News releases
Alaska Air Group Reports Record Adjusted Fourth Quarter And Full-Year Results
Highlights and achievements:
- Record fourth quarter net income, excluding special items, of
$50 million , or$0.70 per diluted share, compared to$37 million , or$0.51 per diluted share. This quarter's results compare to a First Call analyst consensus estimate of$0.71 per share. - Record full-year net income, excluding special items, of
$339 million , or$4.73 per diluted share, compared to$287 million , or$3.92 per diluted share. - Net income for the fourth quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of
$44 million , or$0.61 per diluted share, compared to net income of$64 million , or$0.88 per diluted share. Full-year GAAP net income of$316 million , or$4.40 per diluted share, compared to net income of$245 million , or$3.33 per diluted share. Air Group employees earned$88 million in incentive pay, or more than one-month's pay for most employees. Over the last four years, employees have earned more than$325 million in incentive pay, averaging 8% of annual pay for most employees.- Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" by
J.D. Power and Associates for the fifth year in a row. - Signed an aircraft purchase agreement with The
Boeing Company for 50 new 737 aircraft, including 37 ofBoeing 's new 737 MAX aircraft with deliveries expected in 2015 through 2024. - Carried a record number passengers in 2012 and achieved a record load factor of 85.9 percent, up 1.4 points from the prior year.
- Improved employee productivity by 3.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
- Completed renovation of Terminal 6 at
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in March, which includes the Airport of the Future design, new common use systems, additional gates and convenient connections with international flights. - Ratified a six-year agreement in December with the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) representing Horizon's pilots. - Ratified a six-year agreement in July with the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) representingAlaska 's ramp service and stores agents. - Repurchased 1,685,951 shares of common stock for approximately
$60 million . Since 2007,Air Group has used$320 million to repurchase 18 million shares. - Lowered adjusted debt-to-total capitalization ratio by 8 points to 54 percent since
Dec. 31, 2011 and by 27 points from 81 percent at the end of 2008. - Held
$1.3 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of December 31, 2012. - Achieved twelve-month return on invested capital of 13 percent, surpassing the 10 percent goal for the third year in a row.
- Contributed
$110 million to the defined-benefit pension plans during 2012, bringing the total over four years to approximately$540 million , despite having no required contribution.
New routes:
- Began new service from
San Diego toOrlando ,Portland toLihue ,Bellingham toMaui , andAnchorage to Kona in the fourth quarter, bringing the full year up to 21 new routes. - Announced service from
San Diego toBoston andLihue , and fromSeattle toSalt Lake City beginning in 2013.
The company reported full-year 2012 GAAP net income of
"We're very pleased with our strong performance in 2012, and we are moving ahead in 2013 to make
The following table reconciles the Company's adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share (EPS) during the full year and fourth quarters of 2012 and 2011 to amounts as reported in accordance with GAAP:
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2012 |
2011 |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
Dollars |
Diluted EPS |
Dollars |
Diluted EPS |
|||||||||||
Reported GAAP net income |
$ |
44 |
$ |
0.61 |
$ |
64 |
$ |
0.88 |
|||||||
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax |
6 |
0.09 |
(27) |
(0.37) |
|||||||||||
Non-GAAP adjusted income and per share amounts |
$ |
50 |
$ |
0.70 |
$ |
37 |
$ |
0.51 |
|||||||
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2012 |
2011 |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
Dollars |
Diluted EPS |
Dollars |
Diluted EPS |
|||||||||||
Reported GAAP net income |
$ |
316 |
$ |
4.40 |
$ |
245 |
$ |
3.33 |
|||||||
Fleet transition costs, net of tax |
— |
— |
24 |
0.33 |
|||||||||||
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax |
23 |
0.33 |
18 |
0.26 |
|||||||||||
Non-GAAP adjusted income and per share amounts |
$ |
339 |
$ |
4.73 |
