Axar Master Fund, Ltd. v. Bedford

308 F. Supp. 3d 743
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Illinois
DecidedMarch 29, 2018
Docket17–cv–0426 (LAK)
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 308 F. Supp. 3d 743 (Axar Master Fund, Ltd. v. Bedford) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Axar Master Fund, Ltd. v. Bedford, 308 F. Supp. 3d 743 (S.D. Ill. 2018).

Opinion

Lewis A. Kaplan, District Judge.

*747This is a securities fraud case against officers and directors of Republic Airways Holdings Inc. ("Republic"). The matter is before the Court on defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 9(b) and 12(b)(6) [DI 26]. Defendants' motion is granted.

Facts

The following facts are alleged in the complaint and the documents referenced therein,1 the truth of which the Court is bound to assume when considering a motion to dismiss.2

A. The Parties

Plaintiffs Axar Master Fund, Ltd. ("Axar") and Man GLG Select Opportunities Master LP ("Man GLG") are investment funds and minority shareholders of Republic,3 which is a regional airline that carries passengers for United Airlines, Inc. ("United"), Delta Air Lines, Inc. ("Delta"), and American Airlines Group, Inc. ("American").4 It owns and operates a fleet of aircraft and provides scheduled regional passenger services through fixed fee code share agreements with United, Delta, and American (together, the "Codeshare Partners").5 These code share agreements and business relationships with Codeshare Partners generate substantially all of Republic's operating revenue.6

During the relevant time period, defendant Bryan K. Bedford was the chairman of Republic's board of directors (the "Board") and Republic's president and chief operating officer. Joseph P. Allman was Republic's senior vice president and chief financial officer. Neal S. Cohen was the lead independent director of the *748Board. Robert L. Colin served as a director on the Board and chairman of the Board's audit committee. Daniel P. Garton and Mark L. Plaumann both served as directors and as members of the Board's audit committee.7

B. Republic's Pilot Staffing Issues and Contract Dispute with Delta

In early 2015, Republic began experiencing a shortage of qualified pilots as a result of new regulations concerning pilot qualifications and a dispute with its pilots' union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters ("Teamsters").8 The shortage was sufficiently dramatic that Republic approached its Codeshare Partners in early 2015 to discuss reducing the scheduled amount of flying hours under their respective code share agreements.9 At the same time, Republic endeavored also to increase operational efficiency by phasing out smaller airplane types (specifically the ERJ-145 aircraft) from its fleet.10

Delta early on rejected Republic's efforts to both reduce its flying hours and phase out its smaller aircrafts.11 In January 2015, Republic proposed to Delta that, beginning in 2015, Republic no longer operate a full schedule of flights under its ERJ-145 Agreement with Delta. Delta did not agree that the pilot shortage excused Republic's performance under the ERJ-145 Agreement and rejected Republic's proposal.12 Then, in February 2015, Republic announced plans to wind down its ERJ-145 operations after May 31, 2016, when its ERJ-145 Agreement with Delta was set to expire. Delta claimed a right to extend its agreement with Republic for another five years.13 Finally, in April 2015, Republic demanded another significant reduction in scheduled flying hours, this time of its ERJ-170 and ERJ-175 aircrafts, for the months of June, July, and August 2015. Delta rejected this demand as well and claimed that Republic was in breach of the requirement under the ERJ-170/175 Agreement to maintain adequate pilot staffing levels at all times.14

C. Initial Disclosures by Republic

On May 8, 2015, Republic filed its first quarter Form 10-Q with the SEC. The Form, which was signed by Bedford, disclosed that:

"As a result of pilot supply constraints exacerbated by industry regulatory changes, our ongoing labor dispute and other factors, the Company's operational performance in 2015 has deteriorated. We have agreed with our [Codeshare] [P]artners to reduce schedules to improve our operational performance in the second half of 2015. We continue to work with our [Codeshare] [P]artners on these issues."15

During an earnings call for the first quarter, which took place also on May 8, 2015, Bedford affirmed this point, stating:

"There's really no point in speculating as to whether or not our ongoing labor dispute is driving escalated levels of *749crew cancellations. Regardless, we are convinced that the most expedient way to get back to our historically high levels of performance is to reach a successful outcome at the bargaining table. Unfortunately, until this happens, we expect our operational reliability will remain challenged. And in light of that reality, we have asked our partners to reduce our levels of flying this summer. Thankfully, we're getting their support. We're grateful to our partners for their collaboration working with us during this challenging period."16

During the same call, Bedford acknowledged also Delta's purported extension of the ERJ-145 Agreement. He stated that Delta's response had been "unexpected," and that:

"In terms of the single fleet ... that's still subject to ... working through a minor, I think, scope related issue with Delta as a partner. So we're working through that right now, and again, I think there's collaboration there. Delta certainly understands that there's value in our fleet and operational simplification in terms of meeting their longer term needs for cost-effective reliable service."17

D. Ongoing Pilot Shortages Lead to Delta Lawsuit

The shortage of pilots worsened through the first half of 2015 so much so that Republic had to ask its Codeshare Partners for further reductions in flying hours.18 Republic knew as early as August 2015 that it would have to ask for major concessions from its Codeshare Partners and compensate them accordingly.19 Indeed, In Republic's second quarter Form 10-Q, filed on August 7, 2015, it stated:

"The Company has initiated discussions with its CPA partners to further reduce flying schedules during the second half of 2015 and early 2016. The reduced level of flying with our partners may result in adverse effects on our operating results."20

Accordingly, at some point in August 2015, Republic informed Delta that it would not place into service at least two out of the nine additional ERJ-170 aircraft required under an amendment to the ERJ-170/175 Agreement.21 Nonetheless, as of August 7, 2015, the company's leadership appeared optimistic.

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Bluebook (online)
308 F. Supp. 3d 743, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/axar-master-fund-ltd-v-bedford-ilsd-2018.