Table of Contents

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

 

OR

 

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                  to                

 

Commission File Number 001-33166

 

Allegiant Travel Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Nevada

 

20-4745737

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

8360 S. Durango Drive,

 

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

 

89113

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (702) 851-7300

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of the close of business on May 3, 2010 was 19,917,510.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Allegiant Travel Company

 

Form 10-Q

March 31, 2010

 

INDEX

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3

 

 

 

·

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009

3

 

 

 

·

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

4

 

 

 

·

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

5

 

 

 

·

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

6

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

11

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

19

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

19

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

20

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

20

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

20

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

20

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

20

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except for share amounts)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

133,671

 

$

90,239

 

Restricted cash

 

20,036

 

17,841

 

Short-term investments

 

115,490

 

141,231

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $- at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

7,416

 

7,476

 

Expendable parts, supplies and fuel, net of allowance for obsolescence of $704 and $659 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

 

11,613

 

10,673

 

Prepaid expenses

 

16,765

 

19,432

 

Deferred income taxes

 

299

 

269

 

Other current assets

 

1,316

 

2,712

 

Total current assets

 

306,606

 

289,873

 

Property and equipment, net

 

238,988

 

204,533

 

Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates, net

 

1,262

 

1,353

 

Deposits and other assets

 

3,778

 

3,880

 

Total assets

 

$

550,634

 

$

499,639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of notes payable

 

$

19,341

 

$

21,297

 

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

 

2,077

 

2,041

 

Accounts payable

 

27,813

 

20,990

 

Accrued liabilities

 

17,769

 

23,699

 

Air traffic liability

 

121,721

 

90,554

 

Total current liabilities

 

188,721

 

158,581

 

Long-term debt and other long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable, net of current maturities

 

17,059

 

21,027

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities

 

909

 

1,442

 

Deferred income taxes

 

29,232

 

26,566

 

Total liabilities

 

235,921

 

207,616

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 21,221,467 and 21,088,633 shares issued; 19,927,322 and 19,850,090 shares outstanding, as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

 

21

 

21

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,294,145 and 1,238,543 shares at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

 

(45,001

)

(42,149

)

Additional paid in capital

 

174,907

 

171,887

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

14

 

92

 

Retained earnings

 

184,772

 

162,172

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

314,713

 

292,023

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

550,634

 

$

499,639

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited, in thousands, except for per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING REVENUE:

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled service revenue

 

$

110,434

 

$

90,196

 

Ancillary revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Air-related charges

 

42,650

 

36,501

 

Third party products

 

4,942

 

4,755

 

Total ancillary revenue

 

47,592

 

41,256

 

Fixed fee contract revenue

 

11,267

 

10,106

 

Other revenue

 

344

 

561

 

Total operating revenue

 

169,637

 

142,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft fuel

 

57,366

 

33,398

 

Salary and benefits

 

25,892

 

23,409

 

Station operations

 

15,682

 

13,133

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

12,770

 

11,132

 

Sales and marketing

 

5,083

 

4,467

 

Aircraft lease rentals

 

507

 

405

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,691

 

6,882

 

Other

 

7,401

 

4,815

 

Total operating expenses

 

133,392

 

97,641

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

36,245

 

44,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net

 

142

 

7

 

Interest income

 

(411

)

(701

)

Interest expense

 

749

 

1,101

 

Total other (income) expense

 

480

 

407

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

35,765

 

44,071

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

13,165

 

15,909

 

NET INCOME

 

$

22,600

 

$

28,162

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.39

 

Diluted

 

$

1.12

 

$

1.37

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

19,805

 

20,219

 

Diluted

 

20,222

 

20,512

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,600

 

$

28,162

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,691

 

6,882

 

Loss on aircraft and other equipment disposals

 

858

 

82

 

Provision for obsolescence of expendable parts, supplies and fuel

 

45

 

15

 

Stock compensation expense

 

969

 

761

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,636

 

12,107

 

Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises

 

(209

)

 

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

(2,195

)

133

 

Accounts receivable

 

60

 

(1,345

)

Expendable parts, supplies and fuel

 

(985

)

(2,211

)

Prepaid expenses

 