$ |
287 |
$ |
3.92 |
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 fourth quarter and full year 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 December 31, 2011. Some of these risks include general economic conditions, increases in operating costs including fuel, competition, labor costs and relations, our significant indebtedness, 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 December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
2012 |
2011 |
Change |
2012 |
2011 |
Change |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
793 |
$ |
726 |
9% |
$ |
3,284 |
$ |
2,995 |
10% |
|||||||||||
Regional |
188 |
176 |
7% |
746 |
713 |
5% |
|||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenue |
981 |
902 |
9% |
4,030 |
3,708 |
9% |
|||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
26 |
25 |
4% |
111 |
109 |
2% |
|||||||||||||||
Other - net |
125 |
117 |
7% |
516 |
501 |
3% |
|||||||||||||||
Total Operating Revenues |
1,132 |
1,044 |
8% |
4,657 |
4,318 |
8% |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Wages and benefits |
267 |
253 |
6% |
1,038 |
991 |
5% |
|||||||||||||||
Variable incentive pay |
27 |
19 |
42% |
88 |
72 |
22% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses |
372 |
286 |
30% |
1,459 |
1,298 |
12% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft maintenance |
61 |
53 |
15% |
222 |
206 |
8% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft rent |
30 |
28 |
7% |
116 |
116 |
— |
|||||||||||||||
Landing fees and other rentals |
59 |
58 |
2% |
243 |
238 |
2% |
|||||||||||||||
Contracted services |
51 |
49 |
4% |
200 |
185 |
8% |
|||||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
37 |
42 |
(12)% |
168 |
175 |
(4)% |
|||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
69 |
63 |
10% |
264 |
247 |
7% |
|||||||||||||||
Food and beverage service |
21 |
17 |
24% |
79 |
67 |
18% |
|||||||||||||||
Other |
64 |
62 |
3% |
248 |
235 |
6% |
|||||||||||||||
Fleet transition costs |
— |
— |
NM |
— |
39 |
NM |
|||||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
1,058 |
930 |
14% |
4,125 |
3,869 |
7% |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
74 |
114 |
(35)% |
532 |
449 |
18% |
|||||||||||||||
Nonoperating Income (Expense): |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
5 |
4 |
19 |
22 |
|||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(15) |
(18) |
(64) |
(87) |
|||||||||||||||||
Interest capitalized |
5 |
7 |
18 |
12 |
|||||||||||||||||
Other - net |
3 |
(6) |
9 |
(2) |
|||||||||||||||||
(2) |
(13) |
(18) |
(55) |
||||||||||||||||||
Income Before Income Tax |
72 |
101 |
(29)% |
514 |
394 |
30% |
|||||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
28 |
37 |
198 |
149 |
|||||||||||||||||
Net Income |
$ |
44 |
$ |
64 |
(31)% |
$ |
316 |
$ |
245 |
29% |
|||||||||||
Basic Earnings Per Share: |
$ |
0.62 |
$ |
0.90 |
$ |
4.47 |
$ |
3.41 |
|||||||||||||
Diluted Earnings Per Share: |
$ |
0.61 |
$ |
0.88 |
$ |
4.40 |
$ |
3.33 |
|||||||||||||
Shares Used for Computation: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
71.112 |
71.122 |
70.708 |
71.755 |
|||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
72.149 |
72.635 |
71.784 |
73.421 |
NM - Not Meaningful
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) |
|||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||
(in millions) |
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
|||||
Cash and marketable securities |
$ |
1,252 |
$ |
1,141 |
|||
Total current assets |
1,737 |
1,596 |
|||||
Property and equipment-net |
3,609 |
3,373 |
|||||
Other assets |
159 |
198 |
|||||
Total assets |
$ |
5,505 |
$ |
5,167 |
|||
Current liabilities |
$ |
1,501 |
$ |
1,510 |
|||
Long-term debt |
871 |
1,099 |
|||||
Other liabilities and credits |
1,712 |
1,384 |
|||||
Shareholders' equity |
1,421 |
1,174 |
|||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ |
5,505 |
$ |
5,167 |
|||
Debt to Capitalization, adjusted for operating leases |
54%:46% |
62%:38% |
|||||
Number of common shares outstanding |
70.377 |
70.950 |
OPERATING STATISTICS SUMMARY (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
2011 |
Change |
2012 |
2011 |
Change |
||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Operating Statistics:(a) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue passengers (000) |
6,387 |
6,083 |
5.0% |
25,896 |
24,790 |
4.5% |
|||||||||||||||
RPMs (000,000) "traffic" |
6,720 |
6,183 |
8.7% |
27,007 |
