We have been making pension contributions above the minimum amount required, with a goal of achieving 80% funded status for the pension plan by 2020. B ecause of statutory pension funding relief that applies to us, we have until 2031 to fully fund our pension plans.

Increased Capital Returns to Owners

While we have been reducing our debt levels and investing in the business, we have been increasing our capital returns to shareholders, returning a total of $2.6 billion in 2015 through dividends and share repurchases. Since first implementing our quarterly dividend in 2013, we have increased the dividend per share by 50% annually, and paid $712 million in total dividends, including $359 million in 2015. Through dividends and share repurchases, we have returned over $4 billion to shareholders since 2013, while reducing outstanding shares by approximately 9% compared to the beginning of 2013.

Results of Operations - 2015 Compared to 2014

Operating Revenue



Passenger revenue decreased $172 million over the prior year. PRASM decreased 3.3% and passenger mile yield decreased 3.7% on 3.0% higher capacity. Load factor was 0.2 points higher than the prior year at 84.9% .

Unit revenues of the mainline domestic region decreased 0.6% , resulting from weaker yields in certain markets, which were nearly offset by the strong performance in Atlanta, New York, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Regional carriers passenger revenue decreased 6.1% on a 4.0% reduction in capacity. During 2015, we removed thirty 50-seat regional aircraft as part of our strategy to restructure our domestic fleet.

Revenues related to our international regions decreased 6.0% year-over-year primarily due to the impact of the strong U.S. dollar and reductions in international fuel surcharges. These challenges have been addressed through capacity reductions implemented in the December 2015 quarter.

In the Atlantic region, unit revenue declines in Africa, the Middle East and Russia were partially offset by strength in core European markets. Unit revenue declines in the Pacific primarily resulted from the strength of the U.S. dollar and lower international fuel surcharges. We continue to optimize the Pacific region in order to improve margins by reducing our winter capacity, including the cancellation of our Seattle to Tokyo-Haneda route in the June 2015 quarter and downgauging via the continued retirement of the B-747-400 fleet during the second half of 2015. In addition, we have made a strategic investment in, and established a long-term commercial relationship with, China Eastern. Latin America saw capacity growth of 5.7% , the majority of which occurred during the first half of 2015. In the December 2015 quarter, we continued to invest in higher performing markets such as Mexico and the Caribbean, while reducing capacity in Brazil due to its challenging economic environment.

Other Revenue. Other revenue increased $635 million , or 14.2% , primarily due to loyalty program revenues including our agreement with American Express, sales of non-jet fuel products to third parties by our oil refinery and maintenance sales to third parties by our MRO services business.

Operating Expense