Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

Confidential

 

AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of April 19, 2016, by and among PAR Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PAR Capital”), Altimeter Capital Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Altimeter Capital” and, together with PAR Capital, the “Stockholders”), United Continental Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the other signatories listed on the signature page hereto.

 

WHEREAS, according to Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by PAR Investment Partners, L.P. (“PAR Investment”), PAR Group, L.P. (“PAR Group”) and PAR Capital (together with PAR Investment and PAR Group, “PAR”) on March 8, 2016 (the “PAR 13D”), PAR beneficially owns 14,389,711 shares of Company common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Company Common Stock”), and, according to Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC by Altimeter Partners Fund, L.P. (“Altimeter Partners”), Altimeter Capital, Brad Gerstner (“Mr. Gerstner” and, together with Altimeter Partners and Altimeter Capital, “Altimeter”) and Barnaby Harford on March 8, 2016 (the “Altimeter 13D”), Altimeter beneficially owns 11,509,268 shares of Company Common Stock, and according to each of the PAR 13D and the Altimeter 13D, PAR and Altimeter may be deemed to be members of a “group” (as defined in Rule 13d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”));

 

WHEREAS, on March 8, 2016 and on March 10, 2016, Altimeter Partners delivered to the Company a notice of intent to nominate persons for election as directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting (as defined below) (the “Notice of Nomination”);

 

WHEREAS, the Stockholders and the Company have been having certain discussions relating to the addition of individuals, who are not currently directors, to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”);

 

WHEREAS, to induce the Stockholders to enter into this Agreement, the Company has represented to the Stockholders that (a) Robert A. Milton will be elected to succeed Henry L. Meyer III (“Mr. Meyer”) as Non-executive Chairman of the Board immediately following the election of directors at Company’s 2016 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2016 Annual Meeting”), (b) Oscar Munoz has agreed to amend his Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2015, to provide that it is the expectation of the Company that Mr. Munoz would become Chairman of the Board on the date of the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2018 Annual Meeting”), and (c) three of the incumbent directors — Mr. Meyer, John H. Walker, and Charles A. Yamarone — will not stand for re-election to the Board at the 2016 Annual Meeting, and, accordingly, upon the conclusion of the 2016 Annual Meeting, the size of the Board will be reduced from 17 to 15, with one vacancy; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Stockholders have agreed that it is in their mutual interests to enter into this Agreement, among other things, to set forth certain agreements concerning the Board and certain other matters, as hereinafter described.

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. Definitions.  As used in this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act;

 

(b)                                 “beneficial owner” and “beneficial ownership” shall have the same meanings as set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act except that a person shall also be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares of Company Common Stock which such person has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to the exercise of any rights in connection with any securities or any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), regardless of when such rights may be exercised and whether they are conditional, and all shares of Company Common Stock which such person or any of such person’s Affiliates has or shares the right to vote or dispose;

 

(c)                                  “Effective Time” shall mean the time at which this Agreement is executed and delivered by each of the Stockholders and the Company;

 

(d)                                 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

 

(e)                                  “person” shall mean any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, fund, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization or other entity of any kind or nature; and

 

(f)                                   “Representatives” shall mean, with respect to a person, such person’s officers, directors, members, managers, general partners, employees, agents and advisors.

 

SECTION 2. Withdrawal of Notice of Nomination; Etc.  Altimeter Partners hereby agrees that, as of the Effective Time, the Notice of Nomination shall be, and for all purposes shall be deemed to have been, irrevocably withdrawn, and each of the Stockholders hereby agrees not to (a) resubmit any such notice of intent to nominate persons for election as directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting or (b) except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 4 below seek to influence the election of directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting.

 

SECTION 3. Board Size, Board Management and Other Board Matters.

 

(a)                                 The Company agrees that immediately following the Effective Time, the Board shall:

 

(i)                                     increase the size of the Board, in accordance with all applicable laws and the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, effective on October 1, 2010 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated as of February 18, 2016 (as the same may be amended

 

2

 

from time to time, the “Company Bylaws” and together with the Certificate of Incorporation, the “Organizational Documents”), from fifteen (15) to seventeen (17) directors;

 

(ii)                                  appoint Edward Shapiro (the “Stockholder Designee”) to the Board to fill one newly-created vacancy and appoint Barnaby Harford (together with the Stockholder Designee, the “New Directors” and each, a “New Director”) to the Board to fill the other newly-created vacancy; and

 

(iii)                               appoint Edward Shapiro to the Compensation Committee of the Board to serve for a term expiring no earlier than the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2017 Annual Meeting”) and appoint Barnaby Harford to the Nominating/Governance Committee of the Board to serve for a term expiring no earlier than the 2017 Annual Meeting;

 

provided, however, that the Board shall have no obligation to take any of the actions described in the foregoing clause (i), (ii) or (iii) unless and until the Stockholders provide to the Company (A) an executed consent from each New Director to serve as a director and to be named as a director in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting and (B) a director and officer questionnaire in the Company’s standard form previously provided to the Stockholders, duly completed and executed by each New Director (collectively, the “Nomination Documents”).

 

(b)                                 Subject to the compliance of each New Director with all policies, procedures, processes, codes, rules, standards and guidelines applicable to all Board members, the Company agrees to (i) nominate each of the New Directors for election to the Board at the 2016 Annual Meeting, (ii) recommend, and reflect such recommendation in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC in connection with the 2016 Annual Meeting, that the stockholders of the Company vote to elect each of the New Directors as director of the Company at the 2016 Annual Meeting for a term of office expiring at the 2017 Annual Meeting or until his earlier death, resignation or removal and (iii) solicit, obtain proxies in favor of and otherwise support the election of the New Directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting, in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees for election at the 2016 Annual Meeting.

 

(c)                                  The Nominating/Governance Committee of the Board and the Stockholders will work together in good faith to identify an additional director (the “New Independent Director”) as promptly as possible after the Effective Time (with an outside target date of six months after the Effective Time) who is mutually agreeable to the Board and the Stockholders, and following the identification of the New Independent Director: (i) the Board shall promptly appoint the New Independent Director to the Board, (ii) at the time the Board is nominating other candidates for election to the Board at the 2017 Annual Meeting, the Board shall nominate the New Independent Director for election to the Board at the 2017 Annual Meeting, (iii) the Board shall recommend, and reflect such recommendation in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC in connection with the 2017 Annual Meeting, that the stockholders of the Company vote to elect the New Independent Director as a director of the Company at the 2017 Annual Meeting for a term of office expiring at the 2018 Annual Meeting or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal and (iv) the Company shall solicit, obtain proxies in favor of and otherwise support the election of the New Independent Director at the 2017 Annual Meeting, in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees for

 

3

 

election at the 2017 Annual Meeting. The New Independent Director shall (A) qualify as “independent” pursuant to SEC rules, the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, (B) satisfy the Board membership criteria set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and (C) be selected and mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Stockholders in such a manner that takes into consideration the overall diversity of the Board and/or the New Independent Director’s qualification as an “audit committee financial expert.”  If the New Independent Director is appointed to the Board prior to the 2017 Annual Meeting and fails to comply with all policies, procedures, processes, codes, rules, standards and guidelines applicable to all Board members, the Board shall have no obligation to nominate, recommend or otherwise support the election of the New Independent Director at the 2017 Annual Meeting, and the Nominating/Governance Committee of the Board and the Stockholders will work together in good faith to identify an additional director who is mutually agreeable to the Board and the Stockholders that would be a replacement New Independent Director as to which the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(c) would apply.

 

(d)                                 None of the Stockholders shall compensate or agree to compensate, directly or indirectly, any New Director or the New Independent Director in connection with his or her services as a director of the Company or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than any ordinary compensation payable to the Stockholder Designee as a result of his employment by a Stockholder).

