Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments – We currently have no aircraft purchase commitments. Total aircraft deposits of $0.5 million were included in Other Assets as of September 30, 2017. This amount represents a deposit on a future lease buyout option. In the event we do not exercise the buyout option, the deposit will be applied against lease payments. As of September 30, 2017, we had options to purchase aircraft under leases, with such purchase options becoming exercisable in 2018 through 2020. The aggregate option purchase prices are $127.0 million in 2018, $129.0 million in 2019, and $22.7 million in 2020. Under current conditions, we believe it is unlikely that we will exercise the 2018 purchase options, unless opportunistic conditions arise. Environmental Matters – PHI has recorded an estimated liability of $0.15 million as of September 30, 2017 for environmental response costs. Previously, PHI conducted environmental surveys of its former Lafayette Facility located at the Lafayette Regional Airport, which we vacated in 2001, PHI has determined that limited soil and groundwater contamination exist at two parcels of land at the former facility. An Assessment Report for both parcels was submitted in 2003 (and updated in 2006) to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR). Approvals for the Assessment Report were received from the LDEQ and LDNR in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Since that time, PHI has performed groundwater sampling of the required groundwater monitor well installations at both parcels and submitted these sampling reports to the LDEQ. Pursuant to an agreement with the LDEQ, PHI provided groundwater sample results semi-annually to the LDEQ for both parcels from 2005 to 2015. LDEQ approved a reduction in the sampling program from semi-annual to annual groundwater monitoring in 2015. Based on PHI’s working relationship and agreements with the LDEQ, and the results of ongoing former facility parcel monitoring, PHI believes that ultimate remediation costs for the subject parcels will not be material to PHI’s consolidated financial position, operations or cash flows. Legal Matters – On September 25, 2017, we brought a suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against Office & Professional Employees International Union and Office & Professional Employees International Union, Local 108 (Civil Action No. 6:17 cv 01216), which collectively represent our domestic pilot workforce. In this suit, we seek declaratory relief and other remedies under federal law to confirm that we can increase the wages of most of our unionized pilots and provide enhanced benefits of employment without negotiating these proposed changes with the defendants. We are in the early stages of this proceeding. From time to time, we are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business, including actions relating to employee claims, medical malpractice claims, tax issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies, and miscellaneous third party tort actions. The outcome of these proceedings is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of our presently pending proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Operating Leases – We lease certain aircraft, facilities, and equipment used in our operations. The related lease agreements, which include both non-cancelable and month-to-month terms, generally provide for fixed monthly rentals, and certain real estate leases also include renewal options. We generally pay all insurance, taxes, and maintenance expenses associated with these leases. All aircraft leases contain purchase options exercisable by us at certain dates in the lease agreements. At September 30, 2017, we had approximately $194.9 million in aggregate commitments under operating leases of which approximately $10.7 million is payable through the fourth quarter of 2017. The total lease commitments include $182.0 million for aircraft and $12.9 million for facility lease commitments.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments – We currently have no aircraft purchase commitments.

Total aircraft deposits of $0.5 million were included in Other Assets as of September 30, 2017. This amount represents a deposit on a future lease buyout option. In the event we do not exercise the buyout option, the deposit will be applied against lease payments.

As of September 30, 2017, we had options to purchase aircraft under leases, with such purchase options becoming exercisable in 2018 through 2020. The aggregate option purchase prices are $127.0 million in 2018, $129.0 million in 2019, and $22.7 million in 2020. Under current conditions, we believe it is unlikely that we will exercise the 2018 purchase options, unless opportunistic conditions arise.

Environmental Matters – PHI has recorded an estimated liability of $0.15 million as of September 30, 2017 for environmental response costs. Previously, PHI conducted environmental surveys of its former Lafayette Facility located at the Lafayette Regional Airport, which we vacated in 2001, PHI has determined that limited soil and groundwater contamination exist at two parcels of land at the former facility. An Assessment Report for both parcels was submitted in 2003 (and updated in 2006) to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR). Approvals for the Assessment Report were received from the LDEQ and LDNR in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Since that time, PHI has performed groundwater sampling of the required groundwater monitor well installations at both parcels and submitted these sampling reports to the LDEQ. Pursuant to an agreement with the LDEQ, PHI provided groundwater sample results semi-annually to the LDEQ for both parcels from 2005 to 2015. LDEQ approved a reduction in the sampling program from semi-annual to annual groundwater monitoring in 2015. Based on PHI’s working relationship and agreements with the LDEQ, and the results of ongoing former facility parcel monitoring, PHI believes that ultimate remediation costs for the subject parcels will not be material to PHI’s consolidated financial position, operations or cash flows.

Legal Matters – On September 25, 2017, we brought a suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against Office & Professional Employees International Union and Office & Professional Employees International Union, Local 108 (Civil Action No. 6:17 cv 01216), which collectively represent our domestic pilot workforce. In this suit, we seek declaratory relief and other remedies under federal law to confirm that we can increase the wages of most of our unionized pilots and provide enhanced benefits of employment without negotiating these proposed changes with the defendants. We are in the early stages of this proceeding.

From time to time, we are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business, including actions relating to employee claims, medical malpractice claims, tax issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies, and miscellaneous third party tort actions. The outcome of these proceedings is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of our presently pending proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Operating Leases – We lease certain aircraft, facilities, and equipment used in our operations. The related lease agreements, which include both non-cancelable and month-to-month terms, generally provide for fixed monthly rentals, and certain real estate leases also include renewal options. We generally pay all insurance, taxes, and maintenance expenses associated with these leases. All aircraft leases contain purchase options exercisable by us at certain dates in the lease agreements.

At September 30, 2017, we had approximately $194.9 million in aggregate commitments under operating leases of which approximately $10.7 million is payable through the fourth quarter of 2017. The total lease commitments include $182.0 million for aircraft and $12.9 million for facility lease commitments.