HOUSTON, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:
XJT), parent company of regional and charter airline operator, ExpressJet
Airlines, Inc., today reported a third quarter loss for 2009, excluding
special items, of $7.7 million or $0.52 per common share. These results
reflect an improvement over the same period in 2008 where the company reported
a loss of $15.8 million or $1.00 per common share, excluding special items.
Overall, ExpressJet reported a third quarter loss of $9.0 million or $0.61 per
common share versus income of $4.4 million or $0.28 per common share during
third quarter 2008.
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Year-to-date excluding special items, ExpressJet narrowed its loss to $30.9
million or $1.98 per common share compared to a loss of $47 million or $5.38
per common share for the nine months ended third quarter 2008. Overall,
ExpressJet reported a year-to-date loss of $33.5 million or $2.15 per common
share.
These results reflect the continued downward pressure on financial performance
due to lower aircraft utilization driven by a decrease in travel demand
experienced across the airline industry.
"While we are pleased with the financial improvement versus last year, our
results continue to be negatively impacted by the softness in passenger demand
that is affecting the entire industry," said Jim Ream, President and Chief
Executive Officer. Ream added, "Going forward, our results will get better as
the utilization of our fleet returns to pre-recessionary levels, and we remain
very positive in our ability to attract new customers in both our contract and
corporate aviation divisions."
Operational Overview
Scheduled Flying
Under its capacity purchase agreement with Continental, ExpressJet flew
169,255 block hours during the third quarter using 214 aircraft versus 171,840
block hours during the same period in 2008 using 205 aircraft. The
Continental Express average aircraft utilization during the quarter was the
highest year-to-date totaling 8.6 hours per day yet was lower than the 9.11
hours per day flown during third quarter of 2008. Aircraft utilization began
trending downward in third quarter 2008 due to capacity withdrawals made in
response to record-high fuel prices and continued the trend through 2009 as
the global recession adversely affected passenger demand.
In third quarter 2009, ExpressJet generated 2.1 billion revenue passenger
miles on 2.7 billion available seat miles producing a load factor of 80.2%
under its agreement with Continental.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, ExpressJet flew 490,848 block
hours as Continental Express compared to 529,583 block hours during same
period in 2008. Year-to-date ExpressJet generated 5.9 billion revenue
passenger miles on 7.6 billion available seat miles producing a load factor of
77.1% under its agreement with Continental.
Corporate Aviation
ExpressJet flew 8,393 block hours during the third quarter within its
corporate aviation division, including those hours flown under a short-term
agreement with United Air Lines for ten 50-seat aircraft that accounted for
6,684 block hours flown during the quarter. Block hours generated for the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 within the corporate aviation division
totaled 16,469.
ExpressJet's fleet within the corporate aviation division consisted of eight
41-seat aircraft and twenty-two 50-seat aircraft during the quarter, totaling
an operating fleet of 30 aircraft.
All Flying
ExpressJet operated 244 aircraft during third quarter 2009. Last year during
the third quarter, ExpressJet returned 29 aircraft to Continental as part of
the amended capacity purchase agreement that began on July 1, 2008.
Aviation Services
During the quarter, ExpressJet managed 40 contracts at 30 stations. Total
activity during the quarter as measured by aircraft turns was 19,578.
Financial Overview
ExpressJet generated $179.2 million in revenue during the three months ended
September 30, 2009 versus $262.3 for the three months ended September 30,
2008. The year-over-year decrease in passenger revenue stems from numerous
factors including: lower utilization due to the global economic recession and
ExpressJet's suspension of flying for both its branded and Delta operations
during third quarter 2008.
Under the amended capacity purchase agreement, Continental paid ExpressJet
$151.9 million in block hour revenue and pass-through expense reimbursements
for third quarter 2009 versus $161.1 million for third quarter 2008. The
decrease in revenue earned from Continental year-over-year primarily relates
to the transition of agent wages and facility rents from pass-through expenses
under the amended capacity purchase agreement. ExpressJet also experienced an
off-setting decline in expenses related to this transition.