 

SECTION 4. Standstill Agreement.  During the period beginning at the Effective Time and ending on the later of (x) the day the Stockholder Designee is no longer a director and (y) two weeks prior to the deadline for the submission of notices of stockholder nominations or proposals under the Company Bylaws for the 2017 Annual Meeting (the “Standstill Period”), neither of the Stockholders shall, and each of the Stockholders shall cause its Affiliates and Associates under its control or direction, in each case either directly or indirectly, not to:

 

(a)                                 solicit (as such term is used in the proxy rules of the SEC) proxies or consents, become a “participant” in a “solicitation,” as such terms are defined in Instruction 3 of Item 4 of Schedule 14A and Rule 14a-1 of Regulation 14A, respectively, under the Exchange Act or conduct any other type of referendum (binding or non-binding) in each case with respect to, or from the holders of, any shares of Company Common Stock or assist any third party in any solicitation of any proxy, consent or other authority (as such terms are defined under the Exchange Act) to vote any shares of Company Common Stock in each case in opposition to the recommendation or proposal of the Board;

 

(b)                                 seek to call, or to request the calling of, a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders, or make a request for a list of the Company’s stockholders or for any books and records of the Company;

 

(c)                                  except as specifically permitted in Section 3(c) of this Agreement, nominate persons for election to, or seek to remove any person from, the Board or propose any other business at any meeting of the Company’s stockholders or initiate, encourage or participate in any “withhold” or similar campaign with respect to any meeting of the Company’s stockholders;

 

4

 

(d)                                 commence, encourage, support or join as a party any litigation, arbitration or other proceeding (including a derivative action) against or involving the Company or any of its current or former directors or officers (including derivative actions) other than to enforce the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(e)                                  seek or propose any merger, acquisition, recapitalization, restructuring, disposition or other extraordinary transaction involving the Company; or

 

(f)                                   take or encourage any action, alone or in concert with others, to (i) form, join or in any way participate in a “group” (as defined under the Exchange Act) (other than a group comprised solely of the Stockholders and their respective Affiliates and Associates) with respect to the Company, (ii) otherwise act, alone or in concert with others, to seek representation on or to control the management, the Board or the policies, strategy, operations or governance of the Company, to control the composition of management or the Board (except as provided in Section 3(c) of this Agreement), (iii) take any action that would or would reasonably be expected to force the Company or either of the Stockholders to make a public announcement regarding any of the types of matters set forth in the foregoing provisions of this Section 4 or (iv) take any action challenging the validity or enforceability of any of the provisions of this Section 4.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict the Stockholder Designee from exercising his or her rights and fiduciary duties as a director of the Company. The foregoing provisions of this Section 4 shall not be deemed to prohibit either of the Stockholders from (i) engaging in ordinary course stockholder communications (which may include a Stockholder presenting its opinions) privately with the Company or its Board members or employees or (ii) privately requesting a waiver of any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.

 

SECTION 5. Voting Commitment.  Until the end of the Standstill Period, each of the Stockholders shall cause all shares of Company Common Stock owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether owned of record or beneficially owned, as of the record date for any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company held within the Standstill Period, in each case that are entitled to vote at any such meeting, to be present for purposes of establishing a quorum and to be voted, at all such meetings or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, (a) for the election of the New Directors, the New Independent Director and all current directors on the Board as of the Effective Time nominated by the Company for election at such meeting, (b) against (or withhold from voting) any nominees that are not nominated by the Board and (c) otherwise in accordance with the Board’s recommendation on any other proposals or other business set forth on Schedule I to this Agreement that comes before such meeting.

 

SECTION 6. Expenses. After the Effective Time, the Stockholders may submit reasonably detailed documentation (without any obligation to disclose any attorney-client privileged information or any attorney-work-product) of their actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their efforts to elect candidates to the Board at the 2016 Annual Meeting (including the negotiation of this Agreement) and incurred at or prior to the Effective Time.  Within three (3) business days after submission of such documentation together with wire instructions for the applicable payments (including a certification that the rates charged by their counsel represent standard rates without premium), the Company shall reimburse the

 

5

 

Stockholders for such expenses, by wire transfer or transfers in accordance with such wire instructions; provided, that such reimbursement shall not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6, all fees, costs and expenses incurred by each of the parties hereto shall be borne by such party.

 

SECTION 7. Representations and Warranties.

 

(a)                                 Each Stockholder hereby represents and warrants that (i) such Stockholder has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement; (ii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by such Stockholder, constitutes a valid and binding obligation and agreement of such Stockholder and is enforceable against such Stockholder in accordance with its terms; (iii) the execution by such Stockholder of this Agreement and the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations hereunder does not and will not violate any law, any order of any court or any agency of government applicable to such Stockholder; and (iv) (A) no New Director (other than the Stockholder Designee) is employed by, or an Affiliate or Associate of, such Stockholder, (B) no New Director (other than the Stockholder Designee) has any contract, arrangement or understanding (whether or not relating to the Company) with, or is an investor in any fund of, or co-investor with, such Stockholder, its Affiliates and/or Associates except as described in the Notice of Nomination and (C) no New Director (other than the Stockholder Designee) is a party to any compensation arrangement with such Stockholder, its Affiliates and/or Associates.

 

(b)                                 The Company hereby represents and warrants that (i) the Company has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement; (ii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, constitutes a valid and binding obligation and agreement of the Company and is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms; and (iii) the execution by the Company of this Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder does not and will not violate any law, any order of any court or any agency of government applicable to the Company or the Organizational Documents, except for any such violation of law or order that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Company’s ability to carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 8. Press Release and Other Public Disclosures.

 

(a)                                 Promptly following the Effective Time (but in no event during New York Stock Exchange trading hours), (i) the Company shall issue a press release, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Company Press Release”), (ii) the Stockholders shall issue the press release, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Stockholder Press Release” and, together with the Company Press Release, the “Press Releases”) and (iii) each of the Stockholders shall file an amendment (each, a “13D Amendment” and collectively, the “13D Amendments”) to its respective Schedule 13D reporting the entry into this Agreement and any other applicable items relating thereto substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C or Exhibit D, as applicable.  None of the parties hereto will make any public statement or issue any press release (including in any filings with the SEC or any other regulatory or governmental agency, including any stock exchange) concerning or relating to this Agreement that is inconsistent with or contrary to the statements made in the Press Releases, except as required by law or the rules of any stock

 

6

 

exchange without (i) in the case of the Company, the prior written approval of the Stockholders, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and (ii) in the case of the Stockholders, the prior written approval of the Company, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(b)                                 The foregoing shall not prevent (i) the Company or the Stockholders from taking any action necessary or required by any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange that has, or may have, jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the Stockholders and their affiliates, respectively, (except to the extent such requirement arose by discretionary acts by either of the Stockholders) and (ii) to the extent legally required, the Company or the Stockholders from making any factual statement in any compelled testimony or production of information, either by legal process, by subpoena or as part of a response to a request for information from any governmental authority with jurisdiction over the party from whom information is sought, applicable listing requirements or otherwise legally required; provided that the party from which such information is compelled shall provide, to the extent legally permissible, the other party or parties with prior written notice of the making of such compelled disclosure promptly so that such other party or parties may seek a protective order or other remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. If such protective order or other remedy is denied, and such party or any of its Representatives is nonetheless legally compelled to disclose such information, such party or its Representative, as the case may be, will furnish only that portion of such information that is legally required, on the advice of counsel, and will exercise reasonable best efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to such information.

