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Alaska Air Group reports first quarter 2022 results

SEATTLE, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) today reported financial results for its first quarter ending March 31, 2022 and provided outlook for the second quarter ending June 30, 2022.

"Alaska has a proven track record and a resilient business model that delivers in good times and through challenging ones. We are on course to deliver 6% to 9% adjusted pre-tax margins in 2022, as we recently announced at our investor day," said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. "March results were particularly strong, marked by our highest cash sales month in history and revenues that exceeded 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic began. Our people are working hard to get our airline back to its pre-COVID size and to return to growth from there, all while delivering the operational excellence that we're known for. It's an honor to have our company's hard work recognized by Air Transport World as the 2022 Global Airline of the Year."

Financial Results:

  • Reported net loss for the first quarter of 2022 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $143 million, or $1.14 per share, compared to a net loss of $131 million, or $1.05 per share in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Reported net loss for the first quarter of 2022, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $167 million, or $1.33 per share, compared to a net loss, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $436 million or $3.51 per share, in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Generated $287 million in operating cash flow for the first quarter, driven by increased advance bookings as both leisure and business demand for air travel continue to recover.
  • Held $2.9 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of March 31, 2022.
  • Ended the quarter with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 50%, within our target range of 40% to 50%.

Operational Updates:

  • Announced plans to accelerate the transition of Alaska's mainline fleet to all-Boeing and introduced new plans to transition Horizon's regional fleet to all-Embraer jets by the end of 2023. This transition is expected to drive significant economic benefits through cost savings, operational simplicity and better fuel efficiency.
  • Extended the co-branded Mileage Plan credit card agreement with Bank of America through 2030, providing expanded guest benefits and accelerating Alaska's strategic growth plans in the West Coast.
  • Modified the Boeing aircraft order to include six firm and 41 option 737-10 aircraft and 10 firm 737-8 aircraft. The new mix of aircraft types provides an optimal fleet for our network and anticipated growth.
  • Announced plans to renovate and expand Alaska lounges in Seattle and Portland to provide additional capacity and enhanced amenities, with both expected to open by 2026.
  • Received nine Boeing 737-9 aircraft, bringing the total number of 737-9s in our fleet to 20.
  • Added Air Tahiti Nui as a new global Mileage Plan partner, allowing our guests to earn miles flying nonstop between Seattle or Los Angeles and French Polynesia.
  • Expanded codeshare agreement with Finnair, bringing total codeshare growth to more than 250 routes since Alaska's entrance into the oneworld alliance in 2021.

Recognition and Awards:

  • Awarded the 2022 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World, given to an airline each year in recognition of outstanding performance, innovation and superior service.
  • Named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, highlighting Alaska's commitment to make meaningful changes in the climate impact of aviation.

Environmental, Social and Governance Updates:

  • Announced Patricia Bedient as the next chair of Alaska Air Group's Board of Directors, replacing Brad Tilden effective May 5, 2022.
  • Launched the Ascend Pilot Academy in partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy, providing aspiring pilots a simpler and more financially accessible path to become a commercial pilot at Horizon and Alaska.
  • Alongside other oneworld partners, signed two offtake agreements to procure sustainable aviation fuel for California operations, beginning in 2024.

The following table reconciles the company's reported GAAP net loss per share (EPS) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 to adjusted amounts.

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

(in millions, except per-share amounts)

Dollars

EPS

Dollars

EPS

GAAP net loss per share

$             (143)

$            (1.14)

$             (131)

$            (1.05)

Payroll Support Program grant wage offset

—

—

(411)

(3.31)

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments

(107)

(0.85)

(22)

(0.18)

Special items - fleet transition and related charges(a)

75

0.60

18

0.14

Special items - restructuring charges(b)

—

—

11

0.09

Income tax effect of reconciling items above

8

0.06

99

0.80

Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share

$             (167)

$            (1.33)

$             (436)

$            (3.51)


(a)

Special items - fleet transition and related charges in the three months ended March 31, 2022 are primarily comprised of impairment charges associated on the Q400 fleet that will be retired from the operating service by the end of 2023.