Revenue earned during the third quarter 2009 in the corporate aviation
division totaled $18 million. This included revenue from the short-term
flying arrangement with United Air Lines. Third quarter revenue from aviation
services (ground handling and other) totaled $8.1 million versus $9.5 million
in third quarter 2008 primarily due to the sale of American Composites, LLC
and the suspension of ancillary revenue from ExpressJet branded operations.
"We were successful in a bid for aircraft cleaning in our aviation services
division and added several new customers in corporate aviation," said Ream.
"Booking trends for our charter ad hoc flying improved during October, so we
continue to be encouraged about our progress in these two lines of business,"
Ream added.
Year-to-date, ExpressJet earned $519.5 million in revenue, including $446.6
million in passenger revenue from flying under its agreement with Continental,
$46.9 million through corporate aviation and $26 million through aviation
services.
ExpressJet ended the third quarter 2009 with $105.4 million in cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments. The cash balance included $19.5
million in restricted cash and $24.1 million in short-term investments,
primarily auction rate securities, after accounting adjustments to impair the
value of these assets.
ExpressJet entered into a settlement agreement with Royal Bank of Canada
pursuant to which Royal Bank of Canada repurchased certain auction rate
securities from ExpressJet for 87.5% of the par value allowing ExpressJet to
realize $15.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Subsequent to quarter
end, ExpressJet entered into agreements for the sale of $10 million in par
value of its auction rate securities realizing approximately $9 million in
cash on the sales and expects to consummate such transactions in the very near
future. ExpressJet intends to continue monitoring the auction rate securities
market to attempt to monetize the assets at or near face value and recently
initiated litigation against Bank of America Corporation related to auction
rate securities sold to ExpressJet by Bank of America in January 2008.
In August 2009, ExpressJet announced its board of directors authorized an
additional $10 million for the previously announced securities repurchase
program and subsequently ExpressJet spent approximately $5.8 million to
repurchase $6.8 million par value of its 11.25% Secured Convertible Notes due
2023. The total remaining in the program, after accounting for repurchases
made during third quarter 2009, is approximately $9.7 million. The company
expects any future purchases of the notes or stock to be made from time to
time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
After accounting for the debt repurchases made during the quarter, the
outstanding balance of ExpressJet's 11.25% Secured Convertible Notes due 2023
is $52.1 million. This balance represents the par value due to noteholders
when the notes become due August 1, 2023.
Capital expenditures totaled $1.2 million during the quarter compared to $2
million during the third quarter 2008. Year-to-date capital expenditures
total $3.9 million and the company plans to spend between $1 and $2 million
during the fourth quarter of 2009 to meet operational requirements.
The company will review its third quarter 2009 results on Wednesday, November
4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. EST (9:00 a.m. CST). A live webcast of the call will be
available at www.expressjet.com. To access the conference call by phone, dial
(866) 638-3022 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and
ask to join the ExpressJet call. International callers should dial (630)
691-2765.
Corporate Background
ExpressJet Holdings operates several divisions designed to leverage the
management experience, efficiencies and economies of scale present in its
subsidiaries, including ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and ExpressJet Services,
LLC. ExpressJet Airlines serves 130 scheduled destinations in North America
and the Caribbean with approximately 1,100 departures per day. Operations
include a capacity purchase agreement for Continental; providing clients
customized 41-seat and 50-seat charter options (www.expressjet.com/charter);
and supplying third-party aviation and ground handling services. For more
information, visit www.expressjet.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements. Statements including words
such as "believes," "intends," "plans," "anticipates, "estimates," "projects,"
"expects" or similar expressions represent forward-looking statements that are
