Alaska Air Group Reports Challenging Second Quarter
Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:01 AM
Symbols: ALK

SEATTLE, July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported second quarter net income of $63.1 million, or $1.74 per diluted share, compared to net income of $46.1 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007. Excluding special items, the company reported a net loss of $14.1 million, or $0.39 per share, compared to 2007 net income of $47.2 million, or $1.16 per share, and a First Call mean estimate loss of $0.41 per share.

The current-year results include charges associated with the transition to single fleets at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air of $32.1 million ($20.1 million after tax or $0.56 per diluted share). Both periods include adjustments to reflect timing of gain or loss recognition resulting from mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting. Because of significant recent increases in crude oil prices, the value of the company's fuel hedge portfolio that will benefit future periods increased dramatically, resulting in a $155.3 million ($97.3 million after tax or $2.69 per share) mark-to-market gain, compared to a $1.8 million ($1.1 million after tax or $0.03 per share) loss in the second quarter of 2007.

'Skyrocketing fuel prices have eclipsed the improvements we've worked so hard to achieve in every area of our business,' said Bill Ayer, Alaska Air Group's chairman and chief executive officer. 'Decisive action, an excellent operation, and the genuine, caring service our employees provide will help us survive what is shaping up to be the most difficult period in commercial aviation history.'

The company outlined a plan that includes maintaining a strong cash balance, cutting capacity, increasing fares and other sources of revenue, conserving fuel and controlling non-fuel costs. Ayer announced that Alaska's fourth-quarter mainline capacity will decline by 5 percent from 2007 levels, and mainline capacity for 2009 will decrease by 5 percent to 10 percent, compared with 2008.

The company is determining the full effect of the schedule reductions on work groups and expects to have more information in early September. Alaska Airlines announced today that management headcount would be reduced by 5 percent, effective Sept. 1. Horizon Air reduced its management workforce by 13 percent earlier this year and will further reduce operational and management positions in connection with capacity cuts.

'We are keenly aware of the impact on our employees and regret having to take these actions,' Ayer said. 'Current fuel prices -- which are devastating for airlines and consumers alike -- require these measures to ensure the viability of our company.'

Alaska Airlines' mainline passenger traffic in the second quarter increased 1.1 percent on a capacity increase of 1.6 percent. Load factor declined 0.4 percentage points to 78.1 percent. Alaska's mainline operating revenue per available seat mile (ASM) increased 0.9 percent, and its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel and the special items mentioned above increased 2.9 percent. Alaska's total pretax income for the quarter was $87.3 million, compared to pretax income of $80.9 million in 2007. Excluding the mark-to- market fuel hedge adjustments and fleet transition charges, Alaska would have reported a pretax loss of $15.6 million for the quarter, compared to pretax income of $82.4 million in the second quarter of 2007.

Horizon Air's passenger traffic in the second quarter declined 4.9 percent on a 3.0 percent capacity decrease. Load factor decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 73.6 percent. Horizon's operating revenue per ASM increased 9.4 percent, and its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel and the special charges mentioned above decreased 4.2 percent. Horizon's total pretax income for the quarter was $12.6 million, compared to a pretax loss of $4.9 million in 2007. Excluding the mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments and CRJ-700 fleet transition charges, Horizon's pretax loss would have been $7.7 million for the quarter, compared to a pretax loss of $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2007.

Alaska Air Group had cash and short-term investments at June 30, 2008, of $1.0 billion.

A summary of financial and statistical data for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

A conference call regarding the second quarter 2008 results will be simulcast via the Internet at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time on July 24, 2008. It can be accessed through the company's Web site at alaskaair.com. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available after the conclusion of the call at alaskaair.com.

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 contains 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 Dec. 31, 2007. Some of these risks include increased competition, significant fuel costs, general economic conditions, labor costs and relations, our significant indebtedness, inability to meet cost reduction goals, terrorist attacks, seasonal fluctuations in our financial results, an aircraft accident, laws and regulations, and government fees and taxes. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed therein. These risk factors may not be exhaustive. 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 and Horizon Air together serve 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.


