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Alaska Air Group reports second quarter 2017 results

SEATTLE, July 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Financial Highlights:

  • Reported net income for the second quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") of $296 million or $2.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $260 million, or $2.10 per diluted share in 2016. As the acquisition of Virgin America Inc. ("Virgin America") closed on Dec. 14, 2016, second quarter 2017 information reflects the results of Virgin America, including the impacts associated with purchase accounting. Second quarter 2016 results do not include Virgin America.
  • Reported second quarter net income, excluding merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedging adjustments, of $312 million, compared to $263 million in the second quarter of 2016. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.51, compared to $2.12 in the second quarter of 2016. This quarter's results were in line with First Call analyst consensus estimate of $2.52 per share.
  • Paid $0.30 per-share quarterly cash dividend in the second quarter, a 9% increase over the dividend paid in the second quarter of 2016.
  • Generated approximately $1.1 billion of operating cash flow and used approximately $512 million for capital expenditures, resulting in $572 million of free cash flow in the second quarter of 2017.
  • Held $1.9 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of June 30, 2017.

Operational Highlights:

  • Launched nine new routes during the quarter and announced 10 new routes, including obtaining final approval from the Department of Transportation for three routes to Mexico City.
  • Took delivery of two of five Airbus A321neos scheduled for delivery in 2017, becoming the first airline to operate this aircraft.
  • Began jet service at Horizon with the first flights of the new Embraer 175 jets after taking delivery of the first six of 33 aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next two years.
  • Entered into an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to amend the eight-year contract with Horizon's pilots, providing Horizon the ability to attract and retain the best pilots in the regional industry.
  • Added Finnair as a global Mileage Plan partner.

Recognition and Awards

  • Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers" in 2017 by J.D. Power for the 10th year in a row.
  • Virgin America: Rated Best Domestic Airline in Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards" for 10 years in a row.
  • Rated "Best Airline Staff in North America" and "Best Regional Airline in North America" by Skytrax World Airline Awards.
  • Awarded TripAdvisor's 2017 Travelers' Choice Award for second-best midsize and low-cost airlines in North America and one of the top 10 best airlines in the world.
  • Ranked among Forbes' 2017 "America's Best Employers" for the third year in a row.
  • Certified as a great workplace by Great Place to Work, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures.
  • Received 16th Diamond Award of Excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration, recognizing both Alaska and Horizon's aircraft technicians for their commitment to training.
  • Received the 2017 Visionary Award for Leadership and Governance of a Public Company, presented by the Women Corporate Directors Global Institute, recognizing diversity among our directors.
  • Ranked among the Fortune 500 for the fourth year in a row.

Alaska Air Group Inc., (NYSE: ALK) today reported second quarter 2017 GAAP net income of $296 million, or $2.38 per diluted share, compared to $260 million, or $2.10 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2016. Excluding the impact of merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported adjusted net income of $312 million, or $2.51 per diluted share, compared to $263 million, or $2.12 per diluted share, in 2016.

"We had a very solid quarter, driven by a growing customer base and strong revenue performance," said CEO Brad Tilden. "Although we're dealing with a number of operational challenges, our employees continue to deliver excellent service. We are delighted that Alaska and Virgin America received top honors from J.D. Power* and Travel + Leisure* respectively, each for the 10th consecutive year. I want to congratulate our team for receiving these prestigious awards."

The following table reconciles the company's reported GAAP net income and earnings per diluted share ("diluted EPS") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, and 2016 to adjusted amounts:

Three Months Ended June 30,

2017

2016

(in millions, except per-share amounts)

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Reported GAAP net income

$

296

$

2.38

$

260

$

2.10

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments

2

0.02

(10)

(0.08)

Special items—merger-related costs

24

0.19

14

0.11

Income tax effect on special items and fuel hedge adjustments

(10)

(0.08)

(1)

(0.01)

Non-GAAP adjusted net income and per-share amounts

$

312

$

2.51

$

263

$

2.12



Six Months Ended June 30,

2017

2016

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Reported GAAP net income and diluted EPS

