SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

ý                                 QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER 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 0-14719

 

SKYWEST, INC.

 

 

444 South River Road

St. George, Utah 84790

(435) 634-3000

 

Indicate by a 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.

 

Yes       ý       No       o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Yes       ý       No       o

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part I — Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements:
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the 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.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signature
Certifications
Exhibit 31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer

 

2

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements.  SkyWest, Inc. (the “Company”) may, from time to time, make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements encompass the Company’s beliefs, expectations, hopes or intentions regarding future events.  Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “should,” “likely” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to the Company as of such date.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Actual results will vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of reasons, including, among others: developments associated with fluctuations in the economy and the demand for air travel; bankruptcy proceedings involving United Airlines, Inc.; ongoing negotiations between the Company and its major partners regarding their contractual relationships; variations in market and economic conditions; employee relations and labor costs; the degree and nature of competition; SkyWest’s ability to expand services in new and existing markets and to maintain profit margins in the face of pricing pressures; and other unanticipated factors.  Risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions which could cause actual results to differ from the Company’s current expectations are contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section of this Report entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors That May Affect Future Results.”

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1: Financial Statements

 

SKYWEST, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

		September 30, 2004				December 31, 2003
		(unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$		44,406		$	112,407
Marketable securities		444,191				358,827
Restricted cash		9,160				9,160
Income tax receivable		45,604				62,908
Receivables, net		48,797				12,192
Inventories		33,244				26,080
Prepaid aircraft rents		57,838				52,958
Other current assets		33,227				35,836
Total current assets		716,467				670,368
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Aircraft and rotable spares		1,037,759				968,581
Deposits on aircraft		76,524				58,500
Buildings and ground equipment		98,260				81,351
		1,212,543				1,108,432
Less-accumulated depreciation and Amortization		(313,592			)	(264,514			)
		898,951				843,918
OTHER ASSETS		16,464				14,924
Total assets		$	1,631,882			$		1,529,210

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SKYWEST, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

		September 30, 2004			December 31, 2003
		(unaudited)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt		$	33,371		$	30,877
Accounts payable		52,704			46,458
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits		31,714			27,071
Accrued aircraft rents		25,667			28,471
Taxes other than income taxes		8,891			5,572
Other current liabilities		17,478			13,510
Total current liabilities		169,825			151,959
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities		474,286			462,773
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES PAYABLE		179,065			154,906
DEFERRED AIRCRAFT CREDITS		51,767			50,509
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock		—			—
Common stock		332,025			327,028
Retained earnings		457,932			402,469
Treasury stock		(32,551		)	(20,285		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(467		)	(149		)
Total stockholders’ equity		756,939			709,063
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	1,631,882		$	1,529,210

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SKYWEST, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars and Shares in Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Operating revenues:
Passenger		$	303,802		$	228,974		$	816,677		$	646,290
Ground handling and other		4,463			1,516			12,679			4,256
		308,265			230,490			829,356			650,546
Operating expenses:
Flying operations		155,547			103,777			406,244			307,068
Customer service		45,941			34,198			129,922			101,909
Maintenance		32,453			22,141			81,365			57,879
Depreciation and amortization		19,221			19,179			57,448			54,514
General and administrative		16,011			13,856			42,997			37,390
Promotion and sales		1,150			2,106			3,422			12,152
		270,323			195,257			721,398			570,912
Operating income		37,942			35,233			107,958			79,634
Other income (expense):
Interest income		2,474			2,767			6,554			8,337
Interest expense		(4,951		)	(3,364		)	(13,340		)	(7,112		)
		(2,477		)	(597		)	(6,786		)	1,225
Income before income taxes		35,465			34,636			101,172			80,859
Provision for income taxes		14,186			13,508			40,469			31,535
Net income		$	21,279		$	21,128		$	60,703		$	49,324
Basic earnings per share		$	0.37		$	0.37		$	1.05		$	0.85
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.37		$	0.36		$	1.04		$	0.85
Weighted average common shares:
Basic		57,909			57,837			57,991			57,709
Diluted		58,206			58,423			58,478			58,037
Dividends declared per share		$	0.03		$	0.02		$	0.09		$	0.06

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SKYWEST, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		$	129,143		$	130,175
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of marketable securities		(306,931		)	(286,403		)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities		221,249			237,544
Acquisition of property and equipment:
Aircraft and rotable spares		(73,739		)	(442,243		)
Deposits on aircraft, net		(21,112		)	(31,394		)
Buildings and ground equipment		(16,909		)	(2,331		)
Increase in other assets		(2,261		)	(7,337		)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(199,703		)	(532,164		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		34,450			401,434
Principal payments on long-term debt		(20,443		)	(19,216		)
Proceeds from sale/lease back transactions		—			33,155
Purchase of treasury stock		(11,387		)	—
Payment of cash dividends		(4,650		)	(3,458		)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		4,589			4,605
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		2,559			416,520
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(68,001		)	14,531
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		112,407			130,960
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD		$	44,406		$	145,491
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		$	14,121		$	9,134
Income taxes		$	3,703		$	12,780
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Aircraft and rotable spares acquired through interim financing		$	—		$	95,685
Deposits applied to delivered aircraft		$	3,088		$	72,066

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

7

 

SKYWEST, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note A — Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements of SkyWest, Inc. (the “Company”) included herein have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the following disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the interim periods presented. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed. The Company suggests that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004.

 

Note B — Stock Options

 

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, requires pro forma information regarding net income and net income per share as if the Company had accounted for its stock options under the fair value method of the statement. The fair value of stock options and shares of common stock purchased under the employee stock option plan and stock purchase plan has been estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants for the quarters ended September 30, 2004 and 2003: a risk-free interest rate of 2.75% for 2004 and 2.56% for 2003, a volatility factor of the expected common stock price of .422 for 2004 and ..603 for 2003, a weighted average expected life of four years for the stock options for all the quarters presented and an expected annual dividend rate of 0.63% for 2004 and 0.76% for 2003. For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the stock options and employee stock purchases is amortized over the vesting period of the respective stock options and employee stock purchases.

 

The following table contains the pro forma disclosures and the related impact on net income and net income per share (in thousands, except per share information):

 

 

Note C — Marketable Securities

 

The Company’s investments in marketable debt and equity securities are deemed by management to be available for sale and are reported at fair market value with the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. At the time of sale, any realized appreciation or depreciation, calculated by the specific identification method, is recognized in interest income in operating results. The Company’s position in marketable securities as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 was as follows (in thousands):

 

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Marketable securities had the following maturities as of September 30, 2004 (in thousands):

 

 

The Company has classified all marketable securities as short-term since it has the intent to maintain a liquid portfolio and the right to redeem the securities within the next year.

 

Note D —Change in Accounting Estimates

 

During the first quarter of 2004, the Company changed its estimate of depreciable lives on rotable spares from five years to ten years and maintained the residual value of zero percent.  The impact of this change increased the Company’s pretax income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 by $2,924,000 and $8,535,000, respectively.  The impact of this change, net of tax, increased the Company’s net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 by $1,755,000 ($0.03 per share, basic and diluted) and $5,121,000 ($0.09 per share, basic and diluted), respectively.

