<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 6, 1997
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO.
333-13307 REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
--------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
--------------
NORTHWEST AIRLINES NORTHWEST AIRLINES,
CORPORATION INC.
(Exact name of Registrants as specified in their charters)
DELAWARE MINNESOTA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
4512 4512
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
95-4205287 41-0449230
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
--------------
2700 LONE OAK PARKWAY
EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121
(612) 726-2111
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
Registrants' principal executive offices)
------------------
DOUGLAS M. STEENLAND, ESQ.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION
2700 LONE OAK PARKWAY
EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121
(612) 726-2111
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
------------------
COPY TO:
WILSON S. NEELY, ESQ.
SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT
425 LEXINGTON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017-3954
(212) 455-2000
--------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend
or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. /X/
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please 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(c)
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 delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
(CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
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<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
Pursuant to Rule 429 of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Forms of
Prospectus included in this Registration Statement also relate to an aggregate
remaining amount of $250,000,000 of the classes of Securities covered by such
Forms of Prospectus previously registered under the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 333-13307). A filing fee of $86,206.90 was paid on October 2,
1996 and November 12, 1996 in connection with such remaining amount. This
Registration Statement is a new Registration Statement and also constitutes
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-13307 and such
Post-Effective Amendment shall hereafter become effective concurrently with the
effectiveness of this Registration Statement and in accordance with Section 8(c)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
--------------
The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants
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, as amended, or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
--------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPOSED MAXIMUM
AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
PRICE (1) REGISTRATION FEE
<S> <C> <C>
Guarantees of Northwest Airlines Corporation (2)..................................
Debt Securities of Northwest Airlines, Inc. (3)...................................
Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest Airlines, Inc. (4).............. $250,000,000 $86,206.90
Pass Through Certificates of Northwest Airlines, Inc. (3).........................
</TABLE>
(1) In United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency or
currency units.
(2) To be issued in connection with Debt Securities and Pass Through
Certificates of Northwest Airlines, Inc.
(3) If any of these securities are issued at an original issue discount, the
principal amount will be increased such that the aggregate proceeds will
equal $250,000,000.
(4) Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities of Northwest Airlines, Inc. may
be offered and sold separately or together with other Debt Securities of
Northwest Airlines, Inc.
<PAGE>
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement consists of two separate Prospectuses, covering
securities to be registered as follows:
(1) Debt Securities and Warrants to purchase Debt Securities of Northwest
Airlines, Inc. and Guarantees of such Debt Securities by Northwest
Airlines Corporation; and
(2) Pass Through Certificates of Northwest Airlines, Inc. and related
Guarantees of Northwest Airlines Corporation.
Separate financial statements of Northwest Airlines, Inc. are not being
provided because all of the securities being issued by Northwest Airlines, Inc.
under this Registration Statement are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
Northwest Airlines Corporation and such separate financial statements are
therefore not deemed material.
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 6, 1997
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES
-------------
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
GUARANTEED BY
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION
Northwest Airlines, Inc. ("Northwest") may from time to time offer, together
or separately, its debt securities, consisting of debentures, notes and/or other
evidences of indebtedness representing unsecured obligations of Northwest (the
"Debt Securities"), and warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities
(collectively, the "Securities"), in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined at the time of offering. The Debt Securities offered pursuant to this
Prospectus may be issued as unsecured and unsubordinated Debt Securities
("Senior Debt Securities") or as unsecured and subordinated Debt Securities
("Senior Subordinated Debt Securities"), in one or more series and, together
with any Warrants, will be limited to $500,000,000 aggregate public offering
price and exercise price (or its equivalent (based on the applicable exchange
rate at the time of sale) in one or more foreign currencies or currency units).
The specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered (the "Offered Securities") will be set forth in a
supplement to this Prospectus (the "Prospectus Supplement") which will be
delivered together with this Prospectus, including, where applicable, in the
case of Debt Securities, the specific designation (including whether the Offered
Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Senior Subordinated Debt Securities),
aggregate principal amount, the denomination, maturity, premium, if any, the
rate (which may be fixed or variable), time and method of calculating payments
of interest, if any, the place or places where principal of, premium, if any,
and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, the currency in
which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt
Securities will be payable, any terms of redemption at the option of Northwest
or the holder, any sinking fund provisions, the initial public offering price
and other special terms and, in the case of Warrants, the specific designation,
aggregate number, duration, initial public offering price, exercise price,
currency in which the exercise price is payable, detachability of any Warrants,
description of the Debt Securities for which such Warrants are exercisable,
terms of any mandatory or optional call and other special terms, together with
any other terms in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered
Securities, and the net proceeds to Northwest from such offering. This
Prospectus, together with the Prospectus Supplement relating to any Warrants
that have been issued, may also be delivered in connection with the issuance of
the Debt Securities for which such Warrants are exercised.
The Securities may be denominated in United States dollars or, at the option
of Northwest if so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in one or
more foreign currencies or currency units. The Debt Securities may be issued in
registered form or bearer form, or both. If so specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities.
The Senior Debt Securities will rank on a parity with all unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of Northwest, and the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness
(as hereinafter defined). See "Description of Securities--Subordination of
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities." The Senior Debt Securities and the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the
"Parent Guaranty") by Northwest Airlines Corporation ("NWA Corp." and, together
with its subsidiaries, the "Company"), the indirect parent of Northwest, on a
senior basis and a senior subordinated basis, respectively.
As of March 31, 1997, Northwest had $2,341.4 million of long-term debt and
capital lease obligations which would rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with
the Senior Debt Securities, of which $1,710.8 million was secured by Northwest's
assets and no long-term debt or capital lease obligations which would rank
senior in right of payment to the Senior Debt Securities. As of the same date,
Northwest had no long-term debt or capital lease obligations which would rank
PARI PASSU in right of payment with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and
$2,341.4 million of long-term debt and capital lease obligations which would
rank senior in right of payment to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, of
which $1,710.8 million was secured by Northwest's assets. As of the same date,
NWA Corp. had $900.3 million of long-term debt obligations (consisting entirely
of NWA Corp.'s guarantees of the indebtedness of subsidiaries) which would rank
PARI PASSU in right of payment with the Parent Guaranty of the Senior Debt
Securities, none of which was secured by NWA Corp.'s assets, and which would
rank prior in right of payment to the Parent Guaranty of the Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities. As of such date, NWA Corp. had no obligations which would rank
senior in right of payment to the Parent Guaranty of the Senior Debt Securities
and no obligations which would rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with the
Parent Guaranty of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities.
------------------
Northwest may sell the Securities to or through underwriters, through
dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. See "Plan of Distribution." The
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or
agents involved in the sale of the Offered Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered, the proposed amounts, if any, to be purchased by
underwriters and the compensation, if any, of such underwriters or agents.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE SALES OF DEBT SECURITIES OR
WARRANTS UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is , 1997.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
NWA Corp. and Northwest together have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") Registration Statements on Form S-3 (together with
all amendments and exhibits, the "Registration Statements") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities
offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statements, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission, and to which
reference is hereby made. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents
of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete. With respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statements, reference is made to the exhibit
for a more complete description of the matter involved.
NWA Corp. is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files periodic reports and other information with the Commission. Such
reports and other information, as well as the Registration Statement, including
exhibits and schedules filed therewith, may be inspected at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, Room 1024, and at the regional offices of the Commission located at
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661
and at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of
such materials may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
The Commission maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants
that file electronically with the Commission. Northwest is not required to file
separate reports, proxy statements or other information with the Commission
pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act. Instead, information with
respect to Northwest is provided, to the extent required, in filings made by NWA
Corp.
Separate financial statements of Northwest are not being provided because
all of the securities being issued by Northwest under this prospectus are fully
and unconditionally guaranteed by NWA Corp. and such financial statements are
therefore not deemed material.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents of NWA Corp., which have been filed with the
Commission, are hereby incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
(a) NWA Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996; and
(b) NWA Corp.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1997.
All documents filed by NWA Corp. pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Securities offered hereby shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof
from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained
in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Exchange Act file number is 0-23642.
NWA Corp. will provide without charge to any person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus has been delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or
all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference (other than
exhibits to such documents). Requests should be directed to the Secretary's
Office, NWA Corp., 5101 Northwest Drive, Dept. A1180, St. Paul, Minnesota
55111-3034, telephone number (612) 726-2111.
2
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
Northwest, the principal wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of NWA Corp.,
operates the world's fourth largest airline (as measured by 1995 revenue
passenger miles ("RPMs")) and is engaged principally in commercial
transportation of passengers and cargo. Northwest's business focuses on the
development of a global airline network through the optimization of its domestic
hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis, an extensive Pacific route
system with hubs at Tokyo and Osaka, and a transatlantic alliance with KLM Royal
Dutch Airlines ("KLM"), which operates a hub through Amsterdam.
Northwest operates substantial domestic and international route networks. As
of December 31, 1996, Northwest directly served more than 150 cities in 18
countries on the continents of North America, Asia and Europe. Northwest had
more than 52 million enplanements and flew over 68 billion RPMs in 1996.
--------------
NWA Corp. was originally formed under the name Wings Holdings Inc. The
Company's principal executive offices are located at 2700 Lone Oak Parkway,
Eagan, Minnesota 55121; its mailing address is 5101 Northwest Drive, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55111-3034 and its telephone number is (612) 726-2111.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds to Northwest from the sale of the Securities offered hereby will be
added to the working capital of Northwest and will be available for general
corporate purposes, among which may be the repayment of outstanding indebtedness
and financing of capital expenditures. The Company does not currently expect to
discharge any such indebtedness or finance any such capital expenditures with
the proceeds of the sale of Securities offered hereby.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for
NWA Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated. The ratio
of earnings to fixed charges represents the number of times that fixed charges
were covered by earnings. In computing the ratio, earnings represent
consolidated earnings (loss) before income taxes, cumulative effect of
accounting change and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed
charges consist of interest expense (including capitalized interest), one-third
of rental expense, which is considered representative of the interest factor,
and amortization of debt discount and expense.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.85 1.67 2.74 1.90 1.88 (a) (a)
</TABLE>
- --------------
(a) Earnings did not cover fixed charges by $121.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1993 and $1,513.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1992.
Excluding non-recurring special charges of $94.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 1993, and $792.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1992,
earnings did not cover fixed charges by $27.2 million and $720.8 million for
the two periods, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of
March 1, 1997, among Northwest, as issuer, NWA Corp., as guarantor, and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Senior Indenture"). The Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of
July 1, 1995, among Northwest, as issuer, NWA Corp., as guarantor, and State
Street Bank &
3
<PAGE>
Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Subordinated Indenture"). The Senior Indenture
and the Subordinated Indenture are referred to herein individually as an
"Indenture" and collectively as the "Indentures." A copy of the form of each
Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part.
A series of Debt Securities may be offered contemporaneously with an
offering of Warrants to purchase an additional portion of such or another series
of Debt Securities. Warrants to purchase a series of Debt Securities may also be
offered independently of any offering of Debt Securities. See "Description of
Warrants." The statements herein relating to the Debt Securities and the
Indentures are summaries and reference is made to the detailed provisions of the
Indentures, including the definitions therein of certain terms capitalized in
this Prospectus. Where no distinction is made between the Senior Debt Securities
and the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or between the Senior Indenture and
the Subordinated Indenture, such summaries refer to any Debt Securities and
either Indenture. Whenever particular defined terms of the Indentures are
referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such defined terms are
incorporated herein or therein by reference.
The anticipated market for the Debt Securities and the specific use of
proceeds of an offering of such securities will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
GENERAL
The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities which may be issued thereunder and provide that Debt Securities may
be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Senior Debt Securities
will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Northwest and will rank on a
parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Northwest.
The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of
Northwest and, as set forth below under "Subordination of Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities," will be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior
Indebtedness of Northwest.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement which accompanies this
Prospectus for a description of the specific series of Debt Securities being
offered thereby or, if Warrants are being offered thereby, the Debt Securities
to be issued upon exercise of such Warrants, including: (1) the specific
designation of such Debt Securities, including whether the Debt Securities are
Senior Debt Securities or Senior Subordinated Debt Securities; (2) any limit
upon the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities; (3) the date or
dates on which the principal of such Debt Securities will mature or the method
of determining such date or dates; (4) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or
variable) at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the
method of calculating such rate or rates; (5) the date or dates from which
interest, if any, will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be
determined; (6) the date or dates on which interest, if any, will be payable and
the record date or dates therefor; (7) the place or places where principal of,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable;
(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the
currency or currencies (including currency units) in which, and the terms and
conditions upon which, such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in
part, at the option of Northwest; (9) the obligation, if any, of Northwest to
redeem or purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or
analogous provisions, upon the happening of specified events, or at the option
of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices
at which and the terms and conditions upon which, such Debt Securities shall be
redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations; (10)
the denominations in which such Debt Securities are authorized to be issued;
(11) the currency or currency units for which Debt Securities may be purchased
or in which Debt Securities may be denominated and/or the currency or currency
units in which principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, on such
Debt Securities will be payable or redeemable and whether Northwest or the
holders of any such Debt Securities may elect to receive payments in respect of
such Debt Securities in a currency or currency units other than that in which
such Debt Securities are stated to be payable or redeemable;
4
<PAGE>
(12) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal
amount of such Debt Securities which will be payable upon declaration of the
acceleration of the maturity thereof or the method by which such portion shall
be determined; (13) the person to whom any interest on any such Debt Security
shall be payable if other than the person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered on the applicable record date; (14) any addition to, or modification
or deletion of, any Event of Default or any covenant of Northwest or NWA Corp.
specified in the Indenture with respect to such Debt Securities; (15) the
application, if any, of such means of defeasance or covenant defeasance as may
be specified for such Debt Securities and coupons; (16) whether such Debt
Securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
temporary or permanent global securities and, if so, the identity of the
depositary for such global security or securities; (17) the terms and conditions
relating to Warrants issued by Northwest in connection with or for the purchase
of such Debt Securities; (18) any index used to determine the amount of payments
of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt
Securities; (19) any provisions relating to the exchange of such Debt
Securities; and (20) any other special terms pertaining to such Debt Securities.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt
Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt
Securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons. Where Debt
Securities of any series are issued in bearer form, the special restrictions and
considerations, including special offering restrictions and special Federal
income tax considerations, applicable to any such Debt Securities and to payment
on and transfer and exchange of such Debt Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Bearer Debt Securities will be transferable by
delivery.
Debt Securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated
principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of
issuance is below market rates. Certain Federal income tax consequences and
special considerations applicable to any such Debt Securities will be described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If the purchase price of any Debt Securities is payable in one or more
foreign currencies or currency units or if any Debt Securities are denominated
in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Debt Securities is payable in one
or more foreign currencies or currency units, the restrictions, elections,
certain Federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information
with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and such foreign currency or
currency units will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
DENOMINATIONS, PAYMENT, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
Registered Securities will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000, and Bearer Securities will be issuable in the
denomination of $5,000 or, in each case, in such other denominations and
currencies as may be in the terms of the Debt Securities of any particular
series. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
payments in respect of the Debt Securities will be made, subject to any
applicable laws and regulations, in the designated currency at the office or
agency of Northwest maintained for that purpose as Northwest may designate from
time to time, except that, at the option of Northwest, interest payments, if
any, on Debt Securities in registered form may be made (i) by checks mailed by
the Trustee to the holders of Debt Securities entitled thereto at their
registered addresses or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the
Person entitled thereto as specified in the Register. Unless otherwise indicated
in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any installment of interest
on Debt Securities in registered form will be made to the Person in whose name
such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record
date for such interest.
Payment in respect of Debt Securities in bearer form will be payable in the
currency and in the manner designated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at such paying agencies outside
the United States as Northwest may appoint from time to time. The paying
5
<PAGE>
agents outside the United States, if any, initially appointed by Northwest for a
series of Debt Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Northwest may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the
designation of any paying agents, except that, if Debt Securities of a series
are issuable as Registered Securities, Northwest will be required to maintain at
least one paying agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt
Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, Northwest will be
required to maintain a Paying Agent in a Place of Payment outside the United
States where Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto
may be presented and surrendered for payment. Northwest will have the right to
require a holder of any Debt Security, in connection with the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Security, to
certify information to Northwest or, in the absence of such certification,
Northwest will be entitled to rely on any legal presumption to enable Northwest
to determine its duties and liabilities, if any, to deduct or withhold taxes,
assessments or governmental charges from such payment.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt
Securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency
of Northwest maintained for such purpose as designated by Northwest from time to
time. Debt Securities may be transferred or exchanged without service charge,
other than any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
In the event of any redemption in part, Northwest shall not be required to
(i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any
selection of Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the
close of business on (A) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as
Registered Securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption
and (B) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the
day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if Debt
Securities of the series are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is
no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register
the transfer of or exchange any Registered Securities, or portion thereof,
called for redemption or otherwise surrendered for repayment, except the
unredeemed or unrepaid portion of any Registered Security being redeemed or
repaid in part; or (iii) exchange any Bearer Security called for redemption,
except to exchange such Bearer Security for a Registered Security of that series
and like tenor which is immediately surrendered for redemption.
SUBORDINATION OF SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
The obligation of Northwest to make payment on account of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment, as set forth in
the Subordinated Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness of Northwest. The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will rank
PARI PASSU with any future Indebtedness of Northwest which by its terms states
that it will rank PARI PASSU with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. The
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will rank senior to all other existing and
future subordinated Indebtedness or other subordinated obligations of Northwest.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S.
Government Obligations held in any defeasance trust described under "Defeasance"
below is not subordinate to any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the
restrictions described herein.
"Senior Indebtedness" of Northwest means all Indebtedness of Northwest
(other than the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities) unless such Indebtedness,
by its terms or the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it, is
subordinate in right of payment to or PARI PASSU with the Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such Senior Indebtedness does not
include (x) any Indebtedness, guarantee or other obligation of Northwest that is
subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness of Northwest or
(y) any Indebtedness of Northwest to any of its Subsidiaries or to any Person of
which Northwest is a Subsidiary. "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without
duplication, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest
(including post-petition interest, whether or not allowable as a claim in
bankruptcy) on (i) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed,
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(ii) guarantees by such Person of indebtedness for money borrowed by any other
Person, (iii) indebtedness of such Person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds
or other instruments of indebtedness for payment of which such Person is
responsible or liable, (iv) obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor on
any letter of credit, bankers' acceptance or similar credit transaction, (v)
obligations of such Person under Capital Leases and Flight Equipment leases,
(vi) obligations under interest rate and currency swaps, caps, collars options,
forward or spot contracts or similar arrangements or with respect to foreign
currency hedges or aircraft fuel hedges, (vii) commitment and other bank
financing fees under contractual obligations associated with bank debt, (viii)
any indebtedness representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any
property or business, and (ix) all deferrals, renewals, extensions and
refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
Indebtedness shall not include amounts owed to trade creditors in the ordinary
course of business, nonrecourse indebtedness secured by real property located
outside the United States or operating lease rental payments (other than Flight
Equipment lease rental payments) in the ordinary course of business.
No payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or deposit pursuant to the provisions
described under "Defeasance" below may be made if (i) any Senior Indebtedness is
not paid when due (following the expiration of any applicable grace period) or
(ii) any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of any
Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in
either case, (a) such failure to pay or acceleration relates to Senior
Indebtedness in an aggregate amount equal to or less than $20 million, (b) the
default has been cured or waived or has ceased to exist, (c) such acceleration
has been rescinded, or (d) such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full. A
failure to make any payment with respect to the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities as a result of the foregoing provisions will not limit the right of
the holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities to accelerate the
maturity thereof as a result of such payment default.
Upon any distribution of the assets of Northwest upon any dissolution, total
or partial liquidation or reorganization of or similar proceeding relating to
Northwest, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive
payment in full before the holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
are entitled to receive any payment. By reason of such subordination, in the
event of insolvency, creditors of Northwest who are holders of Senior
Indebtedness or of other unsubordinated Indebtedness may recover more, ratably,
than the holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities.
THE PARENT GUARANTY
NWA Corp. will unconditionally guarantee, pursuant to Indentures, the due
and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Debt Securities when the same shall become due, whether by acceleration or
otherwise. The Parent Guaranty will be enforceable without any need first to
enforce Debt Securities against Northwest. The Parent Guaranty of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of
payment, as set forth in the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture, to
the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of NWA Corp. The terms of
such subordination will parallel the subordination terms applicable to the
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities as set forth above under "Subordination of
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities," except that, for purposes of the Parent
Guaranty, Senior Indebtedness of NWA Corp. means all Indebtedness of NWA Corp.
(other than the Parent Guaranty) unless such Indebtedness, by its terms or by
the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it, is subordinate in right
of payment to or PARI PASSU with the Parent Guaranty; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
such Senior Indebtedness does not include any Indebtedness of NWA Corp. to any
of its subsidiaries. The Parent Guaranty of the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities will rank PARI PASSU with any future Indebtedness of NWA Corp. which
by its terms states that it will rank PARI PASSU with the Parent Guaranty of the
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. The Parent Guaranty of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities will rank senior to all other existing and future
subordinated Indebtedness or other subordinated obligations of NWA Corp.
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GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more fully registered global securities (a "Registered Global
Security") that will be deposited with a depositary (the "Depositary") or with a
nominee for the Depositary identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
In such a case, one or more Registered Global Securities will be issued in a
denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be represented
by such Registered Global Security or Securities. Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive certificated
form, a Registered Global Security may not be registered for transfer or
exchange except as a whole by the Depositary for such Registered Global Security
to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such
Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any
such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such
successor Depositary and except in the circumstances described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion
of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Registered Global Security
will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Northwest expects
that the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of any Registered Global Security, and the deposit of such
Registered Global Security with or on behalf of the Depositary for such
Registered Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry
registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the Debt
Securities represented by such Registered Global Security to the accounts of
institutions ("participants") that have accounts with the Depositary or its
nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or
agents engaging in the distribution of such Debt Securities or by Northwest, if
such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by Northwest. Ownership of
beneficial interests in a Registered Global Security will be limited to
participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership
of beneficial interests by participants in such Registered Global Security will
be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only
through, records maintained by the Depositary for such Registered Global
Security or by its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Registered
Global Security by persons that hold through participants will be shown on, and
the transfer of that ownership interest within such participant will be effected
only through, records maintained by such participant. The laws of some
jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in certificated form. The foregoing limitations and
such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in such
Registered Global Securities.
So long as the Depositary for a Registered Global Security, or its nominee,
is the registered owner of such Registered Global Security, such Depositary or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global Security for all
purposes under the Indentures. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement and except as specified below, owners of beneficial
interests in such Registered Global Security will not be entitled to have Debt
Securities of the series represented by such Registered Global Security
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of Debt Securities of such series in certificated form and will not be
considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the Indentures.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in such Registered Global
Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is
not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such
person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the
Indentures. The Depositary may grant proxies and otherwise authorize
participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to give or
take under the Indentures. Northwest understands that, under existing industry
practices, if Northwest requests any action of holders or an owner of a
beneficial interest in which Registered Global Security desires to give any
notice or take any action a holder is entitled to give or take under the
Indentures, the Depositary would authorize the participants to give such
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notice or take such action, and participants would authorize beneficial owners
owning through such participants to give such notice or take such action or
would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through
them.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
with respect to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Debt
Securities represented by a Registered Global Security registered in the name of
a Depositary or its nominee will be made to such Depositary or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered owner of such Registered Global Security.
Northwest expects that the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by
a Registered Global Security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium
or interest, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal
amount of such Registered Global Security as shown on the records of such
Depositary. Northwest also expects that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security held through such
participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices,
as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers
registered in "street names," and will be the responsibility of such
participants. None of Northwest, NWA Corp., the Trustee or any agent of
Northwest shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of a Registered Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if the
Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by a Registered Global Security
is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor
Depositary is not appointed by Northwest within ninety days, Northwest will
issue such Debt Securities in definitive certificated form in exchange for such
Registered Global Security. In addition, Northwest may at any time and in its
sole discretion determine not to have any of the Debt Securities of a series
represented by one or more Registered Global Securities and, in such event, will
issue Debt Securities of such series in definitive certificated form in exchange
for all of the Registered Global Securities representing such Debt Securities.
Further, if Northwest so specifies with respect to the Debt Securities of a
series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Registered Global Security
representing Debt Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to
Northwest and the Depositary for such Registered Global Security, receive Debt
Securities of such series in definitive form registered in the name of such
beneficial owner or its designee.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE BY NORTHWEST OR NWA CORP.
Each Indenture provides that neither Northwest nor NWA Corp. may merge or
consolidate with or into any other corporation or sell, convey, transfer, lease
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person,
unless (i) (a) in the case of a merger or consolidation, Northwest or NWA Corp.
is the surviving corporation, as the case may be, or (b) in the case of a merger
or consolidation where Northwest or NWA Corp. is not the surviving corporation
and in the case of such a sale, conveyance or other disposition, the resulting,
successor or acquiring Person is a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the United States of America or a State thereof or the District of
Columbia and such corporation expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all
the obligations of Northwest under the Debt Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto (or of NWA Corp. under the Parent Guaranty, as the case may
be) and the obligations of Northwest or NWA Corp., as the case may be, under the
Indentures, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such merger or
consolidation, or such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition
(including, without limitation, any Debt directly or indirectly incurred or
anticipated to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such
transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing and (iii) certain other conditions are met. In the event a successor
corporation assumes the obligations of Northwest or NWA Corp., as the case may
be, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for Northwest
or NWA Corp. as the case may be, under the Indentures and under the Debt
Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and all obligations of Northwest
or NWA Corp., as the case may be, shall terminate.
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In the event of any such permitted consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
disposition or other change of control transaction (including a highly leveraged
transaction), the holders of the Debt Securities will not have the right to
require redemption thereof or similar rights unless otherwise provided in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT
Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series issued
thereunder are defined in the Indentures as being: default for thirty days in
payment of any interest on any Debt Security of that series or any coupon
appertaining thereto or any additional amount payable with respect to Debt
Securities of such series as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
when due; default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or on redemption or
otherwise, or in the making of a mandatory sinking fund payment of any Debt
Securities of that series when due; default for sixty days after notice to
Northwest and NWA Corp. by the Trustee, or to Northwest, NWA Corp. and the
Trustee by the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding, in the performance of any other
agreement applicable to the Debt Securities of that series, in the Indenture or
in any supplemental indenture or board resolution referred to therein under
which the Debt Securities of that series may have been issued; and certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Northwest or NWA Corp. Any
other Events of Default applicable to a specified series of Debt Securities will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. An Event of Default with
respect to a particular series of Debt Securities will not necessarily be an
Event of Default with respect to any other series of Debt Securities.
The Indentures provide that, if an Event of Default specified therein occurs
with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder and is
continuing, the Trustee for such series or the holders of 25% in aggregate
principal amount of all of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series, by
written notice to Northwest and NWA Corp. (and to the Trustee for such series,
if notice is given by such holders of Debt Securities), may declare the
principal (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are original issue discount
Debt Securities or indexed Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) of all the Debt Securities of
that series to be due and payable.
The Indentures provide that the Trustee for any series of Debt Securities
shall, within ninety days after the occurrence of a Default known to it with
respect to Debt Securities of that series, give to the holders of the Debt
Securities of that series notice of all such uncured Defaults; PROVIDED, that
such notice shall not be given until 60 days after the occurrence of a Default
with respect to Debt Securities of that series involving a failure to perform a
covenant other than the obligation to pay principal, premium, if any, or
interest or make a mandatory sinking fund payment; and PROVIDED FURTHER, that,
except in the case of default in payment on the Debt Securities of that series,
the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its
Responsible Officers (as defined therein) in good faith determines that
withholding such notice is in the interest of the holders of the Debt Securities
of that series. "Default" means any event which is, or, after notice or passage
of time or both, would be, an Event of Default.
The Indentures provide that the Trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers under such Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provisions for indemnification of
the Trustee, the Indentures provide that the holders of not less than a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected
(with each such series voting as a class) may direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee for such
series, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee.
The Indentures include a covenant that Northwest will file annually with the
Trustee a certificate as to Northwest's compliance with all conditions and
covenants of the applicable Indenture.
The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of any
series of Debt Securities by notice to the Trustee for such series may waive, on
behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of such
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series, any past Default or Event of Default with respect to that series and its
consequences, and may rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration with
respect to that series (unless a judgment or decree based on such acceleration
has been obtained and entered), except a Default or Event of Default in the
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Debt
Security (and any acceleration resulting therefrom) and certain other defaults.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
The Indentures contain provisions permitting Northwest, NWA Corp. and the
Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures without the consent of
the holders of any of the Debt Securities in order (i) to evidence the
succession of another corporation to Northwest or NWA Corp. and the assumption
of the covenants of Northwest or NWA Corp. by a successor; (ii) to add to the
covenants of Northwest or NWA Corp. or surrender any right or power of Northwest
or NWA Corp. and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a
default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a
Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the
several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided,
however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or
condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of
grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in
the case of other defaults) or may provided for an immediate enforcement upon
such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such
default; (iii) to add additional Events of Default with respect to any series;
(iv) to add or change any provisions to such extent as necessary to permit or
facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in bearer form or in global form; (v)
under certain circumstances to add to, change or eliminate any provision
affecting Debt Securities not yet issued; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities;
(vii) to add to the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized
amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities,
as herein set forth, other conditions, limitations and restrictions thereafter
to be observed; (viii) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities; (ix)
to evidence and provide for successor Trustees; (x) if allowed without penalty
under applicable laws and regulations, to permit payment in respect of Debt
Securities in bearer form in the United States; (xi) to correct or supplement
any inconsistent provisions or to make any other provisions with respect to
matters or questions arising under the Indentures, PROVIDED that such action
does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of Debt Securities of any
series issued under such Indentures in any material respect; (xii) to cure any
ambiguity or correct any mistake; or (xiii) to supplement any of the provisions
of the Indentures to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate
the defeasance and discharge of any series of Debt Security; provided that any
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any such
series or any other series of Debt Securities or any related coupons in any
material respect.
The Indentures also contain provisions permitting Northwest, NWA Corp. and
the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by
such supplemental indenture, to execute supplemental indentures adding any
provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indentures
or any supplemental indenture or modifying the rights of the holders of Debt
Securities of such series, except that no such supplemental indenture may,
without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security so affected, (i) change
the time for payment of principal or interest on any Debt Security; (ii) reduce
the principal of, or any installment of principal of, or interest on any Debt
Security; (iii) reduce the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the
redemption of any Debt Security; (iv) reduce the amount of principal payable
upon acceleration of the maturity of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security;
(v) change the coin or currency in which any Debt Security or any premium or
interest thereon is payable; (vi) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security; (vii) reduce
the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any
series the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of
the Indentures or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the
Indentures or for waiver of certain defaults; (viii) change the obligation of
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Northwest to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes
specified in the Indentures; (ix) modify the obligations of NWA Corp. to make
payment under the Parent Guaranty; or (x) modify any of the foregoing
provisions.
