UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

 

or

 

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                   to                   

 

Commission file number: 000-49728

 

JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		87-0617894
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
118-29 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, New York		11375
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

(718) 709-3026

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  ý  Yes   o  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
ý  Yes  o  No

 

As of September 30, 2004, there were 103,602,879 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding.

 

 

JetBlue Airways Corporation

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
	Consolidated Statements of Income - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings
Item 2.	Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 5.	Other Information
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

PART 1.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

 

		September 30, 2004			December 31, 2003
		(unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	466,236		$	570,695
Short-term investments		50,455			36,610
Receivables, less allowance		39,057			16,723
Prepaid expenses and other		30,461			21,712
Total current assets		586,209			645,740
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Flight equipment		1,647,387			1,220,272
Predelivery deposits for flight equipment		243,808			186,453
		1,891,195			1,406,725
Less accumulated depreciation		94,942			60,567
		1,796,253			1,346,158
Other property and equipment		149,537			95,299
Less accumulated depreciation		29,300			20,467
		120,237			74,832
Total property and equipment		1,916,490			1,420,990
OTHER ASSETS
Purchased technology, net		56,640			62,256
Other		87,552			56,771
Total other assets		144,192			119,027
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,646,891		$	2,185,757
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable		$	67,238		$	52,983
Air traffic liability		180,596			134,719
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits		55,813			61,851
Other accrued liabilities		35,112			23,081
Short-term borrowings		43,300			29,884
Current maturities of long-term debt		90,696			67,101
Total current liabilities		472,755			369,619
LONG-TERM DEBT		1,265,312			1,011,610
DEFERRED TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES		156,713			133,392
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, 103,602,879 and 102,069,111 shares issued and outstanding in 2004 and 2003, respectively		1,036			1,021
Additional paid-in capital		570,576			552,375
Retained earnings		164,763			119,689
Unearned compensation		(6,156		)	(7,544		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		21,892			5,595
Total stockholders’ equity		752,111			671,136
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	2,646,891		$	2,185,757

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
OPERATING REVENUES
Passenger		$	311,602		$	264,431		$	900,393		$	711,371
Other		11,613			9,145			31,543			24,036
Total operating revenues		323,215			273,576			931,936			735,407
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages and benefits		86,255			69,875			247,741			194,603
Aircraft fuel		68,499			38,295			175,174			106,719
Landing fees and other rents		24,699			18,852			68,084			51,448
Aircraft rent		17,553			15,673			52,548			43,659
Sales and marketing		14,657			15,067			46,423			41,035
Depreciation and amortization		19,550			13,700			53,307			35,493
Maintenance materials and repairs		11,518			5,755			32,406			14,453
Other operating expenses		57,499			42,523			155,516			114,164
Total operating expenses		300,230			219,740			831,199			601,574
OPERATING INCOME		22,985			53,836			100,737			133,833
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense		(14,172		)	(7,857		)	(36,512		)	(20,074		)
Capitalized interest		2,477			1,405			5,863			3,647
Interest income and other		2,520			2,033			6,000			4,753
Government compensation		—			—			—			22,761
Total other income (expense)		(9,175		)	(4,419		)	(24,649		)	11,087
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		13,810			49,417			76,088			144,920
Income tax expense		5,387			20,374			31,014			60,562
NET INCOME		$	8,423		$	29,043		$	45,074		$	84,358
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic		$	0.08		$	0.29		$	0.44		$	0.88
Diluted		$	0.08		$	0.26		$	0.41		$	0.80

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income		$	45,074		$	84,358
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		30,829			58,779
Depreciation		46,327			31,113
Amortization		7,598			4,699
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities		22,103			36,233
Other, net		4,401			3,928
Net cash provided by operating activities		156,332			219,110
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(419,400		)	(346,428		)
Predelivery deposits for flight equipment		(133,954		)	(123,753		)
Purchase of short-term investments		(13,727		)	(20,802		)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments		20,500			9,185
Other, net		(4,924		)	588
Net cash used in investing activities		(551,505		)	(481,210		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from:
Issuance of common stock		11,021			130,235
Issuance of long-term debt		332,055			311,000
Aircraft sale and leaseback transactions		—			189,300
Short-term borrowings		34,856			21,441
Repayment of long-term debt		(54,758		)	(37,753		)
Repayment of short-term borrowings		(21,440		)	(16,260		)
Other, net		(11,020		)	(8,386		)
Net cash provided by financing activities		290,714			589,577
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(104,459		)	327,477
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		570,695			246,752
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	466,236		$	574,229

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2004

 

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation:  Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of JetBlue Airways Corporation, or JetBlue, and LiveTV, LLC, or LiveTV, collectively “we”, “us” or the “Company”, with all intercompany transactions and balances having been eliminated.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year financial statement presentation.  These condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with our 2003 audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (our “2003 Form 10-K”).