 

SECTION 9. Mutual Non-Disparagement.  Each of the Company and the Stockholders covenants and agrees that, during the Standstill Period, neither it nor any of its respective Affiliates shall in any way, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with others, cause, express or cause to be expressed in a public manner or to any stockholder, investor, analyst, journalist or member of the media (including, without limitation, in a television, radio, internet, newspaper or magazine interview), orally or in writing, any remarks, statements, comments or criticisms that disparage, call into disrepute, defame, slander or which can reasonably be construed to be defamatory or slanderous to the other party or such other party’s subsidiaries, Affiliates, successors, assigns, officers (including, without limitation, any current officer of a party or a party’s subsidiaries who no longer serves in such capacity following the Effective Time), directors (including any current director of a party or a party’s subsidiaries who no longer serves in such capacity following the Effective Time), employees, stockholders, agents, attorneys or Representatives, any of their products or services or any action or matter publicly disclosed prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10. Specific Performance.Each of the Stockholders, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury to the other parties hereto would occur in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that such injury would not be adequately compensable in damages. It is accordingly agreed that the Stockholders, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall each be entitled to specific enforcement of, and injunctive relief to prevent any violation of, the terms hereof; the other parties hereto will not take any action, directly or indirectly, in opposition to the party seeking relief on the grounds that

 

7

 

any other remedy or relief is available at law or in equity; and each party further agrees to waive any requirement for the security or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy.

 

SECTION 11. No Waiver.Any waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Agreement. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on one or more occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 12. Successors and Assigns.All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by and binding upon, the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties hereto. No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interest or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other parties.

 

SECTION 13. Entire Agreement; Amendments; Interpretation and Construction.  This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or other undertakings other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and each of the Stockholders. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it has been represented by counsel of its choice throughout all negotiations that have preceded the execution of this Agreement and that it has executed the same with the advice of such counsel. Each party and its counsel cooperated and participated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any ambiguities in this Agreement against any party that drafted or prepared it is of no application and is hereby expressly waived by each of the parties hereto, and any controversy over interpretations of this Agreement shall be decided without regard to events of drafting or preparation.

 

SECTION 14. Headings.  The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 15. Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed validly given, made or served, if (a) sent by electronic mail to the electronic mail addresses specified in this subsection and an electronic-mail confirmation is received or (b) if given by any other means, when actually received during normal business hours at the address specified in this subsection

 

8

 

If to the Company:

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.
 233 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention:  Brett J. Hart, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

 

Brett.Hart@united.com

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Sidley Austin LLP

1 South Dearborn Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

	
Attention: 
    	
Thomas A. Cole
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Beth E. Flaming
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Gary D. Gerstman
    	
 
    

tcole@sidley.com; bflaming@sidley.com; 

ggerstman@sidley.com

 

If to Stockholders:

 

Altimeter Capital Management, LP

2420 Sand Hill Road

No. 203

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Attention:  Hab Siam, General Counsel

hab@altimetercapital.com

 

and

 

PAR Capital Management, Inc.

One International Place

Suite 2401

Boston, MA 02110

Attention:  Steven M. Smith, COO & General Counsel

smith@parcapital.com

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:  Marc Weingarten and Eleazer Klein

marc.weingarten@srz.com; eleazer.klein@srz.com

 

and

 

9

 

Goodwin Procter LLP

Exchange Place

53 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

Attention:  Robert P. Whalen, Jr. and James A. Matarese

rwhalen@goodwinproctor.com; jmatarese@goodwinprocter.com

 

in each case, or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth in this section.

 

SECTION 16. Governing Law; Exclusive Venue.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws (as opposed to the conflict of laws provisions) of the State of Delaware. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to and submit to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept or does not have jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal or other state court within the State of Delaware) for any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the matters contemplated herein (and agree not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating hereto except in such courts) and further agree that service of any process, summons, notice or document by registered mail to the address of the party set forth on the signature page to this Agreement shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding brought against such party in such court. The parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the matters contemplated herein in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept or does not have jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal or other state court within the State of Delaware) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding so brought has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

SECTION 17. Counterparts.This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile or e-mail in portable documents format (.pdf), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

SECTION 18. Severability. If any provision or clause of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, such provision or clause shall be deemed amended to conform to applicable laws so as to be valid and enforceable, or, if it cannot be so amended without materially altering the intention of the parties, such provision shall be stricken, and the remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby so long as the transactions contemplated hereby are not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.

 

SECTION 19. Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not enforceable by any other person.

 

10

 

SECTION 20. Appointment of Certain Representatives.

 

(a)                                 Each of Altimeter Partners and Altimeter General Partner, LLC (each, an “Altimeter Party”) hereby irrevocably appoints Altimeter Capital Management, LP as such Altimeter Party’s attorney-in-fact and representative (the “Altimeter Representative”), in such Altimeter Party’s place and stead, to do any and all things and to execute any and all documents and give and receive any and all notices or instructions in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company will be entitled to rely, as being binding on each Altimeter Party, upon any action taken by the Altimeter Representative or upon any document, notice, instruction or other writing given or executed by the Altimeter Representative.

 

(b)                                 Each of PAR Investment, and PAR Group (each, a “PAR Party”) hereby irrevocably appoints PAR Capital Management, Inc. as such PAR Party’s attorney-in-fact and representative (the “PAR Representative”), in such PAR Party’s place and stead, to do any and all things and to execute any and all documents and give and receive any and all notices or instructions in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company will be entitled to rely, as being binding on each PAR Party, upon any action taken by the PAR Representative or upon any document, notice, instruction or other writing given or executed by the PAR Representative.

 

11

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
United   Continental Holdings, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Brett J. Hart
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Brett   J. Hart
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice President and General Counsel
    

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
Altimeter   Capital Management, LP
    
	
 
    	
By:   Altimeter Capital Management 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
General   Partner, LLC 
    
	
 
    	
Its:
    	
General   Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Brad Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Brad   Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Altimeter   General Partner, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Brad Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Brad   Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Managing   Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Altimeter   Partners Fund, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Altimeter   General Partner, LLC
    
	
 
    	
Its:   
    	
General   Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Brad Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Brad   Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Managing   Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
/s/   Brad Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Brad   Gerstner
    

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
PAR   Capital Management, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Steven   M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Operating Officer & General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PAR   Group, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
PAR   Capital Management, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
Its:   
    	
General   Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Steven   M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Operating Officer & General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PAR   Investment Partners, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
PAR   Group, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
Its:   
    	
General   Partner
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
PAR   Capital Management, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
Its:   
    	
General   Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Steven   M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Operating Officer & General Counsel
    

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Company Press Release

 

See attached.

 

A-1

 

	

    	

    

 

United Announces Board Changes and

 

Resolution of Proxy Contest

 

Edward L. Shapiro and Barney Harford Join Board in Settlement Agreement;
 Mutually Agreed Additional Director to Join Board Within Six Months

*****************************************

 

Robert A. Milton To Become Non-Executive Chairman of the Board

 

CHICAGO, April 20, 2016 — United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced additional changes to its Board and a settlement agreement with Altimeter Capital Management, LP and PAR Capital Management, Inc. under which two of their designees, Edward L. Shapiro, Managing Partner and portfolio manager at PAR, and Barney Harford, former Chief Executive Officer of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc., will immediately join the Board.  United will also add a mutually agreed independent director to the Board within six months.  Altimeter has withdrawn its notice of intent to nominate directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and agreed to certain “stand-still” provisions.

 

On March 6, 2016, three new independent directors joined the Board: James A.C. Kennedy, former President and Chief Executive Officer of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Robert A. Milton, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. and previously Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada; and James M. Whitehurst, President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Hat, Inc., and previously Chief Operating Officer of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Milton and Whitehurst have a combined total of 30 years of airline experience.

 

Henry L. Meyer III, the current Non-Executive Chairman, and two other current directors, John H. Walker and Charles A. Yamarone, will be retiring and will not stand for re-election at the 2016 Annual Meeting. Accordingly, as of the 2016 Annual Meeting, seven of the Company’s 14 directors — and five of the 11 independent directors — will be new to the Board since March 1, 2016.

 

In light of Meyer’s impending retirement, United’s Board has elected Milton Non-Executive Chairman, effective immediately following the election of directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting.  Oscar Munoz, United’s President and Chief Executive Officer, has decided to amend his 

 

 

employment agreement to defer from the 2017 Annual Meeting to the 2018 Annual Meeting the anticipated time at which he would assume the additional position of Chairman of the Board.