2,667

 

3,032

 

Other current assets

 

1,396

 

376

 

Accounts payable

 

7,032

 

4,221

 

Accrued liabilities

 

(5,930

)

1,688

 

Air traffic liability

 

31,167

 

34,535

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

68,802

 

88,438

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of short-term investments

 

(49,245

)

(51,156

)

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

 

74,909

 

9,761

 

Purchase of property and equipment, including pre-delivery deposits

 

(44,004

)

(12,050

)

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates, net

 

91

 

(517

)

Decrease (increase) in deposits and other assets

 

102

 

(1,641

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(18,147

)

(55,603

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises

 

209

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

1,841

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(2,852

)

(7,061

)

Principal payments on notes payable

 

(5,924

)

(5,003

)

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

 

(497

)

(463

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(7,223

)

(12,527

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

43,432

 

20,308

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

90,239

 

97,153

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

133,671

 

$

117,461

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Cash Transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for software operating system

 

$

 

$

1,648

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation:  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Allegiant Travel Company (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates in which ownership interest ranges from 20 to 50 percent and provides the Company the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments, which management believes are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company for the respective periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for Form 10-Q. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto included in the annual report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

The interim results reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the full year.

 

Comprehensive Income:  Comprehensive income is comprised of changes in the fair value of short-term investments and marketable securities deemed to be available-for-sale by management.

 

Reclassifications:  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period’s financial statements to conform to 2010 classifications.  These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net income.  In particular, the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income reflect additional detail presented within operating revenue of the ancillary revenue categories of air-related charges and third party products.

 

Note 2 — Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ratified Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 08-01, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (“EITF 08-1”). EITF 08-1 updates the current guidance pertaining to multiple-element revenue arrangements included in ASC Topic 605 and changes the allocation methods used in determining how to account for multiple payment streams. It also results in the ability to separately account for more deliverables and potentially less revenue deferrals.  This accounting standard is effective for new revenue arrangements entered into by the Company after January 1, 2011.  The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this pronouncement and has not yet determined the impact and likely timing of such impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (ASC Topic 810). The guidance is intended to improve financial reporting by providing additional guidance to companies involved with variable interest entities and by requiring additional disclosures about a company’s involvement in variable interest entities. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after November 15, 2009.  Adoption of the new accounting guidance has not had an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements Disclosures,” which amends Subtopic 820-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to require new disclosures for fair value measurements and provides clarification for existing disclosure requirements. More specifically, this update will require (a) an entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements and to describe the reasons for the transfers; and (b) information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements to be presented separately (i.e. present the activity on a gross basis rather than net) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). This update clarifies existing disclosure requirements for the level of disaggregation used for classes of assets and liabilities measured

 

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at fair value, and requires disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. Certain provisions requiring new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures of the guidance are effective for interim and reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Certain other provisions for new disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010.  Adoption of those provisions of the accounting guidance that became effective for this interim period presented has resulted in new fair value disclosures.  See related fair value disclosures in Note 8 — Fair Value Measurements.

 

Note 3 — Income Taxes

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company did not have any material unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company estimates that no significant unrecognized tax benefits will be recorded within the next twelve months.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  There was no significant accrued interest at March 31, 2010.  No penalties were accrued at March 31, 2010.

 

Note 4 — Stockholders’ Equity

 

In January 2010, the Board of Directors increased to $25,000 the remaining authority under the Company’s existing share repurchase program (share repurchase program approved in January 2009) to acquire the Company’s stock through open market purchases.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company repurchased 55,602 shares through open market purchases at an average cost of $51.29 per share for a total expenditure of $2,852.  No share repurchases were made under the plan during the first quarter of 2009.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had a total of $22,148 in unused stock repurchase authority remaining under the plan.