 

Note E — Maintenance

 

The Company operates under an FAA-approved continuous inspection and maintenance program.  The Company uses the direct expense method of accounting for its Canadair 50-seat Regional Jet (“CRJ200”) engine overhauls where the expense is recorded when the overhaul event occurs.  Effective for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, the Company completed negotiations and signed an engine services agreement with a third party vendor to provide long-term engine services covering the scheduled and unscheduled repairs for engines on its CRJ-700 regional jet aircraft. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company expects to pay a set dollar amount per engine hour flown on a monthly basis and the third party vendor will assume the responsibility to repair the engines at no additional cost to the Company, subject to certain exclusions.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company recorded expenses of approximately $.9 million related to the agreement.  The Company uses the “deferral method” of accounting for its 30-seat Embraer Brasilia EMB 120 (“EMB120”) engine overhauls where the overhaul costs are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the engine.  The costs of maintenance for airframe and avionics components, landing gear and normal recurring maintenance are expensed as incurred. For leased aircraft, the Company is subject to lease return provisions that require a minimum portion of the “life” of an overhaul be remaining on the engine at the lease return date. For EMB120 engine overhauls related to leased aircraft to be returned, the Company adjusts the estimated useful lives of the final engine overhauls based on the respective lease return dates.

 

Note F — Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue

 

Passenger and ground handling revenues are recognized when service is provided.  Under the Company’s contract and prorate flying

 

9

 

agreements with Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”), United Airlines, Inc. (“United”) and Continental Airlines, Inc. (“Continental”), revenue is considered earned when the flight is completed.

 

The Company’s flight and related operations conducted under the Delta contract flying relationship are governed by a ten-year agreement signed with Delta in 2000.  Effective August 1, 2003, essentially all EMB120 flights conducted by the Company under the Delta code were transitioned from contract flying to “prorate” flying.  Under the prorate flying arrangement, the Company controls scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories and receives a prorated portion of passenger fares.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company and Delta reached a conceptual understanding regarding rates, terms and conditions under which the Company will operate as a Delta Connection during 2004.  Consequently, revenues under the Delta arrangement for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were recorded based on the terms of the conceptual understanding.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company and Delta finalized the compensation rates applicable to calendar 2004. No material adjustments resulted from the finalization of the 2004 rates.  Under the finalized agreement, the Company’s regional jet flying is compensated primarily on a fee-per-completed-block hour and departure basis plus reimbursements for fuel and other costs pursuant to the ten-year agreement.  The Company and Delta are continuing to negotiate rates for calendar 2005 that would provide for multiple-year automatic rate reset provisions, a contract extension and other provisions intended to enable more efficient contract administration for the parties.

 

The Delta Connection Agreement also provides a monthly reimbursement for an amount per aircraft designed to reimburse the Company for certain aircraft ownership costs. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force No. 01-08, “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease” (“EITF 01-08”), the Company has concluded that a component of its revenue under the Delta Connection Agreement is rental income, inasmuch as the Delta Connection Agreement identifies the “right of use” of a specific type and number of aircraft over a stated period of time. The amount deemed to be rental income under the Delta Connection Agreement was $18.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and $54.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  These amounts have been included in passenger revenue on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

In September 2003, the Company entered into the “United Express Agreement”, which had been previously approved on August 29, 2003 by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  The United Express Agreement received all the necessary approvals from the creditors’ committee operating on behalf of United under bankruptcy protection and United’s pilot union.  Under the terms of the United Express Agreement, the Company is compensated primarily on a fee-per-completed-block hour and departure basis plus a margin based on performance incentives, and reimbursed for fuel and other costs.

 

The United Express Agreement also provides a monthly reimbursement for an amount per aircraft designed to reimburse the Company for certain aircraft ownership costs. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force No. 01-08, “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease” (“EITF 01-08”), the Company has concluded that a component of its revenue under the United Express Agreement is rental income, inasmuch as the United Express Agreement identifies the “right of use” of a specific type and number of aircraft over a stated period of time. The amount deemed to be rental income under the United Express Agreement was $30.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and $82.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  These amounts have been included in passenger revenue on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

On April 3, 2003, the Company signed an agreement with Continental to supply Continental with regional airline feed into its Houston hub beginning on July 1, 2003.  The Company’s Continental Connection operations are currently conducted using the Company’s EMB120s and EMB120s leased from Continental.  The Continental agreement provides for payment to the Company of a prorated portion of passenger fares, plus additional payments if minimum load factors aren’t achieved.

 

The Company’s agreements with Delta, United and Continental contain certain provisions pursuant to which the parties could terminate the respective agreements, subject to certain rights of the other party, if certain performance criteria are not maintained.  The Company’s revenues could be impacted by a number of factors, including changes to the agreements, contract modifications resulting from contract re-negotiations and the Company’s ability to earn incentive payments contemplated under the agreements.

 

In the event that the Company’s contractual rates have not been finalized at quarterly or annual financial statement dates, the Company records revenues based on a prior period’s approved rates, adjusted to reflect management’s current estimate of the results of the current contract negotiations.  If the final contractual rates differ from those estimated by management, the Company will reflect these changes in future condensed consolidated financial statements upon finalization of negotiations.

 

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Note G — Net Income Per Common Share

 

Basic net income per common share (“Basic EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share (“Diluted EPS”) reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The computation of Diluted EPS does not assume exercise or conversion of securities that would have an antidilutive effect on net income per common share. During the quarters ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, 3,848,000 and 2,752,000 options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, 3,857,000 and 3,029,000 options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS because they had an antidilutive effect on net income.

The following table sets forth the computations of Basic and Diluted EPS for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):

 

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Numerator
Net Income		$	21,279		$	21,128		$	60,703		$	49,324
Denominator
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		57,909			57,837			57,991			57,709
Effect of outstanding stock options		297			586			487			328
Weighted average number of shares for Diluted net income per common share		58,206			58,423			58,478			58,037
Basic earnings per share		$	0.37		$	0.37		$	1.05		$	0.85
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.37		$	0.36		$	1.04		$	0.85

 

Note H – Comprehensive Income

 

The Company reports comprehensive income in accordance with SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. Comprehensive income includes charges and credits to stockholders’ equity that are not the result of transactions with shareholders. The Company’s comprehensive income consisted of net income plus changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on marketable securities, net of tax, as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Net Income		$	21,279		$	21,128		$	60,703		$	49,324
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on marketable securities, net of tax		1,077			270			(318		)	1,183
Comprehensive income		$	22,356		$	21,398		$	60,385		$	50,507

 

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Note I – Long-term Debt

 

As of the dates set forth below, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

		September 30, 2004			December 31, 2003
Notes payable to banks, due in semi-annual installments plus interest based on six-month LIBOR plus 1.30% to 1.375% through 2019, secured by aircraft		$	116,929		$	120,330
Notes payable to banks, due in semi-annual installments plus interest at 6.10% at September 30, 2004 and 6.09% at December 31, 2003 through 2020, secured by aircraft		100,000			103,350
Notes payable to banks, due in semi-annual installments plus interest based on six-month LIBOR plus 1.40% through 2019, secured by aircraft		83,010			85,168
Notes payable to banks, due in semi-annual installments plus interest at 6.06% to 6.45% through 2018, secured by aircraft		59,230			61,206
Notes payable to banks, due in quarterly installments plus interest based on three-month LIBOR plus 0.75% through 2019, secured by aircraft		57,007			59,424
Notes payable to banks, due in monthly installments plus interest of 6.09% through 2020, secured by aircraft		33,470			—
Notes payable to banks, due in semi-annual installments plus interest at 3.72% to 3.86%, net of the benefits of interest rate subsidies through the Brazilian Export financing program, through 2011, secured by aircraft		16,759			18,160
Note payable to bank, due in semi-annual installments plus interest at 7.18% through 2012, secured by aircraft		13,886			14,298
Note payable to bank, due in semi-annual installments plus interest based on six-month LIBOR plus 0.60% through 2016, secured by aircraft		13,555			13,876
Notes payable to bank, due in monthly installments plus interest based on one-month LIBOR through 2012, secured by building		7,978			8,319
Notes payable to banks, due in monthly installments including interest at 6.70% to 7.37% through 2006, secured by aircraft		4,768			7,528
Other notes payable, secured by aircraft		1,065			1,991
		507,657			493,650
Less current maturities		(33,371		)	(30,877		)
		$	474,286		$	462,773

