As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2006

Registration No. 333-          

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Continental Airlines, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Copy to:

 

Kevin P. Lewis

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2300

Houston, Texas 77002-6760

(713) 758-2222

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the registration statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  þ

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  þ

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Footnotes on following page.

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Registration Statement contains two separate forms of prospectuses to be used in connection with offerings of (1) debt securities, Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights and (2) pass through certificates.

PROSPECTUS

 

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

 

Debt Securities, Common Stock,

Preferred Stock, Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units,

Depositary Shares, Warrants and Subscription Rights

 

 

 

 

Continental Airlines, Inc. may offer and sell the securities listed above from time to time in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering.

 

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

 

We will provide specific terms of these securities and the manner in which we will sell them in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

 

Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAL.”

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is April 10, 2006.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement as if we had authorized it. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of the dates on their covers. When we deliver this prospectus or a supplement or make a sale pursuant to this prospectus, we are not implying that the information is current as of the date of the delivery or sale.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC”, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer the securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the securities being offered at that time. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. In this prospectus, “Continental,” “we, “us,” our” and the “company” each refers to Continental Airlines, Inc., unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

To the extent information in this prospectus is inconsistent with information contained in a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” and any additional information you may need to make your investment decision.

 

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330.

 

The SEC also maintains an internet world wide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file reports electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, which registers the securities that we may offer under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, contains additional relevant information about us and the securities offered.

 

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement delivered with this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference may contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include any statements that predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will result,” or words or phrases of similar meaning.

 

Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from anticipated results for a number of reasons, including those stated in our SEC reports incorporated in this prospectus by reference or as stated in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors”.

 

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above.

 

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by subsequent incorporated documents or by information that is included directly in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we previously have filed with the SEC and that are not delivered with this prospectus. They contain important information about us and our financial condition.

 

 

Our SEC file number is 1-10323.

 

We incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K) between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of securities under this prospectus. These documents include our periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as our proxy statements.

 

You may obtain any of these incorporated documents from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in such document. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them from us in writing or by telephone at the following address:

 

Continental Airlines, Inc.

1600 Smith Street,

Dept. HQSEO

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Secretary

(713) 324-2950

 

We are the world’s sixth largest airline (as measured by the number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers, known as revenue passenger miles, in 2005). Together with ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (operating as Continental Express), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc., from which we purchase seat capacity, and our wholly owned subsidiary, Continental Micronesia, Inc., each a Delaware corporation, we operate more than 2,500 daily departures. As of December 31, 2005, we flew to 132 domestic and 126 international destinations and offered additional connecting service through alliances with domestic and foreign carriers. We directly served 23 European cities, nine South American cities, Tel Aviv, Delhi, Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo as of December 31, 2005. In addition, we provide service to more destinations in Mexico and Central America than any other U.S. airline, serving 41 cities. Through our Guam hub,

Continental Micronesia provides extensive service in the western Pacific, including service to more Japanese cities than any other United States carrier.

 

We are a Delaware corporation, with executive offices located at 1600 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002. Our telephone number is (713) 324-2950.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness and the funding of a portion of our pension liabilities, and our working capital requirements.

 

The ratio of our “earnings” to our “fixed charges” for the year 2003 was 1.14. For the years 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, “earnings” were inadequate to cover “fixed charges”, and the coverage deficiency was $161 million in 2001, $658 million in 2002, $490 million in 2004 and $102 million in 2005.

 

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is based on continuing operations. For purposes of the ratio, “earnings” means the sum of:

 

 

“Fixed charges” represent:

 

 

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of our debt securities, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness, that we may offer by this prospectus. We will describe the particular terms of debt securities, and provisions that vary from those described below, in one or more prospectus supplements.

 

We may issue the debt securities offered under this prospectus and related prospectus supplements in registered or bearer form. The debt securities we offer pursuant to this prospectus will be unsecured obligations unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may issue the debt securities as unsubordinated or senior debt securities, or as subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all our current and future unsubordinated indebtedness, and the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all our senior indebtedness, as described below under “— Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities.”

 

As required by U.S. law, debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” The indenture is a contract between us and an entity named in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement which acts as trustee. The trustee has two main roles:

 

 

Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior debt indenture entered into between us and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor in interest to Bank One, N.A.), as trustee, dated as of July 15, 1997. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated debt indenture between us and a trustee we name when the subordinated debt securities are issued. The senior debt indenture and the subordinated debt indenture are sometimes collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “indentures.” We have filed the senior indenture and a form of the subordinated indenture as exhibits to this registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the debt securities and the indentures. The summary is not complete. You should not rely on this summary, because the indentures define your rights as a holder of the debt securities.

 

General

 

The indentures do not limit the total principal amount of debt securities that may be issued and provide that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement a description of the series of debt securities being offered, including some or all of the following:

 

 

The holders of our debt securities (whether senior or subordinated debt securities) will be effectively subordinated to the creditors of our subsidiaries because such creditors will have a direct claim against any

assets of such subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization. By contrast, as a holder of our debt securities (whether senior or subordinated debt securities), you will have only an indirect claim against the assets of our subsidiaries that derives through our ownership of the capital stock of our subsidiaries. Consequently, as a holder of debt securities, your right to participate in those assets will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors (including trade creditors). In addition, the holders of our debt securities (whether senior or subordinated debt securities) will be effectively subordinated to the holders of our secured debt to the extent of the collateral securing such debt.

 

Except as may be set forth in a prospectus supplement, the indentures also do not limit the aggregate amount of unsecured indebtedness that we or our subsidiaries may incur.

 

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and will be issued in fully registered form without coupons. If debt securities are issued in bearer form, we will set forth the special restrictions and considerations applicable to such debt securities in a prospectus supplement. Bearer debt securities will be transferable by delivery of the security by the transferring holder to the new holder, and the transfer will not be registered or recorded by the trustee or us.

 

We may sell the debt securities for an amount less than their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or bearing a below market rate of interest. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in a prospectus supplement.

 

If the purchase price of any debt securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if any debt securities are denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if the principal of, premium and/or interest, if any, on any debt securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, the restrictions, elections, federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to the debt securities and such foreign currency or currency units will be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

 

Denominations, Payment, Registration, Transfer and Exchange

 

We will issue registered debt securities in denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000, and we will issue bearer debt securities in $5,000 denominations or, in each case, in such other denominations and currencies established by the terms of the debt securities of any particular series. Unless we provide otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will make payments in respect of the debt securities, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, in the designated currency and at the office or agency as we may designate from time to time. At our option, however, we may make interest payments on debt securities in registered form:

 

 

We will pay installments of interest on debt securities:

 

 

The paying agents outside the United States, if any, whom we initially appoint for a series of debt securities will be named in a prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agents, provided that, in the case of:

 

 

 

We will have the right to require a holder of any debt security, in connection with the payment of the principal of, premium and/or interest, if any, on any debt security, to certify certain information to us for tax purposes. In the absence of such certification, we will be entitled to rely on any legal presumption to enable us to determine our duties and liabilities, if any, to deduct or withhold taxes, assessments or governmental charges from such payment.