 

Note 5 — Earnings Per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share, on a basic and diluted basis for the periods indicated (shares in table below in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,600

 

$

28,162

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

 

19,805

 

20,219

 

Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options

 

172

 

121

 

Stock purchase warrants

 

149

 

143

 

Restricted stock

 

39

 

29

 

Stock-settled stock appreciation rights

 

57

 

 

Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted

 

20,222

 

20,512

 

Net income per share, basic

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.39

 

Net income per share, diluted

 

$

1.12

 

$

1.37

 

 

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Note 6 — Long-Term Debt

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 8%, due at varying dates through December 2010

 

$

1,725

 

$

3,212

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 8.5%, due November 2011

 

8,377

 

9,070

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6%, due April 2012

 

9,859

 

10,969

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6%, due at varying dates through February 2011

 

4,363

 

5,599

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6.8%, due June 2011

 

3,602

 

4,242

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 8%, due June 2011

 

2,365

 

2,811

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6.95%, due June 2014

 

6,103

 

6,409

 

Other notes payable

 

6

 

12

 

Capital lease obligations

 

2,986

 

3,483

 

Total long-term debt

 

39,386

 

45,807

 

Less current maturities

 

(21,418

)

(23,338

)

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

$

17,968

 

$

22,469

 

 

The carrying value of the Company’s debt approximates fair value. These fair value estimates were based on the discounted amount of future cash flows using the Company’s current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities.

 

Note 7 — Short-term investments

 

The Company’s investments in marketable debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market value with the net unrealized gain or (loss) reported as a component of accumulated comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Short-term investments consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2010

 

As of December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

(Losses)

 

Market Value

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

(Losses)

 

Market Value

 

Debt securities issued by states of the United States and political subdivisions of the states

 

$

100,293

 

$

14

 

$

(23

)

$

100,284

 

$

76,599

 

$

44

 

$

(21

)

$

76,622

 

Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies

 

15,171

 

35

 

 

15,206

 

64,477

 

132

 

 

64,609

 

Total

 

$

115,464

 

$

49

 

$

(23

)

$

115,490

 

$

141,076

 

$

176

 

$

(21

)

$

141,231

 

 

The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method with any realized gains or losses reflected in income. The Company had no realized gains or losses during the three months ended March 31, 2010 or 2009.

 

The Company believes that the unrealized losses related to debt securities are not other-than-temporary. Debt securities in an unrealized loss position related primarily to investments in municipal bonds.

 

Short-term investments had the following maturities as of March 31, 2010:

 

Maturities

 

Amount

 

Year 2010

 

$

113,910

 

Year 2011

 

1,580

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

$

115,490

 

 

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Note 8 — Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value measurements accounting standards define fair value, establish a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and require disclosures for each major asset and liability category and class of investment measured at fair value on either a recurring or a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy is established in accounting standards. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Company held cash equivalents and short-term investments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Cash equivalents and short-term investments consist of short-term, highly liquid, income-producing investments.  Cash equivalents have maturities of three months or less, while the short-term investments have maturities of greater than three months. The Company uses the market approach valuation technique to determine fair value for these cash equivalents and short-term investments.  The assets classified as Level 1 consist of money market funds for which original cost approximates fair value.  The assets classified as Level 2 consist of municipal debt securities and U.S. government corporation and agency debt securities which are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources including transactions involving identical or comparable assets and models utilizing market observable inputs.

 

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

Active Markets for

 

Significant Other

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Identical Assets

 

Observable Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Description

 

2010

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

$

28,662

 

$

28,662

 

$

 

$

 

Municipal debt securities

 

99,226

 

 

99,226

 

 

Total cash equivalents

 

127,888

 

28,662

 

99,226

 

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal debt securities

 

100,284

 

 

100,284

 

 

Government debt securities

 

15,206

 

 

15,206

 

 

Total short-term investments

 

115,490

 

 

115,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

243,378

 

$

28,662

 

$

214,716

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

Active Markets for

 

Significant Other

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Identical Assets

 

Observable Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Description

 

2009

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

$

17,951

 

$

17,951

 

$

 

$

 

Municipal debt securities

 

67,140

 

 

67,140

 

 

Total cash equivalents

 

85,091

 

17,951

 

67,140

 

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal debt securities

 

76,622

 

 

76,622

 

 

Government debt securities

 

64,609

 

 

64,609

 

 

Total short-term investments

 

141,231

 

 

141,231

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

226,322

 

$

17,951

 

$

208,371

 

$

 

 

There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

Note 9 — Financial Instruments and Risk Management

 

Airline operations are inherently dependent on energy, and are therefore impacted by changes in jet fuel prices. Aircraft fuel expense represented approximately 43.0% and 34.2% of the Company’s operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Prior to 2008, the Company entered into financial derivative contracts to manage a limited portion of its risk of fuel price volatility.  These financial derivative instruments were not purchased or held for trading purposes. The Company suspended this hedging strategy in 2007 and the last contract settled in January 2008.  As of March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had no fuel derivative instruments.