$

395

$

3.17

$

444

$

3.56

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments

12

0.10

(12)

(0.10)

Special items—merger-related costs

64

0.51

14

0.12

Income tax effect on special items and fuel hedge adjustments

(28)

(0.22)

(1)

(0.01)

Non-GAAP adjusted net income and diluted EPS

$

443

$

3.56

$

445

$

3.57

* Alaska Airlines: highest in airline customer satisfaction among traditional carriers in the J.D. Power 2008-2017 North America Airline Satisfaction Study. Virgin America: "Top Domestic Airline" 2017 in Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards".

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 second quarter results will be simulcast online at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time on July 26, 2017. It can be accessed through the company's website at www.alaskaair.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available after the conclusion of the call.

References in this news release to "Air Group," "company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Alaska Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. Alaska Airlines, Inc., Horizon Air Industries, Inc., and Virgin America Inc. are referred to as "Alaska," "Horizon," and "Virgin America" respectively, and together as our "airlines."

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, 2016, as well as in other documents filed by the Company with the SEC after the date thereof. Some of these risks include general economic conditions, increases in operating costs including fuel, competition, labor costs and relations, our indebtedness, inability to meet cost reduction goals, seasonal fluctuations in our financial results, an aircraft accident, changes in laws and regulations and risks inherent in the achievement of anticipated synergies and the timing thereof in connection with the acquisition of Virgin America. 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.

Alaska Airlines, together with Virgin America and its regional partners, flies 40 million guests a year to 118 destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Cuba. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners, guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North America Satisfaction Study for 10 consecutive years from 2008 to 2017. Alaska Mileage Plan ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power 2016 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Learn more about Alaska's award-winning service and unmatched reliability at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.












As the acquisition closed on December 14, 2016, amounts presented below include Virgin America results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 but not for the prior periods.













Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

(in millions, except per-share amounts)

2017

2016

Change(a)

2017

2016

Change(a)

Operating Revenues:










Passenger










Mainline

$

1,556

$

1,036

50

%

$

2,828

$

1,963

44

%

Regional

251

227

11

%

463

433

7

%

Total passenger revenue

1,807

1,263

43

%

3,291

2,396

37

%

Freight and mail

32

27

19

%

56

51

10

%

Other—net

263

204

29

%

504

394

28

%

Total Operating Revenues

2,102

1,494

41

%

3,851

2,841

36

%












Operating Expenses:










Wages and benefits

469

332

41

%

917

668

37

%

Variable incentive pay

27

32

(16)

%

58

64

(9)

%

Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

344

201

71

%

683

368

86

%

Aircraft maintenance

96

65

48

%

183

133

38

%

Aircraft rent

69

26

165

%

134

55

144

%

Landing fees and other rentals

99

63

57

%

214

143

50

%

Contracted services

77

60

28

%

158

120

32

%

Selling expenses

97

55

76

%

178

104

71

%

Depreciation and amortization

90

92

(2)

%

180

180

—

%

Food and beverage service

50

31

61

%

95

62

53

%

Third-party regional carrier expense

27

24

13

%

54

47

15

%

Special items—merger-related costs

24

14

71

%

64

14

357

%

Other

140

81

73

%

274

175

57

%

Total Operating Expenses

1,609

1,076

50

%

3,192

2,133

50

%

Operating Income

493

418

18

%

659

708

(7)

%












Nonoperating Income (Expense):










Interest income

9

7



16

13


Interest expense

(26)

(9)



(51)

(22)


Interest capitalized

4

7



8

15


Other—net

(1)

(3)



(1)

(2)


Total Nonoperating Income (Expense)

(14)

2



(28)

4


Income Before Income Tax

479

420



631

712


Income tax expense

183

160



236

268


Net Income

$

296

$

260



$

395

$

444














Basic Earnings Per Share:

$

2.40

$

2.11



$

3.19

$

3.58


Diluted Earnings Per Share:

$

2.38

$

2.10



$

3.17

$

3.56














Shares Used for Computation:










Basic

123.573

123.250



123.534

123.900


Diluted

124.332

123.988



124.374

124.715














Cash dividend declared per share:

$

0.300

$

0.275



$

0.600

$

0.550




(a)

See Combined Comparative information in the accompanying pages for year-over-year comparisons including Virgin America.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)


Alaska Air Group, Inc.