(b)

Special items - restructuring charges in the three months ended March 31, 2021 represent adjustments to total estimated cost for pilot incentive leaves as a result of updated recall timing from what was previously anticipated due to schedule changes, training limitations and other factors.




Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables. A glossary of financial terms can be found on the last page of this release.

A conference call regarding the first quarter results will be streamed online at 8:30 a.m. PDT on April 21, 2022. It can be accessed at www.alaskaair.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available after the conclusion of the call.

Second Quarter and Full Year 2022 Outlook



Q2 Expectation(a)

Capacity (ASMs) % change versus 2019(a)

Down 6% to 9%

Revenue passengers % change versus 2019(a)

Down 10% to 12%

Passenger load factor

85% to 88%

Total revenue % change versus 2019(a)

Up 5% to 8%

Cost per ASM excluding fuel and special items (CASMex) % change versus 2019(a)

Up 16% to 19%

Economic fuel cost per gallon

$3.25 to $3.30

Non-operating expense

$7 million to $9 million

Adjusted tax rate

~24% to 25%

(a)

Due to the unusual nature of 2021 and 2020, all 2022 comparisons are versus the second quarter of 2019.


We recently reduced Q2 scheduled capacity in response to shortfalls in throughput from our pilot training department versus what was originally planned. For this reason, coupled with our commitment to exit the Airbus A320 fleet on an accelerated timeline, as well as persistent high oil prices, we have reduced our planned capacity growth modestly as compared to previous expectations. 

For these reasons, we've also reduced our full year 2022 capacity expectations from up 1% to 3% versus 2019, to flat to down 3% versus 2019. As a direct result of the reduction in full year capacity expectations, we expect full year 2022 CASMex to be up 6% to 8% compared to our prior expectation of up 3% to 5%. We continue to expect full year 2022 adjusted pre-tax margins between 6% and 9%.

References in this update to "Air Group," "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Alaska Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated by our forward-looking statements, assumptions or beliefs. For a comprehensive discussion of potential risk factors, see Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Some of these risks include competition, labor costs, relations and availability, general economic conditions including those associated with pandemic recovery, increases in operating costs including fuel, inability to meet cost reduction, ESG and other strategic goals, seasonal fluctuations in demand and financial results, supply chain risks, events that negatively impact aviation safety and security, and changes in laws and regulations that impact our business. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K and in our subsequent SEC filings. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our business or events described in any forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made today to conform them to actual results. Over time, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, assumptions or beliefs and such differences might be significant and materially adverse.

Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The airline emphasizes Next-Level Care for its guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning customer service, and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and the airline's additional partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.





Three Months Ended March 31,

(in millions, except per share amounts)

2022

2021

Change

Operating Revenues




Passenger revenue

$                    1,511

$                        659

129 %

Mileage Plan other revenue

112

94

19 %

Cargo and other

58

44

32 %

Total Operating Revenues

1,681

797

111 %






Operating Expenses




Wages and benefits

606

493

23 %

Variable incentive pay

36

33

9  %

Payroll Support Program grant wage offset

—

(411)

NM

Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

347

203

71 %

Aircraft maintenance

135

81

67 %

Aircraft rent

73

62

18 %

Landing fees and other rentals

138

129

7 %

Contracted services

78

51

53 %

Selling expenses

58

33

76 %

Depreciation and amortization

102

97

5 %

Food and beverage service

41

23

78 %

Third-party regional carrier expense

42

30

40 %

Other

152

105

45 %

Special items - fleet transition and related charges

75

18

NM

Special items - restructuring charges

—

11

.

NM

Total Operating Expenses

1,883

958

97 %

Operating Loss

(202)

(161)

25 %

Non-operating Income (Expense)




Interest income

7

7

— %

Interest expense

(27)

(32)

(16) %

Interest capitalized

2

3

(33) %

Other - net

14

10

40 %

Total Non-operating Expense

(4)

(12)

(67) %

Loss Before Income Tax

(206)

(173)

Income tax benefit

(63)

(42)

Net Loss

$                      (143)

$                      (131)







Basic Loss Per Share

$                     (1.14)

$                     (1.05)

Diluted Loss Per Share

$                     (1.14)

$                     (1.05)







Shares used for computation:




Basic

125.984

124.299

Diluted

125.984

124.299

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)


Alaska Air Group, Inc.