 

Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is subject to certain legal and administrative actions it considers routine to its business activities. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of any pending legal or administrative matters will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 

The Company entered into purchase agreements for 20 MD-80 aircraft during the fourth quarter of 2009.  The Company placed one of these aircraft into service during the first quarter of 2010.  The Company expects to place 14 of the remaining aircraft into service by the end of 2011, with five aircraft to be used for spare engines and rotable parts.    As of March 31, 2010, the remaining contractual obligations under these purchase agreements total $19,025 to be paid during 2010 upon delivery of the remaining aircraft.

 

In March 2010, the Company entered into a purchase contract for six Boeing 757 aircraft with delivery dates from 2010 to 2011.  The Company expects two of these aircraft to enter operating service in fourth quarter 2010 with the remaining four aircraft to be added to the Company’s operating fleet in 2011 and 2012.  As of March 31, 2010, the remaining contractual obligations under the purchase agreement will be paid upon delivery of the aircraft, with $9,775 to be paid during 2010 and $29,325 to be paid during 2011.

 

Note 11 — Subsequent Events

 

On April 26, 2010, our Board of Directors declared a one-time cash dividend of $0.75 per share on our outstanding common stock. This dividend will be payable on June 1, 2010, to stockholders of record on May 14, 2010.  The Company estimates the total payment of the dividend to be approximately $14,938 based on the shares of our outstanding common stock as of the close of business on May 3, 2010.

 

During April 2010, the Company repurchased 190,562 shares through open market purchases under its existing share repurchase program at an average cost of $52.28 per share for a total expenditure of $9,963. 

 

On May 3, 2010, 162,500 shares of our common stock were issued through the exercise of warrants.  These warrants were issued to a placement agent in connection with the private placement of equity in 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis presents factors that had a material effect on our results of operations during the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  Also discussed is our financial position as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and our consolidated financial statements appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section below entitled “Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are a leisure travel company focused on residents of small cities in the United States.  We operate a low-cost passenger airline allowing us to sell air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel related services.  Our business model emphasizes low operating costs, diversified revenue sources, and the transport of passengers from small cities to leisure destinations.  Our route network, pricing philosophy, product offering and advertising are all intended to appeal to leisure travelers and make it attractive for them to purchase air travel and related services from us.

 

We provide limited frequency nonstop scheduled service to leisure destinations. We provide service primarily to Las Vegas (Nevada), Orlando (Florida), Phoenix (Arizona), Tampa/St. Petersburg (Florida), Los Angeles (California) and Ft. Lauderdale (Florida), six of the most popular leisure destinations in the United States, along with limited service to other leisure destinations.

 

We fly charter (“fixed fee”) services under long-term contracts (primarily for Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.) and on an on-demand “ad-hoc” basis.

 

First quarter 2010 results

 

During the first quarter of 2010, we earned net income of $22.6 million on operating revenues of $169.6 million and achieved a 21.4% operating margin.  We achieved these results despite a 71.8% increase in fuel expense driven by an increase in our system average fuel cost per gallon from $1.47 for the first quarter of 2009 to $2.17 for the same period of 2010.  Our operating revenue increased 19.4%, as a result of a 10.3% increase in scheduled service departures, a 9.2% increase in our scheduled service air fare and a 15.4% increase in ancillary revenue. Our scheduled service air fare increased from $74.52 to $81.41 year-over-year while our ancillary air fare increased from $34.09 to $35.08 in the same period.

 

We generated $68.8 million in net cash from operating activities during the quarter, and despite capital expenditures related to the expansion of our fleet, principal debt repayments, and stock repurchases, we ended the quarter with $249.2 million in unrestricted cash and short-term investments, up from $231.5 million as of December 31, 2009.