 

Unless we provide otherwise in a prospectus supplement, you may transfer debt securities in registered form at the agency we designate from time to time. You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange the debt securities, but you may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange.

 

If we redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

 

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities.

 

The payment of the principal of, premium, and/or interest, if any, on, and the redemption or repurchase of, the subordinated debt securities and coupons will be subordinated and junior in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full of all our “senior indebtedness” (as defined below). Generally, the subordinated debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness other than any future subordinated indebtedness or other subordinated obligations which we specify will rank junior to the subordinated debt securities. Notwithstanding the preceding, payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S. government obligations held in any defeasance trust described under “— Defeasance; Satisfaction and Discharge” below is not subordinate to any senior indebtedness or subject to the restrictions described herein.

 

Senior indebtedness consists of the following types of obligations, in each case subject to the exceptions enumerated below:

 

 

 

Except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, senior indebtedness will not include the following:

 

 

The senior indebtedness will continue to be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the senior indebtedness. Except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the subordinated debt securities and coupons will rank senior in right of payment to our guarantee of certain payments under the 6% Convertible Preferred Securities, Term Income Deferrable Equity Securities (TIDES) of Continental Airlines Finance Trust II and our 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030.

 

No payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption or repurchase of, the subordinated debt securities or any coupon or any deposit pursuant to the provisions described under “— Defeasance; Satisfaction and Discharge” below may be made by us if there is a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest (including a default under any repurchase or redemption obligation) or other amounts with respect to any senior indebtedness. Similarly, no payment may be made if any other event of default with respect to any senior indebtedness, permitting the holders of senior indebtedness to accelerate the maturity thereof, has occurred and has not been cured, waived or ceased to exist after written notice to us and the trustee by any holder of senior indebtedness. Upon any acceleration of the principal due on the subordinated debt securities or payment or distribution of our assets to creditors upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, all principal, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest or other amounts due on all senior indebtedness must be paid in full before the holders of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment. Because of such subordination, if we become insolvent, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities. Furthermore, such subordination may result in a reduction or elimination of payments to the holders of the subordinated debt securities.

 

The subordinated indenture does not limit our ability to incur senior indebtedness or any other indebtedness.

 

Global Debt Securities

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in global form that will be deposited with a depositary or with a nominee for the depositary identified in a prospectus supplement. In such case, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the

portion of the total principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series to be represented by such registered global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive form, a registered global security may not be registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the depositary, the depositary’s nominee or their respective successors as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in a prospectus supplement. We expect that the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.

 

Upon the issuance of any registered global security, and the deposit of such security with or on behalf of the appropriate depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by such registered global security to the accounts of institutions or participants that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of the debt securities or by us, if we offer and sell such debt securities directly.

 

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to participants of the depositary (which are usually large investment banks, retail brokerage firms, banks and other large financial institutions) and persons that hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests by participants in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for that security or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security by persons who hold through participants will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests within that participant will be effected only through, records maintained by that participant. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in certificated form. The preceding limitations and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in registered global securities.

 

So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by that registered global security. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement and except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not:

 

 

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indentures.

 

The depositary may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the indentures. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, payments with respect to principal, premium and/or interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to such depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such registered global security.

 

We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the registered global security as shown on the records of such depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be

governed by standing instructions and customary practices in the securities industry, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street names,” and will be the responsibility of such participants. Neither we nor the trustee or any agent of ours will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a registered global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, if the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue debt securities in certificated form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, the indentures provide that we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities and, in such event, will issue debt securities of such series in certificated form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing such debt securities. Further, if we so specify with respect to the debt securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security representing such series of debt securities may receive, on terms acceptable to us and the depositary for such registered global security, debt securities of such series in certificated form registered in the name of such beneficial owner or its designee.

 

Consolidation, Merger and Conveyance of Assets as an Entirety

 

Each indenture provides that we will not merge or consolidate with or into any other entity or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all our assets unless:

 

 

If a successor corporation assumes our obligations, the successor will succeed to and be substituted for us under the indentures, the debt securities and any related coupons. Consequently, all of our obligations will terminate, except in the case of a lease. If any such permitted consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, disposition or other change of control transaction occurs, the holders of the debt securities will not have the right to require redemption of their securities or similar rights unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement.

 

Events of Default

 

An “Event of Default” occurs with respect to debt securities of any series if any of the following occurs:

 

 

 

An Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities will not necessarily be an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

 

The indentures provide that, if an Event of Default occurs with respect to the debt securities of any series and is continuing, the trustee for the series or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by written notice to us (and to the trustee for such series, if notice is given by the holders of debt securities), may declare the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount debt securities or indexed debt securities, such portion of the principal amount specified in the prospectus supplement) of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable.

 

The indentures provide that the trustee for any series of debt securities will give to the holders of the debt securities of that series notice of all uncured Defaults (as defined below) within 90 days after the occurrence of a Default. However, such notice will not be given until 60 days after the occurrence of a Default with respect to the debt securities of that series involving a failure to perform a covenant other than the obligation to pay principal, premium, and/or interest, if any, or make a mandatory sinking fund payment. Further, except in the case of default in payment on the debt securities of that series, the trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee comprised of certain officers of the trustee determines in good faith that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders of the debt securities of that series. “Default” means any event which is, or, after notice or passage of time or both, would be, an Event of Default.

 

Under the indentures, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request of any of the holders, unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provision for indemnification, the indentures provide that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected with each series voting as a class, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee for such series, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such trustee. We are required to file annually with the trustee a certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under indentures.

 

By notice to the trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in total principal amount of any series of debt securities may waive any past Default or Event of Default with respect to that series and its consequences, except a Default or an Event of Default based on the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any debt security of a series and certain other defaults. Further, such majority holders may rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration with respect to that series (unless a judgment or decree based on such acceleration has been obtained by the trustee), if all existing Defaults and Events of Default with respect to that series (other than the non-payment of the principal of that series that has become due solely by the declaration of acceleration) have been cured or waived.

 

Modification of Indenture

 

Without Holder Consent.  Without the consent of any holders of debt securities, we and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures for any of the following purposes:

 

 

 

With Holder Consent.  Except as provided above, the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture is generally required for the purpose of adding to, or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of, the indentures or debt securities pursuant to a supplemental indenture. However, no amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security directly affected thereby,

 

 

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any provision of the indenture expressly included solely for the benefit of holders of debt securities of one or more particular series of debt securities will be deemed not to affect the rights under the indenture of the holders of debt securities of any other series.

 

Defeasance; Satisfaction and Discharge

 

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have two options to discharge our obligations under a series of debt securities before their stated maturity date. We may elect either:

 

 

To elect either option, we must deposit with the trustee for such series an amount of money and/or government obligations sufficient to pay the principal of, premium and/or interest, if any, on such debt securities to stated maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory sinking fund payments.