based on the Company's expectations in light of facts known by management on
the date of this release. Specifically, statements regarding ExpressJet's
future results of operations, operating costs, business prospects, growth and
capital expenditures, including plans with respect to its fleet, are
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this release
reflect the Company's plans, assumptions and expectations about future events
and are subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside ExpressJet's
control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements include known and unknown risks. The five key areas of the known
risks that could significantly impact the company's revenues, operating
results and capacity include: operations under the Company's capacity purchase
agreement with Continental Airlines, Inc. may no longer be profitable; charter
operations and other aviation services may affect ExpressJet's ability to
operate profitably; rising costs, a global, economic recession and the highly
competitive nature of the airline industry; the profile of the Company's
current shareholders; and regulations, including listing regulations for
publicly traded companies, and other factors. For further discussions of
these risks and others, please see the sections entitled "Risk Factors", as
well as other sections, of ExpressJet's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The events described in the forward-looking statements
might not occur or might occur to a materially different extent than described
in this release. ExpressJet undertakes no duty to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
EXPRESSJET HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(In thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended
September 30, Increase/
2009 2008 (Decrease)
---- ---- --------
Operating Revenue
Passenger $153,017 $245,170 (37.6%)
Corporate Aviation 18,045 7,615 nm
Ground handling and other 8,138 9,541 (14.7%)
----- -----
179,200 262,326 (31.7%)
Operating Expenses:
Wages, salaries and related costs 81,435 98,252 (17.1%)
Maintenance, materials and repairs 44,251 48,296 (8.4%)
Other rentals and landing fees 16,367 22,646 (27.7%)
Depreciation and amortization 6,921 6,718 3.0%
Outside services 6,344 8,509 (25.4%)
Aircraft rentals 5,472 18,917 (71.1%)
Aircraft fuel and related taxes 4,555 32,235 (85.9%)
Ground handling 1,896 5,862 (67.7%)
Marketing and distribution 428 1,767 (75.8%)
Special charges - 21,187 nm
Other operating expenses 19,670 26,898 (26.9%)
------ ------
187,339 291,287 (35.7%)
------- -------
Operating Loss (8,139) (28,961) (71.9%)
----- ------
Nonoperating Income (Expense):
Gain on sale of short-term
investments, net 1,274 - nm
Impairment charges on investment (108) - nm
Extinguishment of debt (966) - nm
Gain from debt discount - 27,785 nm
Settlement of fuel contracts - 23,149 nm
Amortization of debt discount (1,583) (2,516) (37.1%)
Interest expense, net of
capitalized interest (1,825) (2,057) (11.3%)
Interest income 200 1,218 (83.6%)
Equity investments loss, net - 96 nm
Other, net 200 (203) nm
--- ---
(2,808) 47,472 nm
----- ------
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes (10,947) 18,511 nm
Income Tax Benefit (Expense) 1,902 (14,096) nm
----- ------
Net Income (Loss) $(9,045) $4,415 nm
======= ======
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss)
per Common Share $(0.61) $0.28 nm
====== =====
Shares Used in Computing Basic
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share 14,851 15,872 (6.4%)
Shares Used in Computing
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per
Common Share 14,851 15,880 (6.5%)
EXPRESSJET HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(In thousands, except per share data) Nine Months Ended
September 30, Increase/
2009 2008 (Decrease)
---- ---- --------
Operating Revenue
Passenger $446,618 $1,094,240 (59.2%)
Corporate Aviation 46,920 31,441 49.2%
Ground handling and other 25,959 31,989 (18.9%)
------ ------
519,497 1,157,670 (55.1%)
------- ---------
Operating Expenses:
Wages, salaries and related costs 240,729 321,686 (25.2%)
Maintenance, materials and repairs 123,922 160,349 (22.7%)
Other rentals and landing fees 45,491 81,398 (44.1%)
Depreciation and amortization 22,180 24,145 (8.1%)
Outside services 20,071 41,819 (52.0%)
Aircraft rentals 16,416 192,432 (91.5%)
Aircraft fuel and related taxes 10,175 226,184 (95.5%)
Ground handling 7,497 57,813 (87.0%)
Marketing and distribution 2,093 25,173 (91.7%)
Impairments of fixed assets and goodwill - 21,410 nm
Special charges - 21,896 nm
Other operating expenses 60,958 91,107 (33.1%)
------ ------
