Exhibit 99.2
| | |
Investor Update | | Issue Date: July 26, 2012 |
This investor update provides forward-looking information about United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “UAL”) for third quarter and full year 2012.
Capacity
The Company estimates its third quarter 2012 consolidated system available seat miles (“ASMs”) to decrease between 0.7% and 1.7% as compared to the same period in the prior year. The Company estimates its third quarter 2012 consolidated domestic ASMs to decrease between 1.1% and 2.1% and consolidated international ASMs to decrease between 0.2% and 1.2% year-over-year. For the full year, the Company estimates its consolidated system ASMs to decrease between 0.5% and 1.5% year-over-year.
Non-Fuel Expense Guidance
The Company expects third quarter consolidated cost per ASM (“CASM”), excluding profit sharing, third-party business expense, fuel, certain accounting charges and integration-related expenses, to increase 3.0% to 4.0% year-over-year. For the full year, the Company expects CASM, excluding profit sharing, third-party business expense, fuel, certain accounting charges and integration-related expenses, to increase 2.5% to 3.5% year-over-year.
In an effort to provide more meaningful disclosure, the Company provides non-fuel CASM guidance excluding third-party business expenses not associated with the generation of a seat mile. The Company’s third-party business includes activities such as maintenance, ground handling and catering services for third parties, fuel sales and non-air mileage redemptions. The Company expects to record approximately $70 million of third-party business expenses in the third quarter and $290 million in 2012. Corresponding third-party business revenue associated with these activities is recorded in other revenue.
Fuel Expense
The Company estimates its consolidated fuel price, including the impact of cash settled hedges, to be $3.13 per gallon for the third quarter and $3.22 for the full year based on the forward curve as of July 17, 2012.
Non-Operating Expense
The Company estimates third quarter non-operating expense to be between $185 million and $205 million. For the full year, the Company estimates non-operating expense to be between $790 million and $820 million. Non-operating expense includes interest expense, capitalized interest, interest income and other non-operating income/expense.
Profit Sharing and Stock Based Compensation
The Company pays 15% of total GAAP pre-tax profits, excluding special items and stock compensation program expense, as profit sharing to employees when pre-tax profit, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and stock compensation program expense, exceeds $10 million. Stock compensation expense for the purposes of the profit sharing calculation is estimated to be $42 million year-to-date through the third quarter of 2012 and $52 million for the full year.
Capital Expenditures and Scheduled Debt and Capital Lease Payments
In the third quarter, the Company expects approximately $490 million of gross capital expenditures and $330 million of net capital expenditures, excluding net purchase deposits of $118 million. For the full year, excluding $119 million of net purchase deposits, the Company expects approximately $2.35 billion of gross capital expenditures and $1.25 billion of net capital expenditures.
The Company estimates scheduled debt and capital lease payments for the third quarter to be $0.4 billion. For the full year, the Company estimates scheduled debt and capital leases to be $1.3 billion.
Pension Expense and Contributions
The Company estimates that its pension expense will be approximately $160 million for 2012. This amount excludes non-cash settlement charges related to lump-sum distributions. The Company made $41 million of cash contributions to its tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans in July 2012. The Company’s remaining minimum funding requirement is approximately $72 million for 2012.
Taxes
The Company currently expects to record minimal cash income taxes in 2012.
Advance Booked Seat Factor (Percentage of Available Seats that are Sold)
Compared to the same period last year, for the next six weeks, mainline domestic advance booked seat factor is up 2.7 points, mainline international advance booked seat factor is up 1.5 points, mainline Atlantic advance booked seat factor is down 0.2 points, mainline Pacific advance booked seat factor is up 3.5 points and mainline Latin America advance booked seat factor is up 1.9 points. Regional advance booked seat factor is up 4.8 points.