                            Alaska Air Group, Inc.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
                                            Three Months       Six Months
                                           Ended June 30,    Ended June 30,
    (in millions, except per share
     amounts)                               2008    2007     2008      2007
    Operating Revenues:
    Passenger                              $863.5  $836.2  $1,639.2  $1,532.0
    Freight and mail                         27.7    27.4      49.9      48.6
    Other - net                              39.6    40.8      81.2      83.2
    Total Operating Revenues                930.8   904.4   1,770.3   1,663.8
    Operating Expenses:
    Wages and benefits                      234.4   236.6     476.8     473.6
    Variable incentive pay                    5.1     3.8       8.7      14.3
    Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains
     and losses                             182.0   227.8     464.0     412.7
    Aircraft maintenance                     54.2    59.0     112.2     117.5
    Aircraft rent                            42.3    44.7      85.9      88.0
    Landing fees and other rentals           56.9    56.5     112.9     111.2
    Contracted services                      43.6    39.8      88.1      78.4
    Selling expenses                         44.1    41.1      78.6      80.1
    Depreciation and amortization            51.5    43.8     100.8      85.7
    Food and beverage service                13.4    12.8      25.7      24.0
    Other                                    61.5    57.1     118.7     112.0
    Fleet transition costs - MD-80           26.0      -       26.0        -
    Fleet transition costs - CRJ-700          6.1      -        6.1        -
    Fleet transition costs - Q200             3.2     3.7       9.0       6.7
    Total Operating Expenses                824.3   826.7   1,713.5   1,604.2
    Operating Income                        106.5    77.7      56.8      59.6
    Nonoperating Income (Expense):
    Interest income                          10.5    13.8      20.8      28.2
    Interest expense                        (25.0)  (22.5)    (48.4)    (43.5)
    Interest capitalized                      6.1     6.7      12.6      13.8
    Other - net                               0.1    (0.7)      0.3      (0.9)
                                             (8.3)   (2.7)    (14.7)     (2.4)
    Income before income tax                 98.2    75.0      42.1      57.2
    Income tax expense                       35.1    28.9      14.9      21.4
    Net Income                              $63.1   $46.1     $27.2     $35.8
    Basic Earnings Per Share:               $1.75   $1.14     $0.75     $0.89
    Diluted Earnings Per Share:             $1.74   $1.13     $0.74     $0.88
    Shares Used for Computation:
    Basic                                  36.059  40.450    36.542    40.408
    Diluted                                36.255  40.782    36.876    40.915

                            Alaska Air Group, Inc.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
                                                     June 30,     December 31,
    (in millions)                                      2008           2007
    Cash and marketable securities                    $1,006          $823
    Total current assets                               1,734         1,391
    Property and equipment-net                         3,142         2,962
    Other assets                                         220           138
    Total assets                                      $5,096        $4,491
    Current liabilities                               $1,650        $1,374
    Long-term debt                                     1,445         1,125
    Other liabilities and credits                        991           968
    Shareholders' equity                               1,010         1,024
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity        $5,096        $4,491
    Debt to Capitalization, adjusted for
     operating leases                                72%:28%       70%:30%
    Number of common shares outstanding               36.019        38.051

    Air Group Net Income (Loss) and EPS Reconciliation:

The following table summarizes Alaska Air Group, Inc.'s net income (loss) and amounts per share during 2008 and 2007 excluding adjustments for fleet transition costs and to reflect the timing of gain or loss recognition resulting from mark-to-market fuel-hedge accounting as reported in accordance with GAAP (in millions except per share amounts):

                                             Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                 2008             2007
                                                   Diluted           Diluted
                                           Dollars    EPS    Dollars   EPS
    Net income (loss) and diluted EPS,
     excluding mark-to-market
     hedging adjustments and fleet
     transition costs                      $(14.1)  $(0.39)   $47.2   $1.16
    Fleet transition costs - MD-80, net
     of tax                                 (16.3)   (0.45)     -       -
    Fleet transition costs - CRJ-700, net
     of tax                                  (3.8)   (0.11)     -       -
    Adjustments to reflect the timing of
     gain (loss) recognition resulting
     from mark-to-market fuel-hedge
     accounting, net of tax                  97.3     2.69     (1.1)  (0.03)
    Reported GAAP amounts                   $63.1    $1.74    $46.1   $1.13

