Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Short-term Investments [Abstract]

Investments

INVESTMENTS

Short-Term Investments

The estimated fair values of short-term investments, which approximate cost at September 30, 2016, are shown below by contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to retire our investments without prepayment penalties. Investments with maturities beyond one year when purchased may be classified as short-term investments if they are expected to be available to support our short-term liquidity needs.

(in millions)	Available-For-Sale
Due in one year or less	$	341
Due after one year through three years	940
Due after three years through five years	169
Due after five years	64
Total	$	1,514

Long-Term Investments

We have developed strategic relationships with certain international airlines through equity investments or other forms of cooperation and support. Strategic relationships improve our coordination with these airlines and enable our customers to seamlessly connect to more places while enjoying a consistent, high-quality travel experience.

• Aeroméxico. We own 4.2% of the outstanding shares of Grupo Aeroméxico, and we have derivative contracts that may be settled for shares of Grupo Aeroméxico, including one obtained in the September 2016 quarter. Our total derivative contract holdings represent 12.9% of Grupo Aeroméxico's shares. During 2015, we announced our intention to acquire additional shares of the capital stock of Grupo Aeroméxico through a cash tender offer, subject to regulatory approvals. If approved, the tender offer is expected to be completed in the next six months. As a result of this tender offer, when combined with our current holdings, we would own up to 49% of the outstanding capital stock of Grupo Aeroméxico. Based on current exchange rates, the total amount to be paid for the additional shares and the shares underlying the derivatives would be approximately $710 million.

• GOL. During 2015, we acquired preferred shares of GOL's parent company, increasing our ownership to 9.5% of GOL's outstanding capital stock. Additionally, GOL entered into a $300 million five-year term loan facility with third parties, which we have guaranteed. Our entire guaranty is secured by GOL's ownership interest in Smiles, GOL's publicly traded loyalty program. Because GOL remains in compliance with the terms of its loan facility, we have not recorded a liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2016.

Challenges in the Brazilian economy and GOL’s recent financial performance have caused the fair value of our equity investment in GOL’s parent company to decline to $64 million with a $42 million loss recorded in AOCI at September 30, 2016. The loss recorded in AOCI as of December 31, 2015 was $84 million. As GOL’s shares have traded below our cost basis for longer than a year, we evaluated whether the investment was other-than-temporarily impaired. We determined the investment was not impaired as GOL’s management is executing measures to maximize operational and network efficiency and control costs, which we anticipate will improve GOL’s financial performance and the fair value of our investment. The market price of GOL's shares has more than doubled since December 31, 2015. In addition, we currently have the intent and ability to maintain our investment in GOL to allow for the recovery of its market value as GOL is a strategic investment for us and operates as an extension of our global network.

• China Eastern. During 2015, we acquired shares of China Eastern, which provide us with a 3.2% stake in the airline. In conjunction with this transaction, we and China Eastern entered into a new commercial agreement to expand our relationship and better connect the networks of the two airlines. As the investment agreement restricts our sale or transfer of these shares for a period of three years after acquisition, we are accounting for the investment at cost during this period. Although China Eastern shares are actively traded on a public exchange, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of the investment due to the restriction on our ability to sell or transfer the shares.

We have, however, evaluated whether the decline in the value of China Eastern's shares would impair our investment. We considered the recent conditions and outlook for both China Eastern and the broader Chinese economy, as well as the nature of our investment in China Eastern. We determined that the investment was not impaired as the share price decline primarily results from declines in the broader Chinese equity markets and is not specific to China Eastern's financial performance. In addition, we have the intent and ability to maintain our investment in China Eastern to allow for the recovery of its market value as China Eastern is a strategic investment for us and operates as an extension of our global network.