 

In March 2010, we entered into a purchase contract for six Boeing 757 aircraft with delivery dates from 2010 to 2011. These aircraft will provide us the ability to serve longer haul markets, including possible service to Hawaii after we receive regulatory approval for extended over water operations.  We took delivery of two of these aircraft during the first quarter, we expect to receive our operating authority by the end of the year and to put the aircraft in service shortly thereafter. The remaining four aircraft are expected to be added to our operating fleet in 2011 and 2012.

 

Fleet

 

During the first quarter of 2010, we placed one MD-80 aircraft into service which increased our operating fleet to 47 aircraft at March 31, 2010.  The following table sets forth the number and type of aircraft in service and operated by us at the dates indicated:

 

 

 

March 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

 

March 31, 2009

 

 

 

Own(a)(b)

 

Lease (c)

 

Total

 

Own(b)

 

Lease

 

Total

 

Own(a)(b)

 

Lease

 

Total

 

MD82/83/88s

 

39

 

4

 

43

 

38

 

4

 

42

 

35

 

2

 

37

 

MD87s

 

4

 

0

 

4

 

4

 

0

 

4

 

4

 

0

 

4

 

Total

 

43

 

4

 

47

 

42

 

4

 

46

 

39

 

2

 

41

 

 


(a)          Does not include aircraft owned, but not yet added to our operating fleet.

 

(b)         Includes two aircraft subject to capital leases for each of the periods presented.

 

(c)          In February 2010, we exercised purchase options on two aircraft under operating leases and expect to take ownership of the aircraft in November 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In April 2010, we placed an additional MD-83 aircraft into service in conjunction with the permanent withdrawal of one MD-80 aircraft (130-seat MD-87) from our operating fleet.  Our 130-seat MD-87 aircraft are exclusively used for flying fixed fee programs and this withdrawal has reduced the number of this type of aircraft in our operating fleet to three aircraft.  We expect to place three additional MD-83 aircraft, acquired from the recent purchase agreements we entered into in the fourth quarter of 2009, into our operating fleet by the end of the second quarter of 2010 which will increase our operating fleet to 50 operating aircraft.

 

Network

 

As of March 31, 2010, we offered scheduled service from 57 small cities on 134 routes primarily into our six major leisure destinations. Changes in our route network during the first quarter of 2010 were primarily a result of shifting routes from ten of our small cities from Orlando Sanford International Airport to Orlando International Airport.  The following shows the number of destinations and small cities served as of the dates indicated:

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

As of December 31,

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major leisure destinations

 

6

 

6

 

5

 

Other leisure destinations

 

5

 

5

 

6

 

Small cities served

 

57

 

58

 

59

 

Total cities served

 

68

 

69

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Routes to Las Vegas

 

39

 

40

 

39

 

Routes to Orlando airports

 

30

 

31

 

30

 

Routes to Phoenix

 

20

 

20

 

15

 

Routes to Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg

 

20

 

20

 

20

 

Routes to Los Angeles

 

11

 

11

 

0

 

Routes to Ft. Lauderdale

 

5

 

5

 

6

 

Other routes

 

9

 

9

 

6

 

Total routes

 

134

 

136

 

116

 

 

Trends and Uncertainties

 

The economic problems of the past two years are still evident. During 2009, consumers substantially reduced their outlays resulting in a significant reduction in air fares and air travel demand.  We are seeing improvements and experienced some recovery in the first quarter of 2010 in our scheduled service base fare, which increased year-over-year from $74.52 to $81.41.  This represented the second quarter in a row with a sequential increase in scheduled service base fare.   Ancillary revenue per passenger also increased sequentially by $2.30, from $32.78 for the fourth quarter of 2009 to $35.08 for the first quarter of 2010.  Although these recent unit revenue trends reflect improvements in the demand for airline travel, it is uncertain whether the recovery in fares will be sustained in future quarters.

