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Organization and Operations
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization and Operations

1.

Organization and Operations

The Company  

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Air Group, Inc. ("Mesa" or the "Company") is the holding company of Mesa Airlines, a regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 107 cities in 39 states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, and Mexico as well as cargo services out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. As of September 30, 2022, Mesa operated a fleet of 158 aircraft with approximately 306 daily departures and 2,454 employees. Mesa’s fleet were operated conducted under the Company’s Capacity Purchase Agreements (“CPAs”) and Flight Services Agreement (“FSA”), leased to a third party, held for sale or maintained as operational spares. Mesa operates all of its flights as either American Eagle, United Express, or DHL Express flights pursuant to the terms of CPAs entered into with American Airlines, Inc. (“American”) and United Airlines, Inc. (“United”) and FSA with DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. (“DHL”) (each, our “major partner”). All of the Company’s consolidated contract revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were derived from operations associated with these two (2) CPAs, FSA, and leases of aircraft to a third party.

The CPAs between us and our major partners involve a revenue-guarantee arrangement whereby the major partners pay fixed-fees for each aircraft under contract, departure, flight hour (measured from takeoff to landing, excluding taxi time) or block hour (measured from takeoff to landing, including taxi time), and reimbursement of certain direct operating expenses in exchange for providing flight services. The major partners also pay certain expenses directly to suppliers, such as fuel, ground operations and landing fees. Under the terms of these CPAs, the major partners control route selection, pricing, and seat inventories, reducing our exposure to fluctuations in passenger traffic, fare levels, and fuel prices. Under our FSA with DHL, we receive a fee per block hour with a minimum block hour guarantee in exchange for providing cargo flight services. Ground support expenses including fueling and airport fees are paid directly by DHL.

Impact of Pilot Shortage and Attrition

Impact of Pilot Shortage

During our fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the severity of the pilot shortage, elevated pilot attrition, and increasing costs associated with pilot wages adversely impacted our financial results, cash flows, financial position, and other key financial ratios. One of the primary factors contributing to the pilot shortage and attrition is the demand for pilots at major carriers, which are hiring at an accelerated rate. These airlines now seek to increase their capacity to meet the growing demand for air travel as the global pandemic has moderated. A primary source of pilots for the major US passenger and cargo carriers are the US regional airlines.

As a result of pilot shortage and attrition, we produced less block hours to generate revenues and incurred penalties for operational shortfalls under our CPAs. These challenges resulted in a negative impact on the Company’s financial results highlighted by operating cash flows of $13.4 million and net loss of $182.7 million including a non-cash impairment charge related to the Company’s American asset group of $171.8 million. These conditions and events raised financial concerns about our ability to continue to fund our operations and meet debt obligation in the next twelve months.

To address the events that gave rise to such concerns, management developed and implemented the following material changes to its business designed to ensure the Company could continue to fund its operations and meet its debt obligations over the next 12 months.  In addition to successfully implementing these effective measures, the Company expects to develop and implement additional measures aimed at addressing periods beyond the next 12 months.

 

In the fourth quarter, the Company reached an agreement with ALPA which increased overall pilot hourly pay by nearly 118% for captains and 172% for new-hire first officers. As a result of this agreement, we have experienced reduced attrition rates and attracted new pilots.

 

The Company and American have agreed to terminate and complete a wind-down of the American CPA. This will ultimately eliminate financial penalties incurred under the American CPA. In December 2022, we entered into Amendment No.11 to our American CPA. See the disclosure under Note 18 - "Subsequent Events" in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of Amendment No. 11 which includes among other things, disclosure regarding the wind-down of our operations with American and the termination of the American CPA.

 

In December 2022, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Capacity Purchase Agreement with United which amended and restated the existing United CPA. This agreement increases block hour revenues to cover increased wages agreed to with ALPA and adds CRJ 900 aircraft currently operating under the American CPA. See the disclosure under Note 18 - "Subsequent Events" in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statement included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the Amended and Restated United

 

CPA which includes among others, disclosure regarding the transition of the aircraft operated under the American CPA to be operated under the Third Amended and Restated United CPA.