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by us following the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments including normal recurring items which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Operating results for the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

 

Stock-Based Compensation: We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.  Compensation expense for a stock option grant is recognized if the exercise price is less than the fair value of our common stock on the grant date.  The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per common share if we had applied the fair value method to measure stock-based compensation, as required under the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Net income, as reported		$	8,423		$	29,043		$	45,074		$	84,358
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax		263			260			756			769
Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value method, net of tax
Crewmember stock purchase plan		(1,583		)	(605		)	(4,559		)	(1,604		)
Employee stock options		(3,361		)	(2,002		)	(9,082		)	(5,076		)
Proforma net income		$	3,742		$	26,696		$	32,189		$	78,447
Earnings per common share:
Basic - as reported		$	0.08		$	0.29		$	0.44		$	0.88
Basic - proforma		$	0.04		$	0.27		$	0.31		$	0.82
Diluted - as reported		$	0.08		$	0.26		$	0.41		$	0.80
Diluted - proforma		$	0.03		$	0.24		$	0.29		$	0.74

 

5

 

Note 2 – Long-term Debt

 

On March 24, 2004, we completed a public offering of $431 million of pass-through certificates Series 2004-1 G-1, 2004-1 G-2 and 2004-1 C, or certificates, to finance 13 new Airbus A320 aircraft, scheduled to be delivered through December 2004.  The Class G-1 certificates totaling $119.1 million bear interest at three month London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus 0.375%, the Class G-2 certificates totaling $187.9 million bear interest at three month LIBOR plus 0.42%, and the Class C certificates totaling $124.0 million bear interest at three month LIBOR plus 4.25%. Principal payments are required on the Class G-1 and Class C certificates quarterly commencing on March 15, 2005.  The entire principal amount of the Class G-2 certificates is scheduled to be paid on March 15, 2014.  Interest on all certificates is payable quarterly and commenced on June 15, 2004.  Separate trusts were established for each class of certificates.

 

The proceeds from the sale of the certificates are being held in escrow with a depositary. As aircraft are delivered, the proceeds are utilized to purchase our secured equipment notes issued to finance these aircraft.  The proceeds held in escrow are not assets of ours, nor are the certificates obligations of ours or guaranteed by us; therefore, they are not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.  At September 30, 2004, $264.1 million in equipment notes issued by us and secured by eight aircraft are direct obligations of ours.  During the three months ended September 30, 2004, we issued a total of $99.7 million in secured equipment notes to the trusts described above.  At September 30, 2004, $166.9 million of proceeds from the sale of the certificates was held in escrow and not recorded as an asset or direct obligation of ours.

 

In addition to the issuance of the equipment notes described above, during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we issued $68.0 million in floating rate equipment notes due through 2016, the interest on which adjusts quarterly based on the three month LIBOR.  At September 30, 2004, the weighted average interest rate of all of our long-term debt was 3.72%, and maturities were $21.7 million for the remainder of 2004, $91.6 million in 2005, $94.3 million in 2006, $96.5 million in 2007, $111.3 million in 2008, $88.8 million in 2009 and $851.8 million thereafter.

 

In June 2004, we increased our aircraft predelivery deposit funding facility from $34.0 million to $48.0 million.  At September 30, 2004, we had $43.3 million in borrowings outstanding under this facility and the weighted average interest rate on these short-term borrowings was 3.5%.