DEFEASANCE
If indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Northwest may elect
either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with
respect to the Debt Securities of or within any series (except as described
below) ("defeasance") or (ii) to be released from its obligations with respect
to certain covenants applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series
("covenant defeasance"), upon the deposit with the Trustee for such series (or
other qualifying trustee), in trust for such purpose, of money and/or Government
Obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance
with their terms will provide money in the amount sufficient to pay the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Securities to Maturity
or redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous
payments thereon. Upon the occurrence of a defeasance, Northwest will be deemed
to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Debt
Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and to have satisfied all of its
other obligations under such Debt Securities and any coupons appertaining
thereto (except for (i) the rights of holders of such Debt Securities to
receive, solely from the trust funds deposited to defease such Debt Securities,
payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any,
on such Debt Securities or any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments
are due and (ii) certain other obligations as provided in the Indentures). Upon
the occurrence of a covenant defeasance, Northwest will be released only from
its obligations to comply with certain covenants contained in the Indenture
relating to such Debt Securities, will continue to be obligated in all other
respects under such Debt Securities and will continue to be contingently liable
with respect to the payment of principal, interest, if any, and premium, if any,
with respect to such Debt Securities.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and
except as described below, the conditions to both defeasance and covenant
defeasance are as follows: (i) such defeasance or covenant defeasance must not
result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default or Event of Default
under, the applicable Indenture, or result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument of
Northwest or NWA Corp.; (ii) certain bankruptcy related Defaults or Events of
Default with respect to Northwest or NWA Corp. must not have occurred and be
continuing during the period commencing on the date of the deposit of the trust
funds to defease such Debt Securities and ending on the 91st day after such
date; (iii) Northwest must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that the holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain
or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or
covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
amounts and in the same manner and at all the same times as would have been the
case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred (such Opinion of
Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of
the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable Federal income tax law
occurring after the date of the Indentures); (iv) Northwest must deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel with respect to
compliance with the conditions precedent to such defeasance or covenant
defeasance and with respect to certain registration requirements under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and (v) any additional conditions to
such defeasance or covenant defeasance which may be imposed on Northwest
pursuant to the applicable Indenture. The Indentures require that a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants deliver to the Trustee a
written certification as to the sufficiency of the trust funds deposited for the
defeasance or covenant defeasance of such Debt Securities. The Indentures do not
provide the holders of such Debt Securities with recourse against such firm. If
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in addition to obligations of
the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof, Government
Obligations may include obligations of the government or any agency or
instrumentality of the government issuing the currency in which Debt Securities
of such series are payable. In the event that Government Obligations deposited
with the
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Trustee for the defeasance of such Debt Securities decrease in value or default
subsequent to their being deposited, Northwest will have no further obligation,
and the holders of such Debt Securities will have no additional recourse against
Northwest, as a result of such decrease in value or default. As described above,
in the event of a covenant defeasance, Northwest remains contingently liable
with respect to the payment of principal, interest, if any, and premium, if any,
with respect to the Debt Securities.
Northwest may exercise its defeasance option with respect to such Debt
Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If Northwest exercises its defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities
may not be accelerated because of a Default or an Event of Default. If Northwest
exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities may
not be accelerated by reason of a Default or an Event of Default with respect to
the covenants to which such covenant defeasance is applicable. However, if such
acceleration were to occur, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the
money and Government Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the
principal and interest then due on such Debt Securities, in that the required
deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than
market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if
any, applicable to defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt
Securities of a particular series.
THE TRUSTEE
State Street Bank and Trust Company is the Trustee under the Indentures.
Northwest and NWA Corp. also maintain banking and other commercial relationships
with State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliates in the ordinary
course of business and State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as Trustee under
several other indentures for NWA Corp. and Northwest.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
Northwest may issue Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities. Warrants
may be issued together with or separately from any Debt Securities offered by
any Prospectus Supplement and, if issued together with Debt Securities, may be
attached to or separate from such Debt Securities. The Warrants are to be issued
under one or more separate Warrant Agreements (a "Warrant Agreement") to be
entered into between Northwest and State Street Bank and Trust Company,
successor to The First National Bank of Boston, as Warrant Agent, all as set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular issue of Warrants.
The Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of Northwest in connection with
the Warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or
trust for or with any holders of Warrants or beneficial owners of Warrants. The
statements herein relating to the Warrants and the Warrant Agreements are
summaries and reference is made to the detailed provisions of the Warrant
Agreements. A form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants Sold Attached to Debt
Securities and a form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants Sold Alone have been
incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
GENERAL
If Warrants are offered, reference is made to the applicable Prospectus
Supplement which accompanies this Prospectus for a description of the specific
terms of the Warrants being offered thereby, including (i) the specific
designation and aggregate number of such Warrants, (ii) the offering price and
the currency or composite currencies for which Warrants may be purchased, (iii)
the designation (including whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt
Securities or Senior Subordinated Debt Securities), aggregate principal amount,
currency or composite currencies and terms of the Debt Securities purchasable
upon exercise of the Warrants, (iv) if applicable, the designation and terms of
the Debt Securities with which the Warrants are issued and the number of
Warrants issued with the minimum denomination of each such Debt Security, (v) if
applicable, the date on and after which the Warrants and the related Debt
Securities will be separately transferable, (vi) the principal amount of Debt
Securities purchasable upon exercise of one
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Warrant and the price or the manner of determining the price and currency or
composite currencies or other consideration (which may include Debt Securities)
for which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such
exercise, (vii) the date on which the right to exercise the Warrants shall
commence and the date on which such right shall expire (the "Expiration Date"),
(viii) the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption by Northwest, (ix)
certain Federal income tax consequences, (x) whether the certificates for
Warrants will be issued in registered or unregistered form, and (xi) any other
special terms pertaining to such Warrants. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Warrants will not be listed on any
securities exchange.
Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new Warrant certificates of
different denominations, may (if in registered form) be presented for
registration of transfer and exchange and may be exercised at an office or
agency of the Warrant Agent maintained for that purpose (the "Warrant Agent
Office"). No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of Warrant
certificates, but Northwest may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Prior to the
exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants will not have any of the rights
of holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the
right to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any,
on the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise or to enforce covenants in
the Indenture.
The Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of Northwest in connection
with the Warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency
or trust for or with any holders of Warrants or beneficial owners of Warrants.
EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase such principal amount of
Debt Securities at such exercise price, for such consideration and during such
period or periods as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the
Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any
time during such period up to 5:00 P.M. New York City time on the Expiration
Date set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Warrants. After the
close of business on the Expiration Date (or such later date to which such
Expiration Date may be extended by Northwest), unexercised Warrants will become
void.
Warrants may be exercised by delivery to the Warrant Agent of payment as
provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement of the amount required to
purchase the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise together with
certain information set forth on the reverse side of the Warrant certificate.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, upon receipt
of such payment and the Warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed
at the Warrant Agent Office or any other office or agency indicated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, Northwest will, as soon as practicable, issue
and deliver the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than
all of the Warrants represented by such Warrant certificate are exercised, a new
Warrant certificate will be issued for the amount of unexercised Warrants.
MODIFICATION OF WARRANT AGREEMENTS
The Warrant Agreements contain a provision permitting Northwest and the
Warrant Agent, without the consent of any Warrantholder, to supplement or amend
the Warrant Agreement in order to cure any ambiguity, and to correct or
supplement any provision contained therein which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provisions or to make other provisions in regard to
matters or questions arising thereunder which Northwest and the Warrant Agent
may deem necessary or desirable and which do not adversely affect the interests
of the Warrantholders.
14
<PAGE>
WARRANT AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company will act as the Warrant Agent under the
Warrant Agreement. Northwest and NWA Corp. maintain banking and other commercial
relationships with State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliates in the
ordinary course of business.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Northwest may sell Securities to one or more underwriters for public
offering and sale by them or may sell Securities to investors or other persons
directly or through one or more dealers or agents. Any such underwriter, dealer
or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Offered Securities will be named
in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The Offered Securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,
at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
Dealer trading may take place in certain of the Offered Securities, including
Offered Securities not listed on any securities exchange. Northwest also may,
from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as Northwest's agents to offer
and sell the Offered Securities upon the terms and conditions as shall be set
forth in any Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Offered
Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from
Northwest in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions from purchasers of Offered Securities for whom they may act
as agent. Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and
such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions (which may be changed from
time to time) from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
If a dealer is used directly by Northwest in the sale of Offered Securities
in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, Northwest will sell such
Offered Securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such
Offered Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such
dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer and the terms of any such sale
will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
Offered Securities may be offered and sold through agents designated by
Northwest from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the
Offered Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be
named in, and any commissions payable by Northwest to such agent will be set
forth in, the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Offers to purchase Offered Securities may be solicited directly by Northwest
and sales thereof may be made by Northwest directly to institutional investors
or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the
Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Except as set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, no director, officer or employee
of Northwest or NWA Corp. will solicit or receive a commission in connection
with direct sales by Northwest of the Offered Securities, although such persons
may respond to inquiries by potential purchasers and perform ministerial and
clerical work in connection with any such direct sales.
Any underwriting compensation paid by Northwest to underwriters, dealers or
agents in connection with the offering of Offered Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers
and agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them
and any profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under
15
<PAGE>
agreements with Northwest, to indemnification against and contribution toward
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and
to reimbursement by Northwest for certain expenses.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, NWA Corp., Northwest and NWA Corp.'s other subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement and subject to
existing market conditions, Northwest will authorize dealers acting as
Northwest's agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Offered
Securities from Northwest at the public offering price set forth in such
Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts ("Contracts")
providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such
Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an amount not less than, and
the aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities sold pursuant to Contracts
shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in such
Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom Contracts, when authorized, may be
made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds,
investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other
institutions, but will in all cases be subject to the approval of Northwest.
Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except the purchase by an
institution of the Offered Securities covered by its Contracts shall not at the
time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United
States to which such institution is subject. A commission indicated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement will be granted to underwriters and agents
soliciting purchases of Offered Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by
Northwest. Agents and underwriters will have no responsibility in respect of the
delivery or performance of Contracts.
The Offered Securities may or may not be listed on a national securities
exchange or a foreign securities exchange. If an underwriter or underwriters are
utilized in the sale of any Offered Securities, the applicable Prospectus
Supplement will contain a statement as to the intention, if any, of such
underwriters at the date of such Prospectus Supplement to make a market in the
Offered Securities. No assurances can be given that there will be a market for
the Offered Securities.
The place and time of delivery for the Offered Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of Warrants will
be issued upon payment of the exercise price and otherwise in accordance with
the relevant terms applicable to such Warrants and described in the relevant
Prospectus Supplement.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
validity of the Debt Securities (and the Parent Guaranty) and Warrants offered
hereby will be passed upon for Northwest and NWA Corp. by Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett (a partnership which includes professional corporations), New York, New
York. In rendering such opinion, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett will be relying as
to matters of Minnesota law on an opinion from the Office of the General Counsel
of NWA Corp. and Northwest Airlines Corporation.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Northwest Airlines
Corporation appearing or incorporated by reference in Northwest Airlines
Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their report thereon included or incorporated by reference therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and
schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given
upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY RELATED PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND/OR PRICING SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS AND SUCH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR PRICING SUPPLEMENT AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY NORTHWEST, NWA CORP. OR ANY UNDERWRITERS, AGENTS OR
DEALERS. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR PRICING
SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY
SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR PRICING SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR
THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF NORTHWEST OR NWA CORP. SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR
THEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AT ANY
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
--------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Available Information..................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference........................... 2
The Company............................................................... 3
Use of Proceeds........................................................... 3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges........................................ 3
Description of Debt Securities............................................ 3
Description of Warrants................................................... 13
Plan of Distribution...................................................... 15
Legal Opinions............................................................ 16
Experts................................................................... 16
</TABLE>
$500,000,000
NORTHWEST
AIRLINES, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES AND
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE
DEBT SECURITIES
FULLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
NORTHWEST AIRLINES
CORPORATION
---------------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------------
, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 6, 1997
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES
-----------
APPLICABLE UNDERLYING PAYMENTS
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION
Up to $500,000,000 aggregate public offering price of Pass Through
Certificates (the "Certificates") (or its equivalent (based on the applicable
exchange rate at the time of sale) in one or more foreign currencies or currency
units) may be offered for sale from time to time pursuant to this Prospectus and
related Prospectus Supplements (as defined below). Certificates may be issued in
one or more series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the
time of the offering. In respect of each offering of Certificates, a separate
Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust for each series of Certificates being
offered (each, a "Trust") will be formed pursuant to one or more Pass Through
Trust Agreements (each, a "Basic Agreement") and one or more supplements thereto
(each, a "Trust Supplement") relating to such Trust to be entered into among
Northwest Airlines, Inc. ("Northwest"), Northwest Airlines Corporation ("NWA
Corp." and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") and the trustee named
therein (the "Trustee"), as trustee under each Trust. Each Certificate in a
series will represent a fractional undivided interest in the related Trust and
will have no rights, benefits or interests in respect of any other Trust. The
property of the Trusts will consist of equipment notes issued (a) on a
nonrecourse basis by one or more owner trustees pursuant to separate leveraged
lease transactions (the "Leased Aircraft Notes") to finance or refinance a
portion of the equipment cost of aircraft, including engines (each, a "Leased
Aircraft" and, collectively, the "Leased Aircraft"), which have been or will be
leased to Northwest pursuant to a separate lease agreement (each such lease
agreement, a "Lease") for each Leased Aircraft, or (b) with recourse to
Northwest (the "Owned Aircraft Notes" and, together with any Leased Aircraft
Notes, the "Equipment Notes") to finance all or a portion of the equipment cost
of, or to purchase all or a portion of the outstanding debt with respect to,
aircraft, including engines (each, an "Owned Aircraft" and, collectively, the
"Owned Aircraft"; together with Leased Aircraft, the "Aircraft"), which have
been or will be purchased and owned by Northwest. NWA Corp. will fully and
unconditionally guarantee (the "Parent Guaranty") to the holders from time to
time of Certificates (i) with respect to related Owned Aircraft Notes, the full
and prompt payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest thereon when and
as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption
or otherwise and (ii) with respect to related Leased Aircraft Notes, the full
and prompt payment of all amounts payable by Northwest under the related Lease
when and as the same shall become due and payable.
The specific terms of the particular Certificates in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus (the "Prospectus Supplement") which will be delivered together with
this Prospectus, including, where applicable, the specific designation, form,
aggregate principal amount, initial public offering price and distribution dates
relating to such Certificates, the currency in which such Certificates will be
payable, the Trust or Trusts relating to such Certificates, the Equipment Notes
to be purchased by such Trust or Trusts, the Aircraft relating to such Equipment
Notes, the leveraged lease transactions or financing arrangements, as the case
may be, relating to such Equipment Notes and other special terms relating to
such Certificates and the net proceeds from the offering of such Certificates.
The Certificates shall be issued in registered form only and may, if so
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, be issued in accordance with
a book-entry system.
With respect to one or more Aircraft, Equipment Notes may be issued, each of
which may have a different interest rate, final maturity date and ranking in
respect of priority of payment. For each series of Certificates, the Trustee
will purchase one or more Equipment Notes issued with respect to one or more
Aircraft such that all of the Equipment Notes held in the related Trust will
have identical ranking and identical interest rates (in each case equal to the
rate applicable to the Certificates issued by such Trust), and such that the
latest maturity date for such Equipment Notes will occur on or before the final
distribution date for such Certificates. Interest paid on the Equipment Notes
held in each Trust will be passed through to the holders of the Certificates
relating to such Trust on the dates and at the rate per annum set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such Certificates until the final distribution
date for such Trust. Principal paid on the Equipment Notes held in each Trust
will be passed through to the holders of the Certificates relating to such Trust
in scheduled amounts on the dates set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such Certificates until the final distribution date for such Trust.
The Equipment Notes issued with respect to any Aircraft will be secured by a
security interest in such Aircraft and, in the case of the Leased Aircraft, by a
security interest in the Lease relating thereto, including the right to receive
rentals payable in respect of such Leased Aircraft by Northwest. Although
neither the Certificates nor the Leased Aircraft Notes will be direct
obligations of, or guaranteed by, Northwest, the amounts unconditionally payable
by Northwest for lease of Leased Aircraft will be sufficient to pay in full when
due all payments required to be made on the corresponding Leased Aircraft Notes.
The Certificates may be sold to or through underwriters, through dealers or
agents or directly to purchasers. See "Plan of Distribution." The Prospectus
Supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents
involved in the sale of the Certificates in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered, the proposed amounts, if any, to be purchased by underwriters
and the compensation, if any, of such underwriters or agents. See "Plan of
Distribution" for information concerning secondary trading of the Certificates.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE SALES OF CERTIFICATES UNLESS
ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
------------------
<PAGE>
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
--------------
The date of this Prospectus is , 1997.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
NWA Corp. and Northwest together have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") Registration Statements on Form S-3 (together with
all amendments and exhibits, the "Registration Statements") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Certificates
offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statements, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission, and to which
reference is hereby made. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents
of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete. With respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statements, reference is made to the exhibit
for a more complete description of the matter involved.
NWA Corp. is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files periodic reports and other information with the Commission. Such
reports and other information, as well as the Registration Statement, including
exhibits and schedules filed therewith, may be inspected at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, Room 1024, and at the regional offices of the Commission located at
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661
and at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of
such materials may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
The Commission maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants
that file electronically with the Commission. Northwest is not required to file
separate reports, proxy statements or other information with the Commission
pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act. Instead, information with
respect to Northwest is provided, to the extent required, in filings made by NWA
Corp.
Separate financial statements of Northwest are not being provided because
all of the Certificates being issued by Northwest under this Prospectus will be
supported by full and unconditional guarantees by NWA Corp. and, therefore, such
financial statements are not deemed material.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents of NWA Corp., which have been filed with the
Commission, are hereby incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
(a) NWA Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996; and
(b) NWA Corp.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1997.
All documents filed by NWA Corp. pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Certificates offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Exchange Act file number is
0-23642.
NWA Corp. will provide without charge to any person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus has been delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or
all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference (other than
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to the Secretary's
Office,
2
<PAGE>
NWA Corp., 5101 Northwest Drive, Dept. A1180, St. Paul, Minnesota 55111-3034;
telephone number (612) 726-2111.
THE COMPANY
Northwest, the principal wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of NWA Corp.,
operates the world's fourth largest airline (as measured by 1994 revenue
passenger miles ("RPMs")) and is engaged principally in commercial
transportation of passengers and cargo. Northwest's business focuses on the
development of a global airline network through the optimization of its domestic
hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis, an extensive Pacific route
system with hubs at Tokyo and Osaka, and a transatlantic alliance with KLM Royal
Dutch Airlines ("KLM"), which operates a hub through Amsterdam.
Northwest operates substantial domestic and international route networks. As
of December 31, 1996, Northwest directly served more than 150 cities in 18
countries on the continents of North America, Asia and Europe. Northwest had
more than 52 million enplanements and flew over 68 billion RPMs in 1996.
--------------
NWA Corp. was originally formed under the name Wings Holdings Inc. The
Company's principal executive offices are located at 2700 Lone Oak Parkway,
Eagan, Minnesota 55121; its mailing address is 5101 Northwest Drive, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55111-3034 and its telephone number is (612) 726-2111.
GENERAL OUTLINE OF TRUST STRUCTURE
In respect of each offering of Certificates, one or more Trusts will be
formed, and the related Certificates issued, pursuant to separate Trust
Supplements to be entered into among the Trustee, NWA Corp. and Northwest in
accordance with the terms of the Basic Agreement. Concurrently with the
execution and delivery of each Trust Supplement, the Trustee, on behalf of the
Trust formed thereby, will enter into one or more purchase or refunding
agreements (each such agreement being herein referred to as a "Note Purchase
Agreement") pursuant to which it will purchase one or more Equipment Notes
relating to one or more of the Aircraft described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. Pursuant to the applicable Note Purchase Agreement or Note Purchase
Agreements, the Trustee, on behalf of each Trust, will purchase one or more
Equipment Notes such that the Equipment Notes that constitute the property of
such Trust will have identical interest rates (in each case equal to the rate
applicable to the Certificates issued by such Trust) and identical priority of
payment relative to each of the other Equipment Notes issued under the Related
Indentures (as defined below). The maturity dates of the Equipment Notes
acquired by each Trust will occur on or before the final distribution date
applicable to the Certificates that will be issued by such Trust. The Trustee
will distribute the amount of payments of principal, premium, if any, and
interest received by it as holder of the Equipment Notes to the
Certificateholders of the Trust in which such Equipment Notes are held. See
"Description of the Certificates" and "Description of the Equipment Notes."
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as set forth in a Prospectus Supplement for a specific offering of
Certificates, the Certificates will be issued in order to facilitate (a) the
financing or refinancing of the debt portion and, in certain cases, the
refinancing of some of the equity portion of one or more separate leveraged
lease transactions entered into by Northwest, as lessee, with respect to the
Leased Aircraft as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and (b)
the financing or refinancing of the aggregate principal amount of debt to be
issued, or the purchase of the aggregate principal amount of the debt previously
issued, by Northwest in respect of the Owned Aircraft as described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The proceeds from the sale of Certificates in
respect of such Owned or Leased Aircraft is not expected to exceed 80% of the
appraised value of such Owned or Leased Aircraft at the time of financing or
refinancing. Except as set forth in a Prospectus Supplement for a specific
offering of
3
<PAGE>
Certificates, the proceeds from the sale of the Certificates will be used by the
Trustee on behalf of the applicable Trust or Trusts to purchase either (a)
Leased Aircraft Notes issued by the respective Owner Trustee or Owner Trustees
to finance or refinance (as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement)
the related Leased Aircraft, or (b) Owned Aircraft Notes issued by Northwest to
finance or refinance (as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) the
related Owned Aircraft. Any portion of the proceeds from the sale of
Certificates not used by the Trustee to purchase Equipment Notes on or prior to
the date specified therefor in the applicable Prospectus Supplement will be
distributed on a Special Distribution Date (as defined below) to the applicable
Certificateholders, together with interest, but without premium. See
"Description of Certificates--Special Distribution Upon Unavailability of
Aircraft."
The Leased Aircraft Notes will be issued under separate trust indentures
(the "Leased Aircraft Indentures") between a bank, trust company or other
institution specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, as trustee
thereunder (in such capacity, herein referred to as the "Loan Trustee"), and an
institution specified in the related Prospectus Supplement acting, not in its
individual capacity, but solely as owner trustee (an "Owner Trustee") of a
separate trust for the benefit of one or more institutional investors (each, an
"Owner Participant"). With respect to each Leased Aircraft, the related Owner
Participant will have provided or will provide from sources other than the
Leased Aircraft Notes a portion of the equipment cost of the related Leased
Aircraft. No Owner Participant, however, will be personally liable for any
amount payable under the related Leased Aircraft Indenture or the Leased
Aircraft Notes issued thereunder. Simultaneously with the acquisition of each
Leased Aircraft, the related Owner Trustee leased or will lease such Aircraft to
Northwest pursuant to a separate Lease. The Owned Aircraft Notes will be issued
under separate trust indentures (the "Owned Aircraft Indentures" and, together
with any Leased Aircraft Indentures, the "Indentures") between the applicable
Loan Trustee and Northwest.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for
NWA Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated. The ratio
of earnings to fixed charges represents the number of times that fixed charges
were covered by earnings. In computing the ratio, earnings represent
consolidated earnings (loss) before income taxes, cumulative effect of
accounting change and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed
charges consist of interest expense (including capitalized interest), one-third
of rental expense, which is considered representative of the interest factor,
and amortization of debt discount and expense.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.85 1.67 2.74 1.90 1.88 (a) (a)
</TABLE>
- --------------
(a) Earnings did not cover fixed charges by $121.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1993 and $1,513.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1992.
Excluding non-recurring special charges of $94.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 1993, and $792.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1992,
earnings did not cover fixed charges by $27.2 million and $720.8 million for
the two periods, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTIFICATES
In connection with each offering of Certificates, one or more separate
Trusts will be formed and one or more series of Certificates will be issued
pursuant to the Basic Agreement and one or more separate Trust Supplements to be
entered into among Northwest, NWA Corp. and the Trustee. The statements made
under this caption are summaries and reference is made to the detailed
provisions of the Basic
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Agreement, the form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The summaries relate to the Basic
Agreement and each of the Trust Supplements, the Trusts to be formed thereby and
the Certificates to be issued by each Trust except to the extent, if any,
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Prospectus Supplement
that accompanies this Prospectus contains a glossary of the material terms used
with respect to the specific series of Certificates being offered thereby. The
Trust Supplement relating to each series of Certificates and the forms of the
related Note Purchase Agreement, Indenture, Lease, Trust Agreement,
Participation Agreement, Refunding Agreement, Intercreditor Agreement and
Revolving Credit Agreement, as applicable, will be filed as exhibits to a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part, a Current Report on Form 8-K, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, filed by NWA Corp. with the
Commission.
The Certificates offered pursuant to this Prospectus will be limited to
$500,000,000 aggregate public offering price (or its equivalent (based on the
applicable exchange rate at the time of sale) in one or more foreign currencies
or currency units).
Certain provisions of the description of the Certificates in this Prospectus
do not necessarily apply to one Certificate of each Trust which may be issued in
a denomination of less than $1,000.
TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY PROVISION IN ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS
INCONSISTENT WITH ANY PROVISION IN THIS SUMMARY, THE PROVISION OF SUCH
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WILL CONTROL.
GENERAL
Each Certificate will represent a fractional undivided interest in the Trust
created by the Trust Supplement pursuant to which such Certificate was issued
and all payments and distributions shall be made only from the related Trust
Property (as defined below). The property of each Trust (the "Trust Property")
will include the Equipment Notes held in such Trust, all monies at any time paid
thereon and all monies due and to become due thereunder and funds from time to
time deposited with the Trustee in accounts relating to such Trust and, if so
specified in the Prospectus Supplement related to a series of Certificates,
rights under intercreditor agreements relating to cross-subordination
arrangements and monies receivable under a liquidity facility. Each Certificate
will represent a pro rata share of the outstanding principal amount of the
Equipment Notes held in the related Trust and, unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be issued in minimum denominations of
$1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. The Certificates do not represent an
interest in or obligation of Northwest, NWA Corp., the Trustee, any of the Loan
Trustees or Owner Trustees in their individual capacities, any Owner
Participant, or any affiliate of any thereof. Each Certificateholder by its
acceptance of a Certificate agrees to look solely to the income and proceeds
from the Trust Property as provided in the Basic Agreement and the applicable
Trust Supplement.
The Equipment Notes issued under an Indenture may be held in more than one
Trust and one Trust may hold Equipment Notes issued under more than one
Indenture (each Indenture the Equipment Notes of which are held in a Trust, a
"Related Indenture"). Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, only
Equipment Notes having the same priority of payment (the Equipment Notes of any
such priority, a "Class") may be held in the same Trust.
Interest will be passed through to Certificateholders of each Trust at the
rate per annum payable on the Equipment Notes held in such Trust, as set forth
for such Trust on the cover page of the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement that accompanies this
Prospectus for a description of the specific series of Certificates being
offered thereby, including: (1) the specific designation and title of such
Certificates; (2) the Regular Distribution Dates (as defined below) and Special
Distribution Dates (as defined below) applicable to such Certificates; (3) the
currency or
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currencies (including currency units) in which such Certificates may be
denominated; (4) the specific form of such Certificates, including whether or
not such Certificates are to be issued in accordance with a book-entry system;
(5) a description of the Equipment Notes to be purchased by such Trust,
including (a) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which,
and the terms and conditions upon which such Equipment Notes may or must be
redeemed or defeased in whole or in part, by Northwest or, with respect to
Leased Aircraft Notes, the Owner Trustee, (b) the payment priority of such
Equipment Notes in relation to any other Equipment Notes issued with respect to
the related Aircraft, (c) any additional security or liquidity enhancements
therefor and (d) any intercreditor or other rights or limitations between or
among the holders of Equipment Notes of different priorities issued by the same
Owner Trustee; (6) a description of the related Aircraft, including whether such
Aircraft is a Leased Aircraft or an Owned Aircraft; (7) a description of the
related Note Purchase Agreement and Related Indentures, including a description
of the events of default under the Related Indentures, the remedies exercisable
upon the occurrence of such events of default and any limitations on the
exercise of such remedies with respect to such Equipment Notes; (8) if such
Certificates relate to Leased Aircraft, a description of the related Lease,
Trust Agreement and Participation Agreement, including (a) the names of the
related Owner Trustees, (b) a description of the events of default under the
related Leases, the remedies exercisable upon the occurrence of such events of
default and any limitations on the exercise of such remedies with respect to
such Leased Aircraft Notes, and (c) the rights of the related Owner Trustee, if
any, and/or Owner Participant, if any, to cure failures of Northwest to pay rent
under the related Lease; (9) the extent, if any, to which the provisions of the
operative documents applicable to such Equipment Notes may be amended by the
parties thereto without the consent of the holders of, or only upon the consent
of the holders of a specified percentage of aggregate principal amount of, such
Equipment Notes; (10) cross-default or cross-collateralization provisions in the
Related Indentures; (11) subordination provisions among the holders of
Certificates, including any cross-subordination provisions among the holders of
Certificates in separate Trusts; and (12) any other special terms pertaining to
such Certificates.
If any Certificates are denominated in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units, the restrictions, certain United States federal income tax
considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to such
Certificates and such foreign currency or currency units will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
GENERAL
If specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Certificates will
be subject to the provisions described below and under the caption "--Definitive
Certificates." Upon issuance, each series of Certificates will be represented by
one fully registered global certificate. Each global certificate will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and
registered in the name of Cede & Co. ("Cede"), or its nominee. No person
acquiring an interest in such Certificates ("Certificate Owner") will be
entitled to receive a certificate representing such person's interest in such
Certificates, except as set forth below under "--Definitive Certificates."
Unless and until Definitive Certificates are issued under the limited
circumstances described herein, all references to actions by Certificateholders
shall refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from DTC Participants (as
defined below), and all references herein to distributions, notices, reports and
statements to Certificateholders shall refer, as the case may be, to
distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC or Cede, as the registered
holder of such Certificates, or to DTC Participants for distribution to
Certificate Owners in accordance with DTC procedures.
Northwest has been advised that DTC is a limited purpose trust company
organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal
Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York
Uniform Commercial Code and "clearing agency" registered pursuant to
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section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its
participants ("DTC Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement
of securities transactions between DTC Participants through electronic
book-entries, thereby eliminating the need for physical transfer of
certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies and clearing corporations. Indirect access to the DTC system
also is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant
either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
Certificate Owners that are not DTC Participants or Indirect Participants
but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of, or other
interests in, the Certificates may do so only through DTC Participants and
Indirect Participants. In addition, Certificate Owners will receive all
distributions of principal and interest from the Trustee through DTC
Participants or Indirect Participants, as the case may be. Under a book-entry
format, Certificate Owners may experience some delay in their receipt of
payments, because such payments will be forwarded by the Trustee to Cede, as
nominee for DTC. DTC will forward such payments in same-day funds to DTC
Participants who are credited with ownership of the Certificates in amounts
proportionate to the principal amount of each such DTC Participant's respective
holdings of beneficial interests in the Certificates. DTC Participants will
thereafter forward payments to Indirect Participants or Certificate Owners, as
the case may be, in accordance with customary industry practices. The forwarding
of such distributions to the Certificate Owners will be the responsibility of
such DTC Participants. Unless and until the Definitive Certificates are issued
under the limited circumstances described herein, the only "Certificateholder"
will be Cede, as nominee of DTC. Certificate Owners will not be recognized by
the Trustee as Certificateholders, as such term is used in the Basic Agreement,
and Certificate Owners will be permitted to exercise the rights of
Certificateholders only indirectly through DTC and DTC Participants.
Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and
its operations (the "Rules"), DTC is required to make book-entry transfers of
the Certificates among DTC Participants on whose behalf it acts with respect to
the Certificates and to receive and transmit distributions of principal,
premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Certificates. DTC Participants
and Indirect Participants with which Certificate Owners have accounts with
respect to the Certificates similarly are required to make book-entry transfers
and receive and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective customers.
Accordingly, although Certificate Owners will not possess the Certificates, the
Rules provide a mechanism by which Certificate Owners will receive payments and
will be able to transfer their interests.
Because DTC can only act on behalf of DTC Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a Certificate Owner to pledge
the Certificates to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC
system, or to otherwise act with respect to such Certificates, may be limited
due to the lack of a physical certificate for such Certificates.
DTC has advised Northwest that it will take any action permitted to be taken
by a Certificateholder under the Basic Agreement only at the direction of one or
more DTC Participants to whose accounts with DTC the Certificates are credited.
