Document:

EXHIBIT 10.3

 

DELTA 2007 PERFORMANCE COMPENSATION PLAN

AWARD AGREEMENT

August 28, 2007

 

 

Ed Bastian

 

This Award Agreement, including Appendix A hereto (the “Agreement”), describes some of the terms of
your award (the “Award”) under the Delta 2007 Performance Compensation Plan (the
“Plan”). Your Award is
subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. Words beginning with a
capital letter which are used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have
the meaning set forth in the Plan. In order for this Award to become effective,
you must accept the Award in accordance with the terms of Section 9 below.

 

1.         Summary of Award.  Subject to your acceptance, your Award will include a Nonqualified Stock Option, Restricted Stock and a Performance Award as described below.  Terms applicable to your Award, including vesting and forfeitability, are included at Appendix A to this Agreement.  In addition, you will participate in the annual incentive bonus component of the Plan (the “MIP”), according to the terms set forth below.

 

(a)        Nonqualified Stock Options. Effective as of
Saturday, September 1, 2007, (the “Grant
Date”), you are hereby awarded a Nonqualified Stock
Option (the “Stock Option”), exercisable for 60,100 shares of Delta Common Stock, par value
$0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”). The exercise price of the shares subject to the Stock Option
will be the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on Friday, August 31, 2007.

 

 (b)        Restricted Stock.  As of the Grant Date, you are hereby awarded 77,700 shares of Restricted Stock.  

 

(c)        Performance Award.  As of the Grant Date, you are hereby awarded a Performance Award for 28,300 shares of Common Stock at the target level.  

 

2.         Restrictive Covenants.  In exchange for the Award, you hereby agree as follows:

 

(a)       Trade
Secrets. You hereby acknowledge
that during the term of your employment with Delta Air Lines, Inc., its
subsidiaries and affiliates (“Delta”), you have acquired and will continue to acquire knowledge of
secret, confidential and proprietary information regarding Delta and its
business that fits within the definition of “trade secrets” under the
law of the State of Georgia, including, without limitation, information
regarding Delta’s present and future operations, its financial operations,
marketing plans and strategies, alliance agreements and relationships, its
compensation and incentive programs for employees, and the business methods used by Delta and its employees, and other information which
derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to,
and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can
obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and is the subject of efforts
that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy (each, a
“Trade Secret”). You
hereby agree that for so long as such information remains a Trade Secret as
defined by Georgia law, you will hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of
Delta and shall not directly or indirectly make use of, on your own behalf or on
behalf of others, any Trade 

 

Secret, or transmit, reveal or disclose any Trade
Secret to any person, concern or entity. Nothing in this Agreement is intended,
or shall be construed, to limit the protections of any applicable law protecting
trade secrets. 

 

 (b)         Confidential or Proprietary Information.  You further agree that you will hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of Delta, and, during the term of your employment with Delta and for the two year period after such employment terminates, shall not directly or indirectly use or disclose, any Confidential or Proprietary Information, as defined hereinafter, that you acquire (whether or not developed or compiled by you and whether or not you were authorized to have access to such Confidential or Proprietary Information) during the term of, in the course of, or as a result of your employment by Delta.  Subject to the provisions set forth below, the term “Confidential or Proprietary
Information” as used in this Agreement means the following secret, confidential and proprietary information of Delta not otherwise included in the definition of Trade Secret:  all marketing, alliance, advertising and sales plans and strategies; all pricing information; all financial, advertising and product development plans and strategies; all compensation and incentive programs for employees; all alliance agreements, plans and processes; all plans, strategies, and agreements related to the sale of assets; all third party provider agreements, relationships, and strategies; all business methods and processes used by Delta and its employees; all personally identifiable information regarding Delta employees, contractors, and applicants; and all lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers maintained by Delta.  The term “Confidential and Proprietary Information” does not include information that has become generally available to the public by
the act of one who has the right to disclose such information.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to limit the protections of any applicable law protecting confidential or proprietary information.  

 

(c)

        Employee Non-Solicitation Agreement. During
the term of your employment with Delta and during the one-year period following
the termination of such employment, you will not directly or indirectly (on your
own behalf or on behalf of any other person, company, partnership, corporation
or other entity), employ or solicit for employment any individual who is a
management or professional employee of Delta for employment with any entity or person other than
Delta or solicit, encourage or induce any such person to terminate their
employment with Delta. The restrictions set forth in this Section shall be
limited to those Delta management or professional employees who: (i) were
employed by Delta during your employment in a supervisory or administrative job;
and (ii) with whom you had material professional contact during your employment
with Delta.

 

(d)       Non-Competition Agreement. During the term of your employment with Delta and for the one-year
period following the termination of such employment, you will not on your own
behalf or on behalf of any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation
or business organization, entity or enterprise, provide the same or
substantially similar services, as an employee, consultant, partner, or in any
other capacity, to any of the following entities, which you hereby acknowledge
are all competitors of Delta: AMR Corporation, American Airlines, Inc.,
Continental Airlines, Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., UAL Corporation, United Air
Lines, Inc., US Airways, Inc., Jet Blue Airways, Inc., AirTran Airways, Inc., or
Northwest Airlines, Inc. (individually and collectively, the
“Competitor”). This
restriction shall only apply to the extent that you may not provide services to
the Competitor: (a) while working within a fifty (50) mile radius of the city
limits of Atlanta, Georgia; or (b) while working out of or within a fifty (50)
mile radius of the corporate headquarters of the Competitor.

 

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(e)        Return of Property.  You hereby agree that all property belonging to Delta, including records, files, memoranda, reports, personnel information (including benefit files, training records, customer lists, operating procedure manuals, safety manuals, financial statements, price lists and the like), relating to the business of Delta, with which you come in contact in the course of your employment (hereinafter "Delta's Materials") shall, as between the parties hereto, remain the sole property of Delta.  You hereby warrant that you shall promptly return all originals and copies of Delta's Materials to Delta at the time your employment terminates.