                                              Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                 2008             2007
                                           Dollars Diluted          Diluted
                                                     EPS    Dollars   EPS
    Net income (loss) and diluted EPS,
     excluding mark-to-market
     edging adjustments and fleet
     transition costs                      $(50.4)  $(1.38)   $31.4   $0.77
    Fleet transition costs - MD-80, net
     of tax                                 (16.3)   (0.44)     -       -
    Fleet transition costs - CRJ-700, net
     of tax                                  (3.8)   (0.10)     -       -
    Adjustments to reflect the timing of
     gain recognition resulting from
     mark-to-market fuel-hedge accounting,
     net of tax                              97.7     2.66      4.4    0.11
    Reported GAAP amounts                   $27.2    $0.74    $35.8   $0.88

                Alaska Airlines Financial and Statistical Data

                       Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
    Financial Data (in
     millions):            2008    2007   % Change     2008      2007 % Change
    Operating Revenues:
    Passenger            $682.7  $663.3       2.9  $1,290.0  $1,209.2     6.7
    Freight and mail       26.6    26.3       1.1      47.9      47.0     1.9
    Other - net            33.3    34.5      (3.5)     67.7      70.4    (3.8)
    Total mainline
     operating revenues   742.6   724.1       2.6   1,405.6   1,326.6     6.0
    Passenger -
     purchased capacity    77.8    71.0       9.6     148.2     128.3    15.5
    Total Operating
     Revenues             820.4   795.1       3.2   1,553.8   1,454.9     6.8

