DELTA CONNECTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.65
CERTAIN
PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT. THE SYMBOL “[***]” HAS BEEN INSERTED IN PLACE OF THE PORTIONS SO
OMITTED.
Execution
Copy
DELTA
CONNECTION
AGREEMENT
This
Delta Connection Agreement (this
"Agreement"), dated and effective the 27th day of April, 2007 (the “Agreement
Date”), is among Delta Air Lines, Inc., whose principal address is 0000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 ("Delta"), Pinnacle Airlines Corp.,
whose principal address is 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000 (“Parent”) and Pinnacle Airlines, Inc., whose principal
address is 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
(“Operator”).
WHEREAS,
Delta operates the Delta
Connection program; and
WHEREAS,
Parent is the owner of all
of the outstanding capital stock of Operator;
WHEREAS,
Delta desires Operator to
operate certain aircraft as a Delta Connection carrier; and
WHEREAS,
Operator
desires for Delta to perform and provide various marketing, schedule and
fare
related, and other services for Operator in connection with the Delta Connection
program; and
WHEREAS,
Delta is willing to perform
and provide various marketing, schedule and fare related, and other services
for
Operator in connection with the Delta Connection program; and
WHEREAS,
this Agreement will enhance
the ability of Operator and Delta to serve the public and the communities
that
they serve or may choose to serve; and
WHEREAS,
Parent will cause Operator
to perform its obligations under this Agreement pursuant to the terms and
conditions of Article 27 below and the other terms and conditions
hereof;
NOW,
THEREFORE, for and in
consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual undertakings set forth
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of
which are hereby acknowledged, Delta and Parent (on behalf of itself and
Operator), intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. FARES AND RULES PUBLICATION.
A. Delta
Connection Program and Appointment of Delta as Agent. Operator
hereby appoints Delta as its agent to publish its fares, schedules and related
information under Delta’s two letter flight designator code in city pairs
specified by Delta on (i) the sixteen (16) CRJ-900 aircraft set forth on
Exhibit A attached hereto (the “Initial Aircraft”), (ii) up to an
additional [***] CRJ-900 aircraft, in Delta’s sole discretion, when, as and if
Delta elects to add any such aircraft to Operator’s Delta Connection fleet under
this Agreement, provided Delta provides Operator with at least one hundred
twenty days (120) prior written notice of any such election and (iii) any
other
aircraft subsequently agreed by the parties to be operated by Operator within
the Delta Connection program (collectively, the “Aircraft”), and Delta hereby
accepts such appointment. Delta hereby grants Operator the authority
to operate as a Delta Connection carrier, and Operator hereby accepts such
grant, to conduct air transportation operating the Aircraft utilizing certain
services together with certain trademarks and service marks owned by Delta
or
which Delta has the right to use, all as provided herein.
B. Fares,
Rules and Seat Inventory. Delta, in its sole discretion, shall
establish and publish all fares and related tariff rules for all seats, cargo
and freight on the Aircraft, including fares and rules for local traffic
in the
city pairs served by such Aircraft. In addition, Delta will control
all seat inventory and revenue management (including non-revenue passenger)
decisions for the Aircraft.
C. Schedules
Publication. Delta, in its sole discretion, shall establish and
publish all schedules for the Aircraft, including city-pairs served,
frequencies, and timing of scheduled departures, taking into consideration
the
Aircraft type, maintenance requirements, crew scheduling requirements, aircraft
rotation requirements and applicable route, slot or other regulatory
restrictions. So that the information can be properly disseminated to
Operator for pilot and flight attendant staffing, and related operational
requirements, Delta will, from time to time, notify Operator of the preliminary
schedule times, frequencies and related information for the Aircraft no later
than seventy-five (75) days prior to the commencement of such
schedule. Operator shall provide to Delta the proposed block times
for the Aircraft, Aircraft performance analysis on operational items such
as
passenger and baggage limitations (together with relevant assumptions) and
airfield appropriateness applicable to airports specified in Delta’s request for
each of the city pair proposed by Delta no later than fourteen (14) days
of
Operator’s receipt of the preliminary schedule times provided by
Delta. Notwithstanding the above, upon written notice to
Operator, Delta may assume responsibility for establishing the Aircraft block
times. Regardless of whether Delta or Operator establishes the
Aircraft block times, such block times shall be based on a block time
reliability rate of between [***] and [***] or the block time reliability
rate
used for scheduling Delta mainline service, whichever is greater. No
later than [***] days prior to the commencement of such schedule, Delta will
notify Operator of the final schedule times, frequencies and related information
for the Aircraft. Where practical, Delta will collaborate with
Operator to determine mutually optimal schedules. Operator shall
operate the Aircraft in the city pairs designated by Delta, subject to the
frequency and other scheduling requirements established by Delta from time
to
time. In addition, it is agreed and understood that Delta may utilize
and schedule any of the Aircraft to perform various charter operations on
behalf
of Delta as can be reasonably accommodated by Operator, including without
limitation after taking into consideration Operator’s maintenance requirements
for the Aircraft.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, except for maintenance servicing
(with no revenue passengers), in no event shall any Delta Connection Flights
be
scheduled, nor shall Operator operate any Delta Connection Flights, in or
out of
[***].
D. In-Service
Schedule. Operator hereby covenants and agrees that the Aircraft
shall be available to be placed into service as contemplated by this Agreement
no later than the dates set forth on Exhibit A-1. In addition to any
other rights and remedies Delta may have under this Agreement, in the event
that
any Aircraft is not ready to be placed into service as contemplated by this
Agreement by the applicable date set forth on Exhibit A-1 as a result of
any
action or inaction of Operator or Parent, Operator shall pay Delta an amount
of
[***] per day that each such Aircraft is late in being available to be placed
into such service, up to a maximum of [***] per
Aircraft. If any Aircraft is more than thirty (30) days late being
placed into service past the applicable dates set forth on Exhibit A-1 as
a
result of any action or inaction of Operator or Parent, then Operator and
Parent
shall be deemed in material breach of this Agreement, and Delta, in addition
to
any other rights and remedies Delta may have under this Agreement, Delta
shall
have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement, upon written notice
to
Operator, at any time prior to such Aircraft being placed into Delta Connection
service pursuant to this Agreement. Upon any such termination of this
Agreement by Delta, Operator shall not owe any amounts to Delta pursuant
to this
Section 1(D) for any days after the effective date of such
termination.
E. Spare
Aircraft. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 1 or elsewhere in
this Agreement to the contrary, one of the sixteen (16) CRJ-900 initial Aircraft
set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto shall be designated as a spare aircraft,
which will not be scheduled for Delta Connection Flights but may be used
by
Operator to replace another Aircraft in the operation of a Delta Connection
Flight that otherwise would be cancelled and/or used to meet applicable
maintenance requirements.
ARTICLE
2. LIMITATION OF USE.
A. Operator
agrees that, except as otherwise directed or approved in writing by Delta,
in
Delta’s sole discretion, (i) the Aircraft may be used only to provide the air
services contemplated by this Agreement (including charter flights pursuant
to
Section 1(C) hereof, the “Delta Connection Flights”), (ii) the Delta Connection
Flights shall only be operated under Delta’s “DL” flight designator code except
as otherwise directed by Delta, and (iii) the Aircraft may not be
used by Operator for any other purpose including, without limitation, flying
for
any other airline, providing charter services other than pursuant to Section
1(C) hereof, or on Operator’s own behalf.
B. Without
the prior written consent of Delta, neither Operator, nor any affiliate of
Operator, shall use outside the scope of this Agreement any of the services,
facilities or equipment provided, or caused to be provided, by Delta, or
an
affiliate of Delta, to Operator in connection with the Aircraft or the Delta
Connection Flights. With respect to any ancillary facilities or
equipment obtained by Operator pursuant to the terms hereof specifically
for use
by Operator in connection with providing the services contemplated by this
Agreement, or otherwise provided by Delta to Operator for such use, such
use for
the benefit of Delta shall have priority over any other use contemplated
by
Operator. With respect to facilities, equipment owned, leased or otherwise
used
by Operator, Delta shall have the right to designate on a reasonable basis
and
from time to time, in which case Operator shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to use such property to carry out Operator’s obligations under this
Agreement, provided that Operator shall have no obligation to use such
designated property if such use would increase Operator’s costs of providing
such service to Delta or otherwise adversely affect Operator’s performance
hereunder. Nothing herein shall obligate Parent or Operator to use
any ground service equipment, aircraft or aircraft engines hereunder that
are
used primarily for the benefit of other operations of Parent or
Operator.
ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION.
Base
Compensation. Commencing after the operation of the initial Delta
Connection Flight, except as set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, in exchange
for the flying and operation of the Aircraft pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Delta shall pay Operator the “Base Rate Costs” and
the “Pass Through Costs” (each as such term is defined below, and collectively,
the “Direct Costs”) and the “Reimbursable Costs” (as such term is defined
below), in each case, as relates to the operation of the Delta Connection
Flights and as determined in accordance with this Agreement. It is understood
that Direct Costs and other Reimbursable Costs shall be based on market based,
direct operating costs and generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”),
and specifically exclude any pre-paid expenses except as expressly provided
herein. In addition, in any month in which Operator achieves a
completion rate for the Delta Connection Flights of at least [***] Delta
shall
pay Operator a xxxx-up (the “Base Xxxx-up”) of [***] of such Direct Costs
incurred during such month, subject to certain
exceptions, limitations and adjustments set forth
below. Any Delta Connection Flight operated with no revenue
passengers or not completed within [***]) hours of its scheduled arrival
time
shall be deemed not completed for purposes of determining Operator’s eligibility
to any Base Xxxx-up, “Monthly Incentive Compensation” or “Semi-Annual Incentive
Compensation” (each, as defined below), unless operated at the direction of
Delta. In addition, if (i) on a given day a disproportionate number
of the Delta Connection Flights into or out of the Delta hub airport which
such
flights are scheduled to operate vis-à-vis all Delta and Delta Connection
operated flights into or out of such hub are canceled for weather related
or Air
Traffic Control ("ATC") related reasons on such day (a “Disproportionate ATC
Cancellation”) or (ii) Delta requests operator to cancel one or more Delta
Connection Flights (a “Delta Directed Cancellation” and together with
Disproportionate ATC Cancellation, a “Disproportionate Cancellation”), then,
such Disproportionate Cancellations shall be excluded from the calculation
of
Operator’s completion rate for purposes of determining Operator’s eligibility to
any Base Xxxx-up, “Monthly Incentive Compensation” or “Semi-Annual Incentive
Compensation.” If Delta requests Operator to cancel one or more Delta
Connection Flights, Operator shall comply with any such request within the
time
period reasonably requested by Delta. In the event Operator does not
cancel any such Delta Connection Flights (each, an "Operator Non-Cancelled
Flight"), then each such Operator Non-Cancelled Flight, for purposes of this
Agreement, shall not be regarded as a completed flight, nor included as a
Disproportionate Cancellation, and Delta shall not be obligated to pay Operator
any Base Compensation, incentive compensation, or any other reimbursements
in
connection with such Operator Non-Cancelled Flights. For any Delta
Directed Cancellation, unless such cancellation becomes an Operator
Non-Cancelled Flight, Operator shall be compensated for its Direct Costs
incurred in connection with such Delta Directed Cancellation, other than
maintenance-related costs set forth on Exhibit B, for which Operator shall
receive no compensation.
(i) The
“Base Rate Costs” shall include certain direct operating costs recorded in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) incurred by
Operator in its operation of the Delta Connection Flights. The Base
Rate Costs for each of calendar years 2007 through 2015 are set forth on
Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated
herein. The Base Rate Costs shall be paid on a unit basis
as set forth on Exhibit B.