 

(f)    Cooperation.  You hereby agree that you shall, both during and after your employment with Delta, to the extent requested in writing and reasonable under the circumstances, cooperate with and serve in any capacity requested by Delta in any pending or future litigation in which Delta has an interest, and regarding which you, by virtue of your employment with Delta, have knowledge or information relevant to the litigation.  

 

3.         Dispute Resolution. (a) Arbitration. You hereby agree that except as expressly set forth below, all disputes
and any claims arising out of or under or relating to the Award or this
Agreement, including without limitation any dispute or controversy as to the
validity, interpretation, construction, application, performance, breach or
enforcement of this Agreement, shall be submitted for, and settled by,
mandatory, final and binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association.
Unless an alternative locale is otherwise agreed in writing by the parties to
this Agreement, the arbitration shall be conducted in the City of Wilmington,
Delaware. The arbitrator will apply Delaware law to the merits of any dispute or
claim without reference to rules of conflicts of law. Any award rendered by the
arbitrator shall provide the full remedies available to the parties under the
applicable law and shall be final and binding on each of the parties hereto and
their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns and judgment may
be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction. You hereby consent to the
personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware
for any action or proceeding arising from or relating to any arbitration under this Agreement. The
prevailing party in any such arbitration shall be entitled to an award by the
arbitrator of all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the arbitration. However, Delta will pay all fees associated
with the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrator. All parties must
initial here for this Section 3 to be effective:

 

	
             
 	
            /s/
 	
            EHB  
 	
            Ed Bastian  
 

 

	
             
 	
            /s/
 	
            DRG  
 	
            Delta Air Lines, Inc.—David Goode, Chairman of the Personnel &
Compensation Committee of the Board 
 

 

(b)        Injunctive Relief in Aid of Arbitration; Forum
Selection. You hereby acknowledge and agree that the
provisions contained in Section 2 of this Agreement are reasonably necessary to
protect the legitimate business interests of Delta, and that any breach of any
of these provisions will result in immediate and irreparable injury to Delta for
which monetary damages will not be an adequate remedy. You further acknowledge
that if any such provision is breached or threatened to be breached, Delta will
be entitled to seek a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or
other equitable relief in aid of arbitration in any court of competent
jurisdiction without the necessity of posting a bond, restraining you from
continuing to commit any violation of the covenants, and you hereby irrevocably
consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of
Delaware, with venue in Wilmington, which shall have jurisdiction to hear and

 

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 determine any claim for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or
other equitable relief brought against you by Delta in aid of arbitration.

 

(c)        Consequences of Breach.  Furthermore, you acknowledge that, in partial consideration for the awards described in the Plan and this Agreement, Delta is requiring that you agree to and comply with the terms of Section 2 and you hereby agree that without limiting any of the foregoing, should you violate any of the covenants included in Section 2 above, you will not be entitled to and shall not receive any Awards under the Plan and this Agreement and any outstanding Awards will be forfeited.  

 

 (d)        Tolling.  You further agree that in the event the enforceability of any of the restrictions as set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement are challenged and you are not preliminarily or otherwise enjoined from breaching such restriction(s) pending a final determination of the issues, then, if an arbitrator finds that the challenged restriction(s) is enforceable, the time period set forth in such Section shall be deemed tolled upon the filing of the arbitration or action seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in aid of arbitration, whichever is first in time, until the dispute is finally resolved and all periods of appeal have expired. 

 

(e)    Governing Law.  Unless governed by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws of that State.  

 

(f)        Waiver of Jury Trial.  TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.  THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DISPUTE CONCERNING ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENT (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN), OR ACTION OF DELTA OR YOU, OR ANY EXERCISE BY DELTA OR YOU OF OUR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.  YOU FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR DELTA TO ISSUE AND ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT.

 

4.       Validity; Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such holding shall not affect any other provisions in this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.  The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.

 

5.         Authority of the Committee.  You acknowledge and agree that the Committee has the sole and complete authority and discretion to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.  All determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding for all purposes and upon all persons, including, without limitation, you and the Company, and your heirs and successors.  The Committee shall be under no obligation to construe this Agreement or treat the Award in a manner consistent with the treatment provided with respect to other Awards or Participants.

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6.         Amendment.    This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by written agreement signed by you and Delta.

7.
         Acknowledgement. By signing this Agreement: (a) you acknowledge that you have had a full
and adequate opportunity to read this Agreement and you agree with every term
and provision herein, including without limitation, the terms of Sections 2, 3,
4, and 5; (b) you acknowledge that you have received and had a full and adequate
opportunity to read the Plan; (c) you agree, on behalf of yourself and on behalf
of any designated beneficiary and your heirs, executors, administrators and
personal representatives, to all of the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement and the Plan; and (d) you consent to receive all material regarding
any awards under the Plan, including any prospectuses, electronically with an
e-mail notification to your work e-mail address.

8.         Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Plan (the terms of which are made a part of this Agreement and are incorporated into this Agreement by reference), constitutes the entire agreement between you and Delta with respect to the Award. 

 

9.          Acceptance of this Award.  If you agree to all of the terms of this Agreement and would like to accept this Award, you must sign and date the Agreement where indicated below and return an original signed version of this Agreement to Mary Steele, either by hand or by mail to Department 936, P.O Box 20706, Atlanta, Georgia 30320.  If you have any questions regarding how to accept your Award, please contact Ms. Steele at (404) 715-6333.  Delta hereby acknowledges and agrees that its legal obligation to make the Award to you shall become effective when you sign this Agreement.

 

You and Delta, each intending to be bound legally, agree to the matters set forth above by signing this Agreement, all as of the date set forth below.

 

	
            DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
 
	
             

 
 
	
            By:
 	
            /s/ David R. Goode
 
	
             
 	
            Name: David Goode
 Title:  Chairman

Personnel & Compensation Committee of
             the Board of Directors
 
	
             
 	
             

 
 

 

	
            PARTICIPANT
 
	
             

/s/ Edward H. Bastian
 
	
            Ed Bastian

 

8-29-07
 
	
            Date:  
 

 

 

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APPENDIX A   

 

The terms of this Appendix A shall apply to the Award set forth in the Delta 2007 Performance Compensation Plan Award Agreement to which this Appendix is attached.  Words beginning with a capital letter which are used but not otherwise defined in this Appendix have the meaning set forth in the Agreement or the Plan.   For purposes of Appendix A, Ed Bastian is referred to as “Participant.”  This Award will be ignored for purposes of determining whether Participant has suffered a reduction that constitutes Good Reason under subsection 2(p)(v) or 2(p)(vi) of the Plan.