    Operating Expenses:
    Wages and benefits    184.3   185.6      (0.7)    374.5     372.9     0.4
    Variable incentive
     pay                    3.3     2.1      57.1       5.9       9.8   (39.8)
    Aircraft fuel,
     including hedging
     gains and losses     151.2   193.4     (21.8)    384.9     351.0     9.7
    Aircraft maintenance   37.4    34.5       8.4      79.5      68.8    15.6
    Aircraft rent          27.9    27.9        -       56.1      54.2     3.5
    Landing fees and
     other rentals         42.7    42.2       1.2      84.6      84.0     0.7
    Contracted services    33.9    30.2      12.3      68.6      59.6    15.1
    Selling expenses       36.0    33.4       7.8      62.5      65.0    (3.8)
    Depreciation and
     amortization          41.6    35.6      16.9      80.4      71.0    13.2
    Food and beverage
     service               12.6    12.0       5.0      24.3      22.6     7.5
    Other                  47.4    43.2       9.7      89.2      83.0     7.5
    Fleet transition
     costs - MD-80         26.0      -         NM     26.0        -        NM
    Total mainline
     operating expenses   644.3   640.1       0.7   1,336.5   1,241.9     7.6
    Purchased capacity
     costs                 84.5    74.1      14.0     161.2     141.5    13.9
    Total Operating
     Expenses             728.8   714.2       2.0   1,497.7   1,383.4     8.3
    Operating Income       91.6    80.9                56.1      71.5
    Interest income        12.3    16.6                25.4      32.5
    Interest expense      (22.2)  (22.1)              (44.0)    (42.5)
    Interest capitalized    5.4     6.0                11.3      12.3
    Other - net             0.2    (0.5)                0.6      (0.4)
                           (4.3)    0.0                (6.7)      1.9
    Income Before Income
     Tax                  $87.3   $80.9               $49.4     $73.4
    Mainline Operating
     Statistics:
    Revenue passengers
     (000)                4,425   4,627      (4.4)    8,505     8,489     0.2
    RPMs (000,000)
     'traffic'            4,872   4,820       1.1     9,398     8,886     5.8
    ASMs (000,000)
     'capacity'           6,238   6,140       1.6    12,322    11,834     4.1
    Passenger load
     factor               78.1%   78.5%  (0.4)pts     76.3%     75.1% 1.2 pts
    Yield per passenger
     mile (in cents)      14.01   13.76       1.8     13.73     13.61     0.9
    Operating revenue
     per ASM (in cents)   11.90   11.79       0.9     11.41     11.21     1.8
    Passenger revenue
     per ASM  (in cents)  10.94   10.80       1.3     10.47     10.22     2.5
    Operating expense
     per ASM  (in cents)  10.33   10.43      (0.9)    10.85     10.49     3.4
    Operating expense
     per ASM excluding
     fuel and fleet
     transition costs(a)
     (in cents)            7.49    7.28       2.9      7.51      7.53    (0.2)
    GAAP fuel cost per
     gallon               $1.75   $2.16     (19.0)    $2.23     $2.02    10.4
    Economic fuel cost
     per gallon (b)       $3.24   $2.14      51.4     $2.98     $2.05    45.4
    Fuel gallons
     (000,000)             86.4    89.8      (3.8)    172.3     173.9    (0.9)
    Average number of
     full-time
     equivalent
     employees            9,880   9,748       1.4     9,881     9,645     2.4
    Aircraft utilization
     (blk hrs/day)         10.9    11.0      (0.9)     10.8      10.9    (0.9)
    Average aircraft
     stage length
     (miles)                974     917       6.2       971       917     5.9
    Operating fleet at
     period-end             115     114      1 a/c      115       114   1 a/c
    Regional Operating
     Statistics:
    RPMs (000,000)          302     273      10.6       569       493    15.4
    ASMs (000,000)          399     352      13.4       762       668    14.1
    Passenger load
     factor               75.7%   77.6%  (1.9)pts     74.7%     73.8% 0.9 pts
    Yield per passenger
     mile (in cents)      25.76   26.01      (0.9)    26.05     26.02     0.1
    Operating revenue
     per ASM (in cents)   19.50   20.17      (3.3)    19.45     19.21     1.3
    Operating expenses
     per ASM (in cents)   21.18   21.05       0.6     21.15     21.18    (0.1)
    (a) See page 9 for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures and a
        discussion about why these measures may be important to investors.
    (b) See page 11 for a reconciliation of economic fuel cost.
    NM = Not Meaningful

                  Horizon Air Financial and Statistical Data
                        Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,