 

Upon the occurrence of a defeasance, we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the debt securities of or within any series and any related coupons and to have satisfied all of our other obligations with respect to such debt securities and coupons, except for:

 

 

 

Upon the occurrence of a covenant defeasance, we will:

 

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and except as described below, the conditions to both defeasance and covenant defeasance are as follows:

 

 

A nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants must deliver a written certification to the trustee as to the sufficiency of the trust funds deposited for the defeasance or covenant defeasance of the debt securities. As holders of the debt securities, you will not have any recourse against such firm. If government obligations deposited with the trustee for the defeasance of the debt securities decrease in value or default subsequent to their being deposited, we will have no further obligation, and you will have no additional recourse against us, as a result of such decrease in value or default.

 

We may exercise our defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our defeasance option, payment of the debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the debt securities may not be accelerated by reason of an Event of Default with respect to the covenants to which such covenant defeasance is applicable. However, if such acceleration were to occur, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and government obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest, if any, then due on the defeased debt securities, because the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.

 

A prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of or within a particular series.

 

In addition, we may satisfy and discharge either indenture with respect to any series of debt securities and as a result we will be relieved of our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series, other than our obligations with respect to registration of transfer and exchange of such debt securities and the replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities, provided that either:

 

(1) we deliver all debt securities of that series previously authenticated and delivered and any related coupons (other than (a) coupons pertaining to certain bearer securities, (b) debt securities and coupons that have been replaced as destroyed, lost or stolen and (c) debt securities and coupons for which payment amounts have been deposited in trust and after two years repaid to us) to the trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all such debt securities and any related coupons not so delivered for cancellation have either become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee and, in the case of this clause (2), we have deposited with the trustee in trust an amount of the currency in which that series is payable sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt securities and coupons, including interest to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to their stated maturity or applicable redemption date.

 

The Trustee

 

The trustee under the senior debt indenture is J. P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor in interest to Bank One, N.A.). The trustee under the subordinated debt indenture will be named when the subordinated debt securities are issued. If more than one series of debt securities is outstanding under an indenture, a trustee may serve as trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more of such series. If more than one series of debt securities is outstanding under an indenture, the holders of a majority in total principal amount of each such series at any time outstanding may remove the trustee with respect to such series (but not as to any other series) by notifying the trustee and us and may appoint a successor trustee for such series with our consent.

 

Each indenture contains certain limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of ours, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize for its own account on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions; however, if after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as specified in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939) it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

 

Governing Law

 

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

Our authorized capital stock currently consists of 200 million shares of Class B common stock, which we refer to as the common stock, and 10 million shares of preferred stock. As of March 31, 2006, we had outstanding 87,214,617 shares of Class B common stock and one share of Series B preferred stock.

 

This section contains a description of our common stock and preferred stock that we may offer by this prospectus as well as the terms of our Series B preferred stock which may affect our common stock and preferred stock that we may offer by this prospectus. The following discussion is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the rights agreement that we describe in this section. For more information, you should read “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Description of Common Stock

 

Rights to Dividends and on Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.  Common stockholders participate ratably in any dividends or distributions on the common stock. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, common stockholders are entitled to share ratably in our assets available for distribution to the stockholders, subject to the prior rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Preemptive and Other Subscription Rights.  Common stockholders do not have preemptive, subscription, conversion or redemption rights, and are not subject to further capital calls or assessments.

 

No Cumulative Voting Rights.  Common stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

 

Voting.  Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, except that voting rights of non-U.S. citizens are limited as described under “— Limitation on Voting by Foreign Owners.”

Description of Preferred Stock

 

The following summary describes certain general terms of our authorized preferred stock.

 

We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. Subject to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and limitations prescribed by law, our board of directors may adopt resolutions to issue the shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares of the series and to establish the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the preferred stock. Our board of directors may also fix the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, of the preferred stock, including dividend rights (including whether dividends are cumulative), dividend rates, terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption rights and prices, conversion or exchange rights and liquidation preferences of the shares of the series, in each case without any further action or vote by our stockholders.

 

If we offer preferred stock, a description will be filed with the SEC and the specific terms of the preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement, including the following terms:

 

 

Limitation on Voting by Foreign Owners

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that shares of capital stock may not be voted by or at the direction of persons who are not citizens of the United States unless the shares are registered on a separate stock record. Applicable restrictions currently require that no more than 25% of our voting stock be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by persons who are not U.S. citizens, and that our president and at least two-thirds of our directors or other managing officers be U.S. citizens. For purposes of the certificate of incorporation, “U.S. citizen” means:

 

 

Our bylaws provide that no shares will be registered on the foreign stock record if the amount so registered would exceed the restrictions described above or adversely affect our operating certificates or authorities. Registration on the foreign stock record is made in chronological order based on the date we receive a written request for registration.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

 

General.  One preferred stock purchase right is currently associated with each outstanding share of our common stock. Each of these preferred stock purchase rights entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A junior participating preferred stock at a purchase price of $200 per one one-thousandth of a share, subject to adjustment.

 

The preferred stock purchase rights will have anti-takeover effects. The preferred stock purchase rights could cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us and effect a change in the composition of our board of directors on terms not approved by our board of directors, including by means of a tender offer at a premium to the market price. Subject to restrictions and limitations contained in our charter, the preferred stock purchase rights should not interfere with any merger or business combination approved by our board of directors, because we may redeem the preferred stock purchase rights at the redemption price prior to the time that a person has become an acquiring person or amend the preferred stock purchase rights to make them inapplicable to the approved transaction.

 

The following summary of the material terms of the preferred stock purchase rights is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to the rights agreement that governs the issuance of the rights. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Evidence and Transferability of Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.  The preferred stock purchase rights will be evidenced by the certificates representing shares of common stock until the earlier to occur of:

 

 

Until the rights distribution date or the earlier redemption or expiration of the preferred stock purchase rights:

 

 

As soon as practicable following the rights distribution date, separate certificates evidencing the preferred stock purchase rights will be mailed to holders of record of the shares of common stock as of the close of business on the rights distribution date and those separate preferred stock purchase rights certificates alone will evidence the rights.

 

Exempt Persons.  We and certain persons affiliated with us are exempt from the definition of acquiring person. An exception to the definition of acquiring person in the rights agreement permits an institutional investor to be or become the beneficial owner of our common stock representing 15% or more of the voting power of the common stock then outstanding, subject to certain limitations described below, without becoming

an acquiring person, as long as the institutional investor continues to be an institutional investor. Generally, an institutional investor is a person who, as of January 31, 2000:

 

 

If our board of directors determines that a person is no longer an institutional investor, then this person will be required to divest itself as promptly as practicable of a sufficient number of shares of common stock so that this person beneficially owns less than 15% of the voting power of our common stock then outstanding.

 

If our board of directors determines that this person does not divest itself of common shares as required, then this person will be or become an acquiring person under the rights agreement.

