During the three months ended June 30, 2012, we generated gross revenue of $32.9 million from third party products, which resulted in net revenue of $9.8 million. For the second quarter in a row, we achieved rental car days in excess of 200,000. These rental car days grew year-over-year by 28.4% which outpaced our scheduled service passenger growth of 16.0%.
Our operating expenses increased only 5.3% to $189.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $179.7 million in the same period of 2011 despite an 18.1% increase in capacity. We primarily evaluate our expense management by comparing our costs per passenger and per ASMs across different periods, which enables us to assess trends in each expense category.
The following table presents operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods (“per-passenger costs”). The table also presents operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel, which represents operating expenses, less aircraft fuel expense, divided by the number of passengers carried. This statistic provides management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility. Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors beyond our control.
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | Percentage | |
| | 2012 | | | 2011 | | Change | |
Aircraft fuel | | | 5.06 | ¢ | | | 5.48 | ¢ | | | (7.7)% | |
Salary and benefits | | | 1.78 | | | | 1.90 | | | | (6.3) | |
Station operations | | | 1.05 | | | | 1.05 | | | | - | |
Maintenance and repairs | | | 0.81 | | | | 1.28 | | | | (36.7) | |
Sales and marketing | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.34 | | | | (14.7) | |
Aircraft lease rentals | | | - | | | | 0.02 | | | | (100.0) | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 0.71 | | | | 0.64 | | | | 10.9 | |
Other | | | 0.46 | | | | 0.69 | | | | (33.3) | |
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) | | | 10.16 | ¢ | | | 11.40 | ¢ | | | (10.9)% | |
CASM, excluding fuel | | | 5.10 | ¢ | | | 5.92 | ¢ | | | (13.9)% | |
Our CASM, excluding fuel, decreased 13.9%, primarily due to an 18.1% increase in system capacity, lower aircraft utilization of 4.9% and a slight increase in our average stage length of 1.3%. The system capacity increase enabled us to spread our increased operating expenses over more ASMs.
Aircraft fuel expense. Aircraft fuel expense increased $7.8 million, or 9.0%, to $94.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, up from $86.5 million in the same period of 2011. This change was due to an 11.8% increase in gallons consumed from 26.9 million to 30.0 million, offset by a 2.5% decrease in the average fuel cost per gallon from $3.22 to $3.14. The increase in gallons consumed is attributable to a 10.8% increase in our total system departures.
Salary and benefits expense. Salary and benefits expense increased 11.2% to $33.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 up from $29.9 million in the same period of 2011. Excluding accrued employee bonus expense and stock compensation expense, salaries and benefits expense increased 7.0% attributable to a 12.3% increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees offset by a 4.7% reduction in salary and benefits expense per full-time equivalent employee. The number of full-time equivalent employees increased from 1,559 at June 30, 2011 to 1,750 at June 30, 2012 to support the growth of our aircraft fleet, our ongoing significant information technology enhancements and other company growth activities. The decrease in salary and benefits expense per full-time equivalent employee was attributable to the pilot base pay scale and the outsourcing of our station operations in Las Vegas in May 2011. The pilot base pay scale is variable based on operating margin which was lower in the prior periods on which the quarter's pilot base pay scale was based. Another major contributor to our salary and benefits expense increase was an increase in accrued employee bonus expense as a result of the year-over-year increase in operating income.
Station operations expense. Station operations expense increased 18.2% to $19.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $16.6 million in the same period of 2011. The increase was primarily due to a year-over-year increase of 10.8% in system departures. In addition, our station operations expense per departure increased 6.8% compared to the prior year, as a result of increased fees at airports where we operate larger aircraft (Boeing 757-200) along with the outsourcing of our station operations in Las Vegas beginning in May 2011.
Maintenance and repairs expense. Maintenance and repairs expense decreased 25.0% to $15.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $20.1 million in the same period of 2011. The decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in engine overhauls and heavy airframe maintenance events. We experienced higher engine overhaul expenses during the prior year as a result of our 2011 engine overhaul program. Throughout 2011, we made a substantial investment to increase the reliability and reduce the overall age of our engine portfolio.