 

	
            A.
 	
            STOCK OPTION.
 

1.         Exercise Period.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, including Section A of this Appendix A, the Stock Option (a) shall become exercisable with respect to one-third of the Shares on each of the first (the “First Option Installment”), second (the “Second Option Installment”) and third (the “Third Option Installment”) anniversaries of the Grant Date1; and (b) shall be exercisable through and including the day immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (“Expiration Date”).

 

2.         Change in Exercisability and Exercise Period upon Termination of Employment.  The exercisability of the Option and the exercise period set forth in Section A.1 of this Appendix A is subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)        Without Cause or For Good Reason.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause or by Participant for Good Reason (including the Termination of Employment of any Participant employed by an Affiliate at the time the Company sells or otherwise divests itself of such Affiliate), the Option shall become fully and immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable, in whole or in part, during the period:  (i) beginning on the date of such termination; and (ii) ending on the earlier of (A) the second anniversary of such termination or (B) the Expiration Date.

 

(b)       Voluntary Resignation.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of a voluntary resignation (other than for Good Reason or Retirement):  (i) any portion of the Option that is not exercisable at the time of such termination shall be forfeited; and (ii) any portion of the Option that is exercisable at the time of such termination shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (A) 90 days after such termination or (B) the Expiration Date. 

(c)        Retirement. Upon Participant’s Termination
of Employment by reason of Retirement, any portion of the Stock Option that is
not exercisable at the time of such 

_________________________

1 The number of Shares subject to each Option Installment will be equal to the total number of Shares subject to the Option divided by three; provided, that if this formula results in any fractional Share allocation to any Option Installment, the number of Shares in the First Option Installment will be increased so that only full shares are covered by each Installment.  

 

 

 

termination shall be exercisable on a pro
rata basis (“Pro Rata Option Portion”), and any portion of the Stock Option that is exercisable at the time of such termination shall be exercisable, during the period:  (i) beginning on the date of such termination; and (ii) ending on the earlier of (A) the third anniversary of such termination or (B) the Expiration Date.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable at the time of such termination, other than the Pro Rata Option Portion, shall be immediately forfeited.

 

Pro Rata Option Portion means, with respect to any Option Installment that is not exercisable at the time of Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, the number of Shares covered by such Option Installment multiplied by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the number of calendar months from the Grant Date to the date of such termination, rounded up for any partial months and (ii) the denominator of which is twelve (12) for the First Option Installment, twenty–four (24) for the Second Option Installment and thirty-six (36) for the Third Option Installment.

(d)       Death or Disability.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment due to death or Disability, the Option shall become fully and immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable, in whole or in part, during the period:  (i) beginning on the date of such termination; and (ii) ending on the earlier of (A) the third anniversary of such termination or (B) the Expiration Date.

 

 (e)         For Cause.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause, the Option shall be immediately forfeited.

3.        Change in Control.  Subject to Section D of this Appendix A, upon a Change in Control which occurs prior to Participant’s Termination of Employment, the Option shall become fully and immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable, in whole or in part, during the period (i) beginning on the date of such Change in Control; and (ii) ending on the Expiration Date; provided, however, that the unexercised portion of the Option shall be immediately forfeited upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause; provided, further, that upon Participant’s Termination of Employment for any reason other than by the Company for Cause, the period to exercise the Option will end on the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of such termination or (ii) the Expiration Date.    

	
            B.
 	
            RESTRICTED STOCK
 

1.         Restrictions.  Until the restrictions imposed by this Section B.1 (the “Restrictions”) have lapsed pursuant to Section 2, 3, 4, or 5 below, Participant will not be permitted to sell, exchange, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the Restricted Stock and the Restricted Stock will be subject to forfeiture as set forth below. 

 

2.         Lapse of Restrictions--Passage of Time.  Subject to the
terms of the Plan and the Agreement, including Section B of this Appendix A, the
Restrictions shall lapse and be of no further force or effect with respect to
one-third of the Shares of Restricted Stock six (6) months after the Grant Date
(the “First RS Installment”), with respect to one-third of the Shares of Restricted Stock
eighteen (18) months after the Grant Date (the “Second RS Installment”)and with respect to
one-third of the Shares of Restricted Stock thirty (30) 

 

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months after the Grant Date(the “Third RS Installment”).2

 

3.         Accelerated Lapse of Restrictions.  If, at any time during the twelve (12) month period commencing on October 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of all outstanding Shares is at least $14,000,000,000 for ten (10) consecutive trading days, as determined by the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, the Restrictions shall lapse and be of no further force or effect on the last day of such twelve (12) month period, provided that Participant has not had a Termination of Employment prior to such day.

4.         Lapse of Restrictions/Forfeiture upon Termination of Employment.  In addition to the other provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Restricted Stock and the Restrictions set forth in Section B of this Appendix A are subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)        Without Cause or For Good Reason.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause or by Participant for Good Reason, the Restrictions shall immediately lapse and be of no further force or effect as of the date of such termination.

 

(b)       Voluntary Resignation.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of a voluntary resignation (other than for Good Reason or Retirement), any portion of the Restricted Stock subject to the Restrictions shall be forfeited as of the date of such termination. 

(c)        Retirement.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, with respect to any portion of the Restricted Stock subject to the Restrictions, the Restrictions shall immediately lapse on a pro rata basis (“Pro Rata RS Portion”) as of the date of such termination.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, any Restricted Stock that remains subject to the Restrictions, other than the Pro Rata RS Portion, shall be immediately forfeited.

 

Pro Rata RS Portion means, with respect to any RS Installment that is subject to the Restrictions at the time of Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, the number of Shares covered by such RS Installment multiplied by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the number of calendar months from the Emergence Date to the date of such termination, rounded up for any partial months and (ii) the denominator of which is six (6) for the First RS Installment, eighteen (18) for the Second RS Installment and thirty (30) for the Third RS Installment.