(in millions)

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

ASSETS


Current Assets


Cash and cash equivalents

$                            628

$                            470

Marketable securities

2,262

2,646

   Total cash and marketable securities

2,890

3,116

Receivables - net

658

546

Inventories and supplies - net

78

62

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

348

196

Total Current Assets

3,974

3,920




Property and Equipment


Aircraft and other flight equipment

8,244

8,127

Other property and equipment

1,529

1,489

Deposits for future flight equipment

283

384

10,056

10,000

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

3,814

3,862

Total Property and Equipment - Net

6,242

6,138




Other Assets


Operating lease assets

1,541

1,453

Goodwill and intangible assets

2,042

2,044

Other noncurrent assets

411

396

Other Assets

3,994

3,893




Total Assets

$                      14,210

$                      13,951

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)


Alaska Air Group, Inc.






(in millions, except share amounts)

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


Current Liabilities


Accounts payable

$                            299

$                            200

Accrued wages, vacation and payroll taxes

367

457

Air traffic liability

1,643

1,163

Other accrued liabilities

659

625

Deferred revenue

1,038

912

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

272

268

Current portion of long-term debt

292

366

Total Current Liabilities

4,570

3,991




Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion

2,078

2,173




Noncurrent Liabilities


Long-term operating lease liabilities, net of current portion

1,357

1,279

Deferred income taxes

509

578

Deferred revenue

1,394

1,446

Obligation for pension and postretirement medical benefits

302

305

Other liabilities

363

378

Total Noncurrent Liabilities

3,925

3,986




Commitments and Contingencies






Shareholders' Equity


     Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized: 5,000,000 shares, none issued or outstanding

—

—

     Common stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized: 400,000,000 shares, Issued: 2022 -
     135,437,808 shares; 2021 - 135,255,808 shares, Outstanding: 2022 - 126,087,864
     shares; 2021 - 125,905,864 shares

1

1

     Capital in excess of par value

503

494

     Treasury stock (common), at cost: 2022 - 9,349,944 shares; 2021 - 9,349,944 shares

(674)

(674)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(292)

(262)

Retained earnings

4,099

4,242

3,637

3,801

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$                      14,210

$                      13,951

 

SUMMARY CASH FLOW (unaudited)


Alaska Air Group, Inc.



Three Months Ended March 31,

(in millions)

2022

2021

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:


Net loss

$                           (143)

$                           (131)

Non-cash reconciling items

182

137

Changes in working capital

248

161

Net cash provided by operating activities

287

167




Cash Flows from Investing Activities:


Property and equipment additions

(288)

(27)

Other investing activities

327

(516)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

39

(543)




Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

(168)

82




Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

158

(294)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period

494

1,386

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period

$                            652

$                         1,092

 

OPERATING STATISTICS SUMMARY (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.











Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

Change

Consolidated Operating Statistics:(a)




Revenue passengers (000)

8,694

4,666

86.3%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

10,586

5,393

96.3%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

13,783

10,397

32.6%

Load factor

76.8%

51.9%

24.9 pts

Yield

14.27¢   

12.22¢   

16.8%

RASM

12.20¢   

7.67¢   

59.1%

CASMex(b)

10.61¢   

10.93¢   

(2.9)%

Economic fuel cost per gallon(b)

$2.62

$1.79

46.4%

Fuel gallons (000,000)

173

126

37.3%

ASMs per gallon

79.9

82.4

(3.0)%

Average full-time equivalent employees (FTEs)

21,582

17,140

25.9%

Mainline Operating Statistics:




Revenue passengers (000)

6,566

3,151

108.4%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

9,512

4,589

107.3%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

12,387

8,853

39.9%

Load factor

76.8%

51.8%

25.0 pts

Yield

13.06¢   

11.02¢   

18.5%

RASM

11.30¢   

7.11¢   

58.9%

CASMex(b)

9.64¢   

10.08¢   

(4.4)%

Economic fuel cost per gallon(b)