 

Aircraft fuel expense in the first quarter of 2010 at 43.0% continues to represent a significant portion of our overall operating expenses.  Our average fuel cost per gallon was $2.17 during the first quarter of 2010 compared to $1.47 for the same period of 2009.  Fuel availability is subject to periods of market surplus and shortage and is affected by demand for heating oil, gasoline and other petroleum products. The cost of fuel cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty and further fuel cost volatility will most likely have a significant impact on our future results of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our new operational base at Grand Rapids, Michigan opened in April 2010. The aircraft base in Grand Rapids is our second small city base. We believe basing aircraft in a small city provides us with additional scheduling options including better departure times and the ability to facilitate service to destinations where bases are currently not in place. We currently operate routes from Grand Rapids to five of our major leisure destinations, as well as seasonal service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which began in April 2010. Our seasonal service to Myrtle Beach from two other small cities proved to be successful in 2009 and we have scheduled expansion of this service during 2010 as part of our capacity growth for the summer season.

 

Looking forward, we expect moderate growth for 2010 with capacity growth largely attributable to new routes being added to our network, utilization of our new aircraft bases and an increase in seasonal flying.  We have made a number of key investments to provide for future growth, including purchasing additional MD-80 aircraft, a contract for the purchase of six 757s for our planned Hawaii service, and the continuing development of a new automation platform.  As we have in the past, we will continue to quickly adjust and adapt our business in response to changing economic conditions and new opportunities to achieve desirable margins.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison of three months ended March 31, 2010 to three months ended March 31, 2009

 

The table below presents our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Total operating revenue

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft fuel

 

33.8

 

23.4

 

Salary and benefits

 

15.3

 

16.5

 

Station operations

 

9.2

 

9.2

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

7.5

 

7.8

 

Sales and marketing

 

3.0

 

3.1

 

Aircraft lease rentals

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5.1

 

4.8

 

Other

 

4.4

 

3.4

 

Total operating expenses

 

78.6

%

68.7

%

Operating margin

 

21.4

%

31.3

%

 

We recorded total operating revenue of $169.6 million, income from operations of $36.2 million and net income of $22.6 million for the first quarter of 2010.  By comparison, for the same period in 2009, we recorded total operating revenue of $142.1 million, income from operations of $44.5 million and net income of $28.2 million.  We achieved a 21.4% operating margin for the first quarter of 2010 with system growth in departures of 10.1% and available seat miles (“ASMs”) of 16.9%, despite a 47.6% increase in system average fuel cost per gallon from $1.47 for the first quarter of 2009 to $2.17 for the same period of 2010.

 

Operating Revenue

 

Our operating revenue increased 19.4% to $169.6 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $142.1 million for the same period of 2009 primarily due to a 22.4% increase in scheduled service revenue and a 16.8% increase in ancillary revenue from air-related charges.  The scheduled service revenue and ancillary revenue from air-related charges increases were primarily driven by a 12.1% increase in the number of scheduled service passengers along with increases in scheduled service base fare and charges for certain ancillary revenue items.

 

System ASMs increased by 16.9% driven by a 10.1% increase in departures and a 6.2% increase in system average stage length.  We managed an increase in system operating revenue per ASM (“RASM”) of 2.1% as a result of a year-over-year increase in scheduled service total average fare from $108.61 to $116.49, offset, in part, by the effect of a longer stage length.

 

Scheduled service revenue.  Scheduled service revenue increased 22.4% to $110.4 million in the first quarter of 2010, from $90.2 million in the same period of 2009.  The increase was a result of a 12.1% increase in the number of scheduled service passengers and an increase in the scheduled service total average fare from $108.61 in the first quarter of 2009 to $116.49 in the same period of 2010.  Passenger growth was driven primarily as a result of a 10.3% year-over-year increase in departures from 9,141 to 10,081.  Significant contributors to the departure growth were the addition of 589 departures attributable to our new service to Los

 

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Table of Contents

 

Angeles not operated in the first quarter of 2009, an increase of 401 departures from route expansion to our Phoenix market, and increased frequency of flying to the San Francisco Bay area, San Diego and Punta Gorda, Florida.  In particular, the first quarter of 2009 did not reflect a full quarter of flying to Punta Gorda, Florida, as scheduled service began in March 2009 from two small cities.  We offered service into Phoenix on 20 routes at March 31, 2010 compared to 15 routes at March 31, 2009.  Departure growth was partially offset by a decrease in departures to our major leisure destinations other than Phoenix and Los Angeles.  Our route network consisted of 134 routes at March 31, 2010, an increase from 116 routes at March 31, 2009.