(d)       Death or Disability.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment due to death or Disability, the Restrictions shall immediately lapse and be of no further force or effect as of the date of such termination.

_________________________

2 The number of Shares subject to each RS Installment will be equal to the total number of Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award divided by three; provided, that if this formula results in any fractional Share allocation to any RS Installment, the number of Shares will be adjusted in the same manner as described in footnote 1 above. 

 

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(e)        For Cause.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause, any portion of the Restricted Stock subject to the Restrictions shall be forfeited as of the date of such termination. 

5.         Change in Control.  Subject to Section D of this Appendix A, upon a Change in Control which occurs prior to Participant’s Termination of Employment, the Restrictions shall immediately lapse on the date of such Change in Control and be of no further force or effect as of such date.   

6.         Dividends.  In the event a cash dividend shall be paid in respect of Shares at a time the Restrictions on the Restricted Stock have not lapsed, Participant shall receive the dividend.  

	
            C.
 	
            LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE AWARDS.   
 

1.         Payout Criteria.  Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Appendix A, the actual number of Shares paid, if any, to Participant under the Performance Award will be based on (a) the Company’s EBITDAR performance and (b) the occurrence of a contemporaneous annual payout under the Company’s broad-based employee Profit Sharing Program (a “Profit Sharing Payout”), as described below.

 

2.         Annual Vesting Opportunities for 2007 and 2008.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and the Agreement, including Section C of this Appendix A, Performance Awards will be subject to the following vesting opportunities in 2007 and 2008.   

(a)        Calendar Year 2007.  If the Company (i) has achieved EBITDAR of at least $2,838,000,000 for the year ending December 31, 2007 and (ii) made a Profit Sharing Payout for 2007, a number of Shares equal to 15% of the Performance Award (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall vest and be paid.    

 

 (b)        Calendar Year 2008.  If the Company (i) has achieved cumulative EBITDAR of at least $6,295,000,000 for the two year period ending December 31, 2008 and (ii) made  a Profit Sharing Payout for 2008, a number of Shares equal to 15% of the Performance Award (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall vest and be paid.  

(c)        Condition Precedent.  No Performance Awards will vest or be paid under this Section C.2 with respect to any year for which there is no Profit Sharing Payout.  

(d)       Timing of Payment.  The Company will pay Performance Awards that vest under this Section C.2 as soon as practicable after the determination that the payment criteria described in this Section have been met.

3.         Vesting Opportunity for 2009; Payment of Vested Shares.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and the Agreement, including Section C of this Appendix A, the Performance Award shall vest, as described in this Section 3, as of December 31, 2009, to the extent the Company meets or exceeds the EBITDAR goals described below.  If the Company does not meet the Threshold Level, as defined below, any unpaid portion of the Performance Award will lapse and become void as of December 31, 2009. 

(a)        Threshold Vesting.  If the Company has achieved cumulative EBITDAR of $7,433,000,000 (“Threshold Level”) for the three year period ending December 31, 

 

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2009, the Performance Award will vest with respect to a number of Shares equal to (i) 50% of the Performance Award, (ii) minus the number of Shares, if any, paid to Participant under Section C.2 above.  The remaining unvested portion of the Performance Award will lapse and become void. 

(b)       Target Vesting.  If the Company has achieved cumulative EBITDAR of $9,911,000,000 (“Target Level”) for the three year period ending December 31, 2009, the Performance Award will vest with respect to a number of Shares equal to (ii) 100% of the Performance Award, (ii) minus the number of Shares, if any, paid to Participant under Section C.2 above.    

(c)        Maximum Vesting.  If the Company has achieved cumulative EBITDAR of at least $11,849,000,000 (“Maximum Level”) for the three year period ending December 31, 2009, the Performance Award will vest with respect to a number of Shares equal to (i) 150% of the Performance Award, (ii) minus the number of Shares, if any, paid to Participant under Section C.2 above. 

(d)       Vesting by Interpolation.  If the Company has achieved cumulative EBITDAR for the three year period ending December 31, 2009 which is above the Threshold Level but below the Target Level, or above the Target Level but below the Maximum Level, the Performance Award will vest with respect to a number of Shares equal to (i) the Specified Percentage of the Performance Award, (ii) minus the number of Shares, if any, paid to Participant under Section C.2 above.  For purposes of this Section 3(d), the “Specified Percentage” will be determined by interpolating on a straight line basis as follows:  (i) between Threshold Level (at which 50% of the Performance Award vests) and Target Level (at which 100% of the Performance Award vests) if the
Company’s cumulative EBITDAR for the three year period ending December 31, 2009 is above the Threshold Level and below the Target Level; and (ii) between Target Level (at which 100% of the Performance Award vests) and Maximum Level (at which 150% of the Performance Award vests) if the Company’s cumulative EBITDAR for the three year period ending December 31, 2009 is above the Target Level and below the Maximum Level.3           

 

(e)        Definition of EBITDAR.  “EBITDAR” means, with respect to any fiscal period of the Company, an amount equal to the consolidated operating income of the Company and its subsidiaries during such fiscal period, determined prior to the charges, costs, and expenses associated with depreciation, amortization, and aircraft rent, based on

_________________________

3 The interpolation calculation is a four step process.  The following is the calculation for a cumulative EBITDAR that is between Threshold Level and Target Level:  

Step 1:  Subtract the cumulative EBITDAR achieved from $9,911,000,000 (Target Level).

Step 2:  Divide the total in Step 1 by $2,478,000,000 (the difference between Target Level and Threshold Level). 

Step 3:  Multiply the result of Step 2 by 50% or 0.50 (the difference between 100% target vesting and 50% threshold vesting).  Round up to the nearest thousandth; in other words, 0.456908 would be rounded up to 0.457

Step 4:  The fraction resulting from Step 3 is the percentage subtracted from the 100% target vesting level to determine the actual percentage of the Participant’s Performance Award that will vest.