(ii) The
“Pass Through Costs” shall include the following variable costs incurred by
Operator in connection with its operation of the Delta Connection Flights
for
which Delta shall bear the risk of price and volume fluctuations,
provided that such costs shall be reconciled on a monthly basis to
reflect the actual costs incurred by Operator:
(1)
|
Landing
Fees;
|
(2)
|
Hull
Insurance;
|
(3)
|
Passenger
Liability Insurance;
|
(4)
|
War
Risk Insurance;
|
(5)
|
Fuel
Expense – Operator’s actual fuel and into-plane expenses, plus associated
taxes (excluding any fuel purchases made, or caused to be made,
by Delta
for the benefit of Operator); provided, however, any Xxxx-Up of the
Fuel Expense shall assume a price of [***] per gallon fuel
price;
|
(6)
|
Glycol
and de-icing services (but not if provided by Delta or an affiliate
or
designee of Delta);
|
(7)
|
Catering
Costs (but not if provided by Delta or an affiliate or designee
of
Delta);Security (but not if provided by Delta or an affiliate or
designee
of Delta);
|
(8)
|
Property
Taxes;
|
(9)
|
All
costs to change the initial Delta Connection livery of any Aircraft
pursuant to any request by Delta;
|
(10)
|
Engine
Maintenance Expense, provided such expense shall not, in any event,
exceed the per completed block hour rates identified as Heavy Engine
and
Maintenance Reserve in Exhibit B (or such other amount mutually
agreed upon by the parties), unless otherwise required by
Delta;
|
(11)
|
Ground
Handling Services, including without limitation all costs and charges
specified in the ground handling agreement referenced in Section
26(A)
below (but not if provided free of charge to Operator by Delta
or an
affiliate or designee of Delta);
and
|
(12)
|
“Terminal
Facility Rent and Use Charges” – Operator’s actual applicable terminal
facility rent and use charges (including common use, ramp rent
and jet
bridge expenses), including without limitation facilities maintenance
and
operation expenses, but excluding any such rent and use charges
if
premises are provided by Delta or any affiliate or designee of
Delta.
|
(13)
|
Aircraft
Debt Service, provided such expense shall not, in any event, exceed
[***] per aircraft per month.
|
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Pass Through Costs shall not include any late payment charges,
penalties and/or fees which Operator incurs in connection with the payment
of
the expenses listed above. Estimates of certain of the initial Pass
Through Costs are set forth on Exhibit B. Any costs or expense
not included either as a Pass Through Cost, Reimbursable Cost, Non-Reimbursable
Cost or Delta Cost shall be deemed a Base Rate Cost.
B. Reimbursable
Costs not Subject to Xxxx-up. Delta shall reimburse Operator for
[***] of the costs incurred for the following items (“Reimbursable Costs”), but
it is expressly agreed that no Xxxx-Up (including any potential incentive
compensation as set forth in Section 3(E) below) of such costs shall be paid
by
Delta:
(1)
|
Any
Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) or Department of Transportation
(“DOT”) fines administered or levied against Operator due to an action
or
omission principally caused by Delta or an affiliate of
Delta.
|
C. Non-Reimbursable
Costs. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that Operator
shall be solely responsible and Delta shall not be responsible, nor
reimburse Operator, for any of the following costs:
(1)
|
any
and all FAA, DOT or any other government or regulatory agency fines
administered or levied against Operator due to any action or omission
not
principally caused by Delta or an affiliate of Delta;
and
|
(2)
|
Passenger
amenities costs and other interrupted trip expenses, including
without
limitation denied boarding compensation, food and lodging expenses
and
other transportation costs incurred by Operator due to any action
or
omission principally caused by Operator or an affiliate of Operator;
and
|
|
(3) Any
Pass Through Costs determined to be unreasonable by Delta, based
on then
current objective market conditions, provided that Delta shall
give
Operator at least sixty (60) days advance written notice of any
such
determination, and discuss such costs with Operator prior to making
such a
determination.
|
D. Delta
Costs. The parties acknowledge and agree that the following costs
related to Operator’s services hereunder shall be paid directly by Delta and
shall not be included in the Base Compensation or any incentive compensation
calculation or payment:
(1)
|
Travel
agency commissions, if any;
|
(2)
|
Credit
card fees;
|
(3)
|
Reservations
handling charges;
|
(4)
|
Booking
fees;
|
(5)
|
Frequent
flyer charges;
|
(6)
|
Denied
boarding costs, except as set forth in Section 3(C)(3)
above;
|
(7)
|
Advertising;
|
(8)
|
Glycol
and de-icing services (if provided by Delta or an affiliate or
designee of
Delta);
|
(9)
|
Terminal
Facility Rent and use charges, including without limitation facilities
maintenance and operations costs (if premises are provided by Delta
or an
affiliate or designee of Delta);
|
(10)
|
Fuel
and fuel management expenses (if provided or cause to be provided
by Delta
or an affiliate or designee of Delta);
and
|
(11)
|
The
cost of any “Support Services” (as defined in Article 8 herein) and any
ticketing services, if provided, or cause to be provided, by Delta
or an
affiliate or designee of Delta.
|
E. Incentive
Compensation.
1.
|
Definitions. The
parties agree that for purposes of this Agreement the following
terms
shall have the respective meanings as set forth
below:
|
a.
|
“Monthly
Incentive Goal” shall mean with respect to each month during the Term, the
monthly goals set forth in paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 attached
hereto with respect to each of: (i) completion rate and (ii)
on-time arrival (collectively, “Monthly Performance
Categories”).
|
b.
|
“Semi-Annual
Goal” shall mean, with respect to each of the semi-annual periods
identified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 attached hereto, the
semi-annual goals set forth therein with respect to each of (i)
completion
rate, (ii) on-time arrival and (iii) customer satisfaction rating
(collectively, “Semi-Annual Performance Categories”) (Semi-Annual
Performance Categories and Monthly Performance Categories, collectively,
“Performance Categories”).
|
2.
|
Monthly
Incentive Compensation. In addition to the Base
Compensation, Operator shall have the opportunity to earn additional
compensation (the “Monthly Incentive Compensation”) based upon its actual
performance in the Monthly Performance Categories as compared to
the
applicable Monthly Incentive Goal. For each month during the
Term of this Agreement, Delta shall pay Operator an additional
[***]
xxxx-up of the Direct Costs (subject to the limitations set forth
in this
Agreement, as calculated monthly based on the actual direct costs
incurred
by Operator in operating the Delta Connection Flights during such
month)
for each of the following performance goals that Operator achieves
during
such month:
|
(i)
|
Actual
completion rate (excluding cancellations due to charter flights
pursuant
to Section 1(C) hereof and Disproportionate Cancellations) for
its Delta
Connection Flights equal to or greater than the applicable Monthly
Incentive Goal; and
|
(ii)
|
Actual
on-time arrival (A-14) rate for its Delta Connection Flights equal
to or
greater than the applicable Monthly Incentive
Goal.
|
3.
|
Semi-Annual
Incentive Compensation. In addition to the Base
Compensation and the Monthly Incentive Compensation, Operator shall
have
the opportunity to earn additional compensation (the “Semi-Annual
Incentive Compensation”) based upon its semi-annual performance in the
Semi-Annual Performance Categories as compared to the Semi-Annual
Incentive Goal for each Semi-Annual Performance
Category. During each six-month period (measured from each
January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through December 31) during
each year
of the Term of this Agreement, Delta shall pay Operator a
[***] xxxx-up of the Direct Costs (subject to the limitations
set forth in this Agreement, as calculated based on the actual
direct
costs incurred by Operator in operating the Delta Connection Flights
during such six-month period) for such six-month period for each
of the
following performance goals that Operator achieves during the applicable
six-month period:
|
(i)
Actual Completion rate (excluding cancellations due to charter flights pursuant
to Section 1(C) hereof and Disproportionate Cancellations) for its Delta
Connection Flights equal to or greater than the applicable Semi-Annual Incentive
Goal;
(ii)
Actual on-time arrival (A-14) rate for its Delta Connection Flights equal
to or
greater than the applicable Semi-Annual Incentive Goal; and
(iii)
Actual semi-annual customer satisfaction rating for its Delta Connection
Flights
is greater than the applicable Semi-Annual Incentive Goal.
F. Margin
Cap. Within sixty (60) days after the end of each calendar year
during the Term, Operator shall provide Delta a certificate (the “Margin
Certificate”) signed on behalf of Operator by its chief financial officer, that
states the actual total margin that Operator earned on operating the Delta
Connection Flights (the “Actual Margin”) during such calendar year, as
calculated below. Such Margin Certificate shall include an exhibit
that fully sets forth Operator’s calculation of its Actual Margin and certify to
the accuracy of the Actual Margin. Actual Margin for any given
calendar year shall be determined, on a pre-tax basis, by subtracting (y)
Operator’s aggregate actual Direct Costs incurred to operate the Delta
Connection Flights for such calendar year, excluding all Pass Through Costs
for
(i) Aircraft Debt Service and (ii) Engine Maintenance from (z) the total
payments made by Delta to Operator for such Delta Connection Flights for
such
year, including any and all Base Xxxx-up, Monthly Incentive Compensation
and
Semi-Annual Compensation, excluding (i) any credits Operator receives as
a
result of any Cost Savings Initiative or Delta Sourcing Initiative pursuant
to
Section 3(G) below, (ii) all payments from Delta to reimburse Operator its
Pass
Through Costs for (a) Aircraft Debt Expense and (b) Heavy engine maintenance
and
other maintenance reserves (the “Total Payments”), and dividing such difference
by the Total Payments. In the event that Operator’s Actual Margin is
greater than [***],
Operator shall pay Delta an amount equal to the amount necessary to reduce
the
Total Payments such that the Actual Margin for such calendar year will equal
[***]. Any
payment made pursuant to this Section 3(F) shall be made within thirty (30)
days
of Delta receiving the Margin Certificate.
G. Cost
Reductions. At all times during the Term, Operator shall use its
reasonable commercial efforts to reduce its Direct Costs in the following
cost
categories (the “Reducible Costs”):
1. Base
Rate Costs:
(i)
|
Heavy
airframe maintenance;
|
(ii)
|
Components;
|
(iii)
|
Hanger
lease costs;
|
(iv)
|
Simulator
Costs; and
|
(v)
|
Crew
lodging.
|
2. Pass
Through Costs:
(i) Liability
insurance;
(ii) Hull
insurance;
(iii) War
risk insurance; and
(iv) Fuel
(burn rate reductions).
In
addition, Delta maintains the right to develop cost savings initiatives which
will enable Operator to reduce its Reducible Costs (each, a “Cost Savings
Initiative”). Provided any such Cost Savings Initiative does not
materially interfere with or adversely affect other contractual or legal
obligations of Parent or Operator in existence at such time or materially
interfere with the Operator’s operational or maintenance standards or
performance requirements, each as necessary to perform the services contemplated
by this Agreement, Operator shall use its commercially reasonable efforts
to
implement all such Cost Savings Initiatives identified by either Operator
or
Delta.
In
addition, Delta may assist Operator in obtaining goods and services in
connection with operating the Aircraft and/or the Delta Connection Flights
in a
more economical manner, including, without limitation, via bulk purchasing
and
inventory management systems and processes (each, a “Delta Sourcing
Initiative”). If Delta initiates or identifies any such Delta
Sourcing Initiative, Operator is obligated to use its reasonable commercial
efforts to participate in such initiative, but only to the extent that such
participation would not materially interfere with or adversely affect other
contractual or legal obligations of Parent or Operator in existence at such
time
or materially interfere with the Operator’s operational or maintenance standards
or performance requirements, each as necessary to perform the services
contemplated by this Agreement.
A
baseline for each of the Direct Costs shall be established using (i) with
respect to Pass Through Costs, the actual Pass Through Costs incurred by
Operator in connection with operating the Delta Connection Flights during
the
previous twelve (12) months and (ii) with respect to Base Rate Costs, Operator’s
Base Rate Costs set forth on Exhibit B hereto. Any such baseline shall be
adjusted to reflect situations in which this methodology does not properly
reflect future costs (e.g. annual escalation, contractual increases and one
time
occurrences). Savings realization will be measured against these
baselines for purposes of determining the amount of savings to be shared
among
Delta and Operator. Baselines shall be reestablished by Delta at the end
of each
contract year during the Term.
Realized
savings associated with each Cost Savings Initiative or Delta Sourcing
Initiative shall be allocated between the parties as follows:
1. With
respect to realized savings for Reducible Costs that are Base Rate Costs,
Delta
will retain [***] of the net benefit and Operator will retain
[***] of the net benefit throughout the remaining Term of the
Agreement. In order to effectuate the cost savings benefit allocation
contemplated hereby, upon implementation of any such initiative, the applicable
Base Rate Cost(s) set forth in Exhibit B shall be adjusted and modified
downward accordingly. Any realized savings on Base Rate Costs not set
forth above shall be retained solely by Operator.
2. With
respect to realized savings for Reducible Costs that are Pass Through Costs,
Delta will retain [***] of the net benefit and Operator will retain
[***] of the net benefit throughout the remaining Term of the
Agreement. With regard to a Cost Savings Initiative or Delta Sourcing
Initiative that affects Pass Through Costs, the parties agree to meet and
confer
prior to implementation on the appropriate methodology by which Operator
calculates and retains its portion of realized savings. Any realized
savings on any Pass Through Costs not set forth above shall be retained by,
and
for the sole benefit of, Delta.
3. Notwithstanding
Section 3(G)(1) above, with respect to all maintenance expenses (excluding
line
maintenance) initially jointly sourced by Delta and Operator, all savings
achieved through such sourcing shall accrue to, and for the sole benefit
of,
Delta. In such event, the applicable rates in Exhibit B will be
revised to reflect the reduced maintenance rates. Delta and Operator
shall work together in good faith to timely source any such maintenance services
prior to the occurrence of the first applicable maintenance event.