 

We entered into an agreement with United to sell 18 CRJ-700 aircraft during the reporting period, of which 10 were sold. The approximate net proceeds from the sale in the quarter was $ 36.8 million after retirement of debt. The remaining eight (8) are expected to close in early January 2022. The approximate net proceeds from the sale and after retirement of debt is $8 million.

 

We entered into an agreement with a third party to sell eleven (11) of our CRJ-900 aircraft and one CRJ-200 aircraft to raise capital and retire debt. The approximate net proceeds from the sale are expected to be $8.2 million after retirement of debt.

 

We entered into an agreement to sell 30 spare engines to United to raise capital and retire debt. The approximate gross proceeds from the sale are expected to be $80 million and will retire debt of $26.4 million.

 

We established a new line of credit totaling $25.5 million to draw upon when needed. See the disclosure under Note 18 - "subsequent Events" in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the line of credit and amount drawn upon subsequently.

 

We entered into an agreement with Export Development Bank of Canada (EDC), reducing debt and interest payments on all seven aircraft for the period of January 2023 through December 2024, providing up to $14 million of liquidity. Additionally, the junior noteholder MHIRJ agreed to reduce its loan amount by approximately $5 million.

 

We entered into an agreement with RASPRO Trust, reducing the buyout pricing on all 15 aircraft at lease termination by a total of $25 million.

 

We established the Mesa Pilot Development Program (the "MPD Program") to increase the pilot supply to Mesa.. We have entered into an agreement to purchase up to 29 state-of-the-art Pipistrel Alpha Trainer 2 aircraft. This new fleet will be the backbone of our MPD Program to help commercial pilots accelerate their accumulation of flight hours to reach the minimum flight hours required by FAA and then be hired by Mesa. As part of the program, pilots will be provided with the opportunity to accumulate up to 1,500 flight hours required to fly a commercial aircraft at Mesa Airlines. Flights costs of $25 per hour, per pilot, will be fully financed by us with zero interest, providing no upfront out-of-pocket expense for flight time while the candidate is accruing the required hours to earn their ATP certificate.

 

We added flight training simulators and flight training instructors to expand our training capacity to backfill pilots lost to attrition.

 

We have expanded the United Aviate program participation to include all pilots flying for Mesa. Previously, pilots had to fly under the United Express contract for a minimum of two (2) years to qualify for the flow through to United Airlines. Now, all pilots regardless of contract, are eligible to flow through to United Airlines enhancing Mesa's ability to attract and retain pilots.

 

We have delayed and/or deferred major spending on aircraft and engine maintenance to match the current and projected level of flight activity.  

These plans and initiatives outlined above have effectively alleviated pressure on financial performance. While we continue implement and monitor our plans and initiatives, there is no guarantee that these will continue to be effective and achieve their desired objectives.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company has $97.2 million of short-term debt due within the next twelve months.  We plan to meet these obligations with our cash on hand, ongoing cashflows from our operations, as well as the liquidity we have achieved as outlined above.

 

          

  

 

American Capacity Purchase Agreement

As of September 30, 2022, the Company operated 42 CRJ-900 aircraft under an Amended and Restated Capacity Purchase Agreement with American dated November 19, 2020 (as amended, the “American CPA”). In exchange for providing passenger flight services, we receive a fixed monthly minimum amount per aircraft under contract plus certain additional amounts based upon the number of flights and block hours flown during each month. In addition, we may also receive incentives or incur penalties based upon our operational performance, including controllable on-time departure (“CD0”) and controllable flight completion (“CCF”) percentages. American also reimburses us for certain costs on an actual basis, including passenger liability and hull insurance and aircraft property taxes. Other expenses, including fuel and certain landing fees, are directly paid to suppliers by American. In addition, American also provides, at no cost to us, certain ground handling and customer service functions as well as airport-related facilities and gates at American hubs and cities where we operate. The American CPA expires on December 31, 2025.

