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Alaska Air Group Reports Record Adjusted Fourth Quarter 2013 And Full-Year Results

SEATTLE, Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Financial Highlights:

  • Record fourth quarter net income, excluding special items, of $77 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to $50 million, or $0.70 per diluted share in 2012. This quarter's results compare to a First Call analyst consensus estimate of $1.07 per share. 
  • Record full-year net income, excluding special items, of $383 million, or $5.40 per diluted share, compared to $339 million, or $4.73 per diluted share in 2012.
  • Net income for the fourth quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $78 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, compared to net income of $44 million, or $0.61 per diluted share in 2012. Full-year GAAP net income of $508 million, or $7.16 per diluted share, compared to net income of $316 million, or $4.40 per diluted share in 2012.
  • Air Group employees earned $105 million in incentive pay in 2013, or nearly five weeks of pay for most employees. Over the last four years, employees have earned more than $357 million in incentive pay, averaging 8.8% of annual pay for most employees.
  • Achieved return on invested capital of 13.6% in 2013, compared to 13% in 2012.
  • Lowered adjusted debt-to-total capitalization ratio to 35% as of Dec. 31, 2013.
  • Fully funded the company's defined benefit pension plans in 2013.
  • Held $1.3 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of Dec. 31, 2013. 
  • Repurchased 2,492,093 shares of common stock for approximately $159 million in 2013. Since 2007, Air Group has used $478 million to repurchase 21 million shares.
  • Modified  affinity card agreement with Bank of America and extended through 2017, estimated to generate $55 million in additional cash flows annually.
  • Received a credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor's to "BB+" with a stable outlook.

Other Highlights and Achievements:

  • Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" by J.D. Power for the sixth year in a row.
  • Ranked as the best U.S. major airline by The Wall Street Journal's "Middle Seat" scorecard.
  • Named Airline Industry Leader in the 2013 Temkin Customer Service Rankings.
  • Held the top spot in U.S. Department of Transportation on-time performance among major U.S. airlines for the 12 months ended November 2013.
  • Alaska Airlines received the FAA's "Diamond Certificate of Excellence" award for the 12th consecutive year; and Horizon Air received the certificate for the 12th time in the last 14 years.
  • Improved employee productivity in 2013 by 4.0% compared to 2012.
  • Signed five-year collective bargaining agreements with Alaska pilots and Horizon flight attendants.
  • Named most fuel-efficient airline in the U.S. in a report released by the International Council on Clean Transportation.
  • Donated $7.6 million to more than 1,300 charitable organizations, including support for the grand opening of Aviation High School in Seattle and other educational efforts. Our employees also volunteered more than 10,500 hours of community service.
  • Signed an exclusive multi-year partnership with Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, and named him our "Chief Football Officer."

New routes:

  • New routes launched and announced in the fourth quarter are as follows:

New Nonstop Routes Launched in Q4

New Nonstop Routes (Launch Date)

Seattle – Colorado Springs

Portland – Salt Lake City (6/9/14)

Portland – Tucson

San Diego – Salt Lake City (6/10/14)

Portland – Boise

Los Angeles – Salt Lake City (6/11/14)

San Diego – Boise

San Jose – Salt Lake City (6/12/14)

Seattle – Omaha

Boise – Salt Lake City (6/16/14)

Portland – Reno

Las Vegas – Salt Lake City (6/16/14)

Seattle – Steamboat Springs

San Francisco – Salt Lake City (6/18/14)

Anchorage – Phoenix

Anchorage – Las Vegas

San Diego – Mammoth Lakes

Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported fourth quarter 2013 GAAP net income of $78 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $44 million, or $0.61 per diluted share in 2012. Excluding mark-to-market fuel hedge gains of $2 million ($1 million after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share), the company reported record fourth quarter 2013 net income of $77 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to net income excluding mark-to-market fuel hedge losses of $50 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in 2012.  

