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8-K - 8-K - SKYWEST INCa14-23263_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Further Information Contact:

Investor Relations

Telephone: (435) 634-3203

Fax: (435) 634-3205

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:               October 29, 2014

 

SKYWEST, INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2014 RESULTS

 

St. George, Utah—SkyWest, Inc. (“SkyWest”) (NASDAQ: SKYW) today reported financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.  Highlights are as follows:

 

·                  SkyWest’s net income was $41.3 million (inclusive of $15.3 million after-tax related to TRIP gain from below), or $0.79 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. This compares to net income of $26.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

 

·                  Significant financial items related to the third quarter included:

 

·                  Operating income, which excludes TRIP gain, increased $2.9 million from the same period last year, despite the negative financial impact of FAR117 flight and duty rules implemented January 2014

·                  The completion of the Trip Linhas Aereas S.A. stock sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $24.9 million and interest income of $2.1 million

·                  Operating revenues, after excluding a reduction in direct contract reimbursement for pass-through cost expenses, increased 1.9% compared to the prior period, despite a 6.0% reduction in departures and 3.8% reduction in block hours from the prior period

 

·                  Significant operational and commercial items include:

 

·                  16 ERJ145s were removed from contract during the third quarter of 2014.  SkyWest anticipates 18 ERJ145s will be removed during the fourth quarter of 2014, and 23 ERJ145s and 9 ERJ135s will be removed during the first half of 2015.

·                  As of September 30, 2014, SkyWest had 14 E175 jet aircraft in the United Airlines contract and took delivery of one additional E175 in October 2014.  SkyWest expects delivery of six additional E175 aircraft by December 31, 2014 and the remaining 19 additional aircraft by August 2015.

·                  ExpressJet appointed Alexandria Marren as its COO effective October 1, 2014

·                  Operational reliability at ExpressJet improved to 99.4% adjusted completion for the September 30, 2014 quarter from 99.0% from the same period last year

·                  SkyWest invested approximately $35.7 million for E175 specific spare parts, engines and tooling as of September 30, 2014.  SkyWest also invested $56.0 million into E175 ownership equity as of September 30, 2014.

 



 

Commenting on the results, Jerry C. Atkin, SkyWest’s Chairman and CEO said, “The increase in operating income from last year is positive news when factoring the significant cost impact of FAR117 we’ve experienced in 2014 and the reduction in departures and block hours since last year.” He continued, “As we pursue opportunities to remove our older 50-seat aircraft from service and add new larger dual-class aircraft, we are optimistic that our operational reliability and financial results will continue to improve.  We remain committed to our major partners and our process to improve both financial and operating performance.”

 

Financial Performance

 

Total operating revenues, excluding the significant direct contract reimburses for fuel, landing fees, station rents, and engine maintenance, increased by $12.7 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 from the same period last year.  The improvement was primarily due to certain contract renewals and modifications, operating additional E175 aircraft, and increased government subsidies for operating certain routes.

 

Flight crew costs and related crew hotels expenses associated with FAR117 and training costs for the introduction of the new E175 aircraft, that resulted in an increase of $13.8 million in operating costs compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

 

Direct maintenance expense, excluding engine maintenance expense, decreased $12.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period last year due to a reduction in scheduled events and removal of older aircraft after June 30, 2013.  Certain other operating expenses, primarily related to the E175 aircraft and pro-rate operations, increased during the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period last year.

 

Liquidity

 

At September 30, 2014, SkyWest had $555.7 million in cash and marketable securities, compared to $467.0 million as of June 30, 2014 and $670.1 million as of December 31, 2013.  Cash and marketable securities decreased $114.4 million from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014, primarily due to SkyWest’s investment of approximately $91.7 million in E175 assets and E175 equity investment in the debt financing and timing of semi-annual aircraft lease payments resulting in an increase of prepaid aircraft rents of $20.3 million.  The cash and marketable securities balance increased from June 30, 2014 primarily due to pre-tax income generated during the quarter.

 

Long-term debt increased $130.8 million from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014.  During this period, $323.7 million of long-term debt was used for the 14 E175 aircraft delivered in 2014, offset by principal payments made on outstanding debt.