Sales and marketing expense. Sales and marketing expense increased 1.6% to $5.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $5.4 million for the same period of 2011. We experienced an 11.8% decrease in sales and marketing expense per passenger from $3.47 to $3.06 primarily due to a reduction in payment processing costs per passenger as a result of increased debit card usage.
Aircraft lease rentals expense. We had no aircraft lease rentals expense for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $0.3 million in the same period of 2011. In early January 2012, we took ownership of two MD-80 aircraft for which we exercised purchase options in December 2011 and which we were operating under operating lease agreements. Subsequent to taking ownership of these two aircraft, we no longer have any aircraft under operating leases.
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $13.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, from $10.2 million for the same period of 2011. The increase was driven by a 16.3% increase in the average number of operating aircraft and from MD-80 seat reconfiguration costs. As of June 30, 2012, we owned 61 aircraft in service (including three Boeing 757-200 aircraft and 26 MD-80 aircraft reconfigured to 166 seats) compared to 49 aircraft at the end of the same period in 2011. Of the three Boeing 757-200 aircraft in service at June 30, 2012, two were placed into service in June 2012.
Other expense. Other expense decreased to $8.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $10.8 million for the same period of 2011. The decrease was primarily driven by a lower write-down of engine values in our consignment program for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. In addition, we experienced losses in the second quarter of 2011 from one MD-87 aircraft we permanently grounded and the disposal of one engine.
Other (Income) Expense
Other (income) expense increased from a $1.8 million net other expense for the three months ended June 30, 2011 to $2.0 million net other expense for the same period in 2012. The increase was primarily due to a reduction in interest income earned on unrestricted cash and investment securities balances for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 and from a loss from unconsolidated affiliates in second quarter 2012 compared to earnings in second quarter 2011.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate was relatively flat at 36.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 36.7% for the same period of 2011. While we expect our tax rate to be fairly consistent in the near term, it will vary depending on recurring items such as the amount of income we earn in each state and the state tax rate applicable to such income. Discrete items during interim periods may also affect our tax rates.
Comparison of six months ended June 30, 2012 to six months ended June 30, 2011
The table below presents our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue for the periods indicated:
| | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2012 | | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | |
Total operating revenues | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Aircraft fuel | | | 41.9 | | | | 42.1 | |
Salaries and benefits | | | 14.2 | | | | 15.4 | |
Station operations | | | 8.3 | | | | 8.4 | |
Maintenance and repairs | | | 7.8 | | | | 9.2 | |
Sales and marketing | | | 2.3 | | | | 2.7 | |
Aircraft lease rentals | | | - | | | | 0.2 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 5.4 | | | | 5.1 | |
Other | | | 3.4 | | | | 4.6 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 83.3 | % | | | 87.7 | % |
Operating margin | | | 16.7 | % | | | 12.3 | % |
Our operating revenue increased 19.1 % to $469.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $393.7 million for the same period in 2011 primarily due to a 19.6% increase in scheduled service revenue and a 23.4% increase in ancillary revenue. Scheduled service revenue and ancillary revenue increases were primarily driven by a 16.9% increase in scheduled service passengers on a 14.4% increase in scheduled service departures.
Scheduled service revenue. Scheduled service revenue increased 19.6% to $313.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, from $261.8 million in the same period of 2011. The increase was primarily driven by a 16.9% increase in scheduled service passengers and an increase of 2.3% in the scheduled service average base fare for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. Passenger growth was driven by a 14.4% increase in the number of scheduled service departures as we increased the average number of aircraft in service by 14.5%. Of our year-over-year departure increase, 33.6% of the increase was on Orlando routes and 16.3% of the increase was on Phoenix routes.