    Financial Data (in
     millions):                 2008   2007   % Change   2008    2007 % Change
    Operating Revenues:
    Passenger - brand flying  $107.7  $96.8      11.3  $210.4  $183.7    14.5
    Passenger - capacity
     purchase arrangements(a)   78.7   78.9      (0.3)  150.1   151.4    (0.9)
      Total passenger
       revenue                 186.4  175.7       6.1   360.5   335.1     7.6
    Freight and mail             0.7    0.6      16.7     1.3     1.1    18.2
    Other - net                  1.8    1.7       5.9     4.3     3.4    26.5
    Total Operating Revenues   188.9  178.0       6.1   366.1   339.6     7.8
    Operating Expenses:
    Wages and benefits          48.6   50.2      (3.2)   98.9    99.1    (0.2)
    Variable incentive pay       1.8    1.7       5.9     2.8     4.5   (37.8)
    Aircraft fuel, including
     hedging gains and losses   30.8   34.4     (10.5)   79.1    61.7    28.2
    Aircraft maintenance        16.8   24.5     (31.4)   32.7    48.7   (32.9)
    Aircraft rent               14.4   16.8     (14.3)   29.8    33.8   (11.8)
    Landing fees and other
     rentals                    14.5   14.5        -     28.9    27.7     4.3
    Contracted services          6.9    6.7       3.0    14.9    12.8    16.4
    Selling expenses             8.1    7.7       5.2    16.1    15.1     6.6
    Depreciation and
     amortization                9.6    7.9      21.5    19.8    14.1    40.4
    Food and beverage service    0.8    0.8        -      1.4     1.4      -
    Other                       11.2   11.7      (4.3)   24.0    24.5    (2.0)
    Fleet transition costs -
     CRJ-700                     6.1     -         NM     6.1      -       NM
    Fleet transition costs -
     Q200                        3.2    3.7        NM     9.0     6.7      NM
    Total Operating Expenses   172.8  180.6      (4.3)  363.5   350.1     3.8
    Operating Income (Loss)     16.1   (2.6)              2.6   (10.5)
    Interest income              1.3    1.3               2.7     2.3
    Interest expense            (5.7)  (4.3)            (11.4)   (7.3)
    Interest capitalized         0.7    0.7               1.3     1.5
    Other - net                  0.2     -                0.2    (0.1)
                                (3.5)  (2.3)             (7.2)   (3.6)
    Income (Loss) Before
     Income Tax                $12.6  $(4.9)            $(4.6) $(14.1)
    Combined Operating
     Statistics: (a)
    Revenue passengers (000)   1,913  1,909       0.2   3,765   3,518     7.0
    RPMs (000,000) 'traffic'     695    731      (4.9)  1,353   1,358    (0.4)
    ASMs (000,000) 'capacity'    944    973      (3.0)  1,886   1,898    (0.6)
    Passenger load factor      73.6%  75.1%  (1.5)pts   71.7%   71.5% 0.2 pts
    Yield per passenger
     mile (in cents)           26.82  24.04      11.6   26.64   24.68     8.0
    Operating revenue
     per ASM (in cents)        20.01  18.29       9.4   19.41   17.89     8.5
    Passenger revenue
     per ASM (in cents)        19.75  18.06       9.3   19.11   17.66     8.3
    Operating expenses per
     ASM (in cents)            18.31  18.56      (1.4)  19.27   18.45     4.5
    Operating expense per ASM
     excluding fuel and
     CRJ-700 fleet transition
     costs (b) (in cents)      14.40  15.03      (4.2)  14.76   15.19    (2.9)
    GAAP fuel cost per gallon  $1.79  $2.23     (19.7)  $2.27   $2.06    10.2
    Economic fuel cost per
     gallon (c)                $3.33  $2.21      50.7   $3.05   $2.11    44.5
    Fuel gallons (000,000)      17.2   15.4      11.7    34.9    30.0    16.3
    Average number of full-
     time equivalent
     employees                 3,792  3,771       0.6   3,822   3,732     2.4
    Aircraft utilization (blk
     hrs/day)                    8.5    8.5        -      8.4     8.6    (2.3)
    Operating fleet at
     period-end                   65     74    (9 a/c)     65      74  (9 a/c)
    NM = Not Meaningful
    (a) Represents combined information for Horizon flights operated under
        Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPAs) with Alaska and as Frontier Jet
        Express (through November 2007). See page 10 for additional line of
        business information.
    (b) See page 10 for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures and a
        discussion about why these measures may be important to investors.
    (c) See page 11 for a reconciliation of economic fuel cost.

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 this measure of unit costs excluding fuel, purchased capacity costs, and other noted items may be important to investors for the following reasons:

     -- Cost per available seat mile (ASM) excluding fuel, purchased capacity
        costs, and other special items is one of the most important measures
        used by managements of both Alaska and Horizon and the Air Group Board
        of Directors in assessing quarterly and annual cost performance and,
        for Alaska Airlines, the operating results of the 'mainline'
        operation, which includes the operation of the B737 and MD80 aircraft
        fleets branded in Alaska Airlines livery.
    --  Cost per ASM excluding fuel, purchased capacity costs, and other items
        as specified in our governing documents is an important metric in the
        employee incentive plan that covers company management and executives.
    --  By eliminating fuel expense from our unit cost metrics, we believe
        that we have better visibility into the results of our non-fuel cost-
        reduction initiatives. Our industry is highly competitive, and
        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, and maintenance costs,
        which are more controllable by management.
    --  Cost per ASM excluding fuel and purchased capacity costs 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.
    --  By eliminating the impact of certain noted items, management is
        provided the ability to measure and monitor performance both with and
        without these special items. Management believes that the disclosure
        of the impact of certain items such as the fleet transition costs is
        important to the reader as it provides information on significant
        items that are not indicative of future performance. Industry analysts
        and investors consistently measure the Company's performance without
        these items for better comparability between periods and between other
        airlines.
    --  Although we disclose our 'mainline' unit revenues for Alaska to
        eliminate those revenues associated with purchased capacity flying
        performed by others on our behalf, we do not (nor are we able to)
        present unit revenues excluding the impact that rising fuel costs have
        had on ticket prices. This is a limitation of our non-GAAP measure
        that excludes fuel from unit costs, as economic fuel represents
        approximately 35% of our total mainline operating expenses, and
        fluctuations in our fuel prices are often the driver of changes in
        unit revenues in the mid-to long term. We would caution the readers of
        these financial statements not to place undue reliance on unit costs
        excluding fuel as a measure or predictor of future profitability.

The following tables reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for both Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc.:

    Alaska Airlines, Inc.
    (in millions, except for per ASM unit information)
                                         Three Months     Six Months Ended
                                         Ended June 30,        June 30,
    Mainline unit cost reconciliations:   2008    2007      2008      2007
    Mainline operating expenses          $644.3  $640.1  $1,336.5  $1,241.9
    Mainline ASMs                         6,238   6,140    12,322    11,834
    Mainline operating expenses
     per ASM (in cents)                   10.33   10.43     10.85     10.49
    Mainline operating expenses          $644.3  $640.1  $1,336.5  $1,241.9
    Less: aircraft fuel                  (151.2) (193.4)   (384.9)   (351.0)
    Less: fleet transition costs - MD-80  (26.0)     -      (26.0)       -
    Mainline operating expenses
     excluding fuel and fleet transition
     costs                               $467.1  $446.7    $925.6    $890.9
    Mainline ASMs                         6,238   6,140    12,322    11,834
    Mainline operating expenses per ASM
     excluding fuel and fleet transition
     costs (in cents)                      7.49    7.28      7.51      7.53

                                          Three Months    Six Months Ended
                                         Ended June 30,        June 30,
    Reconciliation to GAAP income before
     taxes :                              2008    2007      2008      2007
    Income (loss) before taxes,
     excluding mark-to-market hedging
     gains (losses) and fleet
     transition costs                    $(15.6)  $82.4    $(53.3)    $68.1
    Fleet transition costs - MD-80        (26.0)     -      (26.0)       -
    Adjustments to reflect timing of
     gain or loss recognition resulting
     from mark-to-market accounting on
     fuel hedges                          128.9    (1.5)    128.7       5.3
    GAAP income before taxes as reported  $87.3   $80.9     $49.4     $73.4

