News releases
Alaska Air Group Reports Record Third Quarter 2014 Results
Financial Highlights:
- Reported record third quarter net income, excluding special items, of
$200 million - a 27% increase over the third quarter of 2013. - Reported adjusted earnings per share of
$1.47 per diluted share, a 32% increase over the third quarter of 2013 and ahead of First Call analyst consensus estimate of$1.42 per share. - Earned net income for the third quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of
$198 million or$1.45 per diluted share, compared to net income of$289 million , or$2.04 per diluted share in 2013. - Recorded
$84 million of incentive pay through the first nine months of 2014. This includes eachAir Group employee earning at least$800 by meeting or exceeding monthly customer satisfaction and operational performance goals and tracking to earn above-target payouts for full-year goals. - Increased fuel efficiency (as measured by seat-miles per gallon) by 2.8% as part of our effort to be the airline leader in environmental stewardship.
- Grew passenger revenues by 7%, compared to the third quarter of 2013.
- Generated record adjusted pretax margin in the third quarter of 21.8% compared to 18.4% in 2013.
- Generated 15.9% pretax margin for the trailing 12-month period ended
Sept. 30, 2014 , compared to 11.7% for the same period in the prior year. - Achieved trailing 12-month after-tax return on invested capital of 17.2% compared to 13.0% in the 12-month period ended
Sept. 30, 2013 . - Repurchased 3.4 million shares of common stock for
$159 million in the third quarter of 2014, and 5.3 million shares for$242 million in the first nine months of 2014, representing 3.8% of the total shares outstanding at the beginning of the year. - Paid a
$0.125 per-share quarterly cash dividend onSeptember 4 , bringing total dividend payments so far this year to$51 million . - Generated
$1 billion in operating cash flows for the 12-months endedSept. 30, 2014 , generating$321 million of free cash flows. - Lowered adjusted debt-to-total-capitalization ratio to 31%.
- Held
$1.3 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as ofSept. 30, 2014 . - Became one of only two U.S. airlines with investment grade credit ratings.
Year-to-date highlights of
Safety & Compliance
- Launched Ready, Safe, Go safety campaign designed to increase safety awareness across the Air Group System.
People Focus
- Reached a five-year agreement in concept with Alaska's Flight Attendants.
- Signed a six-year contract with Horizon's Aircraft Technicians and Fleet Service Agents in
June 2014 . - Signed a new five-year contract with Alaska's Clerical, Office, and Passenger Service employees (COPS) in
April 2014 . - Signed a four-year contract with Horizon's Dispatchers in
April 2014 . - Completed "Gear Up" - an intensive leadership workshop for over 1,200 leaders at
Alaska and Horizon.
Hassle-free Customer Experience
- Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers" in 2014 by
J.D. Power for the seventh year in a row. - Ranked highest by frequent fliers in the first-ever J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report.
- Launched online self-tag baggage options for passengers flying from
Seattle toSan Diego ,Anchorage , orJuneau . - Became the launch customer of
Boeing's new, innovative, high-capacity 737 Space Bins, which will increase bag capacity in the cabin by 48%.
Energetic & Compelling Brand
- Celebrated the opening of the Alaska Airlines Center sports complex at the
University of Alaska Anchorage . - Sponsored
Seattle's bike share program that is guaranteed to put 500 bikes and 50 docking stations throughout the city ofSeattle . - Committed to
$1.5 million in grants to support job training for workers at theSeattle-Tacoma airport , in addition to a voluntary wage increase to$12 per hour for certain vendors. - Pledged
$2.5 million toSeattle's Museum of Flight to help create theAlaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center to guide students toward a future in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and sponsored Alaska Airlines Aviation Day inMay 2014 to inspire youth to pursue careers in aviation. - Flew 12 relief flights to
Los Cabos andLoreto, Mexico and transported approximately 2,000 passengers to safety following Hurricane Odile.