Operator
and Delta shall establish a supplier scorecard process to monitor the
performance and the impact of the Cost Savings Initiatives and Delta Sourcing
Initiatives. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, this Section 3(G) shall not require either Parent or Operator
to
enter into any particular agreement that would apply to operations of Parent
or
Operator other than Delta Connection Flights.
H. Accounting
Provisions. Delta shall retain all revenues (including, without
limitation, passenger, cargo, mail, food, beverage and duty-free services
or any
other revenue including, without limitation, any guaranteed or incentive
payments from airport, local or municipal authorities in connection with
scheduling flights to such airport or locality or any federal funds payments)
in
connection with the operation of the Delta Connection
Flights. Operator shall promptly remit to Delta all monies with
respect to all airline ticket sales, on-board sales, baggage charges, passenger
charges, cargo sales and all other revenue collected by Operator or any agent
or
employee of Operator in connection with the operation of the Aircraft (including
credit card transactions).
On
each
of the 7th,
14th, 21st
and
28th day of
each month (or if not a business day, on the following business day) after
operation of the initial Delta Connection Flight, Delta will advance to Operator
twenty-five percent (25%) of the estimated monthly Direct Costs and Base
Xxxx-Up
(collectively, the “Base Compensation”). Such payment shall be made
via wire transfer or through the Airline Clearing House (the “Clearing House”),
in Delta’s discretion (but in any event on the dates set forth above) or, if any
such payment from Delta is not paid on such dates, then in Operator’s
discretion. In computing the amount of the advance, Delta will use
the projected fuel costs, and the estimated number of weekly revenue block
hours, departures and passengers.
Within
thirty (30) days following the end of each month, Delta and Operator will
reconcile the actual Direct Costs incurred by Operator for the Base
Compensation, the final operating results (including actual performance in
the
Performance Categories) of, and actual revenue block hours flown by, Operator
with the estimated payments made pursuant to the previous paragraph. Within
five
(5) business days of completing such reconciliation, Delta or Operator, as
the
case may be, shall pay, via wire transfer or the Clearing House in Delta’s
discretion, to an account designated by the other party, monies equal to
the
reconciled amount. If certain actual costs are not known by the end
of such 30-day period, Operator shall provide Delta with a good faith estimate
of such unknown costs and such estimated amount shall be included in the
initial
30-day reconciliation. As soon as commercially reasonable, such
estimated amounts shall be reconciled with the actual costs for such expenses,
and Delta or Operator, as the case may be, shall pay, via wire
transfer or the Clearing House in Delta’s discretion, to an account designated
by the other party, monies equal to the reconciled amount.
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, in the event Operator is unable to operate
any
of the Aircraft, or any of the Delta Connection Flights, for any reason other
than as a result of weather, fire, war, terrorism, other act of hostilities,
an
industry-wide ATC action, an industry-wide directive by the FAA, TSA or other
governmental agency or act of God, Delta shall not be obligated to pay Operator
any portion of the Base Compensation, Base Xxxx-up, incentive compensation,
or
any other amounts, in connection with such non-operated Aircraft and Delta
Connection Flights. If the non-operated Aircraft or Delta Connection
Flight is caused by weather, fire, war, terrorism, other act of hostilities,
an
industry-wide ATC action, an industry-wide directive by the FAA, TSA or other
governmental agency or act of God, Delta shall only be obligated to pay
Operator’s the following fixed costs associated with the non-operated Aircraft
or Delta Connection Flight: Aircraft Debt Service, Hull Insurance and
Property Taxes, but not any variable costs, Base Xxxx-up, incentive
compensation, or any other amounts with respect to such non-operated Aircraft
and Delta Connection Flights during the period that Operator is unable to
operate such Aircraft or the Delta Connection Flights.
I. Audit
of Costs, Operations and Service Levels. Operator shall maintain
complete and accurate books and records to support and document all revenues,
costs and expenses related to the Aircraft and its Delta Connection operations
hereunder, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied and in accordance with the accounting policies and
procedures used by the parties to develop the Direct Costs. Delta’s
in-house finance staff and any independent consultants selected by Delta
shall
be entitled, following reasonable notice to Operator, to audit and inspect
Operator’s books and records relevant to the services provided hereunder, the
service levels achieved, and the determination of charges due pursuant to
this
Agreement for the sole purposes of (i) prospectively adjusting the Base Rate
Amount in connection with any annual review pursuant to Section 3(G) hereof
and/or (ii) auditing Reimbursable Costs, Pass Through Costs, Other Reimbursable
Costs, any Xxxx-up or incentive compensation due or paid hereunder and the
Margin Cap. Any such audit will be conducted during regular business
hours and be paid for by Delta unless such audit determines that Operator
owes
Delta in excess of [***], in which case Operator shall pay Delta the costs
and
expenses incurred by Delta in connection with such audit.
J. Right
of Set-off. Any party may offset against any payment to be made
to any other party hereto (including the next scheduled payment by Delta
to be
made pursuant to Section 3(H) above) the amount of any payment that such
other
party or any of its affiliates owes to such first party or any of its affiliates
but has not made when due (taking into account any cure period), unless such
overdue payment is subject to a good faith dispute.
ARTICLE 4.
TICKETING SERVICES; SIGNAGE; FACILITIES; SLOTS AND ROUTES.
A. Ticketing
Services. Either Delta or Operator will provide primary airport
ticketing services in connection with the Delta Connection Flights, and,
if
applicable, the other party will provide supplemental ticketing services
for the
Delta Connection Flights at Delta's airport ticketing locations and will
use
Delta ticket stock for such purposes.
B. Signage. Unless
otherwise agreed by the parties, Delta will design, provide and pay for
appropriate airport and other signage installed after the Effective Date
to
reflect the Delta Connection and the relationship between Operator and
Delta. The nature and type of such signage will be in the sole
discretion of Delta, subject to any airport, governmental or quasi-governmental
restrictions or requirements, and to any contractual or other obligations
of
Parent or Operator, and the location of such signage will be limited to
passenger-related facilities from which Parent or Operator provides services
to
Delta hereunder. Delta will be responsible for installing and
maintaining all such signage, but the parties will mutually determine which
party will obtain any necessary formal or informal approvals from appropriate
airport or other authorities to install such signage. The parties
will fully cooperate with each other in all endeavors relating to such signage
and any necessary approvals.
C. Facilities.
(1) In
connection with the
Delta Connection Flights, and subject to clause (2) below, Operator shall
use
the gates and facilities designated by Delta from time to time at the locations
in which Operator operates such Delta Connection Flights. No other use of
such
gates and other facilities by Operator or parties other than Delta shall
be
allowed without Delta’s express written consent.
(2) Delta’s
right to
designate gates and other facilities to be used by Operator in connection
with
providing Delta Connection Flights shall include the right at each airport,
in
Delta’s discretion, to either: (a) provide for use of some or all of the needed
facilities to Operator through mutually acceptable subleases, ground handling
agreements, licenses, permits or otherwise; or (b) require Operator to directly
obtain use of passenger-related and aircraft-related facilities used or to
be
used exclusively for Delta Connection Flights from the airport operator or
other
lessors, and shall not include the right to designate gates or other facilities
then used by Operator for operations other than Delta Connection
Flights. Delta and Operator agree that Delta may relocate Operator
to comparable facilities at the service locations, provided that Delta
reimburses Operator for its reasonable relocation expenses.
(3) Operator
shall use its
reasonable commercial efforts to ensure that all leases, subleases, permits,
licenses and other use agreements of airport terminal facilities entered
into by
Operator for use exclusively in connection with Delta Connection Flights
(each,
a “Facility Lease” and collectively, “Facilities Leases”) shall be assignable to
Delta or Delta’s designee, at Delta’s election, without the consent of the other
party to such Facility Lease on termination of this Agreement, the withdrawal
of
Delta Connection Flights from such airport or upon written notice from Delta
to
Operator, provided that if the consent of the facility lessor is required
by contract or governmental regulations, Operator will use its reasonable
commercial efforts to obtain such consent at the time the Facility Lease
is
entered into and to incorporate such consent in the terms of the Facility
Lease
or otherwise at such time as Delta may direct. Subject only to
Operator obtaining any necessary consent of such other party, Operator shall
assign to Delta or Delta’s designee (i) all Facilities Leases upon termination
of this Agreement, (ii) all Facilities Leases at a particular airport upon
the
withdrawal of all Delta Connection Flights from such airport, and (iii) such
Facilities Leases as Delta shall designate at any time upon receipt of written
notice from Delta. If Delta elects and if the other party to the Facilities
Lease agrees, instead of an assignment, any such transfer can be accomplished
by
either: (x) a termination of the applicable Operator Facilities Lease and
a
direct lease of such premises to Delta or Delta’s designee; or (y) a release of
premises designated by Delta from the applicable Operator Facility Lease
and
lease of such premises directly to Delta or Delta’s designee.
(4) Operator
shall use its
reasonable commercial efforts to ensure that all Facilities Leases entered
into
by Operator shall expressly provide that Delta or Delta’s designee, at Delta’s
election, shall have the right to sublease any or all of the premises covered
by
the applicable Facilities Lease without the consent of the other party to
such
Facility Lease on termination of this Agreement, the withdrawal or reduction
of
Delta Connection Flights from such airport or upon written notice from Delta
to
Operator, provided that if the consent of the facility lessor is required
by contract or governmental regulations, Operator will use its reasonable
commercial efforts to obtain such consent at the time the Facility Lease
is
entered into and to incorporate such consent in the terms of the Facility
Lease
or otherwise at such time as Delta may direct. Subject only to Operator
obtaining any necessary consent of such other party, Operator shall, at Delta’s
option, sublease the premises Delta specifies under any applicable Facilities
Lease to Delta or Delta’s designee on termination of this Agreement, the
withdrawal of Delta Connection Flights from such airport or upon receipt
of
written notice from Delta. If Delta or Delta’s designee enters into
such a sublease, at Delta’s option, Operator shall enter into a sub-sublease of
all or the portion of the subleased premises that Delta designates.
(5) In
addition to Delta’s
other options with respect to premises occupied by Operator pursuant to any
Facilities Lease, sublease or sub-sublease, Delta shall have the right from
time
to time to direct Operator to handle or allow Delta to handle other carriers
designated by Delta at any such premises. If Operator is the handling
carrier, it will do so on terms consistent with the applicable Facilities
Lease
and handling arrangements and fees reasonably acceptable to Delta and
Operator.
(6) Operator
shall not
assign, transfer, sublease, alter, amend, modify or terminate any Facilities
Lease to which it is a party without the prior written consent of
Delta.
(7) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Delta may, at its option, elect
to
enter the Facilities Lease in lieu of Operator for any facilities to be used
by
Operator at any new or existing city to be served by Operator pursuant to
this
Agreement, and in the event Delta exercises this option (i) Delta shall enter
into a Facilities Lease with the lessor of such facilities, (ii) Operator
shall
utilize such facilities pursuant to a sublease, license agreement, permit,
facilities use agreement or ground handling agreement with Delta, (iii) at
Delta’s option, the sublease, facilities use agreement or ground handling
agreement shall terminate when Operator ceases to operate Delta Connection
Flights at the airport, and (iv) Delta shall enter into agreements for
facilities which are reasonably suitable for Operator’s operational needs. If
for any reason Delta fails to provide such facilities, such failure shall
not be
a breach hereof and Operator shall be obligated to secure such facilities
within
a reasonable period of time.
(8) At
any location in
which Operator is the signatory carrier of the applicable Facility Lease,
Operator shall vote as directed by Delta on any matters submitted to the
signatory carriers for a vote.
(9) Operator
shall comply
with all requirements of such Facilities Leases, subleases and sub-subleases
described in this Section 4(C) and an event of default by Operator under
any
such agreements for a material Facilities Lease shall be a breach of this
Agreement. If Operator receives any notice of default or breach with
respect to any Facilities Lease, Operator shall promptly provide a copy to
Delta, consult with Delta on handling and advise Delta on Operator’s plans for
resolving the matter.
D. Slots
and Route Authorities. During the Term of this Agreement
(including any renewal terms) or upon the expiration or termination of this
Agreement, Delta may, in its sole discretion, require Operator to transfer
to
Delta or its designee at no charge any airport takeoff or landing slots,
route
authorities or other regulatory authorities as Delta shall designate which
were
obtained and have been or are being used for Delta Connection Flights under
this
Agreement, provided that Operator shall not be required to acquire any airport
takeoff or landing slot, route authority or other regulatory authority without
the acquisition cost paid by Operator, if any, being treated as a Pass Through
Costs under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 5. CUSTOMER SERVICES.