The company reported full-year 2013 GAAP net income of $508 million, compared to $316 million in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the items noted in the table below, the company reported record net income of $383 million, or $5.40 per diluted share for 2013, compared to net income of $339 million, or $4.73 per diluted share in 2012. This marks the fourth  year in a row the company has exceeded its goal of a 10 percent return on invested capital.

"Award-winning customer service, industry-leading on-time performance, and solid execution by our outstanding people led us to our best year ever," CEO Brad Tilden said. "We're proud of our record profitability and of the record bonus of more than a month's pay that each of our people will receive next month. And we're grateful to our customers for their loyalty. We know that in this highly competitive industry, we must earn their business every day, every flight."

The following table reconciles the company's adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share (EPS) during the full year and fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012 to amounts as reported in accordance with GAAP:

Three Months Ended Dec. 31,

2013

2012

(in millions, except per share amounts)

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Reported GAAP net income

$

78

$

1.11

$

44

$

0.61

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax

(1)

(0.01)

6

0.09

Non-GAAP adjusted income and per share amounts

$

77

$

1.10

$

50

$

0.70









12 Months Ended Dec. 31,

2013

2012

(in millions, except per share amounts)

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Dollars

Diluted EPS

Reported GAAP net income

$

508

$

7.16

$

316

$

4.40

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax

(5)

(0.06)

23

0.33

Special mileage plan revenue, net of tax

$

(120)

$

(1.70)

$

—

$

—

Non-GAAP adjusted income and per share amounts

$

383

$

5.40

$

339

$

4.73

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

A conference call regarding the fourth quarter and full year results will be simulcast via the Internet at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time on Jan. 23, 2014. It can be accessed through the company's website at alaskaair.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available after the conclusion of the call.

References in this news release to "Air Group," "company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Alaska Air Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc. are referred to as "Alaska" and "Horizon," respectively, and together as our "airlines."

This news release may contain forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated by any forward-looking statements. For a comprehensive discussion of potential risk factors, see Item 1A of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Some of these risks include general economic conditions, increases in operating costs including fuel, competition, labor costs and relations, our significant indebtedness, inability to meet cost reduction goals, seasonal fluctuations in our financial results, an aircraft accident, and changes in laws and regulations. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed therein. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our business or events described in any forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform them to actual results. Over time, our actual results, performance or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such differences might be significant and materially adverse.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines has ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction StudySM for six consecutive years from 2008 to 2013. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.






















Three Months Ended Dec. 31,

12 Months Ended Dec. 31,

(in millions, except per share amounts)

2013

2012

Change

2013

2012

Change

Operating Revenues:










Passenger










Mainline

$

839

$

793

6%

$

3,490

$

3,284

6%

Regional

195

188

4%

777

746

4%

Total passenger revenue

1,034

981

5%

4,267

4,030

6%

Freight and mail

25

26

(4)%

113

111

2%

Other - net

151

125

21%

584

516

13%

Special mileage plan revenue

—

—

NM

192

—

NM

Total Operating Revenues

1,210

1,132

7%

5,156

4,657

11%












Operating Expenses:










Wages and benefits

280

267

5%

1,086

1,038

5%

Variable incentive pay

37

27

37%

105

88

19%

Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

352

372

(5)%

1,467

1,459

1%

Aircraft maintenance

60

61

(2)%

247

222

11%

Aircraft rent

30

30

—

119

116

3%

Landing fees and other rentals

55

59

(7)%

262

243

8%

Contracted services

60

51

18%

221

200

11%

Selling expenses

42

37

14%

179

168

7%

Depreciation and amortization

67

69

(3)%

270

264

2%

Food and beverage service

21

21

—

84

79

6%

Other

76

64

19%

278

248

12%

Total Operating Expenses

1,080

1,058

2%

4,318

4,125

5%

Operating Income

130

74

76%

838

532

58%












Nonoperating Income (Expense):










Interest income

4

5



18

19


Interest expense

(14)

(15)



(56)

(64)


Interest capitalized

6

5



21

18


Other - net

(1)

3



(5)

9



(5)

(2)



(22)

(18)


Income Before Income Tax

125

72

74%

816

514

59%

Income tax expense

47

28



308

198


Net Income

$

78

$

44

77%

$

508

$

316

61%












Basic Earnings Per Share:

$

1.12

$

0.62



$

7.26

$

4.47


Diluted Earnings Per Share:

$

1.11

$

0.61



$

7.16

$

4.40














Shares Used for Computation:










Basic

69.335

71.112



69.955

70.708


Diluted

70.242

72.149



70.939

71.784














Cash dividend declared per share

$

0.20

—



$

0.40

—




















NM - Not Meaningful















 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.