 

Exercisability of Rights.  The preferred stock purchase rights are not exercisable until the preferred stock purchase rights distribution date. The preferred stock purchase rights will expire on November 20, 2008, unless the expiration date is extended or unless the preferred stock purchase rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by us, in each case, as described below.

 

If any person becomes an acquiring person, each holder of a preferred stock purchase right (other than preferred stock purchase rights beneficially owned by the acquiring person, which will be void) will, after the date that any person became an acquiring person, have the right to receive, upon exercise of those preferred stock purchase rights at the then current exercise price, that number of shares of common stock, or cash or other securities or assets in certain circumstances, having a market value of two times the exercise price of the preferred stock purchase right. If, at any time on or after the date that any person has become an acquiring person, we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of our consolidated assets or earning power are sold, each holder of a preferred stock purchase right will, after the date of that transaction, have the right to receive, upon the exercise of those preferred stock purchase rights at the then current exercise price of the preferred stock purchase right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of that transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the preferred stock purchase right.

 

The purchase price payable, and the number of shares of junior preferred stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the preferred stock purchase rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution in some circumstances.

 

Until a preferred stock purchase right is exercised, the holder of a preferred stock purchase right will have no rights as a stockholder of our company, including the right to vote or to receive dividends.

 

From and after the occurrence of an event described in Section 11(a)(ii) of the rights agreement, if rights are or were, at any time on or after the earlier of (1) the date of such event and (2) the distribution date, acquired or beneficially owned by an acquiring person or an associate or affiliate of an acquiring person, such rights shall become void, and any holder of such rights shall thereafter have no right to exercise such rights.

 

Terms of Junior Preferred Stock.  Shares of junior preferred stock, which may be purchased upon exercise of the preferred stock purchase rights, will not be redeemable. Each share of junior preferred stock will be entitled to receive when, as and if declared by the board of directors, out of funds legally available for the purpose, an amount per share equal to 1,000 times the cash or non-cash dividend declared per share of common stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the junior preferred stock will be entitled to receive an aggregate payment equal to 1,000 times the payment made per share of common stock. Each share of junior preferred stock will have 1,000 votes, together with the common stock. Finally, in the event of any

merger, consolidation or other transaction in which the common stock is exchanged, each share of junior preferred stock will be entitled to receive an amount equal to 1,000 times the amount received per share of common stock. The rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions.

 

Exchange or Redemption.  At any time after any person becomes an acquiring person, and prior to the acquisition by any person or group of a majority of the voting power, our board of directors may exchange the rights (other than rights owned by such acquiring person which have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per right (subject to adjustment). We may, at our option, substitute preferred shares or common stock equivalents for common stock, at the rate of one one-thousandth of a preferred share for each share of common stock (subject to adjustment). No fractional share of common stock will be issued and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the share of common stock on the last trading day prior to the date of exchange.

 

At any time prior to any person becoming an acquiring person, our board of directors, by the required board vote, may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price of $.001 per right. The redemption of the rights may be made effective at the time, on any basis and subject to the conditions which our board of directors may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the rights (or upon a later date specified by our board of directors in the resolution approving a redemption), the right to exercise the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the redemption price. The redemption of the rights may be subject to certain restrictions and limitations contained in our charter.

 

Our board of directors, by the required board vote, may amend the terms of the rights without the consent of the holders of the rights, except that from the time any person becomes an acquiring person, no amendment may adversely affect the interests of the holders of the rights (other than the acquiring person and its affiliates and associates). The right of our board of directors to amend the rights agreement may be subject to certain restrictions and limitations contained in our charter.

 

Series B Preferred Stock

 

We have one outstanding share of Series B preferred stock, which is owned by Northwest Airlines, Inc. Set forth below is a description of some of the material provisions of the Series B preferred stock.

 

Ranking.  The Series B preferred stock ranks junior to all classes of our capital stock other than our common stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company.

 

Dividends.  No dividends are payable on our Series B preferred stock.

 

Voting Rights.  The holder of the Series B preferred stock has the right to block certain actions we may seek to take, including:

 

 

Redemption.  The Series B preferred stock is redeemable by us at a nominal price under the following circumstances:

 

 

 

Corporate Governance and Control

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors will consist of a number of directors as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws. Our board of directors currently consists of 11 directors elected by common stockholders, subject to the rights of preferred stockholders to elect additional directors as set forth in any preferred stock designations.

 

Business Combinations

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we are not governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware which, in the absence of such provisions, would have imposed additional requirements regarding mergers and other business combinations.

 

Procedural Matters

 

Our bylaws require stockholders seeking to nominate directors or propose other matters for action at a stockholders’ meeting to give us notice within specified periods in advance of the meeting and to follow certain other specified procedures.

 

Change of Control

 

Because a separate class vote is required pursuant to the terms of the Series B preferred stock in connection with some changes of control requiring stockholder approval as described under “— Series B Preferred Stock — Voting Rights,” a change of control of our company could be delayed, deferred or prevented.

 

In addition, the existence of the preferred stock purchase rights may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company. See “— Preferred Stock Purchase Rights” above.

 

Limitation of Director Liability and Indemnification

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides, to the full extent permitted by Delaware law, that directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. As required under current Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws currently provide that this waiver may not apply to liability:

 

 

However, in the event the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of any of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended. Our certificate of incorporation further provides that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers to the full extent permitted by Delaware law and may indemnify certain other persons as authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law. These provisions do not eliminate any monetary liability of directors under the federal securities laws.

 

We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we decide to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, and the prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between our company and a depositary that is a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us. The depositary will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

 

We have summarized selected provisions of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts, but the summary is qualified by reference to the provisions of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts. The particular terms of any series of depositary shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms set forth below.

 

Dividends

 

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received by it in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to such preferred shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares held on the relevant record date. The amount made available for distribution will be reduced by any amounts withheld by the depositary or us on account of taxes.

 

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute securities or property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares held on the relevant record date, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution. In that case, the depositary may make the distribution by such method as it deems equitable and practicable. One such possible method is for the depositary to sell the securities or property and then distribute the net proceeds from the sale as provided in the case of a cash distribution.

 

Withdrawal of Shares

 

Upon surrender of depositary receipts representing any number of whole shares at the depositary’s office, unless the related depositary shares previously have been called for redemption, the holder of the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts will be entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, underlying such depositary shares. However, once such an exchange is made, the preferred stock cannot thereafter be redeposited in exchange for depositary shares. Holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive whole shares of the related series of preferred stock on the basis set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares representing more than the number of whole shares of preferred stock of the related series to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

 

Redemption of Depositary Shares

 

Whenever we redeem the preferred stock, the depositary will redeem a number of depositary shares representing the same number of shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, pro rata or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.

Voting of Underlying Shares

 

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock of any series are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to that series of preferred shares. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights represented by the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent it is practical to do so, to vote the number of whole shares of preferred stock underlying such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions. We will agree to take all action that the depositary may deem reasonably necessary in order to enable the depositary to do so. To the extent the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares relating to such preferred shares, it will abstain from voting such shares of preferred stock.