(in millions)

June 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

Cash and marketable securities

$

1,922

$

1,580




Total current assets

2,425

2,050

Property and equipment—net

6,002

5,666

Goodwill

1,940

1,934

Intangible assets

137

143

Other assets

216

169

Total assets

10,720

9,962




Air traffic liability

1,255

849

Current portion of long-term debt

337

319

Other current liabilities

1,382

1,367

Current liabilities

2,974

2,535

Long-term debt

2,469

2,645

Other liabilities and credits

2,013

1,851

Shareholders' equity

3,264

2,931

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

10,720

$

9,962




Debt-to-capitalization ratio, adjusted for operating leases(a)

55

%

59

%




Number of common shares outstanding

123.521

123.328


(a)

Calculated using the present value of remaining aircraft lease payments.

 

OPERATING STATISTICS SUMMARY (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.












As the acquisition closed on December 14, 2016, Consolidated and Mainline amounts presented below include Virgin America results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 but not for the prior periods.













Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2017

2016

Change(e)

2017

2016

Change(e)

Consolidated Operating Statistics:(a)










Revenue passengers (000)

11,400

8,647

31.8%

21,417

16,482

29.9%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

13,554

9,397

44.2%

25,262

17,968

40.6%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

15,612

11,062

41.1%

30,006

21,515

39.5%

Load factor

86.8%

84.9%

1.9 pts

84.2%

83.5%

0.7 pts

Yield

13.33¢

13.44¢

(0.8)%

13.03¢

13.34¢

(2.3)%

PRASM

11.57¢

11.42¢

1.3%

10.97¢

11.14¢

(1.5)%

RASM

13.46¢

13.51¢

(0.4)%

12.83¢

13.21¢

(2.9)%

CASMex(b)

7.94¢

7.78¢

2.1%

8.15¢

8.14¢

0.1%

Economic fuel cost per gallon(c)

$1.71

$1.53

11.8%

$1.75

$1.41

24.1%

Fuel gallons (000,000)

201

138

45.7%

385

270

42.6%

ASM's per gallon

77.7

80.2

(3.1)%

77.9

79.7

(2.3)%

Average number of full-time equivalent employees (FTE)

19,745

14,470

36.5%

19,214

14,414

33.3%












Mainline Operating Statistics:










Revenue passengers (000)

8,950

6,282

42.5%

16,733

11,925

40.3%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

12,525

8,456

48.1%

23,352

16,172

44.4%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

14,341

9,875

45.2%

27,602

19,229

43.5%

Load factor

87.3%

85.6%

1.7 pts

84.6%

84.1%

0.5 pts

Yield

12.42¢

12.25¢

1.4%

12.11¢

12.14¢

(0.2)%

PRASM

10.85¢

10.49¢

3.4%

10.25¢

10.21¢

0.4%

RASM

12.76¢

12.61¢

1.2%

12.13¢

12.31¢

(1.5)%

CASMex(b)

7.15¢

6.88¢

3.9%

7.33¢

7.18¢

2.1%

Economic fuel cost per gallon(c)

$1.70

$1.52

11.8%

$1.74

$1.40

24.3%

Fuel gallons (000,000)

179

118

51.7%

343

231

48.5%

ASM's per gallon

80.3

83.7

(4.1)%

80.5

83.2

(3.2)%

Average number of FTE's

15,447

11,261

37.2%

15,227

11,192

36.1%

Aircraft utilization

11.4

10.8

5.6%

11.1

10.7

3.7%

Average aircraft stage length

1,294

1,177

9.9%

1,295

1,195

8.4%

Operating fleet

221

152

69 a/c

221

152

69 a/c












Regional Operating Statistics:(d)