 

Munoz said, “We all thank Henry, John, and Chuck for their dedicated Board service over the years. With his deep experience in the airline industry, we are confident Robert is an excellent choice for Non-Executive Chairman and he is exceptionally qualified to lead our Board. We welcome Ed and Barney to the Board, and look forward to working constructively together as we build upon United’s increasing positive momentum. We appreciate the valuable input we have received from Altimeter, PAR, and other shareholders.”

 

Munoz added, “When taken together with substantial changes the Board independently has adopted — the addition of three new directors on March 6, the retirement of three directors at the time of the Annual Meeting, the designation of the new Board Chair as of the Annual Meeting and deferral of the contemplated timing for my appointment as Board Chair — the addition of the two new directors designated by Altimeter and PAR will transform our Board governance. That will be further strengthened by another director to be selected in the near future by mutual agreement with Altimeter and PAR.”

 

Munoz concluded, “I will continue to work closely with United’s Board, management team and our 85,000 talented aviation professionals to build on our momentum and focus on what matters most: improving our operational and financial performance while elevating the experience of our valued employees and customers.”

 

Shapiro said, “This resolution is a positive outcome for United and its shareholders, employees and customers, and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members for the benefit of all of the shareholders. We are confident that the changes contemplated by the settlement agreement, when combined with the recent changes made by the Board, will create a new Board that is well positioned to help management to achieve United’s full potential.”

 

Harford said, “I am pleased to be joining the United Board and look forward to collaborating with Robert and the rest of the Board to help Oscar drive improved operational and financial performance and increase shareholder value.”

 

Robert Milton, 55, served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. from 2004 to 2012, and was previously Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada from 1999 to 2004. He joined Air Canada in 1992 in a consulting capacity and progressed from the role of Senior Director of Scheduling to Vice President, Scheduling and Product Management, Senior Vice President, Marketing and In-Flight Service and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before being named President and CEO in 1999. He is currently the lead director of Air Lease Corporation, a director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation Inc.   Milton is a past director of US 

 

2

 

Airways, Inc., and is also a past Chairman of the Board of Governors of IATA (The International Air Transport Association). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

 

Edward Shapiro, 51, is currently Managing Partner and portfolio manager at PAR Capital Management, Inc., a Boston-based investment management firm specializing in investments in travel, media and Internet-related companies.  Prior to joining PAR Capital in 1997, Mr. Shapiro was a Vice President at Wellington Management Company, and before that an Analyst at Morgan Stanley & Co. Mr. Shapiro also serves as Chairman of the Boards of Global Eagle Entertainment (NASDAQ: ENT) and Lumexis Corporation, and a director of Sonifi Solutions.  He previously served on the board of US Airways and Web.com (NASDAQ: WEB), formerly Interland, Inc.  Mr. Shapiro earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

 

Barney Harford, 44, served as Chief Executive Officer of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. from 2009 to 2015, leading a successful turnaround that culminated in a sale to Expedia, Inc. in 2015. Previously, Harford served in multiple roles at Expedia from 1999 to 2006, including as President of Expedia Asia Pacific from 2004 to 2006, leading the company’s entry into China, Japan and Australia. Harford serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Lola, a chat-based travel planning service that offers customers personalized recommendations for hotels, flights and more. He also serves on the Board of LiquidPlanner, a dynamic project management solution for technology teams. Harford previously served on the Boards of eLong, GlobalEnglish, Crystal Orange Hotel Group (formerly Mandarin Hotel Holdings) and Orbitz Worldwide. Harford holds an MBA degree from INSEAD and a Master of Arts degree in Natural Sciences from Clare College, Cambridge University.

 

The settlement agreement among United, Altimeter, and PAR will be filed shortly with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

About United

 

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 342 airports across six continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 20 new Boeing aircraft, including 737 NGs, 787s and 777s. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. Approximately 85,000 United employees

 

3

 

reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. United Continental Holdings, Inc. common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the expectations and beliefs of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “UAL”) with respect to certain current and future events relating to its Board of Directors, Mr. Munoz’s activities and the delivery of aircraft.  Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports the Company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

This release may be deemed to be solicitation material in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2016 annual meeting (the “2016 Annual Meeting”) of shareholders of UAL.  UAL intends to file a proxy statement and a WHITE proxy card with the SEC in connection with any such solicitation of proxies from UAL shareholders. UAL SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ ANY SUCH PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  Shareholders will be able to obtain any proxy statement, any amendments or supplements thereto and other documents filed by UAL with the SEC for no charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge at UAL’s website at http://ir.united.com/ in the “Securities Filings” section or by writing to UAL at 233 South Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attn: Corporate Secretary.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

UAL and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from UAL’s shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2016 Annual Meeting. Investors may obtain information regarding UAL and its directors and

 

4

 

executive officers in UAL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 18, 2016, and UAL’s definitive proxy statement for its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2015 Annual Meeting”), which was filed with the SEC on April 24, 2015.  To the extent holdings of UAL securities by UAL’s directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts disclosed in the definitive proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting, such changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 and Statements of Change in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC.  More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants in the solicitation, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the 2016 Annual Meeting.

 

###

 

5

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Stockholder Press Release

 

See attached.

 

B-1

 

	

    	

    

 

United Stockholders Altimeter Capital and PAR Capital Announce Proxy Contest Resolution

 

MENLO PARK, CA and BOSTON, MA (April 20, 2016) — Altimeter Capital Management, LP and PAR Capital Management, Inc. today announced a proxy-contest settlement agreement with United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) (United).  Under the settlement terms, two Altimeter and PAR designees will immediately join the United Board — Edward L. Shapiro, Managing Partner and portfolio manager at PAR, and Barney Harford, former Chief Executive Officer at Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.  United will also add a mutually-agreed upon third independent director to the Board within six months.

 

“As long-term United investors, we are pleased with the reconstituted Board,” said Brad Gerstner, Founder and CEO at Altimeter Capital.  “In the last three months, United has added five new highly-qualified independent directors with a sixth on the way, and United has announced that one of these new independent directors will become non-executive chairman at the upcoming annual meeting.  We are confident that the new Board will provide the guidance and oversight necessary to help United make its way back to the top.”

 

Paul Reeder, Founder and CEO of PAR Capital, said, “United has great potential, and we’re confident that these meaningful Board-level changes will help the Company reach that potential.  We are eager to see the new Board turn its attention to creating stockholder value, improving labor relations, and enhancing customer satisfaction.”

 

In a joint statement about the stockholder nominees, Gerstner and Reeder said, “All stockholders owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Altimeter’s stockholder nominees — Gordon Bethune, Barney Harford, Rodney O’Neal, Tina Sharkey, and Brenda Yester Baty.  From the beginning, they’ve inspired and impressed us — both professionally and personally.  They added essential value to our campaign, and we couldn’t have achieved this all-around success without their credibility and their active participation, commitment, and professionalism.”

 

“This is another sign that things are changing for the better at United under Oscar’s leadership,” said Gordon Bethune, former Continental Airlines Chief Executive Officer.  “United now has one of the best Boards in the airline business, and stockholders, customers, and front-line employees will see the benefits.  While I won’t be serving on the Board, I look forward to doing whatever I can do to help Oscar, United’s dedicated employees, and the Company succeed.”

 

About Altimeter Capital

 

Altimeter is a global investment firm managing both public and private funds focused on the airline, travel, technology, internet, software, and consumer sectors.  Altimeter was founded in 2008 by Brad Gerstner and has offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Menlo Park, California.

 

 

About PAR Capital Management

 

PAR Capital Management manages a private investment fund.  The firm was founded in 1990 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts.  PAR’s philosophy is based on the belief that long term investment success can be achieved through narrowly focused and rigorous fundamental research, disciplined portfolio management and the alignment of incentives between manager and client.