 

Note 3 – Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income includes changes in the fair value and reclassifications into earnings of amounts previously deferred related to our crude oil financial derivative instruments, which qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  Comprehensive income consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

6

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Net income		$	8,423		$	29,043		$	45,074		$	84,358
Change in fair value of derivative contracts		22,678			1,054			42,264			3,594
Reclassifications into earnings		(6,666		)	(336		)	(14,705		)	(466		)
Tax effect of change in fair value and reclassifications into earnings		(6,612		)	(287		)	(11,260		)	(1,251		)
Comprehensive income		$	17,823		$	29,474		$	61,373		$	86,235

 

Note 4 – Earnings Per Share

 

The following table shows how we computed basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except share data):

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Numerator:
Net income applicable to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share		$	8,423		$	29,043		$	45,074		$	84,358
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share		103,489,672			98,913,276			102,914,105			95,795,369
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options		7,296,432			10,281,813			7,890,791			8,490,358
Unvested common stock		30,863			1,601,708			28,511			1,724,823
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share		110,816,967			110,796,797			110,833,407			106,010,550

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, 4.1 million shares issuable upon conversion of our 3½% convertible notes are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation since the contingent conditions for their conversion have not yet been met.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, we excluded 3.4 million shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options from the diluted earnings per share computation.  These stock options were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation because their exercise price was greater than the average market price of our common stock.  No shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

7

 

On September 30, 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached consensus on Issue No. 04-08, or EITF 04-08, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share,” which changes the treatment of contingently convertible debt instruments in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.  EITF 04-08 provides that the shares issuable upon conversion of these debt instruments be included in the earnings per share computation, if dilutive, regardless of whether the contingent conditions for their conversion have been met.  This change does not have any effect on net income, but it may affect the related earnings per share amounts.  The new rules will be effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2004.  We plan to adopt EITF 04-08 as of December 31, 2004.  We will include, if dilutive, the assumed conversion of our 3½% convertible notes issued in July 2003 in all of our reported diluted earnings per share calculations.  We expect this change to have an immaterial impact on our diluted earnings per share calculations.

 

Note 5 – Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense is based on estimated annual effective tax rates, which differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state and local income taxes, nondeductible expenses and stock option compensation.

 

Note 6 – Employee Retirement Plan

 

We sponsor a retirement profit sharing and 401(k) defined contribution plan, or the Plan.  Our contributions expensed for the Plan for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were $3.9 million and $9.7 million, respectively, and contributions expensed for the Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were $17.6 million and $28.6 million, respectively.

 

Note 7 – Commitments

 

At September 30, 2004, our firm aircraft orders consisted of 119 Airbus A320 aircraft, 100 Embraer E190 aircraft and 37 spare engines scheduled for delivery through 2012. Committed expenditures for these aircraft and related flight equipment, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations, spare engines and predelivery deposits, will be approximately $200 million for the remainder of 2004, $805 million in 2005, $1.13 billion in 2006, $1.16 billion in 2007, $1.20 billion in 2008, $1.23 billion in 2009 and $1.71 billion thereafter. We have options to purchase 50 A320 aircraft and related equipment scheduled for delivery from 2008 through 2013, and we also have options to purchase 100 Embraer E190 aircraft and related equipment scheduled for delivery from 2011 through 2016. Debt financing has been arranged for our five remaining aircraft deliveries scheduled for 2004. Additionally, lease financing has been arranged for the first 30 Embraer E190 aircraft deliveries scheduled for delivery through March 2007.

 

Note 8 – Contingencies

 

Beginning in September 2003, several lawsuits were commenced against us alleging various causes of action, including fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract, violation of privacy rights, as well as violations of consumer protection statutes and federal electronic communications laws. These claims arose out of our providing access to limited customer data to a government contractor in connection with a test project for military base security. Since the lawsuits are in the preliminary stages, we are unable to determine the impact they may have upon us.

 

8

 

Holders of $175 million aggregate principal amount of our 3½% convertible unsecured notes due 2033 may convert the notes at a conversion rate of 23.52945 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes into 4.1 million shares of our common stock under the following circumstances: (1) during any fiscal quarter if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds 120% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per note for each day of that period was less than 95% of the product of the closing sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate; (3)  if the notes have been called for redemption; or (4) upon the occurrence of certain corporate transactions.