 

The aggregate amounts of principal maturities of long-term debt stated in calendar year ends except as noted were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

The Company’s total long-term debt at September 30, 2004 was $507.7 million, of which $499.7 million related to the acquisition of EMB120 and CRJ200 aircraft and $8.0 million related to the construction of the Company’s corporate office building. During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company acquired two new CRJ200s from proceeds from issuance of long-term debt of $34.5

 

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million.  The average effective rate on the debt related to the EMB120 and CRJ 200 aircraft was 4.2% at September 30, 2004.

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had available $10,000,000 in an unsecured bank line of credit through January 31, 2005, with interest payable at the bank’s base rate less one-quarter percent, which was a net rate of 4.50%.  The line of credit provides for a total of $10,000,000 available for borrowings or letters of credit with the same institution. The Company had $7,403,000 of letters of credit and no borrowings outstanding under this line of credit as of September 30, 2004. Additionally, the Company had $1,515,000 of letters of credit outstanding with another bank at September 30, 2004.

 

Note J – Income Taxes

 

The Company’s income tax receivable of $45.6 million as of September 30, 2004 and $62.9 million as of December 31, 2003 were primarily generated through accelerated bonus depreciation of owned aircraft and support equipment in accordance with the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002.

 

Note K – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company leases 151 aircraft, as well as airport facilities, office space, and various other property and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases which are generally on a long-term net rent basis where the Company pays taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses applicable to the leased property. The space leveraged lease documents for aircraft typically include a general tax indemnity provision, pursuant to which the Company agrees to indemnify the aircraft owner participant (a third party) for two primary items outside the Company’s control.  First the Company has agreed to provide indemnification for changes in the United States withholding tax rates for payments made to lenders.  Second, the Company has agreed to provide indemnification for changes in the United States federal income tax laws as they relate to the applicable financing.  Because, management believes that the probability of the Company becoming obligated to pay any amount pursuant to these indemnities is remote, and any related potential liability would be immaterial, the Company has not accrued any amounts related to these indemnifications.  In the event United States withholding or other income tax changes occur, the Company has obtained several concessions which would limit its ultimate exposure under these indemnities.  First, the parties to the leveraged lease documents have agreed to mitigate any adverse consequences to the Company; second, the Company has obtained the right to refinance the aircraft (resulting in termination of the leveraged lease arrangement and a substantial reduction in its exposure to indemnification claims), and third, the Company maintains the right to purchase the aircraft (also terminating the lease arrangement and reducing its exposure to indemnification claims.

 

Management expects that, in the normal course of business, leases that expire will be renewed or replaced by other leases. The following table summarizes future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year stated in calendar years except as noted (in thousands):

 

 

On September 15, 2003, the Company announced the completion of a firm order for 30 CRJ700s for its United Express operations.  On February 10, 2004, the Company amended the order to include ten additional CRJ 200s and two additional CRJ700s, bringing the total order for the Company’s United Express operation to 32 CRJ700s and ten CRJ200s.  The Company began taking delivery of these aircraft in January 2004 and has scheduled delivery of the remaining aircraft covered by the order through May 2005.  The Company’s firm aircraft orders, as of September 30, 2004, consisted of orders for 25, 70-seat CRJ700s scheduled for delivery through

 

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May 2005.  Additionally, during the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Delta awarded to the Company seven additional CRJ200s that are scheduled for delivery during the first half of 2005.  The Company anticipates that the seven additional CRJ200s will be owned by Delta and subleased to the Company.  Gross committed expenditures for these aircraft and related equipment, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations are estimated to be approximately $125 million through December 31, 2004 and $647 million from January 1, 2005 through May 31, 2005.  The Company’s agreement with Bombardier, Inc. also includes options for another 80 regional jet aircraft that can be delivered in either 70 or 90-seat configurations.  The Company presently anticipates that delivery dates for these aircraft could start in June 2005 and continue through September 2008; however, actual delivery dates remain subject to final determination as agreed upon by the Company and United.  The Company intends to satisfy this firm aircraft commitment, as well as acquisition of any additional aircraft, through a combination of leveraged lease, operating lease and debt financing, consistent with its historical practices.  Based on current market conditions and discussions with prospective leasing organizations and financial institutions, management currently believes it will be able to obtain financing for the committed acquisitions, as well as additional aircraft, without materially reducing the amount of working capital available for its operating activities.

 

Note L – Legal Matters

 

The Company is subject to certain legal actions which it considers routine to its business activities.  As of September 30, 2004, management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate outcome of such legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, liquidity or results of operations.  The most significant of these matters is as follows:

 

Michaelena Fitz-Gerald, Romead Neilson, et al., v. SkyWest Airlines, Inc.

 

In July 2003, two former employees of SkyWest Airlines, Inc. commenced litigation in the Superior Court of Santa Barbara, California, alleging unpaid minimum wages, meal and rest break penalties, and overtime, as well as violations of California Labor Code SS203 and Business and California Professions Code SS 17000, et seq.  The plaintiffs have pled the case as a class action, but have not filed a motion for class certification at this point.  The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages as compensation for their alleged grievances.  The Company and the plaintiffs have engaged in limited discovery and unsuccessfully attempted mediation.  The Company intends to vigorously oppose the plaintiffs’ claims.  Because the amount of a potential loss, if any, resulting from the outcome of the forgoing case is neither probable nor reasonably estimable, no amounts related to such have been recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Note M – Emergency War Time Supplemental Appropriations Act

 

The Emergency War Time Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2003 became effective on May 15, 2003, and the Company received approximately $6.5 million under the act.  This legislation provided for compensation to domestic airlines based on their proportional share of passenger security and infrastructure security fees paid, as well as reimbursement for installing fortified flight deck doors.  This legislation also provided for the suspension of passenger and infrastructure fees from June 1, 2003 through October 31, 2003 and an extension of war risk liability and hull insurance coverage through August 31, 2004.  The Company anticipates that a significant portion of the payments received by the Company will be payable to its major partners pursuant to the terms of the Company’s agreements with those partners.  Accordingly, these amounts have been recorded as other current liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2004.