Low Fares, Low Costs, and Network Growth
- Held the No. 1 spot in
U.S. Department of Transportation on-time performance among the eight largest U.S. airlines for the twelve months endedAugust 2014 . - Named No. 1 on-time carrier in
North America for the fourth year in a row from FlightStats inFebruary 2014 . - Ordered ten additional
Boeing 737-900ERs, which will further strengthenAlaska's fuel efficient fleet. - Completed 92% of the cabin improvement project, with 67 aircraft upgraded with Recaro seats, all of which will have power at every seat.
- Added split scimitar winglets to 23 aircraft, which would improve fuel efficiency by another 1.5%.
- New routes launched and announced in the third quarter are as follows:
New Non-Stop Routes Launched in Q3 |
New Non-Stop Routes Announced (Launch Dates) |
Seattle to Baltimore |
Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes (1/15/15) |
Seattle to Albuquerque, New Mexico |
San Diego to Kona (03/05/15) |
Seattle to Detroit, Michigan |
"This was our best quarterly result ever," said CEO
The following table reconciles the company's reported GAAP net income and earnings per diluted share (EPS) during the third quarters of 2014 and 2013 to adjusted amounts:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2014 |
2013 |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per-share amounts) |
Dollars |
Diluted EPS |
Dollars |
Diluted EPS |
|||||||||||
Reported GAAP net income |
$ |
198 |
$ |
1.45 |
$ |
289 |
$ |
2.04 |
|||||||
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax |
2 |
0.02 |
(12) |
(0.08) |
|||||||||||
Special revenue item, net of tax |
— |
— |
(120) |
(0.85) |
|||||||||||
Non-GAAP adjusted income and per-share amounts |
$ |
200 |
$ |
1.47 |
$ |
157 |
$ |
1.11 |
Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables. A glossary of financial terms can be found on the last page of this release.
A conference call regarding the third quarter results will be simulcast via the Internet at
References in this news release to "
This news release may contain forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated by any forward-looking statements. For a comprehensive discussion of potential risk factors, see Item 1A of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013. Some of these risks include general economic conditions, increases in operating costs including fuel, competition, labor costs and relations, inability to meet cost reduction goals, seasonal fluctuations in our financial results, an aircraft accident, and changes in laws and regulations. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed therein. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our business or events described in any forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform them to actual results. Over time, our actual results, performance or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such differences might be significant and materially adverse.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per-share amounts) |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
1,030 |
$ |
960 |
7% |
2,858 |
2,651 |
8% |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
219 |
208 |
5% |
605 |
582 |
4% |
|||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenue |
1,249 |
1,168 |
7% |
3,463 |
3,233 |
7% |
|||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
32 |
32 |
—% |
88 |
88 |
—% |
|||||||||||||||
Other - net |
184 |
165 |
12% |
511 |
433 |
18% |
|||||||||||||||
Special mileage plan revenue |
— |
192 |
NM |
— |
192 |
NM |
|||||||||||||||
Total Operating Revenues |
1,465 |
1,557 |
NM |
4,062 |
3,946 |
NM |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Wages and benefits |
279 |
285 |
(2)% |
832 |
806 |
3% |
|||||||||||||||
Variable incentive pay |
30 |
26 |
15% |
84 |
68 |
24% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses |
394 |
363 |
9% |
1,112 |
1,115 |
—% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft maintenance |
58 |
54 |
7% |
166 |
187 |
(11)% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft rent |