 

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regularly prepared and publicly available statements of operations of the Company, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals (“GAAP”); provided, however, that EBITDAR shall be adjusted to exclude the following items, in each case as determined by the Committee, where applicable, in accordance with GAAP and only to the extent to which these items impact the Company’s consolidated operating income:  (i) all asset write downs related to long term assets; (ii) gains or losses with respect to employee equity securities; (iii) gains or losses incurred as a consequence of “fresh start accounting”; and (iv) gains or losses with respect to extraordinary, one-time or non-recurring events.

 

 (f)         Condition Precedent.  No Shares that vested under this Section C.3 will be paid to Participant until there is a Profit Sharing Payout for 2009 or a subsequent year. 

(g)       Timing of Payment.  The Company will pay Participant any Shares that vest under this Section C.3 as soon as practicable after the determination that the payment criteria described in this Section have been met.   

4.         Accelerated Vesting/Forfeiture upon Termination of Employment.  In addition to the other provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Performance Award is subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)        Without Cause or For Good Reason.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause or by Participant for Good Reason (including the Termination of Employment of Participant is employed by an Affiliate at the time the Company sells or otherwise divests itself of such Affiliate), Participant will be entitled to any Shares that become payable under Section C.2 and/or Section C.3 in the same manner and to the same extent as if Participant’s employment had continued. 

 

(b)       Voluntary Resignation.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of a voluntary resignation (other than for Good Reason or Retirement), Participant will immediately forfeit any unpaid portion of the Performance Award as of the date of such termination. 

(c)        Retirement, Death or Disability.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, death or Disability, the number of Shares subject to the target Performance Award as of the date of such termination will be recalculated and will be the result of the following formula (the “Adjusted Performance Award”):  S × (T ÷ E) where, 

 

S = the total number of Shares subject to Participant’s Performance Award as of the Grant Date; 

T = the number of calendar months from the Grant Date to the date of such Termination of Employment (rounded up for any partial month); and 

E = the number of calendar months from the Grant Date to December 31, 2009 (rounded up for any partial month).

 

The Shares subject to the Adjusted Performance Award will become immediately vested 

 

vi

 

and will be paid as soon as practicable thereafter to Participant or Participant’s estate, as applicable.

 

(d)       For Cause.  Upon Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause, Participant will immediately forfeit any unpaid portion of the Performance Award as of the date of such termination. 

5.         Change in Control.  Subject to Section D of this Appendix A, upon a Change in Control, any Performance Award not previously forfeited under Section 4(b) or Section 4(d), or settled under Section 4(c), shall immediately vest and be paid to Participant as soon as practicable without regard to whether a Profit Sharing Payout has been made.  The number of Shares to be paid to Participant in respect of the Performance Award shall be equal to 100% of the number of Shares subject to the Performance Award minus the number of Shares paid, if any, under Section C.2 above to Participant.     

	
            D.
 	
            Gross-Up for Certain Taxes.   
 

1.         Gross-Up Payments.  In the event that Participant becomes entitled to benefits under the Plan, the Company shall pay to Participant an additional lump sum payment (the “Gross-Up Payment”), in cash, equal to the amounts, if any, described in sub-section (a), subject to sub-section (b), below:

 

(a)  Subject to sub-section (b) below, if any portion of any payment under the Plan, when taken together with any payment under any other agreement with or plan of the Company (in the aggregate “Total Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Participant shall be entitled under this paragraph to an additional amount such that after payment by  Participant of all Participant’s applicable federal, state and local taxes, including any Excise Tax, imposed upon such additional amount, Participant will retain an amount sufficient
to pay the Excise Tax imposed on the Total Payments.

 

(b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (a) above, if it shall be determined that Participant would be entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Total Payments would not be subject to the Excise Tax if the Total Payments were reduced by an amount that is less than 10% of the portion of the Total Payments that would be treated as “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code, then the amounts payable to Participant shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the maximum amount that could be paid to Participant without giving rise to the Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Cap”), and no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to Participant.  Such reduction of the amounts payable to the Safe Harbor Cap, if applicable, shall be made by reducing payments comprising the Total Payments in such order as elected
by Participant.

 

The amounts payable under this Section D.1 shall be paid by the Company as soon as practicable (but in no event more than 30 days) after the occurrence of the events giving rise to Participant’s right to benefits under the Plan.

 

vii

 

2.         Determinations.  In the event of a Change in Control, all determinations required to be made under Section D.1 above, including the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, whether a payment is required under Section D.1 above, and the assumptions to be used in determining the Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the nationally recognized accounting firm generally used by the Company as its financial auditor (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Participant within twenty business days of the receipt of notice from Participant that there has been an event giving rise to the right to benefits under Section D.1 above, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company.  In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for a person effecting the Change in Control or is otherwise unavailable, Participant may appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).  All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.

 

3.         Subsequent Redeterminations.  Unless requested otherwise by the Company, Participant must use reasonable efforts to contest in good faith any subsequent determination by the Internal Revenue Service that Participant owes an amount of Excise Tax greater than the amount previously determined under paragraph (a); provided, however, that Participant shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Company of all fees and expenses reasonably incurred by Participant in contesting such determination.  In the event the Internal Revenue Service or any court of competent jurisdiction determines that Participant owes an amount of
Excise Tax that is either greater or less than the amount previously taken into account and paid under Section D.1, the Company shall promptly pay to Participant, or Participant shall promptly repay to the Company, as the case may be, the amount of such excess or shortfall.  In the case of any payment that the Company is required to make to Participant pursuant to the preceding sentence (a “Later Payment”), the Company shall also pay to Participant an additional amount such that after payment by Participant of all Participant’s applicable federal, state and local taxes on such additional amount, Participant will retain an amount sufficient to pay the total of Participant’s applicable federal, state and local taxes arising due to the Later Payment.  In the case of any repayment of Excise Tax that Participant is required to make to the Company pursuant to the second sentence of this Section D.3, Participant shall also
repay to the Company the amount of any additional payment received by Participant from the Company in respect of applicable federal, state and local taxes on such repaid Excise Tax, to the extent Participant is entitled to a refund of (or has not yet paid) such federal, state or local taxes. 