 

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

 

Overview

 

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (“SkyWest”), operates one of the larger independent regional airlines in the United States.  SkyWest offers scheduled passenger and air freight service with approximately 1,300 daily departures to 116 cities in 31 states and three Canadian provinces.  Additionally, SkyWest provides customer handling services for approximately nine other airlines throughout SkyWest’s system.  SkyWest has been a partner with Delta in Salt Lake City and United in Los Angeles since 1987 and 1997, respectively.  In 1998, SkyWest expanded its relationship with United to provide service in Portland, Seattle/Tacoma, San Francisco and additional Los Angeles markets.  In 2001, SkyWest expanded its operations to serve as the Delta Connection in Dallas/Fort Worth.  In April 2003, SkyWest signed an agreement with Continental to supply Continental with regional airline feed into Continental’s Houston hub effective on July 1, 2003.  In 2004, SkyWest expanded its United Express operations to provide service in Chicago.  Today, SkyWest operates as a Delta Connection carrier in Salt Lake City and Dallas/Fort Worth, as a United Express carrier in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and the Pacific Northwest and as a Continental Connection carrier in Houston.  SkyWest believes its success in attracting multiple contractual relationships with major airline partners is attributable to its delivery of high-quality customer service with an all cabin-class fleet.  As of September 30, 2004, approximately 42% of SkyWest’s capacity (measured in available seat miles or “ASMs”) was operated under the Delta code, approximately 57% was operated under the United code and approximately 1% was operated under the Continental code.  As of September 30, 2004, SkyWest operated a fleet of 74 EMB120s, 121 CRJ200s and seven CRJ 700s.

 

Historically, multiple contractual relationships have enabled SkyWest to reduce reliance on any single major airline code and to enhance and stabilize operating results through a mix of SkyWest-controlled or “prorate” flying and contract flying.  On contract routes, the major airline partner controls scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories and SkyWest receives from the major airline partner negotiated payments per-block-hour or flight departure and incentives related to levels of customer service.  On prorate flights, SkyWest controls scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories and receives a prorated portion of passenger fares.  Essentially all of the Company’s EMB120s flown for Delta and Continental are flown under prorate arrangements.  Approximately 90% of the Company’s EMB120s flown in the United system are flown under contractual arrangements, with the remaining ten percent flown under prorate arrangements.

 

On September 8, 2004, Delta, in a press release, outlined key elements of a transformation plan that included the dehubbing of its Dallas/Fort Worth hub.  As a result, Delta has requested that the Company re-deploy seven CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft back to its Salt Lake City hub where Delta has indicated it will strengthen its presence.  The Company anticipates that all departures and operations related to these seven aircraft will relocate to the Company’s Salt Lake City hub effective February 2005.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company and Delta reached a conceptual understanding on rates, terms and conditions under which the Company will operate as a Delta Connection carrier during 2004 and for future periods.  Consequently, revenues under the Delta arrangement for the six months ended June 30, 2004 have been recorded based upon the rates, terms and conditions of the conceptual understanding.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company and Delta finalized the reimbursement rates for Delta Connection flying for calendar 2004 and recorded revenues based on the finalized rates. No material adjustments resulted from the finalization of the 2004 rates.  The Company and Delta are continuing to negotiate other changes to the definitive agreement that would provide for multiple-year automatic rate reset provisions, a contract extension and other provisions intended to enable more efficient contract administration for the parties (See Note F- Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue).

 

On September 15, 2003, the Company announced the completion of a firm order for 30, 70-seat CRJ700s for its United Express operations.  On February 10, 2004, the Company amended the order to include ten additional CRJ200s and two additional CRJ700s, bringing the total order for United Express operations to 32 CRJ700s and 10 CRJ200s.  The Company began taking delivery of these aircraft in January 2004 and has scheduled delivery of the remaining aircraft covered by the order through May 2005.  The Company’s firm aircraft orders, as of September 30, 2004, consisted of orders for 25, CRJ700s scheduled for delivery through May 2005.  Gross committed expenditures for these aircraft and related equipment, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations are estimated to be approximately $125 million through December 31, 2004 and $647 million from January 1, 2005 through May 31, 2005.  Additionally, the Company’s agreement with Bombardier, Inc. includes options for another 80 aircraft that can be delivered in either 70 or 90-seat configurations.  The Company presently anticipates that delivery dates for these aircraft could start in June 2005 and continue through September 2008; however, actual delivery dates remain subject to final determination as agreed upon by the Company and United.  The Company

 

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currently anticipates that the seven additional CRJ200s will be owned by Delta and subleased to the Company.

 

In December 2002, United filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.  During September 2003, the Company entered into the United Express Agreement, which had been previously approved on August 29, 2003 by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  The United Express Agreement received all necessary approvals from the creditors’ committee operating on behalf of United under bankruptcy protection and United’s pilot union.  Under the terms of the United Express Agreement, the Company is compensated primarily on a fee-per-completed-block hour and departure basis, plus a margin based on performance incentives, and reimbursed for fuel and other costs.  Notwithstanding the execution of the United Express Agreement, United’s bankruptcy filing could still lead to many other unforeseen expenses, risks and uncertainties.  Although United has reported that it intends to emerge from its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy on or before June 30, 2005, it could still file for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or liquidate some or all of its assets through one or more transactions with third parties.  Such events, individually or singly, could jeopardize the Company’s United Express operations, leave the Company unable to efficiently utilize the additional aircraft which the Company is currently obligated to purchase, or result in other outcomes which could have a material adverse effect on the operations, activities or financial condition of the Company.

 

Factors that May Affect Future Results

 

The actual results of the Company’s operations will vary, and may vary materially, from those currently anticipated, estimated, projected or expected by the Company.  Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on the Company’s operating results and financial condition are those set forth in the following paragraphs.

 

The Company will be materially affected by the uncertainty of the airline industry

 

The airline industry has experienced tremendous challenges in recent years and will likely remain volatile for the foreseeable future.  Among other factors, the events associated with September 11, 2001, the slowing U.S. economy throughout 2002 and 2003 and increased hostilities in Iraq, the Middle East or other regions could significantly affect the U.S. airline industry.  These events have resulted in changed government regulation, declines and shifts in passenger demand, increased insurance costs and tightened credit markets, all of which have affected, and will continue to affect, the operations and financial condition of participants in the industry including the Company, major carriers (including the Company’s major partners), competitors and aircraft manufacturers.  These industry developments raise substantial risks and uncertainties which will affect the Company, major carriers (including the Company’s major partners), competitors and aircraft manufacturers in ways that the Company is not currently able to predict.

 

The Company has been, and will continue to be, significantly impacted by the troubled financial condition of its major partners

 

In December 2002, United filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”).  During September 2003, the Company entered into the United Express Agreement, which had been previously approved on August 29, 2003 by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  The United Express Agreement received all necessary approvals from the creditors’ committee operating on behalf of United under bankruptcy protection and United’s pilot union.  Notwithstanding the execution of the United Express Agreement, United’s bankruptcy filing could still lead to many other unforeseen expenses, risks and uncertainties.  Although United has reported that it intends to emerge from its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy on or before June 30, 2005, it could still file for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, or liquidate some or all of its assets through one or more transactions with third parties.  Such events, individually or singly, could jeopardize the Company’s United Express operations, leave the Company unable to efficiently utilize the additional aircraft which the Company is currently obligated to purchase, or result in other outcomes which could have a material adverse effect on the operations, activities or financial condition of the Company.

 

In recent months, Delta has indicated the possibility of seeking protection under the Bankruptcy Code unless they achieve a more competitive cost structure, regain profitability and obtain further access to capital markets on acceptable terms.  If Delta were to file for protection under the Bankruptcy Code, the Company’s Delta Connection operations could be jeopardized.  Such an event could leave the Company unable to utilize existing aircraft or result in other outcomes which could have a material adverse effect on the operations, activities or financial condition of the Company.