27 |
29 |
(7)% |
84 |
89 |
(6)% |
|||||||||||||||
Landing fees and other rentals |
74 |
71 |
4% |
207 |
207 |
—% |
|||||||||||||||
Contracted services |
66 |
54 |
22% |
188 |
161 |
17% |
|||||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
55 |
47 |
17% |
154 |
137 |
12% |
|||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
75 |
67 |
12% |
218 |
203 |
7% |
|||||||||||||||
Food and beverage service |
24 |
22 |
9% |
68 |
63 |
8% |
|||||||||||||||
Other |
67 |
69 |
(3)% |
229 |
202 |
13% |
|||||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
1,149 |
1,087 |
6% |
3,342 |
3,238 |
3% |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
316 |
470 |
(33)% |
720 |
708 |
2% |
|||||||||||||||
Nonoperating Income (Expense): |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
5 |
5 |
15 |
14 |
|||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(12) |
(13) |
(36) |
(42) |
|||||||||||||||||
Interest capitalized |
5 |
6 |
14 |
15 |
|||||||||||||||||
Other - net |
2 |
(5) |
20 |
(4) |
|||||||||||||||||
— |
(7) |
13 |
(17) |
||||||||||||||||||
Income Before Income Tax |
316 |
463 |
733 |
691 |
|||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
118 |
174 |
276 |
261 |
|||||||||||||||||
Net Income |
$ |
198 |
$ |
289 |
457 |
430 |
|||||||||||||||
Basic Earnings Per Share: |
$ |
1.47 |
$ |
2.07 |
$ |
3.35 |
$ |
3.06 |
|||||||||||||
Diluted Earnings Per Share: |
$ |
1.45 |
$ |
2.04 |
$ |
3.31 |
$ |
3.02 |
|||||||||||||
Shares Used for Computation: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
134.865 |
139.559 |
136.482 |
140.304 |
|||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
136.158 |
141.383 |
137.825 |
142.213 |
|||||||||||||||||
Cash dividend declared per share: |
$ |
0.125 |
$ |
0.100 |
$ |
0.375 |
$ |
0.100 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) |
|||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||
(in millions) |
September 30, 2014 |
December 31, 2013 |
|||||
Cash and marketable securities |
$ |
1,343 |
$ |
1,330 |
|||
Total current assets |
1,799 |
1,762 |
|||||
Property and equipment-net |
4,244 |
3,893 |
|||||
Other assets |
193 |
183 |
|||||
Total assets |
6,236 |
5,838 |
|||||
Air traffic liability |
703 |
564 |
|||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
115 |
117 |
|||||
Other current liabilities |
949 |
899 |
|||||
Current liabilities |
1,767 |
1,580 |
|||||
Long-term debt |
710 |
754 |
|||||
Other liabilities and credits |
1,530 |
1,475 |
|||||
Shareholders' equity |
2,229 |
2,029 |
|||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ |
6,236 |
$ |
5,838 |
|||
Debt-to-capitalization ratio, adjusted for operating leases(a) |
31%:69% |
35%:65% |
|||||
Number of common shares outstanding |
133.469 |
137.492 |
(a) |
Calculated using the present value of remaining aircraft lease payments. |
OPERATING STATISTICS SUMMARY (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Operating Statistics:(a) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue passengers (000) |
7,994 |
7,395 |
8.1% |
21,996 |
20,720 |
6.2% |
|||||||||||||||
RPMs (000,000) "traffic" |
8,245 |
7,671 |
7.5% |
23,078 |
21,852 |
5.6% |
|||||||||||||||
ASMs (000,000) "capacity" |
9,582 |
8,868 |
8.1% |
26,922 |
25,397 |
6.0% |
|||||||||||||||
Load factor |
86.0% |
86.5% |
(0.5pts) |
85.7% |
86.0% |
(0.3pts) |
|||||||||||||||
Yield |
15.14¢ |
15.23¢ |
(0.6%) |
15.00¢ |
14.80¢ |
1.4% |
|||||||||||||||
PRASM |
13.03¢ |
13.17¢ |
(1.1%) |
12.86¢ |
12.73¢ |
1.0% |
|||||||||||||||
RASM(b) |
15.28¢ |
15.39¢ |
(0.7%) |
15.09¢ |
14.78¢ |
2.1% |
|||||||||||||||
CASM excluding fuel(b) |
7.87¢ |
8.16¢ |
(3.6%) |
8.28¢ |
8.36¢ |
(1.0%) |
|||||||||||||||
Economic fuel cost per gallon(c) |
$ |
3.15 |
$ |
3.24 |
(2.8%) |
$ |
3.22 |
$ |
3.33 |
(3.3%) |
|||||||||||
Fuel gallons (000,000) |
124 |
118 |
5.1% |
351 |
337 |
4.2% |
|||||||||||||||
ASM's per gallon |
77.3 |
75.2 |
2.8% |
76.7 |
75.4 |
1.7% |
|||||||||||||||
Average number of full-time equivalent employees (FTE) |
12,998 |
12,295 |
5.7% |
12,633 |
12,122 |
4.2% |
|||||||||||||||
