Skywest, Inc. (SKYW)

[KingDMC]

SkyWest, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2015 and Full Year Profit

Source: PR Newswire (US)
ST. GEORGE, Utah, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW) today reported financial and operating results for the fourth quarter of 2015, including adjusted net income of $25 million or $0.49 per diluted share, up from adjusted net income of $15.7 million or $0.31 per diluted share in 2014. GAAP net income for the quarter was $40 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $28 million or $(0.54) per diluted share for the same quarter of 2014.

Adjusted net income for the full year 2015 was $103 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, up from adjusted net income of $7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in 2014. GAAP net income for the full year 2015 was $118 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $24 million or $(0.47) per share for 2014.

The GAAP results for the fourth quarter 2015 include two special items totaling $25 million in pre-tax income: a net gain of $33 million from the early extinguishment of debt and $8 million revenue reduction from the resolution of a flying contract matter. Both of these special items are excluded from the calculation of SkyWest's adjusted net income for the quarter.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, SkyWest, Inc. Chief Executive Officer said, "Our fourth quarter results reflect continued progress in the optimization of our fleet and flying contract mix. By the end of 2017, we anticipate over 50% of our fleet will be dual class aircraft, compared to 38% today. We are scheduled to more than double the number of E175 aircraft operating in our fleet by mid-2017. We believe our operating performance continues to create additional opportunities to improve our business model."

Q4 2015 Financial Highlights
Operating margin increased to 7.9% in Q4 2015 compared to 6.2% in Q4 2014 on an adjusted basis. The improvement in operating income and operating margin was primarily due to additional flying contracts with improved profitability, improved operating performance and a reduction in the number of aircraft operating under unprofitable or less profitable flying contracts.

SkyWest generated $141 million in cash from operations in Q4 2015, compared to $99 million in Q4 2014. For the 2015 year, cash from operations was $455 million, compared to $285 million in 2014.

Although adjusted revenues decreased $53 million in Q4 2015 from Q4 2014, the net reduction to revenue reflected the removal of over 100 aircraft that were operated under unprofitable flying agreements, or 16% of the December 2014 fleet. The revenue impact of removing unprofitable aircraft from SkyWest's fleet was partially offset by additional Embraer dual-class jet aircraft ("E175") operations, improved contract rates from renewals of SkyWest's existing flying contracts and additional contract performance incentives earned compared to Q4 2014.

Excluding special items, operating expenses were down by $63 million, or 8.3%, compared to Q4 2014. This reduction primarily related to a reduction in direct operating costs from fewer aircraft in service and reduced fuel costs, and was partially offset by additional crew training costs in anticipation of upcoming E175 aircraft deliveries.

Q4 2015 Operational Update
Changes in flight completion rates at SkyWest Airlines, Inc. ("SkyWest Airlines") and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. ("ExpressJet") from Q4 2014 to Q4 2015 are summarized as follows:





SkyWest Airlines


ExpressJet



Q4 2015

Q4 2014


Q4 2015

Q4 2014

Adjusted Completion *


99.8%

99.2%


99.9%

99.7%

Raw Completion


98.4%

97.1%


98.0%

98.5%


* Adjusted Completion excludes weather cancellations. Raw Completion includes weather cancellations.



SkyWest's total aircraft in service at December 31, 2015 was 660, a net decrease of 57 aircraft from December 31, 2014, summarized as follows:



Changes to Operating Fleet During 2015 Year

Aircraft available for scheduled service at December 2014:


717

New E175 aircraft with United Airlines ("United"):

20


New E175 aircraft with Alaska Airlines ("Alaska"):

5


New ERJ145 aircraft with American Airlines ("American"):

16


New CRJ200 aircraft with Delta Airlines ("Delta"):

5


Total Additions:


46


EMB120 aircraft from multiple partners:

(27)


ERJ145 aircraft from United:

(54)


CRJ200 aircraft from multiple partners:

(22)


Total Removals:


(103)

Aircraft available for scheduled service at December 2015:


660



SkyWest's total aircraft in service increased by 4 net aircraft from September 30, 2015 to December 31, 2015 as follows:



Changes to Operating Fleet During Q4 2015

Aircraft available for scheduled service at September 2015:


656


New E175 aircraft with Alaska:

2



CRJ200 aircraft redeployed with multiple partners:

5



Total Additions:


7






ERJ145 aircraft removed from United:


(3)

Aircraft available for scheduled service at December 2015:


660








Under its fleet transition plan, SkyWest generated approximately 25,000 additional block hours, or 14%, with its dual class aircraft (CRJ700s/900s and E175s) during Q4 2015, compared to Q4 2014. SkyWest had a reduction of approximately 84,000 block hours (22%) with its less profitable 50-seat and smaller aircraft (CRJ200s, ERJ145s/135s and EMB120s) during Q4 2015, compared to Q4 2014.

