective business experience:
1. Directors
PAUL R. MADDEN, age 72, was appointed as Chairman of the Board and Chairman
of the Executive Committee on February 3, 1998 and as a director of Mesa in
April 1997. Mr. Madden is currently Of Counsel to the Phoenix law firm of
Gallagher & Kennedy and specializes in the corporate and securities areas. From
June 1994 through November 1997, Mr. Madden was a partner of the Chicago firm of
Chapman and Cutler serving in its Phoenix office. Mr. Madden served as a partner
with the Phoenix law firm of Beus, Gilbert & Morrill from January 1991 until
June 1994. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Madden served as securities counsel
to Mesa for approximately nine years.
JONATHAN G. ORNSTEIN, age 41, was appointed Chief Executive Officer
effective May 1, 1998 and was appointed to the Compensation Committee on
February 3, 1998, the Executive Committee on March 13, 1998, and as a director
on January 29, 1998. Mr. Ornstein is the controlling shareholder of Barlow
Management, Inc., the general partner of Barlow Partners II, L.P., an investment
partnership which owns approximately eight percent of CCAIR, and approximately
six percent of Mesa Air and is Chairman of the Board of Virgin Express Holdings,
plc, which operates through a subsidiary called Virgin Express, S.A./N.V. as a
low-cost European airline. From April 1996 to his joining Mesa Air as CEO, Mr.
Ornstein served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Express
S.A./N.V. From 1995 to April 1996, Mr. Ornstein served as Chief Executive
Officer of Virgin Express Holdings, plc. Mr. Ornstein joined Continental Express
Airlines, Inc. as President and Chief Executive Officer in July 1994, and in
November 1994, he assumed additional duties at Continental Airlines, Inc. as
Senior Vice President, Airport Services. Mr. Ornstein was employed by Mesa from
1988 to July 1994 where his positions included President of Mesa's WestAir
Holding, Inc. subsidiary and Executive Vice President. Mr. Ornstein's employment
agreement provides the Company will use its good-faith efforts to cause the
Board to include Mr. Ornstein among its nominees and to appoint him as Chief
Executive Officer through March 13, 2001. From March 1985 to December 1987, Mr.
Ornstein was a securities broker.
JAMES E. SWIGART, age 47, has served as a director and as Vice Chairman of
the Board of Mesa Air since January 29, 1998, a member of its Audit Committee
since February 3, 1998 and a member of the Nominating Committee since April 27,
1998. Mr. Swigart is a minority shareholder of Barlow Management, Inc., the
general partner of Barlow Partners II, L.P. which owns approximately eight
percent (8%) of CCAIR, and approximately six percent (6%) of Mesa Air. Mr.
Swigart is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin
Express, S.A./N.V., a low-cost European commuter airline, positions he has held
since May 1, 1998. He was appointed a director of Virgin Express Holdings, plc
on May 22, 1998. From December 1995 to April 1998, Mr. Swigart served as the
Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Express Holdings, plc. From April 1996 to
April 1998, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Express, S.A./N.V.
Mr. Swigart served as the Chief Financial Officer of Continental Express
Airlines, Inc. from July 1994 to November 1995 and President and controlling
shareholder of Hydralign, a manufacturer of machinery for the paper and plastics
industries, from September 1993 to July 1994. From 1986 until August 1993, Mr.
Swigart served as the Senior Vice President of the Transportation Group at
Lehman Brothers. He previously served as a member of the Board of the Company
from December 6, 1993 until August 10, 1994.
DANIEL J. ALTOBELLO, age 58, has been a director of Mesa Air since January
29, 1998, as Chairman of its Compensation Committee since February 3, 1998 and
Chairman of Mesa Air's Nominating Committee since April 27, 1998. Since
September 1995, Mr. Altobello has been the Chairman of Onex Food
44
<PAGE> 50
Services, Inc., the parent corporation of Caterair International, Inc. and
LSG/SKY Chefs, and the largest airline catering company in the world. From 1989
to 1995, Mr. Altobello served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Caterair International Corporation. From 1979 to 1989, he held various
managerial positions with the food service management and in-flight catering
divisions of Marriott Corporation, including Executive Vice President of
Marriott Corporation and President, Marriott Airport Operations Group. Mr.
Altobello began his management career at Georgetown University, including
service as Vice President, Administration Services. He is a member of the board
of directors of American Management Systems, Inc., Colorado Prime Foods, Care
First, Inc., Care First of Maryland, Inc., MESA Air Group, World Airways, Inc.,
First Union Realty Trust, Atlantic Aviation Holdings and SodexhoMarriott Inc.
and a trustee of Loyola Foundation, Inc., Mt. Holyoke College, Suburban Hospital
Foundation, Inc. and the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.