 

About Edward Shapiro

 

Edward Shapiro, 51, is currently Managing Partner and portfolio manager at PAR Capital Management, Inc., a Boston-based investment management firm specializing in investments in travel, media and Internet-related companies.  Before joining PAR Capital in 1997, Mr. Shapiro was a Vice President at Wellington Management Company, and before that an Analyst at Morgan Stanley & Co. Mr. Shapiro also serves as Chairman of the Boards of Global Eagle Entertainment (NASDAQ:ENT) and Lumexis Corporation, and a director of Sonifi Solutions.  He previously served on the board of US Airways and Web.com (NASDAQ: WEB), formerly Interland, Inc.  Mr. Shapiro earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

 

About Barney Harford

 

Barney Harford, 44, served as Chief Executive Officer of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. from 2009 to 2015, leading a successful turn-around that culminated in a sale to Expedia, Inc. in 2015. Previously, Harford served in multiple roles at Expedia from 1999 to 2006, including as President of Expedia Asia Pacific from 2004 to 2006, leading the company’s entry into China, Japan and Australia.  Harford serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Lola, a chat-based travel planning service that offers customers personalized recommendations for hotels, flights and more. He also serves on the Board of LiquidPlanner, a dynamic project management solution for technology teams.  Harford previously served on the Boards of eLong, GlobalEnglish, Crystal Orange Hotel Group (formerly Mandarin Hotel Holdings) and Orbitz Worldwide. Harford holds an MBA degree from INSEAD and a Master of Arts degree in Natural Sciences from Clare College, Cambridge University.

 

CONTACTS

 

For UAL Stockholders:

Bruce Goldfarb, Pat McHugh, or Lydia Mulyk

Okapi Partners

(212) 297-0720

 

For Media:

Scott Tagliarino or Taylor Ingraham

ASC Advisors LLC

(203) 992-1230

 

2

 

Exhibit C

 

Form of Altimeter 13D Amendment

 

See attached.

 

C-1

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D/A

(Amendment No. 2)*

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

910047109

(CUSIP Number)

 

Altimeter Capital Management, LP

One International Place

Suite 2400

Boston, MA 02110

 

with a copy to:

Marc Weingarten, Esq.

Eleazer Klein, Esq.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 756-2000

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

April 19, 2016

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), Rule 13d-1(f) or Rule 13d-1(g), check the following box. o

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

1

 

	
CUSIP No.   910047109
    	
SCHEDULE   13D/A
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
1
    	
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

ALTIMETER   CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP
    
	
 
    
	
2
    	
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX   IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(a) o
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(b) x
    
	
 
    
	
3
    	
SEC USE ONLY
    
	
 
    
	
4
    	
SOURCE OF FUNDS

AF
    
	
 
    
	
5
    	
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF   LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
6
    	
CITIZENSHIP   OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware, United States of America
    
	
 
    
	
NUMBER OF
   SHARES
   BENEFICIALLY
   OWNED BY
   EACH
   REPORTING
   PERSON WITH:
    	
7
    	
SOLE VOTING POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
8
    	
SHARED VOTING POWER

11,509,268   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
9
    	
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
10
    	
SHARED   DISPOSITIVE POWER

11,509,268 shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
11
    	
AGGREGATE AMOUNT   BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH PERSON

11,509,268   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
12
    	
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE   AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES   
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
13
    	
PERCENT OF   CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

3.2%
    
	
 
    
	
14
    	
TYPE   OF REPORTING PERSON

IA, PN
    
							

 

2

 

	
CUSIP No.   910047109
    	
SCHEDULE   13D/A
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
1
    	
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

ALTIMETER   PARTNERS FUND, L.P.
    
	
 
    
	
2
    	
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX   IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(a) o
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(b) x
    
	
 
    
	
3
    	
SEC USE ONLY
    
	
 
    
	
4
    	
SOURCE OF FUNDS

WC, OO   (see Item 3)
    
	
 
    
	
5
    	
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF   LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
6
    	
CITIZENSHIP   OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware, United States of America
    
	
 
    
	
NUMBER OF
   SHARES
   BENEFICIALLY
   OWNED BY
   EACH
   REPORTING
   PERSON WITH:
    	
7
    	
SOLE VOTING POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
8
    	
SHARED VOTING POWER

11,509,268   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
9
    	
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
10
    	
SHARED   DISPOSITIVE POWER

11,509,268 shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
11
    	
AGGREGATE AMOUNT   BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH PERSON

11,509,268   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
12
    	
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE   AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES   
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
13
    	
PERCENT OF   CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

3.2%
    
	
 
    
	
14
    	
TYPE   OF REPORTING PERSON

PN
    
							

 

3

 

	
CUSIP No.   910047109
    	
SCHEDULE   13D/A
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
1
    	
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

BRAD   GERSTNER
    
	
 
    
	
2
    	
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX   IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(a) o
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(b) x
    
	
 
    
	
3
    	
SEC USE ONLY
    
	
 
    
	
4
    	
SOURCE OF FUNDS

AF
    
	
 
    
	
5
    	
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF   LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
6
    	
CITIZENSHIP   OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

United States of America
    
	
 
    
	
NUMBER OF
   SHARES
   BENEFICIALLY
   OWNED BY
   EACH
   REPORTING
   PERSON WITH:
    	
7
    	
SOLE VOTING POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
8
    	
SHARED VOTING POWER

11,509,268   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
9
    	
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
10
    	
SHARED   DISPOSITIVE POWER

11,509,268 shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
11
    	
AGGREGATE AMOUNT   BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH PERSON

11,509,268   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
12
    	
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE   AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES   
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
13
    	
PERCENT OF   CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

3.2%
    
	
 
    
	
14
    	
TYPE   OF REPORTING PERSON

IN
    
							

 

4

 

	
CUSIP No.   910047109
    	
SCHEDULE   13D/A
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
1
    	
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

BARNABY   HARFORD
    
	
 
    
	
2
    	
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX   IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(a) o
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(b) x
    
	
 
    
	
3
    	
SEC USE ONLY
    
	
 
    
	
4
    	
SOURCE OF FUNDS

PF
    
	
 
    
	
5
    	
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF   LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
6
    	
CITIZENSHIP   OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

United Kingdom
    
	
 
    
	
NUMBER OF
   SHARES
   BENEFICIALLY
   OWNED BY
   EACH
   REPORTING
   PERSON WITH:
    	
7
    	
SOLE VOTING POWER

40,000   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
8
    	
SHARED VOTING POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
9
    	
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

40,000   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
10
    	
SHARED   DISPOSITIVE POWER

-0-
    
	
 
    
	
11
    	
AGGREGATE AMOUNT   BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH PERSON

40,000   shares of Common Stock
    
	
 
    
	
12
    	
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE   AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES   
    	
o
    
	
 
    
	
13
    	
PERCENT OF   CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

Less   than 0.1%
    
	
 
    
	
14
    	
TYPE   OF REPORTING PERSON

IN
    
							

 

5

 

	
CUSIP No.   910047109
    	
SCHEDULE   13D/A
    	
 
    

 

This Amendment No. 2 (“Amendment No. 2”) amends and supplements the statements on Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 26, 2016 (the “Original Schedule 13D”) and Amendment No. 1 to the Original Schedule 13D, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2016 (“Amendment No. 1,” together with this Amendment No. 2 and the Original Schedule 13D, the “Schedule 13D”) with respect to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of United Continental Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined in this Amendment No. 2 have the meanings set forth in the Original Schedule 13D and Amendment No. 1. This Amendment No. 2 amends Items 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 as set forth below.

