Alaska Air Group reports third quarter 2016 results

SEATTLE, Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Financial Highlights:

• Reported net income for the third quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $256 million, or $2.07 per diluted share, compared to net income of $274 million, or $2.14 per diluted share in 2015.
• Reported adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.20, a 2% increase over the third quarter of 2015. Third quarter net income, excluding special items, was $272 million, a 2% decrease from the third quarter of 2015. This quarter's results exceed First Call analyst consensus estimate of $2.09 per share.
• Paid 27.5¢ per-share quarterly cash dividend in the third quarter, a 38% increase over the dividend paid in the third quarter of 2015.
• Generated approximately $1.2 billion of operating cash flow and $700 million of free cash flow for the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2016.
• Achieved 24.8% adjusted pre-tax margin on a trailing 12-month basis.
• Achieved return on invested capital of 24.4% for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2016.
• Held $3.2 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of Sept. 30, 2016.

Planned Acquisition of Virgin America:

• Announced proposed acquisition of Virgin America on April 4, 2016.
• Raised approximately $1.5 billion of funding in anticipation of the proposed acquisition of Virgin America.
• Recorded special items of $22 million in the third quarter for merger-related costs.

Year-To-Date Accomplishments and Highlights:

• Became the first major U.S. airline to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for its Safety Management System.
• Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in 2016 by J.D. Power for ninth year in a row.
• Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in 2016 by J.D. Power for the third consecutive year.
• Ranked first in the U.S. News & World Report's list of Best Airline Rewards Programs for the second consecutive year.
• Announced enhanced benefits to the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa Business credit card including the elimination of foreign transaction fees and increased bonus miles.
• Announced a new codeshare agreement and frequent flier partnership with Japan Airlines, providing Alaska customers seamless travel and mileage earning opportunities.
• Ranked among Forbes' 2016 "America's Best Employers."
• Held the No. 1 spot in U.S. Department of Transportation on-time performance among the six largest U.S. airlines for the 12 months ended August 2016.
• Received the Department of Defense 2016 Freedom Award, the highest recognition given to employers by the U.S. government for their support of National Guard and Reserve members.
• Received 15th Diamond Awards of Excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration, recognizing both Alaska and Horizon's aircraft technicians for their commitment to training.
• Earned first place in the commercial aviation division and first place overall at the 2016 Annual International Aerospace Maintenance Competition, surpassing over 50 teams from around the world.
• Named the No. 1 cargo carrier by Logistics Management magazine, as part of its annual Quest for Quality awards.
• Joined the Standard and Poor's 500 Index. Companies included in the S&P 500 are chosen by the S&P Index Committee based on their size, earnings history and liquidity, among other factors.
• Ranked among the Fortune 500 for the third year in a row.
• Flew the first commercial flight using sustainable alcohol-to-jet biofuel made from U.S. grown corn, continuing Alaska's commitment to reduce its carbon emissions.
• Ranked among the top "green companies" in the United States by Newsweek.
• Received the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Green Gateway Environmental Excellence Award for the second year in a row, as a result of efforts in reducing emissions, recycling and waste reduction and lowered energy consumption.

New routes announced in the third quarter were as follows:

New Nonstop Routes Announced (Launch Dates)
Portland, Oregon to Newark, New Jersey (11/10/16)
San Diego to Newark, New Jersey (11/21/16)
Portland to Sun Valley, Idaho (12/17/16)
Los Angeles to Havana, Cuba (1/5/17) ^(a)
San Jose, California to Newark, New Jersey (3/12/17)
Seattle to Wichita, Kansas (4/13/17)
Seattle to Indianapolis, Indiana (5/11/17)
^(a) Pending final Department of Transportation (DOT) approval.

Alaska Air Group, Inc., (NYSE: ALK) today reported third quarter 2016 GAAP net income of $256 million, or $2.07 per diluted share, compared to $274 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015. Excluding the impact of merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported record adjusted net income of $272 million, or $2.20 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $277 million, or $2.16 per diluted share, in 2015.

"We had a fantastic quarter operationally and financially. I want to thank both our employees and customers," said Alaska Airlines Chairman and CEO Brad Tilden. "All of us at Alaska are fully focused on completing our merger with Virgin America, while continuing to work together to be the best airline we can possibly be for our customers."

The following table reconciles the company's reported GAAP net income and earnings per diluted share (Diluted EPS).

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables. A glossary of financial terms can be found on the last page of this release.

A conference call regarding the third quarter results will be simulcast online at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time on October 20, 2016. It can be accessed through the company's website at www.alaskaair.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available after the conclusion of the call.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These statements relate to future events, Alaska Air Group and the proposed merger of Virgin America with a wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska Air Group. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," " expect," "may," "likely," "should," "project," "could," "plan," "goal," "potential," "pro forma," "seek," "estimate," "intend" or "anticipate" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include discussions of strategy, financial projections, guidance and estimates (including their underlying assumptions), statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of announced transactions, and statements about the future performance, operations and services of Alaska Air Group. Alaska Air Group cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual results and experience may materially differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include the following: delay in closing the merger or the possibility of non-consummation of the merger; labor costs and relations; general economic conditions; increases in operating costs including fuel; competition; inability to meet cost reduction goals; seasonal fluctuations in our financial results; an aircraft accident; and changes in laws and regulations. These risks and others relating to Alaska Air Group and the proposed merger are described in greater detail in Alaska Air Group's SEC filings, including Alaska Air Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as well as in other documents filed by Alaska Air Group with the SEC after the date thereof. Alaska Air Group makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances occurring or existing after the date any forward-looking statement is made.

Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and soon Cuba. With Alaska's global airline partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming entertainment direct to their device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, facebook.com/alaskaairlines and linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.