The following table outlines SkyWest's anticipated delivery schedule for new E175 aircraft through June 2017:




E175 Aircraft Scheduled Deliveries



December

2015

1H 2016

2H 2016

1H 2017

Anticipated June 2017

United

40

7

7

11

65

Alaska

5

4

6

-

15

Delta

-

-

13

6

19

Total E175 aircraft:

45

11

26

17

99



Q4 2015 Capital and Liquidity Update
SkyWest had $498 million in cash and marketable securities at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $70 million from September 30, 2015. SkyWest made capital investments of $8 million during Q4 2015 to acquire two E175 aircraft and used $94 million in cash to extinguish $128 million in debt. SkyWest issued $46 million in new long-term debt during Q4 2015 to finance the 2 new E175s delivered during the quarter. SkyWest anticipates using approximately $44 million in cash towards the purchase of additional E175 aircraft and related spare parts and spare engines scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2016.

Q4 2015 Special Items

During Q4 2015 SkyWest used $94 million in cash to extinguish $128 million in higher-rate junior notes in our capital structure. This generated a net gain of $33 million for the quarter.
During Q4 2015 SkyWest resolved a contract matter for $8 million reflected as contra-revenue in the reported numbers.
The $25 million net gain represented by these two items, while included in GAAP income, is excluded from adjusted net income for the quarter as reported herein.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures
Although SkyWest's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"), SkyWest management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may provide investors with useful information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of SkyWest's ongoing operations and may be useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. The following table sets forth supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial statements for the three and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Readers should consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, not a substitute for, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude some, but not all, items that may affect SkyWest's net income. Additionally, these calculations may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies.



Reconciliation to Adjusted Net Income

(dollars in thousands except EPS)



Three months ended December 31, 2015










Net Income per Diluted Share




Pre-tax income


Income tax


Net Income



GAAP income


$ 65,760


$ (25,306)


$ 40,454


$ 0.78


Adjusted for:











Q4 2015 Adjustments (1)


(24,731)


9,517


(15,214)


$ (0.29)


Non-GAAP income


$ 41,029


$ (15,789)


$ 25,240


$ 0.49
















Three months ended December 31, 2014










Net Income per Diluted Share




Pre-tax income


Income tax


Net Income



GAAP income (loss)


$ (36,511)


$ 8,644


$ (27,867)


$ (0.54)


Adjusted for:











Special items for fleet reduction (2)


$ 69,977


$ (26,381)


43,596


0.85


Non-GAAP income


$ 33,466


$ (17,737)


$ 15,729


$ 0.31














Year ended December 31, 2015










Net Income per Diluted Share




Pre-tax income


Income tax


Net Income



GAAP income


$ 194,322


$ (76,505)


$ 117,817


$ 2.27


Adjusted for:











Q4 2015 Adjustments (1)


$ (24,731)


$ 9,517


(15,214)


(0.29)


Non-GAAP income


$ 169,591


$ (66,988)


$ 102,603


$ 1.98
















Year ended December 31, 2014










Net Income per Diluted Share




Pre-tax income


Income tax


Net Income



GAAP income (loss)


$ (16,343)


$ (7,811)


$ (24,154)


$ (0.47)


Adjusted for:











Gain on Sale of Equity Investment (3)


$ (24,922)


$ 9,470


$ (15,452)





Special items for fleet reduction (2)


74,777


(28,415)


46,362





Total Adjustments


$ 49,855


$ (18,945)


$ 30,910


$ 0.61


Non-GAAP income


$ 33,512


$ (26,756)


$ 6,756


$ 0.14













(1) Adjusts for a gain from early debt payoff of approximately $32.6 million, partially offset by a resolution of contract matter with a major partner of approximately $7.9 million reflected as a reduction to revenue. This adjustment allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring core performance in the periods presented.













(2) Adjusts for costs resulting from the removal of a specific aircraft from our operations. This adjustment better allows investors to understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry.













(3) Adjusts for the gain from the sale of our equity investment in TRIP Linhas Aereas. This adjustment allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring core performance in the periods presented.







Reconciliation to Adjusted Operating Income


(dollars in thousands)






Three months ended December 31,






2015


2014


GAAP revenue



$ 752,743


$ 813,855


Q4 2015 Adjustments (1)


7,860


-


Adjusted revenue



$ 760,603


$ 813,855










GAAP operating expenses


$ 700,532


$ 833,555


Q4 2014 Special items (2)


-


(69,977)


Adjusted operating expenses


$ 700,532


$ 763,578


















GAAP operating income (loss)


$ 52,211


$ (19,700)


Adjusted operating income


60,071


50,277










GAAP operating income (loss) margin (deficit)

6.9%


-2.4%


Adjusted operating income margin


7.9%


6.2%










(1) Adjusts for a resolution of a contract matter with a major partner. This adjustment allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring core performance in the periods presented.