Ancillary revenue. Ancillary revenue increased 23.4% to $131.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, up from $106.6 million in the same period of 2011, driven by a 16.9% increase in scheduled service passengers and a 5.5% increase in ancillary revenue per scheduled passenger from $36.68 to $38.70. The increase in our ancillary revenue per scheduled service passenger of $2.02 was primarily attributable to increased bag fees from the implementation of a fee for carry-on bags in April 2012. The following table details ancillary revenue per scheduled service passenger from air-related charges and third party products:
| | | | | | |
| | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | % Change | |
Air-related charges | | $ | 33.14 | | | $ | 31.42 | | | | 5.5 | % |
Third party products | | | 5.56 | | | | 5.26 | | | | 5.7 | % |
Total ancillary revenue per scheduled service passenger | | $ | 38.70 | | | $ | 36.68 | | | | 5.5 | % |
The following table details the calculation of ancillary revenue from third party products:
| | Six months ended | | | | |
| | June 30, | | | | |
(in thousands) | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | % Change | |
Gross ancillary revenue - third party products | | $ | 65,777 | | | $ | 56,084 | | | | 17.3 | % |
Cost of goods sold | | | (44,353 | ) | | | (38,362 | ) | | | 15.6 | % |
Transaction costs (a) | | | (2,520 | ) | | | (2,442 | ) | | | 3.2 | % |
Ancillary revenue - third party products | | $ | 18,904 | | | $ | 15,280 | | | | 23.7 | % |
As percent of gross ancillary revenue - third party | | | 28.7 | % | | | 27.2 | % | | | 1.5 | pp |
Hotel room nights | | | 389,171 | | | | 340,537 | | | | 14.3 | % |
Rental car days | | | 410,943 | | | | 314,472 | | | | 30.7 | % |
(a) Includes credit card fees and travel agency commissions
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we generated gross revenue of $65.8 million from third party products, which resulted in net revenue of $18.9 million. We achieved rental car days in excess of 200,000 for both the first and second quarters of 2012. These rental car days grew year-over-year by 30.7% which outpaced our scheduled service passenger growth of 16.9%.
Fixed fee contract revenue. Fixed fee contract revenue decreased 9.5% to $19.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, from $21.5 million in the same period of 2011. The decrease in fixed fee contract revenue was primarily attributable to an overall decrease in block hours flown of 12.6% to 4,580 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from 5,243 for the same period of 2011, based on our decision to reduce the availability of aircraft for ad-hoc flying compared to the prior year. We typically seek out additional ad-hoc flying during periods when aircraft are not utilized for scheduled service flying.
Other revenue. We generated other revenue of $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $3.8 million in the same period of 2011, primarily from lease revenue for aircraft and flight equipment. In the first quarter of 2011, we leased three Boeing 757-200 aircraft to third parties on a short term basis of which one was returned to us in April 2012. The expected return dates of the remaining aircraft, under their respective leases, are through the fourth quarter of 2012.
Our operating expenses increased by 13.2% to $390.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $345.1 million in the same period of 2011, largely due to an 18.7% increase in our aircraft fuel expense. We primarily evaluate our expense management by comparing our costs per passenger and per ASMs across different periods, which enables us to assess trends in each expense category. The following table presents operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods:
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Percentage | |
| | 2012 | | | 2011 | | Change | |
Aircraft fuel | | $ | 54.71 | | | $ | 53.43 | | | | 2.4% | |
Salary and benefits | | | 18.50 | | | | 19.59 | | | | (5.6) | |
Station operations | | | 10.88 | | | | 10.65 | | | | 2.2 | |
Maintenance and repairs | | | 10.17 | | | | 11.72 | | | | (13.2) | |
Sales and marketing | | | 3.06 | | | | 3.44 | | | | (11.0) | |
Aircraft lease rentals | | | - | | | | 0.21 | | | | (100.0) | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 6.99 | | | | 6.47 | | | | 8.0 | |
Other | | | 4.45 | | | | 5.82 | | | | (23.5) | |
Operating expense per passenger | | $ | 108.76 | | | $ | 111.33 | | | | (2.3) | |
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel | | $ | 54.05 | | | $ | 57.90 | | | | (6.6)% | |
The following table presents unit costs, defined as Operating CASM, and Operating CASM, excluding fuel, for the indicated periods:
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Percentage | |
| | 2012 | | | 2011 | | Change | |
Aircraft fuel | | | 5.20 | ¢ | | | 5.19 | ¢ | | | 0.2% | |
Salary and benefits | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.90 | | | | (7.4) | |
Station operations | | | 1.03 | | | | 1.03 | | | | - | |
Maintenance and repairs | | | 0.96 | | | | 1.14 | | | | (15.8) | |
Sales and marketing | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.33 | | | | (12.1) | |
Aircraft lease rentals | | | - | | | | 0.02 | | | | (100.0) | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 0.67 | | | | 0.63 | | | | 6.3 | |
Other | | | 0.43 | | | | 0.56 | | | | (23.2) | |
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) | | | 10.34 | ¢ | | | 10.80 | ¢ | | | (4.3)% | |
CASM, excluding fuel | | | 5.14 | ¢ | | | 5.62 | ¢ | | | (8.5)% | |
Our CASM, excluding fuel, decreased 8.5%, primarily due to an 18.3% increase in system capacity, lower aircraft utilization of 1.6% and flat average stage length. The system capacity increase enabled us to spread our increased operating expenses over more ASMs.