 

The Company’s operations and financial condition are dependent upon the terms of its relationships with its major partners

 

Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from flight operations conducted under its agreements with Delta, United and Continental.  Any material change in the Company’s contractual relationships with its major partners would impact the Company’s

 

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operations and financial condition.  The Company’s major partners currently face significant economic, operational, financial and competitive challenges.  United’s bankruptcy filing and associated reorganization effort represents only a portion of those challenges.  As the Company’s major partners struggle to address such challenges, they have required, and will likely continue to require, the Company’s participation in efforts to reduce costs and improve the financial position of the Company’s partners.  In particular, these challenges could translate into lower departure rates on the contract flying portion of the Company’s business.  Management believes these developments will impact many aspects of the Company’s operations and financial performance.  In particular, the Company anticipates that its financial performance, including its margins, will be less predictable than in prior periods and will be negatively impacted as the industry experiences significant restructuring.  In addition, the Company’s contract flying arrangements with Delta and United contain termination provisions that could adversely impact the Company’s revenues.  The Company’s rights under the United Express Agreement expire incrementally between 2012 and 2016; however, United can terminate the agreement without notice if the Company does not perform at certain levels.  The Company’s current Delta Connection agreement expires in 2008; however, Delta can terminate the agreement without cause upon 180 days notice.  The agreement with Continental can be terminated by either party upon 90 days notice.

 

Maintenance costs will likely increase as the age of the Company’s regional jet fleet increases

 

Because the average age of SkyWest’s CRJ200s is approximately 2.6 years, SkyWest’s aircraft require less maintenance now than they will in the future. The Company has incurred relatively low maintenance expenses on its regional jet fleet because most of the parts on SkyWest’s regional jet aircraft are under multi-year warranties and a limited number of heavy airframe checks and engine overhauls have occurred. The Company’s maintenance costs will increase significantly, both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of its operating expenses, as SkyWest’s fleet ages and these warranties expire.

 

The Company has a significant amount of contractual obligations

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had $507.7 million in total long-term debt obligations. Substantially all of this long-term debt was incurred in connection with the acquisition of EMB120 and CRJ200 aircraft.  The Company also has significant long-term lease obligations primarily relating to its aircraft fleet.  These leases are classified as operating leases and therefore are not reflected as liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.  At September 30, 2004, the Company had 151 aircraft under lease with remaining terms ranging from one to 16 years.  Future minimum lease payments due under all long-term operating leases were approximately $1.99 billion at September 30, 2004.  At a 7% discount factor, the present value of these lease obligations was equal to approximately $1.26 billion at September 30, 2004.

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had commitments of approximately $800 million to purchase 25 CRJ700 aircraft and related flight equipment.  The Company currently anticipates that it will take delivery of these aircraft from October 2004 through May 2005.  Additionally, during the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Delta awarded to the Company seven additional CRJ200s that are scheduled for delivery during the first half of 2005.  The Company anticipates subleasing these seven aircraft from Delta.  The Company’s high level of fixed obligations could impact its ability to obtain additional financing to support additional expansion plans or divert cash flows from operations and expansion plans to service the fixed obligations.

 

Terrorist activities or warnings have dramatically impacted, and will likely continue to impact, the Company

 

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath have negatively impacted the airline industry in general and the Company’s operations in particular. The primary effects experienced by the airline industry include a substantial loss of passenger traffic and revenue, increased security and insurance costs, increased concerns about future terrorist attacks, airport delays due to heightened security and significantly reduced yields due to the drop in demand for air travel.

 

Additional terrorist attacks, the fear of such attacks, the war in Iraq, other hostilities in the Middle East or other regions, as well as other factors, could negatively impact the airline industry, and result in further decreased passenger traffic and yields, increased flight delays or cancellations associated with new government mandates, as well as increased security, fuel and other costs.  The Company cannot provide any assurance that these events will not harm the airline industry generally or the Company’s operations or financial condition in particular.

 

While Management believes the Company currently has adequate internal control procedures in place, the Company is still exposed to potential risks from recent legislation requiring companies to evaluate controls under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

The Company's management is currently evaluating the internal control systems in order to allow management to report on and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, the Company's controls, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  The Company is performing the system and process evaluation and testing required in an effort to comply with the management certification and auditor attestation requirements of Section 404.  As a result, of this evaluation, the Company is incurring additional expenses and a diversion of management's time.  While the Company anticipates being able to fully implement the requirements relating to internal controls and all other aspects of Section 404 in a timely fashion, the Company cannot be certain as to the timing of completion of its evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the impact of the same on its operation since there is no precedent available by which to measure compliance adequacy.  If the Company is not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, the Company might be subject to investigation by regulatory authorities and a loss of public confidence in its internal controls, which could adversely affect its financial results and the market price of its common stock.

 

The Company’s reliance on only three aircraft types exposes the Company to a number of potentially significant risks

 

As of September 30, 2004 the Company had a fleet of 74 EMB120s, 121 CRJ200s and seven CRJ700s.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, 78.9% of the Company’s ASMs were flown using CRJ200s, 14.1% of the Company’s ASMs were flown using

 

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EMB120s and 7.0% of the Company’s ASMs were flown using CRJ700s.  Additionally, as of September 30, 2004, the Company had agreements to acquire 25 CRJ700s and had obtained options to acquire another 80 CRJ700s that can be delivered in either 70 or 90 seat configurations.  The Company presently anticipates that delivery dates for the 80 options on either 70 or 90 seat CRJ700s could start in June 2005 and continue through September 2008; however, actual delivery dates remain subject to final determination as agreed upon by the Company and its major partners.  The Company is subject to numerous risks related to its current fleet and the ability to operate the additional aircraft that could materially or adversely affect its operations and financial condition, including:

 

•                  the Company’s ability to obtain necessary financing to fulfill the Company’s contractual obligations related to the acquisition of aircraft;

•                  the breach by Bombardier, Inc. of the Company’s firm order contracts for the delivery of CRJ700s and CRJ200s or any change in the delivery schedule of such CRJ700s;

•                  the interruption of fleet service as a result of unscheduled or unanticipated maintenance requirements for such aircraft;

•                  the issuance of FAA directives restricting or prohibiting the use of EMB120s, CRJ200s or CRJ700s; or,

•                  the adverse public perception of an aircraft type as a result of an accident or other adverse publicity.

 

Unionization of the Company’s employees could impact the Company’s business

 

The employees of the Company are not currently represented by any union.  Management is aware that collective bargaining group organization efforts among its employees occur from time to time and expects that such efforts will continue in the future.  If unionizing efforts are successful, the Company may be subjected to risks of work interruption or stoppage and/or incur additional administrative expenses associated with union representation.  Management recognizes that such efforts will likely continue in the future and may ultimately result in some or all of the Company’s employees being represented by a union.

 

The Company is subject to significant governmental regulation

 

All interstate air carriers, including SkyWest, are subject to regulation by the DOT, the FAA and other governmental agencies.  Regulations promulgated by the DOT primarily relate to economic aspects of air service.  The FAA requires operating, air worthiness and other certificates; approval of personnel who may engage in flight, maintenance or operation activities; record keeping procedures in accordance with FAA requirements; and FAA approval of flight training and retraining programs.  The Company cannot predict whether it will be able to comply with all present and future laws, rules, regulations and certification requirements or that the cost of continued compliance will not have a material adverse effect on operations.

 

The occurrence of an aviation accident would negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial condition

 

An accident or incident involving one of the Company’s aircraft could involve repair or replacement of a damaged aircraft and its consequential temporary or permanent loss from service, as well as significant potential claims of injured passengers and others.  The Company is required by the DOT to carry liability insurance.  In the event of an accident, the Company’s liability insurance may not be adequate and the Company may be forced to bear substantial losses from the accident.  Substantial claims resulting from an accident in excess of the Company’s related insurance coverage would harm operational and financial results.  Moreover, any aircraft accident or incident, even if fully insured, could cause a public perception that the Company is less safe or reliable than other airlines.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Report requires the Company’s management to make estimates and judgments that affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations.  For additional information regarding the Company’s significant accounting policies, see Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.  Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgment and uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.  The Company has identified the following critical accounting estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Passenger and ground handling revenues are recognized when service is provided.  Under the Company’s contract and prorate flying agreements with Delta, United and Continental, revenue is considered earned when the flight is completed.