Mainline Operating Statistics: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue passengers (000) |
5,752 |
5,366 |
7.2% |
15,796 |
14,973 |
5.5% |
|||||||||||||||
RPMs (000,000) "traffic" |
7,440 |
6,963 |
6.9% |
20,871 |
19,864 |
5.1% |
|||||||||||||||
ASMs (000,000) "capacity" |
8,607 |
8,027 |
7.2% |
24,197 |
22,973 |
5.3% |
|||||||||||||||
Load factor |
86.4% |
86.7% |
(0.3pts) |
86.3% |
86.5% |
(0.2pts) |
|||||||||||||||
Yield |
13.84¢ |
13.78¢ |
0.4% |
13.69¢ |
13.35¢ |
2.5% |
|||||||||||||||
PRASM |
11.97¢ |
11.96¢ |
0.1% |
11.81¢ |
11.54¢ |
2.3% |
|||||||||||||||
RASM(b) |
14.18¢ |
14.14¢ |
0.3% |
14.01¢ |
13.56¢ |
3.3% |
|||||||||||||||
CASM excluding fuel(b) |
7.02¢ |
7.33¢ |
(4.2%) |
7.37¢ |
7.42¢ |
(0.7%) |
|||||||||||||||
Economic fuel cost per gallon(c) |
$ |
3.15 |
$ |
3.24 |
(2.8%) |
$ |
3.22 |
$ |
3.32 |
(3.0%) |
|||||||||||
Fuel gallons (000,000) |
108 |
104 |
3.8% |
305 |
297 |
2.7% |
|||||||||||||||
ASM's per gallon |
79.7 |
77.2 |
3.2% |
79.3 |
77.4 |
2.5% |
|||||||||||||||
Average number of FTE's |
10,153 |
9,645 |
5.3% |
9,837 |
9,484 |
3.7% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft utilization |
10.8 |
11.0 |
(1.8%) |
10.5 |
10.8 |
(2.8%) |
|||||||||||||||
Average aircraft stage length |
1,161 |
1,157 |
0.3% |
1,180 |
1,177 |
0.3% |
|||||||||||||||
Operating fleet |
136 |
128 |
8a/c |
136 |
128 |
8a/c |
|||||||||||||||
Regional Operating Statistics:(d) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue passengers (000) |
2,242 |
2,029 |
10.5% |
6,200 |
5,747 |
7.9% |
|||||||||||||||
RPMs (000,000) "traffic" |
806 |
708 |
13.8% |
2,206 |
1,988 |
11.0% |
|||||||||||||||
ASMs (000,000) "capacity" |
975 |
841 |
15.9% |
2,725 |
2,424 |
12.4% |
|||||||||||||||
Load factor |
82.7% |
84.2% |
(1.5pts) |
81.0% |
82.0% |
(1.0pts) |
|||||||||||||||
Yield |
27.17¢ |
29.41¢ |
(7.6%) |
27.41¢ |
29.27¢ |
(6.4%) |
|||||||||||||||
PRASM |
22.46¢ |
24.77¢ |
(9.3%) |
22.19¢ |
24.00¢ |
(7.5%) |
|||||||||||||||
Operating fleet (Horizon only) |
51 |
48 |
3a/c |
51 |
48 |
3a/c |
(a) |
Except for full-time equivalent employees, data includes information related to third-party regional capacity purchase flying arrangements. Except for full-time equivalent employees, data includes information related to third-party regional capacity purchase flying arrangements. |
(b) |
See a reconciliation of revenue excluding special items related to accounting changes, operating expenses excluding fuel, and Note A, in the accompanying pages, for a discussion of why these measures may be important to investors. |
(c) |
See a reconciliation of economic fuel cost in the accompanying pages. |
(d) |
Data presented includes information related to flights operated by Horizon Air and third-party carriers. |
OPERATING SEGMENTS (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items(b) |
Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
1,030 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
1,030 |
$ |
— |
$ |
1,030 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
219 |
— |
— |
219 |
— |
219 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
1,030 |
219 |
— |
— |
1,249 |
— |
1,249 |
||||||||||||||||||||
CPA revenues |
— |
— |
99 |
(99) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
30 |
2 |
— |
— |
32 |
— |
32 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other-net |
161 |
22 |
1 |
— |
184 |
— |
184 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
1,221 |
243 |
100 |
(99) |
1,465 |
— |
1,465 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel |
605 |
162 |
85 |
(97) |
755 |
— |
755 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
338 |
52 |
— |
— |
390 |
4 |
394 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
943 |
214 |
85 |
(97) |
1,145 |
4 |
1,149 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
5 |
— |
— |
— |
5 |
— |
5 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(8) |
— |
(4) |
— |
(12) |
— |
(12) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
7 |
— |
— |
— |
7 |
— |
7 |
||||||||||||||||||||
4 |
— |