Aircraft fuel expense. Aircraft fuel expense increased $31.0 million or 18.7% to $196.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, up from $165.6 million in the same period of 2011, primarily driven by a 5.6% increase in the system average cost per gallon from $3.04 to $3.21 and an increase of 12.6% in gallons consumed from 54.4 million to 61.3 million.
Salary and benefits expense. Salary and benefits expense increased 9.5% to $66.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 up from $60.7 million in the same period of 2011. Excluding accrued employee bonus expense and stock compensation expense, salary and benefits expense increased 6.3% attributable to a 12.3% increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees offset by a 4.9% reduction in salary and benefits expense per full-time equivalent employee. The number of full-time equivalent employees increased from 1,559 at June 30, 2011 to 1,750 at June 30, 2012 to support the growth of our aircraft fleet, our ongoing significant information technology enhancements and other company growth activities. The decrease in salary and benefits expense per full-time equivalent employee was attributable to the pilot base pay scale and the outsourcing of our station operations in Las Vegas in May 2011. The pilot base pay scale is variable based on operating margin which was lower in the prior periods on which the quarter's pilot base pay scale was based. Another major contributor to our salary and benefits expense increase was an increase in accrued employee bonus expense as a result of the year-over-year increase in operating income.
Station operations expense. Station operations expense increased 18.4% to $39.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $33.0 million in the same period of 2011, as a result of a 5.3% increase in station operations expense per departure and a 12.4% increase in system departures. The increase in station operations expense per departure was attributable to increased fees at several airports where we operate and the outsourcing of our station operations in Las Vegas beginning in May 2011.
Maintenance and repairs expense. Maintenance and repairs expense was relatively flat at $36.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $36.3 million in the same period of 2011 despite a 14.5% increase in average number of aircraft in service and an 18.3% increase in ASMs. A reduction in heavy airframe maintenance expense was offset by an increase in the repair of rotable parts and usage of expendable parts associated with our increase in average number of aircraft in service to 58.4 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 51.0 in the same period of 2011.
Sales and marketing expense. Sales and marketing expense increased 2.8% to $11.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $10.7 million for the same period of 2011. The change was due to a 20.7% year-over-year increase in our scheduled service revenue and ancillary revenue offset by a reduction in payment processing costs per passenger as a result of increased debit card usage.
Aircraft lease rentals expense. We had no aircraft lease rentals expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $0.6 million in the same period of 2011. In early January 2012, we took ownership of two MD-80 aircraft for which we exercised purchase options in December 2011 and which we were operating under operating lease agreements. Subsequent to taking ownership of these two aircraft, we no longer have any aircraft under operating leases.
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $25.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, from $20.0 million for the same period of 2011 driven by a 14.5% increase in the average number of operating aircraft and depreciation expense from MD-80 seat reconfiguration costs. As of June 30, 2012, we owned 61 aircraft in service (including three Boeing 757-200 aircraft and 26 MD-80 aircraft reconfigured to 166 seats) compared to 49 aircraft at the end of the same period in 2011. Of the three Boeing 757-200 aircraft in service at June 30, 2012, two were placed into service in June 2012.