 

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During the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company and Delta had a conceptual understanding regarding rates, terms and conditions for contract flying under which the Company operated as a Delta Connection carrier.  Consequently, revenues under the Delta arrangement for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were recorded based on the terms of the conceptual understanding.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company finalized the contract rates with Delta for calendar 2004.  No material adjustment resulted from the finalization of the rates for 2004.  Under the terms of the Delta rate agreement for 2004 the Company is compensated primarily on a fee-per-completed-block hour and departure basis plus a margin, and reimbursed for fuel and other costs.  The Company and Delta are continuing to negotiate rates for calendar 2005 that would provide for items such as multiple-year automatic rate reset provisions, a contract extension and other provisions intended to enable more efficient contract administration for the parties.

 

In September 2003, the Company entered into the United Express Agreement, which had been previously approved on August 29, 2003 by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  The United Express Agreement received all the necessary approvals from the creditors’ committee operating on behalf of United under bankruptcy protection and United’s pilot union.  Under the terms of the United Express Agreement, the Company is compensated primarily on a fee-per-completed-block hour and departure basis plus a margin based on performance incentives, and reimbursed for fuel and other costs.

 

On April 3, 2003, the Company signed an agreement with Continental to supply Continental with regional airline feed into its Houston hub beginning on July 1, 2003.  The Company’s Continental Connection operations are currently conducted using the Company’s EMB120s and EMB120s leased from Continental.  The Continental agreement provides for payment to the Company of a prorated portion of passenger fares, plus additional payments if minimum load factors aren’t achieved.

 

The Company’s agreements with Delta, United and Continental contain certain provisions pursuant to which the parties could terminate the respective agreements, subject to certain rights of the other party, if certain performance criteria are not maintained.  The Company’s revenues could be impacted by a number of factors, including changes to the agreements, contract modifications resulting from contract re-negotiations and the Company’s ability to earn incentive payments contemplated under the agreements.

 

Maintenance

 

The Company uses the “deferral method” of accounting for its 30-seat Embraer Brasilia EMB 120 (“EMB120”) engine overhauls where the overhaul costs are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the engine.  For leased aircraft, the Company is subject to lease return provisions that require a minimum portion of the “life” of an overhaul be remaining on the engine at the lease return date. For EMB120 engine overhauls related to leased aircraft to be returned, the Company adjusts the estimated useful lives of the final engine overhauls based on the respective lease return dates.

 

Long-lived Assets

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had approximately $899 million of property and equipment and related assets. In accounting for these long-lived assets, the Company makes estimates about the expected useful lives of the assets, the expected residual values of the assets, and the potential for impairment based on the fair value of the assets and the cash flows they generate. Factors indicating potential impairment include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in the market value of the long-lived assets, a significant change in the long-lived assets condition, and operating cash flow losses associated with the use of the long-lived asset. In 2002 and 2003, due to volatile economic conditions and indications of declining aircraft market values, the Company evaluated whether the book value of the Company’s aircraft was impaired in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”  No impairment was necessary based on the results of the evaluations.

 

There is inherent risk in estimating the future cash flows used in the impairment test. If cash flows do not materialize as estimated, there is a risk the impairment charges recognized to date may be inaccurate, or further impairment charges may be necessary in the future.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Quarter Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

Operating Statistics.  The following table sets forth the major operational statistics of the Company and the percentage-of-change for the quarters identified below.

 

 

Total ASMs generated by the Company during the quarter ended September 30, 2004 increased 30.4% from the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in ASMs was primarily a result of the Company increasing its operating aircraft to 202 aircraft as of September 30, 2004, from 177 aircraft as of September 30, 2003.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company took delivery of eight new CRJ200s and two new CRJ700s.

 

Net Income.  Net income increased to $21.3 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $21.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  Factors relating to the change in net income are discussed below.

 

Passenger Revenues.  Passenger revenues, which represented 98.6% of consolidated operating revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, increased 32.7% to $303.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from $228.9 million, or 99.3% of consolidated operating revenues, for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  Passenger revenues, excluding fuel costs, increased 21.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  The increase in passenger revenues excluding fuel was primarily due to a 30.4% increase in ASMs, principally as a result of the Company increasing its operating aircraft to 202 aircraft as of September 30, 2004, from 177 aircraft as of September 30, 2003; however, this increase was partially offset by the economic efficiencies of flying new, incremental regional jet aircraft.  These efficiencies are passed on to the major partners through the rates contemplated by their respective contracts.  Two additional CRJ700s and eight CRJ200s were placed into service under the Company’s United Express operations during the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  Revenue per ASM increased 2.7% to 15.2¢, from 14.8¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, primarily due to an increase in fuel costs.

 

Passenger Load Factor.  Passenger load factor increased to 68.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from 63.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in load factor was due primarily to the further development of the Company’s relationships with United and Delta whereby SkyWest is supplementing mainline service in previously established and developed markets.  Additionally, the Company is experiencing higher passenger acceptance of the regional jet aircraft.

 

Total Airline Expenses Excluding Fuel.  Total airline expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, excluding fuel charges (which are reimbursable by the Company’s major partners), increased approximately 26.8% from the same period of 2003.  The increase was primarily a result of a 30.4% increase in ASMs (which resulted principally from the expansion of SkyWest’s regional jet fleet year-over-year).  Total operating expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 increased at a lower rate than ASM growth, primarily due to the increased stage lengths flown by the regional jets and the aggressive cost reduction initiatives implemented by the Company during the past twelve months.

 

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Operating and Interest Expenses. Operating and interest expenses increased 38.6% to $275.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $198.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in total operating and interest expenses was due principally to the growth in SkyWest’s regional jet fleet year-over-year.  As a percentage of consolidated operating revenues, total operating and interest expenses increased to 89.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from 86.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The decrease in operating and interest expenses as a percentage of consolidated operating revenues was primarily due to the increased stage lengths flown by regional jets and the aggressive cost reduction initiatives implemented by the Company early in 2003.  The most significant of these initiatives included the purchasing of only essential capital items, hiring only essential front line personnel, reducing management and salaried personnel compensation in varying amounts and seeking price reductions from vendors supplying goods and services to the Company.  Operating revenues increased 33.7% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2003, while total operating and interest expenses increased 38.6% over the same period.  The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the increase in debt financing of the Company’s new regional jets.  Airline operating and interest expenses, excluding fuel charges, per ASM decreased 3.9% to 9.9¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from 10.3¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The primary reason for the decrease was the increased capacity of the Company’s regional jet aircraft, which are less expensive to operate on a per-ASM basis than EMB120s.

 

The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s operating expense components for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.  Operating expenses are expressed as a percentage of operating revenues. Individual expense components are also expressed as cents per ASM.