(4) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
282 |
$ |
29 |
$ |
11 |
$ |
(2) |
$ |
320 |
$ |
(4) |
$ |
316 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items(b) |
Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
960 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
960 |
$ |
— |
$ |
960 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
208 |
— |
— |
208 |
— |
208 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
960 |
208 |
— |
— |
1,168 |
— |
1,168 |
||||||||||||||||||||
CPA revenues |
— |
— |
88 |
(88) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
31 |
1 |
— |
— |
32 |
— |
32 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other-net |
145 |
19 |
1 |
— |
165 |
192 |
357 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
1,136 |
228 |
89 |
(88) |
1,365 |
192 |
1,557 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel |
588 |
144 |
80 |
(88) |
724 |
— |
724 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
337 |
46 |
— |
— |
383 |
(20) |
363 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
925 |
190 |
80 |
(88) |
1,107 |
(20) |
1,087 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
5 |
— |
— |
— |
5 |
— |
5 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(9) |
— |
(4) |
— |
(13) |
— |
(13) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
8 |
(8) |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||
4 |
(8) |
(3) |
— |
(7) |
— |
(7) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
215 |
$ |
30 |
$ |
6 |
$ |
— |
$ |
251 |
$ |
212 |
$ |
463 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items(b) |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
2,858 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,858 |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,858 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
605 |
— |
— |
605 |
— |
605 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
2,858 |
605 |
— |
— |
3,463 |
— |
3,463 |
||||||||||||||||||||
CPA revenues |
— |
— |
277 |
(277) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
84 |
4 |
— |
— |
88 |
— |
88 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other - net |
448 |
59 |
4 |
— |
511 |
— |
511 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
3,390 |
668 |
281 |
(277) |
4,062 |
— |
4,062 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel |
1,783 |
464 |
257 |
(274) |
2,230 |
— |
2,230 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
980 |
149 |
— |
— |
1,129 |
(17) |
1,112 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
2,763 |
613 |
257 |
(274) |
3,359 |
(17) |
3,342 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
15 |
— |
— |
— |
15 |
— |
15 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(25) |
(1) |
(10) |
— |
(36) |
— |
(36) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
34 |
— |
— |
— |
34 |
— |
34 |
||||||||||||||||||||
24 |
(1) |
(10) |
— |
13 |
— |
13 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
651 |
$ |
54 |
$ |
14 |
$ |
(3) |
$ |
716 |
$ |
17 |
$ |
733 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items(b) |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
2,651 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,651 |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,651 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
582 |
— |
— |
582 |
— |
582 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
2,651 |
582 |
— |
— |
3,233 |
— |
3,233 |
||||||||||||||||||||
CPA revenues |
— |
— |
274 |
(274) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
85 |
3 |
— |
— |
88 |
— |
88 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other - net |
380 |
49 |
4 |
— |
433 |
192 |
625 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
3,116 |
634 |
278 |
(274) |
3,754 |
192 |
3,946 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel |
1,704 |
440 |
253 |
(274) |
2,123 |
— |
2,123 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
987 |
135 |
— |
— |
1,122 |
(7) |
1,115 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
2,691 |
575 |
253 |
(274) |
3,245 |
(7) |