JACK BRALY, age 57, has served as a director of Mesa Air since December 6,
1993, as a member and Chairman of its Audit Committee since March 1994, as a
member of Mesa Air's Compensation Committee since December 6, 1993, and as a
member of its Nominating Committee since April 27, 1998. Since August 5, 1996,
Mr. Braly has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of
the Board of Directors of Sino Swearingen Aircraft Company, a private aircraft
manufacturer. From June 1994 to August 5, 1996, Mr. Braly was an officer of the
North American Aircraft Modification division of Rockwell International. He
served as Vice President Aircraft Manufacturing from June 1994 to October 1994,
as Executive Vice President from October 1994 to October 1995 and was Vice
President and General Manager from October 1995 to August 5, 1996. Before
joining Rockwell International, Mr. Braly served as a consultant to various
aircraft manufacturers and regional airlines from August 1993 until June 1994.
Prior thereto, Mr. Braly was President of Beech Aircraft Corporation from March
1991 until July 1993.
HERBERT A. DENTON, age 51, has been a director since January 29, 1998 and
has been a member of Mesa Air's Executive Committee since February 3, 1998. Mr.
Denton is the President of Providence Capital Inc., an investment-banking firm
he co-founded in 1991. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Chic by
H.I.S., Inc., an apparel manufacturing company, where he is the Chairman of the
Compensation Committee.
GENERAL RONALD R. FOGLEMAN, U.S.A.F., retired, age 56, has been a director
since January 29, 1998. General Fogleman has been a member of Mesa Air's Audit
Committee since February 3, 1998, its Executive Committee since March 13, 1998,
and its Nominating Committee since April 27, 1998. In September 1997, he retired
from the Air Force with the rank of General. He served as Chief of Staff of the
United States Air Force from 1994 until 1997 and as Commander-in-Chief of the
United States Transportation Command from 1992 until 1994. General Fogleman
currently serves on the Board of Directors of North American Airlines, a feeder
airline for El Al; Southern Air, a private air transportation company; Rolls
Royce of North America; and World Airways.
J. CLARK STEVENS, age 48, was named President of Mesa in January 1995 and
has been a director of the Company since May 1995. From February 1993 until
January 1995, Mr. Stevens was President of the Company's FloridaGulf Airlines
Division and from December 1992 until February 1993, Mr. Stevens served as Vice
President, DFW Division with Simmons Airlines, d/b/a American Eagle. From
September 1990 to September 1990 to December 1992, he served as Executive Vice
President of MetroFlight, Inc., d/b/a American Eagle. Mr. Stevens resigned as an
officer and director of the Company in October, 1998.
LARRY L. RISLEY, age 54, is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of
Mesa Air and presently serves as Manager of Special Projects. He formerly served
as Chairman of the Board from the incorporation of Mesa Air until February 3,
1998 and as Chief Executive Officer from the incorporation of Mesa Air until
April 30, 1998. He served as President of Mesa from 1983 through January 13,
1995. Mr. Risley's employment agreement with Mesa Air provides the directors
will continue to vote to nominate Mr. Risley and to use their best efforts to
cause his election to the Board through the fiscal year ending September 30,
2003.
2. Executive Officers
BLAINE M. JONES, age 43, has been Chief Financial Officer of Mesa since
April 1998. From January 1997 to April 1998, he served as a financial consultant
with Merrill Lynch and from 1995 to 1996 he
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<PAGE> 51
was a principle in Four Corners Office Products, Inc. From 1985 to 1995, Mr.
Jones held various positions with Mesa including Chief Financial Officer and
President of Mesa's Mountain West Division.
The directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and
until their successors are elected and qualified.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain compensation paid or accrued by Mesa
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998 to the Chief Executive Officer
and the four most highly compensated executive officers of Mesa whose total
annual salary and bonuses exceeded $100,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER
ANNUAL ALL OTHER
SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)
- --------------------------- ---- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jonathan G. Ornstein....... 1998 84,615
Chief Executive Officer
Blaine M. Jones............ 1998 46,154
Chief Financial Officer
Arlo E. Clough............. 1998 100,000 17,666
Senior Vice President of
Maintenance
Archille R. Paquette....... 1998 130,000 65,000
President Air Midwest
Timothy L. Coon............ 1998 18,462(2)
Vice President USAirways
Larry L. Risley............ 1998 318,315 -- --
Former Chairman of the 1997 350,000 150,000 4,750
Board and Chief Executive 1996 350,000 420,000 150,000 4,750
Officer
J. Clark Stevens........... 1998 239,852 -- --
Former Chief Operating 1997 235,000 -- 80,000 4,750
Officer and President 1996 235,000 235,000 80,000 4,750
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1) Mr. Ornstein joined Mesa on May 1, 1998. His annual salary is $200,000.