549,532 1,265,412 (56.6%)
------- ---------
Operating Loss (30,035) (107,742) (72.1%)
------ -------
Nonoperating Income / (Expense):
Gain on sale of short-term
investments, net 1,755 - nm
Impairment charges on investment (108) (18,892) (99.4%)
Extinguishment of debt (394) 2,107 nm
Gain from debt discount - 27,785 nm
Settlement of fuel contracts - 23,149 nm
Amortization of debt discount (3,912) (8,431) (53.6%)
Interest expense, net of
capitalized interest (5,835) (6,265) (6.9%)
Interest income 837 4,980 (83.2%)
Equity investments loss, net (377) (967) (61.0%)
Other, net (929) 1,408 nm
--- -----
(8,963) 24,874 nm
----- ------
Loss before Income Taxes (38,998) (82,868) (52.9%)
Income Tax Benefit 5,452 22,764 (76.0%)
----- ------
Net Loss $(33,546) $(60,104) (44.2%)
======== ========
Basic and Diluted Loss per
Common Share $(2.15) $(6.88) (68.8%)
Shares Used in Computing Basic
and Diluted Loss per Common Share 15,581 8,737 78.3%
EXPRESSJET HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINAL STATISTICS
-----------------------------
Continental Corporate
Express Aviation
----------- ---------
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
Revenue Passenger Miles (millions) 2,129 83
Available Seat Miles (ASM) (millions) 2,655 124
Passenger Load Factor 80.2% 67.1%
Block Hours 169,255 8,393
Departures 92,151 5,769
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
Revenue Passenger Miles (millions) 5,852 153
Available Seat Miles (ASM) (millions) 7,589 247
Passenger Load Factor 77.1% 61.9%
Block Hours 490,848 16,469
Departures 260,884 11,391
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
----------------------
Net Income Reconciliation:
Net income (loss) $(9,045) $4,415
Adjustments for special items (gains):
Less: Realized gain from sale of
short-term investments(1) (1,274) -
Add: Realized loss from impairment
charge on investment(2) 108 -
Add: Realized loss from extinguishment
of debt(3) 966 -
Less: Realized gain from special
charges, net(4) - (22,102)
Add: Realized loss from amortization
of debt discount(5) 1,583 1,870
===== =====
Net loss excluding special
items (gains)(6) $(7,662) $(15,817)
======= ========
Earnings / (Loss) Per Share
Reconciliation:
Diluted loss per share $(0.61) $0.28
Adjustments for special items (gains): 0.09 (1.28)
==== ====
Diluted loss per share, excluding
special item (gains)(6) $(0.52) $(1.00)
====== ======
(1) During the third quarter of 2009, we settled a portion of our
auction rate securities portfolio and recognized a gain of
$1.3 million.
(2) In 2009, we recognized an impairment charge on investments of
$0.1 million for declines in fair value below the adjusted cost
basis of our ARS holdings for the three months ended
September 30, 2009.
(3) Effective January 1, 2009, ExpressJet adopted Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Staff Position No. APB 14-1, "Accounting for
Convertible Debt Instruments that May Be Settled in Cash upon
Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)", which clarifies
the accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be
settled in cash (including partial cash settlements) upon
conversion. Repurchases of our convertible notes during the three
months ended September 30, 2009, resulted in losses on
extinguishment of debt of $1 million within the scope of FSP
APB 14-1. Such gains were calculated as the difference between
the fair value of the liability component immediately prior to
extinguishment and its book value. No repurchases of our
convertible notes were made during the three months ended
September 30, 2008.
(4) During the third quarter of 2008, we recognized special charges
including charges of $15.7 million, net of taxes, related to the
suspension of several lines of our at-risk flying operation, a
gain of ($20.6) million, net of taxes, resulting from the
refinancing of our convertible notes and a gain of
($17.2) million, net of taxes, due to the sale of fuel contracts.
(5) In 2008, we recorded $27.8 million in debt discount related to the
refinancing of our convertible notes. The financial statements for
the three months ended September 30, 2008 were adjusted to reflect
an additional $0.7 million, net of taxes, to the previously
reported $1.2 million, net of taxes in amortization of debt
discount as a result of the adoption of Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Staff Position No. APB 14-1, "Accounting for
Convertible Debt Instruments that May Be Settled in Cash upon
Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)". During the third
quarter of 2009, we recognized $1.6 million in amortization of the
debt discount recorded in 2008.