3,238 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
14 |
— |
— |
— |
14 |
— |
14 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(30) |
— |
(10) |
(2) |
(42) |
— |
(42) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
19 |
(9) |
1 |
— |
11 |
— |
11 |
||||||||||||||||||||
3 |
(9) |
(9) |
(2) |
(17) |
— |
(17) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
428 |
$ |
50 |
$ |
16 |
$ |
(2) |
$ |
492 |
$ |
199 |
$ |
691 |
(a) |
The adjusted column represents the financial information that is reviewed by management to assess performance of operations and determine capital allocations and does not include certain revenues/charges. See Note A in the accompanying pages for further information . |
(b) |
Includes mark-to-market fuel-hedge accounting charges and accounting adjustments related to Special mileage plan revenue. |
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||
CASM EXCLUDING FUEL RECONCILIATION (unaudited) |
|||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||
(in cents) |
2014 |
2013 |
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||
Consolidated: |
|||||||||||
CASM |
11.99¢ |
12.26¢ |
12.41¢ |
12.75¢ |
|||||||
Less the following components: |
|||||||||||
Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses |
4.12 |
4.10 |
4.13 |
4.39 |
|||||||
CASM excluding fuel |
7.87¢ |
8.16¢ |
8.28¢ |
8.36¢ |
|||||||
Mainline: |
|||||||||||
CASM |
11.00¢ |
11.27¢ |
11.35¢ |
11.68¢ |
|||||||
Less the following components: |
|||||||||||
Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses |
3.98 |
3.94 |
3.98 |
4.26 |
|||||||
CASM excluding fuel |
7.02¢ |
7.33¢ |
7.37¢ |
7.42¢ |
FUEL RECONCILIATIONS (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2014 |
2013 |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for per-gallon amounts) |
Dollars |
Cost/Gallon |
Dollars |
Cost/Gallon |
|||||||||||
Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost |
$ |
383 |
$ |
3.09 |
$ |
373 |
$ |
3.16 |
|||||||
Losses on settled hedges |
7 |
0.06 |
10 |
0.08 |
|||||||||||
Consolidated economic fuel expense |
390 |
3.15 |
383 |
3.24 |
|||||||||||
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustment |
4 |
0.03 |
(20) |
(0.17) |
|||||||||||
GAAP fuel expense |
$ |
394 |
$ |
3.18 |
$ |
363 |
$ |
3.07 |
|||||||
Fuel gallons |
124 |
118 |
|||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 |
|||||||||||||||
2014 |
2013 |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for per-gallon amounts) |
Dollars |
Cost/Gallon |
Dollars |
Cost/Gallon |
|||||||||||
Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost |
$ |
1,095 |
$ |
3.12 |
$ |
1,076 |
$ |
3.19 |
|||||||
Losses on settled hedges |
34 |
0.10 |
46 |
0.14 |
|||||||||||
Consolidated economic fuel expense |
1,129 |
3.22 |
1,122 |
3.33 |
|||||||||||
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustment |
(17) |
(0.05) |
(7) |
(0.02) |
|||||||||||
GAAP fuel expense |
$ |
1,112 |
$ |
3.17 |
$ |
1,115 |
$ |
3.31 |
|||||||
Fuel gallons |
351 |
337 |
Note A: Pursuant to Regulation G, we are providing disclosure of the reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. We believe that consideration of these non-GAAP financial measures may be important to investors for the following reasons:
- By eliminating fuel expense and certain special items from our unit metrics, we believe that we have better visibility into the results of operations without the consideration of accounting changes or our non-fuel cost-reduction initiatives. Our industry is highly competitive and is characterized by high fixed costs, so even a small reduction in non-fuel operating costs can result in a significant improvement in operating results. In addition, we believe that all domestic carriers are similarly impacted by changes in jet fuel costs over the long term, so it is important for management (and thus investors) to understand the impact of (and trends in) company-specific cost drivers such as labor rates and productivity, airport costs, maintenance costs, etc., which are more controllable by management.