2) Messrs. Jones and Coon commenced their employment with Mesa on May 1, 1998
and July 15, 1998, respectively. Each of their annual salaries is $100,000.
3) Bonuses are actually paid after the end of each fiscal year and reflect
performance for the prior year. As Mesa incurred a loss for fiscal 1997, no
bonuses were paid to its employees in fiscal 1998. Bonuses were paid to
certain officers of Mesa's wholly owned subsidiaries.
4) As of December 31, 1998, Larry L. Risley owned 516,380 shares of Mesa Common
Stock and J. Clark Stevens owned no shares of Mesa Common Stock.
5) These amounts represent both vested and non-vested Mesa contributions to the
individual named executive officer's 401(k) plan. Under Mesa's 401(k) plan,
employees may contribute up to 15% of their annual salary and bonus up to a
specified maximum. Mesa currently makes matching contributions equal to 50%
of employees' contribution (including officers) with a cap of 10% of the
employees' annual compensation. Contributions by Mesa to the 401(k) plans for
the year ended September 30, 1998 was $1,485,618.
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<PAGE> 52
OPTIONS
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE
PERCENT OF VALUE AT
TOTAL ASSUMED
NUMBER OF OPTIONS/ ANNUAL
SECURITIES SARS RATES OF
UNDERLYING GRANTED STOCK PRICE
OPTIONS/ TO APPRECIATION
SARS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OF FOR OPTION
GRANTED IN FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION TERM(2)
NAME (#) YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5% (S) 10% (S)
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G)
---- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jonathan G. Ornstein........ 1,012,800 78.1% 6.60 - 8.25 03/12/08 19,769 4,800,232
Blaine M. Jones............. 150,000 10.4% 7.82 04/12/08 48,671 772,307
Arlo E. Clough.............. -- -- -- -- -- --
Archille R. Paquette........ -- -- -- -- -- --
Timothy L. Coon............. -- -- -- -- -- --
Larry L. Risley............. -- -- -- -- -- --
J. Clark Stevens(3)......... 80,000 -- 8.75 03/31/08 -- 337,497
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1) Of the total, 1,000,000 options were granted under the 1998 Key Officer Stock
Option Plan, and 12,800 were granted under the 1994 Additional Directors'
Stock Option Plan. The shares granted under the Key Officer Stock Option Plan
are exercisable in annual 1/3 increments with 1/3 vesting immediately on the
grant date of March 12, 1998. The shares issued under the Additional
Directors' Plan vest in annual 1/3 increments beginning in January 1999.
2) These options were granted under the 1998 Key Officer Stock Option Plan and
are exercisable in annual 1/3 increments with 1/3 vesting immediately on the
grant date of April 12, 1998.
3) Subsequent to year-end, Mr. Stevens resigned as an officer of Mesa, and his
options were purchased by the Company.
4) The exercise price per share of the options listed in the table are not less
than the fair market value of a share of Mesa Common Stock on the date of
grant, as determined under the various Plans.
5) Potential realizable values shown above represent the potential gains based
upon annual compound stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% from September
30, 1998 through the full option term. The actual value realized, if any, on
stock option exercises will be dependent upon overall market conditions and
the future performance of Mesa and Mesa common stock. There is no assurance
that the actual value realized will approximate the amounts reflected in this
table.
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<PAGE> 53
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
SHARES ACQUIRED ON VALUE REALIZED EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME EXERCISE (#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jonathan G. Ornstein.... -- -- 333,333/679,467 0/0
Blaine M. Jones......... -- -- 50,000/100,000 0/0
Arlo E. Clough.......... -- -- 0/16,667 0/0
Archille R. Paquette.... -- -- 112,665/25,000 0/0
Timothy L.Coon.......... -- -- 0/0 0/0
Larry L. Risley......... -- -- 950,000/800,000 0/0
J. Clark Stevens(2)..... -- -- 277,999/160,000 0/0
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1) As of September 30, 1998 there were no options currently in the money.