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Company Outlook
Third Quarter and Full Year 2012 Operational Outlook
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Estimated 3Q 2012 | | | Year-Over-Year % Change Higher/(Lower) | | | Estimated FY 2012 | | | Year-Over-Year % Change Higher/(Lower) | |
Capacity (Million ASMs) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline Capacity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | | 28,869 | | | - | | | 29,165 | | | | (2.3 | %) | | - | | | (1.3 | %) | | | 108,708 | | | - | | | 109,826 | | | | (2.7 | %) | | - | | | (1.7 | %) |
Atlantic | | | 12,954 | | | - | | | 13,089 | | | | (3.7 | %) | | - | | | (2.7 | %) | | | 47,669 | | | - | | | 48,161 | | | | (3.1 | %) | | - | | | (2.1 | %) |
Pacific | | | 10,182 | | | - | | | 10,283 | | | | 0.9 | % | | - | | | 1.9 | % | | | 39,212 | | | - | | | 39,594 | | | | 2.6 | % | | - | | | 3.6 | % |
Latin America | | | 4,873 | | | - | | | 4,921 | | | | 0.5 | % | | - | | | 1.5 | % | | | 20,431 | | | - | | | 20,634 | | | | 0.6 | % | | - | | | 1.6 | % |
Total Mainline Capacity | | | 56,878 | | | - | | | 57,458 | | | | (1.8 | %) | | - | | | (0.8 | %) | | | 216,020 | | | - | | | 218,215 | | | | (1.6 | %) | | - | | | (0.6 | %) |
Regional1 | | | 8,633 | | | - | | | 8,719 | | | | (0.7 | %) | | - | | | 0.3 | % | | | 32,634 | | | - | | | 32,964 | | | | (1.4 | %) | | - | | | (0.4 | %) |
Consolidated Capacity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | | 37,044 | | | - | | | 37,422 | | | | (2.1 | %) | | - | | | (1.1 | %) | | | 139,663 | | | - | | | 141,095 | | | | (2.5 | %) | | - | | | (1.5 | %) |
International | | | 28,467 | | | - | | | 28,755 | | | | (1.2 | %) | | - | | | (0.2 | %) | | | 108,991 | | | - | | | 110,084 | | | | (0.3 | %) | | - | | | 0.7 | % |
Total Consolidated Capacity | | | 65,511 | | | - | | | 66,177 | | | | (1.7 | %) | | - | | | (0.7 | %) | | | 248,654 | | | - | | | 251,179 | | | | (1.5 | %) | | - | | | (0.5 | %) |
Traffic (Million RPMs) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline Traffic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Atlantic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pacific | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Latin America | | | Traffic guidance to be provided at a future date | | | | |
Total Mainline System Traffic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regional System Traffic1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated System Traffic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic System | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International System | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Consolidated System Traffic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Load Factor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline Load Factor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Atlantic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pacific | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Latin America | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Mainline Load Factor | | | Load factor guidance to be provided at a future date | | | | |
Regional Load Factor1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated Load Factor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Consolidated Load Factor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1. | Regional results reflect flights operated under capacity purchase agreements and flights operated as part of our joint venture with Aer Lingus. |
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Company Outlook
Third Quarter 2012 Financial Outlook
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| | | | Estimated 3Q 2012 | | Year-Over-Year % Change Higher/(Lower) | | Estimated FY 2012 | | Year-Over-Year % Change Higher/(Lower) |
Revenue (¢/ASM, except Cargo and Other Revenue) | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline Passenger Unit Revenue | | | | | | | | | | |
Regional Passenger Unit Revenue | | | | Revenue guidance to be provided at a future date |
Consolidated Passenger Unit Revenue | | | | | | | | | | |
Cargo and Other Revenue ($B) | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Expense1 (¢/ASM) | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing & Third-Party Business Expense | | | | 12.75 - 12.83 | | 2.1% - 2.8% | | 13.14 - 13.22 | | 3.9% - 4.5% |
Regional Unit Cost | | | | 19.13 - 19.25 | | (0.7%) - 0.0% | | 19.87 - 19.99 | | 2.2% - 2.8% |