 

		Three months ended September 30,
		2004								2003
		Amount				Percentage of Revenue		Cents per ASM		Amount				Percentage of Revenue		Cents Per ASM
		(in thousands)								(in thousands)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		$		74,403		24.1		3.7		$	57,913			25.1		3.7
Aircraft costs		57,681				18.7		2.8		49,402				21.4		3.2
Maintenance		23,210				7.5		1.1		14,596				6.3		0.9
Fuel		71,756				23.3		3.5		38,154				16.6		2.4
Other airline expenses		43,273				14.0		2.1		35,192				15.3		2.3
Interest		4,951				1.6		0.2		3,364				1.5		0.2
Total airline expenses		$	275,274					13.4		$		198,621				12.7

 

The cost per ASM of salaries, wages and employee benefits remained constant at 3.7¢ for the quarters ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003.  The average number of full-time equivalent employees increased 29.6% to 6,397 for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 from 4,937 for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in number of employees was due, in large part, to the addition of personnel required for the new flying and ground handling operations within the Company’s United Express operations.

 

The cost per ASM for aircraft costs, including aircraft rent and depreciation, decreased to 2.8¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from 3.2¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The decrease in costs per ASM was partially due to the Company changing the estimate of depreciable lives on rotable spares from five years to ten years effective January 2004.  This change in estimate increased the Company’s pretax income by $2,924,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2004.  The impact of this change on costs per ASM for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was 0.1¢ and the remaining decrease was primarily due to the increase in the number of regional jets that were added to SkyWest’s fleet during the past twelve months.

 

The cost per ASM for maintenance expense increased to 1.1¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from 0.9¢ the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  Under the Company’s United Express Agreement, specific amounts are included in the rates and charges for mature maintenance on regional jet engines that the Company records as revenue.  However, consistent with the change to a direct expense maintenance policy, as more fully described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company records maintenance expense on its CJR200 engines as it is incurred.  As a result, during the third quarter of 2004, the Company collected and recorded as revenue $6.0 million (pretax) under the United Express Agreement, with no corresponding offset for CRJ200 engine maintenance overhauls since there were none incurred.  Because the “Maintenance” line in the table set forth above does not include salaries, wages and employee benefits associated with the Company’s maintenance operations (those costs are

 

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stated separately in the table), the maintenance expense line in the above table differs from the maintenance line in the “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income”.

 

The cost per ASM for fuel increased to 3.5¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from 2.4¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  This was primarily due to the average price of fuel increasing to $1.53 per gallon during the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from $1.04 per gallon for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

 

The cost per ASM for other expenses, primarily consisting of landing fees, station rentals, computer reservation system fees and hull and liability insurance, decreased 8.7% to 2.1¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from 2.3¢ for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. The decrease was primarily related to the Company’s elimination of certain reservation and distribution costs which were previously associated with the United Express Agreement that are now handled directly by United, along with the increase in stage lengths flown by the Company’s regional jets.

 

Interest expense increased to approximately $4.9 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from approximately $3.4 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the temporary long-debt financing of the regional jets acquired by the Company during the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2004.

 

The Emergency War Time Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2003 became effective on May 15, 2003, and the Company received approximately $6.5 million under the act.  This legislation provided for compensation to domestic airlines based on their proportional share of passenger security and infrastructure security fees paid, as well as reimbursement for installing fortified flight deck doors.  This legislation also provided for the suspension of passenger and infrastructure fees from September 1, 2003 through October 31, 2003 and an extension of war risk liability and hull insurance coverage through August 2004.  The Company anticipates that a significant portion of the payments received by the Company will be payable to its major partners pursuant to the terms of the Company’s agreements with those partners.  Accordingly, these amounts have been recorded as other current liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2004.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

Operating Statistics.  The following table sets forth the major operational statistics and the percentage-of-change for the nine-month periods identified below:

 

		Nine months ended September 30,
		2004		2003		% Change
Passengers carried		9,811,577		7,752,976		26.6
Revenue passenger miles (000)		4,013,486		3,036,418		32.2
Available seat miles (000)		5,453,588		4,243,571		28.5
Passenger load factor		73.6	%	71.6	%	2.0	pts
Passenger breakeven load factor		65.2	%	63.6	%	1.6	pts
Yield per revenue passenger mile		20.3	¢	21.3	¢	(4.7	)
Revenue per available seat mile		15.2	¢	15.3	¢	(0.7	)
Cost per available seat mile		13.4	¢	13.7	¢	(2.2	)
Fuel cost per available seat mile		3.1	¢	2.6	¢	19.2
Average passenger trip length (miles)		409		392		4.3

 

Total ASMs generated by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased 28.5% from the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in ASMs was primarily a result of the Company increasing its operating aircraft to 202 aircraft as of September 30, 2004, from 177 aircraft as of September 30, 2003.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company took delivery of twelve new CRJ200s and seven new CRJ700s.

 

Net Income.  Net income increased to $60.7 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $49.3 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  Factors relating to the change in net income are discussed below.

 

Passenger Revenues.  Passenger revenues, which represented 98.5% of consolidated operating revenues for the nine months ended

 

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September 30, 2004, increased 26.4% to $816.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from $646.3 million or 99.3% of consolidated operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  Passenger revenues, excluding fuel costs, increased 20.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  The increase in passenger revenue excluding fuel was primarily due to a 28.5% increase in ASMs, principally as a result of the Company increasing its operating aircraft to 202 aircraft as of September 30, 2004, from 177 aircraft as of September 30, 2003; however, this increase was partially offset by the economic efficiencies of flying new, incremental regional jet aircraft.  These efficiencies are passed on to the major partners through the rates contemplated by their respective contracts.  Twelve additional CRJ200s and seven additional CRJ700s were placed into service under the Company’s United Express operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  Revenue per ASM decreased 0.7% to 15.2¢, from 15.3¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, primarily due to an increase in ASMs produced by CRJ200s and CRJ700s (resulting in lower revenue per ASM pursuant to the terms of the Company’s agreements with Delta and United).

 

Passenger Load Factor.  Passenger load factor increased to 73.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from 71.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in load factor was due primarily to the further development of the Company’s relationships with United and Delta whereby SkyWest is supplementing mainline service in previously established and developed markets.  Additionally, the Company is experiencing higher passenger acceptance of its regional jet aircraft.

 

Total Airline Expenses Excluding Fuel.  Total airline expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, excluding fuel charges (which are reimbursable by the Company’s major partners), increased approximately 20.3% from the same period of 2003.  The increase was primarily a result of a 28.5% increase in ASMs (which resulted principally from the expansion of SkyWest’s regional jet fleet year-over-year).  Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased at a lower rate than ASMs due to the increased stage lengths flown by the regional jets and the aggressive cost reduction initiatives implemented by the Company during the 12 months ended September 30, 2004

 

Operating and Interest Expenses. Operating and interest expenses increased 27.1% to $734.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $578.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in total operating and interest expenses was due principally to the growth in SkyWest’s regional jet fleet year-over-year.  As a percentage of consolidated operating revenues, total operating and interest expenses decreased to 88.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from 88.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The decrease in operating and interest expenses as a percentage of consolidated operating revenues was primarily due to the increased stage lengths flown by regional jets and the aggressive cost reduction initiatives implemented by the Company early in 2003.  The most significant of these initiatives included the purchasing of only essential capital items, hiring only essential front line personnel, reducing management and salaried personnel compensation in varying amounts and seeking price reductions from vendors supplying goods and services to the Company.  Operating revenues increased 27.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003, while total operating and interest expenses increased 27.1% over the same period.  The increase in interest expense was also primarily due to the increase in debt financing of the Company’s new regional jets.  Airline operating and interest expense excluding fuel charges, per ASM decreased 7.2% to 10.3¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from 11.1¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The primary reason for the decrease was the increased capacity of the Company’s regional jet aircraft, which are less expensive to operate on a per-ASM basis than EMB120s.