(in millions)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Cash and marketable securities

$

1,330

$

1,252




Total current assets

1,762

1,737

Property and equipment-net

3,893

3,609

Other assets

183

159

Total assets

$

5,838

$

5,505




Air traffic liability

564

534

Current portion of long-term debt

117

161

Other current liabilities

899

806

Current liabilities

$

1,580

$

1,501

Long-term debt

754

871

Other liabilities and credits

1,475

1,712

Shareholders' equity

2,029

1,421

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

5,838

$

5,505




Debt to Capitalization, adjusted for operating leases(a)

35%:65%

48%:52%




Number of common shares outstanding

68.746

70.377


(a)

Calculated using the present value of remaining aircraft lease payments.



 

OPERATING STATISTICS SUMMARY (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.





















Three Months Ended Dec. 31,

12 Months Ended Dec. 31,

2013

2012

Change

2013

2012

Change

Consolidated Operating Statistics:(a)










Revenue passengers (000)

6,694

6,387

4.8%

27,414

25,896

5.9%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

6,980

6,720

3.9%

28,833

27,007

6.8%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

8,275

7,870

5.1%

33,672

31,428

7.1%

Load factor

84.4%

85.4%

(1.0) pts

85.6%

85.9%

(0.3) pts

Yield

14.80¢

14.59¢

1.4%

14.80¢

14.92¢

(0.8)%

PRASM

12.49¢

12.46¢

0.2%

12.67¢

12.82¢

(1.2)%

RASM

14.62¢

14.39¢

1.6%

14.74¢

14.82¢

(0.5)%

CASM excluding fuel and fleet transition costs(b)

8.81¢

8.72¢

1.0%

8.47¢

8.48¢

(0.1)%

Economic fuel cost per gallon(c)

$3.21

$3.43

(6.4)%

$3.30

$3.37

(2.1)%

Fuel gallons (000,000)

110

105

4.8%

447

422

5.9%

Average number of full-time equivalent employees

12,284

11,984

2.5%

12,163

11,955

1.7%












Mainline Operating Statistics:










Revenue passengers (000)

4,764

4,513

5.5%

19,737

18,526

6.5%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

6,308

6,065

4.0%

26,172

24,417

7.2%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

7,438

7,056

5.4%

30,411

28,180

7.9%

Load factor

84.8%

86.0%

(1.2) pts

86.1%

86.6%

(0.5) pts

Yield

13.29¢

13.08¢

1.6%

13.33¢

13.45¢

(0.9)%

PRASM

11.27¢

11.24¢

0.3%

11.48¢

11.65¢

(1.5)%

RASM

13.40¢

13.15¢

1.9%

13.52¢

13.62¢

(0.7)%

CASM excluding fuel(b)

7.91¢

7.77¢

1.8%

7.54¢

7.56¢

(0.3)%

Economic fuel cost per gallon(c)

$3.21

$3.43

(6.4)%

$3.30

$3.36

(1.8)%

Fuel gallons (000,000)

96

92

4.2%

393

368

6.8%

Average number of full-time equivalent employees

9,519

9,228

3.2%

9,493

9,178

3.4%

Aircraft utilization

10.1

10.5

(3.8)%

10.6

10.7

(0.9)%

Average aircraft stage length

1,177

1,189

(1.0)%

1,177

1,161

1.4%

Mainline operating fleet

131

124

7 a/c

131

124

7 a/c












Regional Operating Statistics:(d)