Additionally, DTC has advised Northwest that in the event any action requires
approval by Certificateholders of a certain percentage of beneficial interest in
each Trust, DTC will take such action only at the direction of and on behalf of
DTC Participants whose holders include undivided interests that satisfy any such
percentage. DTC may take conflicting actions with respect to other undivided
interests to the extent that such actions are taken on behalf of DTC
Participants whose holders include such undivided interests.
Neither Northwest, NWA Corp. nor the Trustee will have any liability for any
aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Certificates held by Cede, as nominee for DTC, or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
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The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify any additional book-entry
registration procedures applicable to Certificates denominated in a currency
other than United States dollars.
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
So long as the Certificates are registered in the name of Cede, as nominee
for DTC, all payments made by Northwest to the Loan Trustee under any Lease or
any Owned Aircraft Indentures will be in immediately available funds. Such
payments, including the final distribution of principal with respect to the
Certificates of any Trust, will be passed through to DTC in immediately
available funds.
Secondary trading in long-term notes and debentures of corporate issuers is
generally settled in clearinghouse or next-day funds. In contrast, secondary
trading in pass through certificates is generally settled in immediately
available or same-day funds. Any Certificates registered in the name of Cede, as
nominee for DTC, will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System until
maturity, and secondary market trading activity in the Certificates will
therefore be required by DTC to settle in immediately available funds. No
assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in same-day funds
on trading activity in the Certificates.
DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES
Certificates will be issued in certificated form ("Definitive Certificates")
to Certificate Owners or their nominees, rather than to DTC or its nominee, only
if (i) Northwest advises the Trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing or
able to discharge properly its responsibilities as depository with respect to
such Certificates and Northwest is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii)
Northwest, at its option, elects to terminate the book-entry system through DTC
or (iii) after the occurrence of certain events of default or other events
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Certificate Owners with
fractional undivided interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest
in such Trust advise the Trustee, Northwest and DTC through DTC Participants in
writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through DTC (or a successor
thereto) is no longer in the Certificate Owners' best interest.
Upon the occurrence of any event described in the immediately preceding
paragraph, the Trustee will be required to notify all Certificate Owners through
DTC Participants of the availability of Definitive Certificates. Upon surrender
by DTC of the certificates representing the Certificates and receipt of
instructions for re-registration, the Trustee will reissue the Certificates as
Definitive Certificates to Certificate Owners.
Distributions of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to
Certificates will thereafter be made by the Trustee directly in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Basic Agreement and the applicable Trust
Supplements, to holders in whose names the Definitive Certificates were
registered at the close of business on the applicable record date. Such
distributions will be made by check mailed to the address of such holder as it
appears on the register maintained by the Trustee. The final payment on any
Certificate, however, will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such
Certificate at the office or agency specified in the notice of final
distribution to Certificateholders.
Definitive Certificates will be freely transferable and exchangeable at the
office of the Trustee upon compliance with the requirements set forth in the
Basic Agreement and the applicable Trust Supplements. No service charge will be
imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange, but payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge shall be required.
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PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement for a series of Certificates, payments of principal,
premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Equipment Notes held in each
Trust will be distributed by the Trustee, upon receipt, to Certificateholders of
such Trust on the dates and in the currency specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, except in certain cases when some or all of such
Equipment Notes are in default as described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. Payments of principal of, and interest on, the unpaid principal
amount of the Equipment Notes held in each Trust will be scheduled to be
received by the Trustee on the dates specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement (such scheduled payments of interest and principal on the Equipment
Notes to the Trustee are herein referred to as "Scheduled Payments," and the
dates specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement for distribution of
Scheduled Payments to the Trustee are herein referred to as "Regular
Distribution Dates"). See "Description of the Equipment Notes General." Subject
to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement for a series of Certificates, each Certificateholder of each Trust
will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of any distribution in respect of
Scheduled Payments of principal and interest made on the Equipment Notes held in
the Trust.
Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest received by the Trustee
on account of the early redemption, if any, of the Equipment Notes relating to
one or more Aircraft held in a Trust, and payments, other than Scheduled
Payments received on a Regular Distribution Date, received by the Trustee
following default in respect of Equipment Notes held in a Trust relating to one
or more Aircraft ("Special Payments") will be distributed on the date determined
pursuant to the applicable Prospectus Supplement (a "Special Distribution Date")
except that, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
payments received by the Trustee following default in respect of the Equipment
Notes on a Regular Distribution Date as a result of a drawing under any
liquidity facility specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (each, a
"Liquidity Facility"), provided for the benefit of the Certificateholders shall
be distributed on such Regular Distribution Date. The Trustee will mail notice
to the Certificateholders of record of the applicable Trust not less than 20
days prior to the Special Distribution Date on which any Special Payment is
scheduled to be distributed by the Trustee stating such anticipated Special
Distribution Date.
POOL FACTORS
Unless there has been an early redemption, a purchase of an issue of
Equipment Notes by the related Owner Trustee after an Indenture Default (as
defined below), a default in the payment of principal in respect of one or more
issues of the Equipment Notes held in a Trust or certain actions have been taken
following a default thereon, as described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Pool Factor (as defined below) for the Trusts will decline in
proportion to the scheduled repayments of principal on the Equipment Notes held
in such Trust as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In the event
of such redemption, purchase or default, the Pool Factor and the Pool Balance
(as defined below) of each Trust so affected will be recomputed after giving
effect thereto and notice thereof will be mailed to the Certificateholders of
such Trust. Each Trust will have a separate Pool Factor.
Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
"Pool Balance" for each Trust or for the Certificates issued by any Trust
indicates, as of any date, the original aggregate face amount of the
Certificates of such Trust less the aggregate amount of all payments made in
respect of the Certificates of such Trust other than payments made in respect of
interest or premium thereon or reimbursement of any costs and expenses in
connection therewith. The Pool Balance for each Trust as of any Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date shall be computed after giving
effect to the payment of principal, if any, on the Equipment Notes or other
Trust Property held in such Trust and the distribution thereof to be made on
that date.
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Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
"Pool Factor" for each Trust as of any Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date is the quotient (rounded to the seventh decimal place)
computed by dividing (i) the Pool Balance by (ii) the aggregate original
principal amount of the Equipment Notes held in such Trust. The Pool Factor for
each Trust as of any Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date
shall be computed after giving effect to the payment of principal, if any, on
the Equipment Notes held in such Trust and distribution thereof to be made on
that date. The Pool Factor for each Trust will initially be 1.0000000;
thereafter, the Pool Factor for each Trust will decline as described above to
reflect reductions in the Pool Balance of such Trust. The amount of a
Certificateholder's pro rata share of the Pool Balance of a Trust can be
determined by multiplying the original denomination of the holder's Certificate
of such Trust by the Pool Factor for such Trust as of the applicable Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date. The Pool Factor and the Pool
Balance for each Trust will be mailed to Certificateholders of such Trust on
each Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date.
REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
On each Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee
will include with each distribution of a Scheduled Payment or Special Payment to
Certificateholders of the related Trust a statement, giving effect to such
distribution to be made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date, setting forth the following information (per $1,000 aggregate
principal amount of Certificate for such Trust, as to (i) and (ii) below):
(i) the amount of such distribution allocable to principal and the amount
allocable to premium, if any;
(ii) the amount of such distribution allocable to interest; and
(iii) the Pool Balance and the Pool Factor for such Trust.
So long as the Certificates are registered in the name of Cede, as nominee
for DTC, on the record date prior to each Regular Distribution Date and Special
Distribution Date, the Trustee will request from DTC a Securities Position
Listing setting forth the names of all DTC Participants reflected on DTC's books
as holding interests in the Certificates on such record date. On each Regular
Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee will mail to each
such DTC Participant the statement described above and will make available
additional copies as requested by such DTC Participant for forwarding to
Certificate Owners.
In addition, after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee will prepare
for each Certificateholder of each Trust at any time during the preceding
calendar year a report containing the sum of the amounts determined pursuant to
clauses (i) and (ii) above with respect to the Trust for such calendar year or,
in the event such person was a Certificateholder during only a portion of such
calendar year, for the applicable portion of such calendar year, and such other
items as are readily available to the Trustee and which a Certificateholder
shall reasonably request as necessary for the purpose of such
Certificateholder's preparation of its federal income tax returns. Such report
and such other items shall be prepared on the basis of information supplied to
the Trustee by the DTC Participants and shall be delivered by the Trustee to
such DTC Participants to be available for forwarding by such DTC Participants to
Certificate Owners in the manner described above.
At such time, if any, as the Certificates are issued in the form of
Definitive Certificates, the Trustee will prepare and deliver the information
described above to each Certificateholder of record of each Trust as the name
and period of beneficial ownership of such Certificateholder appears on the
records of the registrar of the Certificates.
VOTING OF EQUIPMENT NOTES
Subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions set forth in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the Trustee, as holder of the Equipment Notes
held in each Trust, has the right to vote and
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give consents and waivers with respect to such Equipment Notes under the Related
Indentures. The Basic Agreement and related Trust Supplement set forth (i) the
circumstances in which the Trustee may direct any action or cast any vote as the
holder of the Equipment Notes held in the applicable Trust at its own
discretion, (ii) the circumstances in which the Trustee shall seek instructions
from the Certificateholders of such Trust and (iii) the percentage of
Certificateholders required to direct the Trustee to take any such action. If
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the right of a Trustee to vote
and give consents and waivers with respect to the Equipment Notes held in the
related Trust may, in the circumstances set forth in an intercreditor agreement
to be executed by such Trustee, be exercisable by another person specified in
such Prospectus Supplement.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND CERTAIN RIGHTS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
The Prospectus Supplement will specify the events of default under the Basic
Agreement (an "Event of Default") and the Related Indentures (an "Indenture
Default"). The Indenture Defaults will include events of default under the
related Leases (a "Lease Event of Default"). With respect to any Equipment Notes
which are supported by a Liquidity Facility the Indenture Defaults or Events of
Default may include events of default under such Liquidity Facility. Unless
otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, all of the Equipment Notes issued
under the same Indenture will relate to a specific Aircraft and there will be no
cross-collateralization or cross-default provisions in the Indentures, and
events resulting in an Indenture Default under any particular Indenture will not
necessarily result in an Indenture Default occurring under any other Indenture.
If an Indenture Default occurs in fewer than all of the Indentures,
notwithstanding the treatment of Equipment Notes issued under any Indenture
under which an Indenture Default has occurred, payments of principal and
interest on the Equipment Notes issued pursuant to Indentures with respect to
which an Indenture Default has not occurred will continue to be made as
originally scheduled. As described below under "--Cross-Subordination Issues," a
Prospectus Supplement may provide the terms of any cross-subordination
provisions among Certificateholders of separate Trusts. If such provisions are
so provided, payments made pursuant to a Related Indenture under which an
Indenture Default has not occurred may be distributed first to the holders of
the Certificates issued under the Trust which holds the most senior Equipment
Notes issued under all Related Indentures.
The ability of the applicable Owner Trustee or Owner Participant under the
Related Indenture to cure Indenture Defaults, including Indenture Defaults that
result from the occurrence of a Lease Event of Default under the related Lease
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise provided in a
Prospectus Supplement, with respect to any Certificates or Equipment Notes
entitled to the benefits of a Liquidity Facility, a drawing under any such
Liquidity Facility for the purpose of making a payment of interest as a result
of the failure by Northwest to have made a corresponding payment will not cure
an Indenture Default related to such failure by Northwest.
The Prospectus Supplement related to a series of Certificates will describe
the circumstances under which the Trustee of the related Trust may vote some or
all of the Equipment Notes issued under the applicable Indenture or issued under
any Related Indentures. Such Prospectus Supplement will also set forth (i) the
percentage of Certificateholders of such Trust entitled to direct the Trustee to
take any action with respect to such Equipment Notes and, if applicable,
Equipment Notes issued under any other Related Indenture. If the Equipment Notes
outstanding under an Indenture are held by more than one Trust, then the ability
of the Certificateholders issued with respect to any one Trust to cause the Loan
Trustee with respect to any Equipment Notes held in such Trust to accelerate the
Equipment Notes under the Related Indenture or to direct the exercise of
remedies by the Loan Trustee under the Related Indenture will depend, in part,
upon the proportion between the aggregate principal amount of the Equipment
Notes outstanding under such Indenture and held in such Trust and the aggregate
principal amount of all Equipment Notes outstanding under such Indenture. In
addition, if cross-subordination provisions are applicable to any series of
Certificates, then the ability of the Certificateholders of any one Trust
holding Equipment Notes issued under Related Indentures to cause the Loan
Trustee with respect to any Equipment Notes held in such Trust to accelerate the
Equipment Notes under the Related Indenture or to
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direct the exercise of remedies by the Loan Trustee under the Related Indenture
will depend, in part, upon the Class of Notes held in such Trust. If the
Equipment Notes outstanding under an Indenture are held by more than one Trust,
then each Trust will hold Equipment Notes with different terms from the
Equipment Notes held in the other Trusts and therefore the Certificateholders of
a Trust may have divergent or conflicting interests from those of the
Certificateholders of the other Trusts holding Equipment Notes relating to the
same Indenture. In addition, so long as the same institution acts as Trustee of
each Trust, in the absence of instructions from the Certificateholders of any
such Trust, the Trustee for such Trust could for the same reason be faced with a
potential conflict of interest upon an Indenture Default. In such event, the
Trustee has indicated that it would resign as Trustee of one or all such Trusts,
and a successor trustee would be appointed in accordance with the terms of the
Basic Agreement.
The Prospectus Supplement for a series of Certificates will specify whether
and under what circumstances the Trustee may or shall sell for cash to any
person all or part of such Equipment Notes. Any proceeds received by the Trustee
upon any such sale shall be deposited in an account established by the Trustee
for the benefit of the Certificateholders of such Trust for the deposit of such
Special Payments (the "Special Payments Account") and shall be distributed to
the Certificateholders of such Trust on a Special Distribution Date. The market
for Equipment Notes in default may be very limited, and there can be no
assurance that they could be sold for a reasonable price. Furthermore, so long
as the same institution acts as Trustee of multiple Trusts, it may be faced with
a conflict in deciding from which Trust to sell Equipment Notes to available
buyers. If the Trustee sells any such Equipment Notes with respect to which an
Indenture Default exists for less than their outstanding principal amount, the
Certificateholders of such Trust will receive a smaller amount of principal
distributions than anticipated and will not have any claim for the shortfall
against Northwest, any Owner Trustee, Owner Participant or the Trustee.
Furthermore, neither the Trustee nor the Certificateholders of such Trust could
take any action with respect to any remaining Equipment Notes held in such Trust
so long as no Indenture Defaults exist with respect thereto.
Any amount, other than Scheduled Payments received on a Regular Distribution
Date, distributed to the Trustee of any Trust by the Loan Trustee under any
Indenture on account of the Equipment Notes held in such Trust following an
Indenture Default under such Indenture shall be deposited in the Special
Payments Account for such Trust and shall be distributed to the
Certificateholders of such Trust on a Special Distribution Date. In addition, if
a Prospectus Supplement provides that the applicable Owner Trustee may, under
circumstances specified therein, redeem or purchase the outstanding Equipment
Notes issued under the Related Indenture, the price paid by such Owner Trustee
to the Trustee of any Trust for the Equipment Notes issued under such Indenture
and held in such Trust shall be deposited in the Special Payments Account for
such Trust and shall be distributed to the Certificateholders of such Trust on a
Special Distribution Date.
Any funds representing payments received with respect to any Equipment Notes
held in a Trust in default, or the proceeds from the sale by the Trustee of any
such Equipment Notes, held by the Trustee in the Special Payments Account for
such Trust shall, to the extent practicable, be invested and reinvested by the
Trustee in Permitted Investments pending the distribution of such funds on a
Special Distribution Date. "Permitted Investments" will be specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
The Basic Agreement provides that the Trustee of each Trust shall, within 90
days after the occurrence of a default in respect of such Trust, give to the
Certificateholders of such Trust notice, transmitted by mail, of all uncured or
unwaived defaults with respect to such Trust known to it, provided that, except
in the case of default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest
on any of the Equipment Notes held in such Trust, the Trustee shall be protected
in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding
of such notice is in the interests of such Certificateholders. The term
"default" as used in this paragraph only means the occurrence of an Event of
Default with respect to a Trust as described above, except that in determining
whether any such Event of Default has occurred, any grace period or notice in
connection therewith shall be disregarded.
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The Basic Agreement contains a provision entitling the Trustee of each
Trust, subject to the duty of the Trustee during a default to act with the
required standard of care, to be offered reasonable security or indemnity by the
Certificateholders of such Trust before proceeding to exercise any right or
power under the Basic Agreement at the request of such Certificateholders.
The Prospectus Supplement for a series of Certificates will specify the
percentage of Certificateholders entitled to waive, or to instruct the Trustee
to waive, any past Event of Default with respect to such Trust and thereby annul
any direction given with respect thereto. The Prospectus Supplement for a series
of Certificates will also specify the percentage of Certificateholders (and
whether of such Trust or of any other Trust holding Equipment Notes issued under
Related Indentures) entitled to waive, or to instruct the Trustee or the Loan
Trustee to waive, any past Indenture Default with respect to the Equipment Notes
held in such Trust and thereby annul any direction given with respect thereto.
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS
Northwest will be prohibited from consolidating with or merging into any
other corporation or transferring substantially all of its assets as an entirety
to any other corporation unless (i) the surviving successor or transferee
corporation shall (a) be a "citizen of the United States" (as defined in Section
40102(a)(15) of Title 49 of the United States Code) holding a carrier operating
certificate issued by the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to Chapter 447 of
Title 49, United States Code, for aircraft capable of carrying 10 or more
individuals or 6,000 pounds or more of cargo and with respect to which there is
in force an air carrier operating certificate issued pursuant to Part 121 of the
regulations under the sections of Title 49, United States Code, relating to
aviation and (b) expressly assume all of the obligations of Northwest contained
in the Basic Agreement and any Trust Supplement, the Note Purchase Agreements
and the Indentures and, with respect to the Leased Aircraft Notes, the
Participation Agreements and the Leases, and any other operative documents; (ii)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Indenture Default (with
respect to the Owned Aircraft Notes) or Lease Event of Default (with respect to
the Leased Aircraft Notes) shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii)
Northwest shall have delivered a certificate and an opinion or opinions of
counsel indicating that such transaction, in effect, complies with such
conditions.
MODIFICATIONS OF THE BASIC AGREEMENT
The Basic Agreement contains provisions permitting Northwest, NWA Corp. and
the Trustee of each Trust to enter into a supplemental trust agreement, without
the consent of the holders of any of the Certificates of such Trust, (i) to
provide for the formation of such Trust and the issuance of a series of
Certificates, (ii) to evidence the succession of another corporation to
Northwest or NWA Corp. and the assumption by such corporation of Northwest's or
NWA Corp.'s obligations under the Basic Agreement and the applicable Trust
Supplement, (iii) to add to the covenants of Northwest or NWA Corp. for the
benefit of holders of such Certificates, or to surrender any right or power in
the Basic Agreement conferred upon Northwest or NWA Corp., (iv) to cure any
ambiguity or correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision of
the Basic Agreement or the applicable Trust Supplement or to make any other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising thereunder, provided
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of such
Certificates, or to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake, (v) to modify,
eliminate or add to the provisions of the Basic Agreement to the extent as shall
be necessary to continue the qualification of the Basic Agreement (including any
supplemental agreement) under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"Trust Indenture Act") and to add to the Basic Agreement such other provisions
as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, (vi) to provide for a
successor Trustee or to add to or change any provision of the Basic Agreement as
shall be necessary to facilitate the administration of the Trusts thereunder by
more than one Trustee, (vii) to add, eliminate or change any provisions under
such Basic Agreement that will not adversely affect the Certificateholders in
any material respect, provided that in each case, such modification does not
cause the corresponding Trust to become taxable as an "association" within the
meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-2 or a "publicly traded
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partnership" within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code taxable as a
corporation and (viii) to make any other amendments or modifications to the
Basic Agreement, provided such amendments or modifications shall only apply to
Certificates issued thereafter.
The Basic Agreement also contains provisions permitting Northwest, NWA Corp.
and the Trustee of each Trust, with the consent of the Certificateholders of
such Trust evidencing fractional undivided interests aggregating not less than a
majority in interest of such Trust, and, with respect to any Leased Aircraft,
with the consent of the applicable Owner Trustee (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld), to execute supplemental trust agreements adding any
provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the Basic
Agreement, to the extent relating to such Trust, and the applicable Trust
Supplement, or modifying the rights of the Certificateholders, except that no
such supplemental trust agreement may, without the consent of each
Certificateholder so affected thereby, (a) reduce in any manner the amount of,
or delay the timing of, any receipt by the Trustee of payments on the Equipment
Notes held in such Trust or distributions in respect of any Certificate related
to such Trust, or change the date or place of any payment in respect of any
Certificate, or make distributions payable in coin or currency other than that
provided for in such Certificates, or impair the right of any Certificateholder
of such Trust to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment when
due, (b) permit the disposition of any Equipment Note held in such Trust, except
as provided in the Basic Agreement or the applicable Trust Supplement, or
otherwise deprive any Certificateholder of the benefit of the ownership of the
applicable Equipment Notes, (c) reduce the percentage of the aggregate
fractional undivided interests of the Trust provided for in the Basic Agreement
or the applicable Trust Supplement, the consent of the holders of which is
required for any such supplemental trust agreement or for any waiver provided
for in the Basic Agreement or such Trust Supplement, (d) modify any of the
provisions relating to the rights of the Certificateholders in respect of the
waiver of events of default or receipt of payment or (e) cause the Trust to
become taxable as an "association" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation
Section 301.7701-2 or a "publicly traded partnership" within the meaning of
Section 7704 of the Code taxable as a corporation.
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE AND RELATED AGREEMENTS
The Prospectus Supplement will specify the Trustee's obligations in the
event that the Trustee, as the holder of any Equipment Notes held in a Trust,
receives a request for its consent to any amendment, modification or waiver
under the Indenture or other documents relating to such Equipment Notes
(including any Lease with respect to Leased Aircraft Notes or any Liquidity
Facility).
CROSS-SUBORDINATION ISSUES
The Equipment Notes issued under an Indenture may be held in more than one
Trust and one Trust may hold Equipment Notes issued under more than one Related
Indenture. Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, only Equipment
Notes of the same Class may be held in the same Trust. In such event, payments
made on account of a subordinate Class of Equipment Notes issued under a Related
Indenture may, under circumstances described in the related Prospectus
Supplement, be subordinated to the prior payment of all amounts owing to
Certificateholders of a Trust which holds senior Equipment Notes issued under
all Related Indentures. The Prospectus Supplement related to an issuance of
Certificates will describe any such "cross-subordination" provisions and any
related terms, including the percentage of Certificateholders under any Trust
which are permitted to (i) grant waivers of defaults under any Related
Indenture, (ii) consent to the amendment or modification of any Related
Indentures or (iii) direct the exercise of remedial actions under any Related
Indentures.
TERMINATION OF THE TRUSTS
The obligations of Northwest, NWA Corp. and the Trustee with respect to a
Trust will terminate upon the distribution to Certificateholders of such Trust
of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to the Basic
Agreement and the applicable Trust Supplement and the disposition of all
property
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held in such Trust. The Trustee will send to each Certificateholder of record of
such Trust notice of the termination of such Trust, the amount of the proposed
final payment and the proposed date for the distribution of such final payment
for such Trust. The final distribution to any Certificateholder of such Trust
will be made only upon surrender of such Certificateholder's Certificates at the
office or agency of the Trustee specified in such notice of termination.
DELAYED PURCHASE
In the event that, on the delivery date of any Certificates, all of the
proceeds from the sale of such Certificates are not used to purchase the
Equipment Notes contemplated to be held in the related Trust, such Equipment
Notes may be purchased by the Trustee at any time on or prior to the date
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In such event, the Trustee
will hold the proceeds from the sale of such Certificates not used to purchase
Equipment Notes in an escrow account pending the purchase of the Equipment Notes
not so purchased. Such proceeds will be invested at the direction and risk of,
and for the account of, Northwest in certain specified investments, which may
include: (i) obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States Government or
agencies thereof, (ii) open market commercial paper of any corporation
incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof
rated at least P-2 or its equivalent by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or at
least A-2 or its equivalent by Standard & Poor's Corporation, (iii) certificates
of deposit issued by commercial banks organized under the laws of the United
States or of any political subdivision thereof having a combined capital and
surplus in excess of $500,000,000 which banks or their holding companies have a
rating of A or its equivalent by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard &
Poor's Corporation, provided, however, that the aggregate amount at any one time
so invested in certificates of deposit issued by any one bank shall not exceed
5% of such bank's capital and surplus, (iv) U.S. dollar denominated offshore
certificates of deposit issued by, or offshore time deposits with, any
commercial bank described in clause (iii) above or any subsidiary thereof and
(v) repurchase agreements with any financial institution having combined capital
and surplus of at least $500,000,000 with any of the obligations described in
(i) through (iv) as collateral; provided that if all of the above investments
are unavailable, the entire amounts to be invested may be used to purchase
federal funds from an entity described in clause (iii) above; and provided
further that no investment shall be eligible as a "specified investment" unless
the final maturity date or date of return of such investment is on or before (x)
the scheduled date for the purchase of such Equipment Notes, or (y) if no date
has been scheduled for the purchase of such Equipment Notes, the next Business
Day, or (z) if Northwest has given notice that such Equipment Notes will not be
purchased, the next applicable Special Distribution Date. Earnings on such
investments in the escrow account for each Trust will be paid to Northwest
periodically, and Northwest will be responsible for any losses.
On the next Regular Distribution Date specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, Northwest will pay to the Trustee an amount equal to the interest
that would have accrued on any Equipment Notes purchased after the date of the
issuance of such Certificates from the date of the issuance of such Certificates
to, but excluding, the date of the purchase of such Equipment Notes by the
Trustee.
SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION UPON UNAVAILABILITY OF AIRCRAFT
To the extent that, due to a casualty to, or other event causing the
unavailability of, one or more Aircraft, the full amount of the proceeds from
the sale of any Certificates held in the escrow account referred to above is not
used to purchase Equipment Notes on or prior to the date specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, an amount equal to the unused proceeds will be
distributed by the Trustee to the holders of record of such Certificates on a
pro rata basis upon not less than 20 days' prior notice to them on a Special
Distribution Date, together with interest thereon at a rate equal to the rate
applicable to such Certificates, but without premium, and Northwest will pay to
the Trustee on such date an amount equal to such interest.
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THE PARENT GUARANTY
NWA Corp. will unconditionally guarantee (i) with respect to related Owned
Aircraft Notes, the full and prompt payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest thereon when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at
maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, and (ii) with respect to related Leased
Aircraft Notes, the full and prompt payment of all amounts payable by Northwest
under the related Lease when and as the same shall become due and payable. The
Parent Guaranty will be enforceable without any need first to enforce any Owned
Aircraft Note or Lease against Northwest. The Parent Guaranty will be an
unsecured obligation of NWA Corp.
LIQUIDITY FACILITY
The related Prospectus Supplement may provide that one or more payments of
interest on the Certificates of one or more series will be supported by a
Liquidity Facility issued by an institution identified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. The provider of such Liquidity Facility will have a claim senior to
the Certificateholders' as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
THE TRUSTEE
The Trustee for each series of Certificates will be identified in the
Prospectus Supplement. With certain exceptions, the Trustee makes no
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of the Basic Agreement, the
Trust Supplements, the Certificates, the Equipment Notes, the Indentures, the
Leases or other related documents. The Trustee shall not be liable with respect
to any series of Certificates, for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it
in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of a majority in
principal amount of outstanding Certificates of such series issued under the
Basic Agreement. Subject to such provisions, such Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Basic Agreement at
the request of any holders of Certificates issued thereunder unless they shall
have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it. The Basic Agreement
provides that the Indenture Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may
acquire and hold Certificates issued thereunder and, subject to certain
conditions, may otherwise deal with Northwest and, with respect to the Leased
Aircraft, with any Owner Trustee with the same rights it would have if it were
not the Trustee.
The Trustee may resign with respect to any or all of the Trusts at any time,
in which event Northwest will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. If
the Trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as Trustee with respect to a Trust
or becomes incapable of acting as Trustee or becomes insolvent, Northwest may
remove such Trustee, or any Certificateholder of such Trust for at least six
months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of such Trustee and the
appointment of a successor trustee. Any resignation or removal of the Trustee
with respect to a Trust and appointment of a successor trustee for such Trust
does not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor
trustee. Pursuant to such resignation and successor trustee provisions, it is
possible that a different trustee could be appointed to act as the successor
trustee with respect to each Trust. All references in this Prospectus to the
Trustee should be read to take into account the possibility that the Trusts
could have different successor trustees in the event of such a resignation or
removal.
The Basic Agreement provides that Northwest will pay the Trustee's fees and
expenses and indemnify the Trustee against certain liabilities.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUIPMENT NOTES
The statements made under this caption are summaries and reference is made
to the entire Prospectus and detailed information appearing in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Where no distinction is made between the Leased Aircraft
Notes and the Owned Aircraft Notes or between their respective Indentures, such
statements refer to any Equipment Notes and any Indenture.
TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY PROVISION IN ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS
INCONSISTENT WITH ANY PROVISION IN THIS SUMMARY, THE PROVISION OF SUCH
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WILL CONTROL.
GENERAL
All Equipment Notes will be issued under a separate Indenture either (a)
between the related Owner Trustee of a trust for the benefit of the Owner
Participant who is the beneficial owner of the related Aircraft, and the related
Loan Trustee, or (b) between Northwest and the related Loan Trustee. The
Equipment Notes issued pursuant to clause (a) of the preceding sentence will be
nonrecourse obligations of the applicable Owner Trust. Each Equipment Note will
be authenticated under an Indenture by the Loan Trustee. All Equipment Notes
issued under the same Indenture will relate to, and be secured by, one or more
Aircraft identified and described in the related Prospectus Supplement and
which, in the case of Equipment Notes issued as described in such clause (a),
are leased to Northwest pursuant to a Lease between the Owner Trustee under the
applicable Owner Trust and Northwest or, in the case of Equipment Notes issued
as described in clause (b), owned by Northwest.
With respect to each Leased Aircraft, the related Owner Trustee has acquired
or will acquire such Aircraft from Northwest or the manufacturer of such
Aircraft, as the case may be, has granted or will grant a security interest in
such Aircraft to the related Loan Trustee as security for the payments of the
related Leased Aircraft Notes, and has leased or will lease such Aircraft to
Northwest pursuant to the related Lease which has been or will be assigned to
the related Loan Trustee. Pursuant to each such Lease, Northwest will be
obligated to make or cause to be made rental and other payments to the related
Loan Trustee on behalf of the related Owner Trustee in amounts that will be
sufficient to make payments of the principal, interest and premium, if any,
required to be made in respect of such Leased Aircraft Notes when and as due and
payable.
The rental obligations of Northwest under each Lease and the obligations of
Northwest under each Owned Aircraft Indenture and under the Owned Aircraft Notes
will be general obligations of Northwest. Except in certain circumstances
involving Northwest's purchase of a Leased Aircraft and the assumption of the
Leased Aircraft Notes related thereto, the Leased Aircraft Notes are not
obligations of, or guaranteed by, Northwest.
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS
Interest received by the Trustee on the Equipment Notes held in each Trust
will be passed through to the Certificateholders of such Trust on the dates and
at the rate per annum set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement until
the final distribution for such Trust. Principal received by the Trustee on the
Equipment Notes held in each Trust will be passed through to the
Certificateholders of such Trust in scheduled amounts on the dates set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement until the final distribution date for such
Trust.
If any date scheduled for any payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest with respect to the Equipment Notes is not a Business Day, such payment
will be made on the next succeeding Business Day without any additional
interest.