 

About SkyWest

 

SkyWest is the holding company for two scheduled passenger airline operations and an aircraft leasing company, and is headquartered in St. George, Utah. SkyWest’s scheduled passenger airline operations consist of SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (“SkyWest Airlines”), also based in St. George, Utah, and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (“ExpressJet Airlines”), based in Atlanta, Georgia.  SkyWest Airlines operates as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle and US Airways Express carriers under contractual agreements with United Airlines, Inc. (“United”), Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”), American Airlines, Inc. (“American”) and US Airways, Inc., respectively.  SkyWest Airlines also

 



 

operates flights for Alaska Airlines under a contractual agreement.  ExpressJet Airlines operates as United Express, Delta Connection, and American Eagle carriers under contractual agreements with United, Delta and American, respectively. System-wide, SkyWest serves markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with approximately 3,900 daily departures and a fleet of approximately 751 regional aircraft.  This press release and additional information regarding SkyWest can be accessed at www.skywest.com.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements.  SkyWest 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 SkyWest’s beliefs, expectations, hopes or intentions regarding future events.  Words such as “forecasts”, “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates”, “should,” “likely” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to SkyWest as of such date.  SkyWest assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.  Readers should note that many factors could affect the future operating and financial results of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines or ExpressJet Airlines, and could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements set forth in this release.  These factors include, but are not limited to, the prospects of entering into agreements with other carriers to fly new aircraft, ongoing negotiations between SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines and their major partners regarding their contractual obligations, uncertainties regarding operation of new aircraft, the impact of regulatory issues such as pilot rest rules and qualification requirements, and the ability to obtain aircraft financing.

 

Actual operational and financial results of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines will likely also vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of other reasons, including, in addition to those identified above: the ability of ExpressJet Airlines to realize potential synergies and other anticipated financial impacts of the consolidation of its operations, the possibility that future financial and operating results of ExpressJet Airlines may not meet SkyWest’s forecasts and the timing of ongoing consolidation of the operations of ExpressJet Airlines, if achieved; the challenges of competing successfully in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry; developments associated with fluctuations in the economy and the demand for air travel; the financial stability of SkyWest’s major partners and any potential impact of their financial condition on the operations of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines, or ExpressJet Airlines; fluctuations in flight schedules, which are determined by the major partners for whom SkyWest’s operating airlines conduct flight operations; variations in market and economic conditions; labor relationships; the impact of global instability; rapidly fluctuating fuel costs; the degree and nature of competition; potential fuel shortages; the impact of weather-related or other natural disasters on air travel and airline costs; aircraft deliveries; the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots and other unanticipated factors.  Risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions which could cause SkyWest’s actual results to differ from management’s current expectations are contained in SkyWest’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; including the section of SkyWest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, entitled “Risk Factors.”

 

(more)

 



 

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,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

OPERATING REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passenger

 

$

815,867

 

$

836,890

 

$

2,372,054

 

$

2,448,883

 

Ground handling and other

 

18,766

 

13,850

 

51,538

 

44,474

 

Total operating revenues

 

834,633

 

850,740

 

2,423,592

 

2,493,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

315,766

 

306,887

 

944,253

 

904,625

 

Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs

 

159,920

 

176,822

 

509,905

 

515,506

 

Aircraft rentals

 

72,899

 

80,928

 

232,682

 

245,330

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

65,822

 

61,135

 

192,389

 

183,309

 

Aircraft fuel

 

49,177

 

49,656

 

154,420

 

146,139

 

Ground handling services

 

31,114

 

30,541

 

100,446

 

98,235

 

Station rentals and landing fees

 

12,290

 

29,473

 

36,729

 

100,559

 

Special charges

 

 

 

4,713

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

68,565

 

59,124

 

203,507

 

177,363

 

Total operating expenses

 

775,553

 

794,566

 

2,379,044

 

2,371,066

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

59,080

 

56,174

 

44,548

 

122,291

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,549

 

567

 

3,608

 

3,164

 

Interest expense

 