A. Operator
will handle all customer related services in connection with the Delta
Connection Flights in a professional, businesslike and courteous
manner. In order to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction for
the Delta Connection Flights, Operator will (i) establish and maintain customer
handling procedures and policies for the Delta Connection Flights that are
substantially similar to those utilized by Delta (“Customer Service Policies”)
and (ii) establish, maintain and enforce employee conduct, appearance and
training standards and policies for the Delta Connection Flights that are
substantially similar to those used by Delta. All uniforms worn by
Operator employees on the Delta Connection Flights and by any Operator employees
providing support services in connection with such flights shall be subject
to
the prior approval of Delta and shall at all times be consistent with Delta’s
existing uniform standards.
B. Operator
and Delta will periodically meet to discuss and review Operator's customer
handling procedures and policies for the Delta Connection Flights to ensure
compliance with this Article 5. Each party will seek to set forth
concerns and complaints under this Article 5 in writing to the other
party. To the extent Delta advises Operator of any deviation from
Article 5(A) hereof, the parties shall meet to mutually determine appropriate
solutions and to agree to the terms of a corrective action plan and the timing
of its implementation. In the event Operator shall fail, in any
material respect, to adopt or implement any such agreed corrective action
plan
in the time period described therein, any such failure may be deemed a material
breach of this Agreement.
C. Operator
shall adopt as its own, for the Delta Connection Flights, Delta’s Terms and
Conditions of Contract of Carriage (“Contract of Carriage”), baggage liability
policies and denied boarding compensation policies, each as amended from
time to
time, and be bound by their respective terms with respect to its operation
of
Delta Connection Flights.
ARTICLE 6. [RESERVED].
ARTICLE
7. FREQUENT FLYER PARTICIPATION. During the Term of
this Agreement, the parties agree that passengers on Operator’s Delta Connection
Flights will be eligible to participate in the Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer
program, as may be amended from time to time, or any other similar program
developed by Delta (the “Program”) and all Program award tickets will be honored
for travel on Delta Connection Flights on the following terms and
conditions:
A. Administration. Administration
of the Program shall be performed by and at the cost of Delta. Delta
will promote and administer the Program.
B. Program
Information. Title and full and complete ownership rights to
Program membership data and information developed by Delta, wherever located,
shall remain with Delta or an affiliate of Delta. Operator
understands and agrees that such data and information constitutes Delta’s (or
its affiliates’) proprietary information. Any membership lists,
labels, data, or other compiled membership information supplied to Operator
in
any form and any and all copies thereof are to be used by Operator exclusively
in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and will not be
otherwise used, sold, licensed, leased, transferred, stored, duplicated or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, without Delta’s prior written
consent. All such information will either be returned to Delta or
destroyed at Delta’s request.
C. Accrual
and Redemption. Passengers on the Delta Connection Flights shall
be eligible to accrue and redeem Program mileage on such
flights. Passengers traveling pursuant to award travel under the
Program shall be considered passengers for all purposes under this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
8. SUPPORT SERVICES. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, from time to time during the Term, Delta may,
at is
sole discretion, require Operator to utilize Delta, an affiliate of Delta
or a
another third party designated by Delta for certain services or products
including, without limitation, catering and on-board provisioning; aircraft
and
engine maintenance and ground handling (collectively, “Support Services”),
provided such services and products are not more costly to Operator than
the
alternative services or products they are replacing or would replace and
do not
materially interfere with the operational or maintenance standards or
performance requirements of Operator, each as necessary to perform the services
contemplated by this Agreement. or adversely affect other contractual or
legal
obligations of Parent or Operator in effect at such time.
ARTICLE
9. AUTOMATION SERVICES. Delta may provide
Operator the following automation and related services for the Delta Connection
Flights, and if provided by Delta, Operator agrees to participate in such
services in the manner and subject to the conditions described
below.
A. Internal
Reservations Equipment. Delta shall provide or arrange for the
provision to Operator of an electronic reservations system (currently referred
to as “Deltamatic” but including any successor reservations system adopted by
Delta) and shall provide Operator with: (i) the ability to access passenger
name
records, (ii) automated ticketing capabilities, (iii) operational messaging
switching capabilities, (iv) the ability to update Delta Connection Flight
information, (v) the ability to distribute flight releases and weather packages,
and (vi) perform other reservations-related functions for the Delta Connection
Flights (Deltamatic and any successor system are hereinafter referred to
as the
“Res System”). Delta reserves the right to modify the functionality
of the Res System at any time. Operator will use the Res System made
available by Delta for the Delta Connection Flights only.
B. Delta’s
Rights and Obligations.
1. Delta
will install or
cause to be installed the equipment requested by Operator at the locations
set
forth on Exhibit C to this Agreement and shall provide Operator
connection to the Res System. The equipment described on Exhibit
C and any software installed on the Equipment at the time of its delivery
to
Operator is hereinafter referred to as the “Equipment.” Operator
understands and agrees that: (i) all Equipment shall remain the sole property
of
Delta; (ii) Operator shall not remove any identifying marks from the Equipment;
(iii) Operator shall not subject the Equipment to any lien (other than lessor’s
liens or other liens generally applicable to equipment installed at such
locations); and (iv) Delta may enter Operator’s premises to remove the Equipment
immediately upon termination of this Agreement. Exhibit C may
be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the parties to reflect
the
installation, removal or relocation of Equipment.
2. Delta
will provide
initial and recurrent training to Operator training staff and other key
designated personnel in the use of the Res System, at Delta’s training centers
unless otherwise agreed. Delta may remove from a training program any
Operator employee who is not satisfactorily participating therein.
3. Delta
will promptly
provide, or arrange to provide, all repairs and maintenance services required
for the Equipment and will use reasonable business efforts to keep the Equipment
and the Res System in good repair and condition. Operator will not
perform or attempt to perform repairs or maintenance of any kind on the
Equipment without prior consultation with Delta and will promptly contact
Delta
regarding the need for repairs or maintenance.
C. Operator’s
Rights and Obligations.
1. Operator
will not for any
reason relocate or remove any of the Equipment without Delta’s prior written
consent. Delta will pay all costs associated with the installation,
relocation, purchase, regular maintenance, repair (other than for loss or
damage
for which is Operator is responsible) or removal of Equipment.
2. Operator
will use the
Equipment and the Res System in strict conformity with the training and
operating instructions provided by, or arranged to be provided by,
Delta. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless
authorized by Delta, Operator will not use the Res System to develop or publish
any reservation, ticketing, sales, cargo, tariff or other guide, to provide
services not authorized by this Agreement to third parties, to train persons
other than Operator’s employees in the use of the Equipment or the Res System,
or for other uses designated by Delta in writing as
prohibited. Operator may not publish, disclose or otherwise make
available to any third party the compilations of air carrier service or fares
obtained from the Res System; provided, however, that Operator may use
specific air carrier service and fare data for the benefit of its
customers.
3. Operator
will encourage
and allow its employees using the Res System to attend training sessions
related
to the Res System, and it is Operator’s responsibility to ensure that each
employee using the Res System receives full and adequate training on the
Res
System.
4. Operator
will use its
reasonable commercial efforts to protect the Equipment from loss, damage
or
theft and to prevent its unauthorized use or improper
operation. Operator will make no alterations to the Equipment and
will return the Equipment to Delta upon the termination of this Agreement
in the
same condition as received, excepting only ordinary wear and tear in the
normal
course of Operator’s operations. Operator will obtain and maintain
insurance for the Equipment against all risks of damage and loss, including
without limitation loss by fire, theft and such other risks of loss as are
customarily insured in a standard all-risk policy. Such insurance
shall also provide the following:
(a) Full
replacement value
coverage for the Equipment (subject to policy deductibles);
(b) An
endorsement naming
Delta as the loss payee to the extent of its interest in the Equipment;
and
(c) An
endorsement requiring
the insurer to give Delta at least thirty (30) days prior written notice
of any
intended cancellation, nonrenewal or material change of coverage;
provided that only ten (10) days prior written notice of cancellation,
nonrenewal or material change of coverage need be given in the event that
such
cancellation, nonrenewal or material change in coverage is caused solely
by
failure to make a premium payment.
Upon
request by Delta, Operator will promptly provide satisfactory evidence of
the
insurance required pursuant to this Section 9(C)(4). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Operator shall be liable to Delta for any loss or damage to
the
Equipment, regardless of cause, occurring while the Equipment is in the
possession, custody or control of Operator.
5. Operator
waives any
proprietary rights that it may have with respect to information entered into
the
Res System.
D. Entry
and Inspection. Persons designated or authorized by Delta may
enter Operator’s premises during normal business hours for the purposes of (a)
monitoring, inspecting, and reviewing Operator’s use of and operations with
respect to the Res System, (b) performing repairs or maintenance on the
Equipment, (c) installing, removing, replacing or relocating the Equipment
(unless otherwise permitted by this Agreement), or (d) training or retraining
Operator’s employees in the use of the Res System; provided that such
activities may not unreasonably interfere with Operator’s business.
E. Limitations
on Liability. In addition to any other limitations on liability
set forth herein:
1. Neither
Parent, Operator
nor Delta is responsible for errors or inaccuracies in the availability records,
fare quotes, or other information contained in the Res System at any time,
for
any planned or unplanned interruptions, delays or malfunctions in the operation
of the Res System or the Equipment or for the merchantability or fitness
for a
particular purpose of any of the data or Equipment made available to
Operator.
2. EXCEPT
AS SET FORTH IN
PARAGRAPH F BELOW, EACH OF PARENT, OPERATOR AND DELTA HEREBY WAIVES AND RELEASES
THE OTHER PARTIES AND THEIR AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES AND ALL
OF
THEIR RIGHTS, CLAIMS AND REMEDIES AGAINST THE OTHER PARTIES OR THEIR AFFILIATES
OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS, EXPRESS
OR
IMPLIED, ARISING BY LAW OR OTHERWISE, DUE TO ANY DEFECTS OR INTERRUPTIONS
OF
SERVICE IN, OR ERRORS OR MALFUNCTIONS BY, SOFTWARE, THE EQUIPMENT, THE RES
SYSTEM OR ITS USERS, INCLUDING ALL LIABILITY, OBLIGATION, RIGHT, CLAIM, OR
REMEDY IN TORT, AND INCLUDING ALL LIABILITY, OBLIGATION, RIGHT, CLAIM OR
REMEDY
FOR LOSS OF REVENUE OR PROFIT OR ANY OTHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
SPECIAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. FURTHER, DELTA DISCLAIMS AND EACH OF
PARENT AND OPERATOR HEREBY WAIVES ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR INTENDED
USE
RELATING TO THE RES SYSTEM, THE EQUIPMENT, DATA, OR SERVICES FURNISHED
HEREUNDER.
F. Patent
and Copyright Indemnity. Delta will indemnify each of Parent and
Operator, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees
or
agents, against, and will defend or settle, at its own expense, any action
brought against Parent, Operator or their Affiliates or any of their respective
directors, officers, employees or agents, to the extent that it is based
on, a
claim that the Res System provided by Delta pursuant to this Agreement, in
its
normal use, or any part thereof, infringes any U.S. copyright or patent;
and
Delta will pay those costs, damages and attorney's fees finally awarded against
Parent, Operator or their Affiliates or any of their respective directors,
officers, employees or agents in any such action attributable to any such
claim,
but such defense, settlements and payments are conditioned on the
following: (1) the provisions of Section 12(C) below, including those
relating to notice and control of defense, shall apply; (2) that Parent and
Operator shall cooperate with Delta in a reasonable way to facilitate the
settlement or defense of such claim, provided that Delta shall pay all of
Parent’s and Operator’s reasonable expenses in connection with any such
cooperation requested by Delta; and (3) should such Res System become, or
in
Delta’s opinion be likely to become, the subject of such claim of infringement,
then Operator shall permit Delta, at Delta’s option and expense, either to (a)
procure for Operator the right to continue using the Res System, or (b) replace
or modify the same so that it becomes noninfringing and functionally equivalent,
or (c) upon failure of (a) and (b) above despite the reasonable efforts of
Delta, accept immediate termination of this Agreement as it relates to such
system. This paragraph (F) states the entire liability of Delta with
respect to the infringement of copyrights and patents by the Res System provided
hereunder or the operation thereof.
ARTICLE
10. OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS.
A. Operator
agrees to provide the following information to Delta for each day during
the
Term of this Agreement on the next business day after the applicable day;
provided, however, the information in sub-paragraph (iv) shall be
provided by Delta to Operator on a monthly basis within ten (10) days after
the
last day of each such month:
(i) The
number of
mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers (including, without limitation,
international and non-revenue passengers) flown on Delta Connection Flights
during such day based on the information available in the World Tracer System
(or similar or successor system used by Operator).
(ii) The
completion rate (actual) of the Delta Connection Flights during such day.
Unless
revised in accordance with Section 10(C) below, Operator shall maintain a
completion rate as set forth on Schedule 10 attached hereto and made a
part hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, Delta Connection Flights
operated with no revenue passengers or completed over four (4) hours late
shall
be considered as cancelled.