2) Subsequent to year-end, Mr. Stevens resigned as an officer of Mesa, and his
options were purchased by the Company.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Employment agreements have been entered into with the Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice-President of Maintenance and the
President of Air Midwest. The employment agreements with Jonathan Ornstein,
Blaine Jones, Arlo Clough and Archille Paquette provide for a term of two years
from inception.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Each outside director receives a salary of $10,000 per year, along with the
payment of $1,000 per meeting attended in person; $500 for each committee
meeting attended in person; $500 for each telephone Board meeting attended and
reimbursement of all expenses associated with attending committee or Board of
Directors meetings. In addition, each outside director was granted 3,000 options
in fiscal 1998 pursuant to a stock option plan which automatically grants 3,000
options to each outside director on an annual basis. Each outside director also
participates in Mesa's Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Formula Plan").
Other than initial grants under this plan, grants pursuant to the Formula Plan
are contingent on improved returns for the shareholders. Each outside director
is granted 10,000 options as of the first business day of the month following
appointment to the Board. (The date of the first grant of option is referred to
herein as the "Initial Grant Date"). Each outside director receives a grant of
an additional 10,000 options (the "Second Grant") if: (1) the director is still
serving as a director of Mesa on the date of the Second Grant; and (2) either
the annual percentage increase in shareholder return:
(a) exceeds seven percent for any fiscal year within four years of the
Initial Grant Date (the "Target Percent"), provided that the effective
date of the grant shall be delayed until the second anniversary of the
Initial Grant Date if the Target Percent is achieved in the first two
fiscal years following the Initial Grant Date, or
(b) exceeds an aggregate of 10 percent for any two consecutive fiscal years
within four years after the Initial Grant Date (the "Alternative Target
Percent"). Each outside director receives a third grant of an
additional 10,000 options (the "Third Grant") if: (1) the director is
still serving as a director of Mesa on the date of the Third Grant; and
(2) either the annual percentage increase in shareholder return:
(a) exceeds seven percent for any fiscal year within six years of the
Initial Grant Date (the "Additional Target Percent"), provided that the
effective date of the grant shall be delayed until the fourth
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<PAGE> 54
anniversary of the Initial Grant Date if the Additional Target Percent is
achieved in the first four fiscal years following the Initial Grant Date,
or
(b) exceeds an aggregate of 10 percent for any two consecutive fiscal years
within six years after the Initial Grant Date (the "Additional
Alternative Target Percent").
Options granted to the outside directors on the Initial Grant Date become
exercisable one year after the Initial Grant Date and when the fair market value
(as defined by the Formula Plan) of the Common Stock has increased by three
percent from the Initial Grant Date.
All other options become exercisable immediately upon satisfaction of the
following conditions: six months after the date the option was granted, and when
the fair market value of the shares (as defined in the Formula Plan) has
increased by seven percent from the date the option was granted.
With respect to options granted on the Initial Grant Date, the exercise
price of the options granted under the Formula Plan may not be less than the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant. With respect to
options granted on the Second Grant Date, the option price per share may not be
less than the fair market value of the shares on the last business day of the
fiscal year that Mesa achieves the Target Percent or the Alternative Target
percent. With respect to options granted on the Third Grant Date, the option
price per share may not be less than the fair market value of the shares as of
the last business day of the fiscal year that Mesa achieves the Additional
Target percent or the Additional Alternative Target percent.
Each director who is not an employee of Mesa also receives free travel on
Mesa for himself and certain family members and through arrangements with
certain major air carriers receives free or reduced-fare travel on those at no
cost to Mesa. Mesa believes that the directors' use of free air travel is "de
minimis" and therefore did not maintain any records of their travel during
fiscal 1998.
Directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or
until their successors are elected and qualified.
During fiscal 1998 Mesa paid legal fees and expenses aggregating
approximately $250,000 incurred in connection with the defense of a
shareholders' derivative action on behalf of Mesa and a class action suit, as a
nominal defendant, the directors of Mesa, a former director and a non-director
officer. The aggregate amount paid has not been allocated between Mesa and the
individuals who are being indemnified pursuant to indemnification agreements and
Nevada law.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
Daniel J. Altobello, Jack Braly and Jonathan Ornstein all served as members
of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.
