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Commitments and Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Payroll Support Programs
During 2020, two of the Company's airline subsidiaries, OAI and ATI, received government funds totaling $75.8 million pursuant to payroll support program agreements under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
Act (the “CARES Act”). In February 2021, OAI was approved for $37.4 million of additional non-repayable government funds pursuant to a payroll support program agreement under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “PSP Extension Law”). This grant was subsequently increased by $5.6 million. Further, in April 2021, OAI was approved for $40.0 million of additional non-repayable government funds pursuant to a payroll support program agreement under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the "American Rescue Plan").
The three programs are structured in a substantially similar manner. These grants are not required to be repaid if the Company complies with the provisions of the payroll support program agreements under CARES Act, the PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan. The grants are recognized over the periods in which the Company recognizes the related expenses for which the grants are intended to compensate. The Company recognizes the grants as contra-expense during the periods in which passenger flight operations and combi flight operations levels are expected to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. During the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company recognized $111.7 million of the grants. The Company recognized all of the CARES Act funds by the end of 2021.
In conjunction with the payroll support program agreements under the CARES Act, OAI and ATI agreed on behalf of themselves and ABX to refrain from conducting involuntary furloughs or reducing employee rates of pay or benefits through September 30, 2020. Thereafter, OAI agreed as a condition of receiving grants under the PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan to refrain from conducting involuntary furloughs or reducing employee rates of pay or benefits through March 31, 2021, and September 30, 2021, respectively. Under the CARES Act, OAI and ATI agreed to limit, on behalf of themselves and certain affiliates, executive compensation through March 24, 2022; maintain certain air transportation service through March 1, 2022 and maintain certain internal controls and records relating to the funds and comply with certain reporting requirements. OAI further agreed as a condition of receiving grants under the PSP Extension Law and thereafter the American Rescue Plan, to limit executive compensation through October 1, 2022 and April 1, 2023, respectively. In addition, the Company was not permitted to pay dividends or repurchase its shares through September 30, 2022.
Lease Commitments
The Company leases property, aircraft, aircraft engines and other types of equipment under operating leases. The Company's airlines operate sixteen freighter aircraft provided by customers and four passenger aircraft leased from external companies. Property leases include hangars, warehouses, offices and other space at certain airports with fixed rent payments and lease terms ranging from one month to nine years. The Company is obligated to pay the lessor for maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses on certain property leases. These expenses are variable and are not included in the measurement of the lease asset or lease liability. These expenses are recognized as variable lease expense when incurred and are not material. Equipment leases include ground support and industrial equipment as well as computer hardware with fixed rent payments and terms of one month to five years.
The Company records the initial right-to-use asset and lease liability at the present value of lease payments scheduled during the lease term. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, non-cash transactions to recognize right-to-use assets and corresponding liabilities for new leases were $8.5 million and $34.7 million, respectively. Unless the rate implicit in the lease is readily determinable, the Company discounts the lease payments using an estimated incremental borrowing rate at the time of lease commencement. The Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date, including the rate the Company could borrow for a similar amount, over a similar lease term with similar collateral. The Company's weighted-average discount rate for operating leases at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was 4.0% and 3.2%, respectively. Leases often include rental escalation clauses, renewal options and/or termination options that are factored into the determination of lease payments when appropriate. Although not material, the amount of such options is reflected below in the maturity of operating lease liabilities table. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Our weighted-average remaining lease term is 3.9 years and 4.3 years as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, cash payments against operating lease liabilities were $26.0 million and $23.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the maturities of operating lease liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
Operating Leases
2024$21,929 
202515,508 
20268,870 
20274,583 
20283,472 
2029 and beyond5,707 
Total undiscounted cash payments60,069 
Less: amount representing interest(4,912)
Present value of future minimum lease payments55,157 
Less: current obligations under leases(20,167)
Long-term lease obligation$34,990 
Purchase Commitments
The Company has agreements with vendors for the conversion of Boeing 767-300, Airbus A321 and Airbus A330 passenger aircraft into a standard configured freighter aircraft. The conversions primarily consist of the installation of a standard cargo door and loading system. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned fourteen Boeing 767-300 aircraft, six Airbus A321-200 aircraft and three Airbus A330 aircraft that were in or awaiting the modification process. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has agreements to purchase six more Boeing 767-300 aircraft and seven Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft through 2025. As of December 31, 2023, the Company's commitments to acquire and convert these aircraft totaled $546.1 million, including estimated payments of $205.7 million through 2024 and the remaining payments through 2026. Actual conversion payments will be based on the achievement of progress milestones. The Company also has access to 20 additional slots for aircraft modifications with inductions between 2025 and the end of 2027. The Company’s costs related to such aircraft modifications could vary based on the Company’s election to utilize the modification slot, the timing of such election, the aircraft type and the vendor.
Hangar Foam Discharge
On August 7, 2022 the fire suppression system at one of the Company's aircraft maintenance hangars in Wilmington, Ohio malfunctioned and discharged a significant amount of expansive foam. The event impacted employees, three aircraft and equipment in and around the hangar at the time of discharge. The hangar resumed operations after approximately three weeks while the cause of the incident was investigated and the hangar was cleaned and restored. The Company maintains insurance for employee claims, remediation expenses, property and equipment damage, customer claims and business interruption subject to customary deductibles and policy limits. The anticipated insurance recoveries related to clean-up expenses, remediation, part repairs and property damages are recorded when receipt is probable. Insurance recoveries in excess of the net book value of the damaged operating assets and for business interruption claims are recorded when all contingencies related to the claim have been resolved.
Through December 31, 2023, the Company has recognized charges in operating income for property damage and repairs, net of recorded insurance recoveries of $0.1 million compared to $1.0 million in 2022. Through December 31, 2023, the Company has incurred $6.8 million for losses resulting from the incident and recorded $5.8 million for insurance recoveries. Insurance receivables were $0.1 million and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Guarantees and Indemnifications
Certain leases and agreements of the Company contain guarantees and indemnification obligations to the lessor, or one or more other parties that are considered reasonable and customary (e.g. use, tax and environmental indemnifications), the terms of which range in duration and are often limited. Such indemnification obligations may continue after expiration of the respective lease or agreement.
Other
In addition to the foregoing matters, the Company is also a party to legal proceedings in various federal and state jurisdictions from time to time arising out of the operation of the Company's business. The amount of alleged liability, if any, from these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty; however, the Company believes that its ultimate liability, if any, arising from pending legal proceedings, as well as from asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims which are probable of assertion, taking into account established accruals for estimated liabilities, should not be material to our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we carry various forms of aviation commercial, property and casualty, cybersecurity, product liability, and other forms of insurance; however, such insurance may not be applicable or adequate to cover the costs associated with a judgment against us.
Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements
As of December 31, 2023, the flight crewmember employees of ABX, ATI and OAI and flight attendant employees of ATI and OAI were represented by the labor unions listed below:
AirlineLabor Agreement UnitPercentage of
the Company’s
Employees
ABXInternational Brotherhood of Teamsters5.4%
ATIAir Line Pilots Association11.1%
OAIInternational Brotherhood of Teamsters6.5%
ATIAssociation of Flight Attendants0.8%
OAIAssociation of Flight Attendants6.4%