$2.61

$1.77

47.5%

Fuel gallons (000,000)

146

98

49.0%

ASMs per gallon

85.0

90.3

(5.9)%

Average number of FTEs

16,336

12,473

31.0%

Aircraft utilization

9.5

8.5

11.8%

Average aircraft stage length

1,334

1,303

2.4

Operating fleet(d)

225

201

24 a/c

Regional Operating Statistics:(c)




Revenue passengers (000)

2,128

1,515

40.5%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

1,075

804

33.7%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

1,396

1,544

(9.6)%

Load factor

77.0%

52.1%

24.9 pts

Yield

24.96¢   

19.04¢   

31.1%

RASM

20.04¢   

10.84¢   

84.9%

Operating fleet

98

94

4 a/c

(a)

Except for FTEs, data includes information related to third-party regional capacity purchase flying arrangements.

(b)

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

(c)

Data presented includes information for flights operated by Horizon and third-party carriers.

(d)

Excludes all aircraft removed from operating service.


Given the unusual nature of 2021 and 2020, we believe that some analysis of specific financial and operational results compared to 2019 provides meaningful insight. The table below includes comparative results from 2022 to 2019.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND OPERATING STATISTICS - 2022 Compared to 2019 (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.











Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2019

Change

Passenger revenue

$                    1,511

$                    1,716

(12) %

Mileage plan other revenue

112

110

2 %

Cargo and other

58

50

16 %

Total operating revenues

$                    1,681

$                    1,876

(10) %






Operating expense, excluding fuel and special items

$                    1,461

$                    1,405

4 %

Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

347

420

(17) %

Special items

75

26

NM

Total operating expenses

$                    1,883

$                    1,851

2 %






Total non-operating expense

(4)

(19)

(79) %

Income (loss) before income tax

$                      (206)

$                            6

NM






Consolidated Operating Statistics:




Revenue passengers (000)

8,694

10,417

(17) %

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

10,586

12,449

(15) %

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

13,783

15,508

(11) %

Load Factor

76.8%

80.3%

                   (3.5) pts

Yield

14.27¢   

13.78¢   

4 %

RASM

12.20¢   

12.10¢   

1 %

CASMex

10.61¢   

9.06¢   

17 %

FTEs

21,582

21,832

(1) %

 

OPERATING SEGMENTS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.



























Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating
& Other(a)

Air Group
Adjusted(b)

Special
Items(c)

Consolidated

Operating Revenues












Passenger revenues

$     1,243

$        268

$          —

$                  —

$     1,511

$          —

$        1,511

CPA revenues

—

—

94

(94)

—

—

—

Mileage Plan other revenue

100

12

—

—

112

—

112

Cargo and other

57

—

—

1

58

—

58

Total Operating Revenues

1,400

280

94

(93)

1,681

—

1,681

Operating Expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

1,194

262

99

(94)

1,461

75

1,536

Economic Fuel

381

73

—

—

454

(107)

347

Total Operating Expenses

1,575

335

99

(94)

1,915

(32)

1,883

Non-operating Income (Expense)

1

—

(5)

—

(4)

—

(4)

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax

$       (174)

$         (55)

$         (10)

$                    1

$       (238)

$          32

$          (206)

Pre-tax Margin







(14.2) %


(12.3) %















Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating
& Other(a)

Air Group
Adjusted(b)

Special
Items(c)

Consolidated

Operating Revenues












Passenger revenues

$        506

$        153

$          —

$                  —

$        659

$          —

$           659

CPA revenues

—

—

104

(104)

—

—

—

Mileage Plan other revenue

80

14

—

—

94

—

94

Cargo and other

44

—

—

—

44

—

44

Total Operating Revenues

630

167

104

(104)

797

—

797

Operating Expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

893

265

88

(109)

1,137

(382)

755

Economic Fuel

174

52

—

(1)

225

(22)

203

Total Operating Expenses

1,067

317

88

(110)

1,362

(404)

958

Non-operating Income (Expense)

(7)

—

(5)

—

(12)

—

(12)

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax

$       (444)

$       (150)

$          11

$                    6

$       (577)

$        404

$          (173)

Pre-tax Margin







(72.4) %


(21.7) %

(a)

Includes consolidating entries, Air Group parent company, McGee Air Services, and other immaterial business units.