Other expense. Other expense decreased 11.4% to $16.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $18.0 million in the same period of 2011. The decrease was primarily driven by a lower write-down of engine values in our consignment program for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. In addition, we experienced losses in the second quarter of 2011 from one MD-87 aircraft we permanently grounded and the disposal of one engine.
Other (Income) Expense
Other (income) expense increased from a $2.4 million net other expense for the six months ended June 30, 2011 to $3.8 million net other expense for the same period in 2012. The increase was due primarily to a $1.2 million increase in interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 associated with our $125.0 million term loan borrowing in March 2011.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate remained flat at 37.0% for both the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. While we expect our tax rate to be fairly consistent in the near term, it will tend to vary depending on recurring items such as the amount of income we earn in each state and the state tax rate applicable to such income. Discrete items during interim periods may also affect our tax rates.
Comparative Consolidated Operating Statistics
The following tables set forth our operating statistics for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:
| | Three months ended June 30, | | Percent | |
| | 2012 | | | 2011 | | Change* | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Operating statistics (unaudited): | | | | | | | | | |
Total system statistics: | | | | | | | | | |
Passengers | | | 1,794,665 | | | | 1,559,619 | | | | 15.1 | |
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands) | | | 1,636,113 | | | | 1,401,610 | | | | 16.7 | |
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands) | | | 1,862,262 | | | | 1,576,791 | | | | 18.1 | |
Load factor | | | 87.9 | % | | | 88.9 | % | | | (1.0) | |
Operating revenue per ASM (RASM)** (cents) | | | 12.41 | | | | 12.71 | | | | (2.4) | |
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents) | | | 10.16 | | | | 11.40 | | | | (10.9) | |
Fuel expense per ASM (cents) | | | 5.06 | | | | 5.48 | | | | (7.7) | |
Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents) | | | 5.10 | | | | 5.92 | | | | (13.9) | |
Operating expense per passenger | | $ | 105.48 | | | $ | 115.24 | | | | (8.5) | |
Fuel expense per passenger | | $ | 52.50 | | | $ | 55.43 | | | | (5.3) | |
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel | | $ | 52.98 | | | $ | 59.81 | | | | (11.4) | |
ASMs per gallon of fuel | | | 62.0 | | | | 58.7 | | | | 5.6 | |
Departures | | | 13,767 | | | | 12,430 | | | | 10.8 | |
Block hours | | | 31,450 | | | | 28,277 | | | | 11.2 | |
Average stage length (miles) | | | 859 | | | | 848 | | | | 1.3 | |
Average number of operating aircraft during period | | | 59.3 | | | | 51.0 | | | | 16.3 | |
Average block hours per aircraft per day | | | 5.8 | | | | 6.1 | | | | (4.9) | |
Full-time equivalent employees at end of period | | | 1,750 | | | | 1,559 | | | | 12.3 | |
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | | | 30,048 | | | | 26,868 | | | | 11.8 | |
Average fuel cost per gallon | | $ | 3.14 | | | $ | 3.22 | | | | (2.5) | |
Scheduled service statistics: | | | | | | | | | |
Passengers | | | 1,695,650 | | | | 1,462,126 | | | | 16.0 | |
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands) | | | 1,561,405 | | | | 1,323,051 | | | | 18.0 | |
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands) | | | 1,732,601 | | | | 1,438,659 | | | | 20.4 | |
Load factor | | | 90.1 | % | | | 92.0 | % | | | (1.9) | |
Departures | | | 12,155 | | | | 10,789 | | | | 12.7 | |
Block hours | | | 28,799 | | | | 25,470 | | | | 13.1 | |
Yield (cents) | | | 9.71 | | | | 10.08 | | | | (3.7) | |
Scheduled service revenue per ASM (PRASM) (cents) | | | 8.75 | | | | 9.27 | | | | (5.6) | |
Total ancillary revenue per ASM** (cents) | | | 3.88 | | | | 3.77 | | | | 2.9 | |
Total scheduled service revenue per ASM (TRASM)** (cents) | | | 12.63 | | | | 13.04 | | | | (3.1) | |
Average fare — scheduled service | | $ | 89.43 | | | $ | 91.17 | | | | (1.9) | |
Average fare — ancillary air-related charges | | $ | 33.90 | | | $ | 31.45 | | | | 7.8 | |
Average fare — ancillary third party products | | $ | 5.77 | | | $ | 5.68 | | | | 1.6 | |
Average fare — total | | $ | 129.10 | | | $ | 128.30 | | | | 0.6 | |
Average stage length (miles) | | | 900 | | | | 889 | | | | 1.2 | |
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | | | 27,692 | | | | 24,329 | | | | 13.8 | |
Average fuel cost per gallon | | $ | 3.32 | | | $ | 3.47 | | | | (4.3) | |
Percent of sales through website during period | | | 91.5 | % | | | 87.9 | % | | | 3.6 | |
* Except load factor and percent of sales through website during period, which are presented as a percentage point change.** Various components of these measures do not have a direct correlation to ASMs. These figures are provided on a per ASM basis so as to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis.
