Deciphering Financial Statements (Delta Air Lines)
The following information is from the June 30, 1998, balance sheet for Delta Air Lines (all dollar amounts are in millions):
|
1998 |
1997 |
|
|
Flight equipment |
$11,180 |
$9,619 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
3,895 |
3,510 |
Delta also included this note to its financial statements:
Depreciation and Amortization—Effective July 1, 1998, the Company increased the depreciable life of certain new generation aircraft types from 20 to 25 years. Owned flight equipment is depreciated on a straight line basis to a residual value equal to 5% of cost.
1. Assume that all flight equipment will be affected by this change in policy. The new policy will not be reflected in the 1998 financial statements because the policy was changed on July 1, 1998. Estimate the total depreciation expense recognized by Delta on flight equipment for the year ended June 30, 1998, using the old 20 year life and the new 25 year life. Assume that there were no flight equipment retirements during the year and that new acquisitions are depreciated for half the year.
2. How reasonable is the assumption that there were no flight equipment retirements in 1998?