Revenue passengers (000)

2,450

2,365

3.6%

4,685

4,558

2.8%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

1,030

941

9.5%

1,910

1,796

6.3%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

1,270

1,187

7.0%

2,404

2,287

5.1%

Load factor

81.1%

79.3%

1.8 pts

79.4%

78.5%

0.9 pts

Yield

24.30¢

24.17¢

0.5%

24.22¢

24.13¢

0.4%

PRASM

19.70¢

19.16¢

2.8%

19.24¢

18.95¢

1.5%

Operating fleet

78

69

9 a/c

78

69

9 a/c


(a)

Except for full-time equivalent employees, data includes information related to third-party regional capacity purchase flying arrangements.

(b)

See a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure and Note A for a discussion of potential importance of this measure to investors in the accompanying pages.

(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.

(e)

See Combined Comparative information in the accompanying pages for year-over-year comparisons including Virgin America.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY COMBINED COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION (unaudited)

We believe that analysis of specific financial and operational results on a combined basis provides more meaningful year-over-year comparisons. The table below provides "Combined Comparative" results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, determined as the sum of the historical consolidated results of Air Group and of Virgin America. Virgin America's financial information has been conformed to reflect Air Group's historical financial statement presentation for each period presented. This information does not purport to reflect what our financial and operational results would have been had the acquisition been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented.

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2017

2016


2017

2016


As Reported

Combined(a)

Change

As Reported

Combined(a)

Change

Combined Comparative Operating Results

Passenger revenue

$

1,807

$

1,647

10%

$

3,291

$

3,109

6%

Other revenue

295

272

8%

560

520

8%

Total Operating Revenues

2,102

1,919

10%

3,851

3,629

6%

Non-fuel operating expense

1,265

1,152

10%

2,509

2,302

9%

Fuel expense

344

278

24%

683

516

32%

Total Operating Expenses

1,609

1,430

13%

3,192

2,818

13%

Operating Income

493

489

1%

659

811

(19)%

Nonoperating income (expense)

(14)

(3)

367%

(28)

(5)

460%

Income Before Tax

479

486

(1)%

631

806

(22)%

Special items—merger-related costs

24

18

33%

64

20

220%

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments

2

(11)

(118)%

12

(14)

(186)%

Adjusted Income Before Tax

$

505

$

493

2%

$

707

$

812

(13)%












Combined Comparative Operating Statistics

Revenue passengers (000)

11,400

10,734

6.2%

21,417

20,336

5.3%

RPMs (000,000)

13,554

12,562

7.9%

25,262

23,748

6.4%

ASMs  (000,000)

15,612

14,751

5.8%

30,006

28,470

5.4%

Load Factor

86.8

%

85.2

%

1.6 pts

84.2

%

83.4

%

0.8 pts

PRASM

11.57

¢

11.16

¢

3.7%

10.97

¢

10.92

¢

0.5%

RASM

13.46

¢

13.01

¢

3.5%

12.83

¢

12.75

¢

0.6%

CASMex

7.94

¢

7.69

¢

3.3%

8.15

¢

8.01

¢

1.7%


(a)

Refer to our Investor Update issued on April 12, 2017 on Form 8-K for further details of the calculation of the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 combined data.

2016 Combined Comparative Operating Results and Statistics—Other Quarters

Refer to our Investor Update issued on April 12, 2017 on Form 8-K for combined comparative operating results and statistics for each of the quarters and full year 2016.

OPERATING SEGMENTS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.


























As the acquisition closed on December 14, 2016, Consolidated and Mainline amounts presented below include Virgin America results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 but not for the prior periods.















Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating
& Other

Air Group
Adjusted(a)

Special
Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

$

1,556

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

1,556

$

—

$

1,556

Regional

—

251

—

—

251

—

251

   Total passenger revenues

1,556

251

—

—

1,807

—

1,807

CPA revenues

—

—

108

(108)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

31

1

—

—

32

—

32

Other—net

244

19

1

(1)

263

—

263

Total operating revenues

1,831

271

109

(109)

2,102

—

2,102

Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

1,026

206

116

(107)

1,241

24

1,265

Economic fuel

304

39

—

(1)

342

2

344

Total operating expenses

1,330

245

116

(108)

1,583

26

1,609

Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

9

—

—

—

9

—

9

Interest expense

(23)

—

(3)

—

(26)

—

(26)

Other

3

—

1

(1)

3

—

3

Total Nonoperating income (expense)

(11)

—

(2)

(1)

(14)

—

(14)

Income (loss) before income tax

$

490

$

26

$

(9)

$

(2)

$

505

$

(26)

$

479



Three Months Ended June 30, 2016

(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating

Air Group
Adjusted(a)

Special
Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

$

1,036

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

1,036

$

—

$

1,036

Regional

—

227

—

—

227

—

227

   Total passenger revenues

1,036

227

—

—

1,263

—

1,263

CPA revenues

—

—

110

(110)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

26

1

—

—

27

—

27

Other—net

184

19

1

—

204

—

204

Total operating revenues

1,246

247

111

(110)

1,494

—

1,494

Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

679

192

101

(111)

861

14

875

Economic fuel

180

31

—

—

211

(10)

201

Total operating expenses

859

223

101

(111)

1,072

4

1,076

Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

6

—

1

—

7

—

7

Interest expense

(4)

—

(4)

(1)

(9)

—

(9)

Other

3

—

—

1

4

—

4

Total Nonoperating income (expense)

5

—

(3)

—

2

—

2

Income (loss) before income tax

$

392

$

24

$

7

$

1

$

424

$

(4)

$

420


(a)

The Air Group Adjusted column represents the financial information that is reviewed by management to assess performance of operations and determine capital allocation and does not include certain charges. See Note A in the accompanying pages for further information.

(b)

Includes merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating

Air Group
Adjusted(a)

Special
Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

2,828

—

—

—

2,828

—

2,828

Regional

—

463

—

—

463

—

463

  Total passenger revenues

2,828

463

—

—

3,291

—

3,291

Revenue from CPA with Alaska

—

—

205

(205)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

54

2

—

—

56

—

56

Other—net

466

36

2

—

504

—

504

Total operating revenues

3,348

501

207

(205)

3,851

—

3,851

Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

2,024

406

219

(204)

2,445

64

2,509

Economic fuel

596

75

—

—

671

12

683

Total operating expenses

2,620

481

219

(204)

3,116

76

3,192

Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

16

—

—

—

16

—

16

Interest expense

(45)

—

(5)

(1)

(51)

—

(51)

Other

6

—

1

—

7

—

7

Total Nonoperating income (expense)

(23)

—

(4)

(1)

(28)

—

(28)

Income (loss) before income tax

705

20

(16)

(2)

707

(76)

631



Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating

Air Group
Adjusted(a)

Special
Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

1,963

—

—

—

1,963

—

1,963

Regional

—

433

—

—

433

—

433

Total passenger revenues

1,963

433

—

—

2,396

—

2,396

Revenue from CPA with Alaska

—

—

213

(213)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

49

2

—

—

51

—

51

Other—net

356

36

2

—

394

—

394

Total operating revenues

2,368

471

215

(213)

2,841

—

2,841

Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

1,380

378

206

(213)

1,751

14

1,765

Economic fuel

324

56

—

—

380

(12)

368

Total operating expenses

1,704

434

206

(213)

2,131

2

2,133

Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

12

—

1

—

13

—

13

Interest expense

(16)

—

(5)

(1)

(22)

—

(22)

Other

10

—

—

3

13

—

13

Total Nonoperating income (expense)

6

—

(4)

2

4

—

4

Income (loss) before income tax

670

37

5

2

714

(2)

712


(a)

The Air Group Adjusted column re