| | Six months ended June 30, | | Percent | |
| | 2012 | | | 2011 | | Change* | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Operating statistics (unaudited): | | | | | | | | | |
Total system statistics: | | | | | | | | | |
Passengers | | | 3,593,706 | | | | 3,100,240 | | | | 15.9 | |
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands) | | | 3,336,354 | | | | 2,851,721 | | | | 17.0 | |
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands) | | | 3,778,909 | | | | 3,194,577 | | | | 18.3 | |
Load factor | | | 88.3 | % | | | 89.3 | % | | | (1.0) | |
Operating revenue per ASM (RASM)** (cents) | | | 12.41 | | | | 12.32 | | | | 0.7 | |
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents) | | | 10.34 | | | | 10.80 | | | | (4.3) | |
Fuel expense per ASM (cents) | | | 5.20 | | | | 5.19 | | | | 0.2 | |
Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents) | | | 5.14 | | | | 5.62 | | | | (8.5) | |
Operating expense per passenger | | $ | 108.76 | | | $ | 111.33 | | | | (2.3) | |
Fuel expense per passenger | | $ | 54.71 | | | $ | 53.43 | | | | 2.4 | |
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel | | $ | 54.05 | | | $ | 57.90 | | | | (6.6) | |
ASMs per gallon of fuel | | | 61.7 | | | | 58.7 | | | | 5.1 | |
Departures | | | 27,733 | | | | 24,667 | | | | 12.4 | |
Block hours | | | 64,743 | | | | 57,644 | | | | 12.3 | |
Average stage length (miles) | | | 873 | | | | 866 | | | | 0.8 | |
Average number of operating aircraft during period | | | 58.4 | | | | 51.0 | | | | 14.5 | |
Average block hours per aircraft per day | | | 6.1 | | | | 6.2 | | | | (1.6) | |
Full-time equivalent employees at end of period | | | 1,750 | | | | 1,559 | | | | 12.3 | |
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | | | 61,289 | | | | 54,414 | | | | 12.6 | |
Average fuel cost per gallon | | $ | 3.21 | | | $ | 3.04 | | | | 5.6 | |
Scheduled service statistics: | | | | | | | | | |
Passengers | | | 3,398,035 | | | | 2,906,324 | | | | 16.9 | |
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands) | | | 3,189,133 | | | | 2,683,861 | | | | 18.8 | |
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands) | | | 3,520,258 | | | | 2,903,687 | | | | 21.2 | |
Load factor | | | 90.6 | % | | | 92.4 | % | | | (1.8) | |
Departures | | | 24,483 | | | | 21,392 | | | | 14.4 | |
Block hours | | | 59,364 | | | | 51,714 | | | | 14.8 | |
Yield (cents) | | | 9.82 | | | | 9.76 | | | | 0.6 | |
Scheduled service revenue per ASM (PRASM) (cents) | | | 8.90 | | | | 9.02 | | | | (1.3) | |
Total ancillary revenue per ASM** (cents) | | | 3.74 | | | | 3.67 | | | | 1.9 | |
Total scheduled service revenue per ASM (TRASM)** (cents) | | | 12.64 | | | | 12.69 | | | | (0.4) | |
Average fare — scheduled service | | $ | 92.20 | | | $ | 90.09 | | | | 2.3 | |
Average fare — ancillary air-related charges | | $ | 33.14 | | | $ | 31.42 | | | | 5.5 | |
Average fare — ancillary third party products | | $ | 5.56 | | | $ | 5.26 | | | | 5.7 | |
Average fare — total | | $ | 130.90 | | | $ | 126.77 | | | | 3.3 | |
Average stage length (miles) | | | 916 | | | | 905 | | | | 1.2 | |
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | | | 56,546 | | | | 49,048 | | | | 15.3 | |
Average fuel cost per gallon | | $ | 3.39 | | | $ | 3.29 | | | | 3.0 | |
Percent of sales through website during period | | | 91.3 | % | | | 88.9 | % | | | 2.4 | |
* Except load factor and percent of sales through website during period, which are presented as a percentage point change.