(b)

The Air Group Adjusted column represents the financial information that is reviewed by management to assess performance of operations and determine capital allocation and excludes certain charges. See Note A in the accompanying pages for further information.

(c)

Includes Payroll Support Program wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments.


 

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.


CASM Excluding Fuel and Special Items Reconciliation

Three Months Ended March 31,

(in cents)

2022

2021

Consolidated:


CASM

                               13.66 ¢

                                  9.21 ¢

Less the following components:


     Payroll Support Program wage offset (benefit)

—

(3.95)

     Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

2.51

1.95

     Special items - fleet transition and related charges(a)

0.54

0.17

     Special items - restructuring charges(b)

—

0.11

CASM excluding fuel and special items

                               10.61 ¢

                               10.93 ¢




Mainline:


CASM

                               11.89  ¢

                                  8.07 ¢

Less the following components:


     Payroll Support Program wage offset (benefit)

—

(4.06)

     Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

2.21

1.72

     Special items - fleet transition and related charges(a)

0.04

0.20

     Special items - restructuring charges(b)

—

0.13

CASM excluding fuel and special items

                                  9.64 ¢

                               10.08 ¢

(a)

Special items - fleet transition and related charges in the three months ended March 31, 2022 are comprised of impairment charges associated with Q400 aircraft that will be retired from the fleet by the end of 2023.

(b)

Special items - restructuring charges in the three months ended March 31, 2021 represent adjustments to total estimated cost for pilot incentive leaves as a result of updated recall timing from what was previously anticipated due to schedule changes, training limitations and other factors.




Fuel Reconciliation

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

(in millions, except for per-gallon amounts)

Dollars

Cost/Gallon

Dollars

Cost/Gallon

Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost

$                   504

$                  2.91

$                   222

$                  1.77

Losses (gains) on settled hedges

(50)

(0.29)

3

0.02

Consolidated economic fuel expense

454

2.62

225

1.79

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustment

(107)

(0.62)

(22)

(0.18)

GAAP fuel expense

$                   347

$                  2.00

$                   203

$                  1.61

Fuel gallons

173


126

 

Debt-to-capitalization, including operating leases

(in millions)

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

Long-term debt, net of current portion

$                           2,078

$                            2,173

Long-term and current capitalized operating leases

1,629

1,547

Adjusted debt, net of current portion of long-term debt

3,707

3,720

Shareholders' equity

3,637

3,801

Total Invested Capital

$                           7,344

$                            7,521




Debt-to-capitalization ratio, including operating leases

50 %

49 %

 

Adjusted net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and special items

(in millions)

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

Current portion of long-term debt

$                                   292

$                                   366

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

272

268

Long-term debt

2,078

2,173

Long-term operating lease liabilities, net of current portion

1,357

1,279

     Total adjusted debt

3,999

4,086

Less: Total cash and marketable securities

(2,890)

(3,116)

     Adjusted net debt

$                               1,109

$                                   970




(in millions)

Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2022

Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2021

GAAP Operating Income (Loss)(a)

$                                   644

$                                   685

Adjusted for:


     Payroll Support Program grant wage offset and special items

(468)

(925)

     Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments

(132)

(47)

     Depreciation and amortization

399

394

     Aircraft rent

265

254

EBITDAR

$                                   708

$                                   361

Adjusted net debt to EBITDAR

1.6x

2.7x

(a)

Operating income (loss) can be reconciled using the trailing twelve month operating income as filed quarterly with the SEC.


Note A: Pursuant to Regulation G, we are providing reconciliations of reported non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. We believe that consideration of these non-GAAP financial measures may be important to investors for the following reasons:

  • By eliminating fuel expense and certain special items (including Payroll Support Program wage offset, fleet transition and related charges, and restructuring charges) from our unit metrics, we believe that we have better visibility into the results of operations. Our industry is highly competitive and is characterized by high fixed costs, so even a small reduction in non-fuel operating costs can result in a significant improvement in operating results. In addition, we believe that all domestic carriers are similarly impacted by changes in jet fuel costs over the long run, so it is important for management (and thus investors) to understand the impact of (and trends in) company-specific cost drivers such as labor rates and productivity, airport costs, maintenance costs, etc., which are more controllable by management.