 

Note 9 – Financial Instruments and Risk Management

 

The Company is exposed to the effect of changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel.  To manage this risk, we periodically purchase crude oil option and swap contracts. The following is a summary of our derivative contracts (in thousands, except as otherwise indicated):

 

		2004			2003
At September 30:
Fair value of derivative instruments		$	37,199		$	4,704
Estimated hedged position during the next 12 months		25		%	60		%
Longest remaining term (months)		15			15
Hedged volume (barrels)		2,190			3,285

 

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Hedge effectiveness gains recognized in fuel expense		$	10,567		$	1,084		$	23,991		$	1,643
Hedge ineffectiveness gains (losses) recognized in other income		—			420			(45		)	1,161
Percentage of actual consumption hedged		38		%	80		%	43		%	69		%

 

Note 10—Government Compensation

 

In April 2003, the President signed into law the Emergency War Time Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2003, which provided for compensation to domestic air carriers based on their proportional share of passenger security and air carrier infrastructure security fees paid by those carriers through the date of enactment of the legislation. In May 2003, we received $22.8 million in compensation pursuant to this legislation, which is recorded in other income (expense).

 

Note 11—Subsequent Event

 

On October 5, 2004, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC, which, when effective, will permit us to offer up to $681 million additional aggregate amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or pass through certificates. We have not issued nor offered any securities related to this registration statement.

 

9

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Results of Operations

 

The U.S. domestic airline environment is probably the most challenging it has been since September 11, 2001 as a result of two factors.  First, is the extremely weak revenue environment caused by widespread price competition and continued increases in industry capacity.  Second, is the record high aircraft fuel prices caused by the sharp rise in crude oil prices.  Consequently, most airlines are facing losses in 2004 and some of our major airline competitors have either filed for bankruptcy or are using the threat of bankruptcy to reduce their costs in an attempt to improve their ability to return to profitability.  As a result of these external factors that are largely outside of our control, we have seen a significant negative impact to our profitability.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

Our net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 decreased to $8.4 million from $29.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and represented our 15^th consecutive quarterly profit.  Diluted earnings per share was $0.08 for the third quarter of 2004 compared with $0.26 for the same period in 2003.  Our operating margin for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was 7.1% compared to 19.7% in 2003 and operating income was $23.0 million in 2004 compared to $53.9 million for the same period in 2003.

 

Operating Revenues.  Operating revenues increased 18.1%, or $49.6 million, primarily due to an increase in passenger revenues. Increased passengers resulting from a 33.3% increase in departures, or $75.9 million, partially offset by an 8.8% decrease in yield, or $28.8 million, drove the increase in passenger revenues of $47.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004. The lower yields experienced during 2004 and the 2.8 point reduction in load factor were primarily attributable to an extremely competitive revenue environment, which included significant fare discounting by several airlines in many of the markets we serve.  Additionally, four major hurricanes during the quarter caused the cancellation of 464 flights offset by the addition of 90 unscheduled flights, resulting in estimated lost revenue of $8-10 million.  The lingering impact of the hurricanes has also negatively impacted October revenues.  Other revenue increased 27.0%, or $2.5 million, primarily due to increased change fees of $1.6 million resulting from more passengers and increases in LiveTV third party revenues of $0.8 million.

 

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 36.6%, or $80.5 million, due to an average of 16.0 additional aircraft in service in 2004. Operating capacity increased 33.3% to 4.9 billion available seat miles and an increase in transcontinental flights over 2003 contributed to a 3.7% increase in average stage length. Operating expenses per available seat mile increased 2.5% to 6.08 cents for the three months ended September 30, 2004.  Had fuel prices remained at 2003 levels, our cost per available seat mile would have decreased by 2.4% to 5.79 cents.  In detail, operating costs per available seat mile were:

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,				Percent
		2004		2003		Change
		(in cents)
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits		1.75		1.89		(7.4	)%
Aircraft fuel		1.39		1.03		34.1	%
Landing fees and other rents		.50		.51		(1.7	)%
Aircraft rent		.35		.42		(16.0	)%
Sales and marketing		.30		.41		(27.0	)%
Depreciation and amortization		.40		.37		7.0	%
Maintenance materials and repairs		.23		.15		50.1	%
Other operating expenses		1.16		1.15		1.4	%
Total operating expenses		6.08		5.93		2.5	%

 

10

 

Salaries, wages and benefits increased 23.4%, or $16.4 million, due to an increase in average full-time equivalent employees of 34.9% in 2004 compared to 2003. Cost per available seat mile decreased 7.4% primarily as a result of a $6.3 million lower profit sharing provision.