** Various components of these measures do not have a direct correlation to ASMs. These figures are provided on a per ASM basis so as to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Current liquidity
Cash, restricted cash and investment securities (short-term and long-term) increased from $335.0 million at December 31, 2011 to $405.4 million at June 30, 2012. Restricted cash represents credit card deposits, cash collateral against notes payable, escrowed funds under our fixed fee flying contracts and cash collateral against letters of credit required by hotel partners for guaranteed room availability, airports and certain other parties. Investment securities represent highly liquid marketable securities which are available-for-sale.
Under our fixed fee flying contracts, we require our customers to prepay for flights to be provided by us. The prepayments are escrowed until the flight is completed. Prepayments are recorded as restricted cash and a corresponding amount is recorded as air traffic liability.
During the second quarter of 2012, our primary source of funds was cash generated by our operations. Our operating cash flows along with the proceeds of $125.0 million borrowed under a senior secured term loan facility in 2011 (“Term Loan”) have allowed us to invest in the growth of our fleet, information technology infrastructure and development, while meeting our short-term obligations. We believe we have more than adequate liquidity resources through our operating cash flows and cash balances to meet our future capital obligations.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Operating Activities. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, our operating activities provided $116.6 million of cash compared to $104.3 million during the same period of 2011. The cash flows provided by operations for the period in 2012 were primarily the result of net income, non-cash depreciation and amortization and an increase in air traffic liability which results from passenger bookings for future travel. We generated more cash flows from operating activities compared to the prior year mainly from increases in net income.
Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $109.1 million compared to $156.6 million of cash used in investing activities in the same period of 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, our primary use of cash was for the purchase of investment securities, net of maturities and sales, of $50.4 million, and the purchase of property and equipment of $61.1 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, our primary use of cash was for the investment of proceeds from the Term Loan in investment securities and the purchase of property and equipment of $51.2 million. Purchases of property and equipment during the six months ended June 30, 2012 were primarily for the cash purchase of two Boeing 757-200 aircraft, MD-80 engines and MD-80 aircraft improvements from the seat reconfiguration program, with purchases during the same period in 2011 for the cash purchase of two Boeing 757-200 aircraft and other engine and flight equipment purchases.
Financing Activities. Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $12.7 million, compared to $111.3 million for the same period in 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we received proceeds of $14.0 million from the issuance of notes payable associated with a loan secured by two Boeing 757-200 aircraft, which was partially offset by the payment on our debt obligations of $3.9 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we received $129.7 million in proceeds from the Term Loan and the issuance of a note payable associated with a loan secured by one Boeing 757-200 aircraft. Cash received from these financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2011, was offset by $17.8 million of principal debt payments, with the majority of this amount attributable to early payment on existing debt obligations secured by MD-80 aircraft.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
A description of our critical accounting policies is included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. There has been no material change to these policies during the six months ended June 30, 2012.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See related disclosure at “Item 1 — Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 2 — Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements.”
