K P M G ’s D i s c l o s u r e s H a n d b o o k : Ac c o u n t i n g a n d F i n a n c i a l Re p o r t i n g i n t h e G l o b a l A i r l i n e I n d u s t r y 2 9
1.4 Financial instruments
certainty over the future price or rate that
and Measurement’, is being applied by
will be paid for an existing or forecast
airlines reporting under IFRS for the first
1.4.1 Hedge accounting
transaction. Whilst principles for accounting
time from January 1, 2005 onwards.
Airlines, in common with other entities,
for financial instruments are broadly similar
are exposed to fluctuations in foreign
under both IFRS and U.S. GAAP, differences
The financial report disclosures relating to
exchange rates, interest rates and
in detail result in disparities in accounting.
hedge accounting vary according to the hedging activities airlines undertake. Two
commodity prices. The U.S. GAAP standard on the recognition
extracts of hedge activities accounting
In order to manage or limit exposure to
and measurement of financial instruments
policies are set out below; one airline
changes in rates or prices, many airlines
and hedge accounting (FAS 133) has
reporting under U.S. GAAP and one
undertake hedging activities. These
been effective for several years. The IFRS
under IFRS.
activities typically involve the use of
standard providing similar guidance, IAS
derivative financial instruments to provide
39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition
Sample of accounting policies Southwest
The Company utilizes financial derivative instruments primarily to manage its risk associated with changing
Airlines
jet fuel prices, and accounts for them under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended (SFAS 133). See “Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for more information on these risk management activities and see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on SFAS 133, the Company’s fuel hedging program, and financial derivative instruments. SFAS 133 requires that all derivatives be marked to market (fair value) and recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 31, 2005, the Company was a party to over 400 financial derivative instruments, related to fuel hedging, for year 2006 and beyond. The fair value of the Company’s fuel hedging financial derivative instruments recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2005, was $1.7 billion, compared to $796 million at December 31, 2004. The large increase in fair value primarily was due to the dramatic increase in energy prices throughout 2005, and the Company’s addition of derivative instruments to increase its hedge positions in future years. Changes in the fair values of these instruments can vary dramatically, as was evident during 2005, based on changes in the underlying commodity prices. Market price changes can be driven by factors such as supply and demand, inventory levels, weather events, refinery capacity, political agendas, and general economic conditions, among other items. The financial derivative instruments utilized by the Company primarily are a combination of collars, purchased call options, and fixed price swap agreements. The Company does not purchase or hold any derivative instruments for trading purposes. The Company enters into financial derivative instruments with third party institutions in “over-the-counter” markets. Since the majority of the Company’s financial derivative instruments are not traded on a market exchange, the Company estimates their fair values. Depending on the type of instrument, the values are determined by the use of present value methods or standard option value models with assumptions about commodity prices based on those observed in underlying markets. Also, since there is not a reliable forward market for jet fuel, the Company must estimate the future prices of jet fuel in order to measure