The Company recorded a net loss of $328 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to net earnings of $81 million in the same period last year. The Company's loss reflects a dramatic year-over-year increase in fuel prices from an average of $1.85 per gallon in the first quarter 2007 to an average of $2.74 per gallon in the first three months of 2008. Fuel expense is the Company's largest single expense category and the price increase resulted in $665 million in incremental year-over-year fuel expense in the first quarter 2008 (based on the year-over-year increase in the average price per gallon multiplied by gallons consumed).
The significant rise in fuel price was partially offset by higher unit revenues (passenger revenue per available seat mile). Mainline passenger unit revenues increased 6.5 percent for the first quarter due to a one point load factor increase and a 5.1 percent increase in passenger yield (passenger revenue per passenger mile) compared to the same period in 2007. Although load factor performance and passenger yield showed year-over-year improvement, passenger yield remains low by historical standards and below the Company's peak yield set in the year 2000. The Company believes this is the result of a fragmented industry with numerous competitors and excess capacity, increased competition from low cost carriers and from carriers that have recently reorganized under the protection of Chapter 11, pricing transparency resulting from the use of the Internet, and other factors. We believe that our reduced pricing power could persist indefinitely.
As of March 31, 2008, the Company had commitments to acquire 25 Boeing 737-800s in 2009, three Boeing 737-800s in 2010 and an aggregate of 26 Boeing 737 aircraft and seven Boeing 777 aircraft in 2013 through 2016 as a part of its fleet replacement strategy. On April 1, 2008, AMR committed to acquire two incremental Boeing 737-800s to be delivered in 2009. See subsection entitled "Significant Indebtedness and Future Financing" under Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis and Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for more information.
On April 16, 2008, the Company announced that it has reached a definitive agreement for the sale of American Beacon. See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for more information.
The Company's ability to become consistently profitable and its ability to continue to fund its obligations on an ongoing basis will depend on a number of factors, many of which are largely beyond the Company's control. Certain risk factors that affect the Company's business and financial results are referred to under "Forward-Looking Information" above and are discussed in the Risk Factors listed in Item 1A (on pages 11-17) in the 2007 Form 10-K. In addition, four of the Company's largest domestic competitors and several smaller carriers have filed for bankruptcy in the last several years and have used this process to significantly reduce contractual labor and other costs. In order to remain competitive and to improve its financial condition, the Company must continue to take steps to generate additional revenues and to reduce its costs. Although the Company has a number of initiatives underway to address its cost and revenue challenges, the ultimate success of these initiatives is not known at this time and cannot be assured.
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