Revenue passengers (000)

1,930

1,873

3.0%

7,677

7,371

4.2%

RPMs (000,000) "traffic"

673

655

2.7%

2,661

2,590

2.7%

ASMs (000,000) "capacity"

837

814

2.8%

3,261

3,247

0.4%

Load factor

80.4%

80.4%

—

81.6%

79.8%

1.8 pts

Yield

28.99¢

28.64¢

1.2%

29.20¢

28.81¢

1.4%

PRASM

23.32¢

23.03¢

1.3%

23.83¢

22.98¢

3.7%

Operating fleet (Horizon only)

51

48

3 a/c

51

48

3 a/c


(a)

Except for full-time equivalent employees, data includes information related to third-party regional capacity purchase flying arrangements.

(b)

See a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure and Note A for a discussion of why these measures may be important to investors in the accompanying pages.

(c)

See a reconciliation of economic fuel cost in the accompanying pages.

(d)

Data presented includes information related to flights operated by Horizon Air and third-party carriers.




























OPERATING SEGMENTS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.


























Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2013

Alaska









(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating

Air Group

Adjusted(a)

Special

Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

$

839

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

839

$

—

$

839

Regional

—

195

—

—

195

—

195

Total passenger revenues

839

195

—

—

1,034

—

1,034

Revenue from CPA with Alaska

—

—

94

(94)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

24

1

—

—

25

—

25

Other-net

133

17

1

—

151

—

151

Total operating revenues

996

213

95

(94)

1,210

—

1,210














Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

589

145

88

(94)

728

—

728

Economic fuel

307

47

—

—

354

(2)

352

Total operating expenses

896

192

88

(94)

1,082

(2)

1,080














Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

4

—

—

—

4

—

4

Interest expense

(8)

—

(4)

(2)

(14)

—

(14)

Other

6

(3)

1

1

5

—

5

2

(3)

(3)

(1)

(5)

—

(5)

Income (loss) before income tax

$

102

$

18

$

4

$

(1)

$

123

$

2

$

125















Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2012

Alaska









(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating

Air Group

Adjusted(a)

Special

Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

$

793

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

793

$

—

$

793

Regional

—

188

—

—

188

—

188

Total passenger revenues

793

188

—

—

981

—

981

Revenue from CPA with Alaska

—

—

97

(97)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

25

1

—

—

26

—

26

Other-net

110

14

1

—

125

—

125

Total operating revenues

928

203

98

(97)

1,132

—

1,132














Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

548

145

90

(97)

686

—

686

Economic fuel

315

47

—

—

362

10

372

Total operating expenses

863

192

90

(97)

1,048

10

1,058














Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

5

—

—

—

5

—

5

Interest expense

(11)

—

(4)

—

(15)

—

(15)

Other

8

—

1

(1)

8

—

8

2

—

(3)

(1)

(2)

—

(2)

Income (loss) before income tax

$

67

$

11

$

5

$

(1)

$

82

$

(10)

$

72

 

OPERATING SEGMENTS (unaudited)

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

























12 Months Ended Dec. 31, 2013

Alaska









(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating

Air Group

Adjusted(a)

Special

Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

$

3,490

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

3,490

$

—

$

3,490

Regional

—

777

—

—

777

—

777

Total passenger revenues

3,490

777

—

—

4,267

—

4,267

Revenue from CPA with Alaska

—

—

368

(368)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

109

4

—



113

—

113

Other-net

513

66

5



584

192

776

Total operating revenues

4,112

847

373

(368)

4,964

192

5,156














Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

2,293

585

341

(368)

2,851

—

2,851

Economic fuel

1,294

181

—

—

1,475

(8)

1,467

Total operating expenses

3,587

766

341

(368)

4,326

(8)

4,318














Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

18

—

—

—

18

—

18

Interest expense

(38)

—

(14)

(4)

(56)

—

(56)

Other

25

(12)

2

1

16

—

16

5

(12)

(12)

(3)

(22)

—

(22)

Income (loss) before income tax

$

530

$

69

$

20

$

(3)