 

Aircraft fuel expense increased 78.9%, or $30.2 million, due to 16.4 million more gallons of aircraft fuel consumed resulting in $13.3 million of additional fuel expense and, after the impact of fuel hedging, a 32.7% increase in average fuel cost per gallon, or $16.9 million. Our fuel costs represented 22.8% and 17.4% of our operating expenses of the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Based on our expected fuel volume for 2004, a 10 cent increase in cost of aircraft fuel would increase our annual fuel expense by approximately $25 million. Cost per available seat mile increased 34.1% due to the increase in average fuel cost per gallon.

 

Landing fees and other rents increased 31.0%, or $5.8 million, due to a 33.3% increase in departures over 2003. Cost per available seat mile decreased 1.7% due to higher capacity and an increase in average stage length.

 

Aircraft rent increased 12.0%, or $1.9 million, due to having 3.0 more average aircraft under operating leases during the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 2003. Cost per available seat mile decreased 16.0% primarily due to a lower percentage of our aircraft fleet being leased.

 

Sales and marketing expense decreased 2.7%, or $0.4 million, due to $2.1 million in lower advertising offset by $1.7 million in higher credit card fees resulting from increased passenger revenues. On a cost per available seat mile basis, sales and marketing expense decreased 27.0% due to lower advertising costs. We booked the majority of our reservations through a combination of our website (75.0% in 2004) and our own reservation agents (23.3% in 2004).

 

Depreciation and amortization increased 42.7%, or $5.8 million, due to having 13.0 more average owned aircraft during the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. Cost per available seat mile increased 7.0% primarily due to a higher percentage of our aircraft fleet being owned.

 

Maintenance materials and repairs increased 100%, or $5.8 million, due to having 16.0 more average operating aircraft in 2004 compared to the same period in 2003 and a gradual aging of our fleet. Cost per available seat mile increased 50.1% due to the completion of 10 airframe checks in 2004 compared to nine in 2003, as well as increased engine and component repairs.

 

Other operating expenses increased 35.2%, or $15.0 million. Higher variable costs associated with increased capacity and number of passengers served were the primary reasons for the increase. Cost per available seat mile increased 1.4% as a result of higher outside services and fuel taxes mitigated somewhat by higher capacity, lower insurance and lower utilities.

 

Other Income (Expense).  Interest expense increased 80.4%, or $6.3 million, due to the debt financing of 13 additional aircraft and interest on our 3½% convertible notes. Capitalized interest increased 76.3%, or $1.1 million, primarily due to higher predelivery deposit balances. Interest income increased 24.0%, or $0.5 million, primarily due to higher cash and investment balances in 2004.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

Our net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 decreased to $45.1 million from $84.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  Diluted earnings per share was $0.41 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with $0.80 for the same period in 2003.  Our results for 2003 included $22.8 million in Emergency War Time compensation, which, net of income taxes and profit

 

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sharing, amounted to $11.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.

 

Our operating margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 10.8% compared to 18.2% in 2003 and operating income was $100.7 million in 2004 compared to $133.8 million for the same period in 2003.  Our operations in 2004 were impacted by an extremely competitive revenue environment, which resulted in revenues growing at a slower rate than capacity additions, record high fuel prices, poor weather conditions on the East Coast, including four major hurricanes, and increases in maintenance costs.

 

Operating Revenues.  Operating revenues increased 26.7%, or $196.5 million, primarily due to an increase in passenger revenues. Increased passengers resulting from a 35.2% increase in departures, or $260.7 million, partially offset by a 7.4% decrease in yield, or $71.7 million, drove the increase in passenger revenues of $189.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Lower yields experienced during 2004 and a 1.8 point reduction in load factor were primarily attributable to an extremely competitive environment, which included unprecedented fare discounting and frequent flier offers by several airlines in many of the markets we serve.  These carriers also added back capacity that was taken out in 2003 at the onset of hostilities in Iraq, which significantly impacted our East-West markets. Other revenue increased 31.2%, or $7.5 million, primarily due to increased change fees of $4.1 million resulting from more passengers and increases in LiveTV third party revenues of $1.9 million.