(6) By excluding special non-recurring items, these financial measures
provide management and investors the ability to measure and
monitor ExpressJet's performance on a consistent year-over-year
basis.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In thousands, except per share data)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Net Income Reconciliation:
Net loss $(33,546) $(60,104)
Adjustments for special items (gains):
Less: Realized gain from sale of
short-term investments(1) (1,755) -
Add: Realized loss from impairment
charge on investments (2) 108 14,036
Add: Realized loss from extinguishment
of debt(3) 394 (1,565)
Less: Realized gain from special
charges, net(4) - (5,667)
Add: Realized loss from amortization
of debt discount(5) 3,912 6,264
Net loss excluding special
items (gains)(6) $(30,887) $(47,036)
Earnings / (Loss) Per Share
Reconciliation:
Diluted loss per share $(2.15) $(6.88)
Adjustments for special items (gains): 0.17 1.50
Diluted loss per share, excluding
special items (gains)(6) $(1.98) $(5.38)
(1) During the first quarter of 2009, we sold a portion of our auction
rate securities portfolio and recognized a gain of $0.5 million.
During the third quarter of 2009, we settled a portion of our
auction rate securities portfolio and recognized a gain of
$1.3 million.
(2) During the first quarter of 2008, we determined that our
investment in auction rate securities was other-than-temporarily
impaired and recognized a realized loss, net of taxes, of
$10.1 million. During the second quarter of 2008, we determined
that the carrying value of our investment in Wing Holding, LLC was
fully impaired. This non-recurring charge of $3.9 million, net of
taxes, was recognized as a decrease to our investment balance and
a corresponding equity loss. In 2009, we recognized an impairment
charge on investments of $0.1 million for declines in fair value
below the adjusted cost basis of our ARS holdings for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009.
(3) Effective January 1, 2009, ExpressJet adopted Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Staff Position No. APB 14-1, "Accounting for
Convertible Debt Instruments that May Be Settled in Cash upon
Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)", which clarifies
the accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be
settled in cash (including partial cash settlements) upon
conversion. Repurchases of our convertible notes during the nine
months ended September 30, 2008, resulted in gains on
extinguishment of debt of $1.6 million, net of taxes, within the
scope of FSP APB 14-1. Repurchases of our convertible notes
during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, resulted in
losses on extinguishment of debt of $0.4 million within the scope
of FSP APB 14-1. Such gains were calculated as the difference
between the fair value of the liability component immediately
prior to extinguishment and its book value.
(4) During the second quarter of 2008, we recognized a $0.5 million,
net of taxes, charge related to previously disputed base closure
costs associated with the original capacity purchase agreement
with Continental Airlines. During the third quarter of 2008, we
recognized special charges including charges of $15.7 million, net
of taxes, related to the suspension of several lines of our
at-risk flying operation, a gain of ($20.6) million, net of taxes,
resulting from the refinancing of our convertible notes and a gain
of ($17.2) million, net of taxes, due to the sale of fuel
contracts. In addition, we recognized in the second quarter
of 2008, special charges including an $9.5 million, net of taxes,
impairment of goodwill related to the original capacity purchase
agreement with Continental Airlines, and a $6.4 million, net of
taxes, impairment charge to write off certain capital assets.
(5) In 2008, we recorded $27.8 million in debt discount related to the
refinancing of our convertible notes. The financial statements for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were adjusted to reflect
an additional $5.1 million, net of taxes, to the previously
reported $1.2 million, net of taxes in amortization of debt
discount as a result of the adoption of Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Staff Position No. APB 14-1, "Accounting for
Convertible Debt Instruments that May Be Settled in Cash upon
Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)". During the nine
months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized $3.9 million in
amortization of the debt discount recorded in 2008.
(6) By excluding special non-recurring items, these financial measures
provide management and investors the ability to measure and
monitor ExpressJet's performance on a consistent year-over-year
basis.
SOURCE ExpressJet Holdings, Inc.
Kristy Nicholas, Corporate Communications of ExpressJet, +1-832-353-3333, toll
free, 1-877-958-NEWS, express.press@expressjet.com