25,032 |
7.9% |
|||||||||||||||
ASMs (000,000) "capacity" |
7,870 |
7,298 |
7.8% |
31,428 |
29,627 |
6.1% |
|||||||||||||||
Load factor |
85.4% |
84.7% |
0.7 pts |
85.9% |
84.5% |
1.4 pts |
|||||||||||||||
Yield |
14.59¢ |
14.59¢ |
— |
14.92¢ |
14.81¢ |
0.7% |
|||||||||||||||
PRASM |
12.46¢ |
12.36¢ |
0.8% |
12.82¢ |
12.51¢ |
2.5% |
|||||||||||||||
RASM |
14.39¢ |
14.31¢ |
0.6% |
14.82¢ |
14.57¢ |
1.7% |
|||||||||||||||
CASM excluding fuel and fleet transition costs(b) |
8.72¢ |
8.83¢ |
(1.2)% |
8.48¢ |
8.55¢ |
(0.8)% |
|||||||||||||||
Economic fuel cost per gallon(c) |
$ |
3.43 |
$ |
3.34 |
2.7% |
$ |
3.37 |
$ |
3.18 |
6.0% |
|||||||||||
Fuel gallons (000,000) |
105 |
99 |
6.1% |
422 |
398 |
6.0% |
|||||||||||||||
Average number of full-time equivalent employees |
11,984 |
11,807 |
1.5% |
11,955 |
11,840 |
1.0% |
|||||||||||||||
Mainline Operating Statistics: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue passengers (000) |
4,513 |
4,331 |
4.2% |
18,526 |
17,810 |
4.0% |
|||||||||||||||
RPMs (000,000) "traffic" |
6,065 |
5,575 |
8.8% |
24,417 |
22,586 |
8.1% |
|||||||||||||||
ASMs (000,000) "capacity" |
7,056 |
6,526 |
8.1% |
28,180 |
26,517 |
6.3% |
|||||||||||||||
Load factor |
86.0% |
85.4% |
0.6 pts |
86.6% |
85.2% |
1.4 pts |
|||||||||||||||
Yield |
13.08¢ |
13.01¢ |
0.5% |
13.45¢ |
13.26¢ |
1.4% |
|||||||||||||||
PRASM |
11.24¢ |
11.12¢ |
1.1% |
11.65¢ |
11.29¢ |
3.2% |
|||||||||||||||
RASM |
13.15¢ |
13.04¢ |
0.8% |
13.62¢ |
13.31¢ |
2.3% |
|||||||||||||||
CASM excluding fuel(b) |
7.77¢ |
7.89¢ |
(1.5)% |
7.56¢ |
7.60¢ |
(0.5)% |
|||||||||||||||
Economic fuel cost per gallon(c) |
$ |
3.43 |
$ |
3.33 |
3.0% |
$ |
3.36 |
$ |
3.18 |
5.7% |
|||||||||||
Fuel gallons (000,000) |
92 |
86 |
7.0% |
368 |
346 |
6.4% |
|||||||||||||||
Average number of full-time equivalent employees |
9,228 |
8,920 |
3.5% |
9,178 |
8,916 |
2.9% |
|||||||||||||||
Aircraft utilization |
10.5 |
10.2 |
2.9% |
10.7 |
10.5 |
1.9% |
|||||||||||||||
Average aircraft stage length |
1,189 |
1,129 |
5.3% |
1,161 |
1,114 |
4.2% |
|||||||||||||||
Mainline operating fleet |
124 |
117 |
7 a/c |
124 |
117 |
7 a/c |
|||||||||||||||
Regional Operating Statistics:(d) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue passengers (000) |
1,873 |
1,752 |
6.9% |
7,371 |
6,980 |
5.6% |
|||||||||||||||
RPMs (000,000) "traffic" |
655 |
608 |
7.7% |
2,590 |
2,446 |
5.9% |
|||||||||||||||
ASMs (000,000) "capacity" |
814 |
772 |
5.4% |
3,247 |
3,110 |
4.4% |
|||||||||||||||
Load factor |
80.4% |
78.8% |
1.6 pts |
79.8% |
78.6% |
1.2 pts |
|||||||||||||||
Yield |
28.64¢ |
28.82¢ |
(0.6)% |
28.81¢ |
29.13¢ |
(1.1)% |
|||||||||||||||
PRASM |
23.03¢ |
22.84¢ |
0.8% |
22.98¢ |
22.94¢ |
0.2% |
|||||||||||||||
Operating fleet (Horizon only) |
48 |
48 |
— |
48 |
48 |
— |
(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 why these measures may be important 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. |
OPERATING SEGMENTS (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items |
Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
793 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
793 |
$ |
— |
$ |
793 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
188 |
— |
— |
188 |
— |
188 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
793 |
188 |
— |
— |
981 |
— |
981 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from CPA with Alaska |
— |
— |
97 |
(97) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
25 |
1 |
— |
— |
26 |
— |
26 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other-net |
110 |
14 |
1 |
— |
125 |
— |
125 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
928 |
203 |
98 |
(97) |
1,132 |
— |
1,132 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel |
548 |
145 |
90 |
(97) |
686 |
— |
686 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
315 |
47 |
— |
— |
362 |
10 |
372 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
863 |
192 |
90 |
(97) |
1,048 |
10 |
1,058 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
5 |
— |
— |
— |
5 |
— |
5 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(11) |
— |
(4) |
— |
(15) |
— |
(15) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
8 |
— |
1 |
(1) |
8 |
— |
8 |
||||||||||||||||||||
2 |
— |
(3) |
(1) |
(2) |
— |
(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
67 |
$ |
11 |
$ |
5 |
$ |
(1) |
$ |
82 |
$ |
(10) |
$ |
72 |
|||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items |
Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
726 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
726 |
$ |
— |
$ |
726 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
176 |
— |
— |
176 |
— |
176 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
726 |
176 |
— |
— |
902 |
— |
902 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from CPA with Alaska |
— |
— |
90 |
(90) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
24 |
1 |
— |
— |
25 |
— |
25 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other-net |
101 |
14 |
2 |
— |
117 |
— |
117 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
851 |
191 |
92 |
(90) |
1,044 |
— |
1,044 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel |
515 |
135 |
83 |
(89) |
644 |
— |
644 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
285 |
44 |
— |
— |
329 |
(43) |
286 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
800 |
179 |
83 |
(89) |
973 |
(43) |
930 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
3 |
— |
— |
1 |
4 |
— |
4 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(14) |
— |
(4) |
— |
(18) |
— |
(18) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||
(10) |
— |
(4) |
1 |
(13) |
— |
(13) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
41 |
$ |
12 |
$ |
5 |
$ |
— |
$ |
58 |
$ |
43 |
$ |
101 |
OPERATING SEGMENTS (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items |
Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
3,284 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
3,284 |
$ |
— |
$ |
3,284 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
746 |
— |
— |
746 |
— |
746 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
3,284 |
746 |
— |
— |
4,030 |
— |
4,030 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from CPA with Alaska |
— |
— |
369 |
(369) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
107 |
4 |
— |
— |
111 |
— |
111 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other-net |
448 |
61 |
7 |
— |
516 |
— |
516 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
3,839 |
811 |
376 |
(369) |
4,657 |
— |
4,657 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel |
2,131 |
566 |
338 |
(369) |
2,666 |
— |
2,666 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
1,238 |
183 |
— |
— |
1,421 |
38 |
1,459 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
3,369 |
749 |
338 |
(369) |
4,087 |
38 |
4,125 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
19 |
— |
— |
— |
19 |
— |
19 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(47) |
— |
(16) |
(1) |
(64) |
— |
(64) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
24 |
— |
2 |
1 |
27 |
— |
27 |
||||||||||||||||||||
(4) |
— |
(14) |
— |
(18) |
— |
(18) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
466 |
$ |
62 |
$ |
24 |
$ |
— |
$ |
552 |
$ |
(38) |
$ |
514 |
|||||||||||||
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alaska |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
Mainline |
Regional |
Horizon |
Consolidating |
Air Group Adjusted(a) |
Special Items |
Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passenger |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mainline |
$ |
2,995 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,995 |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,995 |
|||||||||||||
Regional |
— |
713 |
— |
— |
713 |
— |
713 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total passenger revenues |
2,995 |
713 |
— |
— |
3,708 |
— |
3,708 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from CPA with Alaska |
— |
— |
369 |
(369) |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||
Freight and mail |
105 |
4 |
— |
— |
109 |
— |
109 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other-net |
431 |
62 |
8 |
— |
501 |
— |
501 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
3,531 |
779 |
377 |
(369) |
4,318 |
— |
4,318 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel(b) |
2,015 |
544 |
340 |
(367) |
2,532 |
39 |
2,571 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Economic fuel |
1,101 |
167 |
— |
— |
1,268 |
30 |
1,298 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
3,116 |
711 |
340 |
(367) |
3,800 |
69 |
3,869 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
24 |
— |
— |
(2) |
22 |
— |
22 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(72) |
— |
(17) |
2 |
(87) |
— |
(87) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
8 |
— |
2 |
10 |
— |