 

Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement

 

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the applicable deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. We may, with the consent of the depositary, amend the deposit agreement from time to time in any manner that we desire. However, if the amendment would materially and adversely alter the rights of the existing holders of depositary shares, the amendment would need to be approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.

 

The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or the depositary if:

 

 

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

 

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so. We may remove a depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of appointment.

 

Charges of Depositary

 

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of any depositary arrangements. We will pay all charges of each depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred shares of any series, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, any redemption of such preferred shares and any withdrawals of such preferred shares by holders of depositary shares. Holders of depositary shares will be required to pay any other transfer taxes.

 

Notices

 

Each depositary will forward to the holders of the applicable depositary shares all notices, reports and communications from us which are delivered to such depositary and which we are required to furnish the holders of the preferred shares.

 

Limitation of Liability

 

The deposit agreement contains provisions that limit our liability and the liability of the depositary to the holders of depositary shares. Both the depositary and we are also entitled to an indemnity from the holders of the depositary shares prior to bringing, or defending against, any legal proceeding. We or any depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred

shares for deposit, holders of depositary shares or other persons believed by us or it to be competent and on documents believed by us or them to be genuine.

 

We may issue warrants to purchase any of our securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the warrants may be attached to or separate from those securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement, to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified in a prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any of the holders of the warrants. We will set forth further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the issuance of any warrants, including, where applicable, the following:

 

 

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as “stock purchase contracts.” The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities, warrants or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as “stock purchase units.” The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference will be made to the stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. Material United States federal income tax considerations

applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

General

 

We may issue subscription rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants to purchase preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which such underwriters will purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we will distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

 

Exercise of Subscription Rights

 

Each subscription right will entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, warrants or any combination thereof, at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights will become void.

 

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of preferred stock or common

stock, depositary shares or warrants purchasable upon such exercise. We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Any of the securities being offered hereby and any accompanying prospectus supplement may be sold in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

 

In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution to our stockholders.

 

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

We may solicit offers to purchase directly. Offers to purchase securities also may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, of the securities so offered and sold.

 

If securities are sold by means of an underwritten offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, the respective amounts underwritten and the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered to the public. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of securities, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of such securities will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased.

 

We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional securities, to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial public offering price (with additional underwriting commissions or discounts), as may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.

 

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying

prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and their terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any resale thereof. We may also offer securities through agents in connection with a distribution to our stockholders of rights to purchase such securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

We may offer our equity securities into an existing trading market on the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters and dealers who may participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

Pursuant to any standby underwriting agreement entered into in connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, persons acting as standby underwriters may receive a commitment fee for all securities underlying the subscription rights that the underwriter commits to purchase on a standby basis. Additionally, prior to the expiration date with respect to any subscription rights, any standby underwriters in a subscription rights offering to our stockholders may offer such securities on a when-issued basis, including securities to be acquired through the purchase and exercise of subscription rights, at prices set from time to time by the standby underwriters. After the expiration date with respect to such subscription rights, the underwriters may offer securities of the type underlying the subscription rights, whether acquired pursuant to a standby underwriting agreement, the exercise of the subscription rights or the purchase of such securities in the market, to the public at a price or prices to be determined by the underwriters. The standby underwriters may thus realize profits or losses independent of the underwriting discounts or commissions paid by us. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement in connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we may elect to retain a dealer-manager to manage such a subscription rights offering for us. Any such dealer-manager may offer securities of the type underlying the subscription rights acquired or to be acquired pursuant to the purchase and exercise of subscription rights and may thus realize profits or losses independent of any dealer-manager fee paid by us.

 

Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms (“remarketing firms”) acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, in connection with the securities remarketed thereby.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such delayed delivery contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. A commission indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement will be paid to underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of securities pursuant to delayed delivery contracts accepted by us.

 

Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled under relevant agreements with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

Any underwriter may engage in stabilizing and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Rule 104 under Regulation M. Rule 104 permits stabilizing bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. The underwriters may over-allot shares of the securities in connection with an offering of securities, thereby creating a short position in the underwriters’

account. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 

Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

 

The anticipated date of delivery of securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offer.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas, and will be passed upon for any agents, dealers or underwriters by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Our consolidated financial statements and schedule appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 included therein, and the consolidated financial statements of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. appearing in the exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and ExpressJet Holdings, Inc.’s management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, which are incorporated by reference herein. Our financial statements and management’s assessment and ExpressJet Holdings, Inc.’s financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of Ernst & Young LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Copa Holdings, S.A. appearing in the exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 have been audited by Ernst & Young, Panama, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its report thereon, which is incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements of Copa Holdings, S.A. are incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of Ernst & Young, Panama as experts in accounting and auditing.

PROSPECTUS

 

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

 

Pass Through Certificates

 

 

 

 

This prospectus relates to pass through certificates to be issued by one or more trusts that we will form, as creator of each pass through trust, with a national or state bank or trust company, as trustee. The trustee will hold all property owned by a trust for the benefit of holders of pass through certificates issued by that trust. Each pass through certificate issued by a trust will represent a beneficial interest in all property held by that trust.

 

We will describe the specific terms of any offering of pass through certificates in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of pass through certificates unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is April 10, 2006.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement delivered with this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference may contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include any statements that predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will result,” or words or phrases of similar meaning.

 

Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from anticipated results for a number of reasons, including those stated in our SEC reports incorporated in this prospectus by reference or as stated in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors”.

 

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above.

 

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330.

 

The SEC also maintains an internet world wide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file reports electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, which registers the securities that we may offer under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, contains additional relevant information about us and the securities offered.

 

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by subsequent incorporated documents or by information that is included directly in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we previously have filed with the SEC and that are not delivered with this prospectus. They contain important information about our company and its financial condition.

 

 

Our SEC file number is 1-10323.

 

We incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K) between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of securities under this prospectus. These documents include our periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as our proxy statements.

 

You may obtain any of these incorporated documents from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in such document. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them from us in writing or by telephone at the following address:

 

Continental Airlines, Inc.

1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Secretary

(713) 324-2950.

 

The ratio of our “earnings” to our “fixed charges” for the year 2003 was 1.14. For the years 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, “earnings” were inadequate to cover “fixed charges”, and the coverage deficiency was $161 million in 2001, $658 million in 2002, $490 million in 2004 and $102 million in 2005.

 

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is based on continuing operations. For purposes of the ratio, “earnings” means the sum of:

 

 

“Fixed charges” represent:

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, our counsel, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, New York, New York, will render an opinion with respect to the validity of the certificates being offered by such prospectus supplement.

 

Our consolidated financial statements and schedule appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 included therein, and the consolidated financial statements of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. appearing in the exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and ExpressJet Holdings, Inc.’s management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, which are incorporated by reference herein. Our financial statements and management’s assessment and ExpressJet Holdings, Inc.’s financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of Ernst & Young LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Copa Holdings, S.A. appearing in the exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 have been audited by Ernst & Young, Panama, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its report thereon, which is incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements of Copa Holdings, S.A. are incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of Ernst & Young, Panama as experts in accounting and auditing.