Consolidated Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing & Third-Party Business Expense | | | | 13.59 - 13.67 | | 1.7% - 2.3% | | 14.02 - 14.11 | | 3.5% - 4.2% |
Non-Fuel Expense1 (¢/ASM) | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing, Fuel & Third-Party Business Expense | | | | 8.03 - 8.11 | | 3.1% - 4.1% | | 8.29 - 8.37 | | 2.1% - 3.1% |
Regional Unit Cost Excluding Fuel | | | | 12.06 - 12.18 | | 2.5% - 3.5% | | 12.58 - 12.70 | | 4.2% - 5.2% |
Consolidated Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing, Fuel & Third-Party Business Expense | | | | 8.56 - 8.64 | | 3.0% - 4.0% | | 8.85 - 8.94 | | 2.5% - 3.5% |
Third-Party Business Expense ($M) | | | | $70 | | | | $290 | | |
Select Expense Measures ($M) | | | | | | | | | | |
Aircraft Rent | | | | $250 | | | | $1,000 | | |
Depreciation and Amortization | | | | $380 | | | | $1,530 | | |
Fuel Expense | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline Fuel Consumption (Million Gallons) | | | | 865 | | | | 3,285 | | |
Regional Fuel Consumption (Million Gallons) | | | | 195 | | | | 740 | | |
Consolidated Fuel Consumption (Million Gallons) | | | | 1,060 | | | | 4,025 | | |
Consolidated Fuel Price Excluding Hedges | | | | $3.06 / Gallon | | | | $3.17 / Gallon | | |
Consolidated Fuel Price Including Cash Settled Hedges | | | | $3.13 / Gallon | | | | $3.22 / Gallon | | |
Non-Operating Expense ($M) | | | | $185 - $205 | | | | $790 - $820 | | |
Income Taxes | | | | | | | | | | |
Income Tax Rate | | | | 0% | | | | 0% | | |
Capital Expenditures ($M) | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross Capital Expenditures ex Purchase Deposits | | | | $490 | | | | $2,350 | | |
Net Capital Expenditures ex Purchase Deposits | | | | $330 | | | | $1,250 | | |
Net Purchase Deposits Paid / (Refunded) | | | | $118 | | | | $119 | | |
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations ($B) | | | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled Debt & Capital Lease Obligations | | | | $0.4 | | | | $1.3 | | |
1. | Excludes special charges. |
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Company Outlook
Fuel Hedge Positions by Quarter
As of July 17, 2012, the Company had hedged approximately 45% of its expected second half of 2012 consolidated fuel consumption; further details are as follows:
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| | | | 3Q 2012 | | | 4Q 2012 | | | 1Q 2013 | |
| | | | % of Expected Consumption | | | Weighted Average Strike Price | | | % of Expected Consumption | | | Weighted Average Strike Price | | | % of Expected Consumption | | | Weighted Average Strike Price | |
Aircraft Fuel Swap | | ($/gal) | | | 2 | % | | | 2.71 | | | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | |
Diesel Fuel Call Option | | ($/gal) | | | 1 | % | | | 3.13 | | | | 1 | % | | | 3.25 | | | | — | | | | | |
Brent Crude Collar | | ($/bbl) | | | 12 | % | | | 115 | | | | 80 | | | | 14 | % | | | 116 | | | | 81 | | | | 21 | % | | | 134 | | | | 90 | |
Heating Oil Collar | | ($/gal) | | | 21 | % | | | 3.27 | | | | 2.69 | | | | 19 | % | | | 3.56 | | | | 2.80 | | | | 5 | % | | | 3.02 | | | | 2.67 | |
Aircraft Fuel Collar | | ($/gal) | | | 2 | % | | | 3.00 | | | | 2.35 | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Diesel Fuel Collar | | ($/gal) | | | 10 | % | | | 3.10 | | | | 2.35 | | | | 8 | % | | | 3.28 | | | | 2.45 | | | | 2 | % | | | 3.76 | | | | 2.75 | |
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Total | | | | | 48 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 42 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | % | | | | | | | | |
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Fuel Price Sensitivity
The table below outlines the Company’s estimated settled hedge impacts at various crude oil prices, based on the hedge portfolio as of July 17, 2012:
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Crude Oil Price* | | Cash Settled Hedge Impact | | 1Q12 | | | 2Q12 | | | 3Q12 | | | 4Q12 | | | FY12 | |
$130 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 4.03 | | | $ | 4.03 | | | $ | 3.66 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.17 | ) | | ($ | 0.09 | ) |
$120 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 3.79 | | | $ | 3.79 | | | $ | 3.54 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | ($ | 0.04 | ) |
$110 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 3.56 | | | $ | 3.55 | | | $ | 3.42 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | $ | 0.01 | |