Mr. Ornstein assumed the duties President and Chief Executive Officer on May 1,
1998. Neither Mr. Altobello nor Mr. Braly held any executive officer position or
other employment with Mesa prior to or during such service.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In August 1998, Mesa entered into a letter agreement with Barlow Partners,
L.P. ("Barlow") pursuant to which Barlow agreed to act as CCAIR's exclusive
financial advisor with respect to possible business combinations involving
CCAIR. Under the terms of that agreement, Barlow is entitled to receive a fee
from CCAIR equal to two percent (2%) of the aggregate consideration paid by Mesa
upon the closing of the merger transaction. In addition, Barlow has an economic
interest in CCAIR by virtue of its ownership of CCAIR common stock. According to
a Schedule 13-D filed by Barlow with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), Barlow owns 538,617 shares of CCAIR common stock and has the right to
acquire 150,000 shares of CCAIR common stock pursuant to the terms of a Warrant
previously issued to Barlow. Jonathan G. Ornstein, a member of the Board of
Directors and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa, and James E.
Swigart, also a director of Mesa, are limited partners of Barlow. As a result of
their limited partnership interest in Barlow, Messrs. Ornstein and Swigart
report that they beneficially own 414,700
49
<PAGE> 55
shares and 128,417 shares, respectively, of the CCAIR common stock held by
Barlow (excluding their interest in the Warrant).
On January 9, 1997, one of Mesa's wholly owned subsidiaries, FCA, Inc.,
entered into a distributorship agreement ("the Distributor Agreement") with Sino
Swearingen Aircraft Company, L.P. (SSAC) for the distribution of corporate jets.
The Distributor Agreement grants FCA distribution rights in the states of
Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas for sale of SSAC aircraft and parts.
The Distributor Agreement also requires FCA to maintain a retail sales area,
hangar and maintenance facility, with appropriate staff, and an adequate supply
of spare parts at a general aviation airport strategically located within FCA's
distribution area. FCA has agreed to purchase eight aircraft from SSAC with
delivery dates beginning in the first quarter of 1999 and ending in the first
quarter of 2001. The current purchase price of each aircraft is approximately
$4.2 million and is subject to change by SSAC. FCA is required to make progress
payments to SSAC on each aircraft as follows: upon execution of the purchase
agreement, $75,000; 365 days prior to delivery date, $50,000; 180 days prior to
delivery date, $150,000; at delivery, approximately $3.9 million (based upon the
current purchase price) reduced by the distributors' profit. In total, FCA is
presently obligated to purchase eight aircraft for approximately $33.5 million
at current prices. FCA is also obligated to purchase an adequate supply of parts
to support aircraft sold in the distribution area. In February 1997, FCA made
progress payments of $600,000 to SSAC against its purchase order for eight
aircraft. SSAC has subsequently notified FCA that the delivery schedule for the
eight aircraft will be delayed until the fourth quarter of calendar year 1999.
The Distributor Agreement may be terminated by either party, upon 90 days'
notice, on January 9, 2000, or annually thereafter, and is cancelable by mutual
agreement of the parties or unilaterally by SSAC. The Chief Executive Officer of
SSAC, Mr. Jack Braly, is a member of the Board of Directors of Mesa Air Group,
Inc.
Mesa will enter into future business arrangements with related parties only
where such arrangements are approved by a majority of disinterested directors
and are on terms at least as favorable as available from unaffiliated third
parties.
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<PAGE> 56
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paul R. Madden
Chairman of the Board and Director
James E. Swigart
Vice Chairman of the Board and Director
Jonathan G. Ornstein
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
Daniel J. Altobello
Director
Jack Braly
Director
Herbert A. Denton
Director
Ronald R. Fogleman
Director
Maurice Parker
Director
Larry L. Risley
Chairman Emeritus of the Board
and Director
OFFICERS
Jonathan G. Ornstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael J. Lotz
Chief Operating Officer
Blaine M. Jones
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
A.R. (Dick) Paquette
President
Air Midwest
Timothy L. Coon
Vice President
US Airways Express
Michael L. Ferverda
Senior Vice President
Flight Operations
William P. Kostel, Jr.
Vice President
Planning
George H. Lippemeier
Vice President
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Steven E. Markhoff, Esq.
Secretary
Robert W. Moye
Senior Vice President
Maintenance
James E. Player
Vice President
Controller
Gregory D. Stephens
Vice President
Customer Service
Rodena Turner Bojorquez
Vice President
Human Resources
<PAGE> 57
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RESERVATIONS
800 MESA AIR
www.mesa-air.com
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
410 N 44th Street Suite 700
Phoenix, AZ 85008
602-685-4000
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
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TRANSFER AGENT
American Securities Transfer, Inc.
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Denver, Colorado 80202-1817