Our American CPA is subject to termination prior to its expiration, subject to our right to cure, in various circumstances including:

 

If either American or we become insolvent, file for bankruptcy, or fail to pay the debts as they become due, the non-defaulting party may terminate the agreement;

 

If either we or American fail to perform the covenants, conditions, or provisions of the American CPA, subject to certain notice and cure rights, the non-defaulting party may terminate the agreement;

 

If, at any time during the term of the American CPA, the number of covered aircraft is less than twenty (20);

 

If we are required by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) or the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to suspend operations and we have not resumed operations within three (3) business days, except as a result of an emergency airworthiness directive from the FAA affecting all similarly equipped aircraft;

 

If either our CCF or CD0 falls below certain levels for a specified period of time;

 

Upon the occurrence of a force majeure event (as defined in the American CPA) that lasts for a specified period of consecutive days and affects our ability to operate scheduled flights, including a future epidemic or pandemic;

 

If a labor dispute affects our ability to operate over a specified number of days or we operate in violation of any existing American collective bargaining agreement; or

 

Upon a change in our ownership or control without the written approval of American.

Under the American CPA, American had the option in its sole discretion to withdraw up to: (i) 10 aircraft during calendar year 2021, (ii) five (5) aircraft during each of calendar years 2022 and 2023, and (iii) during the period from January 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024, American can remove the first 20 aircraft to the extent not otherwise removed in 2021 - 2023, and thereafter American has the right to remove the remaining 20 aircraft. American also has the right and option to withdraw a specified number of aircraft upon each occurrence of the following:

 

If our CCF falls below certain levels for a specified period of time, American may withdraw one (1) aircraft;

 

If our CD0 falls below certain levels for a specified period of time, American may withdraw one (1) aircraft;

 

If we fail to satisfactorily complete established cabin interior program requirements by certain deadlines, American may withdraw one (1) aircraft; or

 

If our block hour utilization falls below certain levels for a specified period of time, American may withdraw a specified number of aircraft.

 

During fiscal year 2021, we entered into amendments to the American CPA. The amendments reflect the following:

 

The addition of CRJ-900 aircraft to the American CPA (collectively, the “Incremental Aircraft”) in accordance with the following schedule: (i) three (3) aircraft, from January 5, 2021 to March 3, 2021, (ii) increasing to a total of five (5) aircraft, from March 4, 2021 to May 5, 2021, (iii) decreasing to a total of three (3) aircraft, from May 6, 2021 to June 2, 2021, and (iv) increasing to a total of five (5) aircraft, from June 3, 2021 to August 17, 2021.

 

 

A temporary reduction in certain rates for the period December 2020 through September 2021.

 

 

The waiver of the operational performance metrics for the month of August 2021, and extension of the deadline for completing certain cabin interior and refurbishment requirements as defined in the American CPA to December 31, 2021.

 

 

Increases to incentive and penalty compensation under the American CPA, effective beginning in October 2021.

 

On June 10, 2022, we amended our American CPA, pursuant to Amendment No. 8 thereto, to modify certain commercial terms thereunder. On June 20, 2022, we amended our American CPA, pursuant to Amendment No. 9 thereto, which amended and restated Schedule 1 (Covered Aircraft) to the American CPA and set forth certain equipment modification requirements with respect to Covered Aircraft added to such Schedule.

For the months of May and June 2022, we did not meet the CCF or CD0 minimum performance levels under the American CPA. The failure to meet these minimum performance levels for two (2) consecutive months under the terms of the American CPA gives American the right to remove two (2) additional aircraft from the CPA, one (1) aircraft for not meeting the CCF minimum performance level for two (2) consecutive months and one (1) aircraft for not meeting the CD0 minimum performance level for two (2) consecutive months. The Company's failure to meet the CCF or CD0 minimum performance levels for three (3) consecutive months gives American the right to terminate the CPA upon 90 days' notice and to provide a wind-down schedule.