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have made forward-looking statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and in this section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, fleet plan, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, future service to be provided and the effects of future regulation and competition. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements may be found in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. These risk factors include, without limitation, volatility of fuel costs, the effect of the economic downturn on leisure travel, debt covenants, terrorist attacks, risks inherent to airlines, demand for air services to our leisure destinations from the markets served by us, unionization efforts, our dependence on our leisure destination markets, the competitive environment, problems with our aircraft, our reliance on our automated systems, economic and other conditions in markets in which we operate, aging aircraft and other governmental regulation, increases in maintenance costs and cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results.
Any forward-looking statements are based on information available to us today and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are subject to certain market risks, including changes in interest rates and commodity prices (specifically, aircraft fuel). The adverse effects of changes in these markets could pose a potential loss as discussed below. The sensitivity analysis does not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor does it consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ. See the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of our significant accounting policies and additional information.
Aircraft Fuel
Our results of operations can be significantly impacted by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Aircraft fuel expense represented 50.3% of our operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Increases in fuel prices or a shortage of supply could have a material effect on our operations and operating results. Based on our fuel consumption for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, a hypothetical ten percent increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel would have increased fuel expense by approximately $9.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and by approximately $19.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. We have not hedged fuel price risk in recent years.
Interest Rates
We have market risk associated with changing interest rates due to the short-term nature of our cash and investment securities at June 30, 2012, which totaled $171.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, $201.2 million of short-term investments and $17.9 million of long-term investments. We invest available cash in government and corporate debt securities, investment grade commercial paper, and other highly rated financial instruments. Because of the short-term nature of these investments, the returns earned closely parallel short-term floating interest rates. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates in the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 would have affected interest income from cash and investment securities by $1.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
We had $122.9 million of variable-rate debt as of June 30, 2012 from borrowings under our Term Loan. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates in the three months ended June 30, 2012 would not have affected interest expense associated with variable rate debt as a result of the LIBOR floor under the Term Loan.
We had $33.2 million, including current maturities, of fixed-rate debt as of June 30, 2012. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates in the six months ended June 30, 2012 would not have a material effect on the fair value of our fixed-rate debt instruments. Also, a hypothetical 100 basis point change in market rates would not impact our earnings or cash flow associated with our fixed-rate debt.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer (“CEO”) and chief financial officer (“CFO”), we evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Based upon this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in internal controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ending June 30, 2012, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are subject to certain legal and administrative actions we consider routine to our business activities. We believe the ultimate outcome of any pending legal or administrative matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
We have evaluated our risk factors and determined there have been no changes to our risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A in the Form 10-K since we filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 27, 2012.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Our Repurchases of Equity Securities
The following table reflects our repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2012. All stock repurchases during the period were made from employees who received restricted stock grants. All stock repurchases were made at the election of each employee to satisfy income tax withholding requirements.
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | | Average Price Paid per Share | | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | | Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1) | |
April 2012 | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | None | | | $ | 44,933,570 | |
May 2012 | | | 1,984 | | | | 63.13 | | | | None | | | | 44,933,570 | |
June 2012 | | | 158 | | | | 66.10 | | | | None | | | | 44,933,570 | |
Total | | | 2,142 | | | $ | 63.35 | | | | None | | | $ | 44,933,570 | |
(1) | Represents the remaining dollar value of open market purchases of the Company’s common stock which has been authorized by the Board of Directors under a share repurchase program. |
Item 6. | Exhibits |
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3.1 | Articles of Incorporation (1) |
3.2 | Bylaws of the Company (2) |
31.1 | Rule 13a - 14(a) / 15d - 14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
31.2 | Rule 13a - 14(a) / 15d - 14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
32 | Section 1350 Certifications |
101 | The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2012, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the fiscal periods ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal periods ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statements for the fiscal periods ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. (3) |
(1)(1(1) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Registration Statement #333-134145 filed by the Company with the Commission and amendments thereto. |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 9, 2009. |
(3) | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed to be not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed part of a registration statement, prospectus or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY |
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Date: August 8, 2012 | By: | /s/ Scott Sheldon |
| Scott Sheldon |
| Principal Financial Officer |