- Operating revenue per ASM (RASM) for the prior year excludes a favorable, one-time "special" revenue item of
$192 million primarily related to our modified affinity card agreement withBank of America , executed inJuly 2013 . In accordance with accounting standards, we recorded this one-time special revenue item in the the third quarter of 2013. This is purely an accounting change and the prior period results do not reflect the economics of the agreement, rather it reflects a non-cash adjustment of the value of miles outstanding in the program. We believe it is appropriate to exclude this special revenue item from adjusted earnings and revenue metrics. - Cost per ASM (CASM) excluding fuel and certain special items is one of the most important measures used by management and by the Air Group Board of Directors in assessing quarterly and annual cost performance.
- Adjusted Income before Income Taxes and CASM excluding fuel (and other items as specified in our plan documents) are important metrics for the employee incentive plan that covers all
Air Group employees. - CASM excluding fuel and certain special items is a measure commonly used by industry analysts, and we believe it is the basis by which they compare our airlines to others in the industry. The measure is also the subject of frequent questions from investors.
- Disclosure of the individual impact of certain noted items provides investors the ability to measure and monitor performance both with and without these special items. We believe that disclosing the impact of certain items, such as mark-to-market hedging adjustments or special revenues, is important because it provides information on significant items that are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Industry analysts and investors consistently measure our performance without these items for better comparability between periods and among other airlines.
- Although we disclose our passenger unit revenues, we do not (nor are we able to) evaluate unit revenues excluding the impact that changes in fuel costs have had on ticket prices. Fuel expense represents a large percentage of our total operating expenses. Fluctuations in fuel prices often drive changes in unit revenues in the mid-to-long term. Although we believe it is useful to evaluate non-fuel unit costs for the reasons noted above, we would caution readers of these financial statements not to place undue reliance on unit costs excluding fuel as a measure or predictor of future profitability because of the significant impact of fuel costs on our business.
Note B:
Glossary of Terms
Aircraft Utilization - block hours per day; this represents the average number of hours our aircraft are flying
Aircraft Stage Length - represents the average miles flown per aircraft departure
ASMs - available seat miles, or "capacity"; represents total seats available across the fleet multiplied by the number of miles flown
CASM - operating costs per ASM, or "unit cost"; represents all operating expenses including fuel and special items
CASMex - operating costs excluding fuel and special items per ASM; this metric is used to help track progress toward reduction of non-fuel operating costs since fuel is largely out of our control
Debt-to-capitalization ratio - represents adjusted debt (long-term debt plus the present value of future operating lease payments) divided by total equity plus adjusted debt
Diluted Earnings per Share - represents earnings per share using fully diluted shares outstanding
Diluted Shares - represents the total number of shares that would be outstanding if all possible sources of conversion, such as stock options, were exercised
Economic Fuel - best estimate of the cash cost of fuel, net of the impact of our fuel-hedging program
Load Factor - RPMs as a percentage of ASMs; represents the number of available seats that were filled with paying passengers
Mainline - represents flying
PRASM - passenger revenue per ASM; commonly called "passenger unit revenue"
Productivity - number of revenue passengers per full-time equivalent employee
RASM - operating revenue per ASMs, or "unit revenue"; operating revenue includes all passenger revenue, freight & mail, Mileage Plan, and other ancillary revenue; represents the average total revenue for flying one seat one mile
Regional - represents capacity purchased by
RPMs - revenue passenger miles, or "traffic"; represents the number of seats that were filled with paying passengers; one passenger traveling one mile is one RPM
Yield - passenger revenue per RPM; represents the average revenue for flying one passenger one mile
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alaska-air-group-reports-record-third-quarter-2014-results-366277626.html
SOURCE
Media contact: Bobbie Egan, Corporate Communications, (206) 392-5134, Investor contact: Lavanya Sareen, Managing Director, Investor Relations, (206) 392-5656