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

 

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than selling or underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities covered by this Registration Statement. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, all costs and expenses set forth below are estimates.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify each of its directors and officers to the full extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware and may indemnify certain other persons as authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “GCL”). Section 145 of the GCL provides as follows:

 

“(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application

that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

(c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

 

(e) Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

 

(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.

 

(h) For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

(i) For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises’’ shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines’’ shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).”

 

The Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws also limit the personal liability of directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages resulting from certain breaches of the director’s fiduciary duties. The bylaws of the Company provide as follows:

 

“No Director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the Director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the Director derived any improper personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of Directors, then the liability of Directors of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent permitted by the GCL, as so amended.”

 

The Company maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Continental Airlines, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC, upon request, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the kind described in Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the

maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

4. That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

5. That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

6. For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

7. To supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

6. To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in response to Item 15, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Houston, State of Texas, April 10, 2006.

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

 

Name: Jeffrey J. Misner

Chief Financial Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed on behalf of the following persons in the capacities indicated, on April 10, 2006.

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

Note: Continental Airlines, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC, upon request, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the kind described in Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.

Exhibit 5.1

April 10, 2006

Continental Airlines, Inc.
1600 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel for Continental Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) of the offer and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, of (i) unsecured debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness which may be either senior or subordinated in priority of payment and certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) or other Securities (as defined below), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), in one or more series, which may be issued in the form of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts (“Depositary Shares”), (iii) shares of Common Stock, (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock or other securities (“Warrants”), (v) contracts to purchase shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company at a future date or dates (“Stock Purchase Contracts”), (vi) stock purchase units (“Stock Purchase Units”) consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Warrants or debt obligations of third parties, including United States treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the Stock Purchase Contracts, and (vii) subscription rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Warrants (“Subscription Rights”, and together with the Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units and Subscription Rights, the “Securities”). The Company has advised us that the Securities will be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale and to be set forth in supplements to the prospectus contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to which this opinion is an exhibit.

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law Austin Beijing Dallas		First City Tower, 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77002-6760
Dubai Houston London Moscow New York Tokyo Washington		Tel 713.758.2222 Fax 713.758.2346 www.velaw.com

Continental Airlines, Inc. April 10, 2006 Page 2

     We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as amended to the date hereof; (ii) resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board of Directors, or to the extent permitted by Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), a duly constituted and acting committee thereof, being referred to herein as the “Board”); (iii) the Registration Statement; (iv) the Senior Debt Indenture between the Company and J. P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor in interest to Bank One, N.A.), as trustee, dated July 15, 1997 (the “Senior Indenture”) relating to the senior Debt Securities, in the form incorporated as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; (v) a form of the Indenture to be entered into between the Company and a trustee to be determined (the “Subordinated Indenture”, and together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”) relating to the subordinated Debt Securities, in the form incorporated as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and (vi) such other certificates, statutes and other instruments and documents as we considered appropriate for purposes of the opinions hereafter expressed. In addition, we reviewed such questions of law as we considered appropriate.

     As to any facts material to the opinions contained herein, we have made no independent investigation of such facts and have relied, to the extent that we deemed such reliance proper, upon certificates of public officials and officers or other representatives of the Company.

     In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that (i) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (ii) all signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine; (iii) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the originals of those documents; (iv) each natural person signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so; (v) each person signing in a representative capacity (other than on behalf of the Company) any document reviewed by us had authority to sign in such capacity; (vi) the Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendments thereto, will be effective and comply with all applicable laws; (vii) one or more prospectus supplements will have been prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission describing the Securities offered thereby; (viii) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and an applicable prospectus supplement; (ix) each of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, together with any supplemental indenture or other instruments establishing a series of Debt Securities to be issued under either of the Indentures, has been (in the case of the

Continental Airlines, Inc. April 10, 2006 Page 3

Senior Indenture) or will be (in each other case) duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto in substantially the form reviewed by us or with changes that do not affect the opinions given hereunder; (x) at the time of any offering or sale of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, that the Company will have at least such number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance; (xi) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (xii) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered or sold will at the time of such offering or sale have been duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise.

     Based on the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

     (a) With respect to Debt Securities to be issued under the Senior Indenture, when (i) the Senior Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “TIA”); (ii) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (iii) the terms of such Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been established so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or any of its assets or properties and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or properties; and (iv) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Indenture and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration provided for therein, such Debt Securities will be legally issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and will be entitled to the benefits of the Senior Indenture.

     (b) With respect to Debt Securities to be issued under the Subordinated Indenture, when (i) the Subordinated Indenture has been duly qualified under the TIA; (ii) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (iii) the terms of such Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale and the terms of the Subordinated Indenture have been established so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach

Continental Airlines, Inc. April 10, 2006 Page 4

of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or any of its assets or properties and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or properties; and (iv) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration provided for therein, such Debt Securities will be legally issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and will be entitled to the benefits of the Subordinated Indenture.

     (c) With respect to shares of Common Stock, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering thereof and related matters; and (ii) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (A) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein; or (B) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other security in accordance with the terms of the security or the instrument governing the security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Common Stock), such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     (d) With respect to shares of any series of Preferred Stock, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of the series, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a resolution establishing and designating the series and fixing and determining the preferences, limitations and relative rights thereof and the filing of a statement with respect to the series with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required under Section 151 of the DGCL (the “Certificate of Designation”); and (ii) certificates representing the shares of the series of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (A) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein; or (B) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security in accordance with the terms of the Security or the instrument governing the Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par

Continental Airlines, Inc. April 10, 2006 Page 5

value of the Preferred Stock), the shares of the series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     (e) With respect to Depositary Shares, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Depositary Shares, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Designation relating to the Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares and the filing of the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (ii) the depositary agreement or agreements relating to the Depositary Shares and the related depositary receipts have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the depositary appointed by the Company; (iii) the shares of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares have been deposited with a bank or trust company (which meets the requirements for the depositary set forth in the Registration Statement) under the applicable depositary agreement; and (iv) the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (A) in accordance with the appropriate depositary agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein; or (B) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board, the Depositary Shares will be legally issued.

     (f) With respect to the Warrants, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (ii) the warrant agreement or agreements relating to the Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the warrant agent appointed by the Company; and (iii) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate warrant agreement or agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration provided for therein, the Warrants will be legally issued.

     (g) With respect to Stock Purchase Contracts, when (i) the purchase agreement for the Stock Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized and validly executed by the parties thereto; (ii) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve and establish the terms of the Stock Purchase Contracts and to authorize and approve the issuance thereof, the terms of the offering and related matters; and (iii) the Stock Purchase Contracts have been

Continental Airlines, Inc. April 10, 2006 Page 6

duly executed and delivered in accordance with the purchase agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by or on behalf of the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefore provided for therein, the Stock Purchase Contracts will be legally issued.