$

616

$

200

$

816















12 Months Ended Dec. 31, 2012

Alaska









(in millions)

Mainline

Regional

Horizon

Consolidating

Air Group

Adjusted(a)

Special

Items(b)

Consolidated

Operating revenues












Passenger












Mainline

$

3,284

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

3,284

$

—

$

3,284

Regional

—

746

—

—

746

—

746

Total passenger revenues

3,284

746

—

—

4,030

—

4,030

Revenue from CPA with Alaska

—

—

369

(369)

—

—

—

Freight and mail

107

4

—

—

111

—

111

Other-net

448

61

7

—

516

—

516

Total operating revenues

3,839

811

376

(369)

4,657

—

4,657














Operating expenses












Operating expenses, excluding fuel

2,131

566

338

(369)

2,666

—

2,666

Economic fuel

1,238

183

—

—

1,421

38

1,459

Total operating expenses

3,369

749

338

(369)

4,087

38

4,125














Nonoperating income (expense)












Interest income

19

—

—

—

19

—

19

Interest expense

(47)

—

(16)

(1)

(64)

—

(64)

Other

24

—

2

1

27

—

27

(4)

—

(14)

—

(18)

—

(18)

Income (loss) before income tax

$

466

$

62

$

24

$

—

$

552

$

(38)

$

514


(a)

The adjusted column represents the financial information that is reviewed by management to assess performance of operations and determine capital allocations and does not include certain charges. See Note A for further information in the accompanying pages.

(b)

Includes accounting adjustments related to special mileage plan revenue, and mark-to-market fuel-hedge accounting charges.

 






Alaska Air Group, Inc.













RASM RECONCILIATION (unaudited)


Three Months Ended Dec. 31,

12 Months Ended Dec. 31,

(in millions)

2013

2012

2013

2012

Total operating revenues

$

1,210

$

1,132

$

5,156

$

4,657

Less: special mileage plan revenue

—

—

192

—

Adjusted Revenue

$

1,210

$

1,132

$

4,964

$

4,657

Consolidated ASMs

8,275

7,870

33,672

31,428

RASM

14.62¢

14.39¢

14.74¢

14.82¢








CASM EXCLUDING FUEL RECONCILIATION (unaudited)


Three Months Ended Dec. 31,

12 Months Ended Dec. 31,

(in cents)

2013

2012

2013

2012

Consolidated:






CASM

13.05¢

13.44¢

12.82¢

13.12¢

Less the following components:






Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

4.24

4.72

4.35

4.64

CASM excluding fuel

8.81¢

8.72¢

8.47¢

8.48¢








Mainline:






CASM

12.02¢

12.38¢

11.77¢

12.09¢

Less the following components:






Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses

4.11

4.61

4.23

4.53

CASM excluding fuel

7.91¢

7.77¢

7.54¢

7.56¢








FUEL RECONCILIATIONS (unaudited)





Alaska Air Group, Inc.














Three Months Ended Dec. 31,

2013

2012

(in millions, except for per gallon amounts)

Dollars

Cost/Gal

Dollars

Cost/Gal

Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost

$

347

$

3.15

$

351

$

3.33

Losses on settled hedges

6

0.06

11

0.10

Consolidated economic fuel expense

$

354

$

3.21

$

362

$

3.43

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments

(2)

(0.01)

10

0.10

GAAP fuel expense

$

352

$

3.20

$

372

$

3.53

Fuel gallons

110



105











12 Months Ended Dec. 31,

2013

2012

(in millions, except for per gallon amounts)

Dollars

Cost/Gal

Dollars

Cost/Gal

Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost

$

1,423

$

3.19

$

1,397

$

3.31

Losses on settled hedges

52

0.11

24

0.06

Consolidated economic fuel expense

$

1,475

$

3.30

$

1,421

$

3.37

Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments

(8)

(0.02)

38

0.09

GAAP fuel expense

$

1,467

$

3.28

$

1,459

$

3.46

Fuel gallons

447



422


 