(2) Adjusts for costs resulting from the removal of a specific aircraft from our operations. This adjustment better allows investors to understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry.







About SkyWest
SkyWest was named on Forbes 'America's Best Employers 2015' list and was Air Transport World's Regional Airline of the Year in 2014. SkyWest is the holding company for two scheduled passenger airline operations and an aircraft leasing company and is headquartered in St. George, Utah. SkyWest's airline companies provide commercial air service in cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with more than 3,300 scheduled daily flights. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United, Delta, US Airways, American and Alaska Airlines. ExpressJet operates through partnerships with United, Delta and American. SkyWest continues to set the standard for excellence in the regional airline industry with unmatched value for customers, shareholders and its nearly 20,000 employees. This press release and additional information regarding SkyWest can be accessed at http://inc.skywest.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements. SkyWest may, from time to time, make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements encompass SkyWest's beliefs, expectations, hopes or intentions regarding future events. Words such as "forecasts", "expects," "intends," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates", "should," "likely" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to SkyWest as of such date. SkyWest assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Readers should note that many factors could affect the future operating and financial results of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines or ExpressJet, and could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements set forth in this release. These factors include, but are not limited to, the prospects of entering into agreements with other carriers to fly new aircraft, ongoing negotiations between SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet and their major partners regarding their contractual obligations, uncertainties regarding operation of new aircraft, the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots, the impact of regulatory issues such as pilot rest rules and qualification requirements, and the ability to obtain aircraft financing.

Actual operational and financial results of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet will likely also vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of other reasons, including, in addition to those identified above: the ability of ExpressJet to realize potential synergies and other anticipated financial impacts of the consolidation of its operations, the possibility that future financial and operating results of ExpressJet may not meet SkyWest's forecasts and the timing of ongoing consolidation of the operations of ExpressJet, if achieved; the challenges of competing successfully in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry; developments associated with fluctuations in the economy and the demand for air travel; the financial stability of SkyWest's major partners and any potential impact of their financial condition on the operations of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines, or ExpressJet; fluctuations in flight schedules, which are determined by the major partners for whom SkyWest's operating airlines conduct flight operations; variations in market and economic conditions; labor relationships; the impact of global instability; rapidly fluctuating fuel costs; the degree and nature of competition; potential fuel shortages; the impact of weather-related or other natural disasters on air travel and airline costs; aircraft deliveries; the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots and other unanticipated factors. Risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions which could cause SkyWest's actual results to differ from management's current expectations are contained in SkyWest's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; including the section of SkyWest's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, entitled "Risk Factors."



SkyWest, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

(Dollars and Shares in Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended

December 31


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015

2014


2015

2014


OPERATING REVENUES:







Passenger

$ 736,938

$ 795,946


$ 3,030,023

$ 3,168,000


Ground handling and other

15,805

17,909


65,539

69,447


Total operating revenues

752,743

813,855


3,095,562

3,237,447









OPERATING EXPENSES:







Salaries, wages and benefits

297,261

313,902


1,203,312

1,258,155


Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs

142,891

172,868


604,863

682,773


Aircraft rentals

66,837

72,652


273,695

305,334


Depreciation and amortization

67,554

67,253


264,507

259,642


Aircraft fuel

27,870

38,828


118,124

193,247


Ground handling services

19,713

23,471


82,694

123,917


Special items

-

69,977


-

74,777


Other operating expenses

78,406

74,604


313,852

314,754


Total operating expenses

700,532

833,555


2,861,047

3,212,599


OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

52,211

(19,700)


234,515

24,848









OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):







Interest income

350

488


1,997

4,096


Interest expense

(19,391)

(17,299)


(75,850)

(65,995)


Other, net

32,590

___-


33,660

20,708


Total other expense, net

13,549

(16,811)


(40,193)

(41,191)









INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

65,760

(36,511)


194,322

(16,343)


PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES

25,306

(8,644)


76,505

7,811


NET INCOME (LOSS)

$ 40,454

$ (27,867)


$ 117,817

$ (24,154)









BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

$ 0.80

$ (0.54)


$ 2.31

$ (0.47)


DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

$ 0.78

$ (0.54)


$ 2.27

$ (0.47)









Weighted average common shares:







Basic

50,880

51,174


51,077

51,237


Diluted

51,657

51,174


51,825

51,237



















SkyWest, Inc.