10 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
(40) |
— |
(15) |
— |
(55) |
— |
(55) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
$ |
375 |
$ |
68 |
$ |
22 |
$ |
(2) |
$ |
463 |
$ |
(69) |
$ |
394 |
(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 charges. See Note A for further information in the accompanying pages. |
(b) |
Special charges related to CRJ-700 fleet transitions costs. |
FUEL RECONCILIATIONS (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
Alaska Air Group, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2012 |
2011 |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for per gallon amounts) |
Dollars |
Cost/Gal |
Dollars |
Cost/Gal |
|||||||||||
Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost |
$ |
351 |
$ |
3.33 |
$ |
320 |
$ |
3.24 |
|||||||
(Gains) losses on settled hedges |
11 |
0.10 |
9 |
0.10 |
|||||||||||
Consolidated economic fuel expense |
$ |
362 |
$ |
3.43 |
$ |
329 |
$ |
3.34 |
|||||||
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments |
10 |
0.10 |
(43) |
(0.44) |
|||||||||||
GAAP fuel expense |
$ |
372 |
$ |
3.53 |
$ |
286 |
$ |
2.90 |
|||||||
Fuel gallons |
105 |
99 |
|||||||||||||
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2012 |
2011 |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for per gallon amounts) |
Dollars |
Cost/Gal |
Dollars |
Cost/Gal |
|||||||||||
Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost |
$ |
1,397 |
$ |
3.31 |
$ |
1,289 |
$ |
3.24 |
|||||||
(Gains) losses on settled hedges |
24 |
0.06 |
(21) |
(0.06) |
|||||||||||
Consolidated economic fuel expense |
$ |
1,421 |
$ |
3.37 |
$ |
1,268 |
$ |
3.18 |
|||||||
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments |
38 |
0.09 |
30 |
0.08 |
|||||||||||
GAAP fuel expense |
$ |
1,459 |
$ |
3.46 |
$ |
1,298 |
$ |
3.26 |
|||||||
Fuel gallons |
422 |
398 |
|||||||||||||
Breakout of Fuel Expense: |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
2012 |
2011 |
2012 |
2011 |
|||||||||||
Mainline economic fuel expense |
$ |
315 |
$ |
285 |
$ |
1,238 |
$ |
1,101 |
|||||||
Regional economic fuel expense |
47 |
44 |
183 |
167 |
|||||||||||
Consolidated economic fuel expense |
$ |
362 |
$ |
329 |
$ |
1,421 |
$ |
1,268 |
|||||||
Mainline Economic Cost per Gallon Reconciliation: |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for per gallon amounts) |
2012 |
2011 |
2012 |
2011 |
|||||||||||
Mainline economic fuel expense |
$ |
315 |
$ |
285 |
$ |
1,238 |
$ |
1,101 |
|||||||
Mainline fuel gallons |
92 |
86 |
368 |
346 |
|||||||||||
Mainline economic cost per gallon |
$ |
3.43 |
$ |
3.33 |
$ |
3.36 |
$ |
3.18 |
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 cost and unit cost metrics, we believe that we have better visibility into the results of 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 run, 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.
- 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 fleet transition costs, 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: Air Group's operations are treated as an integrated route network intended to maximize the results of the company. However, the Company has historically had two primary operating and reporting segments, consisting of
All inter-company revenues and expenses are eliminated in consolidation.
Glossary of Terms
Mainline - represents flying on
Regional - represents operations whereby Horizon,
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
ASMs - available seat miles, or "capacity"; represents total seats available across the fleet multiplied by the number of miles flown
Load Factor - RPMs as a percentage of ASMs; represents the number of available seats that were filled with paying passengers
Yield - passenger revenue per RPM; represents the average revenue for flying one passenger one mile
PRASM - passenger revenue per ASM; commonly called "passenger unit revenue"
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
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
Economic fuel - best estimate of the cash cost of fuel, net of the impact of our fuel-hedging program
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
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
Productivity - number of revenue passengers per full-time equivalent employee
SOURCE
Media contact: Bobbie Egan, Media Relations Manager, +1-206-392-5134, or Investor/analyst contact: Chris Berry, Managing Director of Investor Relations, +1-206-392-5260