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REDEMPTION
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the circumstances,
whether voluntary or involuntary, under which the Equipment Notes may be
redeemed or purchased prior to the stated maturity date thereof, in whole or in
part, the premium, if any, applicable upon certain redemptions or purchases and
other terms applying to the redemptions or purchases of such Equipment Notes.
SECURITY
The Leased Aircraft Notes will be secured by (i) an assignment by the
related Owner Trustee to the related Loan Trustee of such Owner Trustee's rights
(except for certain rights, including those described below) under the Lease or
Leases with respect to the related Aircraft, including the right to receive
payments of rent thereunder, (ii) a mortgage granted to such Loan Trustee in
such Aircraft, subject to the rights of Northwest under such Lease or Leases and
(iii) an assignment to such Loan Trustee of certain of such Owner Trustee's
rights with respect to such Aircraft under the purchase agreement between
Northwest and the related manufacturer. Under the terms of each Lease,
Northwest's obligations in respect of each Leased Aircraft will be those of a
lessee under a "net lease." Accordingly, Northwest will be obligated, among
other things and at its expense, to cause each Leased Aircraft to be duly
registered, to pay all costs of operating such Aircraft and to maintain,
service, repair and overhaul (or cause to be maintained, serviced, repaired and
overhauled) such Aircraft. With respect to the Leased Aircraft, the assignment
by the related Owner Trustee to the related Loan Trustee of its rights under the
related Lease will exclude, among other things, rights of such Owner Trustee and
the related Owner Participant relating to indemnification by Northwest for
certain matters, insurance proceeds payable to such Owner Trustee in its
individual capacity and to such Owner Participant under liability insurance
maintained by Northwest pursuant to such Lease or by such Owner Trustee or such
Owner Participant, insurance proceeds payable to such Owner Trustee in its
individual capacity or to such Owner Participant under certain casualty
insurance maintained by such Owner Trustee or such Owner Participant pursuant to
such Lease and any rights of such Owner Participant or such Owner Trustee to
enforce payment of the foregoing amounts and their respective rights to the
proceeds of the foregoing.
The Owned Aircraft Notes will be secured by (i) a mortgage granted to the
related Loan Trustee of all of Northwest's right, title and interest in and to
such Owned Aircraft and (ii) an assignment to such Loan Trustee of certain of
Northwest's rights with respect to such Aircraft under the purchase agreement
between Northwest and the related manufacturer. Under the terms of each Owned
Aircraft Indenture, Northwest will be obligated, among other things and at its
expense, to cause each Owned Aircraft to be duly registered, to pay all costs of
operating such Aircraft and to maintain, service, repair and overhaul (or cause
to be maintained, serviced, repaired and overhauled) such Aircraft.
The Prospectus Supplement will specify the required insurance coverage with
respect to the Aircraft.
Northwest will be required, except under certain circumstances, to keep each
Aircraft registered under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (the "Federal
Aviation Act"), and to record the Indenture and the Lease, if applicable, among
other documents, with respect to each Aircraft under the Federal Aviation Act.
Such recordation of the Indenture, the Lease, if applicable, and other documents
with respect to each Aircraft will give the related Loan Trustee a perfected
security interest in the related Aircraft whenever it is located in the United
States or any of its territories and possessions; the Convention on the
International Recognition of Rights in Aircraft (the "Convention") provides that
such security will also be recognized, with certain limited exceptions, in those
jurisdictions that have ratified or adhere to the Convention. Although Northwest
has no current intention to do so, Northwest will have the right, subject to
certain conditions, at its own expense to register each Aircraft in countries
other than the United States. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, prior to any such change in the jurisdiction of registry,
the related Loan Trustee shall have received an opinion of Northwest's
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counsel that, among other things, confirms the perfected status of the lien of
the Related Indenture and, in the case of Leased Aircraft, confirms the validity
and enforceability of the related Lease in such jurisdiction, in each case
subject, in certain cases, to certain filings, recordations or other actions.
Each Aircraft may also be operated by Northwest or under lease, sublease or
interchange arrangements in countries that are not parties to the Convention.
The extent to which the related Loan Trustee's security interest would be
recognized in an Aircraft located in a country that is not a party to the
Convention, and the extent to which such security interest would be recognized
in a jurisdiction adhering to the Convention if the Aircraft is registered in a
jurisdiction not a party to the Convention, is uncertain. Moreover, in the case
of an Indenture Default, the ability of the related Loan Trustee to realize upon
its security interest in an Aircraft could be adversely affected as a legal or
practical matter if such Aircraft were registered or located outside the United
States.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Equipment Notes will not be cross-collateralized and consequently the Equipment
Notes issued in respect of any one Aircraft will not be secured by any other
Aircraft or, in the case of Leased Aircraft Notes, the Lease related thereto.
Unless and until an Indenture Default with respect to a Leased Aircraft has
occurred and is continuing, the related Loan Trustee may exercise only limited
rights of the related Owner Trustee under the related Lease.
Funds, if any, held from time to time by the Loan Trustee with respect to
any Aircraft, prior to the distribution thereof, will be invested and reinvested
by such Loan Trustee. Such investment and reinvestment will be at the direction
of Northwest (except, with respect to a Leased Aircraft, in the case of a Lease
Event of Default under the applicable Lease or, with respect to an Owned
Aircraft, in the case of an Indenture Default under the applicable Indenture),
in certain investments described in the Related Indenture. The net amount of any
loss resulting from any such investments will be paid by Northwest.
Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code provides that, in reorganization cases
under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the right of a lessor with respect to,
and of the holder of a security interest in, aircraft capable of carrying 10 or
more individuals or 6,000 pounds or more of cargo (subject to certain
limitations in the case of any such aircraft first placed in service on or prior
to October 22, 1994) leased to or subject to a security interest granted by a
citizen of the United States (as defined in the Federal Aviation Act) holding an
air carrier operating certificate issued by the Secretary of Transportation
pursuant to the Federal Aviation Act for such aircraft (a certificate which
Northwest presently possesses) to take possession of such aircraft in compliance
with the provisions of the lease or security agreement is not affected by (a)
the automatic stay provision of the Bankruptcy Code, which provision generally
enjoins the taking of any action against a debtor by a creditor, (b) the
provision of the Bankruptcy Code allowing the trustee or debtor-in-possession to
use, sell or lease property of the estate and (c) any power of the bankruptcy
court to enjoin a repossession. Section 1110 provides, however, that the right
of a lessor or secured party to take possession of an aircraft in compliance
with the provisions of the lease or security agreement in the event of a default
may not be exercised for 60 days following the date of commencement of the
reorganization proceedings (unless specifically permitted by the bankruptcy
court) and may not be exercised at all if, within such 60-day period, the
trustee or debtor-in-possession agrees to perform the debtor's obligations that
become due on or after such date and cures all existing defaults (other than
defaults resulting solely from the financial condition, bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization of the debtor). Section 1110 does not prevent the trustee or
debtor-in-possession from rejecting a lease (including any Lease) or demanding a
renegotiation of such lease as a condition to not rejecting such lease. In
addition, if more than one aircraft are leased pursuant to a master lease and
accompanying lease supplement, the applicability of Section 1110 would be
determined on an aircraft-by-aircraft basis. Assuming Section 1110 is applicable
to all aircraft subject to a master lease, Section 1110 does not prevent the
trustee or debtor-in-possession from complying with the provisions of Section
1110 with respect to some lease supplements, and thereby retaining possession of
the related
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aircraft, and not complying with the provisions of Section 1110 with respect to
other lease supplements, and thereby enabling a repossession of other aircraft.
In connection with any issuance of Certificates under this Prospectus and
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Northwest shall have received an opinion
from its counsel to the effect that (i) with respect to any Leased Aircraft, the
related Owner Trustee, as lessor under the related Lease, and the related Loan
Trustee, upon foreclosure of the Owner Trustee's interest in such Lease as
assignee of such Owner Trustee's rights under such Lease pursuant to the Related
Indenture, would be entitled to the benefits of Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy
Code with respect to the Aircraft initially delivered under such Lease and
subjected to the Related Indenture or (ii) with respect to any Owned Aircraft,
the related Loan Trustee under the Related Indenture would be entitled to the
benefits of Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Aircraft
initially subjected to the Related Indenture. Such opinions will not address the
possible replacement of an Aircraft after an Event of Loss (as defined in the
Indenture) in the future.
RANKING OF EQUIPMENT NOTES
Some of the Equipment Notes related to one or more Aircraft, as described in
the related Prospectus Supplement, may be subordinated and junior in right of
payment to other Equipment Notes related to the same Aircraft. The terms of such
subordination, if any, will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
PAYMENTS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Each Leased Aircraft will be leased by the related Owner Trustee to
Northwest for a term commencing on the delivery date thereof to such Owner
Trustee and expiring on a date not earlier than the latest maturity date of the
related Leased Aircraft Notes, unless previously terminated as permitted by the
terms of the related Lease. The basic rent and other payments under each such
Lease will be payable by Northwest in accordance with the terms specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, and will be assigned by the related Owner
Trustee under the Related Indenture to the Loan Trustee to provide the funds
necessary to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest due from such Owner
Trustee on the Leased Aircraft Notes issued under such Indenture. In certain
cases, the basic rent payments under a Lease may be adjusted, but each Lease
will provide that under no circumstances will rent payments by Northwest be less
than the scheduled payments on the related Leased Aircraft Notes. The balance of
any basic rent payment under each Lease, after payment of amounts due on the
Leased Aircraft Notes issued under the Indenture corresponding to such Lease,
will be paid over to the applicable Owner Participant. Northwest's obligation to
pay rent and to cause other payments to be made under each Lease will be general
obligations of Northwest.
With respect to the Leased Aircraft Notes, except in certain circumstances
involving Northwest's purchase of a Leased Aircraft and the assumption of the
Leased Aircraft Notes related thereto, the Leased Aircraft Notes will not be
obligations of, or guaranteed by, Northwest. With respect to the Leased Aircraft
Notes, none of the Owner Trustees, the Owner Participants or the Loan Trustees
shall be personally liable to any holder of such Leased Aircraft Notes for
amounts payable under such Leased Aircraft Notes, or, except as provided in the
Indentures relating thereto in the case of the Owner Trustees and the Loan
Trustees, for any liability under such Indentures. Except in the circumstances
referred to above, all amounts payable under any Leased Aircraft Notes (other
than payments made in connection with an optional redemption or purchase by the
related Owner Trustee or the related Owner Participant) will be made only from
(i) the assets subject to the lien of the Related Indenture with respect to such
Aircraft or the income and proceeds received by the related Loan Trustee
therefrom (including rent payable by Northwest under the related Lease) or (ii)
if so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the applicable Liquidity
Facility.
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With respect to the Leased Aircraft Notes, except as otherwise provided in
the Related Indentures, no Owner Trustee shall be personally liable for any
amount payable or for any statements, representations, warranties, agreements or
obligations under such Indentures or under such Leased Aircraft Notes except for
its own willful misconduct or gross negligence. None of the Owner Participants
shall have any duty or responsibility under the Leased Aircraft Indentures or
under such Leased Aircraft Notes to the related Loan Trustee or to any holder of
any such Leased Aircraft Note.
Northwest's obligations under each Owned Aircraft Indenture and under the
Owned Aircraft Notes will be general obligations of Northwest.
DEFEASANCE OF THE INDENTURES AND THE EQUIPMENT NOTES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
applicable Indenture provides that the obligations of the related Loan Trustee
and, with respect to any Leased Aircraft Notes, the related Owner Trustee or,
with respect to any Owned Aircraft Notes, Northwest under the applicable
Indenture shall be deemed to have been discharged and paid in full (except for
certain obligations, including the obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of Equipment Notes, to replace stolen, lost, destroyed or mutilated
Equipment Notes and to maintain paying agencies and hold money for payment in
trust) on the 91st day after the date of irrevocable deposit with the related
Loan Trustee of money or certain obligations of the United States or any agency
or instrumentality thereof the payment of which is backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States which, through the payment of principal and interest
in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an
aggregate amount sufficient to pay when due (including as a consequence of
redemption in respect of which notice is given on or prior to the date of such
deposit) principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Equipment Notes
issued thereunder in accordance with the terms of such Indenture. Such discharge
may occur only if, among other things, there has been published by the Internal
Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that holders of such Equipment Notes will
not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income
tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same time as would have
been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
Upon such defeasance, or upon payment in full of the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest on all Equipment Notes issued under any Indenture on the
maturity date therefor or deposit with the applicable Loan Trustee of money
sufficient therefor no earlier than one year prior to the date of such maturity,
the holders of such Equipment Notes will have no beneficial interest in or other
rights with respect to the related Aircraft or other assets subject to the lien
of such Indenture and such lien shall terminate.
ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS BY NORTHWEST
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement with
respect to Leased Aircraft, upon the exercise by Northwest of any purchase
options it may have under the related Lease prior to the end of the term of such
Lease, Northwest may assume on a full recourse basis all of the obligations of
the Owner Trustee (other than its obligations in its individual capacity) under
the Indenture with respect to such Aircraft, including the obligations to make
payments in respect of the related Leased Aircraft Notes. In such event, certain
relevant provisions of the related Lease, including (among others) provisions
relating to maintenance, possession and use of the related Aircraft, liens,
insurance and events of default will be incorporated into such Indenture, and
the Leased Aircraft Notes issued under such Indenture will not be redeemed and
will continue to be secured by such Aircraft. It is a condition to such
assumption that, if such Aircraft is registered under the laws of the United
States, an opinion of counsel be delivered at the time of such assumption
substantially to the effect that the related Loan Trustee under such Indenture
should, immediately following such assumption, be entitled to the benefits of
Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to such Aircraft (including the
engines related
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<PAGE>
thereto), but such opinion need not be delivered to the extent that the benefits
of such Section 1110 are not available to the Loan Trustee with respect to such
Aircraft or any engine related thereto immediately prior to such assumption.
LIQUIDITY FACILITY
The related Prospectus Supplement may provide that one or more payments of
interest on the related Equipment Notes of one or more series or distributions
made by the Trustee of the related Trust will be supported by a Liquidity
Facility issued by an institution identified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
provider of the Liquidity Facility will have a senior claim upon the assets
securing the Equipment Notes.
INTERCREDITOR ISSUES
Equipment Notes may be issued in different Classes, which means that the
Equipment Notes may have different payment priorities even though they are
issued by the same Owner Trustee and relate to the same Aircraft. In such event,
the related Prospectus Supplement will describe the priority of distributions
among such Equipment Notes (and any Liquidity Facilities therefor), the ability
of any Class to exercise and/or enforce any or all remedies with respect to the
related Aircraft (and, if the Equipment Notes are Leased Aircraft Notes, the
Lease related thereto) and certain other intercreditor terms and provisions.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
GENERAL
The following discussion describes the principal U.S. federal income tax
consequences to Certificateholders of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Certificates and in the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft such
discussion is accurate in all material respects of the matters discussed herein.
Except as otherwise specified, the discussion is addressed to beneficial owners
of Certificates ("U.S. Certificateholders") that are citizens or residents of
the United States, corporations, partnerships or other entities created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or any State, or estates or
trusts the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless
of its source ("U.S. Persons") that will hold the Certificates as capital
assets. This discussion does not address the tax treatment of U.S.
Certificateholders that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks,
insurance companies, dealers in securities or commodities, tax-exempt entities,
holders that will hold Certificates as part of a straddle or holders that have a
"functional currency" other than the U.S. Dollar, nor does it address the tax
treatment of U.S. Certificateholders that do not acquire Certificates as part of
the initial offering. This discussion does not describe any tax consequences
arising under the laws of any State, locality or taxing jurisdiction other than
the United States.
This discussion is based upon the tax laws of the United States as in effect
on the date of this Prospectus, as well as judicial and administrative
interpretations thereof (in final or proposed form) available on or before such
date. All of the foregoing are subject to change or differing interpretations,
which could apply retroactively. Prospective investors should note that no
rulings have been or will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS") with respect to any of the federal income tax consequences discussed
below, and no assurance can be given the IRS will not take contrary positions.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP
AND DISPOSITION OF THE CERTIFICATES.
TAX STATUS OF THE TRUSTS
In the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, special tax counsel to
Northwest, in the case of each Series of Certificates, each Trust will be
classified as a grantor trust under subpart E, Part I of
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<PAGE>
Subchapter J of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and
not as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Accordingly, each U.S. Certificateholder will be subject to federal
income taxation as if it owned directly a pro rata undivided interest in each
asset owned by the corresponding Trust and paid directly its share of fees and
expenses paid by such Trust.
TAXATION OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS GENERALLY
A U.S. Certificateholder will be treated as owning its pro rata undivided
interest in each of the Equipment Notes and any other property held by the
related Trust. Accordingly, each U.S. Certificateholder's share of interest paid
on the Equipment Notes will be taxable as ordinary income, as it is paid or
accrued, in accordance with such owner's method of accounting for U.S. federal
income tax purposes and a U.S. Certificateholder's share of premium, if any,
paid on the Equipment Notes will be treated as capital gain. Any amounts
received by a Trust from Interest Drawings under the relevant Liquidity Facility
will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having the same
characteristics as the payments they replace.
Each U.S. Certificateholder will be entitled to deduct, consistent with its
method of accounting, its pro rata share of fees and expenses paid or incurred
by the corresponding Trust as provided in Section 162 or 212 of the Code.
Certain fees and expenses, including fees paid to the Trustee and the Liquidity
Provider, will be borne by parties other than the Certificateholders. It is
possible that such fees and expenses will be treated as constructively received
by the Trust, in which event a U.S. Certificateholder will be required to
include in income and will be entitled to deduct its pro rata share of such fees
and expenses. If a U.S. Certificateholder is an individual, estate or trust, the
deduction for such holder's share of such fees or expenses will be allowed only
to the extent that all of such holder's miscellaneous itemized deductions,
including such holder's share of such fees and expenses, exceed 2% of such
holder's adjusted gross income. In addition, in the case of U.S.
Certificateholders who are individuals, certain otherwise allowable itemized
deductions will be subject generally to additional limitations on itemized
deductions under the applicable provisions of the Code.
EFFECT OF SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
If any Trust with respect to a Series are subordinated with respect to other
Trusts of the same Series (such Trusts being the "Subordinated Trusts" and the
related Certificates being the "Subordinated Certificates") receives less than
the full amount of the receipts of principal or interest paid with respect to
the Equipment Notes held by it (any shortfall in such receipts being the
"Shortfall Amounts") because of the subordination of the Equipment Notes held by
such Trust under the Intercreditor Agreement, the corresponding owners of
beneficial interests in the Subordinated Certificates (the "Subordinated
Certificateholders") would probably be treated for federal income tax purposes
as if they had (1) received as distributions their full share of such receipts,
(2) paid over to the relevant preferred class of Certificateholders an amount
equal to their share of such Shortfall Amount, and (3) retained the right to
reimbursement of such amounts to the extent of future amounts payable to such
Subordinated Certificateholders with respect to such Shortfall Amount.
Under this analysis, (1) Subordinated Certificateholders incurring a
Shortfall Amount would be required to include as current income any interest or
other income of the corresponding Subordinated Trust that was a component of the
Shortfall Amount, even though such amount was in fact paid to the relevant
preferred class of Certificateholders, (2) a loss would only be allowed to such
Subordinated Certificateholders when their right to receive reimbursement of
such Shortfall Amount became worthless (i.e., when it becomes clear that funds
will not be available from any source to reimburse such loss), and (3)
reimbursement of such Shortfall Amount prior to such a claim of worthlessness
would not be taxable income to Subordinated Certificateholders because such
amount was previously included in income. These results should not significantly
affect the inclusion of income for Subordinated Certificateholders
23
<PAGE>
on the accrual method of accounting, but could accelerate inclusion of income to
Subordinated Certificateholders on the cash method of accounting by, in effect,
placing them on the accrual method.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
The Equipment Notes may be issued with original issue discount ("OID"),
which may require U.S. Certificateholders to include such OID in gross income in
advance of the receipt or accrual of the stated interest on such Equipment
Notes. The Prospectus Supplement will state whether any Equipment Notes to be
held by the related Trust will be issued with OID. Generally, a holder of a debt
instrument issued with original issue discount that is not DE MINIMIS must
include such original issue discount in income for federal income tax purposes
as it accrues, in advance of the receipt of the cash attributable to such
income, under a method that takes into account the compounding of interest.
MARKET DISCOUNT
Generally, the term "market discount" means the excess of the remaining
principal amount of a Certificate over the holder's tax basis in such
Certificate immediately after its acquisition, subject to a DE MINIMIS
exception.
A holder who acquires a Certificate at a market discount will be required to
treat any gain realized on the disposition of such Certificate, except in
certain nonrecognition transactions, as ordinary income to the extent of the
market discount that accrued during the period that such holder held such
Certificate. Further, a disposition of a Certificate by gift (and in certain
other circumstances) could result in the recognition of market discount income,
computed as if such Certificate had been sold for its fair market value.
In the case of a partial principal payment on indebtedness subject to the
market discount rules, Section 1276 of the Code requires that such payment be
included in gross income as ordinary income to the extent such payment does not
exceed the market discount that has accrued during the period such indebtedness
was held. The amount of any accrued market discount later required to be
included in income upon a disposition, or subsequent partial principal payment,
will be reduced by the amount of accrued market discount previously included in
income.
Until Treasury regulations are issued, the explanatory Conference Committee
Report to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (the "Conference Report") indicates that
holders of installment obligations (such as the Equipment Notes) with market
discount may elect to accrue market discount either (i) on the basis of a
constant interest rate or (ii) in the ratio to the total amount of remaining
market discount that the amount of stated interest paid in the accrual period
bears to the total amount of stated interest remaining to be paid on the
installment obligation as of the beginning of such period. Under Section 1277 of
the Code, if in any taxable year interest paid or accrued on indebtedness
incurred or continued to purchase or carry indebtedness subject to the market
discount rules exceeds the interest currently includable in income with respect
to such indebtedness, deduction of the excess interest must be deferred to the
extent of the market discount allocable to the taxable year. The deferred
portion of any interest expense will generally be deductible when such market
discount is included in income upon the sale or other disposition (including
repayment) of the indebtedness.
A holder of a Certificate acquired at a market discount may elect under
Section 1278 of the Code, in the manner provided by Revenue Procedure 92-67,
1992-34 I.R.B. 6, to include such discount in income as it accrues. The current
inclusion election applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or
after the first day to which the election applies, and may not be revoked
without the consent of the IRS. If a holder of a Certificate elects to include
market discount in income as it accrues, the foregoing rules of Section 1276 and
1277 of the Code with respect to the recognition of ordinary income on a sale or
other disposition of such Certificate and the deferral of interest deductions on
indebtedness related to such Certificate would not apply.
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<PAGE>
The IRS is authorized to issue regulations to implement the market discount
provisions of the Code. No such regulations have been issued or proposed. It is
impossible to anticipate what effect, if any, such regulations could have on the
Certificateholders.
AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM
A U.S. Certificateholder should generally be considered to have acquired an
interest in an Equipment Note at a premium to the extent the purchaser's tax
basis allocable to such interest exceeds the remaining principal amount of the
Equipment Note allocable to such interest. In that event, a U.S.
Certificateholder who holds a Certificate as a capital asset may elect to
amortize that premium as an offset to interest income under Section 171 of the
Code with corresponding reductions in the U.S. Certificateholder's tax basis in
its Certificate. In the case of installment obligations (such as the Equipment
Notes), the Conference Report indicates a Congressional intent that amortization
will be in accordance with the same rules that will apply to the accrual of
market discount on installment obligations (see discussion above).
Under certain circumstances, amortizable bond premium may be determined by
reference to any early call date. It is unclear how the amortizable bond premium
rules apply where, as in the case with the Equipment Notes, the amount of
redemption premium payable on an early call date is unknown. In addition, the
treatment of any unamortized bond premium remaining at the time of an early call
is unclear. The U.S. Certificateholders are urged to consult their own tax
advisors as to the treatment of any amortizable bond premiums.
SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE CERTIFICATES
Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of a Certificate, a U.S.
Certificateholder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized on the disposition (other than any amount
attributable to accrued interest which will be taxable as ordinary income) and
the U.S. Certificateholder's adjusted tax basis in the related Equipment Notes
and any other assets held by the corresponding Trust. A U.S. Certificateholder's
adjusted tax basis will equal the holder's cost for its Certificate, plus any
accrued OID or market discount previously included in income or less any
amortized bond premium or any previously recognized losses or prior principal
payments. Any gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss (other than
accrued market discount not previously included in income) if the Certificate
was held as a capital asset.
FOREIGN CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, payments of principal
and interest on the Equipment Notes to, or on behalf of, any beneficial owner of
a Certificate that is not a U.S. Person (a "Non-U.S. Certificateholder") will
not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax; PROVIDED, in the case of
interest, that (i) such Non-U.S. Certificateholder does not actually or
constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes
of the stock of any Owner Participant or any transferee of such interest, (ii)
such Non-U.S. Certificateholder is not a controlled foreign corporation for U.S.
tax purposes that is related to an Owner Participant and (iii) either (A) the
Non-U.S. Certificateholder certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not
a U.S. Person and provides its name and address or (B) a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "financial
institution") and holds the Certificate certifies, under penalties of perjury,
that such statement has been received from the Non-U.S. Certificateholder by it
or by another financial institution and furnishes the payor with a copy thereof.
Any capital gain realized upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other
disposition of a Certificate or upon receipt of premium paid on an Equipment
Note by a Non-U.S. Certificateholder will not be subject to U.S. federal income
or withholding taxes if (i) such gain is not effectively connected with a U.S.
trade or
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business of the holder and (ii) in the case of an individual, such holder is not
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the
sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition or receipt.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payments made on the Certificates and proceeds from the sale of Certificates
will not be subject to a backup withholding tax of 31% unless, in general, the
Certificateholder fails to comply with certain reporting procedures or otherwise
fails to establish an exemption from such tax under applicable provisions of the
Code.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Certificates may, subject to certain legal restrictions, be purchased and held
by an employee benefit plan (a "Plan") subject to Title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or an individual
retirement account or an employee benefit plan subject to section 4975 of the
Code. A fiduciary of a Plan must determine that the purchase and holding of a
Certificate is consistent with its fiduciary duties under ERISA and does not
result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction as defined in section 406 of ERISA
or section 4975 of the Code. Employee benefit plans which are governmental plans
(as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in
section 3(33) of ERISA) are not subject to Title I of ERISA or section 4975 of
the Code. The Certificates may, subject to certain legal restrictions, be
purchased and held by such plans.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Certificates may be sold to one or more underwriters for public offering and
sale by them or to investors or other persons directly or through one or more
dealers or agents. Any such underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer
and sale of the Certificates will be named in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
The Certificates may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,
at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
Dealer trading may take place in certain of the Certificates, including
Certificates not listed on any securities exchange. Northwest does not intend to
apply for listing of the Certificates on a national securities exchange.
Northwest also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as
Northwest's agents to offer and sell the Certificates upon the terms and
conditions as shall be set forth in any Prospectus Supplement. In connection
with the sale of Certificates, underwriters may be deemed to have received
compensation from Northwest in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions
and may also receive commissions from purchasers of Certificates for whom they
may act as agent. Underwriters may sell Certificates to or through dealers, and
such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions (which may be changed from
time to time) from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
If a dealer is used directly by Northwest in the sale of Certificates in
respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, such Certificates will be sold to
the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Certificates to the
public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
Any such dealer and the terms of any such sale will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
Certificates may be offered and sold through agents designated by Northwest
from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the
Certificates in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named in,
and any commissions payable by Northwest to such agent will be set forth in, the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for
the period of its appointment.
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Offers to purchase Certificates may be solicited directly by Northwest and
sales thereof may be made by Northwest directly to institutional investors or
others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities
Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Except as set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, no director, officer or employee of
Northwest or NWA Corp. will solicit or receive a commission in connection with
direct sales by Northwest of the Certificates, although such persons may respond
to inquiries by potential purchasers and perform ministerial and clerical work
in connection with any such direct sales.
Any underwriting compensation paid by Northwest to underwriters, dealers or
agents in connection with the offering of Certificates, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers
and agents participating in the distribution of the Certificates may be deemed
to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any
profit realized by them on resale of the Certificates may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters,
dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements with Northwest, to
indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to reimbursement by
Northwest for certain expenses.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, NWA Corp. and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement and subject to
existing market conditions, Northwest will authorize dealers acting as
Northwest's agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase
Certificates at the public offering price set forth in such Prospectus
Supplement pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for
payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such Prospectus Supplement.
Each Contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate principal
amount of Certificates sold pursuant to Contracts shall not be less nor more
than, the respective amounts stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Institutions
with whom Contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings
banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject
to the approval of Northwest. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions
except the purchase by an institution of the Certificates covered by its
Contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any
jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject. A
commission indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement will be granted to
underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of Certificates pursuant to
Contracts accepted by Northwest. Agents and underwriters will have no
responsibility in respect of the delivery or performance of Contracts.
If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of any
Certificates, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain a statement as
to the intention, if any, of such underwriters at the date of such Prospectus
Supplement to make a market in the Certificates. No assurances can be given that
there will be a market for the Certificates.
The place and time of delivery for the Certificates in respect of which this
Prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
validity of the Certificates and the Parent Guaranty will be passed upon for
Northwest by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which includes
professional corporations), New York, New York. Unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett will rely on
the opinion of counsel for the Trustee as to certain matters relating to the
authorization, execution and delivery of such Certificates by, and the valid and
binding effect thereof on, such Trustee. Certain federal income tax
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matters will be passed upon by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, New York, New
York, special tax counsel to Northwest.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Northwest Airlines
Corporation, appearing or incorporated by reference in Northwest Airlines
Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their report thereon included or incorporated by reference therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and
schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given
upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY RELATED PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND SUCH
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY NORTHWEST, NWA CORP. OR ANY
UNDERWRITERS, AGENTS OR DEALERS. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY RELATED PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY
SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF NORTHWEST OR NWA CORP. SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AT ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE
DATE HEREOF.
--------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Available Information..................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference........................... 2
The Company............................................................... 3
General Outline of Trust Structure........................................ 3
Use of Proceeds........................................................... 3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges........................................ 4
Description of the Certificates........................................... 4
Description of the Equipment Notes........................................ 17
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences............................. 22
ERISA Considerations...................................................... 26
Plan of Distribution...................................................... 26
Legal Opinions............................................................ 27
Experts................................................................... 28
</TABLE>
$500,000,000
NORTHWEST
AIRLINES, INC.
PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES
-----------
APPLICABLE UNDERLYING PAYMENTS
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
NORTHWEST AIRLINES
CORPORATION
---------------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------------
, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, are set forth in the following table.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission fee...................... $ 86,207
Printing and engraving expenses............................. 100,000*
Accountants' fees and expenses.............................. 25,000*
Legal fees and expenses..................................... 200,000*
Blue Sky fees and expenses.................................. 20,000*
Trustees' fees and expenses................................. 10,000*
Rating Agency fees.......................................... 247,000*
Miscellaneous............................................... 91,793*
---------
Total................................................... $ 780,000*
---------
---------
</TABLE>
- --------------
*Estimated and subject to future contingencies.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act (the "Minnesota
Law") requires a Minnesota corporation to indemnify a person made or threatened
to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of the former or present official
capacity of the person against judgments, penalties, fines and reasonable
expenses (including attorneys' fees), provided that the person has not otherwise
been indemnified, was acting in good faith, received no improper personal
benefit as a result of the conduct in question, in the case of a criminal
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful and,
depending upon the capacity in which such person was acting, believed that the
conduct was in the best interests of the corporation or was not considered to be
opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Under Minnesota Law, the
termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a
pleading of NOLO CONTENDERE or its equivalent does not, of itself, establish
that a person is not eligible for indemnification. Minnesota corporations are
permitted to include provisions in their bylaws or articles of incorporation
that prohibit or limit indemnification otherwise required by Minnesota law.