 

Item 2.          IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

 

Item 2 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:

 

As a result of the Settlement Agreement (as defined in Item 4), the Reporting Persons and PAR may no longer be deemed members of “group” as defined in Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, and the Reporting Persons shall cease to be Reporting Persons immediately following the filing of this Amendment No. 2.  A copy of the Settlement Agreement is attached as Exhibit 3 to this Schedule 13D and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 4.          PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

 

Item 4 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:

 

On April 19, 2016, the Altimeter Parties, the General Partner, PAR and certain affiliates of PAR (collectively, the “Settlement Parties”) entered into a settlement agreement with the Issuer (the “Settlement Agreement”) whereby the Fund agreed to withdraw its notice of nomination, originally sent to the Issuer on March 8, 2016, and whereby the parties agreed, among other things, and subject to certain conditions, that the Board will: (i) immediately following the execution and delivery of the Settlement Agreement (the “Effective Time”), increase the size of the Board to seventeen directors and appoint Edward Shapiro (“Mr. Shapiro”) and Barnaby Harford (“Mr. Harford”) to fill the newly-created vacancies and to serve as directors on the Board; (ii) include Messrs. Shapiro and Harford in its slate of nominees for election as directors at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2016 Annual Meeting”) and solicit proxies in favor of the election of Messrs. Shapiro and Harford at the 2016 Annual Meeting; and (iii) mutually agree with the Investment Manager and PAR to identify an additional director (the “New Independent Director”) and appoint the New Independent Director to the Board as promptly as possible following the Effective Time and with an outside target date of six months after the Effective Time.  In addition, the Issuer shall include the New Independent Director in its slate of nominees for election as directors at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2017 Annual Meeting”) and solicit proxies in favor of the New Independent Director. The Settlement Parties will also abide by certain customary standstill provisions, such provisions to last until the later of (x) the day Mr. Shapiro is no longer a director and (y) two weeks prior to the deadline for the submission of notices of stockholder nominations or proposals under the Issuer’s Amended and Restated Bylaws for the 2017 Annual Meeting (the “Standstill Period”).  The standstill provisions provide that each of the Settlement Parties agrees to cause all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by it to be present for quorum purposes and to be voted in favor of the directors nominated by the Board for election or other business that may come before any shareholder meeting during the Standstill Period, subject to certain exceptions.  The foregoing summary of the Settlement Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Settlement Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 3 to this Schedule 13D and which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

6

 

	
CUSIP No.   910047109
    	
SCHEDULE   13D/A
    	
 
    

 

Item 5.          INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

 

Paragraphs (a) and (b) of Item 5 of the Schedule 13D are hereby amended and restated in their entireties, and Item 5(e) is hereby added, as follows:

 

(a) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which this Schedule 13D relates is 11,549,268 shares of Common Stock, constituting approximately 3.2% of the outstanding Common Stock. All percentages set forth herein are based upon 359,484,808 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 9, 2016, as reported in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 18, 2016.

 

Representatives of the Reporting Persons previously engaged in discussions with PAR Capital Management, Inc. (“PAR”) regarding their strategies to enhance shareholder value, including regarding the nomination of Mr. Harford for election to the Board.  However, as a result of the Settlement Agreement, the Altimeter Parties, Mr. Harford, and PAR are no longer members of “group” as defined in Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, and, accordingly, shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each of the Altimeter Parties, PAR, and Mr. Harford are no longer deemed to be beneficially owned by each other.

 

The Reporting Persons (i) own (and will continue to own) less than 5% of the total outstanding Common Stock for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(g), (ii) have the sole right to dividends and/or proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock reported in Item 11 of the cover pages to this Schedule 13D and have no dividend or voting rights in any other shares of Common Stock, and (iii) do not have any formal or informal understanding with PAR or any other stockholder of the Issuer to make any coordinated acquisitions of, or investment decisions with respect to, the Common Stock.

 

(b) Each of the Investment Manager, the Fund, and Mr. Gerstner, has the shared power to vote or to direct the vote or to dispose or to direct the disposition of 11,509,268 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Harford has the sole power to vote or direct the vote or to dispose or direct the disposition of 40,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

(e) As a result of the Settlement Agreement, on April 19, 2016, the Reporting Persons may no longer be deemed the beneficial owners (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.  Accordingly, this Amendment No. 2 constitutes an exit filing for the Reporting Persons.

 

Item 6.                             CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

 

Item 6 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:

 

The Investment Manager is a party to the Settlement Agreement, which attached as Exhibit 3, to this Schedule 13D and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 7.          EXHIBITS

 

Item 7 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:

 

	
Exhibit
    	
 
    	
Description
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3
    	
 
    	
Settlement Agreement,   dated April 19, 2016.
    

 

7

 

SIGNATURES

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or its knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: April 20, 2016

 

	
 
    	
ALTIMETER   PARTNERS FUND, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By: Altimeter   General Partner, LLC
    
	
 
    	
Its: General   Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Brad   Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Brad Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Managing Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ALTIMETER   CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP
    
	
 
    	
By: Altimeter Capital Management General   Partner, LLC
    
	
 
    	
Its: General   Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Brad   Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Brad Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Managing Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/ Brad   Gerstner
    
	
 
    	
BRAD   GERSTNER
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/ Barnaby   Harford
    
	
 
    	
BARNABY   HARFORD
    

 

 

Exhibit D

 

Form of PAR 13D Amendment

 

See attached.

 

D-1

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 3)*

 

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

910047109

(CUSIP Number)

 

PAR Capital Management, Inc.

Attn: Steven M. Smith

One International Place, Suite 2401

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 526-8990

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

April 19, 2016

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box:  o

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

*                 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. 

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

	
1.
    	
Names of Reporting Persons.
    PAR   Investment Partners, L.P.
    
	
 
    
	
2.
    	
Check the   Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
    
	
 
    	
(a)  o      (b)    x
    
	
 
    
	
3.
    	
SEC Use   Only 
    
	
 
    
	
4.
    	
Source of   Funds (See Instructions)
    WC
    
	
 
    
	
5.
    	
Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required   Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     

o
    
	
 
    
	
6.
    	
Citizenship or Place of Organization
    Delaware
    
	
 
    
	
Number of
   Shares
   Beneficially
   Owned by
   Each
   Reporting
   Person With
    	
7.
    	
Sole   Voting Power 
    14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
8.
    	
Shared   Voting Power  
   0
    
	
 
    
	
9.
    	
Sole   Dispositive Power  
   14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
10.
    	
Shared Dispositive Power  
   0
    
	
 
    
	
11.
    	
Aggregate   Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  
   14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
12.
    	
Check if   the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)   

o
    
	
 
    
	
13.
    	
Percent   of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
   4.0%*
    
	
 
    
	
14.
    	
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
   PN
    
				

 

*     The percentage of shares beneficially owned as set forth in row 13 is based on 359,484,808 shares of common stock of the Issuer outstanding as of February 9, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 18, 2016. 

 

 

	
1.
    	
Names of Reporting Persons.
    PAR   Group, L.P.
    
	
 
    
	
2.
    	
Check the   Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
    
	
 
    	
(a)  o      (b)    x
    
	
 
    
	
3.
    	
SEC Use   Only 
    
	
 
    
	
4.
    	
Source of   Funds (See Instructions)
    AF
    
	
 
    
	
5.
    	
Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required   Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     

o
    
	
 
    
	
6.
    	
Citizenship or Place of Organization
    Delaware
    
	
 
    
	
Number of
   Shares
   Beneficially
   Owned by
   Each
   Reporting
   Person With
    	
7.
    	
Sole   Voting Power 
    14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
8.
    	
Shared   Voting Power  
   0
    
	
 
    
	
9.
    	
Sole   Dispositive Power  
   14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
10.
    	
Shared Dispositive Power  
   0
    
	
 
    
	
11.
    	
Aggregate   Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  
   14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
12.
    	
Check if   the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)   

o
    
	
 
    
	
13.
    	
Percent   of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
   4.0%*
    
	
 
    
	
14.
    	
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
   PN
    
				

 

*     The percentage of shares beneficially owned as set forth in row 13 is based on 359,484,808 shares of common stock of the Issuer outstanding as of February 9, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 18, 2016.  

 

 

	
1.
    	
