Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Form: 8-K)  

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   May 22, 2009

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 0-25732 13-4146982
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction 		_____________
(Commission 		______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
2000 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, New York   10577
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) 		  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   914-701-8000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The Board of Directors of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") adopted a Rights Plan, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, dated May 26, 2009, between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement"). The following description of the terms of the Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement which is attached hereto as an exhibit and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date (as defined below) and will expire at the close of business on May 25, 2012 (the "Expiration Date"), unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described below.

Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one Stock Purchase Right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 5, 2009 (the "Record Date"). In addition, one Right will automatically attach to each share of Common Stock issued between the Record Date and the Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined). Each Right entitles the registered holder thereof to purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock at a cash exercise price of $55.00 per share (the "Exercise Price"), subject to adjustment (e.g., in the event that a Stock Acquisition Date (as hereinafter defined) occurs or to prevent dilution), under certain conditions specified in the Rights Agreement and summarized below.

Initially, the Rights are not exercisable and are attached to and trade with all shares of Common Stock outstanding as of, and issued subsequent to, the Record Date. The Rights will separate from the Common Stock and will become exercisable upon (a) the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth business day following the earlier of (1) the first public announcement that a person, entity or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, other than as a result of repurchases of stock by the Company or certain inadvertent actions by a stockholder and (2) the date on which a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors has actual knowledge that an Acquiring Person has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the date of said announcement being referred to as the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) the close of business on the tenth business day following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that could result upon its consummation in a person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (b) such later date as the Company's Board of Directors may determine (the "Distribution Date"). A person who would otherwise be an Acquiring Person upon the adoption of the Rights Agreement will not be considered an Acquiring Person unless and until such person, or any affiliate of such person, acquires beneficial ownership of additional shares of Common Stock after the adoption of the Rights Agreement (other than pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split), in which case such person shall be an Acquiring Person.

Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date will contain a legend incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, expiration or termination of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any of the Common Stock certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate certificates alone will evidence the Rights from and after the Distribution Date.

In the event that a Stock Acquisition Date occurs, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person or its associates or affiliates, whose Rights shall become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise, that number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (or, in certain circumstances, including if there are insufficient shares of Common Stock to permit the exercise in full of the Rights, shares or units of preferred stock, other securities, cash or property, or any combination of the foregoing) having a market value of two times the Exercise Price of the Right (such right being referred to as the "Subscription Right"). In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i) the Company consolidates with, or merges with and into, any other person, and the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation, (ii) any person consolidates with the Company, or merges with and into the Company and the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of the shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any other property, or (iii) more than 40% of the Company’s assets or earning power is sold or otherwise transferred, each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person or its associates or affiliates, whose Rights shall become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a market value equal to two times the Exercise Price of the Right (such right being referred to as the "Merger Right"). The holder of a Right will continue to have the Merger Right whether or not such holder has exercised the Subscription Right. Rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person may (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) become null and void.

At any time after a person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors may, at its option, exchange all or any part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio specified in the Rights Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors generally will not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any person becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the Common Stock of the Company.

The Exercise Price payable, and the number of units or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Common Stock, (ii) if holders of the Common Stock are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Common Stock or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the Common Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).

With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Exercise Price will be required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Exercise Price. The Company is not obligated to issue fractional Rights. If the Company elects not to issue fractional Rights, in lieu thereof an adjustment in cash will be made based on the fair market value of a whole Right.

The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Right (payable in cash, Common Stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors) by the Board of Directors prior to the time at which any person becomes an Acquiring Person. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate and thereafter the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price.

The Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion until the time at which any person becomes an Acquiring Person. After such time the Board of Directors may, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Rights Agreement, amend the Rights Agreement only to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to make changes that do not materially adversely affect the interests of Rights holders (excluding the interests of an Acquiring Person or its associates or affiliates). In addition, the Board of Directors may at any time prior to the time at which any person becomes an Acquiring Person, amend the Rights Agreement to raise or lower the threshold at which a person becomes an Acquiring Person, to raise or lower the redemption price or extend or shorten the Expiration Date.

Until a Right is exercised, the holder will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company (beyond those as an existing stockholder), including the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become exercisable.





Item 3.03 Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.

Please see the disclosure set forth under Item 1.01, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.





Item 8.01 Other Events.

On May 26, 2009, the Company issued a press release announcing the declaration of the Rights and the adoption of the Rights Agreement. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by reference.





Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

4 Rights Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2009, between Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent.

99 Press release issued by Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. dated May 26, 2009.





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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
          
May 26, 2009   By:   /s/ Adam R. Kokas
       
        Name: Adam R. Kokas
        Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
4
  Rights Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2009, between Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent.
99
  Press release issued by Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. dated May 26, 2009.