Section 7 of Northwest Airlines, Inc.'s ("Northwest") bylaws (filed as
Exhibit 4(o)) requires Northwest to indemnify any persons, including officers
and directors as permitted by Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Law. In
addition, Section 7 also specifies that Northwest shall indemnify its officers
and directors against all costs and expenses incurred in connection with or
arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which such officer or director
may be involved as a result of being or having been a director or officer of
Northwest. However, Section 7 prohibits indemnification when an action, suit or
proceeding results in an officer or director being adjudicated derelict in the
performance of his or her duties as an officer or director, or when a settlement
or compromise is effected when the total cost of such settlement substantially
exceeds the expense which might reasonably be incurred in litigating the matter
to a final conclusion.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Delaware Law") empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any persons who
are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or
completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such
corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer,
director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was
II-1
<PAGE>
serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that
such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's best interests,
and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an
action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except
that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or
director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or
director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action
referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which
such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware Law, the Second Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Northwest Airlines Corporation
("NWA Corp.") provides that the directors of NWA Corp. shall not be personally
liable to NWA Corp. or its stockholders for monetary damages for violations of
their fiduciary duty.
Article VIII of the bylaws, as amended and restated, of NWA Corp. (filed as
Exhibit 4(m)) provides for indemnification of the officers and directors of NWA
Corp. to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exhibit 1(a) Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities or Warrants to
Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest.*
Exhibit 1(b) Form of Underwriting Agreement for Pass Through Certificates of Northwest
(filed as Exhibit 1(b) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file
No. 33-74772) (the "S-3") and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(a) Senior Debt Securities Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1997, among
Northwest, NWA Corp. and State Street Bank & Trust Company, ("State
Street"), as Trustee, relating to the Senior Debt Securities of
Northwest.*
Exhibit 4(b) Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture among Northwest,
NWA Corp. and State Street, as Trustee, relating to the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities of Northwest (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to the
S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(c) Form of Senior Debt Securities of Northwest.*
Exhibit 4(d) Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of Northwest.*
Exhibit 4(e) Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities of
Northwest that are Sold Attached to Debt Securities of Northwest (filed
as Exhibit 4(g) to the S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(f) Form of Warrant to Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest that are Sold
Attached to Debt Securities of Northwest (included as part of Exhibit
4(e)).
Exhibit 4(g) Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities of
Northwest that are Sold Alone (filed as Exhibit 4(i) to the S-3 and
incorporated herein by reference).
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exhibit 4(h) Form of Warrant to Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest that are Sold
Alone (included as part of Exhibit 4(g)).
Exhibit 4(i) Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of June 3, 1996, among NWA Corp.,
Northwest and State Street, as Trustee, relating to Pass Through
Certificates of Northwest.
Exhibit 4(j) Form of Pass Through Certificate (included as part of Exhibit 4(i)).
Exhibit 4(k) Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NWA Corp.
(filed as Exhibit 3.1 to NWA Corp.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1,
File No. 33-74210 (the "S-1") and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(l) Certificate of Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of NWA Corp. (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the S-1 and
incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(m) Amended and Restated By-Laws of NWA Corp. (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the
S-1 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(n) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Northwest (filed as Exhibit 4(s)
to the S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(o) Bylaws of Northwest (filed as Exhibit 4(t) to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (File No. 333-2516) and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(p) Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred
Stock of NWA Corp. (included in Exhibit 4(k)).
Exhibit 4(q) Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred
Stock of NWA Corp. (included in Exhibit 4(k)).
Exhibit 4(r) Certificate of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock of NWA Corp.
(included in Exhibit 4(k)).
Exhibit 4(s) Certificate of Designation of Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock of NWA Corp. (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 1 to NWA Corps.'s
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(t) The Registrants hereby agree to furnish to the Commission, upon request,
copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term
debt of the kind described in Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit 5 Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as to the legality of the
Securities.*
Exhibit 8 Tax Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft relating to Pass Through
Certificates.
Exhibit Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23(a)
Exhibit Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (included as part of Exhibit 5).*
23(b)
Exhibit Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (included as part of Exhibit 8).
23(c)
Exhibit 24 Powers of Attorney (included in signature pages II-6 and II-8 of
registration statement as initially filed).
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exhibit Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
25(a) as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), of State Street, as Trustee under
the Senior Debt Securities Indenture of Northwest and NWA Corp. (filed as
Exhibit 25.1 to NWA Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 6,
1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of State
25(b) Street, as Trustee under the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
Indenture of Northwest and NWA Corp. and the Pass Through Trust Agreement
of NWA Corp. and Northwest.
</TABLE>
- --------------
*To be filed by amendment.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) Each of the undersigned registrants 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 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 value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering
range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission 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 (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(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
Commission by NWA Corp. pursuant to Section 13 or Section 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.
(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) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of NWA
Corp.'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
II-4
<PAGE>
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes if securities are
to be offered pursuant to competitive bidding (1) to use its best efforts to
distribute prior to the opening of bids, to prospective bidders, underwriters
and dealers, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus which at that time
meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Securities Act, and relating to
the securities offered at competitive bidding, as contained in this Registration
Statement, together with any supplements thereto, and (2) to file an amendment
to this Registration Statement reflecting the results of bidding, the terms of
the reoffering and related matters to the extent required by the applicable
form, not later than the first use, authorized by the issuer after the opening
of bids, of a prospectus relating to the securities offered at competitive
bidding, unless no further public offering of such securities by the issuer and
no reoffering of such securities by purchasers is proposed to be made.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants
have been advised that in the opinion of the Commission 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 a registrant of expenses incurred or paid
by a director, officer or controlling person of such 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 applicable 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) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to file an
application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act
under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance
with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section
305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
II-5
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, NORTHWEST
AIRLINES, INC. HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS
BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF EAGAN, STATE
OF MINNESOTA, ON JUNE 6, 1997.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
By: /s/ DOUGLAS M. STEENLAND
------------------------------------------
Douglas M. Steenland
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints Douglas M. Steenland and James A.
Lawrence, and each of them individually, his true and lawful agent, proxy and
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign
and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement together
with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission any registration statement relating to this
offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (iii) act on, sign and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission any exhibits to this Registration Statement
or any such registration statement or amendments (including post-effective
amendments), (iv) act on, sign and file such certificates, instruments,
agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection
therewith, (v) act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in this
Registration Statement or any such registration statement or amendment and (vi)
take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate in connection
therewith, granting unto such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, and each of
them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby approving, ratifying and
confirming all that such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, any of them or
any of his or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ JOHN H. DASBURG President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
------------------------------------ (Principal Executive Officer) June 6, 1997
John H. Dasburg
/s/ JAMES A. LAWRENCE Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
------------------------------------ Officer (Principal Financial Officer) June 6, 1997
James A. Lawrence
/s/ MARK W. OSTERBERG Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
------------------------------------ (Principal Accounting Officer) June 6, 1997
Mark W. Osterberg
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ ALFRED A. CHECCHI
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Alfred A. Checchi
/s/ GARY L. WILSON
------------------------------------ Chairman of the Board of Directors June 6, 1997
Gary L. Wilson
/s/ RICHARD C. BLUM
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Richard C. Blum
/s/ THOMAS DUCY
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Thomas Ducy
/s/ MARVIN L. GRISWOLD
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Marvin L. Griswold
/s/ THOMAS L. KEMPNER
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Thomas L. Kempner
/s/ FREDERIC V. MALEK
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Frederic V. Malek
/s/ WALTER F. MONDALE
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Walter F. Mondale
/s/ V.A. RAVINDRAN
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
V.A. Ravindran
/s/ GEORGE J. VOJTA
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
George J. Vojta
/s/ DUANE E. WOERTH
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Duane E. Woerth
</TABLE>
II-7
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, NORTHWEST
AIRLINES CORPORATION HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON
ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF EAGAN,
STATE OF MINNESOTA, ON JUNE 6, 1997.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION
By: /s/ DOUGLAS M. STEENLAND
------------------------------------------
Douglas M. Steenland
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints Douglas M. Steenland and James A.
Lawrence, and each of them individually, his true and lawful agent, proxy and
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign
and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement together
with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission any registration statement relating to this
offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (iii) act on, sign and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission any exhibits to this Registration Statement
or any such registration statement or amendments (including post-effective
amendments), (iv) act on, sign and file such certificates, instruments,
agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection
therewith, (v) act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in this
Registration Statement or any such registration statement or amendment and (vi)
take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate in connection
therewith, granting unto such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, and each of
them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby approving, ratifying and
confirming all that such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, any of them or
any of his or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------
<C> <S> <C>
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
/s/ JOHN H. DASBURG (Principal Executive Officer) June 6, 1997
------------------------------------
/s/ JAMES A. LAWRENCE Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
------------------------------------ Officer (Principal Financial Officer) June 6, 1997
James A. Lawrence
/s/ MARK W. OSTERBERG Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
------------------------------------ (Principal Accounting Officer) June 6, 1997
Mark W. Osterberg
</TABLE>
II-8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ ALFRED A. CHECCHI
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Alfred A. Checchi
/s/ GARY L. WILSON
------------------------------------ Chairman of the Board of Directors June 6, 1997
Gary L. Wilson
/s/ RICHARD C. BLUM
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Richard C. Blum
/s/ THOMAS DUCY
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Thomas Ducy
/s/ MARVIN L. GRISWOLD
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Marvin L. Griswold
/s/ THOMAS L. KEMPNER
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Thomas L. Kempner
/s/ FREDERIC V. MALEK
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Frederic V. Malek
/s/ WALTER F. MONDALE
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Walter F. Mondale
/s/ V.A. RAVINDRAN
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
V.A. Ravindran
/s/ GEORGE J. VOJTA
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
George J. Vojta
/s/ DUANE E. WOERTH
------------------------------------ Director June 6, 1997
Duane E. Woerth
</TABLE>
II-9
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE
- ----------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Exhibit 1(a) Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities or Warrants to Purchase Debt
Securities of Northwest Airlines, Inc. ("Northwest").*
Exhibit 1(b) Form of Underwriting Agreement for Pass Through Certificates of Northwest (filed
as Exhibit 1(b) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file No. 33-74772)
(the "S-3") and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(a) Senior Debt Securities Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1997, among Northwest,
Northwest Airlines Corporation ("NWA Corp.") and State Street Bank & Trust
Company, ("State Street"), as Trustee, relating to the Senior Debt Securities of
Northwest.*
Exhibit 4(b) Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture among Northwest, NWA Corp.
and State Street, as Trustee, relating to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
of Northwest (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to the S-3 and incorporated herein by
reference).
Exhibit 4(c) Form of Senior Debt Securities of Northwest.*
Exhibit 4(d) Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of Northwest.*
Exhibit 4(e) Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest
that are Sold Attached to Debt Securities of Northwest (filed as Exhibit 4(g) to
the S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(f) Form of Warrant to Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest that are Sold Attached
to Debt Securities of Northwest (included as part of Exhibit 4(e)).
Exhibit 4(g) Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest
that are Sold Alone (filed as Exhibit 4(i) to the S-3 and incorporated herein by
reference).
Exhibit 4(h) Form of Warrant to Purchase Debt Securities of Northwest that are Sold Alone
(included as part of Exhibit 4(g)).
Exhibit 4(i) Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of June 3, 1996, among NWA Corp.,
Northwest and State Street, as Trustee, relating to Pass Through Certificates of
Northwest.
Exhibit 4(j) Form of Pass Through Certificate (included as part of Exhibit 4(i)).
Exhibit 4(k) Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NWA Corp. (filed as
Exhibit 3.1 to NWA Corp.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-74210
(the "S-1") and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(l) Certificate of Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of NWA Corp. (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the S-1 and incorporated
herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(m) Amended and Restated By-Laws of NWA Corp. (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the S-1 and
incorporated herein by reference).
</TABLE>
II-10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE
- ----------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Exhibit 4(n) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Northwest (filed as Exhibit 4(s) to the
S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(o) Bylaws of Northwest (filed as Exhibit 4(t) to the Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (File No. 333-2516) and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(p) Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock of
NWA Corp. (included in Exhibit 4(k)).
Exhibit 4(q) Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock of
NWA Corp. (included in Exhibit 4(k)).
Exhibit 4(r) Certificate of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock of NWA Corp. (included in
Exhibit 4(k)).
Exhibit 4(s) Certificate of Designation of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock of
NWA Corp. (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 1 to NWA Corps.'s Current Report on Form
8-K dated November 16, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 4(t) The Registrants hereby agree to furnish to the Commission, upon request, copies
of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the
kind described in Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit 5 Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as to the legality of the Securities.*
Exhibit 8 Tax Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft relating to Pass Through
Certificates.
Exhibit 23(a) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
Exhibit 23(b) Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (included as part of Exhibit 5).*
Exhibit 23(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (included as part of Exhibit 8).
Exhibit 24 Powers of Attorney (included in signature pages II-6 and II-8 of registration
statement as initially filed).
Exhibit 25(a) Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the
"Trust Indenture Act"), as amended, of State Street, as Trustee under the Senior
Debt Securities Indenture of Northwest and NWA Corp., (filed as Exhibit 25.1 to
NWA Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 6, 1997 and incorporated
herein by reference).
Exhibit 25(b) Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of State Street,
as Trustee under the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture of Northwest
and NWA Corp. and the Pass Through Trust Agreement of NWA Corp. and Northwest.
</TABLE>
- --------------
*To be filed by amendment.
II-11
<PAGE>
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 3, 1996
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions................................................. 2
Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions........................ 9
Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee...................... 9
Section 1.04. Acts of Certificateholders.................................. 10
ARTICLE II
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES;
ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT NOTES
Section 2.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series........................ 11
Section 2.02. Acquisition of Equipment Notes.............................. 13
Section 2.03. Acceptance by Trustee....................................... 14
Section 2.04. Limitation of Powers........................................ 14
ARTICLE III
THE CERTIFICATES
Section 3.01. Form, Denomination and Execution of Certificates............ 15
Section 3.02. Authentication of Certificates.............................. 15
Section 3.03. Temporary Certificates...................................... 15
Section 3.04. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Certificates....... 16
Section 3.05. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates........... 16
Section 3.06. Persons Deemed Owners....................................... 17
Section 3.07. Cancellation................................................ 17
Section 3.08. Limitation of Liability for Payments........................ 17
Section 3.09. Book-Entry and Definitive Certificates...................... 17
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; STATEMENTS TO
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Section 4.01. Certificate Account and Special Payments Account............ 19
Section 4.02. Distributions from Certificate Account and Special Payments
Account..................................................... 19
Section 4.03. Statements to Certificateholders............................ 20
Section 4.04. Investment of Special Payment Moneys........................ 21
- i -
<PAGE>
ARTICLE V
THE COMPANY
Section 5.01. Maintenance of Corporate Existence.......................... 21
Section 5.02. Consolidation, Merger, etc.................................. 22
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULT
Section 6.01. Events of Default........................................... 23
Section 6.02. Incidents of Sale of Equipment Notes........................ 23
Section 6.03. Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Trustee; Trustee May Bring
Suit........................................................ 24
Section 6.04. Control by Certificateholders............................... 24
Section 6.05. Waiver of Past Defaults..................................... 24
Section 6.06. Right of Certificateholders to Receive Payments Not To Be
Impaired.................................................... 25
Section 6.07. Certificateholders May Not Bring Suit Except Under Certain
Conditions.................................................. 25
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative......................................... 26
Section 6.09. Undertaking for Costs....................................... 26
ARTICLE VII
THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Notice of Defaults.......................................... 26
Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee................................... 26
Section 7.03. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Certificates.... 27
Section 7.04. May Hold Certificates....................................... 28
Section 7.05. Money Held in Trust......................................... 28
Section 7.06. Compensation and Reimbursement.............................. 28
Section 7.07. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility..................... 29
Section 7.08. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor........... 29
Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor...................... 31
Section 7.10. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. 31
Section 7.11. Maintenance of Agencies..................................... 32
Section 7.12. Money for Certificate Payments to Be Held in Trust.......... 33
Section 7.13. Registration of Equipment Notes in Trustee's Name........... 33
Section 7.14. Representations and Warranties of Trustee................... 33
Section 7.15. Withholding Taxes; Information Reporting.................... 34
Section 7.16. Trustee's Liens............................................. 34
Section 7.17. Preferential Collection of Claims........................... 34
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE
Section 8.01. The Company to Furnish Trustee with Names and Addresses of
Certificateholders.......................................... 35
Section 8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to
Certificateholders.......................................... 35
- ii -
<PAGE>
Section 8.03. Reports by Trustee.......................................... 35
Section 8.04. Reports by the Guarantor and Company........................ 35
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS
Section 9.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of
Certificateholders.......................................... 36
Section 9.02. Supplemental Agreements with Consent of Certificateholders.. 37
Section 9.03. Documents Affecting Immunity or Indemnity................... 38
Section 9.04. Execution of Supplemental Agreements........................ 38
Section 9.05. Effect of Supplemental Agreements........................... 38
Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act......................... 38
Section 9.07. Reference in Certificates to Supplemental Agreements........ 38
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO INDENTURE AND NOTE DOCUMENTS
Section 10.01. Amendments and Supplements to Indenture and Other Note
Documents................................................... 38
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION OF TRUSTS
Section 11.01. Termination of the Trusts.................................. 39
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 12.01. Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders................. 40
Section 12.02. Liabilities of Certificateholders.......................... 40
Section 12.03. Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid.................. 40
Section 12.04. Registration of Equipment Notes in Name of Subordination
Agent...................................................... 40
Section 12.05. Notices.................................................... 40
Section 12.06. Governing Law.............................................. 41
Section 12.07. Severability of Provisions................................. 41
Section 12.08. Trust Indenture Act Controls............................... 42
Section 12.09. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents................... 42
Section 12.10. Successors and Assigns..................................... 42
Section 12.11. Benefits of Agreement...................................... 42
Section 12.12. Legal Holidays............................................. 42
Section 12.13. Counterparts............................................... 42
Section 12.14. Communication by Certificateholders with Other
Certificateholders......................................... 42
Exhibit A - Form of Certificate
- iii -
<PAGE>
Reconciliation and tie between Pass Through Trust Agreement dated as of June 3,
1996 and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. This reconciliation does not
constitute part of the Pass Through Trust Agreement.
Trust Indenture Act Pass Through Trust
of 1939 Section Agreement Section
- -------------------- -------------------
310(a)(1) 7.07
(a)(2) 7.07
312(a) 3.09; 8.01; 8.02
313(a) 7.06
314(a) 8.04(a) - (c)
(a)(4) 8.04(d)
(c)(1) 1.02
(c)(2) 1.02
(d)(1) 7.12
11.01
(d)(2) 7.12; 11.01
(d)(3) 2.01
(e) 1.02
315(b) 7.01
316(a)(last sentence) 1.01
(a)(1)(a) 6.04
(a)(1)(b) 6.05
(b) 6.06
(c) 1.04(d)
317(a)(1) 6.03
(b) 7.12
318(a) 12.06
<PAGE>
This PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of June 3, 1996, among
Northwest Airlines Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"),
Northwest Airlines, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, as Trustee, is
made with respect to the formation from time to time of separate Northwest
Airlines Pass Through Trusts, and the issuance from time to time of separate
series of Pass Through Certificates representing fractional undivided interests
in the respective Trusts.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, from time to time the Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee may
enter into a Trust Supplement (this and certain other defined terms used herein
are defined in Section 1.01) pursuant to which the Trustee shall declare the
creation of a separate Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the series of
Certificates to be issued in respect of such Trust, and the initial Holders of
the Certificates of such series, as the grantors of such Trust, by their
respective acceptances of the Certificates of such series, shall join in the
creation of such Trust with the Trustee;
WHEREAS, all Certificates to be issued in respect of each separate Trust
will be issued as a separate series pursuant to this Agreement, will evidence
fractional undivided interests in such Trust and will have no rights, benefits
or interests in respect of any other separate Trust or the property held
therein, subject, however, to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement to
which one or more Trusts may be a party;
WHEREAS, from time to time, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement with respect to each separate Trust formed hereunder, the Trustee on
behalf of such Trust shall purchase one or more issues of Equipment Notes having
the same interest rate as, and final maturity dates not later than the final
Regular Distribution Date of, the series of Certificates issued in respect of
such Trust and shall hold such Equipment Notes in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders of such Trust;
WHEREAS, to facilitate the sale of Equipment Notes to, and the purchase of
Equipment Notes by, the Trustee on behalf of each Trust created from time to
time pursuant to this Agreement, (i) the Company as the "issuer", as such term
is defined in and solely for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
of the Certificates to be issued in respect of each Trust and as the "obligor",
as such term is defined in and solely for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, and (ii) the Guarantor have each duly authorized the execution
and delivery of this Basic Agreement and each Trust Supplement with respect to
all such Certificates and are undertaking to perform certain administrative and
ministerial duties hereunder and are also undertaking to pay the fees and
expenses of the Trustee;
WHEREAS, this Basic Agreement, as supplemented from time to time, is
subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and
shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained,
and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
<PAGE>
2
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. DEFINITIONS. For all purposes of this Basic Agreement,
except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms used herein that are defined in this Article have
the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as
well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings
assigned to them therein:
(3) all references in this Basic Agreement to designated
"Articles", "Sections" and other subdivisions are to the designated
Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this Basic Agreement;
(4) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of similar import refer to this Basic Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and
(5) the term "this Agreement" (as distinguished from "this Basic
Agreement") refers, unless the context otherwise requires, to this Basic
Agreement as supplemented by the Trust Supplement creating a particular
Trust and establishing the series of Certificates issued or to be issued
in respect thereof, with reference to such Trust and such series of
Certificates, as this Basic Agreement as so supplemented may be further
supplemented with respect to such Trust and such series of Certificates.
ACT: With respect to any Certificateholder has the meaning specified in
Section 1.04.
AFFILIATE: With respect to any specified Person, means any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control", when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise,
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
AIRCRAFT: Means one or more aircraft, including engines therefor, owned
by or leased to the Company and securing one or more Equipment Notes.
AUTHORIZED AGENT: With respect to the Certificates of any series, means
any Paying Agent or Registrar for the Certificates of such series.
BASIC AGREEMENT: Means this Pass Through Trust Agreement, as the same
may from time to time be supplemented, amended or modified, but does not include
any Trust Supplement.
BOOK-ENTRY CERTIFICATES: With respect to the Certificates of any
series, means a beneficial interest in the Certificates of such series,
ownership and transfers of which shall be made through book entries as described
in Section 3.09.
<PAGE>
3
BUSINESS DAY: With respect to the Certificates of any series, means any
day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are
required or authorized to close in Minneapolis, Minnesota or New York, New York;
and, so long as any such Certificate is outstanding, a city and state in which
the Trustee or any related Loan Trustee maintains its Corporate Trust Office or
receives and disburses funds.
CERTIFICATE: Means any one of the certificates executed and
authenticated by the Trustee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
CERTIFICATE ACCOUNT: With respect to the Certificates of any series,
means the account or accounts created and maintained for such series pursuant to
Section 4.01(a) and the related Trust Supplement.
CERTIFICATEHOLDER OR HOLDER: With respect to the Certificates of any
series, means the Person in whose name a Certificate of such series is
registered in the Register for Certificates of such series.
CERTIFICATE OWNER: With respect to the Certificates of any series,
means, for purposes of Section 3.09, the Person who owns a Book-Entry
Certificate of such series.
CLEARING AGENCY: Means an organization registered as a "clearing
agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
CLEARING AGENCY PARTICIPANT: Means a broker, dealer, bank, other
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing
Agency effects, directly or indirectly, book-entry transfers and pledges of
securities deposited with the Clearing Agency.
COMPANY: Means Northwest Airlines, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, or
its successor in interest pursuant to Section 5.02.
CONTROLLING PARTY: Means the Person entitled to act as such pursuant to
the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement.
CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE: With respect to the Trustee or any Loan
Trustee, means the office of such trustee in the city at which at any particular
time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.
CUT-OFF DATE: With respect to the Certificates of any series, means the
date designated as such in the Trust Supplement establishing such series.
DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES: With respect to the Certificate of any series,
has the meaning specified in Section 3.09.
DIRECTION: Has the meaning specified in Section 1.04(c).
EQUIPMENT NOTE: With respect to the Certificates of any series, has the
meaning given to "Secured Certificate" in the related Indenture.
ERISA: Means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, or any successor federal statute.
<PAGE>
4
ESCROW ACCOUNT: With respect to the Certificates of any series, has the
meaning specified in Section 2.02(b).
ESCROWED FUNDS: With respect to any Trust, has the meaning specified in
Section 2.02(b).
EVENT OF DEFAULT: Means, in respect of any Trust, the occurrence of an
Indenture Default under any Indenture pursuant to which Equipment Notes held by
such Trust were issued.
FRACTIONAL UNDIVIDED INTEREST: Means the fractional undivided interest
in a Trust that is evidenced by a Certificate relating to such Trust.
GUARANTOR: Means Northwest Airlines Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, or its successor in interest.
INDENTURE: With respect to any Trust, means each of the one or more
separate trust indenture and security agreements described in, or on a schedule
attached to, this Agreement which relates to an issue of Equipment Notes to be
held in such Trust and an indenture having substantially the same terms and
conditions as such trust indenture and security agreement and which relates to a
Substitute Aircraft; as each such agreement may be amended or supplemented in
accordance with its respective terms; and INDENTURES means all of such
agreements.
INDENTURE DEFAULT: With respect to any Indenture, means any Indenture
Event of Default (as such term is defined in such Indenture).
INITIAL REGULAR DISTRIBUTION DATE: With respect to the Certificates of
any series, means the first Regular Distribution Date on which a Scheduled
Payment is to be made.
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT: Means any agreement by and among one or more
Trusts, one or more Liquidity Providers and a Subordination Agent providing for
the distribution of payments made in respect of Equipment Notes held by such
Trusts.
ISSUANCE DATE: With respect to the Certificates of any series, means
the date of the issuance of such Certificates.
LEASE: Means any lease between an Owner Trustee, as the lessor, and the
Company, as the lessee, referred to in the related Indenture, as each such lease
may be amended or supplemented in accordance with its respective terms; and
LEASES means all such Leases.
LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS: With respect to the Certificates of any
series, means the agreement among the Company, the Trustee and the initial
Clearing Agency substantially in the form attached as an Exhibit to the related
Trust Supplement.
LIQUIDITY FACILITY: With respect to the Certificates of any Series,
means any revolving credit agreement or similar facility relating to the
Certificates of such series between a Liquidity Provider and a Subordination
Agent, as amended, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time in accordance with its terms and the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement.
LIQUIDITY PROVIDER: With respect to the Certificates of any Series,
means a bank or other financial institution that agrees to provide Liquidity
Facilities for the benefit of the holders of Certificates of such series.
<PAGE>
5
LOAN TRUSTEE: With respect to any Equipment Note or the Indenture
applicable thereto, means the bank or trust company designated as loan or
indenture trustee under such Indenture; and any successor to such Loan Trustee
as such trustee; and LOAN TRUSTEES means all of the Loan Trustees under the
Indentures.
NOTE DOCUMENTS: With respect to any Equipment Note, means the related
Indenture, Note Purchase Agreement, and if the related Aircraft is leased to the
Company, the related Lease and the related Owner Trustee's Purchase Agreement.
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT: With respect to the Certificates of any
series, means any note purchase, refunding, participation or similar agreement
providing for, among other things, the purchase of Equipment Notes by the
Trustee on behalf of the relevant Trust; and NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS means
all such agreements.
OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE: Means a certificate signed, (a) in the case of
the Guarantor or the Company, by (i) a Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors,
the President or any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of the
Guarantor or the Company, signing alone or (ii) any Vice President of the
Guarantor or the Company signing together with the Secretary, the Assistant
Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Guarantor or the
Company, or (b) in the case of the Trustee or an Owner Trustee or a Loan
Trustee, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Owner Trustee or such Loan
Trustee, as the case may be.
OTHER AGREEMENTS: Has the meaning specified in Section 6.01(b).
OPINION OF COUNSEL: Means a written opinion of legal counsel who (a) in
the case of counsel for the Guarantor or the Company, may be (i) a senior
attorney in rank of the officers of the Guarantor or the Company a principal
duty of which is furnishing advice as to legal matters, (ii) Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett or (iii) such other counsel designated by the Guarantor or the Company
and reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and (b) in the case of any Owner
Trustee or any Loan Trustee, may be such counsel as may be designated by any of
them whether or not such counsel is an employee of any of them, and who shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
OUTSTANDING: With respect to Certificates of any series, means, as of
the date of determination, all Certificates of such series theretofore
authenticated and delivered under this Agreement, except:
(i) Certificates of such series theretofore cancelled by the
Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Registrar for cancellation;
(ii) All of the Certificates of such series if money in the full
amount required to make the final distribution with respect to such series
pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof has been theretofore deposited with the
Trustee in trust for the Holders of the Certificates of such series as
provided in Section 4.01 pending distribution of such money to such
Certificateholders pursuant to such final distribution payment; and
(iii) Certificates of such series in exchange for or in lieu of
which other Certificates of such series have been authenticated and
delivered pursuant to this Agreement.
OWNER PARTICIPANT: With respect to any Equipment Note, means the "Owner
Participant", if any, as referred to in the Indenture pursuant to which such
Equipment Note is issued and any
<PAGE>
6
permitted successor or assign of such Owner Participant; and OWNER PARTICIPANTS
at any time of determination means all of the Owner Participants thus referred
to in the Indentures.
OWNER TRUSTEE: with respect to any Equipment Note, means the "Owner
Trustee", if any, as referred to in the Indenture pursuant to which such
Equipment Note is issued, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee;
and OWNER TRUSTEES means all of the Owner Trustees party to any of the
respective Indentures.
OWNER TRUSTEE'S PURCHASE AGREEMENT: With respect to the Certificates of
any series, if the related Aircraft is leased to the Company, has the meaning
specified therefor in the related Lease.
PAYING AGENT: With respect to the Certificates of any series, means the
paying agent maintained and appointed for the Certificates of such series
pursuant to Section 7.11.
PERMITTED INVESTMENTS: Means obligations of the United States of
America or agencies or instrumentalities thereof for the payment of which the
full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged, maturing in
not more than 60 days or such lesser time as is necessary for payment of any
Special Payments on a Special Distribution Date.
PERSON: Means any person, including any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
POOL BALANCE: Means, as of any date, (i) the original aggregate face
amount of the Certificates of any series less (ii) the aggregate amount of all
payments made in respect of such Certificates other than payments made in
respect of interest or premium thereon or reimbursement of any costs or expenses
incurred in connection therewith. The Pool Balance as of any Distribution Date
shall be computed after giving effect to the payment of principal, if any, on
the Equipment Notes or other Trust Property held in the Trust and the
distribution thereof to be made on such Distribution Date.
POOL FACTOR: Means, with respect to any series of Certificates as of
any date, the quotient (rounded to the seventh decimal place) computed by
dividing (i) the Pool Balance of such series as at such date by (ii) the
original aggregate face amount of the Certificates of such series. The Pool
Factor as of any Distribution Date shall be computed after giving effect to the
payment of principal, if any, on the Equipment Notes or other Trust Property and
the distribution thereof to be made on such Distribution Date.
POSTPONED NOTES: With respect to any Trust or the related series of
Certificates, means the Equipment Notes to be held in such Trust as to which a
Postponement Notice shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(b).