 

 

viiiEXHIBIT 10.4

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

 

1.          Agreement.  Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”), and James Whitehurst, (“I”, or “me”) the undersigned and individual named on the signature page hereto, wish to enter into this Separation Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) in order to resolve all outstanding issues and matters of every type between them.  I wish to accept the benefits and bear the obligations provided pursuant to this Agreement which partially consist of the benefits that would be provided to me and the obligations that would be born by me as if my separation was a termination by Delta without cause under the Delta Air Lines, Inc. 2007 Officer and Director Severance
Plan, (the "Plan").  I acknowledge I have carefully reviewed the provisions of the Plan, as well as the provisions of this Agreement.  I believe both the Agreement and the provisions of the Plan are in my best interest and I acknowledge entering into this Agreement voluntarily and without coercion.  I further acknowledge and agree that my employment termination date with Delta shall be August 31, 2007, and I shall provide any transition services requested by Delta until such date.  I shall also resign from all other positions with Delta subsidiaries and affiliates as of such date.

 

2.          Severance Benefits.  In exchange for voluntarily executing and returning this Agreement to Delta, and satisfying all obligations set forth herein and in the Plan, Delta will provide me with the level of benefits provided in the Plan as if my separation was a termination by Delta other than for Cause (as defined in the Plan), (a) subject to the required withholding and payment of all applicable federal, state and local taxes and (b) except as specifically provided in Section 4, with no tax reimbursement by Delta related to any travel privileges or any other benefits provided under the Plan.  In addition, Delta will provide me with a payment equal to Five Hundred Ten Thousand Twenty Five Dollars ($510,025) which represents a pro rata share of my MIP award for 2007.  In exchange for
such benefits, I agree to be bound by the terms and obligations of the Plan as if my separation was a termination by Delta other than for Cause.  I acknowledge and agree that Delta will have no obligation to provide me with any benefits in connection with my employment relationship with Delta, or the termination of that relationship, except as described in the Plan or described in this Agreement (other than retirement and equity-based benefits in accordance with the respective terms of any retirement and equity-based plan in which I participated during my employment with Delta as provided in Section 3 below).  I specifically acknowledge that as provided in the Plan, payment of certain of my Severance Benefits may be subject to delayed payment pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as determined by Delta. 

 

3.          Treatment of Emergence Awards.  In addition to the Severance Benefits to be provided pursuant to Section 2 above, Delta and I agree that my rights and obligations with respect to the Emergence Awards granted to me under the Delta Air Lines, Inc. 2007 Performance Compensation Plan, (including Appendix A thereto) (the “2007 Performance Plan”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1, and as further described in the Delta 2007 Performance Compensation Plan Award Agreement  to me dated April 30, 2007, (the “Emergence Award Agreement”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2 shall be determined as if my separation was a termination by Delta other
than for Cause, (as defined in the 2007 Performance Plan).  I agree to be bound by all provisions of the Emergence Award Agreement and the 2007 Performance Plan, except as such provisions may be specifically superseded by this Agreement.

 

 

 

4.          Flight Benefits.  For a period of fourteen years following my separation date, and subject to all applicable rules and restrictions, Delta will allow me, my spouse and dependent children and other “PPR” members to be eligible for the same non revenue travel benefits as those provided to active executive officers (and their spouse and dependent children and other “PPR” members) as modified from time to time, except that: a) any so called “gross up” allowance will not exceed the amount provided under the program as of my separation date and there shall be no carryover from year to year of the “gross up” allowance, or no year to year carryover of any other “allowance” type benefit which may be implemented during such 14 year period; b)
such travel must be on the Delta system, and shall not include reciprocal benefits that may be provided on other airlines (except for certain Delta Connection flights); c)  Delta may implement any additional change specifically to my benefits even if such change is not applied to other participants in the travel program if Delta determines such changes are required by law or regulation, including Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. All bookings for anyone other than my PPR members must occur by my separation date.   In addition, I acknowledge and agree that I may not exchange the Flight Benefits for any other benefit or for a payment in cash or kind and that Delta may immediately suspend or terminate the Flight Benefits under this Section 4 if it determines in its reasonable discretion that I have violated any of my obligations under this Agreement or any travel policy.   I agree that I have advised Delta that should I receive flight benefits from another source on a comparable
or more favorable basis, I will no longer wish to participate in Delta’s travel program while receiving such other flight benefits.  

 

5.          General Waiver and Release.  In exchange for the benefits which Delta is providing under this Agreement and the Plan, I hereby agree as follows:

 

a.           Except for
the rights and obligations provided by or arising under this Agreement, the
Plan, the Delta Retirement Plan, the Delta Family-Care Savings Plan, the 2007
Performance Plan, any bankruptcy claim I may have as the result of my
participation in any Delta sponsored non qualified pension plan or any right I
may have to indemnification by Delta, I hereby release, acquit, withdraw,
retract and forever discharge any and all claims, or causes of action which I
now have or may have hereafter, directly or indirectly, personally or in a
representative capacity, against Delta, including its predecessors and
successors, and its subsidiaries and affiliates and all of each entity’s
respective administrators, fiduciaries, parents, subsidiaries, plans,
affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, representatives, agents,
employees, and all persons acting through or in connection with Delta (each a
"Released Party") by
reason of any matter, conduct, claim, event, act, omission, cause or thing
whatsoever, from the beginning of time to, and including, the date of execution
of this Agreement. This general release includes, but is not limited to, all
claims, manner of actions, and causes of action which arise under Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; The Age Discrimination in Employment
Act of 1967, as amended; The Americans with Disabilities Act; The Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended; The Family & Medical Leave Act; The Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 through
1988; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, any other
federal, state or local statute or ordinance respecting discriminatory hiring or
employment practices or civil rights laws based on protected class status;
common law claims of intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress,
defamation, negligent hiring, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good
faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel, negligence, or wrongful termination
of employment; and all other claims of any type or nature, including any claim
in contract or tort, and including any claim for attorneys' fees. I understand
and intend that this General Release shall discharge all claims against the Released Parties to the extent permitted by law, but shall
not discharge claims arising out of any events which may occur after the date of
execution of this Agreement.