 

The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s operating expense components for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.  Operating expenses are expressed as a percentage of operating revenues. Individual expense components are also expressed as cents per ASM.

 

		Nine months ended September 30,
		2004							2003
		Amount			Percentage of Revenue		Cents per ASM		Amount			Percentage of Revenue		Cents Per ASM
		(in thousands)							(in thousands)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		$	206,668		24.9		3.8		$	164,691		25.3		3.9
Aircraft costs		163,232			19.7		3.0		145,249			22.3		3.4
Maintenance		55,112			6.6		1.0		36,230			5.6		0.9
Fuel		170,884			20.6		3.1		109,240			16.8		2.6
Other airline expenses		125,502			15.1		2.3		115,502			17.8		2.7
Interest		13,340			1.6		0.2		7,112			1.1		0.2
Total airline expenses		$	734,738				13.4		$	578,024				13.7

 

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The cost per ASM of salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased to 3.8¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to 3.9¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The decrease was primarily the result of the increase in stage lengths flown by regional jets.  The average number of full-time equivalent employees increased 24.6% to 6,042 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from 4,851 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in number of employees was due, in large part, to the addition of personnel required for the new flying and ground handling operations within the Company’s United Express operations.

 

The cost per ASM for aircraft costs, including aircraft rent and depreciation, decreased to 3.0¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from 3.4¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The decrease in costs per ASM was partially due to the Company changing the estimate of depreciable lives on rotable spares from five years to ten years effective January 2004.  This change in estimate increased the Company’s pretax income by $8,535,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  The impact of this change on costs per ASM for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 0.2¢ and the remaining decrease was primarily due to the increase in the number of regional jets that were added to SkyWest’s fleet during the past twelve months.

 

The cost per ASM for maintenance expense increased to 1.0¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to 0.9¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in cost per ASM was primarily attributable to the timing of certain maintenance-related events.  Under the Company’s United Express Agreement, specific amounts are included in the rates and charges for mature maintenance on regional jet engines that the Company records as revenue.  However, consistent with the change to a time and materials maintenance policy, as more fully described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company records maintenance expense on its CRJ200 engines as it is incurred.  As a result, during the first nine months of 2004, the Company collected and recorded as revenue $17.0 million (pretax) under the United Express Agreement, with no corresponding offset for CRJ200 engine maintenance overhauls since there were none incurred.  Because the “Maintenance” line in the table set forth above does not include salaries, wages and employee benefits associated with the Company’s maintenance operations (those costs are stated separately in the table), the maintenance expense line in the above table differs from the maintenance line in the “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income”.

 

The cost per ASM for fuel increased to 3.1¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from 2.6¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This was primarily due to the average price of fuel increasing to $1.36 per gallon during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from $1.11 per gallon for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

The cost per ASM for other expenses, primarily consisting of landing fees, station rentals, computer reservation system fees and hull and liability insurance, decreased 14.8% to 2.3¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from 2.7¢ for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The decrease was primarily related to the Company’s elimination of certain reservation and distribution costs which were previously associated with the United Express Agreement, along with the increase in stage lengths flown by the Company’s regional jets.

 

Interest expense increased to approximately $13.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, from approximately $7.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the temporary long-debt financing of the regional jets acquired by the Company during the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2004.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company had working capital of $546.6 million and a current ratio of 4.2:1 at September 30, 2004, compared to working capital of $518.4 million and a current ratio of 4.4:1 at December 31, 2003. The principal sources of funds during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $129.1 million provided by operating activities, $34.5 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $4.6 million from the sale of common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options under the Company’s stock option and employee stock purchase plans.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company invested $94.8 million in flight equipment, $85.7 million in marketable securities, $16.9 million in buildings and ground equipment and $2.3 million in other assets.  The Company made principal payments on long-term debt of $20.4 million, repurchased common stock for approximately $11.4 million and paid $4.7 million in cash dividends.  These factors resulted in a $68.0 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

 

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The Company’s receivables have increased by approximately $36.6 million from September 30, 2004 from December 31, 2003.  The increase is primarily due to the increase in the price of fuel during the quarter and the repayment method within the Company’s contracts with its major partners.  Under the contracts, the Company receives weekly wire transfers based on estimated production and fuel costs, which payments are subsequently reconciled after quarter end.  During the three months ended September 30, 2004, the actual price of fuel exceeded the Company’s initial estimates and increased the amount of the Company’s receivables.  Subsequent to quarter end, the Company received a significant portion of the accounts receivable reported at quarter end.

 

The Company’s position in marketable securities, consisting primarily of bonds, bond funds and commercial paper, increased to $444.2 million at September 30, 2004, compared to $358.8 million at December 31, 2003.  The increase in marketable securities was due primarily to the Company’s cash management policies as excess cash is invested in marketable securities.

 

At September 30, 2004, the Company’s total capital mix was 61.5% equity and 38.5% debt, compared to 60.5% equity and 39.5% debt at December 31, 2003.  The change in the total capital mix during the past nine months reflected the Company’s incurrence of approximately $34.5 million of debt financing related to CRJ200s acquired by the Company during 2004.  The financing agreements associated with the new CRJ200s permit the Company to refinance the debt into long-term lease agreements with third-party lessors.

 

The Company expended approximately $57.7 million for aircraft related capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. These expenditures consisted primarily of $22.8 million for rotable spares, $10.8 million for engine overhauls, $4.9 million for aircraft improvements, and $19.2 million for buildings, ground equipment and other assets.

 

The Company has available $10.0 million in an unsecured bank line of credit through January 31, 2005, with interest payable at the bank’s base rate less one-quarter percent, which was a net rate of 4.50% at September 30, 2004.  The Company believes that in the absence of unusual circumstances, the working capital available to the Company will be sufficient to meet its present financial requirements, including expansion, capital expenditures, lease payments and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months.

 

At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company classified $9.2 million of cash as restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as required by the Company’s workers compensation policy.

 

Significant Commitments and Obligations

 

The following table summarizes SkyWest’s commitments and obligations stated in calendar years except as noted for each of the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):

 

		Total			Oct-Dec 2004			2005			2006			2007			2008			2009			Thereafter
Firm aircraft		$	772,000		$	125,000		$	647,000		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Commitments
Operating lease payments for Aircraft and Facility Obligations		1,990,265			50,966			171,452			177,695			182,684			173,886			178,769			1,054,813
Principal maturities on long-term debt		507,657			11,839			32,588			29,942			30,835			31,848			32,919			337,686
Total commitments and obligations		$	3,269,922		$	187,805		$	851,040		$	207,637		$	213,519		$	205,734		$	211,688		$	1,392,499

 

On September 15, 2003, the Company announced the completion of a firm order for 30, 70-seat CRJ700s for its United Express operations.  On February 10, 2004, the Company amended the order to include 10 CRJ200s and two additional CRJ700s, bringing the total order for the Company’s United Express operations to 32 CRJ700s and 10 additional CRJ200s.  The Company began taking delivery of these aircraft in January 2004 and has scheduled delivery of the remaining aircraft covered by the order through May 2005.  The Company’s firm aircraft orders, as of September 30, 2004, consisted of orders for 25, 70-seat CRJ700s scheduled for delivery through May 2005.  Additionally, during the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Delta awarded to the Company seven additional CRJ200s that are scheduled for delivery during the first half of 2005.  The Company anticipates that the seven additional CRJ200s will be

 

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