     Horizon Air Industries, Inc.
    (in millions, except for per ASM unit information)
                                         Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
                                              June 30,          June 30,
    Unit cost reconciliations:             2008     2007     2008     2007
    Operating expenses                    $172.8   $180.6   $363.5   $350.1
    ASMs                                     944      973    1,886    1,898
    Operating expenses per ASM (in cents)  18.31    18.56    19.27    18.45
    Operating expenses                    $172.8   $180.6   $363.5   $350.1
    Less: aircraft fuel                    (30.8)   (34.4)   (79.1)   (61.7)
    Less: fleet transition costs - CRJ-
     700                                    (6.1)      -      (6.1)      -
    Operating expenses excluding fuel
     and CRJ-700 fleet transition costs   $135.9   $146.2   $278.3   $288.4
    ASMs                                     944      973    1,886    1,898
    Operating expenses per ASM excluding
     fuel and CRJ-700 fleet transition
     costs (in cents)                      14.40    15.03    14.76    15.19
    Unit cost reconciliations-excluding
     all fleet transition costs:
    Operating expenses                    $172.8   $180.6   $363.5   $350.1
    Less: aircraft fuel                    (30.8)   (34.4)   (79.1)   (61.7)
    Less: fleet transition costs - CRJ-
     700                                    (6.1)      -      (6.1)      -
    Less: fleet transition costs - Q200     (3.2)    (3.7)    (9.0)    (6.7)
    Operating expenses excluding fuel
     and all fleet transition costs       $132.7   $142.5   $269.3   $281.7
    ASMs                                     944      973    1,886    1,898
    Operating expenses per ASM excluding
     fuel and all fleet transition costs
     (in cents)                            14.06    14.65    14.28    14.84
    Reconciliation to GAAP income (loss)
     before taxes:
    Loss before taxes, excluding mark-
     to-market fuel hedging gains
     (losses) and CRJ-700 fleet
     transition costs                      $(7.7)   $(4.6)  $(25.8)  $(15.8)
    Fleet transition costs - CRJ-700        (6.1)      -      (6.1)      -
    Adjustments to reflect timing of
     gain (loss) recognition resulting
     from mark-to-market accounting on
     fuel hedges                            26.4     (0.3)    27.3      1.7
    GAAP income (loss) before taxes as
     reported                              $12.6    $(4.9)   $(4.6)  $(14.1)

Line of Business Information:

Horizon brand flying includes those routes in the Horizon system not covered by the Alaska and Frontier Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPA). Horizon bears the revenue risk in those markets and, as a result, traffic, yield and load factor impact revenue recorded by Horizon. In CPA arrangements, Horizon is (or was, as was the case with the Frontier CPA which ended in November 2007) insulated from market revenue factors and is guaranteed contractual revenue amounts based on operational capacity. As a result, yield and load factor information is not presented.

                          Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
                                        Capacity and Mix
                     2008 Actual  2007 Actual  Change  Current %  Point Change
                      (000,000)    (000,000)    Y-O-Y   Total       Y-O-Y
    Brand Flying         570          492       15.9%    60%          10
    Alaska CPA           374          333       12.3%    40%           6
    Frontier CPA           -          148     (100.0%)    0%         (16)
    System Total         944          973       (3.0%)  100%           -

                         Load Factor           Yield             RASM
                            Point Change           Change            Change
                     Actual    Y-O-Y      Actual   Y-O-Y    Actual   Y-O-Y
                                       (in cents)         (in cents)
    Brand Flying     71.3%     (3.3)       26.52    0.3%     19.34   (4.0%)
    Alaska CPA          NM       NM           NM      NM     21.02    1.6%
    Frontier CPA        NM       NM           NM      NM        NM      NM
    System Total
                     73.6%     (1.5)       26.82   11.6%     20.01    9.4%
    NM= Not Meaningful

                          Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
                                      Capacity and Mix
                     2008 Actual  2007 Actual  Change  Current %  Point Change
                      (000,000)    (000,000)    Y-O-Y   Total        Y-O-Y
    Brand Flying       1,168          955       22.3%    62%          12
    Alaska CPA           718          630       14.0%    38%           5
    Frontier CPA           -          313     (100.0%)    0%         (17)
    System Total       1,886        1,898       (0.6%)  100%           -

                       Load Factor             Yield             RASM
                            Point Change           Change            Change
                     Actual    Y-O-Y      Actual   Y-O-Y    Actual   Y-O-Y
                                        (in cents)        (in cents)
    Brand Flying     69.2%     (1.7)       26.04   (3.9%)    18.50   (6.1%)
    Alaska CPA          NM       NM           NM      NM     20.89    0.4%
    Frontier CPA        NM       NM           NM      NM        NM      NM
    System Total     71.7%      0.2        26.64    8.0%     19.41    8.5%
    NM= Not Meaningful