 

Ancillary revenue.  Ancillary revenue increased 15.4% to $47.6 million in the first quarter of 2010 up from $41.3 million in the same period of 2009, driven by a 12.1% increase in scheduled service passengers and a 2.9% increase in ancillary revenue per scheduled passenger from $34.09 to $35.08.  The following table details ancillary revenue per scheduled service passenger from air-related charges and third party products:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

% Change

 

Air-related charges

 

$

31.44

 

$

30.16

 

4.2

%

Third party products

 

3.64

 

3.93

 

(7.3

)%

Total ancillary revenue per scheduled service passenger

 

$

35.08

 

$

34.09

 

2.9

%

 

On a per-passenger basis, 89.6% and 88.5% of our total ancillary revenue consists of air-related charges for the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in air-related charges per-passenger was primarily attributable to higher baggage fees as we increased fees to comparable industry levels.  Our baggage fees currently range between $15 and $25 per checked bag, depending on the flight segment.  Third party products declined on a per passenger basis (but increased slightly in absolute terms) due to Las Vegas contributing a smaller percentage of our total passengers. Our third party products revenue per passenger for Las Vegas is higher than our other destinations due to large volume of hotel rooms we sell in Las Vegas.

 

The following table details the calculation of ancillary revenue from third party products. Third party products consist of revenue from the sale of hotel rooms, ground transportation (rental cars and hotel shuttle products), attraction and show tickets and fees we receive from other merchants selling products through our website:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

2010

 

2009

 

% Change

 

Gross ancillary revenue - third party

 

$

22,489

 

$

17,817

 

26.2

%

Cost of goods sold

 

(16,367

)

(12,067

)

35.6

%

Transaction costs (a)

 

(1,180

)

(995

)

18.6

%

Ancillary revenue - third party products

 

$

4,942

 

$

4,755

 

3.9

%

As percent of gross ancillary revenue - third party

 

22.0

%

26.7

%

-4.7pp

 

 


(a)   Includes credit card fees and travel agency commissions

 

During the first quarter 2010, we generated gross revenue of $22.5 million from third party products, which resulted in net revenue of $4.9 million. The majority of the gross revenue was generated from the sale of hotel room nights at our leisure destinations packaged to our customers with scheduled air service.  Despite the majority of these hotel rooms sold being in the Las Vegas market, we achieved a significant increase in the sale of hotel rooms in our other leisure destinations in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.  We believe our continued efforts in software enhancements and additional product offerings, along with our loyal customer base, could result in meaningful long-term revenue growth in the sale of third party products.

 

Fixed fee contract revenue.  Fixed fee contract revenue increased 11.5% to $11.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $10.1 million in the same period of 2009. The increase in fixed fee contract revenue was primarily due to increased block hours flown under our fixed fee flying agreement with Harrah’s from 1,735 in the first quarter of 2009 to 2,047 for the same period of 2010.  For the periods presented, the change in mix of our other fixed fee flying programs and ad-hoc flying had minimal impact on our fixed fee contract revenue.

 

Other revenue.  We generated other revenue of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $0.6 million in the same period of 2009 primarily from flight equipment leased to third parties.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Operating Expenses

 

Our operating expenses increased 36.6% to $133.4 million in 2010 compared to $97.6 million in 2009 largely due to a 71.8% increase in our fuel expense.

 

We primarily evaluate our expense management by comparing our costs per passenger across different periods which enable us to assess trends in each expense category. The following table presents Operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods (“per-passenger costs”). The table also presents Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel, which represents operating expenses, less aircraft fuel expense, divided by the number of passengers carried. This statistic provides management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility. Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors beyond our control.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Percentage

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Change

 

Aircraft fuel

 

$

39.91

 

$

25.80

 

54.7

%

Salary and benefits

 

18.01

 

18.08

 

(0.4

)

Station operations

 

10.91

 

10.14

 

7.6

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

8.88

 

8.60

 

3.3

 

Sales and marketing

 

3.54

 

3.45

 

2.6

 