(iii) The
number of
scheduled Delta Connection Flights that do not arrive at their scheduled
destination prior to 15 minutes after their respective scheduled arrival
times
during such day. Unless revised in accordance with Section 10(C) below, Operator
shall maintain a percentage of on-time arrivals as set forth on Schedule
10 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
(iv) Operator’s
overall
customer satisfaction rating as complied and reported by the Customer
Satisfaction Monitor, or any successor thereto or replacement
thereof. Unless revised in accordance with Section 10(C) below,
Operator shall maintain a customer satisfaction rating as set forth on
Schedule 10 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
B. Each
of the requirements set forth on Schedule 10 shall be defined as the
“Operational Performance Standards.” If Delta is concerned about
Operator’s performance in connection with any of the Operational Performance
Standards set forth on Schedule 10, Operator agrees to discuss with Delta
such performance and potential ways to improve such performance at Delta’s
request. The parties shall have ten (10) days to determine
appropriate solutions and/or a corrective action plan, and Operator agrees
to
diligently comply with the terms and conditions of any such solutions and
corrective action plans that are mutually agreed by the parties.
C. The
parties recognize and agree that the Operational Performance Standards set
forth
on Schedule 10 may be modified or adjusted by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto from time to time during the Term of this Agreement.
D.
Delta
shall provide to Operator information and other data in its possession relating
to the (i) number of mishandled bags, (ii) denied boarding, (iii) disability
complaints and (iv) DOT complaints for the Delta Connection Flights operated
by
Operator submitted to, or retained pursuant to regulations promulgated by,
the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
ARTICLE 11. TERM AND TERMINATION.
A. This
Agreement shall commence as of the Agreement Date and shall terminate upon
the
last of the dates described in the following sentence, unless the Agreement
is
terminated earlier in accordance with its terms (such period, and any extension
or renewal thereof, the “Term”). As to any particular Aircraft,
unless this Agreement is terminated earlier in accordance with its terms,
this
Agreement shall terminate (x) with respect to each Aircraft described in
clauses
(i) and (ii) of Article 1 Section A, upon the tenth (10th) anniversary
of
the initial in-service date of such Aircraft, and (y) with respect to any
Aircraft described in clause (iii) of Article 1 Section A, upon such date
as
shall be mutually agreed by Delta and Operator. Notwithstanding the
above, at any time on or after the [***] anniversary of the Agreement Date,
either party shall have the right to remove up to [***] of the Aircraft capacity
from the scope of the Agreement each year during the Term
thereafter.
B. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 11(A), either party may terminate this Agreement
immediately if the other party files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy,
makes
an assignment for the benefit of creditors, fails to secure dismissal of
any
involuntary petition in bankruptcy within sixty (60) days after the filing
thereof, or petitions for reorganization, liquidation, or dissolution under
any
federal or state bankruptcy or similar law.
C. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 11(A), in the event of a material breach of this
Agreement by either party remaining uncured for more than thirty (30) days
after
receipt of written notification of such breach by the nonbreaching party,
then
the nonbreaching party may immediately terminate this Agreement at its sole
option.
D. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 11(A), in the event a “Force Majeure Event” (as
defined in Article 19) substantially prevents one party’s performance of its
obligations pursuant to this Agreement, for a period of ten (10) or more
consecutive days, Delta may (i) temporarily suspend some or all of the Aircraft
from the scope of this Agreement upon written notice to the Operator, or
(ii)
terminate this Agreement in its entirety upon thirty (30) days prior written
notice to Operator.
E. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Sections 11(A), (B), (C) and (D), Delta shall have the
right
to terminate this Agreement immediately and at its sole option upon the
occurrence of one or more of the following:
(i) Operator
or Parent agrees to merge into or with any entity, agrees to be acquired
by any
entity, agrees to sell substantially all of its assets or enters into a letter
of intent, or similar document, to merge into or with any entity, to be acquired
by any entity, or to sell substantially all of its assets (each such event,
a
“Merger”);
(ii) The
acquisition, after the Agreement Date, by any individual, entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (as amended, the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act)
of more than forty-nine percent (49%) of either (a) the then outstanding
shares
of common stock of Operator or Parent, or (b) the combined voting power of
the
then outstanding voting securities of Operator or Parent entitled to vote
generally in the election of such entity’s directors or managers, as applicable
(each such event, a “Change of Control”);
(iii) Operator’s
level of safety with respect to its operation of the Aircraft or the Delta
Connection Flights is not reasonably satisfactory to Delta;
(iv) a
breach by Operator of Section 17(G) hereof;
(v) Operator’s
failure to pass, in Delta’s reasonable discretion, a safety and codeshare audit
to be conducted by Delta, at its sole discretion, at any time during the
Term of
this Agreement;
(vi) Operator
fails to achieve any of the Operational Performance Standards set forth on
Schedule 10 with respect to the Delta Connection Flights during any (y)
two (2) consecutive months or (z) three (3) months during any consecutive
six
(6) month period;
(vii) a
material breach by Operator or Parent of any representation or warranty in
Section 16(A)(5);
(viii) Operator’s
failure to comply with the insurance provisions of Articles 13 and 14
hereof;
(ix) Operator’s
FAA or DOT Certification is for any reason suspended or revoked or otherwise
not
in full force and effect so as to permit Operator to operate the Delta
Connection Flights required under this Agreement;
(x) Operator
shall commence operating an aircraft type which causes Delta to be in violation
of its collective bargaining agreement with its pilots, as may be amended
from
time to time; and
(xi) any
breach by Operator or Parent of that certain Assignment and Assumption Agreement
of even date herewith by and among Operator, Parent, Delta and Bombardier
Inc.
(the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”) including without limitation any
failure to make any PDP Payments (as defined therein) due under the Pinnacle
Purchase Agreement (as defined therein) on a timely basis or any failure
to
accept delivery of any aircraft tendered for delivery under the Pinnacle
Purchase Agreement in compliance with the terms thereof.
F. Termination
of this Agreement for any reason shall not relieve either party of rights
and
obligations incurred prior to the effective date of termination. A
party’s right to terminate this Agreement shall be in addition to any other
rights or remedies, in law or equity, available to such party.
ARTICLE 12. INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTORS; LIABILITY PROVISIONS.
A. Operator
shall act as an independent contractor. The employees, agents and/or
independent contractors of Operator engaged in performing any of the services
Operator is obligated to perform pursuant to this Agreement shall be employees,
agents and independent contractors of Operator for all purposes and under
no
circumstances shall employees, agents or independent contractors of Operator
be
deemed to be employees, agents or independent contractors of Delta. In its
performance of obligations under this Agreement, Operator shall act, for
all
purposes, as an independent contractor and not as an agent for Delta.
Delta shall have no supervisory power or control over any employees, agents
or
independent contractors engaged by Operator in connection with Operator’s
performance of its obligations hereunder, and all complaints or requested
changes in procedure shall, in all events, be transmitted by Delta to a
designated representative of Operator. Nothing contained in this Agreement
is intended to limit or condition Operator’s control over its operation or the
conduct of its business as an air carrier, and Operator assumes all risks
of
financial losses which may result from the operation of the air services
to be
provided by Operator hereunder.
B. Delta
shall act as an independent contractor. The employees, agents and/or independent
contractors of Delta engaged in performing any of the services Delta is to
perform pursuant to this Agreement shall be employees, agents and independent
contractors of Delta for all purposes and under no circumstances shall
employees, agents and independent contractors of Delta be deemed to be
employees, agents or independent contractors of Operator. In performing
its obligations under this Agreement, Delta shall act, for all purposes,
as an
independent contractor and not as an agent for Operator. Operator shall
have no supervisory power or control over any employees, agents or independent
contractors engaged by Delta in connection with the performance of its
obligations hereunder, and all complaints or requested changes in procedure
shall, in all events, be transmitted by Operator to a designated representative
of Delta. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to limit or
condition Delta’s control over its operation or the conduct of its business as
an air carrier.
C. Parent
and Operator, jointly and severally, shall be liable for and hereby agrees
fully
to defend, release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless Delta and its
affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees and
agents (each, a “Delta Indemnitee”) from and against any and all claims,
demands, damages, liabilities, suits, judgments, actions, causes of action,
losses, costs and expenses of any kind, character or nature whatsoever (in
each
case whether groundless or otherwise), including reasonable attorneys' fees,
costs and expenses in connection therewith and expenses of investigation
and
litigation thereof, which may be suffered by, accrued against, charged to,
or
recoverable from any Delta Indemnitee in any manner arising out of, connected
with, or attributable to this Agreement, the performance, improper performance,
or nonperformance of any and all obligations to be undertaken by Operator
pursuant to this Agreement, or the operation, non-operation, or improper
operation of Operator's aircraft, equipment or facilities at any location,
excluding only claims, demands, damages, liabilities, suits, judgments, actions,
causes of action, losses, costs and expenses resulting from the gross negligence
or willful misconduct of any Delta Indemnitee. Operator will do all
things necessary to cause and assure, and will cause and assure, that Operator
will at all times be and remain in custody and control of all aircraft,
equipment, and facilities of Operator, and no Delta Indemnitee shall, for
any
reason, be deemed to be in custody or control, or a bailee, of Operator's
aircraft, equipment or facilities.
D. Delta
shall be liable for and hereby agrees fully to defend, release, discharge,
indemnify, and hold harmless Operator, and each of its directors, officers,
employees, and agents (each, an “Operator Indemnitee”) from and against any and
all claims, demands, damages, liabilities, suits, judgments, actions, causes
of
action, losses, costs and expenses of any kind, character or nature whatsoever
(in each case whether groundless or otherwise), including reasonable attorneys'
fees, costs and expenses in connection therewith and expenses
of investigation and litigation thereof, which may be suffered by,
accrued against, charged to, or recoverable from any Operator Indemnitee
in any
manner arising out of, connected with, or attributable to Delta’s performance,
improper performance or nonperformance of any and all obligations to be
undertaken by Delta pursuant to this Agreement, or the operation,
non-operation or improper operation of Delta's aircraft, equipment or facilities
at any location, excluding only claims, demands, damages, liabilities, suits,
judgments, actions, causes of action, losses, costs and expenses resulting
from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Operator
Indemnitee. Delta will do all things necessary to cause and
assure, and will cause and assure, that Delta will at all times be and remain
in
custody and control of any aircraft, equipment and facilities of Delta used
in
connection with performance of this Agreement, and no Operator Indemnitee
shall,
for any reason, be deemed to be in the custody or control, or a bailee, of
such
Delta aircraft, equipment or facilities.
E. Operator
and Delta agree to comply with all lawful rules, regulations, directives
and
similar instructions of appropriate governmental, judicial and administrative
entities including, but not limited to, airport authorities, the Federal
Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation (and any successor
agencies) with respect to operations covered by this Agreement.
F. OTHER
THAN ANY WARRANTIES SPECIFICALLY CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY
DISCLAIMS AND THE OTHER PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
ORAL OR WRITTEN, WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS PERFORMANCE OF ITS
OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR INTENDED USE RELATING TO ANY EQUIPMENT, DATA,
INFORMATION OR SERVICES FURNISHED HEREUNDER. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT
THE OTHER PARTY IS NOT LIABLE TO IT OR ANY OTHER PERSONS FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
OR
PUNITIVE DAMAGES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
G. Indemnification
Claims. A party (the “Indemnified Party”) entitled to
indemnification from the other party under the terms of this Agreement (the
“Indemnifying Party”) shall provide the Indemnifying Party with prompt written
notice (an “Indemnity Notice”) of any third party claim which the Indemnified
Party believes gives rise to a claim for indemnity against the Indemnifying
Party hereunder, and the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, if it accepts
financial responsibility for the third party claim, to control the defense
of or
to settle any such third party claim at its own expense and by its own counsel;
provided that the Indemnified Party’s prior written consent (which may
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) must be obtained prior to settling
any
such third party claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not accept
financial responsibility for the third party claim or fails to defend against
the third party claim that is the subject of an Indemnity Notice within thirty
(30) days of receiving such notice (or sooner if the nature of the third
party
claim so requires), or otherwise contests its obligation to indemnify the
Indemnified Party in connection therewith, the Indemnified Party may, upon
providing written notice to the Indemnifying Party, pay, compromise or defend
such third party claim. The Indemnified Party shall provide the
Indemnifying Party with such information as the Indemnifying Party shall
reasonably request to defend any such third party claim and shall otherwise
cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense of any such third party
claim. Except as set forth above in this Section 12(G), the
Indemnified Party shall not enter into any settlement or other compromise
or
consent to a judgment with respect to a third party claim as to which the
Indemnifying Party has an indemnity obligation hereunder without the prior
written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which may not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), and the entering into any settlement or compromise
or the
consent to any judgment in violation of the foregoing shall constitute a
waiver
by the Indemnified Party of its right to indemnity hereunder to the extent
the
Indemnifying Party was prejudiced thereby. Any Indemnifying Party
shall be subrogated to the rights of the Indemnified Party to the extent
that
the Indemnifying Party pays for any Loss suffered by the Indemnified Party
hereunder. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 12(G)
to the contrary, Parent, Operator and Delta will cooperate in the defense
of any
claim imposed jointly against them or as the result of the conduct of the
other.