Names of Reporting Persons.
    PAR   Capital Management, Inc.
    
	
 
    
	
2.
    	
Check the   Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
    
	
 
    	
(a)  o      (b)    x
    
	
 
    
	
3.
    	
SEC Use   Only 
    
	
 
    
	
4.
    	
Source of   Funds (See Instructions)
    AF
    
	
 
    
	
5.
    	
Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required   Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     

o
    
	
 
    
	
6.
    	
Citizenship or Place of Organization
    Delaware
    
	
 
    
	
Number of
   Shares
   Beneficially
   Owned by
   Each
   Reporting
   Person With
    	
7.
    	
Sole   Voting Power 
    14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
8.
    	
Shared   Voting Power  
   0
    
	
 
    
	
9.
    	
Sole   Dispositive Power  
   14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
10.
    	
Shared Dispositive Power  
   0
    
	
 
    
	
11.
    	
Aggregate   Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  
   14,389,711
    
	
 
    
	
12.
    	
Check if   the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)   

o
    
	
 
    
	
13.
    	
Percent   of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
   4.0%*
    
	
 
    
	
14.
    	
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
   CO
    
				

 

*     The percentage of shares beneficially owned as set forth in row 13 is based on 359,484,808 shares of common stock of the Issuer outstanding as of February 9, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 18, 2016. 

 

 

This Amendment No. 3 (this “Amendment”) to Schedule 13D (as amended to date, the “Schedule 13D”) is being filed by PAR Investment Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“PAR Investment Partners”), PAR Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“PAR Group”), and PAR Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PAR Capital Management”). PAR Investment Partners, PAR Group and PAR Capital Management are sometimes individually referred to herein as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Schedule 13D. Except as otherwise specifically amended in this Amendment, items in the Schedule 13D remain unchanged.

 

Item 2.         IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

 

Item 2 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:

 

As a result of the Settlement Agreement (as defined in Item 4), the Reporting Persons and Altimeter may no longer be deemed members of “group” as defined in Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, and the Reporting Persons shall cease to be Reporting Persons immediately following the filing of this Amendment No. 3.  A copy of the Settlement Agreement is attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Schedule 13D and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 4.         PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

 

Item 4 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:

 

On April 19, 2016, the Reporting Persons, Altimeter Capital Management, Altimeter Partners Fund, L.P. (“Altimeter Partners”) and certain other parties (collectively, the “Settlement Parties”) entered into a settlement agreement with the Issuer (the “Settlement Agreement”) whereby Altimeter Partners agreed to withdraw its notice of nomination, originally sent to the Issuer on March 8, 2016, and whereby the parties agreed, among other things, and subject to certain conditions, that the Board will: (i) immediately following the execution and delivery of the Settlement Agreement (the “Effective Time”), increase the size of the Board to seventeen directors and appoint Edward Shapiro (“Mr. Shapiro”) and Barnaby Harford (“Mr. Harford”) to fill the newly-created vacancies and to serve as directors on the Board; (ii) include Messrs. Shapiro and Harford in its slate of nominees for election as directors at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2016 Annual Meeting”) and solicit proxies in favor of the election of Messrs. Shapiro and Harford at the 2016 Annual Meeting; and (iii) mutually agree with PAR Capital Management and Altimeter Capital Management to identify an additional director (the “New Independent Director”) and appoint the New Independent Director to the Board as promptly as possible following the Effective Time and with an outside target date of six months after the Effective Time.  In addition, the Issuer shall include the New Independent Director in its slate of nominees for election as directors at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2017 Annual Meeting”) and solicit proxies in favor of the New Independent Director. The Settlement Parties will also abide by certain customary standstill provisions, such provisions to last until the later of (x) the day Mr. Shapiro is no longer a director and (y) two weeks prior to the deadline for the submission of notices of stockholder nominations or proposals under the Issuer’s Amended and Restated Bylaws for the 2017 Annual Meeting (the “Standstill Period”).  The standstill provisions provide that each of the Settlement Parties agrees to cause all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by it to be present for quorum purposes and to be voted in favor of the directors nominated by the Board for election or other business that may come before any shareholder meeting during the Standstill Period, subject to certain exceptions.  The foregoing summary of the Settlement Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Settlement Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Schedule 13D and which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 5.         INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

 

Paragraphs (a), (b) and (e) of Item 5 of the Schedule 13D are hereby amended and restated in their entireties, as follows:

 

(a)-(b) As of April 19, 2016, PAR Investment Partners may be deemed to beneficially own 14,389,711 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 4.0% (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Act) of the outstanding Common Stock.

 

 

As of April 19, 2016, PAR Group, through its control of PAR Investment Partners as general partner, may be deemed to beneficially own 14,389,711 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 4.0% (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Act) of the outstanding Common Stock.

 

As of April 19, 2016, PAR Capital Management, through is control of PAR Group as general partner, may be deemed to beneficially own 14,389,711 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 4.0% (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Act) of the outstanding Common Stock.

 

The percentage of shares beneficially owned is based on 359,484,808 shares of common stock of the Issuer outstanding as of February 9, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 18, 2016.

 

Representatives of the Reporting Persons previously engaged in discussions with Altimeter regarding their strategies to enhance shareholder value, including regarding the nomination of Mr. Harford for election to the Board.  However, as a result of the Settlement Agreement, the Reporting Persons, Altimeter and Mr. Harford are no longer members of “group” as defined in Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, and, accordingly, shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each of the Reporting Persons, Altimeter and Mr. Harford can no longer deemed to be beneficially owned by each other.

 

The Reporting Persons (i) own (and will continue to own) less than 5% of the total outstanding Common Stock for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(g), (ii) have the sole right to dividends and/or proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock reported in Item 11 of the cover pages to this Schedule 13D and have no dividend or voting rights in any other shares of Common Stock, and (iii) do not have any formal or informal understanding with Altimeter, Mr. Harford or any other stockholder of the Issuer to make any coordinated acquisitions of, or investment decisions with respect to, the Common Stock.

 

(e) As a result of the Settlement Agreement, on April 19, 2016, the Reporting Persons can no longer be deemed the beneficial owners (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Act) of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.  Accordingly, this Amendment No. 3 constitutes an exit filing for the Reporting Persons.

 

Item 6.         CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

 

Item 6 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:

 

The Reporting Persons are parties to the Settlement Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Schedule 13D and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 7.         MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

 

99.3                   Settlement Agreement, dated April 19, 2016.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: April 20, 2016

 

	
 
    	
PAR   INVESTMENT PARTNERS, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
PAR Group, L.P., its   General Partner
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
PAR Capital   Management, Inc., its General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief Operating Officer   and General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PAR   GROUP, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
PAR Capital   Management, Inc., its General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief Operating Officer   and General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PAR   CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Steven M. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief Operating Officer   and General Counsel
    

 

 

Schedule I

 

Proposals and Board Recommendations

 

1.                                      Ratification of the appointment of the independent registered accounting firm of the Company and its subsidiaries

 

2.                                      Advisory resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as presented in the proxy statement

 

I-1Exhibit

    

BBCN Bancorp, Inc. and BBCN Bank

TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

Board Approval: October 2, 2014

            

BBCN Bancorp and BBCN Bank Tax Sharing Agreement                        October 2, 2014

TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

Among

BBCN Bancorp, Inc.,
And
BBCN Bank, Nara Bancorp Capital Trust I, Nara Capital Trust III, Nara Statutory Trust IV, Nara Statutory Trust V, Nara Statutory Trust VI and Center Capital Trust I

BBCN Bancorp, Inc (“Company”) and its subsidiary, BBCN Bank (“Bank”), hereby enter into this Agreement effective as of October  2, 2014 pursuant to which tax liabilities or refunds will be allocated properly among the Company and Bank.  The Company is also the parent company of the above named Trusts, which for tax purposes is recognized as a grantor trust.  The income and expenses of the grantor trust are reported to the grantor, the Company.  