(16,883

)

(16,999

)

(48,697

)

(52,490

)

Other, net

 

23,598

 

4,625

 

20,709

 

10,477

 

Total other expense, net

 

9,264

 

(11,807

)

(24,380

)

(38,849

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

68,344

 

44,367

 

20,168

 

83,442

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

27,006

 

17,973

 

16,455

 

33,094

 

NET INCOME

 

$

41,338

 

$

26,394

 

$

3,713

 

$

50,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

$

0.81

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.97

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

51,322

 

51,881

 

51,324

 

51,841

 

Diluted

 

52,036

 

52,610

 

51,562

 

52,551

 

 

(more)

 



 

SKYWEST, INC.

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,
 2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

Cash, restricted cash, and marketable securities

 

$

555,665

 

$

670,094

 

Other current assets

 

781,428

 

794,343

 

Total current assets

 

$

1,337,093

 

$

1,464,437

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

2,918,705

 

2,611,793

 

Deposit on aircraft

 

40,000

 

40,000

 

Other long term assets

 

101,834

 

116,989

 

Total assets

 

$

4,397,632

 

$

4,233,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

659,911

 

$

620,464

 

Long-term liabilities

 

2,308,651

 

2,177,816

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

1,429,070

 

1,434,939

 

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity

 

$

4,397,632

 

$

4,233,219

 

 

Unaudited Operating Highlights

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

% Change

 

2014

 

2013

 

% Change

 

Operating Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passengers carried

 

15,630,168

 

15,929,930

 

(1.9

)%

44,622,305

 

45,752,380

 

(2.5

)%

Revenue passenger miles (000)

 

8,342,394

 

8,384,129

 

(0.5

)%

23,783,610

 

23,903,670

 

(0.5

)%

Available seat miles (000)

 

10,037,729

 

10,256,027

 

(2.1

)%

28,767,497

 

29,515,445

 

(2.5

)%

Passenger load factor

 

83.1

%

81.7

%

1.40

pts

82.7

%

81.0

%

1.70

pts

Passenger breakeven load factor

 

78.9

%

77.9

%

1.00

pts

82.8

%

78.7

%

4.10

pts

Yield per revenue passenger mile

 

$

0.098

 

$

0.100

 

(0.002

)%

$

0.100

 

$

0.102

 

(0.002

)%

Revenue per available seat mile

 

$

0.083

 

$

0.083

 

 

$

0.084

 

$

0.084

 

 

Cost per available seat mile

 

$

0.079

 

$

0.079

 

 

$

0.084

 

$

0.082

 

2.4

%

Fuel cost per available seat mile

 

$

0.005

 

$

0.005

 

 

$

0.005

 

$

0.005

 

 

Average passenger trip length

 

534

 

526

 

1.5

%

533

 

522

 

2.1

%

Block hours

 

590,534

 

613,821

 

(3.8

)%

1,716,419

 

1,795,523

 

(4.4

)%

Departures

 

355,273

 

378,063

 

(6.0

)%

1,029,619

 

1,102,801

 

(6.6

)%

 



 

2014 Quarterly Fleet, Block Hour and ASM Production

 

 

 

As of
March 31, 2014

 

As of
June 30, 2014

 

As of
September 30, 2014

 

As of
December 31, 2014

 

 

 

(Actual)

 

(Actual)

 

(Actual)

 

(Estimate)

 

Fleet Summary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Jets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 seats

 

509

 

501

 

491

 

451

 

65-76 seats

 

204

 

211

 

217

 

224

 

 

 

713

 

712

 

708

 

675

 

Turbo props:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 seats

 

45

 

45

 

43

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

 

758

 

757

 

751

 

715

 

 

 

 

Q1 14

 

Q2 14

 

Q3 14

 

Q4 14

 

Totals

 

 

 

(Actual)

 

(Actual)

 

(Actual)

 

(Estimate)

 

 

 

Block hour production

 

546,813

 

579,072

 

591,534

 

545,001

 

2,262,420

 

ASM production

 

9.0b

 

9.7b

 

10.0b

 

8.6b

 

37.3b