  • Cost per ASM (CASM) excluding fuel and certain special items, such as Payroll Support Program wage offset, fleet transition and related charges, and restructuring charges, is one of the most important measures used by management and by the Air Group Board of Directors in assessing quarterly and annual cost performance.


  • Adjusted income before income tax (and other items as specified in our plan documents) is an important metric for the employee incentive plan, which covers the majority of Air Group employees.


  • CASM excluding fuel and certain special items is a measure commonly used by industry analysts, and we believe it is the basis by which they have historically compared our airline to others in the industry. The measure is also the subject of frequent questions from investors.


  • Disclosure of the individual impact of certain noted items provides investors the ability to measure and monitor performance both with and without these special items. We believe that disclosing the impact of these items as noted above. Industry analysts and investors consistently measure our performance without these items for better comparability between periods and among other airlines.


  • Although we disclose our passenger unit revenues, we do not (nor are we able to) evaluate unit revenues excluding the impact that changes in fuel costs have had on ticket prices. Fuel expense represents a large percentage of our total operating expenses. Fluctuations in fuel prices often drive changes in unit revenues in the mid-to-long term. Although we believe it is useful to evaluate non-fuel unit costs for the reasons noted above, we would caution readers of these financial statements not to place undue reliance on unit costs excluding fuel as a measure or predictor of future profitability because of the significant impact of fuel costs on our business.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Adjusted net debt - long-term debt, including current portion, plus capitalized operating leases, less cash and marketable securities

Adjusted net debt to EBITDAR - represents net adjusted debt divided by EBITDAR (trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, special items and rent)

Aircraft Utilization - block hours per day; this represents the average number of hours per day our aircraft are in transit

Aircraft Stage Length - represents the average miles flown per aircraft departure

ASMs - available seat miles, or "capacity"; represents total seats available across the fleet multiplied by the number of miles flown

CASM - operating costs per ASM, or "unit cost"; represents all operating expenses including fuel and special items

CASMex - operating costs excluding fuel and special items per ASM; this metric is used to help track progress toward reduction of non-fuel operating costs since fuel is largely out of our control

Debt-to-capitalization ratio - represents adjusted debt (long-term debt plus capitalized operating lease liabilities) divided by total equity plus adjusted debt

Diluted Earnings per Share - represents earnings per share (EPS) using fully diluted shares outstanding

Diluted Shares - represents the total number of shares that would be outstanding if all possible sources of conversion, such as stock options, were exercised

Economic Fuel - best estimate of the cash cost of fuel, net of the impact of our fuel-hedging program

Load Factor - RPMs as a percentage of ASMs; represents the number of available seats that were filled with paying passengers

Mainline - represents flying Boeing 737, Airbus 320 and Airbus 321neo family jets and all associated revenues and costs

Productivity - number of revenue passengers per full-time equivalent employee

RASM - operating revenue per ASMs, or "unit revenue"; operating revenue includes all passenger revenue, freight & mail, Mileage Plan and other ancillary revenue; represents the average total revenue for flying one seat one mile

Regional - represents capacity purchased by Alaska from Horizon and SkyWest. In this segment, Regional records actual on-board passenger revenue, less costs such as fuel, distribution costs, and payments made to Horizon and SkyWest under the respective capacity purchased arrangement (CPAs). Additionally, Regional includes an allocation of corporate overhead such as IT, finance, other administrative costs incurred by Alaska and on behalf of Horizon.

RPMs - revenue passenger miles, or "traffic"; represents the number of seats that were filled with paying passengers; one passenger traveling one mile is one RPM

Yield - passenger revenue per RPM; represents the average revenue for flying one passenger one mile

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alaska-air-group-reports-first-quarter-2022-results-301529857.html

SOURCE Alaska Air Group

Media contact: Media Relations, (206) 304-0008; or Investor/analyst contact: Emily Halverson, VP Finance and Controller, (206) 392-5908