$100 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 3.32 | | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.30 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.03 | | | $ | 0.03 | |
$89.22 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 3.06 | | | $ | 3.06 | | | $ | 3.17 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 0.05 | | | $ | 0.05 | |
$80 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 2.84 | | | $ | 2.84 | | | $ | 3.06 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 0.06 | | | $ | 0.05 | |
$70 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 2.60 | | | $ | 2.60 | | | $ | 2.94 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.11 | | | $ | 0.07 | |
$60 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 2.37 | | | $ | 2.36 | | | $ | 2.82 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 0.20 | | | $ | 0.12 | |
$50 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 2.13 | | | $ | 2.12 | | | $ | 2.70 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.30 | | | $ | 0.17 | |
$40 per Barrel | | Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal) | | $ | 3.31 | | | $ | 3.26 | | | $ | 1.89 | | | $ | 1.89 | | | $ | 2.58 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) to Fuel Expense ($/gal) | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.42 | | | | 0.40 | | | $ | 0.22 | |
* | Projected impacts assume a common, parallel jet fuel refining crack spread consistent with July 17, 2012 forward prices and a parallel crude forward price curve consistent with July 17, 2012 forward prices. Row headings refer to illustrative average daily closing prices for the current month through July 17, 2012. |
** | Fuel price per gallon excluding hedge impacts, but including taxes and transportation costs. |
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Company Outlook
Fleet Plan
As of July 26, 2012, the Company’s fleet plan is as follows:
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| | Mainline Aircraft in Scheduled Service | |
| | YE 2011 | | | 1Q r | | | 2Q r | | | 3Q r | | | 4Q r | | | YE2012 | | | FY r | |
B747-400 | | | 23 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 23 | | | | — | |
B777-200 | | | 74 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 74 | | | | — | |
B787-8 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4 | | | | 4 | | | | 4 | |
B767-200/300/400 | | | 59 | | | | — | | | | (3 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | — | | | | 54 | | | | (5 | ) |
B757-200/300 | | | 155 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2 | ) | | | (1 | ) | | | 152 | | | | (3 | ) |
B737-500/700/800/900 | | | 238 | | | | (4 | ) | | | 5 | | | | (3 | ) | | | (1 | ) | | | 235 | | | | (3 | ) |
A319/A320 | | | 152 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 152 | | | | — | |
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Total Mainline Aircraft | | | 701 | | | | (4 | ) | | | 2 | | | | (7 | ) | | | 2 | | | | 694 | | | | (7 | ) |
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| | Regional Aircraft in Scheduled Service | |
| | YE 2011 | | | 1Q r | | | 2Q r | | | 3Q r | | | 4Q r | | | YE2012 | | | FY r | |
Q400 | | | 30 | | | | — | | | | (8 | ) | | | (16 | ) | | | 9 | | | | 15 | | | | (15 | ) |
Q300 | | | 5 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5 | | | | — | |
Q200 | | | 16 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 16 | | | | — | |
Saab340 | | | — | | | | 26 | | | | (17 | ) | | | (9 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
ERJ-145 | | | 263 | | | | (3 | ) | | | 2 | | | | 8 | | | | — | | | | 270 | | | | 7 | |
ERJ-135 | | | — | | | | — | | | | 7 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 7 | | | | 7 | |
CRJ200 | | | 79 | | | | (4 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 75 | | | | (4 | ) |
CRJ700 | | | 115 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 115 | | | | — | |
EMB 120 | | | 9 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 9 | | | | — | |
EMB 170 | | | 38 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 38 | | | | — | |
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Total Regional Aircraft | | | 555 | | | | 19 | | | | (16 | ) | | | (17 | ) | | | 9 | | | | 550 | | | | (5 | ) |
Share Count
These share count charts are based upon several assumptions including market stock price and number of shares outstanding. The number of shares used in the actual earnings per share calculation will likely be different from those set forth below.