Subsequently on July 28, 2022, we amended our American CPA, pursuant to Amendment No. 10 thereto, to, among other things, (a) modify certain commercial terms, (b) provide that, commencing with calendar months after January 1, 2022, during any calendar month in which a Notification Shortfall (as defined in the CPA) occurs, bonuses and rebates will not be assessed, (c) reset the CCF and CD0 three (3)-month measurement periods for purposes of American’s termination rights under the CPA to commence August 2022, and (d) amend certain other amounts payable to us thereunder. In addition to the foregoing, our block hour utilization has fallen below required levels in prior months, which also gives American the right to withdraw certain aircraft, subject to complying with applicable notice requirements under the American CPA. 

For the months of August, September, and October 2022, we did not meet the CD0 minimum performance levels under the American CPA. As noted above, the failure to meet such performance levels for two (2) consecutive months under the terms of the American CPA gives American the right to remove one (1) additional aircraft from the CPA for not meeting the CD0 minimum performance levels for two (2) consecutive months. The Company’s failure to meet the CD0 minimum performance levels for three (3) consecutive months gives American the right to terminate the CPA upon 90 days’ notice and to provide a wind-down schedule. In December 2022, we entered into Amendment No.11 to our American CPA. See Note 18 – “Subsequent Events” for a discussion of Amendment No.11, which includes, among other things, disclosure regarding the wind down of our operations under the American CPA and the transition of such aircraft to the United CPA.

United Capacity Purchase Agreement

As of September 30, 2022, we operated 20 E-175LL and 60 E-175 aircraft under a Second Amended and Restated Capacity Purchase Agreement with United dated November 4, 2020 (as amended, the “United CPA”). Under our United CPA, United owns 42 of the 60 E-175 and all of the E-175LL aircraft and leases them to us at nominal amounts. The E-175 aircraft owned by United and leased to us have terms expiring between 2024 and 2028, and the 18 E-175 aircraft owned by us have terms expiring in 2028. The E-175LL aircraft have terms expiring between 2032 and 2033.

In exchange for providing passenger flight services, we receive a fixed monthly minimum amount per aircraft under contract plus certain additional amounts based upon the number of flights and block hours flown and the results of passenger satisfaction surveys. United reimburses us for certain costs on an actual basis, including property tax per aircraft and passenger liability insurance. United also reimburses us on a pass-through basis for all costs related to heavy airframe and engine maintenance, landing gear, auxiliary power units ("APUs"), and component maintenance for the E-175 aircraft owned by United. Other expenses, including fuel and certain landing fees, are directly paid to suppliers by United.  

Pursuant to the United CPA, we agreed to lease our CRJ-700 aircraft to another United Express service provider for a term of nine (9) years. We ceased operating our CRJ-700 fleet in February 2021 in connection with the transfer of those aircraft into a lease agreement, and as of June 30, 2022, have entered into agreements to lease 20 of our 20 CRJ-700 aircraft. During August of 2022, we committed to a formal plan to sell 18 of our 20 CRJ-700 aircraft and subsequently terminated the leases on the 18 CRJ-700 aircraft. As of September 30, 2022, we sold 10 of the 18 CRJ-700 aircraft. See Note 7 – “Assets Held for Sale” for further discussion of the CRJ-700 aircraft classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2022.  

