Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 22, 1997 AIRBORNE FREIGHT CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in Charter) Delaware 1-6512 91-0837469 ---------- ---------- ---------- State or Other Commission IRS Employer Jurisdiction of File Number Identification Number Incorporation 3101 Western Avenue, P.O. Box 662, Seattle, Washington 98111 Address of Principal Executive Offices Registrant's Telephone Number Including Area Code: (206)285-4600 ITEM 5 - OTHER MATERIALLY IMPORTANT EVENTS The annual meeting of Airborne Freight Corporation ("Airborne" or the "Company") was held at the Cascade II Room of the Westin Hotel, 1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101 on April 22, 1997, at which a total of 19,583,796 shares were represented at the meeting comprising 91.90% of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting on the record date (February 24, 1997). The following directors were duly elected to serve for terms ending in 2000, in each case by an affirmative vote in excess of 86.93% of the shares represented at the meeting: Robert S. Cline Richard M. Rosenberg William Swindells The following are continuing directors with terms expiring as indicated: Terms Expiring in 1998 ---------------------- Andrew F. Brimmer Harold M. Messmer, Jr. Mary Agnes Wilderotter Terms Expiring in 1999 ---------------------- Robert G. Brazier James H. Carey Andrew B. Kim The shareholders, by an affirmative vote of 91.77% of the outstanding shares and 99.85% of the shares represented at the meeting, approved the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as external auditors for the current year. The Airborne Board of Directors on the same date, April 22, 1997, reelected all existing executive officers, including Robert S. Cline as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Robert G. Brazier as President and Chief Operating Officer. The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.075 per share on the Common Stock of the Company payable on May 20, 1997 to shareholders of record on May 6, 1997. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. AIRBORNE FREIGHT CORPORATION By: /s/ David C. Anderson -------------------------- David C. Anderson Corporate Secretary/Counsel DATED April 30, 1997.