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| | 3Q 2012 (Estimated) | |
Net Income | | Basic Share Count (in millions) | | | Diluted Share Count (in millions) | | | Interest Add-back (in $ millions) | |
Less than or equal to $0 | | | 331 | | | | 331 | | | $ | — | |
$1 million-$36 million | | | 331 | | | | 332 | | | | — | |
$37 million-$62 million | | | 331 | | | | 372 | | | | 4 | |
$63 million-$111 million | | | 331 | | | | 384 | | | | 7 | |
$112 million-$299 million | | | 331 | | | | 389 | | | | 8 | |
$300 million or greater | | | 331 | | | | 393 | | | | 11 | |
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| | Full Year 2012 (Estimated) | |
Net Income | | Basic Share Count (in millions) | | | Diluted Share Count (in millions) | | | Interest Add-back (in $ millions) | |
Less than or equal to $0 | | | 331 | | | | 331 | | | $ | — | |
$1 million-$145 million | | | 331 | | | | 332 | | | | — | |
$146 million-$248 million | | | 331 | | | | 372 | | | | 17 | |
$249 million-$447 million | | | 331 | | | | 384 | | | | 26 | |
$448 million-$1.248 billion | | | 331 | | | | 389 | | | | 32 | |
$1.249 billion or greater | | | 331 | | | | 393 | | | | 46 | |
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations
Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, the Company has included the following reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. The Company believes that excluding fuel costs and certain other charges from some measures is useful to investors because it provides an additional measure of management’s performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence, and the effects of certain other charges that would otherwise make analysis of the Company’s operating performance more difficult.
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| | Estimated 3Q 2012 | | | Estimated FY 2012 | |
| | Low | | | High | | | Low | | | High | |
Mainline Unit Cost (¢/ASM) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing | | | 12.87 | | | | 12.95 | | | | 13.27 | | | | 13.35 | |
Special Charges (a) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing & Special Charges (b) | | | 12.87 | | | | 12.95 | | | | 13.27 | | | | 13.35 | |
Less: Third-Party Business Expense | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expense & Special Charges (b) | | | 12.75 | | | | 12.83 | | | | 13.14 | | | | 13.22 | |
Less: Fuel Expense (c) | | | 4.72 | | | | 4.72 | | | | 4.85 | | | | 4.85 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expense, Fuel & Special Charges (b) | | | 8.03 | | | | 8.11 | | | | 8.29 | | | | 8.37 | |
| | | | |
| | Low | | | High | | | Low | | | High | |
Regional Unit Cost (¢/ASM) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regional CASM | | | 19.13 | | | | 19.25 | | | | 19.87 | | | | 19.99 | |
Less: Fuel Expense | | | 7.07 | | | | 7.07 | | | | 7.29 | | | | 7.29 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regional CASM Excluding Fuel | | | 12.06 | | | | 12.18 | | | | 12.58 | | | | 12.70 | |
| | | | |
| | Low | | | High | | | Low | | | High | |
Consolidated Unit Cost (¢/ASM) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing | | | 13.70 | | | | 13.78 | | | | 14.14 | | | | 14.23 | |
Special Charges (a) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing & Special Charges (b) | | | 13.70 | | | | 13.78 | | | | 14.14 | | | | 14.23 | |
Less: Third-Party Business Expense | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.12 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expense & Special Charges (b) | | | 13.59 | | | | 13.67 | | | | 14.02 | | | | 14.11 | |
Less: Fuel Expense (c) | | | 5.03 | | | | 5.03 | | | | 5.17 | | | | 5.17 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expense, Fuel & Special Charges (b) | | | 8.56 | | | | 8.64 | | | | 8.85 | | | | 8.94 | |
(a) | Operating expense per ASM – CASM excludes special charges, the impact of certain primarily non-cash impairment, severance and other similar accounting charges. While the Company anticipates that it will record such special charges throughout the year and may record profit sharing, at this time the Company is unable to provide an estimate of these charges with reasonable certainty. |
(b) | These financial measures provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor the Company’s performance on a consistent basis. |
(c) | Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors and are therefore beyond the Company’s control. |
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Certain statements included in this investor update are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements which do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this investor update are based upon information available to us on the date of this investor update. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aviation fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aviation fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; the costs associated with security measures and practices; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; our capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements and environmental regulations); labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; the possibility that expected merger synergies will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A., Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC. Consequently, forward-looking statements should not be regarded as representations or warranties by us that such matters will be realized.
For further questions, contact Investor Relations at (312) 997-8610 orinvestorrelations@united.com
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