Our United CPA is subject to termination rights prior to its expiration, including:

 

If certain operational performance factors fall below a specified percentage for a specified time, subject to notice under certain circumstances;

 

If we fail to perform the material covenants, agreements, terms or conditions of our United CPA or similar agreements with United, subject to 30 days' notice and cure rights;

 

If either United or we become insolvent, file bankruptcy, or fail to pay debts when due, the non-defaulting party may terminate the agreement;

 

If we merge with, or if control of us is acquired by another air carrier or a corporation directly or indirectly owning or controlling another air carrier;

 

United, subject to certain conditions, including the payment of certain costs tied to aircraft type, may terminate the agreement in its discretion, or remove E-175 aircraft from service, by giving us notice of 90 days or more;

 

If United elects to terminate our United CPA in its entirety or permanently remove select aircraft from service, we are permitted to return any of the affected E-175 aircraft leased from United at no cost to us; and

 

Commencing five (5) years after the actual in-service date, United has the right to remove the E-175 aircraft from service by giving us notice of 90 days or more, subject to certain conditions, including the payment of certain wind-down expenses plus, if removed prior to the 10 year anniversary of the in-service date, certain accelerated margin payments.

See Note 18 – “Subsequent Events” for a discussion of the Amended and Restated United CPA, which includes among others, disclosure regarding the transition of the aircraft operated under the American CPA to be operated under the Amended and Restated United CPA.

DHL Flight Services Agreement

On December 20, 2019, we entered into a Flight Services Agreement with DHL (the “DHL FSA”). Under the terms of the DHL FSA, we operate three (3) Boeing 737-400F aircraft to provide cargo air transportation services as of September 30, 2022. In exchange for providing cargo flight services, we receive a fee per block hour with a minimum block hour guarantee. We are eligible for a monthly performance bonus or subject to a monthly penalty based on timeliness and completion performance. Ground support expenses including fueling and airport fees are paid directly by DHL.

Under our DHL FSA, DHL leases two (2) Boeing 737-400F aircraft and subleases them to us at nominal amounts. DHL reimburses us on a pass-through basis for all costs related to heavy maintenance including C-checks, off-wing engine maintenance and overhauls including life limited parts (“LLPs”), landing gear overhauls and LLPs, thrust reverser overhauls, and APU overhauls and LLPs. Certain items such as fuel, de-icing fluids, landing fees, aircraft ground handling fees, en-route navigation fees, and custom fees are paid directly to suppliers by DHL or otherwise reimbursed if incurred by us. The third Boeing 737-400F aircraft is leased to us as an operating lease by a third party.

The DHL FSA expires five (5) years from the commencement date of the first aircraft placed into service, which was in October 2020. DHL has the option to extend the agreement with respect to one (1) or more aircraft for a period of one (1) year with 90 days’ advance written notice.

Our DHL FSA is subject to following termination rights prior to its expiration:

 

If either party fails to comply with the obligations, warranties, representations, or undertakings under the DHL FSA, subject to certain notice and cure rights;

 

If either party is declared bankrupt or insolvent;

 

If we are unable to legally operate the aircraft under the DHL FSA for a specified number of days;

 

At any time after the first anniversary of the commencement date of the first aircraft placed in service with 90 day’s written notice.

 

If we fail to comply with performance standards for three (3) consecutive measurement periods.

 

If we are subject to a labor incident that materially and adversely affects our ability to perform services under the DHL FSA for a specified number of days;

 

Upon a change in control or ownership of the Company; and

 

DHL may terminate the agreement for a specific aircraft if it is subject to a total loss and the Company does not provide alternate services at our expense, or if the aircraft becomes unavailable for more than 30 days due to unscheduled maintenance.

For the months of April, May, and June 2022, we did not meet the CCF and CA minimum performance levels under the DHL FSA. The failure to meet the minimum performance levels for three (3) consecutive months under the terms of the DHL FSA gives DHL the right to terminate the FSA. Management has received a waiver arising out of the failure to meet the aforementioned CCF and CA performance levels.

For the months of July, August, and September 2022, we did not meet the CCF and CA minimum performance levels under the DHL FSA. The failure to meet the minimum performance levels for three (3) consecutive months under the terms

of the DHL FSA gives DHL the right to terminate the FSA. Management has received a waiver arising out of the failure to meet the aforementioned CCF and CA performance levels.