 

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 38.2%, or $229.6 million, due to an average of 16.5 additional aircraft in service in 2004. Operating capacity increased 39.6% to 13.82 billion available seat miles and an increase in transcontinental flights over 2003 contributed to a 7.1% increase in average stage length. Operating expenses per available seat mile decreased 1.0% to 6.02 cents for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  Had fuel prices remained at 2003 levels, our cost per available seat mile would have decreased by 3.5% to 5.87 cents.  In detail, operating costs per available seat mile were:

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,				Percent
		2004		2003		Change
		(in cents)
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits		1.79		1.97		(8.8	)%
Aircraft fuel		1.27		1.08		17.6	%
Landing fees and other rents		.49		.52		(5.2	)%
Aircraft rent		.38		.44		(13.8	)%
Sales and marketing		.34		.41		(18.9	)%
Depreciation and amortization		.39		.36		7.6	%
Maintenance materials and repairs		.23		.15		60.6	%
Other operating expenses		1.13		1.15		(2.4	)%
Total operating expenses		6.02		6.08		(1.0	)%

 

Salaries, wages and benefits increased 27.3%, or $53.1 million, due to an increase in average full-time equivalent employees of 35.0% in 2004 compared to 2003. Cost per available seat mile decreased 8.8% principally as a result of a $12.1 million lower profit sharing provision, of which $3.4 million was attributable to Emergency War Time compensation in 2003.

 

Aircraft fuel expense increased 64.1%, or $68.4 million, due to 51.5 million more gallons of aircraft fuel consumed resulting in $44.0 million of additional fuel expense and, after the impact of fuel hedging, a 16.2% increase in average fuel cost per gallon, or $24.4 million. Our fuel costs represented 21.1% and 17.7% of our operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, aircraft fuel prices remained at or near historically high levels and our average fuel price per gallon was 99.21 cents, a 16.2% increase compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  Cost per available seat mile increased 17.6% due to the increase in average fuel cost per gallon.

 

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Landing fees and other rents increased 32.3%, or $16.6 million, due to a 35.2% increase in departures over 2003. Cost per available seat mile decreased 5.2% due to higher capacity and an increase in average stage length.

 

Aircraft rent increased 20.4%, or $8.9 million, due to having 4.9 more average aircraft under operating leases during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 2003. Cost per available seat mile decreased 13.8% due to a lower percentage of our aircraft fleet being leased.

 

Sales and marketing expense increased 13.1%, or $5.4 million, due to higher credit card fees resulting from increased passenger revenues. On a cost per available seat mile basis, sales and marketing expense decreased 18.9% due to increases in capacity exceeding increases in advertising costs. We booked the majority of our reservations through a combination of our website (75.7% in 2004) and our own reservation agents (22.5% in 2004).

 

Depreciation and amortization increased 50.2%, or $17.8 million, due to having 11.6 more average owned aircraft during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. Cost per available seat mile increased 7.6% primarily due to a higher percentage of our aircraft fleet being owned.

 

Maintenance materials and repairs increased 124%, or $18.0 million, due to having 16.5 more average operating aircraft in 2004 compared to the same period in 2003, and a gradual aging of our fleet. Cost per available seat mile increased 60.6% due to the completion of 39 airframe checks in 2004 compared to 23 in 2003, as well as increased engine and component repairs.

 

Other operating expenses increased 36.2%, or $41.4 million. Higher variable costs associated with increased capacity and number of passengers served were the primary reasons for the increase, partially offset by non-recurring tax refunds. Cost per available seat mile decreased 2.4% as a result of higher capacity and lower insurance rates.

 

Other Income (Expense).  Interest expense increased 81.9%, or $16.4 million, due to the debt financing of 13 additional aircraft and interest on our 3½% convertible notes resulting in $12.9 million of additional interest expense.  Capitalized interest increased 60.8%, or $2.2 million, primarily due to higher predelivery deposit balances. Interest income increased 26.2%, or $1.2 million, primarily due to higher cash and investment balances in 2004.

 

The following table sets forth our operating statistics for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003:

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Percent		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Percent
		2004			2003			Change		2004			2003			Change
Revenue passengers		3,033,338			2,413,505			25.7		8,604,108			6,634,042			29.7
Revenue passenger miles (000)		4,196,006			3,248,958			29.1		11,503,686			8,418,820			36.6
Available seat miles (000)		4,940,080			3,704,841			33.3		13,815,395			9,898,131			39.6
Load factor		84.9		%	87.7		%	(2.8	)pts	83.3		%	85.1		%	(1.8	)pts
Breakeven load factor (1)		80.8		%	72.6		%	8.2	pts	76.1		%	71.7		%	4.4	pts
Aircraft utilization (hours per day)		13.6			13.2			2.9		13.5			13.1			3.3
Average fare		$	102.73		$	109.56		(6.2	)	$	104.65		$	107.23		(2.4	)
Yield per passenger mile (cents)		7.43			8.14			(8.8	)	7.83			8.45			(7.4	)
Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)		6.31			7.14			(11.6	)	6.52			7.19			(9.3	)
Operating revenue per available seat mile (cents)		6.54			7.38			(11.4	)	6.75			7.43			(9.2	)
Operating expense per available seat mile (cents)		6.08			5.93			2.5		6.02			6.08			(1.0	)
Airline operating expense per available seat mile (cents)(1)		6.00			5.91			1.6		5.96			6.06			1.7
Departures		22,893			17,175			33.3		65,883			48,719			35.2
Average stage length (miles)		1,383			1,334			3.7		1,344			1,255			7.1
Average number of operating aircraft during period		61.8			45.8			35.0		58.6			42.1			39.2
Average fuel cost per gallon (cents)		107.93			81.33			32.7		99.21			85.37			16.2
Fuel gallons consumed (000)		63,466			47,087			34.8		176,561			125,014			41.2
Percent of sales through jetBlue.com during period		75.0		%	73.7		%	1.3	pts	75.7		%	72.4		%	3.3	pts
Full-time equivalent employees at period end (1)										6,127			4,548			34.7

 

(1)           Excludes results of operations and employees for LiveTV, LLC which are unrelated to our airline operations.

 

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The following table reconciles our operating expenses reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles with those that we would have achieved had aircraft fuel prices remained at 2003 levels.  In management’s view, comparative analysis of results can be enhanced by excluding the significant increase in the price of aircraft fuel, which is largely beyond our control.

 

			Three Months Ended September 30, 2004					Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
			$			CASM		$			CASM
			(dollars in thousands; cost per available seat mile (CASM) in cents)
Operating expenses as reported			$	300,230		6.08		$	831,199		6.02
Less:	Reported aircraft fuel		(68,499		)	(1.39)		(175,174		)	(1.27)
Add:	Aircraft fuel at prior period cost per gallon		51,617			1.05		150,722			1.09
	Profit-sharing impact		2,532			0.05		3,668			0.03
Fuel neutral operating expenses			$	285,880		5.79		$	810,415		5.87

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At September 30, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents of $466.2 million, compared to $570.7 million at December 31, 2003. Cash flows from operating activities were $156.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $219.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The $62.8 million decline in cash flows from operations in 2004 compared to 2003 was a result of a 7.4% decline in yields, a 16.2% increase in fuel prices as well as severe weather experienced on the East Coast during the third quarter, offset by a 36.6% increase in revenue passenger miles.  Cash flows from operations in 2003 included $22.8 million in government compensation, which was not received in 2004.  We rely primarily on operating cash flows to provide working capital. We presently have no lines of credit other than a $48.0 million short-term borrowing facility for certain aircraft predelivery deposits.  At September 30, 2004, we had $43.3 million in borrowings outstanding under this facility.

 

Investing activities.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, capital expenditures related to our purchase of flight equipment included expenditures of $351.7 million for 10 Airbus A320 aircraft, $134.0 million for flight equipment deposits and $11.8 million for spare part purchases. Capital expenditures for other property and equipment, including ground equipment purchases and facilities improvements, were $55.9 million.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, capital expenditures related to our purchase of flight equipment included expenditures of $302.6 million for nine Airbus A320 aircraft and one spare engine, $123.8 million for flight equipment deposits and $12.1 million for spare part purchases. Capital

 

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expenditures for other property and equipment, including ground equipment purchases and facilities improvements, were $31.7 million.

 

Financing activities.  Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 consisted of (1) the financing of eight aircraft with $264.1 million in floating rate equipment notes purchased with proceeds from our public offering of pass-through certificates, (2) the financing of two aircraft with $68.0 million of 12-year floating rate equipment notes issued to a European bank (3) the repayment of three spare engine notes totaling $9.1 million and (4) scheduled maturities of $45.7 million of debt.

 

On March 24, 2004, we completed a public offering of $431 million of pass-through certificates Series 2004-1 to finance 13 new Airbus A320 aircraft, scheduled to be delivered through December 2004.  The pre-funded cash proceeds from the sale of the certificates are being held in escrow with a depositary.  As aircraft are delivered, the cash proceeds are utilized to purchase our secured equipment notes issued to finance these aircraft.