POSTPONEMENT NOTICE: With respect to any Trust or the related series of
Certificates, means an Officer's Certificate of the Company signed by an officer
of the Company (1) requesting that the Trustee temporarily postpone purchase of
the related Equipment Notes to a date later than the Issuance Date of such
series of Certificates, (2) identifying the amount of the purchase price of each
such Equipment Note and the aggregate purchase price for all such Equipment
Notes, (3) setting forth the reasons for such postponement and (4) with respect
to each such Equipment Note, either (a) setting or resetting a new Transfer Date
(which shall be on or prior to the applicable Cut-off Date) for payment by the
Trustee of such purchase price and issuance of the related Equipment Note, or
(b) indicating
<PAGE>
7
that such new Transfer Date (which shall be on or prior to the applicable
Cut-off Date) will be set by subsequent written notice not less than one
Business Day prior to such new Transfer Date.
PTC EVENT OF DEFAULT: Means any failure to pay within 10 Business Days
of the due date thereof: (i) the outstanding Pool Balance on a date specified
in any Trust Supplement or (ii) interest due on the Certificates of any series
on any Distribution Date.
RECORD DATE: With respect to any Trust or the related series of
Certificates, means (i) for Scheduled Payments to be distributed on any Regular
Distribution Date, other than the final distribution, with respect to such
series, the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Regular
Distribution Date, and (ii) for Special Payments to be distributed on any
Special Distribution Date, other than the final distribution, with respect to
such series, the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Special
Distribution Date.
REGISTER AND REGISTRAR: With respect to the Certificates of any series,
mean the register maintained and the registrar appointed for such series
pursuant to Sections 3.04 and 7.11.
REGULAR DISTRIBUTION DATE: With respect to distributions of Scheduled
Payments in respect of any series of Certificates, means each date designated as
such in this Agreement, until payment of all the Scheduled Payments to be made
under the Equipment Notes held in such Trust has been made.
REQUEST: Means a request by the Company setting forth the subject
matter of the request accompanied by an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel as provided in Section 1.02 of this Basic Agreement.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: With respect to any Trustee, any Loan Trustee and
any Owner Trustee, means any officer in the Corporate Trust Division of the
Trustee, Loan Trustee or Owner Trustee or any other officer customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time
shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is
referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
SCHEDULED PAYMENT: With respect to any Equipment Note, means any
payment of principal and interest on such Equipment Note or any payment of
interest on the Certificates of any series with funds drawn under the Liquidity
Facility for such series (other than any such payment which is not in fact
received by the Trustee or any Subordination Agent within five days of the date
on which such payment is scheduled to be made) due from the obligor thereon
which payment represents the installment of principal at the stated maturity of
such installment of principal on such Equipment Note, the payment of regularly
scheduled interest accrued on the unpaid principal amount of such Equipment
Note, or both; provided that any payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest resulting from the redemption or purchase of any Equipment Note shall
not constitute a Scheduled Payment.
SEC: Means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time
constituted or created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any
time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties on such date.
SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION DATE: With respect to the Certificates of any
series, means each date on which a Special Payment is to be distributed as
specified in this Agreement.
<PAGE>
8
SPECIAL PAYMENT: Means (i) any payment (other than a Scheduled Payment)
in respect of, or any proceeds of, any Equipment Note or Trust Indenture Estate
(as defined in each Indenture) or (ii) the amounts required to be distributed
pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.02(b) or (iii) the amounts required
to be distributed pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 2.02(b).
SPECIAL PAYMENTS ACCOUNT: With respect to the Certificates of any
series, means the account or accounts created and maintained for such series
pursuant to Section 4.01(b) and the related Trust Supplement.
SPECIFIED INVESTMENTS: With respect to any Trust, means, unless
otherwise specified in the related Trust Supplement, (i) obligations of, or
guaranteed by, the United States Government or agencies thereof, (ii) open
market commercial paper of any corporation incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or any State thereof rated at least P-2 or its
equivalent by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or at least A-2 or its equivalent
by Standard & Poor's Rating Group, (iii) certificates of deposit issued by
commercial banks organized under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof having a combined capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000 which banks or their holding companies have a rating of A or its
equivalent by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Rating Group;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the aggregate amount at any one time so invested in
certificates of deposit issued by any one bank shall not exceed 5% of such
bank's capital and surplus, (iv) U.S. dollar denominated offshore certificates
of deposit issued by, or offshore time deposits with, any commercial bank
described in (iii) or any subsidiary thereof and (v) repurchase agreements with
any financial institution having combined capital and surplus of at least
$500,000,000 with any of the obligations described in clauses (i) through (iv)
as collateral; PROVIDED FURTHER that if all of the above investments are
unavailable, the entire amounts to be invested may be used to purchase Federal
Funds from an entity described in clause (iii) above; and PROVIDED FURTHER
that no investment shall be eligible as a "Specified Investment" unless the
final maturity or date of return of such investment is on or before the Special
Distribution Date next following the Cut-off Date, if any, for such Trust by
more than 20 days.
SUBORDINATION AGENT: Shall have the meaning specified therefor in any
Intercreditor Agreement.
SUBSTITUTE AIRCRAFT: With respect to any Trust, means any Aircraft of a
type specified in this Agreement and, at the election of the Company,
substituted prior to the applicable Cut-off Date, if any, pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.
TRANSFER DATE: Has the meaning assigned to that term or any of the
terms "Delivery Date", "Funding Date" or "Closing Date" in a Note Purchase
Agreement.
TRIGGERING EVENT: Shall have the meaning specified therefor in any
Intercreditor Agreement.
TRUST: With respect to the Certificates of any series, means the trust
under this Agreement.
TRUSTEE: Means the institution executing this Basic Agreement as
Trustee, or its successor in interest, and any successor trustee appointed as
provided herein.
TRUST INDENTURE ACT: Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.06,
means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this
Basic Agreement was executed.
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9
TRUST PROPERTY: With respect to any Trust, means (i) the Equipment
Notes held as the property of such Trust, all monies at any time paid thereon
and all monies due and to become due thereunder, (ii) the rights of such Trust
under any Intercreditor Agreement, including all monies receivable in respect of
such rights, (iii) all monies receivable under any Liquidity Facility for such
Trust and (iv) funds from time to time deposited in the related Escrow Account,
the related Certificate Account and the related Special Payments Account and any
proceeds from the sale by the Trustee pursuant to Article VI hereof of any such
Equipment Note.
TRUST SUPPLEMENT: Means an agreement supplemental hereto pursuant to
which (i) a separate Trust is created for the benefit of the Holders of the
Certificates of a series, (ii) the issuance of the Certificates of such series
representing fractional undivided interests in such Trust is authorized and
(iii) the terms of the Certificates of such series are established.
Section 1.02. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS. Upon any
application or request by the Company, any Owner Trustee or any Loan Trustee to
the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Basic Agreement or,
in respect of the Certificates of any series, this Agreement, the Company, such
Owner Trustee or such Loan Trustee, as the case may be, shall furnish to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers,
all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Basic Agreement or this
Agreement relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion
of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions
precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such
application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is
specifically required by any provision of this Basic Agreement or this Agreement
relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or
opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the
Certificates of any series, this Agreement (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to Section 8.04(d)) or any Trust Supplement shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions in this
Basic Agreement or this Agreement relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.03. FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE. In any case where
several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of,
any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by,
or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified
or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an
opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to
other matters and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such
matters in one or several documents.
<PAGE>
10
Any Opinion of Counsel stated to be based on the opinion of other counsel
shall be accompanied by a copy of such other opinion.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the Certificates of any
series, this Agreement, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one
instrument.
Section 1.04. ACTS OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. (a) Any direction, consent,
waiver or other action provided by this Agreement in respect of the Certificates
of any series to be given or taken by Certificateholders may be embodied in and
evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by
such Certificateholders in person or by an agent or proxy duly appointed in
writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall
become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the
Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required pursuant to this Agreement,
to the Company or any Loan Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the
action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to
as the "Act" of the Certificateholders signing such instrument or instruments.
Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such
agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of such Trust Supplement and
conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and the related Loan Trustee, if
made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the certificate of any notary public or
other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds or
administer oaths that the Person executing such instrument acknowledged to him
the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution sworn
to before any such notary or such other officer and where such execution is by
an officer of a corporation or association or a member of a partnership, on
behalf of such corporation, association or partnership, such certificate or
affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and
date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the
Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable manner
which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) In determining whether the Certificateholders of the requisite
Fractional Undivided Interests of Certificates of any series Outstanding have
given any direction, consent or waiver (a "Direction"), under this Agreement,
Certificates owned by the Company, the Guarantor, any related Owner Trustee, any
related Owner Participant or any Affiliate of any such Person shall be
disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for purposes of any such
determination. In determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying
upon any such Direction, only Certificates which the Trustee knows to be so
owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any such
Person owns 100% of the Certificates of any series Outstanding, such
Certificates shall not be so disregarded as aforesaid, and (ii) if any amount of
Certificates of such series so owned by any such Person have been pledged in
good faith, such Certificates shall not be disregarded as aforesaid if the
pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to
act with respect to such Certificates and that the pledgee is not the Company,
the Guarantor, any related Owner Trustee, any related Owner Participant or any
Affiliate of any such Person.
(d) The Company may at its option by delivery of an Officer's
Certificate to the Trustee set a record date to determine the Certificateholders
in respect of the Certificates of any series, entitled to give any consent,
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, waiver or other Act.
Notwithstanding Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such record date
shall be the record date specified in such Officer's Certificate which shall be
a date not more than 30 days prior to the first
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11
solicitation of Certificateholders in connection therewith. If such a record
date is fixed, such consent, request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the
Certificateholders of record of the applicable series at the close of business
on such record date shall be deemed to be Certificateholders for the purposes of
determining whether Certificateholders of the requisite proportion of
Outstanding Certificates of such series have authorized or agreed or consented
to such consent, request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, waiver or
other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Certificates of such series
shall be computed as of such record date; PROVIDED that no such consent,
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, waiver or other Act by the
Certificateholders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Basic Agreement not later
than one year after the record date.
(e) Any direction, consent, waiver or other action by the
Certificateholder of any Certificate shall bind the Certificateholder of every
Certificate issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu
thereof, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Certificate.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.04(c), Certificates of any
series owned by or pledged to any Person shall have an equal and proportionate
benefit under the provisions of this Agreement, without preference, priority, or
distinction as among all of the Certificates of such series.
ARTICLE II
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES;
ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT NOTES
Section 2.01. AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES.
(a) The aggregate principal amount of Certificates of each series which
may be authenticated and delivered under this Basic Agreement is limited to an
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Equipment Notes held in
the related Trust. The Certificates may be issued from time to time in one or
more series and shall be designated generally as the "Pass Through
Certificates", with such further designations added or incorporated in such
title for the Certificates of each series as specified in the related Trust
Supplement. Each Certificate shall bear upon its face the designation so
selected for the series to which it belongs. All Certificates of the same
series shall be substantially identical except that the Certificates of a series
may differ as to denomination and as may otherwise be provided in the Trust
Supplement establishing the Certificates of such series. Each series of
Certificates issued pursuant to this Agreement will evidence fractional
undivided interests in the related Trust and, except as may be contained in any
Intercreditor Agreement, will have no rights, benefits or interests in respect
of any other Trust or the Trust Property held therein. All Certificates of the
same series shall be in all respects equally and ratably entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement without preference, priority or distinction on
account of the actual time or times of authentication and delivery, all in
accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
(b) The following matters shall be established with respect to the
Certificates of each series issued hereunder by a Trust Supplement executed and
delivered by and among the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee:
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12
(1) the formation of the Trust as to which the Certificates of
such series represent fractional undivided interests and its designation
(which designation shall distinguish such Trust from each other Trust
created under this Basic Agreement and a Trust Supplement);
(2) the specific title of the Certificates of such series (which
title shall distinguish the Certificates of such series from each other
series of Certificates created under this Basic Agreement and a Trust
Supplement);
(3) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the
Certificates of such series which may be authenticated and delivered
(which limit shall not pertain to Certificates authenticated and delivered
upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other
Certificates of the series pursuant to Sections 3.03, 3.04 and 3.05);
(4) the Cut-off Date with respect to the Certificates of such
series;
(5) the Regular Distribution Dates applicable to the Certificates
of such series;
(6) the Special Distribution Dates applicable to the Certificates
of such series;
(7) if other than as provided in Section 7.11(b), the Registrar or
the Paying Agent for the Certificates of such series, including any
Co-Registrar or additional Paying Agent;
(8) if other than as provided in Section 3.01, the denominations
in which the Certificates of such series shall be issuable;
(9) if other than United States dollars, the currency or
currencies (including currency units) in which the Certificates of such
series shall be denominated;
(10) the specific form of the Certificates of such series
(including the interest rate applicable thereto) and whether or not
Certificates of such series are to be issued as Book-Entry Certificates
and, if such Certificates are to be Book-Entry Certificates, the form of
Letter of Representations, if any (or, in the case of any Certificates
denominated in a currency other than United States dollars and if other
than as provided in Section 3.09, whether and the circumstances under
which beneficial owners of interests in such Certificates in permanent
global form may exchange such interests for Certificates of such series
and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination);
(11) a description of the Equipment Notes to be acquired and held
in the related Trust and of the related Aircraft and Note Documents;
(12) provisions with respect to the terms for which the definitions
set forth in Article I hereof or the terms of Section 11.01 hereof permit
or require further specification in the related Trust Supplement;
(13) any restrictions (including legends) in respect of ERISA;
(14) whether such series will be subject to an Intercreditor
Agreement and, if so, the specific designation of such Intercreditor
Agreement; and
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13
(15) any other terms of the Certificates of such series (which
terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act), including any terms which may be required or advisable under United
States laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing
of Certificates of the series.
(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery
of this Basic Agreement and a Trust Supplement forming a Trust and establishing
the terms of Certificates of a series, Certificates of such series shall be
executed, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Person or Persons
specified by the Company upon request of the Company and upon satisfaction of
any conditions precedent set forth in such Trust Supplement or in any other
document to which a Trustee is a party relating to the issuance of the
Certificates of such series.
Section 2.02. ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT NOTES.
(a) Unless otherwise specified in the related Trust Supplement, on or
prior to the Issuance Date of the Certificates of a series, the Trustee shall
execute and deliver the related Note Purchase Agreements in the form delivered
to the Trustee by the Company. The Trustee shall issue and sell such
Certificates, in authorized denominations and in such Fractional Undivided
Interests, so as to result in the receipt of consideration in an amount equal to
the aggregate purchase price of such Equipment Notes and, concurrently
therewith, the Trustee shall purchase, pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Note Purchase Agreements, the Equipment Notes at a purchase price equal to
the amount of such consideration so received. Except as provided in Sections
3.03, 3.04 and 3.05 hereof, the Trustee shall not execute, authenticate or
deliver Certificates of such series in excess of the aggregate amount specified
in this paragraph. The provisions of this Subsection (a) are subject to the
provisions of Subsection (b) below.
(b) If on or prior to the Issuance Date with respect to a series of
Certificates the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Postponement Notice
relating to one or more Postponed Notes, the Trustee shall postpone the purchase
of such Postponed Notes and shall deposit into an escrow account (as to such
Trust, the "Escrow Account") to be maintained as a part of the related Trust an
amount equal to the purchase price of such Postponed Notes (the "Escrowed
Funds"). The Escrowed Funds so deposited shall be invested by the Trustee at
the written direction and risk of, and for the benefit of, the Company in
Specified Investments (i) maturing no later than any scheduled Transfer Date
relating to such series of Certificates or (ii) if no such Transfer Date has
been scheduled, maturing on the next Business Day, or (iii) if the Company has
given notice to the Trustee that any Postponed Notes will not be issued, with
respect to the portion of the Escrowed Funds relating to such Postponed Notes,
maturing on the next applicable Special Distribution Date, if such investments
are reasonably available for purchase. The Trustee shall make withdrawals from
the Escrow Account only as provided in this Agreement. Upon request of the
Company on one or more occasions and the satisfaction of the closing conditions
specified in the applicable Note Purchase Agreements on or prior to the related
Cut-off Date, the Trustee shall purchase the applicable Postponed Notes with the
Escrowed Funds withdrawn from the Escrow Account. The purchase price shall
equal the principal amount of such Postponed Notes.
The Trustee shall hold all Specified Investments until the maturity
thereof and will not sell or otherwise transfer Specified Investments. If
Specified Investments held in an Escrow Account mature prior to any applicable
Transfer Date, any proceeds received on the maturity of such Specified
Investments (other than any earnings thereon) shall be reinvested by the Trustee
at the written direction and risk of, and for the benefit of, the Company in
Specified Investments maturing as provided in the preceding paragraph.
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14
Any earnings on Specified Investments received from time to time by the
Trustee shall be promptly distributed to the Company. The Company shall pay to
the Trustee for deposit to the relevant Escrow Account an amount equal to any
losses on such Specified Investments as incurred. On the Initial Regular
Distribution Date in respect of the Certificates of any series, the Company will
pay (in immediately available funds) to the Trustee an amount equal to the
interest that would have accrued on any Postponed Notes, if any, purchased after
the Issuance Date if such Postponed Notes had been purchased on the Issuance
Date, from the Issuance Date to, but not including, the date of the purchase of
such Postponed Notes by the Trustee.
If, in respect of the Certificates of any series, the Company notifies the
Trustee prior to the Cut-off Date that any Postponed Notes will not be issued on
or prior to the Cut-off Date for any reason, on the next Special Distribution
Date for such Certificates occurring more than 20 days following the date of
such notice (i) the Company shall pay to the Trustee for deposit in the related
Special Payments Account, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to the
interest that would have accrued on the Postponed Notes designated in such
notice at a rate equal to the interest rate applicable to such Certificates from
the Issuance Date to, but not including, such Special Distribution Date and (ii)
the Trustee shall transfer an amount equal to that amount of Escrowed Funds that
would have been used to purchase the Postponed Notes designated in such notice
and the amount paid by the Company pursuant to the immediately preceding clause
(i) to the related Special Payments Account for distribution as a Special
Payment in accordance with the provisions hereof.
If, on such Cut-off Date, an amount equal to less than all of the Escrowed
Funds (other than Escrowed Funds referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph) has been used to purchase Postponed Notes, on the next such Special
Distribution Date occurring more than 20 days following such Cut-off Date (i)
the Company shall pay to the Trustee for deposit in such Special Payments
Account, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to the interest that
would have accrued on such Postponed Notes contemplated to be purchased with
such unused Escrowed Funds (other than Escrowed Funds referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph) but not so purchased at a rate equal to the
interest rate applicable to such Certificates from the Issuance Date to, but not
including, such Special Distribution Date and (ii) the Trustee shall transfer
such unused Escrowed Funds and the amount paid by the Company pursuant to the
immediately preceding clause (i) to such Special Payments Account for
distribution as a Special Payment in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 2.03. ACCEPTANCE BY TRUSTEE. The Trustee, upon the execution
and delivery of a Trust Supplement creating a Trust and establishing a series of
Certificates, shall acknowledge its acceptance of all right, title, and interest
in and to the Equipment Notes to be acquired pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof and
the related Note Purchase Agreements and shall declare that the Trustee holds
and will hold such right, title, and interest, together with all other property
constituting the Trust Property of such Trust, for the benefit of all then
present and future Certificateholders of such series, upon the trusts herein and
in such Trust Supplement set forth. By its payment for and acceptance of each
Certificate of such series issued to it under this Agreement, each initial
Certificateholder of such series as grantor of such Trust shall thereby join in
the creation and declaration of such Trust.
Section 2.04. LIMITATION OF POWERS. Each Trust shall be constituted
solely for the purpose of making the investment in the Equipment Notes provided
for in the related Trust Supplement, and, except as set forth herein or in this
Agreement, the Trustee shall not be authorized or empowered to acquire any other
investments or engage in any other activities and, in particular, the Trustee
shall not be authorized or empowered to do anything that would cause such Trust
to fail to qualify as a "grantor trust" for federal income tax purposes
(including as subject to this restriction, acquiring the Aircraft (as
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15
defined in the respective related Indentures) by bidding such Equipment Notes or
otherwise, or taking any action with respect to any such Aircraft once
acquired).
ARTICLE III
THE CERTIFICATES
Section 3.01. FORM, DENOMINATION AND EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATES. The
Certificates of each series shall be issued in fully registered form without
coupons and shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A,
with such omissions, variations and insertions as are permitted by this
Agreement, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification
and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon, as
may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange on which
such Certificates may be listed or to conform to any usage in respect thereof,
or as may, consistently herewith, be prescribed by the Trustee or by the officer
executing such Certificates, such determination by said officer to be evidenced
by his signing the Certificates.
Except as provided in Section 3.09, the definitive Certificates of such
series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination
of these methods or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules
of any securities exchange on which the Certificates may be listed, all as
determined by the officer executing such Certificates, as evidenced by his
execution of such Certificates.
Except as otherwise provided in the related Trust Supplement, the
Certificates of each series shall be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000
or integral multiples thereof except that one Certificate of such series may be
issued in a denomination of less than $1,000.
The Certificates of such series shall be executed on behalf of the Trustee
by manual or facsimile signature of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.
Certificates of any series bearing the manual or facsimile signature of an
individual who was, at the time when such signature was affixed, authorized to
sign on behalf of the Trustee shall be valid and binding obligations of the
Trustee, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to be so authorized
prior to the authentication and delivery of such Certificates or did not hold
such office at the date of such Certificates. No Certificate of any series
shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement, or be valid for any
purpose unless there appears on such Certificate a certificate of authentication
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto executed by the Trustee
by manual signature, and such certificate of authentication upon any Certificate
shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Certificate has
been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Certificates of any series
shall be dated on the date of their authentication.
Section 3.02. AUTHENTICATION OF CERTIFICATES. The Trustee shall duly
authenticate and deliver Certificates of each series in authorized denominations
equalling in the aggregate the aggregate principal amount of the Equipment Notes
to be purchased by the Trustee pursuant to the related Note Purchase Agreements,
and evidencing the entire ownership of the related Trust.
Section 3.03. TEMPORARY CERTIFICATES. Pending the preparation of
definitive Certificates of any series, the Trustee may execute, authenticate and
deliver temporary Certificates of such series which are printed, lithographed,
typewritten, or otherwise produced, in any denomination, containing
substantially the same terms and provisions as set forth in Exhibit A hereto,
except for such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations relating to their temporary nature
<PAGE>
16
as the officer executing such temporary Certificates may determine, as evidenced
by its execution of such temporary Certificates.
If temporary Certificates of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Certificates of such series to be prepared without unreasonable
delay. After the preparation of definitive Certificates of such series, the
temporary Certificates shall be exchangeable for definitive Certificates upon
surrender of such temporary Certificates at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee, or at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained in accordance with
Section 7.11, without charge to the holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of
any one or more temporary Certificates, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate
and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Certificates of like series, in
authorized denominations and of a like aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest.
Until so exchanged, such temporary Certificates shall in all respects be
entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as definitive Certificates.
Section 3.04. REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.
The Trustee shall cause to be kept at the office or agency to be maintained by
it in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.11 a register (the "Register")
for each series of Certificates in which, subject to such reasonable regulations
as it may prescribe, the Trustee shall provide for the registration of
Certificates of such series and of transfers and exchanges of such Certificates
as herein provided. The Trustee shall initially be the registrar (the
"Registrar") for the purpose of registering Certificates of each series and
transfers and exchanges of such Certificates as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate at the
Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency, the Trustee shall
execute, authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees, one or more new Certificates of like series, in authorized
denominations of a like aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest.
At the option of a Certificateholder, Certificates may be exchanged for
other Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest, upon surrender of the Certificates to
be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Certificates are so
surrendered for exchange, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver
the Certificates that the Certificateholder making the exchange is entitled to
receive. Every Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Registrar
duly executed by the Certificateholder thereof or its attorney duly authorized
in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Certificateholder for any
registration of transfer or exchange of Certificates, but the Trustee shall
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Certificates.
All Certificates surrendered for registration of transfer and exchange
shall be cancelled and subsequently destroyed by the Trustee.
Section 3.05. MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If
(a) any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Registrar, or the Registrar
receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any
Certificate, and (b) there is delivered to the Registrar and the Trustee such
security, indemnity or bond, as may be required by them to save each of them
harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Registrar or the Trustee that
such Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Trustee shall
execute, authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate or
Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of like Fractional
Undivided Interest. In connection with the issuance of
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17
any new Certificate under this Section 3.05, the Trustee shall require the
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees
and expenses of the Trustee and the Registrar) connected therewith. Any
duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 3.05 shall constitute
conclusive evidence of the appropriate Fractional Undivided Interest in the
related Trust, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.
Section 3.06. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. Prior to due presentation of a
Certificate for registration of transfer, the Trustee, the Registrar, and any
Paying Agent of the Trustee may treat the person in whose name any Certificate
is registered as the owner of such Certificate for the purpose of receiving
distributions pursuant to Section 4.02 and for all other purposes whatsoever,
and neither the Trustee, the Registrar, nor any Paying Agent of the Trustee
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 3.07. CANCELLATION. All Certificates surrendered for payment
or transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person party hereto other
than the Registrar, be delivered to the Registrar for cancellation. No
Certificates shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any
Certificates cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly
permitted by this Agreement. All cancelled Certificates held by the Registrar
shall be destroyed and a certification of their destruction delivered to the
Trustee.
Section 3.08. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR PAYMENTS. All payments or
distributions made to Certificateholders of any series under the related Trust
Supplement shall be made only from the Trust Property of the related Trust and
only to the extent that the Trustee shall have sufficient income or proceeds
from such Trust Property to make such payments in accordance with the terms of
Article IV of this Agreement. Each Certificateholder, by its acceptance of a
Certificate, agrees that it will look solely to the income and proceeds from the
Trust Property of the related Trust to the extent available for distribution to
such Certificateholder as provided in this Agreement.
Section 3.09. BOOK-ENTRY AND DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES.
(a) Except for one Certificate of each series that may be issued in a
denomination of less than $1,000, the Certificates of any series may be issued
in the form of one or more typewritten Certificates representing the Book-Entry
Certificates of such series, to be delivered to The Depository Trust Company,
the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Company. In such case,
the Certificates of such series delivered to The Depository Trust Company shall
initially be registered on the Register in the name of CEDE & Co., the nominee
of the initial Clearing Agency, and no Certificate Owner will receive a
definitive certificate representing such Certificate Owner's interest in the
Certificates of such series, except as provided above and in Subsection (d)
below. As to the Certificates of any series, except with respect to the one
Certificate of such series that may be issued in a denomination of less than
$1,000, unless and until definitive, fully registered Certificates (the
"Definitive Certificates") have been issued pursuant to Subsection (d) below:
(i) the provisions of this Section 3.09 shall be in full force and
effect;
(ii) the Company, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the Trustee
may deal with the Clearing Agency Participants for all purposes (including
the making of distributions on the Certificates) as the authorized
representatives of the Certificate Owners;
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18
(iii) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 3.09
conflict with any other provisions of this Agreement (other than the
provisions of any Trust Supplement amending this Section 3.09 as permitted
by this Basic Agreement), the provisions of this Section 3.09 shall
control;
(iv) the rights of Certificate Owners shall be exercised only
through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by
law and agreements between such Certificate Owners and the Clearing Agency
Participants; and until Definitive Certificates are issued pursuant to
Subsection (d) below, the Clearing Agency will make book-entry transfers
among the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit
distributions of principal and interest and premium, if any, on the
Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants; and
(v) whenever this Agreement requires or permits actions to be
taken based upon instructions or directions of Certificateholders of such
series holding Certificates of such series evidencing a specified
percentage of the Fractional Undivided Interests in the related Trust, the
Clearing Agency shall be deemed to represent such percentage only to the
extent that it has received instructions to such effect from Certificate
Owners and/or Clearing Agency Participants owning or representing,
respectively, such required percentage of the beneficial interest in
Certificates of such series and has delivered such instructions to the
Trustee. The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether the
Clearing Agency has in fact received any such instructions.
(b) Except with respect to the one Certificate of each series that may
be issued in a denomination of less than $1,000, whenever notice or other
communication to the Certificateholders of such series is required under this
Agreement, unless and until Definitive Certificates shall have been issued
pursuant to Subsection (d) below, the Trustee shall give all such notices and
communications specified herein to be given to Certificateholders of such series
to the Clearing Agency.
(c) Unless and until Definitive Certificates of a series are issued
pursuant to Subsection (d) below, on the Record Date prior to each applicable
Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee will
request from the Clearing Agency a Securities Position Listing setting forth the
names of all Clearing Agency Participants reflected on the Clearing Agency's
books as holding interests in the Certificates on such Record Date.
(d) If with respect to the Certificates of any series (i) the Company
advises the Trustee in writing that the Clearing Agency is no longer willing or
able to properly discharge its responsibilities and the Trustee or the Company
is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Company at its option,
advises the Trustee in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system
through the Clearing Agency or (iii) after the occurrence of an Event of
Default, Certificate Owners of Book-Entry Certificates of such series evidencing
Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest
in the related Trust, by Act of said Certificate Owners delivered to the Company
and the Trustee, advise the Company, the Trustee and the Clearing Agency through
the Clearing Agency Participants in writing that the continuation of a
book-entry system through the Clearing Agency Participants is no longer in the
best interests of the Certificate Owners of such series, then the Trustee shall
notify all Certificate Owners of such series, through the Clearing Agency, of
the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of Definitive
Certificates. Upon surrender to the Trustee of all the Certificates of such
series held by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions
from the Clearing Agency Participants for registration of Definitive
Certificates in the names of Certificate Owners of such series, the Trustee
shall issue and deliver the Definitive Certificates of such series in accordance
with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the
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19
Company, the Registrar, the Paying Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any
delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall
be protected in relying on, such registration instructions. Upon the issuance of
Definitive Certificates of such series, the Trustee shall recognize the Person
in whose name the Definitive Certificates are registered in the Register as
Certificateholders hereunder. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be
liable if the Trustee or the Company is unable to locate a qualified successor
Clearing Agency.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in the related Trust Supplement, the
Trustee shall enter into the applicable Letter of Representations with respect
to such series of Certificates and fulfill its responsibilities thereunder.
(f) The provisions of this Section 3.09 may be made inapplicable to any
series or may be amended with respect to any series in the related Trust
Supplement.
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; STATEMENTS TO
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Section 4.01. CERTIFICATE ACCOUNT AND SPECIAL PAYMENTS ACCOUNT.
(a) The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the
Certificateholders of each series a Certificate Account as one or more
non-interest-bearing accounts. The Trustee shall hold the Certificate Account
in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders of such series, and shall
make or permit withdrawals therefrom only as provided in this Agreement. On
each day when a Scheduled Payment is made to the Trustee, the Trustee, upon
receipt thereof, shall immediately deposit the aggregate amount of such
Scheduled Payment into the Certificate Account.
(b) The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the
Certificateholders of each series a Special Payments Account as one or more
accounts, which shall be non-interest bearing except as provided in Section
4.04. The Trustee shall hold the Special Payments Account in trust for the
benefit of the Certificateholders of such series, and shall make or permit
withdrawals therefrom only as provided in this Agreement. On each day when one
or more Special Payments are made to the Trustee, the Trustee, upon receipt
thereof, shall immediately deposit the aggregate amount of such Special Payments
into the Special Payments Account.
(c) The Trustee shall present to the Loan Trustee to which an Equipment
Note relates such Equipment Note on the date of its stated final maturity or, in
the case of any Equipment Note which is to be redeemed in whole pursuant to the
relevant Indenture, on the applicable redemption date under such Indenture.
Section 4.02. DISTRIBUTIONS FROM CERTIFICATE ACCOUNT AND SPECIAL
Payments Account.
(a) On each Regular Distribution Date with respect to a series of
Certificates or as soon thereafter as the Trustee has confirmed receipt of the
payment of the Scheduled Payments due on the Equipment Notes held in the related
Trust on such date, the Trustee shall distribute out of the applicable
Certificate Account the entire amount deposited therein pursuant to Section
4.01(a). There shall be so distributed to each Certificateholder of record of
such series on the Record Date with respect to such Regular Distribution Date
(other than as provided in Section 11.01 concerning the final distribution), by
check mailed to such Certificateholder at the address appearing in the Register,
such
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20
Certificateholder's pro rata share (based on the aggregate Fractional Undivided
Interest in the related Trust held by such Certificateholder) of the aggregate
amount in the applicable Certificate Account.