    Alaska Airlines Fuel Reconciliation
    (in millions, except for per gallon amounts)
                                             Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                2008            2007
                                          Dollars Cost/Gal Dollars Cost/Gal
    Raw or 'into-plane' fuel cost          $326.6   $3.78   $196.9   $2.20
    Minus gains during the period on
     settled hedges                         (46.5)  (0.54)    (5.0)  (0.06)
    Economic fuel expense                  $280.1   $3.24   $191.9   $2.14
    Minus the gain recognized during
     current period for contracts
    settling in future periods             (151.6)  (1.75)    (6.0)  (0.07)
    Plus the reversal of cumulative gains
     recognized in prior periods for
    contracts settled in current period      22.7    0.26      7.5    0.09
    Net adjustments                        (128.9)  (1.49)     1.5    0.02
    GAAP fuel expense                      $151.2   $1.75   $193.4   $2.16
    Fuel gallons                             86.4             89.8

                                              Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                2008             2007
                                          Dollars Cost/Gal Dollars Cost/Gal
    Raw or 'into-plane' fuel cost          $584.3   $3.39   $362.8   $2.09
    Minus gains during the period on
     settled hedges                         (70.7)  (0.41)    (6.5)  (0.04)
    Economic fuel expense                  $513.6   $2.98   $356.3   $2.05
    Minus the gain recognized during
     current period for contracts
    settling in future periods             (173.5)  (1.01)   (17.0)  (0.10)
    Plus the reversal of cumulative gains
     recognized in prior periods for
    contracts settled in current period      44.8    0.26     11.7    0.07
    Net adjustments                        (128.7)  (0.75)    (5.3)  (0.03)
    GAAP fuel expense                      $384.9   $2.23   $351.0   $2.02
    Fuel gallons                            172.3            173.9

    Horizon Air Fuel Reconciliation
    (in millions, except for per gallon
     amounts)
                                             Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                 2008            2007
                                          Dollars Cost/Gal Dollars Cost/Gal
    Raw or 'into-plane' fuel cost           $66.7   $3.88    $35.0   $2.27
    Minus gains during the period on
     settled hedges                          (9.5)  (0.55)    (0.9)  (0.06)
    Economic fuel expense                   $57.2   $3.33    $34.1   $2.21
    Minus the gain recognized during
     current period for contracts
    settling in future periods              (31.1)  (1.81)    (1.2)  (0.08)
    Plus the reversal of cumulative gains
     recognized in prior periods for
    contracts settled in current period       4.7    0.27      1.5    0.10
    Net adjustments                         (26.4)  (1.54)     0.3    0.02
    GAAP fuel expense                       $30.8   $1.79    $34.4   $2.23
    Fuel gallons                             17.2             15.4
                                             Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                2008             2007
                                          Dollars Cost/Gal Dollars Cost/Gal
    Raw or 'into-plane' fuel cost          $120.9   $3.46    $64.6   $2.15
    Minus gains during the period on
     settled hedges                         (14.5)  (0.41)    (1.2)  (0.04)
    Economic fuel expense                  $106.4   $3.05    $63.4   $2.11
    Minus the gain recognized during
     current period for contracts
    settling in future periods              (36.2)  (1.04)    (4.0)  (0.13)
    Plus the reversal of cumulative gains
     recognized in prior periods for
    contracts settled in current period       8.9    0.26      2.3    0.08
    Net adjustments                         (27.3)  (0.78)    (1.7)  (0.05)
    GAAP fuel expense                       $79.1   $2.27    $61.7   $2.06
    Fuel gallons                             34.9             30.0

SOURCE Alaska Air Group, Inc.

(Source: PR Newswire )

More Options



Subscribe to Email Alerts rss feed or RSS feeds rss feed for articles from more than 300 contributors and press releases, SEC filings and full text news from thousands of sources.


 
Rate :  Rate this Commentary  


 Number of Comments (0) Post Comment
 
  
Good Rating(+1)    Bad Rating(-1)
No Data Found

 
Enter Symbol
Enter Search String
Bookmark This Article
Email Article

Send this article by email


Recipient's Name
Recipient's E-mail
Your Name
Your E-mail
Related Quotes

 
  Home | Login |Research | Earnings | Scans | Chat Rooms | Charts | Submit Article | Join Blog Network | Contributors | Subscribe to RSS

copryright 2008 all rights reserved