Summary of Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)



December 31, 2015


December 31, 2014

Cash, restricted cash, and marketable securities

$ 497,919


$ 559,130

Other current assets

519,651


530,371

Total current assets

$ 1,017,570


$ 1,089,501

Property and equipment, net

3,432,597


2,981,188

Deposit on aircraft

38,150


40,000

Other long term assets

314,569


299,239

Total assets

$ 4,802,886


$ 4,409,928





Current liabilities

$ 751,386


$ 684,355

Long-term liabilities

2,545,065


2,325,227

Stockholders' equity

1,506,435


1,400,346

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity

$4,802,886


$ 4,409,928



Unaudited Operating Highlights



Three Months Ended

December 31


Twelve Months Ended

December 31


2015

2014

Change


2015

2014

Change


Passengers carried

13,614,945

14,339,705

(5.1) %


56,228,593

58,962,010

(4.6) %


Revenue passenger miles (000)

7,231,965

7,715,787

(6.3) %


29,671,911

31,499,397

(5.8) %


Available seat miles (000)

8,768,088

9,452,653

(7.2) %


35,902,503

38,220,150

(6.1) %


Block hours

500,445

559,143

(10.5) %


2,074,809

2,275,562

(8.8) %


Departures

293,467

327,835

(10.5) %


1,226,897

1,357,454

(9.6) %


Passenger load factor

82.5%

81.6%

0.90 pts


82.6%

82.4%

0.20 pts


Yield per revenue passenger mile

$ 0.102

$ 0.103

(1.0) %


$ 0.102

$ 0.101

1.0 %


Revenue per available seat mile

$ 0.086

$ 0.086

NC


$ 0.086

$ 0.085

1.2 %


Cost per available seat mile

$ 0.082

$ 0.090

(8.9) %


$ 0.082

$ 0.086

(4.7) %


Fuel cost per available seat mile

$ 0.003

$ 0.004

(25.0) %


$ 0.003

$ 0.005

(40.0) %


Average passenger trip length

531

538

(1.3) %


528

534

(1.1)%


































Aircraft in Scheduled Service for 2015



50 seats


65-76 seats


EMB120


Total











Aircraft in schedule: December 31, 2014

467


223


27


717


65-76 seat additions (United and Alaska)

-


25


-


25


50 seat additions (Delta and American)

21


-


-


21


50 seat reductions (multiple partners)

(76)


-


-


(76)


Turbo prop reductions (multiple partners)

-


-


(27)


(27)


Aircraft in schedule: December 31, 2015

412


248


-


660



Aircraft counts above exclude aircraft removed from scheduled service.



Completed Block Hours by Aircraft Type for 2015


Q4-2015


Q4-2014


% Change


FY 2015


FY 2014


% Change

CRJ200

154,819


172,403


(10.2) %


659,358


719,938


(8.4) %

CRJ700/900s

164,275


165,789


(0.9) %


654,364


665,133


(1.6) %

ERJ145/135

140,525


188,419


(25.4) %


622,650


774,171


(19.6) %

E175

40,821


14,316


185.1 %


126,108


23,076


446.5%

EMB120

-


18,216


(100.0) %


12,324


93,244


(86.8) %


500,440


559,143


(10.5) %


2,074,804


2,275,562


(8.8) %















Completed Block Hours by Airline for 2015














Q4-2015


Q4-2014


Variance


FY 2015


FY 2014


Variance

SkyWest Airlines

271,068


265,389


2.1 %


1,074,809


1,060,149


1.4 %

ExpressJet

229,372


293,754


(21.9) %


999,995


1,215,413


(17.7) %


500,440


559,143


(10.5) %


2,074,804


2,275,562


(8.8) %



Quarterly Fleet, Block Hour and ASM Production Forecast for 2016



As of

March 31, 2016


As of

June 30, 2016


As of

Sept. 30, 2016


As of

Dec. 31, 2016



Fleet Summary

(Estimate)


(Estimate)


(Estimate)


(Estimate)



Regional Jets:










50 seat RJs

395


385


381


372



65-76 seat CRJs

197


195


190


183



76 seat E175s

47


52


63


77













Totals

639


632


634


632














Q1 16


Q2 16


Q3 16


Q4 16


Totals


(Estimate)


(Estimate)


(Estimate)


(Estimate)


(Estimate)

Block hours

ASMs

480,000

8.3b


481,000

8.3b


487,000

8.3b


474,000

7.7b


1,922,000

32.6b



To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skywest-inc-announces-fourth-quarter-2015-and-full-year-profit-300215581.html

SOURCE SkyWest, Inc.


Copyright 2016 PR Newswire