ARTICLE 13. WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY
INSURANCE PROVISIONS.
A. For
purposes of workers’ compensation insurance, Delta's employees, agents and
independent contractors under no circumstances shall be deemed to be, or
shall
be, employees, agents or independent contractors of Operator.
B. For
purposes of workers’ compensation insurance, Operator's employees, agents and
independent contractors under no circumstances shall be deemed to be, or
shall
be, the employees, agents or independent contractors of Delta.
C. Each
party assumes full responsibility for, and liability to, its own employees
on
account of injury, or death resulting therefrom, sustained in the course
of
their employment. Each party, with respect to its own employees,
accepts full and exclusive liability for the payment of applicable workers'
compensation and employers' liability insurance premiums with respect to
such
employees, and for the payment of all taxes, contributions or other payments
for
unemployment compensation and old age benefits, and other similar benefits
now
or hereafter imposed upon employers by any government or agency thereof having
jurisdiction in respect of such employee. Each party also agrees to
make such payments and to make and file all reports and returns and to do
all
things necessary to comply with all applicable laws at any time imposing
such
taxes, contributions, or payments.
D. Each
party will have their workers’ compensation insurance carrier endorse its policy
to provide a waiver of subrogation against the other party.
ARTICLE 14. INSURANCE PROVISIONS.
A. Operator
shall procure and maintain in full force and effect during the term of this
Agreement policies of insurance of the types and in the minimum amounts set
forth below, with such insurers and under such terms and conditions as are
satisfactory to Delta (subject to Section 14(H) below):
|
1.
|
All
risk hull insurance and hull war risk insurance on an agreed value
basis,
not to exceed replacement value, except as required by financing
agreements.
|
|
2.
|
Comprehensive
aviation liability (including premises, products and completed
operations)
covering bodily injury, personal injury and property damage in
an amount
not less than [***] per occurrence; provided, however, that
non-passenger personal injury coverage may be limited to [***]
per
occurrence.
|
|
3.
|
Workers'
compensation for statutory limits.
|
|
4.
|
Employer's
liability in an amount not less than
[***].
|
|
5.
|
Baggage
liability.
|
|
6.
|
Cargo
liability in an amount not less than [***] per loss, casualty or
disaster.
|
|
7.
|
Automobile
liability in an amount not less than [***] combined single limit
per
occurrence.
|
|
8.
|
War,
Hijacking and Other Allied Perils insurance protecting against
the perils
in AVN52D, as amended from time to time, or its U.S. equivalent
in an
amount not less than [***] per occurrence. Such insurance may
be maintained through a combination of primary and excess
layers.
|
9. Insurance
required by any Facilities Lease.
B. Operator
shall cause the policies of insurance described in Article 14(A) above to
be
duly and properly endorsed by Operator's insurance underwriters as
follows:
|
1.
|
As
to the policies of insurance described in Articles 14(A)(1), (A)(2),
(A)(3), (A)(4), (A)(5), (A)(6), (A)(7) and (A)(8): (a) to
provide that any waiver of rights of subrogation against other
parties by
Operator will not affect the policy requirements provided in Section
14(A)
above with respect to Delta, its affiliates, and their directors,
officers, employees and agents; and (b) to provide that Operator's
underwriters shall waive all subrogation rights arising out of
this
Agreement against Delta, its affiliates, and their directors, officers,
employees and agents without regard to any breach of warranty on
the part
of Operator.
|
|
2.
|
As
to the policies of insurance described in Articles 14(A)(2), (A)(5),
(A)(6), (A)(7) and (A)(8): (a) to provide that Delta, its
affiliates, and their directors, officers, employees and agents
shall be
named as additional insured parties thereunder; and (b) to provide
that
such insurance shall be primary insurance as respects any insurance
carried by Delta.
|
|
3.
|
As
to the policies of insurance described in Articles 14(A)(2), (A)(7)
and
(A)8): (a) to provide a cross-liability clause for Delta and
Operator and their respective affiliates, and their directors,
officers,
employees and agents; and (b) to provide contractual liability
insurance
coverage for liability assumed by Operator under this
Agreement.
|
|
4.
|
As
to any insurance obtained from foreign underwriters, to provide
that Delta
may maintain against such underwriters a direct action in the United
States upon such insurance policies and, to this end, to include
a
standard service of process clause designating a United States
attorney in
Washington, D.C. or New York, New
York.
|
C. Operator
shall cause each of the insurance policies to be duly and properly endorsed
to
provide that such policy or policies or any part or parts thereof shall not
be
canceled, terminated or materially altered, changed or amended by Operator's
insurance underwriters until after thirty (30) days' written notice to Delta,
which thirty (30) days' notice shall commence to run from the date such notice
is actually received by Delta.
D. Not
later than the Effective Date, and upon renewal thereafter or upon request
by
Delta, Operator shall furnish Delta evidence satisfactory to Delta of the
aforesaid insurance coverages and endorsements, including certificates
certifying that the aforesaid insurance policy or policies with the aforesaid
limits are duly and properly endorsed as aforesaid and are in full force
and
effect.
E. Operator
shall not take any action, or fail to take any action, that will cause the
insurance and endorsements required to be maintained by Operator pursuant
to
this Agreement to be invalidated. In the event Operator fails to
maintain in full force and effect any of the insurance and endorsements required
to be maintained by Operator pursuant to Article 14(A), Delta shall have
the
right (but not the obligation) to procure and maintain such insurance or
any
part thereof on behalf of Operator. The cost of such insurance shall
be payable by Operator to Delta upon demand by Delta. The procurement
of such insurance or any part thereof by Delta does not discharge or excuse
Operator's obligation to comply with the provisions set out
herein. Operator agrees not to cancel, terminate or materially alter,
change or amend any of the policies until after providing thirty (30) days'
advance written notice to Delta of Operator's intent to so cancel, terminate
or
materially alter, change or amend such policies of insurance, which thirty
(30)
day notice period shall commence to run from the date notice is actually
received by Delta.
F. With
respect to all claims against Operator (but not against Delta) with respect
to
which Operator is not entitled to be indemnified by Delta pursuant to Article
12(B), whether or not covered by the insurance policies set forth in this
Article 14 or otherwise, Delta is responsible only for filing an initial
report
and has no other obligations with respect to such claims, and Operator is
fully
responsible for handling all adjustments, settlements, negotiations, litigation
and similar activities in any way related to or connected with such
claims.
G. Subject
to Section 14(H) below, the parties hereby agree that from time to time during
the term of this Agreement Delta may require Operator to procure and maintain
insurance coverages in amounts in excess of the minimum amounts set forth
in
Article 14(A) should the circumstances and conditions of Operator's operations
under this Agreement be deemed, in Delta's sole discretion, to require
reasonable increases in any or all of the foregoing minimum insurance coverages;
provided that such insurance coverages are reasonably obtainable in the
insurance market and that the costs thereof are all Pass Through
Costs.
H. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Article 14, Delta acknowledges
that:
|
1.
|
without
waiving any rights it may have in the future if such policies change,
Delta has reviewed the policies of insurance currently maintained
by
Operator and determined that the insurers providing such policies
and the
terms and conditions of such policies are satisfactory to Delta
for
purposes of Section 14(A) above;
and
|
|
2.
|
Delta’s
rights to approve the insurers providing such policies and the
other terms
and conditions of such policies for purposes of Section 14(A) above,
and
Delta’s rights to require additional insurance coverages pursuant to
Section 14(G) above, shall be waived for so long as Operator participates
in a joint insurance program administered by Northwest Airlines,
Continental Airlines or any other legacy carrier; provided that the
foregoing waiver shall not constitute a waiver or otherwise reduce
or
excuse Operator’s obligation to provide the insurance specified in clauses
1 through 9 of Section 14(A).
|
ARTICLE 15. OPERATIONS OF OPERATOR AS A DELTA CONNECTION
CARRIER.
A. Delta
and Operator agree that, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Operator
will operate the Delta Connection Flights exclusively as a Delta Connection
carrier. Unless otherwise agreed by Delta, Operator will operate all
Delta Connection Flights and the Aircraft with the passenger seat capacity
permitted by law or regulation and otherwise as determined by Delta from
time to
time. Operator shall not change any of the Aircraft specifications
without the prior consent of Delta.
B. Operator
acknowledges and agrees that participation in the Delta Connection program
obligates Operator to offer and maintain a professional, high quality level
of
service in terms of schedules, customer service and the
like. Accordingly, at the request of Delta, the parties
will: (a) meet to mutually review and discuss the services,
operations and plans of Operator and Delta for the Delta Connection program;
and
(b) jointly develop a written business plan for the Delta Connection operations
and services of Operator. Operator will comply with the business
plans so developed.
C. Delta
shall have the right, from time to time, to inspect Operator’s Delta Connection
Service, including without limitation Operator’s in-flight service, flight,
maintenance, technical operations, gate-check in service, ground operations,
Aircraft cleaning and any and all other services and operations performed
by
Operator in connection with the Delta Connection Flights. Such
inspections may be announced or unannounced, but under no circumstances shall
they interfere with the operation of Operator’s business. Failure on the
part of Delta to conduct such inspections shall not relieve Operator of its
obligations to conform with the service and performance standards set forth
in
this Agreement.
ARTICLE
16. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
A. Representations;
Warranties and Covenants of Parent and Operator. Each of Parent
and Operator represents and warrants to Delta as of the date hereof as
follows:
(1) Organization
and
Qualification. Each of Parent and Operator is a duly organized
and validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of its state
of
incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to own, operate and
use
its assets and operate the Delta Connection Flights.
(2) Authority
Relative to this Agreement. Each of Parent and Operator has the
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms
hereof. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by all necessary corporate action on the part of each of Parent and
Operator. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by each of Parent and Operator and is, assuming due execution and
delivery thereof by Delta and that Delta has full legal power and right to
enter
into this Agreement, a valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and
Operator, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its
terms.
(3) Conflicts;
Defaults. Neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor
the performance by Parent and Operator of the transactions contemplated hereby
will (i) violate, conflict with, or constitute a default under any of the
terms
of such entity’s articles of incorporation, by-laws, or any provision of, or
result in the acceleration of any obligation under, any contract, sales
commitment, license, purchase order, security agreement, mortgage, note,
deed,
lien, lease, agreement or instrument, including without limitation,
any order, judgment or decree relating to the Delta Connection Flights, (ii)
result in the creation or imposition of liens in favor of any third person
or
entity, (iii) violate any law, statute, judgment, decree, order, rule or
regulation of any governmental authority, or (iv) constitute any event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in such violation, conflict,
default, acceleration or creation or imposition of liens.
(4) Broker. Neither
Parent nor Operator has retained or agreed to pay any broker or finder with
respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(5) Compliance. All
air transportation services performed pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise
by
Operator shall be conducted in full compliance with all applicable statutes,
orders, rules, regulations and notifications, whether now in effect or hereafter
promulgated, of all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over its
operations, including, but not limited to, the FAA, DOD, and DOT. Operator’s
compliance with such governmental statutes, orders, rules, regulations and
notifications will be the sole and exclusive obligation of Operator, and
Delta
will have no obligation, responsibility, or liability, whether direct or
indirect, with respect to such matters.
B. Representations
and Warranties of Delta. Delta represents to each of Parent and
Operator as of the date hereof as follows:
(1) Organization
and
Qualification. Delta is a duly incorporated and validly existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and
has the
corporate power and authority to own, operate and use its assets and to operate
the Delta Connection program.
(2) Authority
Relative to
this Agreement. Delta has the corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Delta. This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by Delta and is, assuming due execution
and
delivery thereof by Parent and Operator and that each of Parent and Operator
has
full legal power and right to enter into this Agreement, a valid and binding
obligation of Delta, enforceable against Delta in accordance with its
terms.
(3) Conflicts;
Defaults. Neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor
the performance by Delta of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i)
violate, conflict with, or constitute a default under any of the terms of
Delta’s articles of incorporation, by-laws, or any provision of, or result in
the acceleration of any obligation under, any contract, sales commitment,
license, purchase order, security agreement, mortgage, note, deed, lien,
lease,
agreement or instrument, including without limitation, any order, judgment
or
decree relating to the Delta Connection Flights, (ii) result in the creation
or
imposition of any liens in favor of any third person or entity, (iii) violate
any law, statute, judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation of any
governmental authority, or (iv) constitute any event which, after notice
or
lapse of time or both, would result in such violation, conflict, default,
acceleration or creation or imposition of liens.