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

ARTICLE I
TAX SHARING

1.1    Federal Income Tax.

(a)    It is the desire and intent of the parties to this Agreement to establish a method for allocating the consolidated tax liability of each member among the Affiliated Group (hereinafter defined),  for compensating members of the Affiliated Group (as defined in 1.1(b)) for use of their losses, tax credits or tax deferred treatment, and to provide for the allocation and payment of any refunds arising from a carryback of losses, tax credits or tax deferred treatment from subsequent taxable years.

(b)    For purposes of this agreement, the term “Affiliated Group” shall include all members of the group included in the filing of Company’s consolidated tax return for federal income tax purposes.  Company and Bank, are members of the Affiliated Group.  In the event additional corporations become members of the Affiliated Group, the parties to this Agreement shall use their best efforts to include such corporations as parties to this Agreement.

    

BBCN Bancorp and BBCN Bank Tax Sharing Agreement                        October 2, 2014

(c)    A U.S. consolidated income tax return will be filed by Company for each taxable year for which this Agreement is in effect and for which members of the Affiliated Group are required or permitted to file a consolidated tax return.  The members of the Affiliated Group shall execute and file such consents, elections and other documents that may be required or appropriate for the proper filing of such returns.

(d)    For each taxable period, members of the Affiliated Group shall compute their separate tax liability as if they had filed a separate tax return.  The parties agree to reimburse any member which has tax losses or credits in an amount equal to 100% of the tax benefits realized by the other members of the Affiliated Group as a result of the utilization by them of such member’s tax losses, credits or deferred tax treatment.

(e)    Payment of the consolidated tax liability for a taxable period shall include the payment of estimated tax installments due for such taxable period and members of the Affiliated Group shall promptly pay to Bank their estimated tax payments as computed in paragraph 1.1(d) upon receiving notice of such payments from Company, but in no event later than the close of business on the date that is immediately prior to the due date for each estimated tax payment.  Upon receipt of the estimated tax payment by the members of the Affiliated Group, Bank will make the tax payment pursuant to the Treasury Regulations.  Overpayments of estimated tax by members of the Affiliated Group as determined by Company shall be refunded promptly to the appropriate members of the Affiliated Group.

(f)    If the consolidated tax liability is adjusted for any taxable period, whether by means of an amended return, claim for refund, or after a tax audit by the Internal Revenue Service, the liability of the Affiliated Group members shall be recomputed by Company to give effect to such adjustments.  In the case of a refund, Company shall promptly make payment to each Affiliated Group member for its share of the refund, determined in the same manner as in paragraph (d) above, after Company receives the refund.  In the case of an increase in tax liability, each Affiliated Group member shall promptly pay to Bank its allocable share of such increased tax liability after receiving notice of such liability from Company, but in no event later than the due date for tax payment.

    

BBCN Bancorp and BBCN Bank Tax Sharing Agreement                        October 2, 2014

(g)    The parties agree that it is their express intent that this Agreement shall at all times be construed in a manner consistent with any law or regulation applicable to any member as now or hereafter in effect.  Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, (1) Bank shall not pay to members an amount greater than the tax which Bank would have been required to pay had it filed a separate tax return, taking maximum advantage of available reductions in taxable income; (2) any payments made pursuant to paragraphs 1.1(e), (f) and (g) of this Agreement shall be made only with reference to the time taxes are actually paid or refunds or credits are actually received, it being understood that Bank shall at no time make advance payments with respect to the foregoing to any member, and (3) any funds received by Company from any taxing authority by reason of any refund, credit or overpayment and properly allocable to another member, shall reimbursed to that member within thirty days.

1.2    Certain State Taxes.  For each taxable period, members of the Affiliated Group shall compute their separate state tax liability.  The separate return state tax liability of the members of the Affiliated Group shall be computed in a manner consistent with the relevant state law provisions.  After the computation of their state tax liability, members of the Affiliated Group shall promptly pay to Bank their estimated tax payments, but in no event later than the due date for each estimated tax payment.  Upon receipt of the estimated tax payment by the members of the Affiliated Group, Bank will make the tax payment pursuant to the relevant state taxing authorities.  Overpayments of estimated tax by members of the Affiliated Group, as determined by Company, shall be refunded promptly to the appropriate members of the Affiliated Group. If the state tax return is reviewed by a state taxing authority and adjustments are made which will either increase or decrease the tax previously reported and paid, the Affiliated Group members affected by such adjustments shall pay all costs or receive all benefits from such adjustment.

1.3    Other Taxes.  The other Affiliated Group members may from time to time become subject to additional taxes by federal, state or local authorities.  In such event the members of the Affiliated Group shall consult with each other to determine a mutually acceptable form of allocation or apportionment of such taxes; provided, however, that Company shall pay the Delaware franchise tax.

1.4    Procedural Matters.

		
	i.
	Company is an agent for the Bank and the other members of the Affiliated Group with respect to all matters related to consolidated tax returns and refund claims, and nothing in this agreement shall be construed to alter or modify this agency relationship.  If the Company receives a tax refund from a taxing authority, those funds are obtained as agent for the members of the Affiliated Group.  Any tax refund attributable to income earned, taxes paid, and losses incurred by the Bank or other members of the Affiliated Group is the property of and owned by that entity, and shall be held in trust by Company for the benefit of that entity. Company shall forward promptly the amounts held in trust to the appropriate member of the affiliated group.  Nothing in this agreement is intended to be or should be construed to provide  Company with an ownership interest in a tax refund that is attributable in income earned, taxes paid, and losses incurred by another member of the Affiliated Group.  Company 

    

BBCN Bancorp and BBCN Bank Tax Sharing Agreement                        October 2, 2014

hereby agrees that this tax sharing agreement does not give it an ownership interest in a tax refund generated by the tax attributes of any other member of the Affiliated Group.

		
	ii.
	Company shall prepare and file consolidated returns, and any other returns, documents or statements required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service or any other relevant taxing authority with respect to the determination of the tax liability of Company and the Affiliated Group members for all taxable periods commencing with the tax period applicable as of the date of the execution of this Agreement.  Company shall have the right, in its sole discretion:  (i) to determine (A) the manner in which such returns shall be prepared and filed, including, without limitation, the manner in which any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit shall be reported; provided, however, that Company shall consider in good faith any treatment proposed by the Affiliated Group members, (B) whether any extensions of the statute of limitations may be granted and (C) the elections that will be made pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code (or applicable state tax laws) on behalf of any member of the consolidated group (it being agreed, however, that Company shall not unreasonably withhold its consent to any elections that members of the Affiliated Group desire to make); (ii) to contest, compromise or settle any adjustment or deficiency proposed, asserted or assessed as a result of any audit of any such returns; (iii) to file, prosecute, compromise or settle any claim for refund; and (iv) to determine whether any refunds to which the consolidated group may be entitled shall be paid by way of refund or credited against the tax liability of the consolidated group.

		
	iii.
	Company, to the extent such information is available, shall promptly notify the members of the Affiliated Group of any tax liability or refund issue, and shall advise and consult in good faith with such members with respect to contest, compromise or settlement thereof.

1.5    Cooperation.

(a)    At all times during which this Agreement is in force, the parties shall make available to each other during normal business hours and in a manner which will not interfere with the other party’s business, its tax, accounting and legal staff to the extent reasonably required in connection with the preparation of tax returns and other tax matters.

(b)    In the event of the termination of this Agreement, the parties will use their best efforts to make available to the others, upon written request, its officers and employees in connection with any tax proceedings.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused their name to be subscribed and executed by their respective authorized officer on the dates indicated, affective as of the date first set forth above.

    

BBCN Bancorp and BBCN Bank Tax Sharing Agreement                        October 2, 2014

		
	BANK
	COMPANY

		
	By:____________________________
	By:____________________________

		
	Its:____________________________
	Its:____________________________

		
	Date:____________________________
	Date:____________________________

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00257-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00257-of-00352.parquet"}]]