(b) On each Special Distribution Date with respect to any Special
Payment with respect to a series of Certificates or as soon thereafter as the
Trustee has confirmed receipt of the Special Payments due on the Equipment Notes
held in the related Trust or realized upon the sale of such Equipment Note, the
Trustee shall distribute out of the applicable Special Payments Account the
entire amount deposited therein pursuant to Section 4.01(b) of such Special
Payment. There shall be so distributed to each Certificateholder of record of
such series on the Record Date with respect to such Special Distribution Date
(other than as provided in Section 11.01 concerning the final distribution), by
check mailed to such Certificateholder at the address appearing in the Register,
such Certificateholder's pro rata share (based on the aggregate Fractional
Undivided Interest in the related Trust held by such Certificateholder) of the
aggregate amount in the applicable Special Payments Account on account of such
Special Payment.
(c) The Trustee shall, at the expense of the Company, cause notice of
each Special Payment with respect to a series of Certificates to be mailed to
each Certificateholder of such series at his address as it appears in the
Register. In the event of redemption or purchase of Equipment Notes held in the
related Trust, such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 days prior to the
date any such Special Payment is scheduled to be distributed. In the case of
any other Special Payments, such notice shall be mailed as soon as practicable
after the Trustee has confirmed that it has received funds for such Special
Payment. Notices mailed by the Trustee shall set forth:
(i) the Special Distribution Date and the Record Date therefor
(except as otherwise provided in Section 11.01),
(ii) the amount of the Special Payment for each $1,000 face amount
Certificate (taking into account any payment to be made by the Company
pursuant to Section 2.02(b)) and the amount thereof constituting
principal, premium, if any, and interest,
(iii) the reason for the Special Payment, and
(iv) if the Special Distribution Date is the same date as a Regular
Distribution Date for the Certificates of such series, the total amount to
be received on such date for each $1,000 face amount Certificate.
If the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the redemption or purchase
of an Equipment Note has not been calculated at the time that the Trustee mails
notice of a Special Payment, it shall be sufficient if the notice sets forth the
other amounts to be distributed and states that any premium received will also
be distributed.
If any redemption of the Equipment Notes held in any Trust is cancelled,
the Trustee, as soon as possible after learning thereof, shall cause notice
thereof to be mailed to each Certificateholder of the related series at its
address as it appears on the Register.
Section 4.03. STATEMENTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS.
(a) On each Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date with
respect to a series of Certificates, the Trustee will include with each
distribution to Certificateholders of the related series a statement, giving
effect to such distribution to be made on such Regular Distribution Date or
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21
Special Distribution Date, as the case may be, setting forth the following
information (per a $1,000 face amount Certificate as to (i) and (ii) below):
(i) The amount of such distribution allocable to principal and the
amount allocable to premium, if any;
(ii) The amount of such distribution allocable to interest; and
(iii) The Pool Balance and the Pool Factor of the related Trust.
With respect to the Certificates registered in the name of a
Clearing Agency or its nominee, on the record date prior to each Distribution
Date, the Trustee will request from the Clearing Agency a securities position
listing setting forth the names of all the Clearing Agency Participants
reflected on the Clearing Agency's books as holding interests in the
Certificates on such record date. On each Distribution Date, the applicable
Trustee will mail to each such Clearing Agency Participant the statement
described above and will make available additional copies as requested by such
Clearing Agency Participant for forwarding to holders of Certificates.
(b) Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar
year but not later than the latest date permitted by law, the Trustee shall
furnish to each Person who at any time during such calendar year was a
Certificateholder of record a statement containing the sum of the amounts
determined pursuant to clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) with respect to the related
Trust for such calendar year or, in the event such Person was a
Certificateholder of record during a portion of such calendar year, for the
applicable portion of such year, and such other items as are readily available
to the Trustee and which a Certificateholder shall reasonably request as
necessary for the purpose of such Certificateholder's preparation of its Federal
income tax returns. With respect to Certificates registered in the name of a
Clearing Agency or its nominee, such report and such other items shall be
prepared on the basis of information supplied to the Trustees by the Clearing
Agency Participants and shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Clearing
Agency Participants to be available for forwarding by such Clearing Agency
Participants.
Section 4.04. INVESTMENT OF SPECIAL PAYMENT MONEYS. Any money received
by the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01(b) representing a Special Payment which
is not to be promptly distributed shall, to the extent practicable, be invested
in Permitted Investments by the Trustee as directed in writing by the Company
pending distribution of such Special Payment pursuant to Section 4.02. Any
investment made pursuant to this Section 4.04 shall be in such Permitted
Investments having maturities not later than the date that such moneys are
required to be used to make the payment required under Section 4.02 on the
applicable Special Distribution Date and the Trustee shall hold any such
Permitted Investments until maturity. The Trustee shall have no liability with
respect to any investment made pursuant to this Section 4.04, other than by
reason of the willful misconduct or negligence of the Trustee. All income and
earnings from such investments shall be distributed on such Special Distribution
Date as part of such Special Payment.
ARTICLE V
THE COMPANY
Section 5.01. MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Company, at its
own cost and expense, will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights and
franchises, except as otherwise specifically permitted in Section
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22
5.02; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any
right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof
is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.
Section 5.02. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. The Company shall not
consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or
lease substantially all of its assets as an entirety to any Person unless:
(a) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease
substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety shall be a
"citizen of the United States" (as defined in Section 40102(a)(15) of Title 49
of the United States Code) holding a carrier operating certificate issued by the
Secretary of Transportation pursuant to Chapter 447 of Title 49, United States
Code, for aircraft capable of carrying 10 or more individuals or 6,000 pounds or
more of cargo and with respect to which there is in force an air carrier
operating certificate issued pursuant to Part 121 of the regulations under the
sections of Title 49, United States Code, relating to aviation;
(b) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease
substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety shall execute and
deliver to the Trustee applicable to the Certificates of each series a duly
authorized, valid, binding and enforceable agreement in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee containing an assumption by such
successor corporation or Person of the due and punctual performance and
observance of each covenant and condition of the Note Documents and of this
Agreement applicable to the Certificates of each series to be performed or
observed by the Company;
(c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of
Default applicable to the Certificates of each series or event which is, or
after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, such an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate of the Company and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company (which may
be the Company's General Counsel) reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, each
stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and the
assumption agreement mentioned in clause (b) above comply with this Section 5.02
and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such
transaction have been complied with.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance, transfer or lease of
substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety in accordance with
this Section 5.02, the successor corporation or Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance,
transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Agreement applicable
to the Certificates of each series with the same effect as if such successor
corporation or Person had been named as the Company herein. No such conveyance,
transfer or lease of substantially all of the assets of the Company as an
entirety shall have the effect of releasing the Company or any successor
corporation or Person which shall theretofore have become such in the manner
prescribed in this Section 5.02 from its liability in respect of any Note
Document and of this Agreement applicable to the Certificates of such series to
which it is a party.
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23
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULT
Section 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. (a) EXERCISE OF REMEDIES: Upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of any Indenture Default under any
Indenture, the Trustee may, to the extent it is the Controlling Party at such
time, direct the exercise of remedies.
(b) PURCHASE RIGHTS OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS: By acceptance of its
Certificate, each Certificateholder agrees that at any time after the occurrence
and during the continuation of a Triggering Event, each Certificateholder of
Certificates of a series will have certain rights, the exercise of which will be
specified in the applicable Trust Supplement, to purchase the class of
Certificates with immediate seniority to the Certificates held by the purchasing
Certificateholder. The purchase price with respect to the Certificates of any
series shall be equal to the Pool Balance of the Certificates of such series,
together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of such purchase,
without premium, but including any other amounts then due and payable to the
Certificateholders under this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any
other Note Document or on or in respect of the Certificates of such series;
provided, however, that no such purchase of Certificates of such series shall be
effective unless the purchaser shall certify to the Trustee that
contemporaneously with such purchase, such purchaser is purchasing, pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement and the other Agreements, if any, relating to
Certificates of a series that are subject to the same Intercreditor Agreement
(such other Agreements, the "Other Agreements"), the Certificates of each such
series that is senior to the Certificates held by such purchaser. Each payment
of the purchase price of the Certificates of any series shall be made to an
account or accounts designated by the Trustee and each such purchase shall be
subject to the terms of this Section. Each Certificateholder of any series
agrees by its acceptance of Certificates of such series that it will, upon
payment from any such Certificateholders of Certificates with a lower seniority
of the purchase price specified herein, forthwith sell, assign, transfer and
convey to the purchaser thereof (without recourse, representation or warranty of
any kind except for its own acts), all of the right, title, interest and
obligation of such Certificateholder in this Agreement, any Intercreditor
Agreement, the Liquidity Facility, the Note Documents and all Certificates of
such series held by such Certificateholder (excluding all right, title and
interest under any of the foregoing to the extent such right, title or interest
is with respect to an obligation not then due and payable as respects any action
or inaction or state of affairs occurring prior to such sale) and the purchaser
shall assume all of such Certificateholder's obligations under this Agreement,
any Intercreditor Agreement, the Liquidity Facility and the Note Documents. The
Certificates of such series will be deemed to be purchased on the date payment
of the purchase price is made notwithstanding the failure of the
Certificateholders to deliver any Certificates of such series and, upon such a
purchase, (i) the only rights of the Certificateholders will be to deliver the
Certificates to the purchaser and receive the purchase price for such
Certificates of such series and (ii) if the purchaser shall so request, such
Certificateholder will comply with all of the provisions of Section 3.04 hereof
to enable new Certificates of such series to be issued to the purchaser in such
denominations as it shall request. All charges and expenses in connection with
the issuance of any such new Certificates shall be borne by the purchaser
thereof.
Section 6.02. INCIDENTS OF SALE OF EQUIPMENT NOTES. Upon any sale of
all or any part of the Equipment Notes made either under the power of sale given
under this Agreement or otherwise for the enforcement of this Agreement, the
following shall be applicable:
(1) CERTIFICATEHOLDERS AND TRUSTEE MAY PURCHASE EQUIPMENT NOTES.
Any Certificateholder, the Trustee in its individual or any other capacity
or any other Person may
<PAGE>
24
bid for and purchase any of the Equipment Notes, and upon compliance with
the terms of sale, may hold, retain, possess and dispose of such Equipment
Notes in their own absolute right without further accountability.
(2) RECEIPT OF TRUSTEE SHALL DISCHARGE PURCHASER. The receipt
of the Trustee or of the officer making such sale shall be a sufficient
discharge to any purchaser for his purchase money, and, after paying such
purchase money and receiving such receipt, such purchaser or its personal
representative or assigns shall not be obliged to see to the application
of such purchase money, or be in any way answerable for any loss,
misapplication or non-application thereof.
(3) APPLICATION OF MONEYS RECEIVED UPON SALE. Any moneys
collected by the Trustee upon any sale made either under the power of sale
given by this Agreement or otherwise for the enforcement of this Agreement
shall be applied as provided in Section 4.02.
Section 6.03. JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED BY TRUSTEE; TRUSTEE MAY
BRING SUIT. If there shall be a failure to make payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Equipment Note, or if there shall be any
failure to pay Rent (as defined in the relevant Lease) under any Lease when due
and payable, then the Trustee, in its own name, and as trustee of an express
trust, as holder of such Equipment Notes, to the extent permitted by and in
accordance with the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement and any Note Documents,
shall be entitled and empowered to institute any suits, actions or proceedings
at law, in equity or otherwise, for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid
on such Equipment Notes or under such Lease and may prosecute any such claim or
proceeding to judgment or final decree with respect to the whole amount of any
such sums so due and unpaid.
Section 6.04. CONTROL BY CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. Subject to Section 6.03
and any Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificateholders holding Certificates of
a series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a
majority in interest in the related Trust shall have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee with respect to such Trust or pursuant to the terms of any
Intercreditor Agreement, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee under this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement, including any right
of the Trustee as Controlling Party under any Intercreditor Agreement or as
holder of the Equipment Notes, PROVIDED that
(1) such Direction shall not in the opinion of the Trustee be in
conflict with any rule of law or with this Agreement and would not involve
the Trustee in personal liability or expense,
(2) the Trustee shall not determine that the action so directed
would be unjustly prejudicial to the Certificateholders of such series not
taking part in such Direction, and
(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
Trustee which is not inconsistent with such Direction.
Section 6.05. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS. Subject to any Intercreditor
Agreement, the Certificateholders holding Certificates of a series evidencing
Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest
in the Trust (i) may on behalf of all of the Certificateholders waive any past
Event of Default hereunder and its consequences or (ii) if the Trustee is the
Controlling Party, may direct the Trustee to instruct the applicable Loan
Trustee to waive, any past Indenture Default
<PAGE>
25
under any Indenture and its consequences, and thereby annul any Direction given
by such Certificateholders or the Trustee to such Loan Trustee with respect
thereto, except a default:
(1) in the deposit of any Scheduled Payment or Special Payment
under Section 4.01 or in the distribution of any payment under Section
4.02 on the Certificates of a series, or
(2) in the payment of the principal of (premium, if any) or
interest on the Equipment Notes, or
(3) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
Article IX hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of
each Certificateholder holding an Outstanding Certificate of a series
affected thereby.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist with respect
to Certificates of such series and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall
be deemed to have been cured for every purpose and any direction given by the
Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders of such series to the relevant Loan
Trustee shall be annulled with respect thereto; but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right
consequent thereon. Upon any such waiver, the Trustee shall vote the Equipment
Notes issued under the relevant Indenture to waive the corresponding Indenture
Default.
Section 6.06. RIGHT OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS NOT TO BE
IMPAIRED. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
including without limitation Section 6.07 hereof, but subject to any
Intercreditor Agreement, the right of any Certificateholder to receive
distributions of payments required pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof on the
applicable Certificates when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after the applicable Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such
Certificateholder.
Section 6.07. CERTIFICATEHOLDERS MAY NOT BRING SUIT EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN
CONDITIONS. A Certificateholder of any series shall not have the right to
institute any suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity or otherwise with
respect to this Agreement, for the appointment of a receiver or for the
enforcement of any other remedy under this Agreement, unless:
(1) such Certificateholder previously shall have given written
notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;
(2) the Certificateholders holding Certificates of such series
evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than 25% of
the related Trust shall have requested the Trustee in writing to institute
such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee
indemnity as provided in Section 7.02(e);
(3) the Trustee shall have refused or neglected to institute any
such action, suit or proceeding for 60 days after receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity; and
(4) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Certificateholders
holding Certificates of such series evidencing Fractional Undivided
Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the related
Trust.
<PAGE>
26
It is understood and intended that no one or more of the
Certificateholders of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever
hereunder or under the related Trust Supplement or under the Certificates of
such series to (i) surrender, impair, waive, affect, disturb or prejudice any
property in the Trust Property of the related Trust or the lien of any related
Indenture on any property subject thereto, or the rights of the
Certificateholders of such series or the holders of the related Equipment Notes,
(ii) obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such
Certificateholder of such series or (iii) enforce any right under this
Agreement, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and
common benefit of all the Certificateholders of such series subject to the
provisions of this Agreement.
Section 6.08. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. Every remedy given hereunder to the
Trustee or to any of the Certificateholders of any series shall not be exclusive
of any other remedy or remedies, and every such remedy shall be cumulative and
in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter given by
statute, law, equity or otherwise.
Section 6.09. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS. In any suit for the enforcement
of any right or remedy under this Agreement, or in any suit against the Trustee
for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require
any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such
suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to
the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; PROVIDED that neither this
Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to
require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted
by the Company or the Guarantor.
ARTICLE VII
THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS. As promptly as practicable after,
and in any event within 90 days after the occurrence of any default (as such
term is defined below) hereunder known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall
transmit by mail to the Company, any related Owner Trustees, the related Loan
Trustees and the Certificateholders holding Certificates of the related series
in accordance with Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of such
default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been
cured or waived; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except in the case of a default in
the payment of the principal of (premium, if any) or interest on any Equipment
Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long
as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of
directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine
that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Certificateholders of the related series. For the purpose of this Section in
respect of any Trust, the term "default" means any event that is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default in respect of
that Trust.
Section 7.02. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE. Subject to the provisions of
Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting in reliance upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or
other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties;
<PAGE>
27
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Request;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Agreement or any
Intercreditor Agreement the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be
proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action
hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed)
may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate
of the Company, any related Owner Trustee or any related Loan Trustee;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel
or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement
at the request or direction of any of the Certificateholders pursuant to this
Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement unless such Certificateholders shall
have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the cost,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, or report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture
or other paper or document;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers under this
Agreement or Intercreditor Agreement or perform any duties under this Agreement
or any Intercreditor Agreement either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
under this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement;
(h) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the
Certificateholders holding Certificates of any series evidencing Fractional
Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the
related Trust relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Agreement or any Intercreditor
Agreement; and
(i) the Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds in
the performance of any of its duties under this Agreement, or in the exercise of
any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing
that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not
reasonably assured to it.
(j) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee
undertakes and shall be responsible to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth herein and no implied covenants or obligations shall be
read into this Agreement or be enforceable against Trustee.
Section 7.03. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.
The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates of each series, except the
certificates of authentication, shall not be taken as the statements of the
Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.
Subject to Section 7.14, the Trustee makes no representations as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Basic Agreement or any Trust Supplement, any Note
Documents, any Note Purchase Agreement or
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28
any Intercreditor Agreement, any Equipment Notes or the Certificates of any
series, except that the Trustee hereby represents and warrants that this Basic
Agreement has been, and each Trust Supplement, each Certificate and each
Intercreditor Agreement of, or relating to, each series will be, executed and
delivered by one of its officers who is duly authorized to execute and deliver
such document on its behalf.
Section 7.04. MAY HOLD CERTIFICATES. The Trustee, any Paying Agent,
Registrar or any of their Affiliates or any other agent, in their respective
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of
Certificates and subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act
may otherwise deal with the Company, the Guarantor, any Owner Trustees or the
Loan Trustees with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying
Agent, Registrar or such other agent.
Section 7.05. MONEY HELD IN TRUST. Money held by the Trustee or the
Paying Agent in trust hereunder or under any Trust Supplement need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required herein or by law and
neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall have any liability for interest
upon any such moneys except as provided for herein.
Section 7.06. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. The Company agrees:
(1) to pay, or cause to be paid, to the Trustee from time to time
reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which
compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any Trust
Supplement, to reimburse, or cause to be reimbursed, the Trustee upon its
request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and
advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision
of this Basic Agreement, any Trust Supplement or any Intercreditor
Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, willful
misconduct or bad faith or as may be incurred due to the Trustee's breach
of its representations and warranties set forth in Section 7.14;
(3) to indemnify, or cause to be indemnified, the Trustee for, and
to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (other than
for or with respect to any tax) incurred without negligence, willful
misconduct or bad faith, on its part, arising out of or in connection with
the acceptance or administration of this Trust, including the costs and
expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection
with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder,
except for any such loss, liability or expense incurred by reason of the
Trustee's breach of its representations and warranties set forth in
Section 7.14. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Guarantor
promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company and
the Guarantor shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in
the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel with the consent of
the Company and the Guarantor and the Company and the Guarantor will pay
the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor
the Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent; and
(4) to indemnify, or cause to be indemnified, the Trustee, solely
in its individual capacity, for, and to hold it harmless against, any tax
(except to the extent the Trustee is reimbursed therefor pursuant to the
next paragraph, provided that no indemnification shall be available with
respect to any tax attributable to the Trustee's compensation for serving
as such)
<PAGE>
29
incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith, on its part,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of
this Trust, including any costs and expenses incurred in contesting the
imposition of any such tax. The Trustee, in its individual capacity,
shall notify the Company and the Guarantor promptly of any claim for any
tax for which it may seek indemnity. The Trustee shall permit the Company
and the Guarantor to contest the imposition of such tax and the Trustee,
in its individual capacity, shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee,
in its individual capacity, may have separate counsel with the consent of
the Company and the Guarantor and the Company and the Guarantor will pay
the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor
the Guarantor need pay for any taxes paid, in settlement or otherwise,
without its consent.
The Trustee shall be entitled to reimbursement from, and shall have a lien
prior to the Certificates of each series upon, all property and funds held or
collected by the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee with respect to such series
or the related Trust for any tax incurred without negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct, on its part, arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of such Trust (other than any tax attributable to
the Trustee's compensation for serving as such), including any costs and
expenses incurred in contesting the imposition of any such tax. The Trustee
shall notify the Company of any claim for any tax for which it may seek
reimbursement. The Trustee shall cooperate in the contest by the Company of any
such claim. If the Trustee reimburses itself from the Trust Property of such
Trust for any such tax it will within 30 days mail a brief report setting forth
the amount of such tax and the circumstances thereof to all Certificateholders
of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Register.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Section with respect to each Trust the Trustee shall have a lien prior to
the Certificates of the related series upon all property and funds held or
collected by the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee with respect to such
Certificates and the related Trust.
Section 7.07. CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY. Each Trust
shall at all times have a Trustee which shall be eligible to act as a trustee
under Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall have a combined
capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000 (or a combined capital and surplus
in excess of $5,000,000 and the obligations of which, whether now in existence
or hereafter incurred, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State or
Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia that has a combined capital and
surplus of at least $75,000,000). If such corporation publishes reports of
conditions at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of Federal,
State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority,
then for the purposes of this Section 7.07, the combined capital and surplus of
such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set
forth in its most recent report of conditions so published.
In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 7.07 to act as Trustee of any Trust, the
Trustee shall resign immediately as Trustee of such Trust in the manner and with
the effect specified in Section 7.08.
Section 7.08. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee of any Trust pursuant to this Article shall become effective
until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 7.09.
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(b) The Trustee may resign at any time as trustee of any or all Trusts
by giving written notice thereof to the Company, the Authorized Agents, the
related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees. If an instrument of
acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Company,
the related Owner Trustees and the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of
such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time as trustee of any Trust by
Act of the Certificateholders of the related series holding Certificates of such
series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a
majority in interest in such Trust delivered to the Trustee and to the Company,
the related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees.
(d) If at any time in respect of any Trust:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310 of the Trust
Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any
Certificateholder of the related series who has been a bona fide
certificateholder for at least six months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.07 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by
any such Certificateholder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any case, (i) the Company may remove the Trustee or (ii) any
Certificateholder of the related series who has been a bona fide
Certificateholder for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee of such Trust.
(e) If a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall obtain actual
knowledge of an Avoidable Tax (as hereinafter defined) in respect of any Trust
which has been or is likely to be asserted, the Trustee shall promptly notify
the Company and shall, within 30 days of such notification, resign as Trustee of
such Trust hereunder unless within such 30-day period the Trustee shall have
received notice that the Company has agreed to pay such tax. The Company shall
promptly appoint a successor Trustee of such Trust in a jurisdiction where there
are no Avoidable Taxes. As used herein, an "Avoidable Tax" in respect of such
Trust means a state or local tax: (i) upon (w) such Trust, (x) such Trust
Property, (y) Certificateholders of such Trust or (z) the Trustee for which the
Trustee is entitled to seek reimbursement from the Trust Property of such Trust,
and (ii) which would be avoided if the Trustee were located in another state, or
jurisdiction within a state, within the United States. A tax shall not be an
Avoidable Tax in respect of any Trust if the Company or any Owner Trustee shall
agree to pay, and shall pay, such tax.
(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting as trustee of any Trust, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the
Trustee of any Trust for any cause, the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee of such Trust. If, within one year after such resignation,
removal or incapability, or other occurrence of such vacancy, a successor
Trustee of such Trust shall be appointed by Act of the Certificateholders of the
related series holding Certificates of such series evidencing Fractional
Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in such
Trust
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delivered to the Company, the related Owner Trustees, the related Loan Trustee
and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustees so appointed shall, with the
approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld,
forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee
of such Trust and supersede the successor Trustee of such Trust appointed as
provided above. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed as
provided above and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, the
resigning Trustee or any Certificateholder who has been a bona fide
Certificateholder of the related series for at least six months may, on behalf
of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee of such Trust.
(g) The successor Trustee of a Trust shall give notice of the
resignation and removal of the Trustee and appointment of the successor Trustee
by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to
the Certificateholders of the related series as their names and addresses appear
in the Register. Each notice shall include the name of such successor Trustee
and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 7.09. ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR. Every successor
Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the
Company and to the retiring Trustee with respect to any or all Trusts an
instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal
of the retiring Trustee with respect to such Trusts shall become effective and
such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall
become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring
Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring
Trustee shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee in respect of such Trusts hereunder, subject
nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 7.06. Upon request of
any such successor Trustee, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor
Trustee shall execute and deliver any and all instruments containing such
provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and
for more fully and certainly vesting in, such successor Trustee all such rights,
powers and trusts.
If a successor Trustee is appointed with respect to one or more (but not
all) Trusts, the Company, the predecessor Trustee and each successor Trustee
with respect to any Trust shall execute and deliver a supplemental agreement
hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or
desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
predecessor Trustee with respect to the Trusts as to which the predecessor
Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee,
and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Basic Agreement and the
applicable Trust Supplements as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the Trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental agreement shall
constitute such Trustees co-Trustees of the same Trust and that each such
Trustee shall be Trustee of separate Trusts.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.
Section 7.10. MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO
Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise
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qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of
any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case
any Certificates shall have been executed or authenticated, but not delivered,
by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or
consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such execution or
authentication and deliver the Certificates so executed or authenticated with
the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself executed or
authenticated such Certificates.
Section 7.11. MAINTENANCE OF AGENCIES.
(a) With respect to each series of Certificates, there shall at all
times be maintained in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office
or agency where Certificates of such series may be presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or for exchange, and for payment thereof and where
notices and demands to or upon the Trustee in respect of such Certificates or of
the related Trust Supplement may be served. Such office or agency shall be
initially at 61 Broadway, New York, New York 10006. Written notice of the
location of each such other office or agency and of any change of location
thereof shall be given by the Trustee to the Company, the Guarantor, any Owner
Trustees, the Loan Trustees and the Certificateholders of such series. In the
event that no such office or agency shall be maintained or no such notice of
location or of change of location shall be given, presentations and demands may
be made and notices may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
(b) There shall at all times be a Registrar and a Paying Agent hereunder
with respect to the Certificates of each series. Each such Authorized Agent
shall be a bank or trust company, shall be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States or any state, with a combined
capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000, or a corporation having a combined
capital and surplus in excess of $5,000,000 the obligations of which are
guaranteed by a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States or any state, with a combined capital and surplus of at least
$75,000,000, and shall be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust
powers, subject to supervision by Federal or state authorities. The Trustee
shall initially be the Paying Agent and, as provided in Section 3.04, Registrar
hereunder with respect to the Certificates of each series. Each Registrar shall
furnish to the Trustee, at stated intervals of not more than six months, and at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a copy of the Register
maintained by such Registrar.
(c) Any corporation into which any Authorized Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authorized Agent shall
be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any
Authorized Agent, shall be the successor of such Authorized Agent hereunder, if
such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section, without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties
hereto or such Authorized Agent or such successor corporation.
(d) Any Authorized Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice
of resignation to the Trustee, the Company, any related Owner Trustees and the
related Loan Trustees. The Company may, and at the request of the Trustee
shall, at any time terminate the agency of any Authorized Agent by giving
written notice of termination to such Authorized Agent and to the Trustee. Upon
the resignation or termination of an Authorized Agent or in case at any time any
such Authorized Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section (when in
either case, no other Authorized Agent performing the functions of such
Authorized Agent shall have been appointed), the Company shall promptly appoint
one or more qualified successor Authorized Agents, reasonably
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33
satisfactory to the Trustee, to perform the functions of the Authorized Agent
which has resigned or whose agency has been terminated or who shall have ceased
to be eligible under this Section. The Company shall give written notice of any
such appointment made by it to the Trustee, any related Owner Trustees and the
related Loan Trustees; and in each case the Trustee shall mail notice of such
appointment to all Certificateholders of the related series as their names and
addresses appear on the Register for such series.
(e) The Company agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, from time to time to
each Authorized Agent reasonable compensation for its services and to reimburse
it for its reasonable expenses.
Section 7.12. MONEY FOR CERTIFICATE PAYMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST. All
moneys deposited with any Paying Agent for the purpose of any payment on
Certificates shall be deposited and held in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders entitled to such payment, subject to the provisions of this
Section. Moneys so deposited and held in trust shall constitute a separate
trust fund for the benefit of the Certificateholders with respect to which such
money was deposited.
The Trustee may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Agreement or for any other purpose, direct any Paying
Agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent, such
sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such
sums were held by such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent
to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability
with respect to such money.
Section 7.13. REGISTRATION OF EQUIPMENT NOTES IN TRUSTEE'S NAME.
Subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee agrees
that all Equipment Notes, and Permitted Investments, if any, shall be issued in
the name of the Trustee as trustee for the applicable Trust or its nominee and
held by the Trustee, or, if not so held, the Trustee or its nominee shall be
reflected as the owner of such Equipment Notes or Permitted Investments as the
case may be, in the register of the issuer of such Equipment Notes or Permitted
Investments.
Section 7.14. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TRUSTEE. The Trustee
hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) the Trustee is a Massachusetts trust company organized and
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Massachusetts;
(b) the Trustee has full power, authority and legal right to
execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement
and the Note Purchase Agreements and has taken all necessary action to
authorize the execution, delivery, and performance by it of this
Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements;
(c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Trustee of this
Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements
(i) will not violate any provision of any United States federal law or the
law of the State of Massachusetts governing the banking and trust powers
of the Trustee or any order, writ, judgment, or decree of any court,
arbitrator, or governmental authority applicable to the Trustee or any of
its assets, (ii) will not violate any provision of the articles of
association or by-laws of the Trustee, and (iii) will not violate any
provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a
default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien on any
properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of,
any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or other undertaking to which
it is a party, which violation, default or lien could reasonably be
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34
expected to have an adverse effect on the Trustee's performance or ability
to perform its duties hereunder or thereunder or on the transactions
contemplated herein or therein;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Trustee of this
Agreement any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements
will not require the authorization, consent, or approval of, the giving of
notice to, the filing or registration with, or the taking of any other
action in respect of, any governmental authority or agency of the United
States or the State of Massachusetts regulating the banking and corporate
trust activities of the Trustee; and
(e) this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note
Purchase Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Trustee
and constitute the legal, valid, and binding agreements of the Trustee,
enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, provided
that enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally and (ii) general principles of equity.
Section 7.15. WITHHOLDING TAXES; INFORMATION REPORTING. As to the
Certificates of any series, the Trustee, as trustee of the related grantor trust
created by this Agreement, shall exclude and withhold from each distribution of
principal, premium, if any, and interest and other amounts due under this
Agreement or under the Certificates of such series any and all withholding taxes
applicable thereto as required by law. The Trustee agrees to act as such
withholding agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any taxes or similar
charges are required to be withheld with respect to any amounts paid by or on
behalf of the Trustee in respect of the Certificates of such series, to withhold
such amounts and timely pay the same to the authority in the name of and on
behalf of the Certificateholders of such series, that it will file any necessary
withholding tax returns or statements when due, and that, as promptly as
possible after the payment thereof, it will deliver to each such
Certificateholder necessary documentation showing the payment thereof, together
with such additional documentary evidence as such Certificateholders of such
series may reasonably request from time to time. The Trustee agrees to file any
other information reports as it may be required to file under United States law.