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

  • By eliminating fuel expense and certain special items from our unit metrics, we believe that we have better visibility into the results of operations without the consideration of accounting changes or our non-fuel cost-reduction initiatives. Our industry is highly competitive and is characterized by high fixed costs, so even a small reduction in non-fuel operating costs can result in a significant improvement in operating results. In addition, we believe that all domestic carriers are similarly impacted by changes in jet fuel costs over the long run, so it is important for management (and thus investors) to understand the impact of (and trends in) company-specific cost drivers such as labor rates and productivity, airport costs, maintenance costs, etc., which are more controllable by management.
  • Operating revenue per ASM (RASM) excludes a favorable, one-time "special" revenue item of $192 million primarily related to our modified affinity card agreement with Bank of America, executed in July 2013. In accordance with accounting standards, we recorded this one-time special revenue item in the the third quarter of 2013. This is purely an accounting change and the current period results do not reflect the economics of the agreement; rather it reflects a non-cash adjustment of the value of miles outstanding in the program. We believe it is appropriate to exclude this special revenue item from recurring revenues from operations.
  • Cost per ASM (CASM) excluding fuel and certain special items is one of the most important measures used by management and by the Air Group Board of Directors in assessing quarterly and annual cost performance.
  • Adjusted Income before Income Taxes and CASM excluding fuel (and other items as specified in our plan documents) are important metrics for the employee incentive plan that covers all Air Group employees.
  • CASM excluding fuel and certain special items is a measure commonly used by industry analysts, and we believe it is the basis by which they compare our airlines to others in the industry. The measure is also the subject of frequent questions from investors.
  • Disclosure of the individual impact of certain noted items provides investors the ability to measure and monitor performance both with and without these special items. We believe that disclosing the impact of certain items, such as fleet transition costs or special revenues, is important because it provides information on significant items that are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Industry analysts and investors consistently measure our performance without these items for better comparability between periods and among other airlines.
  • Although we disclose our passenger unit revenues, we do not (nor are we able to) evaluate unit revenues excluding the impact that changes in fuel costs have had on ticket prices. Fuel expense represents a large percentage of our total operating expenses. Fluctuations in fuel prices often drive changes in unit revenues in the mid-to-long term. Although we believe it is useful to evaluate non-fuel unit costs for the reasons noted above, we would caution readers of these financial statements not to place undue reliance on unit costs excluding fuel as a measure or predictor of future profitability because of the significant impact of fuel costs on our business.

Note B: Air Group has two operating airlines - Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Each is a regulated airline with separately managed operations. To manage the two operating airlines, management views the business in three operating segments. Alaska operates a fleet of passenger jets (Alaska Mainline) and contracts with Horizon, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (SkyWest), and Peninsula Airways, Inc. (PenAir) for regional capacity under which Alaska receives all passenger revenue from those flights (Alaska Regional). Horizon operates a fleet of turboprop aircraft and sells all of its capacity to Alaska pursuant to a capacity purchase arrangement (Horizon). The Company believes the amounts paid by Alaska to Horizon approximate current market rates received by other regional carriers for similar flying and are available to pay for various Horizon operating expenses such as crew expenses, maintenance, and aircraft ownership costs. All inter-company revenues and expenses between Alaska and Horizon are eliminated in consolidation.

Glossary of Terms

Mainline - represents flying on Alaska jets and all associated revenues and costs

Regional - represents operations whereby Horizon, SkyWest, and another small carrier in the state of Alaska fly certain routes for Alaska using Horizon's or the other carrier's fleets

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

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

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

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

PRASM - passenger revenue per ASM; commonly called "passenger unit revenue"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Debt to Capitalization ratio - represents adjusted debt (long-term debt plus the present value of remaining aircraft lease payments) divided by total equity plus adjusted debt

 

SOURCE Alaska Air Group

Media contact, Bobbie Egan, Media Relations Manager, (206) 392-5134, or Investor/analyst contact, Chris Berry, Managing Director of Investor Relations, (206) 392-5260