     (h) With respect to Stock Purchase Units, when (i) the purchase agreement for the Stock Purchase Units has been duly authorized and validly executed by the parties thereto, (ii) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve and establish the terms of the Stock Purchase Units and to authorize and approve the issuance thereof, the terms of the offering and related matters; and (iii) the Stock Purchase Units have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the purchase agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by or on behalf of the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefor provided therein, the Stock Purchase Units will be legally issued.

     (i) With respect to Subscription Rights, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering thereof and related matters; and (ii) certificates representing the Subscription Rights have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, the Subscription Rights will be legally issued.

     The foregoing opinions are qualified to the extent that the enforceability of any document, instrument or Security may be limited by or subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and general equitable or public policy principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or law), and (ii) with respect to any Debt Securities denominated in a currency other than United States dollars, the requirement that a claim (or a foreign currency judgment in respect of such a claim) with respect to such Securities be converted to United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or governmental authority.

     We express no opinions concerning (i) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in either of the Indentures that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law or (ii) the enforceability of indemnification provisions to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.

Continental Airlines, Inc. April 10, 2006 Page 7

     The foregoing opinions are limited in all respects to the DGCL (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws), the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States of America, and we do not express any opinions as to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Matters.” By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder.

Exhibit 5.2

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004
212-837-6000

April 10, 2006

Continental Airlines, Inc.
1600 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002

		Re:		Continental Airlines, Inc.
				Registration Statement on Form S-3

     Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We have acted as your counsel in connection with the form of prospectus relating to pass through certificates (the “Pass Through Certificates”) expected to be issued by one or more trusts (each, a “Trust”) to be formed by Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The Pass Through Certificates are expected to be issued and sold from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act.

          The Pass Through Certificates will be issued in one or more series under the Pass Through Trust Agreement dated as of September 25, 1997, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company (“WTC”), the trustee thereunder (the “Basic Pass Through Trust Agreement”), the form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as supplemented by a separate trust supplement (each, a “Trust Supplement”) relating to each such series.

          We have examined the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and the Basic Pass Through Trust Agreement, and we have assumed that the Basic Pass Through Trust Agreement was duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is the valid and binding obligation of, WTC, as trustee. In addition, we have examined, and have relied as to matters of fact upon, originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, agreements, documents and other instruments and such certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Company, and have made such other and further investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth.

          Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, with respect to each series of Pass Through Certificates, when (i) the applicable provisions of the Act and

Page 2

such “blue sky” or state securities laws as may be applicable shall have been complied with, (ii) the Trust Supplement relating to such series has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and WTC, as trustee under the Basic Pass Through Trust Agreement, (iii) the Board of Directors of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the terms of the offering of such series of Pass Through Certificates and related matters and (iv) the Pass Through Certificates of such series have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Pass Through Trust Agreement, as supplemented by the related Trust Supplement, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such series of Pass Through Certificates will be legally issued and binding obligations of WTC, as trustee of the applicable Trust.

          We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of New York, the federal law of the United States and the Delaware General Corporation Law. We have assumed that each Trust Supplement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to said Registration Statement and we further consent to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Opinions” in the form of prospectus relating to Pass Through Certificates included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

Exhibit 12.1

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(IN MILLIONS)

		Years Ended December 31,
		2005				2004				2003				2002				2001
Earnings:
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest			(68	)			(449	)			186				(649	)			(146	)
Less:
Undistributed Earnings (Losses) of Equity Investees			62				66				23				8				(14	)
Plus:
Interest Expense			410				389				393				372				311
Capitalized Interest			(12	)			(14	)			(24	)			(36	)			(57	)
Amortization of Capitalized Interest			40				39				38				35				28
Portion of Rent Expense
Representative of Interest Expense			906				856				847				860				842
			1,214				755				1,417				574				992
Fixed Charges:
Interest Expense			410				389				393				372				311
Portion of Rent Expense Representative of Interest Expense			906				856				847				860				842
Total Fixed Charges			1,316				1,245				1,240				1,232				1,153
Coverage Adequacy (Deficiency)			(102	)			(490	)			177				(658	)			(161	)
Coverage Ratio		NA				NA					1.14			NA				NA

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectuses of Continental Airlines, Inc. for the registration of Debt Securities, Class B Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Subscription Rights and Pass Through Certificates and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 24, 2006, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Continental Airlines, Inc., Continental Airlines, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Continental Airlines, Inc., the consolidated financial statements of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc., ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc., included or incorporated by reference in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Continental Airlines, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Houston, Texas
April 6, 2006

EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectuses of Continental Airlines, Inc. for the registration of Debt Securities, Class B Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Subscription Rights and Pass Through Certificates and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated August 30, 2005, except for the effects of the reorganization discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is November 25, 2005, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Copa Holdings, S. A., incorporated by reference in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Continental Airlines, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ERNST & YOUNG

Panama City, Republic of Panama
April 6, 2006

EXHIBIT 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned officer and/or director of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey J. Misner, Jennifer L. Vogel, Lori A. Gobillot and James von Atzingen, or any of them, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents to do any and all acts and things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in the undersigned’s capacities as officer and/or director, and to execute any and all instruments for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name in the capacities indicated below which such person or persons may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with a universal automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to one or more offerings of debt securities, equity securities and other securities specified therein, including but not limited to Class B common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights of the Company and pass through certificates (the “Registration Statement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 22, 2006, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for the undersigned in the capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

February 22, 2006

EXHIBIT 25.1

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF
A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF
A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)                     

J.P. MORGAN TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

(State of incorporation if not a national bank)		95-4655078 (I.R.S. employer identification No.)
1999 Avenue of the Stars — Floor 26 Los Angeles, CA (Address of principal executive offices)		90067 (Zip Code)

Thomas F. Godfrey
Vice President and Assistant General Counsel
J. P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, 25^th Floor
New York, New York 10081
Tel: (212) 552-2192
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

Continental Airlines, Inc.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		74-2099724 (I.R.S. employer identification No.)
1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO Houston, Texas (Address of principal executive offices)		77002 (Zip Code)

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

Item 1. General Information.

			Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
	(a)		Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
			Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C.
	(b)		Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
			Yes.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

		If the Obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
		None.

No responses are included for Items 3-15 of this Form T-1 because the Obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

			List below all exhibits filed as part of this statement of eligibility.
	Exhibit 1.		Articles of Association of the Trustee as Now in Effect (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Form 8K of the Southern California Water Company filing, dated December 7, 2001, which is incorporated by reference).
	Exhibit 2.		Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-41329, which is incorporated by reference).
	Exhibit 3.		Authorization of the Trustee to Exercise Corporate Trust Powers (contained in Exhibit 2).
	Exhibit 4.		Existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Form 8K of the Southern California Water Company filing, dated December 7, 2001, which is incorporated by reference).
	Exhibit 5.		Not Applicable
	Exhibit 6.		The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321 (b) of the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-41329, which is incorporated by reference).
	Exhibit 7.		A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
	Exhibit 8.		Not Applicable
	Exhibit 9.		Not Applicable

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee, J. P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Houston, and State of Texas, on the 3rd day of April, 2006.