(4) Broker. Delta has not retained or agreed to pay
any broker or finder with respect to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(5) Compliance. All air transportation-related
actions performed pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise by Delta shall
be
conducted in full compliance with all applicable statutes, orders, rules,
regulations and notifications, whether now in effect or hereafter promulgated,
of all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over its operations, including,
but not limited to, the FAA, DOD, and DOT. Delta’s compliance with such
governmental statutes, orders, rules, regulations and notifications will
be the
sole and exclusive obligation of Delta, and neither Parent nor Operator will
have any obligation, responsibility, or liability, whether direct or indirect,
with respect to such matters.
ARTICLE
17. COVENANTS OF OPERATOR. Operator hereby covenants
and agrees that:
A. If
requested by Delta at any time during the Term of this Agreement, Operator
shall
place its flight designator code on certain flights operated by Delta or
an
affiliate of Delta.
B. During
the Term of this Agreement, Operator shall not, on the same operating
certificate as the Aircraft, own, lease or operate for any purpose any aircraft,
whether for itself, Delta or another carrier, that will cause Delta to be
in
violation of its collective bargaining agreement with its pilots, or, with
respect to Operator’s commencing the ownership, lease or operation of a new type
or size aircraft in the future, as such agreement may have been amended at
such
time. In furtherance of the above, as of the Agreement Date, Operator
shall not, on the same operating certificate as the Aircraft, own, lease
or
operate any turbo-prop aircraft that is configured with more than seventy-two
(72) seats. With respect to regional jet aircraft, as of the
Agreement Date, Operator may operate, on the same operating certificate as
the
Aircraft, for itself or a carrier other than Delta, any number of regional
jet
aircraft that is certificated for up to 106 seats, but configured with no
more
than ninety-seven (97) seats, provided such aircraft is not operated on
any city pair that is served by Delta or an affiliate of Delta.
C. Operator
shall not enter into any binding agreement or arrangement (or series of
agreements or arrangements) with any third party (excluding any employee
collective bargaining units) for the procurement of any goods or services
relating to Operator, the Aircraft or operation of any of the Delta Connection
Flights that will result in a material increase in Operator’s Pass Through Costs
to perform its services hereunder without the prior written consent of Delta,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld (it being understood that
Delta’s consent shall not be required if Operator does not pass any such
increased costs to Delta as Pass Through Costs).
D. At
the request of Delta, Operator agrees to enter into such agreement(s) with
another air carrier as may be necessary to implement share code-sharing on
the
Delta Connection Flights with such other air carrier.
E. Operator
agrees that any pilot furloughed by Delta will be given preferential new
hire
opportunities at Operator if such pilot completes all new hire paper work,
meets
all new hire airman and medical qualifications, satisfies background checks
and
successfully completes an interview and employment process, subject to any
other
preferences arising from existing contractual arrangements to which Parent
or
Operator is currently a party as of the Agreement Date. Operator and
Delta shall determine and implement mutually acceptable procedures and processes
to effectuate the new hire opportunity commitment set forth
above. Delta agrees to offer preferential interviews for employment
to airmen employed by Operator, subject to Delta's objectives for diversity
and
experience among newly hired pilots.
F. Operator
shall file all reports and plans relating to its operations with the DOD,
DOT, FAA, NTSB or any state or airport authority, and Operator shall promptly
furnish Delta with copies of all such reports and such other available traffic
and operating reports as Delta may request from time to
time. Additionally, Operator will promptly furnish Delta with a copy
of every report and plan that Operator prepares, whether or not such report
is
filed with the FAA, NTSB or any other governmental agency, relating to any
accident or incident involving an Aircraft when such accident or incident
is
claimed to have resulted in the death or injury to any person or the loss
of,
damage to or destruction of any property.
G. All
flight operations, dispatch operations and flights and all other operations
undertaken by Operator pursuant to this Agreement shall be conducted and
operated by Operator in strict compliance with all Governmental Regulations,
including, without limitation, those relating to airport security, the use
and
transportation of hazardous materials, flight crew and mechanic qualifications
and licensing requirements, crew training and hours. All Aircraft shall be
operated and maintained by Operator in strict compliance with all Minimum
Maintenance Standards, all Governmental Regulations, Operator’s own operations
manuals and maintenance manuals and procedures, and all applicable equipment
manufacturer’s instructions. No later than one (1) year after the
Effective Date, Operator shall apply and close out its inspection to establish
its registration as an IOSA Operator and maintain such registration at all
times
thereafter during the Term. At all times, Operator shall operate with
the highest standards of care.
H. In
the event Parent is no longer a public reporting company, Operator shall
furnish
to Delta (1) within 45 days after the end of each of the three interim calendar
quarters, unaudited financial statements including Operator's then current
corporate balance sheet and profit and loss statement and (2) within
91 days after the end of Operator's fiscal year, Operator's then current,
audited financial statements including, either separately or on a consolidated
basis, the balance sheet and the profit and loss statement, together with
associated footnotes, and a copy of the independent auditor's
report. Notwithstanding the reporting status of Parent, Operator
shall furnish to Delta within 91 days after the end of Operator's fiscal
year, a
profit and loss statement with respect to Operator’s Delta Connection operations
prepared by SEC line-item and certified by Operator’s chief financial
officer.
ARTICLE 18. CONTRACT INTERPRETATION.
A. This
Agreement is subject to, and will be governed by and interpreted in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York, excluding conflicts of laws principles,
and of the United States of America. Any action or proceeding seeking
to enforce any provision of, or based on any right arising out of, this
Agreement may only be brought in the courts of the State of New York in New
York
County, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York, and each of the parties hereto
irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts (and of
the
appropriate appellate courts) in any such action or proceeding and waives,
to
the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to venue laid
therein. Process in any action or proceeding referred to in the
proceeding sentence may be served on any party anywhere in the
world. Each party further agrees to waive any right to a trial by
jury.
B. The
descriptive headings of the several articles and sections of this Agreement
are
inserted for convenience only, confer no rights or obligations on either
party,
and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.
C. Time
is of the essence in interpreting and performing this Agreement.
D. This
Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto) constitutes the entire
understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and
any other prior or contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral, are
expressly superseded hereby.
E. If
any part of any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable
under applicable law, such part shall be ineffective to the extent of such
invalidity or unenforceability only, without in any way affecting the remaining
parts of such provision or the remaining provisions.
F. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including via
facsimile, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which,
taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
G. Because
a breach of the provisions of this Agreement could not adequately be compensated
by money damages, any party shall be entitled to an injunction restraining
such
breach or threatened breach and to specific performance of any provision
of this
Agreement and, in either case, no bond or other security shall be required
in
connection therewith, and the parties hereby consent to the issuance of such
injunction and to the ordering of specific performance.
H. NO
PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING LOST REVENUES, LOST PROFITS, OR LOST PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE,
ARISING FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY BREACH HEREOF.
ARTICLE 19. CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE PARTIES' CONTROL.
With
the
exception of outstanding rights and obligations, and subject to Section 3(H)
hereof, each party will be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement
in
the event, to the extent and for the period of time that performance is delayed
or prevented caused by any acts of God, acts of terrorism or hostilities,
war,
strike, labor disputes, work stoppage, fire, act of government, court order,
or
any other act reasonably beyond the control of that party, including but
not
limited to, non-delivery or delay in delivery of the Aircraft or delay in
the
completion of required training of the Operator’s employees by the Aircraft
manufacturer (each, a “Force Majeure Event”).
ARTICLE 20. NO LICENSE GRANTED.
A. This
Agreement is not, and shall not be construed to be, a license for either
party
to use the trade names, trademarks, service marks, or logos of the other
party,
or its affiliates, without such party's prior written consent.
B. Operator
will conduct all operations described herein under the service xxxx “Delta
Connection.” Delta hereby grants to Operator a nonexclusive,
nontransferable, non-sublicensable license to use certain trademarks, service
marks, logos and trade names that Delta owns or has the right to use, including,
“Delta,” “Delta Connection,” “SkyMiles,” and the Delta widget design
(collectively, the “Delta Marks”) in connection with the services to be rendered
by Operator pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that at any
time during the Term of this Agreement, Delta may alter, amend or revoke
the
license hereby granted and require Operator’s use of a new or different Delta
Xxxx in connection with the services provided hereunder as Delta may determine
in its sole discretion.
C. Operator
hereby acknowledges Delta’s right to use the Delta Marks, further acknowledges
the validity of the Delta Marks, and agrees that it will not do anything
in any
way to infringe or abridge Delta’s, or any of its affiliates’, rights in the
Delta Marks or directly or indirectly to challenge the validity of the Delta
Marks.
D. Except
as set forth in Section 20(B) above, Operator shall not use any of the Delta
Marks without Delta’s prior written consent.
E. Nothing
in this Agreement shall be construed to give Operator the exclusive right
to use
any of the Delta Marks, or to abridge Delta’s right to use or license any of its
trademarks, service marks, trade names or logos(collectively, “Identification”)
and to license such other uses of such Identification as Delta or its affiliates
may desire.
F. Should
this Agreement be canceled or otherwise terminated for any reason as set
forth
in Article 11 hereof, all right to use the Delta Marks shall revert to Delta
and
shall not thereafter be used by Operator in any form or fashion.
G. Branding.
1. Livery. Each
of the Aircraft shall be in the color scheme, including exterior paint and
interior upholstery and appointments (“Livery”) of the Delta Connection Livery,
as provided by Delta to Operator from time to time. Any changes to
the initial Livery of any of the Aircraft shall be done on a schedule as
mutually agreed by the parties, and at Delta’s cost.
2. On
Board
Branding. Delta shall control all on board branding and in-flight
materials including, without limitation, in-flight publications, food and
beverage products, paper goods and service xxxx. In the event of any
change to the on-board branding or in-flight materials, Delta shall be
responsible for reimbursing Operator for any reasonable costs and expenses
incurred by Operator in connection therewith. Operator shall be
solely responsible for maintaining all licenses necessary for the serving
of
in-flight food and beverages on the Delta Connection Flights.
ARTICLE 21. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.
No
amendment, modification, supplement, termination or waiver of any provision
of
this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by either party therefrom,
shall
in any event be effective unless in writing signed by authorized representatives
of both parties, and then only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose given.
ARTICLE 22. NOTICES.
Unless
otherwise provided herein, all
notices, requests and other communications required or provided for hereunder
shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar teletransmission or writing)
and shall be given at the following addresses:
(1) If
to
Delta:
Delta
Air Lines, Inc.
0000
Xxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Dept.
915
Attn:
Vice President- Delta
Connection
Telecopy: [***]
with
copies to:
Delta
Air Lines, Inc.
0000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Dept.
981
Attn:
Executive V.P. and General
Counsel
Telecopy: [***]
(2) If
to Parent or
Operator:
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Chief
Financial
Officer
Telecopy: [***]
with
copies to:
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
&
Xxxxxx
LLP
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
0000
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Telecopy:
[***]
Any
such
notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by
mail,
upon the earlier of receipt or the third business day after such communication
is deposited in the United States mails, registered or certified, with first
class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (ii) if given by any other
means including, without limitation, by air courier, when delivered at the
address specified herein. Delta or Operator may change its address
for notice purposes by notice to the other party in the manner provided
herein.
ARTICLE 23. ASSIGNMENT.
This
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of Delta, Parent and, subject
to
Section 27 below, Operator, and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, neither party may assign or transfer this Agreement or
any portion hereof to any person or entity except as provided in Article
27 or
otherwise without the express written consent of the other party. Any
assignment or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, without such consent
shall be null and void and of no force or effect.
ARTICLE 24. GOOD FAITH.
Each
party shall exercise good faith in its dealings with the other party hereto
and
in performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE
25. CONFIDENTIALITY.
A. Except
as otherwise provided below, each party shall, and shall ensure that its
directors, officers, employees, affiliates and professional advisors
(collectively, the “Representatives”), at all times, maintain strict confidence
and secrecy in respect of all Confidential Information (as defined below)
of the
other party (including its affiliates) received directly or indirectly as
a
result of this Agreement. If a party (the “Disclosing Party”) in good
faith determines that it is required to disclose any Confidential Information
of
other party (the “Affected Party”) in order to comply with any applicable law or
government regulation, or under the terms of a subpoena or order issued by
a
court or governmental body, it shall (a) notify the Affected Party immediately
of the existence, terms and circumstances surrounding such request, (b) consult
with the Affected Party on the advisability of taking legally available steps
to
resist or narrow such request and (c) if any disclosure of Confidential
Information is required to prevent the Disclosing Party from being held in
contempt or subject to other legal penalty, furnish only such portion of
the
Confidential Information as it is legally compelled to disclose and use
commercially reasonable efforts (at the cost of the party whose Confidential
Information is being protected) to obtain an order or other reliable assurance
that confidential treatment shall be accorded to the disclosed Confidential
Information. Each party agrees to transmit Confidential Information
only to such of its Representatives as required for the purpose of implementing
and administering this Agreement, and shall inform such Representatives of
the
confidential nature of the Confidential Information and instruct such
Representatives to treat such Confidential Information in a manner consistent
with this Article 25.