Section 7.16. TRUSTEE'S LIENS. The Trustee in its individual capacity
agrees that it will, in respect of each Trust created by this Agreement at its
own cost and expense promptly take any action as may be necessary to duly
discharge and satisfy in full any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance,
security interest or claim ("Trustee's Liens") on or with respect to the Trust
Property of such Trust which is attributable to the Trustee either (i) in its
individual capacity and which is unrelated to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the related Note Purchase Agreements or the related Note
Documents, or (ii) as Trustee hereunder or in its individual capacity and which
arises out of acts or omissions which are not contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 7.17. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. The Trustee shall
comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor
relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the
Trustee shall resign or be removed as Trustee, it shall be subject to Section
311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent provided therein.
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35
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE
Section 8.01. THE COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE WITH NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. The Company will furnish to the Trustee within 15 days
after each Record Date with respect to a Scheduled Payment, and at such other
times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the
Company of any such request, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably
require, of all information in the possession or control of the Company as to
the names and addresses of the Certificateholders of such series, in each case
as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that so long as the Trustee is the sole Registrar for
such series, no such list need be furnished; and PROVIDED FURTHER,
HOWEVER, that no such list need be furnished for so long as a copy of the
Register is being furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.11.
Section 8.02. PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS TO
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Certificateholders of each
series contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in
Section 7.11 or Section 8.01, as the case may be, and the names and addresses of
Certificateholders of each series received by the Trustee in its capacity as
Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as
provided in Section 7.11 or Section 8.01, as the case may be, upon receipt of a
new list so furnished.
Section 8.03. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE. Within 60 days after May 15 of each
year commencing with the first full year following the issuance of any series of
Certificates, the Trustee shall transmit to the Certificateholders of each
series, as provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report
dated as of such May 15, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
Section 8.04. REPORTS BY THE GUARANTOR AND COMPANY. The Guarantor and
the Company each shall:
(a) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Guarantor or the
Company is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports
and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions
of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and
regulations prescribe) which the Guarantor or the Company is required to file
with the SEC pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended; or, if the Guarantor or the Company is not required to
file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then
to file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations
prescribed by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information,
documents and reports which may be required pursuant to section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and
registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed in such rules
and regulations;
(b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the SEC, such additional information, documents and
reports with respect to compliance by the Guarantor and the Company with the
conditions and covenants of the Guarantor and the Company provided for in this
Agreement, as may be required by such rules and regulations, including, in the
case of annual reports, if required by such rules and regulations, certificates
or opinions of independent public accountants, conforming to the requirements of
Section 1.02;
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(c) transmit to all Certificateholders, in the manner and to the extent
provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act such summaries of any
information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Guarantor and the
Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 8.04 as may be
required by rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC;
(d) furnish to the Trustee, not less often than annually, a brief
certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or
principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Guarantor's and
the Company's compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Agreement
(it being understood that for purposes of this paragraph (d), such compliance
shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of
notice provided under this Agreement); and
(e) make available to any Certificateholder upon request, the annual
audited and quarterly unaudited financial statements of the Guarantor which are
provided to the Trustee.
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS
Section 9.01. SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS WITHOUT CONSENT OF
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. Without the consent of the Certificateholders, the
Guarantor and the Company may, and the Trustee (subject to Section 9.03) shall,
at any time and from time to time, enter into one or more agreements
supplemental hereto or, if applicable, to the Intercreditor Agreement or a Note
Purchase Agreement in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following
purposes:
(1) to provide for the formation of a Trust, the issuance of a
series of certificates and the other matters contemplated by Section 2.01(b); or
(2) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the
Company or the Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the
covenants of the Company or the Guarantor herein contained; or
(3) to add to the covenants of the Guarantor or the Company for
the benefit of the Certificateholders of any series, or to surrender any right
or power in this Agreement conferred upon the Guarantor or the Company; or
(4) to correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement which
may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or in any Trust
Supplement or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under this Agreement, provided that any such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the Certificateholders of any series; or to cure any
ambiguity or correct any mistake; or
(5) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this
Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to continue the qualification of
this Agreement (including any supplemental agreement) under the Trust Indenture
Act, or under any similar Federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this
Agreement such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust
Indenture Act, excluding, however, the provisions referred to in Section
316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the date as of which this
instrument was executed or any corresponding provision in any similar Federal
statute hereafter enacted; or
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(6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
under this Agreement by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more Trusts
and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Agreement as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trusts
hereunder and thereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements
of Section 7.09; or
(7) to make any other amendments or modifications hereto, provided
such amendments or modifications shall only apply to Certificates of one or more
series to be thereafter issued.
Section 9.02. SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS WITH CONSENT OF
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. With respect to each separate Trust and the series of
Certificates relating thereto, with the consent of the Certificateholders
holding Certificates of any series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests
aggregating not less than a majority in interest in such Trust, by Act of said
Certificateholders delivered to the Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee, the
Guarantor and the Company may (with the consent of the Owner Trustee, if any,
relating to such certificates, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), and the Trustee (subject to Section 9.03) shall, enter into an
agreement or agreements supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Note Purchase Agreement to
the extent applicable to such Certificateholders or of modifying in any manner
the rights and obligations of such Certificateholders under this Agreement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such supplemental agreement shall, without the
consent of the Certificateholder of each Outstanding Certificate affected
thereby:
(1) reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of,
any receipt by the Trustee of payments on the Equipment Notes held in such Trust
or distributions that are required to be made herein on any Certificate of such
series, or change any date of payment of any Certificate of such series, or
change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
Certificate of such series is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment or distribution on or after the Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date applicable thereto; or
(2) permit the disposition of any Equipment Note in the Trust
Property of such Trust except as permitted by this Agreement, or otherwise
deprive such Certificateholder of the benefit of the ownership of the Equipment
Notes in such Trust; or
(3) alter the priority of distributions specified in the
Intercreditor Agreement; or
(4) reduce the percentage of the aggregate Fractional Undivided
Interests of such Trust which is required for any such supplemental agreement,
or reduce such percentage required for any waiver (of compliance with certain
provisions of this Agreement or certain defaults hereunder and their
consequences) provided for in this Agreement; or
(5) modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 6.05,
except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other
provisions of this Agreement cannot be modified or waived without the consent of
the Certificateholder of each Certificate or such series affected thereby.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of such Certificateholders under
this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
agreement, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance
thereof.
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Section 9.03. DOCUMENTS AFFECTING IMMUNITY OR INDEMNITY. If in the
opinion of the Trustee any document required to be executed by it pursuant to
the terms of Section 9.01 or 9.02 affects any interest, right, duty, immunity or
indemnity in favor of the Trustee under this Basic Agreement or any Trust
Supplement, the Trustee may in its discretion decline to execute such document.
Section 9.04. EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS. In executing, or
accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental agreement permitted
by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this
Agreement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully
protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of
such supplemental agreement is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.
Section 9.05. EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS. Upon the execution of
any supplemental agreement under this Article, this Basic Agreement shall be
modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental agreement shall form a
part of this Basic Agreement for all purposes; and every Certificateholder of
each series theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby to the extent applicable to such series.
Section 9.06. CONFORMITY WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT. Every supplemental
agreement executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of
the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.07. REFERENCE IN CERTIFICATES TO SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS.
Certificates of each series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental agreement applicable to such series pursuant to this Article
may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided
for in such supplemental agreement; and, in such case, suitable notation may be
made upon Outstanding Certificates of such series after proper presentation and
demand.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO INDENTURE AND NOTE DOCUMENTS
Section 10.01. AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO INDENTURE AND OTHER NOTE
DOCUMENTS. In the event that the Trustee, as holder of any Equipment Notes in
trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders of any series or as Controlling
Party, receives a request for a consent to any amendment, modification, waiver
or supplement under any Indenture or other Note Document the Trustee shall
forthwith send a notice of such proposed amendment, modification, waiver or
supplement to each Certificateholder of such series registered on the Register
as of the date of such notice. The Trustee shall request from
Certificateholders of such series a Direction as to (a) whether or not to take
or refrain from taking any action which a holder of such Equipment Note has the
option to direct, (b) whether or not to give or execute any waivers, consents,
amendments, modifications or supplements as a holder of such Equipment Note and
(c) how to vote any Equipment Note if a vote has been called for with respect
thereto. Provided such a request for Certificateholder Direction shall have
been made, in directing any action or casting any vote or giving any consent as
the holder of any Equipment Note, the Trustee shall vote for or give consent to
any such action with respect to such Equipment Note in the same proportion as
that of (i) the aggregate face amounts of all Certificates of such series
actually voted in favor of or for giving consent to such action by Acts of
Certificateholders to (ii) the aggregate face amount of all Outstanding
Certificates. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a Certificate
shall have been "actually voted" if the Holder of such Certificate has delivered
to the Trustee an instrument evidencing such Holder's consent to such Direction
on or prior to the Business Day before the Trustee directs such action or casts
such vote or gives such consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to
Section 6.04 and any Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee may, in its
<PAGE>
39
own discretion and at its own direction consent and notify the relevant Loan
Trustee of such consent to any amendment, modification, waiver or supplement
under the relevant Indenture, Liquidity Facility, or any Note Document, if an
Event of Default hereunder shall have occurred and be continuing, or if such
amendment, modification or waiver will not adversely affect the interests of the
Certificateholders.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION OF TRUSTS
Section 11.01. TERMINATION OF THE TRUSTS. In respect of each Trust
created by the Basic Agreement as supplemented by a related Trust Supplement,
the respective obligations and responsibilities of the Company, the Guarantor
and the Trustee created under this Agreement and the Trust created hereby and
such Trust shall terminate upon the distribution to all Holders of the
Certificates of the series of such Trust and the Trustee of all amounts required
to be distributed to them pursuant to this Agreement and the disposition of all
property held as part of the Trust Property of the related series of such Trust;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall such Trust continue beyond the
final expiration date determined as provided in this Agreement.
Notice of any termination of a Trust, specifying the applicable Regular
Distribution Date (or applicable Special Distribution Date, as the case may be)
upon which the Certificateholders of any series may surrender their Certificates
to the Trustee for payment of the final distribution and cancellation, shall be
mailed promptly by the Trustee to Certificateholders of such series not earlier
than the minimum number of days and not more than the maximum number of days
specified therefor in the related Trust Supplement preceding such final
distribution specifying (a) the Regular Distribution Date (or Special
Distribution Date, as the case may be) upon which the proposed final payment of
the Certificates of such series will be made upon presentation and surrender of
Certificates of such series at the office or agency of the Trustee therein
specified, (b) the amount of any such proposed final payment, and (c) that the
Record Date otherwise applicable to such Regular Distribution Date (or Special
Distribution Date, as the case may be) is not applicable, payments being made
only upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates of such series at the
office or agency of the Trustee therein specified. The Trustee shall give such
notice to the Registrar at the time such notice is given to Certificateholders
of such series. Upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates of such
series, the Trustee shall cause to be distributed to Certificateholders of such
series amounts distributable on such Regular Distribution Date (or Special
Distribution Date, as the case may be) pursuant to Section 4.02.
In the event that all of the Certificateholders of such series shall not
surrender their Certificates for cancellation within six months after the date
specified in the above-mentioned written notice, the Trustee shall give a second
written notice to the remaining Certificateholders of such series to surrender
their Certificates for cancellation and receive the final distribution with
respect thereto. In the event that any money held by the Trustee for the
payment of distributions on the Certificates of such series shall remain
unclaimed for two years (or such lesser time as the Trustee shall be satisfied,
after sixty days' notice from the Company, is one month prior to the escheat
period provided under applicable law) after the final distribution date with
respect thereto, the Trustee shall pay to each Loan Trustee the appropriate
amount of money relating to such Loan Trustee and shall give written notice
thereof to the related Owner Trustees and the Company.
<PAGE>
40
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 12.01. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. The death
or incapacity of any Certificateholder of any series shall not operate to
terminate this Agreement, or the related Trust, nor entitle such
Certificateholder's legal representatives or heirs to claim an accounting or to
take any action or commence any proceeding in any court for a partition or
winding up of the Trust, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations, and
liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.
Section 12.02. LIABILITIES OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS. Neither the
existence of the Trust nor any provision in this Agreement is intended to or
shall limit the liability the Certificateholders would otherwise incur if the
Certificateholders owned Trust Property as co-owners, or incurred any
obligations of the Trust, directly rather than through the Trust.
Section 12.03. CERTIFICATES NONASSESSABLE AND FULLY PAID.
Certificateholders of each series shall not be personally liable for obligations
of the related Trust, the Fractional Undivided Interests represented by the
Certificates of such series shall be nonassessable for any losses or expenses of
such Trust or for any reason whatsoever, and Certificates of such series upon
authentication thereof by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.02 are and shall be
deemed fully paid. No Certificateholder of such series shall have any right
(except as expressly provided herein) to vote or in any manner otherwise control
the operation and management of the related Trust Property, the related Trust,
or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything set forth herein,
or contained in the terms of the Certificates of such series, be construed so as
to constitute the Certificateholders of such series from time to time as
partners or members of an association.
Section 12.04. REGISTRATION OF EQUIPMENT NOTES IN NAME OF SUBORDINATION
Agent. If a Trust is party to an Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee agrees
that all Equipment Notes to be purchased by such Trust shall be issued in the
name of the Subordination Agent under such Intercreditor Agreement or its
nominee and held by such Subordination Agent in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders, or, if not so held, such Subordination Agent or its nominee
shall be reflected as the owner of such Equipment Notes in the register of the
issuer of such Equipment Notes.
Section 12.05. NOTICES.
(a) Unless otherwise specifically provided herein or in the applicable
Trust Supplement with respect to any Trust, all notices required under the terms
and provisions of this Basic Agreement or such Trust Supplement with respect to
such Trust shall be in English and in writing, and any such notice may be given
by United States mail, courier service, telegram, telex, telemessage, telecopy,
telefax, cable or facsimile (confirmed by telephone or in writing in the case of
notice by telegram, telex, telemessage, telecopy, telefax, cable or facsimile)
or any other customary means of communication, and any such notice shall be
effective when delivered, or if mailed, three days after deposit in the United
States mail with proper postage for ordinary mail prepaid,
if to the Company or the Guarantor, to:
MAIL: Northwest Airlines, Inc.
5101 Northwest Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55111-3034
<PAGE>
41
COURIER: 2700 Lone Oak Parkway
Eagan, Minnesota 55121
ATTENTION: Senior Vice President-Finance and Treasurer
FACSIMILE: (612) 726-0665
if to the Trustee, to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Two International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Facsimile: (617) 664-5371
Telephone: (617) 664-5600
(b) The Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the other,
may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
(c) Any notice or communication to Certificateholders of any series
shall be mailed by first-class mail to the addresses for Certificateholders of
such series shown on the Register kept by the Registrar and to addresses filed
with the Trustee for Certificate Owners of such series. Failure so to mail a
notice or communication or any defect in such notice or communication shall not
affect its sufficiency with respect to other Certificateholders or Certificate
Owners of such series.
(d) If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above
within the time prescribed, it is conclusively presumed to have been duly given,
whether or not the addressee receives it.
(e) If the Company mails a notice or communication to the
Certificateholders of such series, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and to
each Paying Agent for such series at the same time.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, all communications or notices to the
Trustee shall be deemed to be given only when received by a Responsible Officer
of the Trustee.
(g) The Trustee shall promptly furnish the Company with a copy of any
demand, notice or written communication received by the Trustee hereunder from
any Certificateholder, Owner Trustee or Loan Trustee.
Section 12.06. GOVERNING LAW. THIS BASIC AGREEMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND, TOGETHER WITH ALL TRUST SUPPLEMENTS AND
CERTIFICATES, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS, AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.
Section 12.07. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any one or more of the
covenants, agreements, provisions, or terms of this Agreement shall be for any
reason whatsoever held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions, or
terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants,
<PAGE>
42
agreements, provisions, or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect
the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement or any
Trust, or of the Certificates of any series or the rights of the
Certificateholders thereof.
Section 12.08. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS. This Agreement is subject
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions.
Section 12.09. EFFECT OF HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. The Article
and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only
and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 12.10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties in this Agreement by the Trustee, the Guarantor
and the Company shall bind and, to the extent permitted hereby, shall inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by their respective successors and assigns,
whether so expressed or not.
Section 12.11. BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT. Nothing in this Agreement or in
the Certificates of any series, express or implied, shall give to any Person,
other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the
Certificateholders of each series, any benefit or any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under this Agreement.
Section 12.12. LEGAL HOLIDAYS. In any case where any Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date relating to any Certificate of
any series shall not be a Business Day with respect to such series, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement) payment need not be made
on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same
force and effect as if made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date, and no interest shall accrue during the intervening period.
Section 12.13. COUNTERPARTS. For the purpose of facilitating the
execution of this Agreement and for other purposes, this Agreement may be
executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which
counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which counterparts
shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 12.14. COMMUNICATION BY CERTIFICATEHOLDERS WITH OTHER
Certificateholders. Certificateholders of any series may communicate with
other Certificateholders of such series with respect to their rights under this
Basic Agreement, the related Trust Supplement or the Certificates of such series
pursuant to Section 3.12(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Company, the
Guarantor, the Trustee and any and all other persons benefitted by this
Agreement shall have the protection afforded by Section 312(c) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
<PAGE>
43
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee have caused
this Basic Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers, all as of
the day and year first above written.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION
By /s/ Thomas S. Schreier, Jr.
------------------------------
Title: Vice President - Finance
and Assistant Treasurer
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
By /s/ Thomas S. Schreier, Jr.
------------------------------
Title: Vice President - Finance
and Assistant Treasurer
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY,
as Trustee
By /s/ Donald E. Smith
------------------------------
Title: Donald E. Smith
Vice President
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF CERTIFICATE
(1)Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to Issuer or its
agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is
requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]
NORTHWEST AIRLINES __________ PASS THROUGH TRUST
Pass Through
Certificate, Series __________
Final Distribution Date: __________, _____
evidencing a fractional undivided interest in
a trust, the property of which includes
certain equipment notes each secured by
Aircraft owned by or leased to Northwest
Airlines, Inc.
Certificate
No. __________ $__________ Fractional Undivided Interest representing
.__________% of the Trust per $1,000 face amount
THIS CERTIFIES THAT __________________________, for value received, is the
registered owner of a $_____________________ (______________ dollars) Fractional
Undivided Interest in the Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust (the "Trust")
created by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"),
pursuant to a Pass Through Trust Agreement dated as of ______, 1996 (the "Basic
Agreement"), as supplemented by Trust Supplement No. ___________ thereto dated
__________, 199___ (collectively, the "Agreement"), among the Trustee, Northwest
Airlines Corporation, a corporation incorporated under Delaware law (the
"Guarantor"), and Northwest Airlines, Inc., a corporation incorporated under
Minnesota law (the "Company"), a summary of certain of the pertinent provisions
of which is set forth below. To the extent not otherwise defined herein, the
capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the
Agreement. This Certificate is one of the duly authorized Certificates
designated as "Pass Through Certificates, Series _____________" (herein called
the "Certificates"). This Certificate is issued under and is subject to the
terms, provisions, and conditions of the Agreement, to which Agreement the
Certificateholder of this Certificate by virtue of the acceptance hereof assents
and by which such Certificateholder is bound. The property of the Trust
includes certain
- ---------------------
(1)/This legend to appear on Book-Entry Certificates to be deposited with the
Depository Trust Company. One Certificate may be issued in a denomination of
less than $1,000 which shall not have this legend.
<PAGE>
2
Equipment Notes and all rights of the Trust to receive any payments under any
Intercreditor Agreement or Liquidity Facility (the "Trust Property"). Each
issue of the Equipment Notes is secured by a security interest in aircraft
leased to or owned by the Company.
The Certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the Trust and
the Trust Property, and have no rights, benefits or interest in respect of any
other separate trust established pursuant to the terms of the Basic Agreement
for any other series of certificates issued pursuant thereto. [The undivided
percentage interest in the Trust represented by each of this Certificate (as
specified above) and the other Pass Through Certificates, Series 1996-[_____],
was determined on the basis of (x) the aggregate of the Reference Principal
Amount of this Certificate (as specified above) and of the other Pass Through
Certificates, Series 1996-[______] and (y) the aggregate original principal
amounts of the Equipment Notes constituting the Trust Property.]
Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and any
Intercreditor Agreement, from funds then available to the Trustee, there will be
distributed on each ____________ and ________________ (a "Regular Distribution
Date"), commencing on _______________, 199__, to the Person in whose name this
Certificate is registered at the close of business on the 15th day preceding the
Regular Distribution Date, an amount in respect of the Scheduled Payments on the
Equipment Notes due on such Regular Distribution Date, the receipt of which has
been confirmed by the Trustee, equal to the product of the percentage interest
in the Trust evidenced by this Certificate and an amount equal to the sum of
such Scheduled Payments. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement, in the event that Special Payments on the Equipment Notes are
received by the Trustee, from funds then available to the Trustee, there shall
be distributed on the applicable Special Distribution Date, to the Person in
whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the 15th
day preceding the Special Distribution Date, an amount in respect of such
Special Payments on the Equipment Notes, the receipt of which has been confirmed
by the Trustee, equal to the product of the percentage interest in the Trust
evidenced by this Certificate and an amount equal to the sum of such Special
Payments so received. If a Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution
Date is not a Business Day, distribution shall be made on the immediately
following Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date and no interest shall accrue
during the intervening period. The Trustee shall mail notice of each Special
Payment and the Special Distribution Date therefor to the Certificateholder of
this Certificate.
Distributions on this Certificate will be made by the Trustee by check
mailed to the Person entitled thereto, without the presentation or surrender of
this Certificate or the making of any notation hereon. Except as otherwise
provided in the Agreement and notwithstanding the above, the final distribution
on this Certificate will be made after notice mailed by the Trustee of the
pendency of such distribution and only upon presentation and surrender of this
Certificate at the office or agency of the Trustee specified in such notice.
The Certificates do not represent a direct obligation of, or an obligation
guaranteed by, or an interest in, the Guarantor, the Company or the Trustee or
any affiliate thereof. The Certificates are limited in right or payment, all as
more specifically set forth on the face hereof and in the Agreement. All
payments or distributions made to Certificateholders under the Agreement shall
be made only from the Trust Property and only to the extent that the Trustee
shall have sufficient income or proceeds from the Trust Property to make such
payments in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Each Certificateholder
of this Certificate, by its acceptance hereof, agrees that it will look solely
to the income and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent available for
distribution to such Certificateholder as provided in the Agreement. This
Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference is made to
the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights, benefits,
obligations,
<PAGE>
3
proceeds, and duties evidenced hereby. A copy of the Agreement may be examined
during normal business hours at the principal office of the Trustee, and at such
other places, if any, designated by the Trustee, by any Certificateholder upon
request.
The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any time
by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Certificateholders
holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not
less than a majority in interest in the Trust. Any such consent by the
Certificateholder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on such
Certificateholder and upon all future Certificateholders of this Certificate and
of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in
lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this
Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof, in certain
limited circumstances, without the consent of the Certificateholders of any of
the Certificates.
As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations set forth,
the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Register upon surrender
of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the offices or agencies
maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Registrar, or by any successor
Registrar duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the
Certificateholder hereof or such Certificateholder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of authorized denominations
evidencing the same aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without
coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 Fractional Undivided Interest and
integral multiples thereof except that one Certificate may be in a denomination
of less than $1,000. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, the Certificates are exchangeable for new
Certificates of authorized denominations evidencing the same aggregate
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust, as requested by the
Certificateholder surrendering the same.
No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Trustee shall require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Trustee, the Registrar, and any agent of the Trustee or the Registrar
may treat the person in whose name this Certificate is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, and neither the Trustee, the Registrar, nor any such
agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
The obligations and responsibilities created by the Agreement and the
Trust created thereby shall terminate upon the distribution to
Certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to
the Agreement and the disposition of all property held as part of the Trust
Property.
THE AGREEMENT AND THIS CERTIFICATE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee, by manual signature, this Certificate shall not be entitled to any
benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose.
<PAGE>
4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustee has caused this Certificate to be duly
executed.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES PASS THROUGH TRUST
By: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
By
----------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------
Dated:
--------------------
<PAGE>
[FORM OF THE TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
This is one of the Certificates referred
to in the within-mentioned Agreement.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
By: ________________________________
Authorized Officer
<PAGE>
[LETTERHEAD]
June 6, 1997
Northwest Airlines Corporation
Northwest Airlines, Inc.
2700 Lone Oak Parkway
Eagan, MN 55121
Re: Pass-Through Certificates ("Certificates")
------------------------------------------
Gentlemen:
We have acted as your special counsel in connection with the
Registration Statement filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Registration Statement"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise
defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Registration Statement.
In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined and
relied upon the following: (1) the Registration Statement, the prospectus
constituting a part thereof covering the Certificates (the "Pass-Through Trust
Prospectus"), as filed with the Commission; (2) the form of the pass-through
trust agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and (3) such
other documents, materials, and authorities as we have deemed necessary in order
to enable us to render our opinion set forth below.
As special counsel to Northwest Airlines Corporation ("NAC") and
Northwest Airlines, Inc. ("NAI"), we have advised NAC and NAI with respect to
certain federal income tax aspects of the proposed issuance of the Certificates.
Such advice has formed the basis for the description of material federal income
tax consequences for holders of the Certificates that
<PAGE>
Northwest Airlines Corporation -2- June 6, 1997
appears under the heading "United States Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the
Pass-Through Trust Prospectus. Such description does not purport to discuss all
possible federal income tax ramifications of the proposed issuance of the
Certificates, but, with respect to those federal income tax consequences that
are discussed, in our opinion, the description is accurate in all material
respects.
This opinion is based on facts and circumstances set forth in the
Pass-Through Trust Prospectus and in the other documents reviewed by us. Our
opinion as to the matters set forth herein could change with respect to a
particular Series of Certificates as a result of changes in facts and
circumstances, changes in the terms of the documents reviewed by us, or changes
in the law subsequent to the date hereof. As the Registration Statement
contemplates Series of Certificates with numerous different characteristics, the
particular characteristics of each Series of Certificates must be considered in
determining the applicability of this opinion to a particular Series of
Certificates. The opinion contained in each Prospectus Supplement and
Prospectus prepared pursuant to the Registration Statement is, accordingly,
deemed to be incorporated herein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the heading
"United States Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Pass-Through Trust
Prospectus. This consent is not to be construed as an admission that we are a
person whose consent is required to be filed with the Registration Statement
under the provisions of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3, which Registration Statement also
constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
(Form S-3 No. 333-13307), and related Prospectus of Northwest Airlines
Corporation and Northwest Airlines, Inc. and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our reports dated January 21, 1997, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Northwest Airlines Corporation
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and the related financial statement schedule included
therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 5, 1997
<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
_________
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) __
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
(EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
Massachusetts 04-1867445
(JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
ORGANIZATION IF NOT A U.S. NATIONAL BANK) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
John R. Towers, Esq. Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(617)654-3253
(NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
_____________________
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
(Guarantor) (Issuer)
Delaware Minnesota
(State or other jurisdisction of incorporation or organization)
95-4205287 41-0449230
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
2700 LONE OAK PARKWAY
EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121
(Address of principal executive offices)
SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES IN SERIES, PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES,
AND GUARANTEES
(TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
<PAGE>
GENERAL
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:
(a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.
Department of Banking and Insurance of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
Washington, D.C., Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Washington, D.C.
(b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.
IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.
The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee or of its parent, State
Street Corporation.
(See note on page 2.)
ITEM 3. THROUGH ITEM 15. NOT APPLICABLE.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF
ELIGIBILITY.
1. A COPY OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN
EFFECT.
A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee, as now
in effect, is on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement
of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed
with the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File
No. 22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
2. A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE
BUSINESS, IF NOT CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
A copy of a Statement from the Commissioner of Banks of
Massachusetts that no certificate of authority for the
trustee to commence business was necessary or issued is on
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit
2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of Eligibility and
Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with the
Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No.
22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
3. A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE CORPORATE
TRUST POWERS, IF SUCH AUTHORIZATION IS NOT CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS
SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OR (2), ABOVE.
A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
corporate trust powers is on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form
T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe,
Inc. (File No. 22-17940) and is incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
4. A COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, OR INSTRUMENTS
CORRESPONDING THERETO.
A copy of the by-laws of the trustee, as now in effect, is
on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 4 to the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification
of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with the Registration Statement
of Eastern Edison Company (File No. 33-37823) and is
incorporated herein by reference thereto.
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<PAGE>
5. A COPY OF EACH INDENTURE REFERRED TO IN ITEM 4. IF THE OBLIGOR IS
IN DEFAULT.
Not applicable.
6. THE CONSENTS OF UNITED STATES INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEES REQUIRED BY
SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT.
The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
Act is annexed hereto as Exhibit 6 and made a part hereof.
7. A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE PUBLISHED
PURSUANT TO LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING
AUTHORITY.
A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
supervising or examining authority is annexed hereto as
Exhibit 7 and made a part hereof.
NOTES
In answering any item of this Statement of Eligibility which relates
to matters peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor or any underwriter for
the obligor, the trustee has relied upon information furnished to it by the
obligor and the underwriters, and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
The answer furnished to Item 2. of this statement will be amended, if
necessary, to reflect any facts which differ from those stated and which would
have been required to be stated if known at the date hereof.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has
duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Boston and The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 20th day of May, 1997.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Donald E. Smith
--------------------------------------
NAME DONALD E. SMITH
TITLE VICE PRESIDENT
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 6
CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, in connection with the proposed issuance by Northwest
Airlines, Inc. (Northwest Airlines Corporation, Guarantor) of its Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities in Series, Pass-Through Certificates, and
Guarantees, we hereby consent that reports of examination by Federal, State,
Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Donald E. Smith
-------------------------------------
NAME DONALD E. SMITH
TITLE VICE PRESIDENT
DATED: MAY 20, 1997
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of State Street Bank and Trust Company of
Boston, Massachusetts and foreign and domestic subsidiaries, a state banking
institution organized and operating under the banking laws of this commonwealth
and a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business DECEMBER
31, 1996, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank
of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and in
accordance with a call made by the Commissioner of Banks under General Laws,
Chapter 172, Section 22(a).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thousands of
ASSETS Dollars
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin ......................................... 1,561,409
Interest-bearing balances .................................................................. 7,562,240
Securities ...................................................................................... 9,388,513
Federal funds sold and securities purchased
under agreements to resell in domestic offices
of the bank and its Edge subsidiary ........................................................ 5,622,962
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned income ........................... 4,858,187
Allowance for loan and lease losses ................................ 72,614
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowances .................................... 4,785,573
Assets held in trading accounts ................................................................. 874,700
Premises and fixed assets ....................................................................... 383,955
Other real estate owned ......................................................................... 870
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries ...................................................... 93,621
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding .................................... 35,022
Intangible assets ............................................................................... 148,190
Other assets..................................................................................... 932,673
-----------
Total assets .................................................................................... 31,389,728
===========
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices ........................................................................ 8,508,096
Noninterest-bearing ........................................... 6,435,131
Interest-bearing .............................................. 2,072,965
In foreign offices and Edge subsidiary ..................................................... 11,395,724
Noninterest-bearing ........................................... 27,508
Interest-bearing .............................................. 11,368,216
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of
the bank and of its Edge subsidiary ........................................................ 7,518,222
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury and Trading Liabilities ................................ 733,935
Other borrowed money ............................................................................ 650,578
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ........................................ 35,022
Other liabilities ............................................................................... 770,029
------------
Total liabilities ............................................................................... 29,611,606
------------
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock .................................................................................... 29,931
Surplus ......................................................................................... 358,146
Undivided profits ............................................................................... 1,389,720
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ............................................ 325
------------
Total equity capital ............................................................................ 1,778,122
------------
Total liabilities and equity capital ............................................................ 31,389,728
============
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
I, Rex S. Schuette, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Rex S. Schuette
We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.
David A. Spina
Marshall N. Carter
Charles F. Kaye
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