 

2

 

b.           Except as necessary to enforce the terms of this Agreement, I agree that neither I, nor anyone acting on my behalf, will sue any Released Party based on any claim released under this Agreement.  In the event that I sue, or anyone acting on my behalf sues, any Released Party based on any claim released under this Agreement, I will hold each Released Party harmless from any claim asserted in such lawsuit and will accept no payment or other benefit as a result of such lawsuit or any settlement thereof.

 

6.          No Admissions.  This Agreement is not to be construed in any way as an admission by any of the Released Parties that they have violated any federal, state, or local law, ordinance, regulation, or policy.

 

7.          Acknowledgements.  I understand that there may be numerous, valuable rights under federal and state law which I am waiving by executing this Agreement.  In connection with this, I hereby acknowledge that:

 

a.           This Agreement and the Plan are written in a manner that is understandable to me, and there shall be no Revocation Period as defined in the Plan;

 

b.           I am receiving valuable consideration under this Agreement to which I would not otherwise be entitled;

 

c.            I have been advised in writing to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement;

 

d.           I understand that this Agreement is a general release of Delta and the other Released Parties from any past or existing claim or potential claim including any claim or potential claim relating to my employment relationship with Delta, and termination of that relationship;

 

e.           I have been given a period of five (5) days in which to consider whether to sign this Agreement and to consult with an attorney, accountant, tax advisor, spouse, or any other person.  I have either used this full five (5) day period to consider this Agreement, or have voluntarily chosen to execute this Agreement before the end of that period.              

 

8.         Return of Property. I agree that all property belonging to Delta, including records, files, memoranda, reports, personnel information (including benefit files, training records, customer lists, operating procedure manuals, safety manuals, financial statements, price lists and the like), relating to the business of Delta, which I have come in contact with in the course of my employment (hereinafter "Delta's Materials") shall, as between the parties hereto, remain the sole property of Delta.  I hereby warrant that I have returned all originals and copies of Delta's Materials to Delta.

 

9.          Cooperation. I agree that I shall, to the extent
requested in writing and reasonable under the circumstances, cooperate with and
serve in any capacity requested by Delta in any pending or future litigation in
which Delta has an interest, and regarding which I, by virtue of my employment
with Delta, have knowledge or information relevant to the litigation. I also
agree to cooperate with Delta regarding matters and communications concerning my
employment and separation. Delta shall reimburse me for reasonable and necessary
out-of-pocket expenses that I incur in connection with such
cooperation.

 

3

 

10.       Trade Secrets.  I hereby acknowledge that during the term of my employment with Delta, I had access to and acquired knowledge of secret, confidential and proprietary information regarding, Delta and its business that fits within the definition of “trade secrets” under the law of the State of Georgia, including, without limitation,  information regarding Delta’s present and future operations, its financial operations, marketing plans and strategies, alliance agreements and relationships, its compensation and incentive programs for employees, and the business methods used by Delta and its employees, and other information which derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain
economic value from its disclosure or use, and is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy (each, a “Trade Secret”).  I hereby agree that, for so long as such information remains a Trade Secret as defined by Georgia law, I will hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of Delta and shall not directly or indirectly make use of, on my own behalf or on behalf of others, any Trade Secret, or transmit, reveal or disclose any Trade Secret to any person, concern or entity.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to limit the protections of any applicable law protecting trade secrets. 

 

11.         Confidential or Proprietary Information.  I further agree that I will hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of Delta, and, during the two year period beginning on the date I sign this Agreement (the “Effective Date”), shall not directly or indirectly use or disclose, any Confidential or Proprietary Information, as defined hereinafter, that I may have acquired (whether or not developed or compiled by me and whether or not I was authorized to have access to such Confidential or Proprietary Information) during the term of, in the course of, or as a result of my employment by Delta.  Subject to the provisions set forth below, the term “Confidential or Proprietary
Information” as used in this Agreement means the following secret, confidential and proprietary information of Delta not otherwise included in the definition of Trade Secret:  all marketing, alliance, advertising and sales plans and strategies;  all pricing information; all financial, advertising and product development plans and strategies; all compensation and incentive programs for employees; all alliance agreements, plans and processes; all plans, strategies, and agreements related to the sale of assets; all third party provider agreements, relationships, and strategies; all business methods and processes used by Delta and its employees; all personally identifiable information regarding Delta employees, contractors and applicants; and all lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers maintained by Delta.  The term “Confidential and Proprietary Information” does not include information that has become generally available to the
public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information. Nothing in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to limit the protections of any applicable law protecting confidential or proprietary information.

 

12.       Employee
Non-Solicitation Agreement. During the one-year period
following the Effective Date, I will not directly or indirectly (on my own
behalf or on behalf of any other person, company, partnership, corporation or
other entity), employ or solicit for employment any individual who is a
management or professional employee of Delta for employment with any entity or
person other than Delta or its subsidiaries or solicit, encourage or induce any
such person to terminate their employment with Delta and its subsidiaries. The
restrictions set forth in this Section shall be limited to those Company
management or professional employees who:

 

 

4

(i) were employed by Delta during my employment in a supervisory or administrative
job; and (ii) with whom I had material professional contact during my employment
with Delta.

 

13.       
Non-Competition Agreement. I
acknowledge that Delta competes in a worldwide passenger air travel market, and
Delta’s business plan is increasingly international in scope. Such business
plan continues to focus on international air travel as a critical component, but
will also continue to provide primarily domestic air travel
service. I acknowledge that the airlines listed below are particular competitors
to Delta in the domestic or international market, and employment with any of the
listed carriers would create more harm to Delta relative to my possible
employment or consulting with other air passenger carriers or air cargo
carriers. I agree that the restrictions placed on me under this paragraph will
not prevent from earning a livelihood, given the large number of worldwide and
domestic air carriers not included in the list below. During the one-year period
following the Effective Date, I will not on my own behalf or on behalf of any
person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or business organization,
entity or enterprise, provide the same or substantially similar services as I
performed at Delta, as an employee, consultant, partner, or in any other
capacity, to any of the following entities, which I hereby acknowledge are all
competitors of Delta: AMR Corporation, American Airlines, Inc., Continental
Airlines, Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., UAL Corporation, United Air Lines, Inc.,
US Airways, Inc., Jet Blue Airways, Inc., AirTran Airways, Inc., Virgin America,
or Northwest Airlines, Inc. (individually and collectively, the
“Competitor”).