For
purposes of this Agreement,
“Confidential Information” shall mean (a) all confidential or proprietary
information of a party, including, without limitation, trade secrets,
information concerning past, present and future research, development, business
activities and affairs, finances, properties, methods of operation, processes
and systems, customer lists, customer information (such as passenger name
record
or “PNR” data) and computer procedures and access codes; and (b) the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and any reports, invoices or other communications
between the parties given in connection with the negotiation or performance
of
this Agreement; and (c) excludes (i) information already in a party’s possession
prior to its disclosure by other party; (ii) information obtained from a
third
person or entity that is not prohibited from transmitting such information
to
the receiving party as a result of a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation
to the party whose information is being disclosed; (iii) information that
is or
becomes generally available to the public, other than as a result of disclosure
by a party in violation of this Agreement; or (iv) information that has been
or
is independently acquired or developed by a party, or its affiliate, without
violating any of its obligations under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding
the provisions of
this Section 25(A) to the contrary, the parties acknowledge that this Agreement
may constitute a material contract for purposes of Parent’s disclosure
obligations arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that Parent may make any
such
required disclosure, subject to the prior review by, and meaningful consultation
with, Delta.
B. Each
party acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Article
25, the Affected Party shall be irreparably and immediately harmed and could
not
be made whole by monetary damages. Accordingly, it is agreed that, in
addition to any other remedy at law or in equity, the Affected Party shall
be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions (without the posting of any bond
and
without proof of actual damages) to prevent breaches or threatened breaches
of
this Article 25 and/or to compel specific performance of this Article
25.
C. The
confidential obligations of the parties under this Article 25 shall survive
the
termination or expiration of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
26. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS.
The
parties hereby covenant and agree, contemporaneously with the execution of
this
Agreement, to execute and deliver the following additional documents in
connection with this Agreement:
A. A
ground handling agreement, providing for ground handling by Delta (or Delta’s
designee) at certain stations operated by Operator;
B. An
Employee Free and Reduced Rate Interline Travel Agreement (the “Interline
Agreement”). The additional terms and conditions set forth on
Schedule 26 attached hereto and incorporated herein shall apply with
respect to employee non-revenue passenger travel; and
C.
The Assignment and Assumption
Agreement.
In
addition, the parties covenant and agree, prior to the operation of the initial
Delta Connection Flight, to execute and deliver an agreement for the provision
of emergency response services to be provided by Delta and Operator with
respect
to Delta Connection Flights, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to
each of Delta and Operator.
ARTICLE
27. PARENT GUARANTEE AND CHANGE OF OPERATOR.
A. Parent
hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Delta the due and punctual
performance by Operator of each of Operator’s obligations, agreements and
covenants arising under this Agreement and under each term and condition
hereof
(collectively, the “Obligations”). If Operator shall fail or be
unable to perform any such Obligation as and when the same shall be required
to
be performed, then Parent, at its sole cost and expense, shall be obligated
to
promptly perform or cause to be promptly performed each such Obligation in
accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. This guaranty is a
guaranty of payment, performance and compliance and not of collectibility
and is
in no way conditioned or contingent upon any attempt to collect from or enforce
performance or compliance by Operator or upon any other event or condition
whatsoever. If for any reason any payment Obligation amount shall not
be paid by Operator when due, Parent shall immediately pay such amount to
the
person entitled thereto pursuant to this Agreement, as if such amount
constituted the direct and primary obligation of Parent and regardless of
whether any person has taken any steps to enforce any rights against Operator
to
collect such amount.
B. To
the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the obligations of Parent
hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, shall be continuing and remain
in
full force and effect until final and irrevocable payment or performance,
and
shall not be released, discharged, affected or impaired in any respect
by: (a) any amendment, modification, or cancellation of, or addition
or supplement to this Agreement; (b) any exercise, acceleration, extension,
compromise, settlement, non-exercise, waiver, release, or cancellation by
Delta
of any right, remedy, power or privilege under or related to this Agreement
or
any other guaranty of any obligations of Operator; (c) the invalidity or
unenforceability, in whole or in part, of this Agreement; (d) any change
in the
corporate existence, structure or ownership of Operator or Parent or any
insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting
either of them or their assets; or (e) any other occurrence, circumstance,
happening or event whatsoever, whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing,
whether foreseen or unforeseen, and any other circumstance which might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable defense, release or discharge of the liabilities
of a guarantor or surety, or which might otherwise limit recourse against
Parent. If acceleration of the time for the performance or payment of
any Obligation is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization
of
Operator, all Obligations that are subject to acceleration under the terms
of
this Agreement shall nonetheless be performed or payable hereunder by
Parent.
C. Parent
hereby specifically agrees that it shall not be necessary or required as
a
condition to enforcement of the obligations hereunder against it, that there
be
(and Parent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, specifically
waives) diligence, presentment, or protest of any kind whatsoever with respect
to this guaranty by Parent or the Obligations; such waiver includes, without
limitation: (i) presentment for payment upon Operator or Parent or the making
of
any protest; (ii) any requirement to exhaust any remedies exercisable upon
a
default under this Agreement or to give any notice of non-performance or
non-payment; (iii) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge, release or defense of a guarantor
or
surety; or (iv) so long as any Obligation remains outstanding, any right
of
subrogation by virtue of any performance or payment made
hereunder. Parent agrees that any payment or performance of the
Obligations guaranteed hereunder or other act that tolls any statute of
limitations applicable to enforcement of the Obligations shall similarly
operate
to toll any statute of limitations applicable to any liability of Parent
pursuant to this Article 27. In addition, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, Parent waives the benefit and advantage of any
and
all valuation, stay, appraisement, extension or redemption laws which, but
for
this provision, agreement and waiver, might be applicable to any sale made
under
any judgment, order or decree of any court or otherwise based on the guaranty
of
Parent pursuant to this Article 27. All waivers made by Parent in
this Section 27(C) and elsewhere throughout this Article 27 are intentional
and
made by Parent after due consideration of all the consequences
thereof.
D. All
of the terms and conditions of this Article 27 shall be binding upon and
shall
inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties;
provided that Parent may not assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any
of its rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of
Delta.
E. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Article 23 or any other provision of this Agreement, subject
to the commercially reasonable consent of Delta, at anytime prior to the
initial
in-service date of the first Aircraft placed into Delta Connection service,
Operator may assign all of its rights and obligations hereunder to another
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, provided that such assignee and Parent
shall
execute an assignment agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to
Delta and whereby such assignee agrees to undertake all of Operator’s past,
present and future obligations and liabilities hereunder and succeeds to
its
rights and privileges hereunder, and Parent acknowledges the continuing effect
of Sections 27(A), (B) and (C) above.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have
executed this Agreement by their undersigned duly authorized
representatives:
Pinnacle
Airlines,
Inc. Pinnacle
Airlines
Corp. Delta
Air Lines, Inc.
By:
/s/ Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx By:
/s/ Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx By:
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title:
President &
CEO Title:
President &
CEO
Title:
Exec. Vice President & CFO
EXHIBIT
A
The
Aircraft
16
CRJ-900 aircraft
EXHIBIT
A-1
Aircraft
In-Service Schedule
The
Aircraft shall be available to be placed into Delta Connection service in
accordance with the following in-service schedule:
Aircraft
|
In-Service
Date*
|
2
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
2
|
[***]
|
2
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
2
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
1
|
[***]
|
*In-service
dates are based on current estimates of aircraft
deliveries. Deliveries are to take place in the month preceding the
aircraft in-service date listed above. Dates may change when delivery
schedule is finalized with the aircraft manufacturer.
Exhibit
B
Base
Rate Costs
|
Unit
|
Unit
Rates ($)
|
|||||||||||
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
|||
Total
Flat Cost
|
Fixed
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Flight
Ops
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
In-Flight
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Other
MX
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Other
MX
|
Completed
Departures
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Maintenance
Overhead
|
Per
Month
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Headquarter/Other
facilities
|
Per
Month
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Dispatch
|
Completed
Departures
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Overhead
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Pass-Through
Cost Estimates
|
Unit
|
Unit
Rates ($)
|
|||||||||||
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
|||
Heavy
Engine
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Maintenance
Reserve
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Aircraft
Rent
|
Aircraft
Months
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Fuel
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Landing
Fees
|
Completed
Departures
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Aviation
Liability Insurance
|
Completed
Block Hours
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Hull
and War Risk Insurance
|
Aircraft
Months
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
|
Property
Taxes
|
Aircraft
Months
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
Exhibit
C
RES
SYSTEM EQUIPMENT
Equipment,
as defined in Section 9(B)(1) of the Agreement, may be provided to Operator
by
Delta for installation at one or more of the following locations of
Operator:
1.
|
Headquarters
|
2.
|
Dispatch
|
3.
|
Training
|
4.
|
Maintenance
base for the Aircraft
|
5.
|
Stations
handled by Operator, if any.
|
Schedule
3
Monthly
Incentive Goals
1. Monthly
Incentive Goals for monthly completion rate and monthly on-time arrival
rate:
Completion: The
lesser of [***] or the actual completion rate of Delta mainline operations
in
similar geographic markets as the Delta Connection Flights during the same
applicable month. A flight shall be “completed” only if it arrives
within 4 hours of scheduled arrival.
On-Time
Arrival: The lesser of [***] or the actual on time
arrival rate of Delta mainline operations in similar geographic markets as
the
Delta Connection Flights during the same applicable month. A flight
shall be “on-time” if the flight arrives within 15 minutes of scheduled
arrival.
Semi-Annual
Incentive Goals
2. Semi-Annual
Incentive Goals for semi-annual completion rate, semi-annual on-time arrival
rate and semi-annual customer satisfaction rating:
Completion: The
lesser of [***] or the “Adjusted Completion Rate” of Delta mainline operations
(“Adjusted Completion Rate” equal to Delta mainline’s actual completion rate
plus [***] of the difference between Delta mainline’s actual completion rate and
[***]) in similar geographic markets as the Delta Connection Flights during
the
same applicable semi-annual period. A flight shall be “completed”
only if it arrives within 4 hours of scheduled arrival.
On-Time
Arrival: The lesser of [***] or the “Adjusted Arrival
Rate” of Delta mainline operations (Adjusted Arrival Rate equal to Delta
mainline’s actual arrival rate plus [***] of the difference between Delta
mainline’s actual arrival rate and [***]) in similar geographic markets as the
Delta Connection Flights during the same applicable semi-annual
period. A flight shall be “on-time” if the flight arrives within 15
minutes of scheduled arrival.
Customer
Satisfaction: Greater than the average for all regional carriers
during the applicable semi-annual period.
Schedule
10
MIMIMUM
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Completion
Rate (actual): [***] or greater.
2. On-time
Arrivals: [***] of all flights flown or
greater.
3. Overall
Customer Satisfaction: the industry average of all regional
carriers.
Schedule
11
Termination
Fee
Month
of Termination
|
Fee
Payable to Operator
|
April,
2007
|
[***]
|
May,
2007
|
[***]
|
June,
2007
|
[***]
|
July,
2007
|
[***]
|
August,
2007
|
[***]
|
September,
2007
|
[***]
|
October,
2007
|
[***]
|
November,
2007
|
[***]
|
December,
2007
|
[***]
|
Schedule
26
Additional
Terms and Conditions for
Employee Non-Revenue Pass
Travel
·
|
Operator
shall cause its eligible employees to pay to Delta a [***] per
eligible
employee yearly activation fee for Delta Travel
package.
|
·
|
In
addition, Delta shall charge Operator the following service fee
for each
itinerary flown by any Eligible Operator employee or his or her
eligible
pass riders: [***] per mile + [***] per
segment. Delta will provide such data to Operator no less
frequently than monthly. Delta has right to adjust such rate
from time to time based on Delta’s actual cost to provide the booking and
flight services.
|
·
|
Delta
shall be entitled to withhold any such yearly activation fees and
service
fees from any payments due Operator pursuant to the
Agreement.
|
·
|
Each
(i) Operator employee dedicated to the Delta Connection operations
conducted by Operator and (ii) management employee of Operator
or Parent
who spends a substantive amount of his or her time supporting Operator’s
Delta Connection operations, and his or her eligible pass riders
will be
assigned a PPR number/passport authorization dedicated to the Delta
operations (e.g. 34XXXXXXX).
|
·
|
Excluding
Comair, Inc., Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc. and SkyWest Airlines,
Inc., the terms and conditions of Operator’s employee non-revenue pass
travel program will be substantially similar, in the aggregate,
to the
terms and conditions of the employee non-revenue pass travel program
of
any other Delta Connection air carrier operating under a capacity
purchase
arrangement similar to Operator’s.
|