 

Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 consisted primarily of (1) our public offering in July 2003 of 4,485,000 shares of our common stock at $28.33 per share, raising net proceeds of $122.4 million, (2) our issuance in July 2003 of $175 million principal amount of 3^1/2% convertible senior notes due 2033, raising net proceeds of $170.4 million, (3) the sale and leaseback over 20 years of five aircraft for $189.3 million with a U.S. leasing institution, (4) the incurrence of $136.0 million of 10-year floating rate equipment notes issued to various European banks secured by four aircraft, and (5) the repayment of $37.8 million of long-term debt.

 

We currently have registration statements on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, which, when effective, will permit us to offer up to $1 billion aggregate amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or pass through certificates.  The net proceeds of any securities offered may be used to fund capital expenditures, including aircraft acquisitions and construction of facilities on or near airports, or to increase working capital.

 

Working Capital.  Our working capital was $113.5 million as of September 30, 2004. We expect to continue generating positive working capital through our operations. However, we cannot predict whether current trends and conditions will continue or what the effect on our business might be from the extremely competitive environment we are operating in or from events that are beyond our control, such as increased fuel prices, adverse weather conditions, airline bankruptcies or consolidations, U.S. military actions, or acts of terrorism.  We have secured financing for all of our remaining aircraft deliveries scheduled for 2004 and, assuming that we utilize the predelivery short-term borrowing facility available to us, we believe the working capital available to us will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Our noncancelable contractual obligations at September 30, 2004 include the following (in millions):

 

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		Payments due in
		Total			2004			2005			2006			2007			2008			Thereafter
Long-term debt (1)		$	1,805		$	36		$	144		$	142		$	140		$	148		$	1,195
Operating leases		1,054			26			109			112			97			92			618
Flight equipment obligations		7,420			200			805			1,125			1,160			1,195			2,935
Short-term borrowings		43			43			—			—			—			—			—
Facilities and other (2)		243			54			86			21			24			27			31
Total		$	10,565		$	359		$	1,144		$	1,400		$	1,421		$	1,462		$	4,779

 

(1)  Includes actual interest and estimated interest for floating-rate debt based on September 30, 2004 rates.

(2)  Amounts represent noncancelable commitments for the purchase of goods and services.

 

There has been no material change in the terms of our debt instruments or financial covenants from the information provided in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our 2003 Form 10-K.  There are no new covenants associated with our equipment notes issued as part of our public offering of pass-through certificates.  At September 30, 2004, we were in compliance with the covenants of all of our debt and lease agreements.

 

In January 2004, we entered into a non-cancelable operating lease for one aircraft with a 12-year term.  We have $20.1 million of restricted cash pledged under standby letters of credit related to certain of our leases which expire at the end of the related lease terms.

 

We operated a fleet of 63 Airbus A320 aircraft, of which 38 were owned and 25 were leased under operating leases, as of September 30, 2004. We also took delivery of one owned aircraft in September that began scheduled service in October 2004.  The average age of our fleet was 2.2 years at September 30, 2004.

 

On June 7, 2004 we amended our purchase agreement with AVSA, S.A.R.L., an affiliate of Airbus Industrie, increasing our firm orders for new aircraft by 30 through the exercise of existing purchase options.  We also received additional purchase options for 30 new aircraft.  Concurrently, we amended our purchase agreement with International Aero Engines to increase our firm engine orders to correspond to the increase in our firm aircraft ordered in addition to ordering five new spare engines.

 

As of September 30, 2004, we had on order 119 Airbus A320 aircraft and 100 Embraer E190 aircraft with options to acquire 50 additional Airbus A320 aircraft and 100 additional Embraer E190 aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery through 2016 (on a relatively even basis during each year) as follows:

 

												End of Year Cumulative
		Firm						Option				Total
Year		A320		E190		Total		A320		E190		Fleet(1)
Remainder of 2004		5		—		5		—		—		69
2005		15		7		22		—		—		91
2006		17		18		35		—		—		126
2007		17		18		35		—		—		161
2008		17		18		35		2		—		198
2009		18		18		36		2		—		236
2010		18		18		36		2		—		274
2011		12		3		15		9		15		313
2012		—		—		—		20		18		351
2013		—		—		—		15		18		384
2014		—		—		—		—		18		402
2015		—		—		—		—		18		420
2016		—		—		—		—		13		433
		119		100		219		50		100

 

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