 

14.       Arbitration.  I hereby agree that any dispute with respect to the Emergence Awrds shall be submitted for, and settled by, mandatory, final and binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association.  Unless an alternative locale is otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties to this Agreement, the arbitration shall be conducted in the City of Wilmington, Delaware.  The arbitrator will apply Delaware law to the merits of any dispute or claim, without reference to rules of conflict of law.  Any award rendered by the arbitrator shall provide the full remedies available to the parties under the applicable law and shall be final and binding on each of the
parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction.  I hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware for any action or proceeding arising from or relating to any arbitration under this Agreement.  The prevailing party in any such arbitration shall be entitled to an award by the arbitrator of all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration.  However, Delta will pay all fees associated with the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrator.  All parties must initial here for this Section 14 to be effective:

 

	
             
 	
            JMW  
 	
            James Whitehurst
 

 

	
             
 	
            RLK  
 	
            Robert Kight, Vice President, Compensation and Benefits Delta Air Lines, Inc.  
 

 

No other disputes under this Agreement shall be subject to arbitration. 

 

15.       
Forum Selection. I hereby acknowledge and agree that the
provisions contained in Sections 10, 11, 12, and 13 of this Agreement are
reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of Delta, and
that any breach of any of these provisions will result in immediate and
irreparable injury to Delta for which monetary damages will not be an adequate
remedy. I further acknowledge that if any such provision is breached or
threatened to be

 

5

breached, Delta will be entitled to seek a temporary restraining order,
preliminary injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent
jurisdiction without the necessity of posting a bond, restraining me from
continuing to commit any violation of the covenants, and I hereby irrevocably
consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of
Delaware, with venue in Wilmington, which shall have jurisdiction to hear and
determine any claim for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or
other equitable relief brought against me by Delta.

 

16.       Consequences of Breach.  Furthermore, I acknowledge that, in partial consideration for the payments and benefits described in the Plan and this Agreement, Delta is requiring that I agree to and comply with the terms of  Sections 10 through 13 and  I hereby agree that without limiting any of the foregoing, should I violate any of the terms of Sections 10 through 13 hereof , after the date of such violation, I:  (a) will not be entitled to and shall not receive any benefits or payments under the Plan and this Agreement, and no such payments or benefits scheduled to be provided after such violation shall be provided; and (b) shall repay to Delta all cash compensation I have received under this Agreement.  

 

17.        Tolling.  I further agree that in the event the enforceability of any of the restrictions as set forth in Sections 11, 12, or 13 of this Agreement are challenged and I am not preliminarily or otherwise enjoined from breaching such restriction(s) pending a final determination of the issues, then, if a court determines that the challenged restriction(s) is enforceable, the time period set forth in such Section(s) shall be deemed tolled upon the filing of the action seeking injunctive or other equitable relief, whichever is first in time, until the dispute is finally resolved and all periods of appeal have expired. 

 

18.        Governing Law.  Unless governed by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws of that State.  

 

19.       Waiver of Jury Trial.  TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, I HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.  THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DISPUTE CONCERNING ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENT (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN), OR ACTION OF DELTA OR ME, OR ANY EXERCISE BY DELTA OR ME OF OUR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.  I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR DELTA TO ISSUE AND ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT.

 

20.      
No Statements. I agree that I will not make any oral or
written statement to the news media, in any public forum, or to any business
competitive with Delta, concerning any actions or inactions by Delta, or any of
its present or former subsidiaries or affiliates or any of its present or former
officers, directors or employees, relative to Delta’s compliance with any
state, federal or local law or rule. I further agree that except as I reasonably
deem necessary to enforce this Agreement, I will not make any oral or written
statement or take any other action which disparages or criticizes Delta, or any
of its present or former subsidiaries or affiliates or any of its present or
former officers, directors or employees, including, but not limited to any

 

6

such
statement which damages Delta’s good reputation or impairs its normal
operations. I further agree that I will not initiate or solicit claims against
Delta, or otherwise directly or indirectly encourage or support any claim that
has been or in the future is asserted by a third party against Delta. Similarly,
except as it reasonably deems necessary to enforce this Agreement, Delta agrees
to not make any oral or written statement or take any other action which
disparages or criticizes me.

 

21.       Validity; Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such holding shall not affect any other provisions in this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.  The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.

 

22.        Entire Agreement.  This Agreement sets forth the entire Agreement between me and Delta and supersedes any other written or oral agreement. No representations, statements, or inducements have been made to me concerning this Agreement other than the representations and statements contained and memorialized in this Agreement.  I agree that the nature, terms, conditions, and substance of this Agreement are strictly confidential and shall be kept confidential by me and my agents and, except as may be required by law, shall not be disclosed at any time to any other person without the prior written consent of Delta, except as such information becomes public through no act of me.   

 

23.        Professional Fees.  Delta agrees to pay the actual reasonable attorney fees I incur to negotiate and prepare this Agreement, (including reimbursement for any taxes I may incur as the result of such payment on my behalf), but which payment and reimbursement shall not exceed $10,000 in total.

 

24.        Indemnification.  Delta will continue to indemnify me, and cover me under any contract of directors and officers liability insurance, for all acts and omissions occurring through August 31, 2007 to the same extent as I would have been so indemnified had my employment continued.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Delta has executed this Agreement on
the   27th   day of
   August      , 2007, and
James Whitehurst has executed this Agreement on the date indicated
below.

 

                    /s/ James M. Whitehurst                    

	
             
 	
            (James Whitehurst)
 

 

Date:                                                                                      

 

                       /s/ Robert L. Kight                            

	
             
 	
            Robert L. Kight
 

Vice President – Compensation and Benefits 

	
             
 	
            Delta Air Lines, Inc.
 

 

 

7

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