J. P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association

Exhibit 7. Report of Condition of the Trustee.

Consolidated Report of Condition of J.P. Morgan Trust Company, N.A., (formerly Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company, N.A.)

(Legal Title)

Located at     1800 Century Park East, Ste. 400                                          Los Angeles,                CA             90067

          (Street)                                                       (City)                    (State)          (Zip)

as of close of business on       December 31, 2005  

J. P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association
Statement of Condition

31-Dec-05

		($000)
Assets
Cash and Due From Banks			25,733
Securities			215,596
Loans and Leases			135,923
Premises and Fixed Assets			6,802
Intangible Assets			349,515
Goodwill			202,094
Other Assets			47,157
Total Assets			982,820
Liabilities
Deposits			96,108
Other Liabilities			54,523
Total Liabilities			150,631
Equity Capital
Common Stock			600
Surplus			701,587
Retained Earnings			130,002
Total Equity Capital			832,189
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital			982,820

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) __

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

Delaware (Jurisdiction of incorporation of organization if not a U.S. national bank)		51-0055023 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
(302) 651-1000
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Carolyn McKinney Afshar
Vice President and Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
(302) 651-1360
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent of service)

Continental Airlines, Inc

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction or incorporation or organization)		74-2099724 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1600 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Pass Through Certificates
(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.

Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. 20 Exchange Place, Room 6014 New York, New York 10005		State Bank Commissioner 555 East Loockerman Street, Suite 210 Dover, Delaware 19901
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:

Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.

	•		A copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company (Exhibit 1), which includes the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to commence business (Exhibit 2) and the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3).
	•		A copy of the existing By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company (Exhibit 4).
	•		Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act (Exhibit 6).
	•		A copy of the latest Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company (Exhibit 7).

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 7th day of April, 2006.

[SEAL]				WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Attest:		/s/ Christopher J. Monigle		By:		/s/ Patricia A. Evans
		Assistant Secretary		Name:		Patricia A. Evans
				Title:		Vice President

EXHIBIT 1

AMENDED CHARTER

Wilmington Trust Company

Wilmington, Delaware

As existing on May 9, 1987

Amended Charter
or
Act of Incorporation
of
Wilmington Trust Company

     Wilmington Trust Company, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company”, approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to “Wilmington Trust Company” by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:

First: - The name of this corporation is Wilmington Trust Company.

Second: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is Wilmington Trust Company whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.

Third: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:

(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.

(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.

(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.

(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.

(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.

(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.

(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.

(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.

(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.

(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.

(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all

the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law, to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.

(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:

(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.

(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.

(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.

(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.

(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.

(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.

Fourth: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:

(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Preferred Stock”); and

(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock”).

(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article Fourth, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:

(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;

(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;

(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;

(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.

(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.

(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and

(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.

(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth), if any, shall have been met and after the Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth), and subject further to any conditions which may be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.

(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.

(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.

(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article Fourth and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.

(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

Fifth: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.

(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.

(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.

(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.

(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.

Sixth: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.

Seventh: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled “An Act Providing a General Corporation Law”, approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.

Eighth: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.

Ninth: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

Tenth: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

Eleventh: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.

Twelfth: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.

Thirteenth: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).

Fourteenth: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.

Fifteenth: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this Article Fifteenth:

(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or

(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or

(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or

(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or

(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,

shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article Fifteenth as one class (“Voting Shares”). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

(2) The term “business combination” as used in this Article Fifteenth shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).

(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article Fifteenth shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.

(c) For the purposes of this Article Fifteenth:

(1) A “person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.

(2) “Interested Stockholder” shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:

(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or

(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or

(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

(3) A person shall be the “beneficial owner” of any Voting Shares:

(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or

(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange

rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or

(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.

(5) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.

(6) “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term “Subsidiary” shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article Fifteenth on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.

(e) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteenth shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

Sixteenth: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles Fifth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth or Sixteenth of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.

Seventeenth: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.

(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.”

EXHIBIT 4

BY-LAWS

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE

As existing on December 16, 2004

BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

ARTICLE 1
Stockholders’ Meetings

     Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.

     Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

     Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.

     Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder’s name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.

ARTICLE 2
Directors

     Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

     Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.

     Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.

     Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

     Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.

     Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

     Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.

     Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

     Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, or a committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.

     Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.

     Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.

     Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.

ARTICLE 3
Committees of the Board of Directors

     Section 1. Audit Committee.

          (A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board.

          (B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.

          (C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

     Section 2. Compensation Committee.

          (A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

          (B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.

          (C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

     Section 3. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

          (A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

          (B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman

of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company’s executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.

          (C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

     Section 4. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.

     Section 5. Associate Directors.

          (A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

          (B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.

     Section 6. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

ARTICLE 4
Officers

     Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.

     Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.

     Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.

     Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of

the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.

     Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.

     Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.

     Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.

     Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.

     There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.

     Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.

     There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.

     Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.

     Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.

     Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).

ARTICLE 5
Stock and Stock Certificates

     Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.

     Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors.

     Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.

ARTICLE 6
Seal

    The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:

Between two concentric circles the words “Wilmington Trust Company” within the inner circle the words “Wilmington, Delaware.”

ARTICLE 7
Fiscal Year

     The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.

ARTICLE 8
Execution of Instruments of the Company

     The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 9
Compensation of Directors and Members of Committees

     Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 10
Indemnification

     Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or associate director of the Company, a member of an advisory board the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries may appoint from time to time or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.

     The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

     Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.

     Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director, associate director, member of an advisory board the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries may appoint from time to time or a person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

     Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

     Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.

     Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

ARTICLE 11
Amendments to the Bylaws

     These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.

ARTICLE 12
Miscellaneous

     Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.

EXHIBIT 6

Section 321(b) Consent

     Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor.

EXHIBIT 7

NOTICE

This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.

R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N

Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY		of		WILMINGTON
Name of Bank				City

in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on December 31, 2005.

ASSETS

		Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins			242,974
Interest-bearing balances			0
Held-to-maturity securities			2,263
Available-for-sale securities			1,544,051
Federal funds sold in domestic offices			310,739
Securities purchased under agreements to resell			14,128
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale			0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income			6,799,976
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses			82,655
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve			6,717,321
Assets held in trading accounts			0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)			135,853
Other real estate owned			199
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies			2,545
Customers’ liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding			0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill			1,923
b. Other intangible assets			6,600
Other assets			207,442
Total assets			9,186,038

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices			7,081,644
Noninterest-bearing			988,301
Interest-bearing			6,093,343
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices			454,938
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase			364,013
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)			0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases:			396,467
Bank’s liability on acceptances executed and outstanding			0
Subordinated notes and debentures			0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)			125,938
Total liabilities			8,423,000
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus			0
Common Stock			500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)			112,358
a. Retained earnings			668,545
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income			(18,365	)
Total equity capital			763,038
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital			9,186,038