Aircraft lease rentals

 

0.35

 

0.31

 

12.9

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6.05

 

5.32

 

13.7

 

Other

 

5.15

 

3.72

 

38.4

 

Operating expense per passenger

 

$

92.80

 

$

75.42

 

23.0

%

Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel

 

$

52.89

 

$

49.62

 

6.6

%

 

Despite an increase of 6.2% in system average stage length and a 6.3% reduction in departures per average aircraft, operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel, increased only 6.6% from $49.62 to $52.89.  The increase in average fuel cost per gallon of 47.6% and the longer stage length resulted in a $14.11 increase in fuel expense per passenger from $25.80 to $39.91.

 

The following table presents unit costs, defined as Operating expense per ASM (“CASM”), for the indicated periods. The table also presents Operating CASM, excluding fuel, which represents operating expenses, less aircraft fuel expense, divided by available seat miles. As on a per passenger basis, excluding fuel on a per ASM basis provides management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility.

 

Generally, we do not believe CASM is the most appropriate measure by which to evaluate our cost management due to the evolving nature of our route network, our aggressive approach to managing capacity (i.e., ASMs) on a seasonal basis, and the low utilization of our fleet which results in many of our expenses being more fixed as opposed to varying significantly with our ASM production. We provide this table as a convenience because we recognize that CASM is widely used to compare costs in the airline industry.  Our CASM, excluding fuel, remained relatively flat in comparison to the same quarter last year.

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

Percentage

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Change

 

Aircraft fuel

 

3.68

¢

2.51

¢

46.6

%

Salary and benefits

 

1.66

 

1.76

 

(5.7

)

Station operations

 

1.01

 

0.99

 

2.0

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

0.82

 

0.84

 

(2.4

)

Sales and marketing

 

0.33

 

0.34

 

(2.9

)

Aircraft lease rentals

 

0.03

 

0.03

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

0.56

 

0.52

 

7.7

 

Other

 

0.48

 

0.36

 

33.3

 

Operating expense per ASM (CASM)

 

8.57

¢

7.33

¢

16.9

%

CASM, excluding fuel

 

4.88

¢

4.82

¢

1.2

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Aircraft fuel expense.  Aircraft fuel expense increased 71.8% to $57.4 million in the first quarter of 2010, up from $33.4 million in the same period of 2009, primarily driven by a substantial increase in the system average cost per gallon from $1.47 to $2.17.   System departure growth of 10.1% and a 6.2% increase in average stage length for the first quarter of 2010 resulted in the use of 15.8% more gallons of fuel, which increased from 22.8 million consumed to 26.4 million consumed.  This also contributed to the aircraft fuel expense increase for the period.

 

Salary and benefits expense.  Salary and benefits expense increased 10.6% to $25.9 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $23.4 million in the same period of 2009.  Excluding accrued employee bonus expense and stock compensation expense, salaries and benefits increased 20.7% attributable to a 12.9% increase in full-time equivalent employees and a 6.7% increase in the salary and benefits expense per full-time equivalent.  Our salary and benefits expense per full-time equivalent increase was partially attributable to higher medical benefit premiums in the first quarter of 2010.  The increase in our full-time equivalent employees was driven by a 17.3% increase in the average number of our aircraft in service from 39.4 aircraft during the first quarter of 2009 to 46.2 aircraft during the same period of 2010.  We employed approximately 1,602 full-time equivalent employees at March 31, 2010, compared to 1,419 full-time equivalent employees at March 31, 2009.  Our number of full-time equivalents per average operating aircraft decreased from 36 for the first quarter of 2009 to 35 for the same period of 2010.  Accrued employee bonus expense decreased by 33.1% driven by the year-over-year decrease in first quarter operating income.

 

Station operations expense.  Station operations expense increased 19.4% to $15.7 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $13.1 million in the same period of 2009 as a result of a 10.1% increase in system departures and an 8.0% increase in station operations expense per departure.  The increase in station operations expense per departure was largely due to start up expenses in the opening of our operational base at Orlando International Airport in February 2010 and increases in airport fees at several airports where we operate.

 

Maintenance and repairs expense.  Maintenance and repairs expense increased 14.7% to $12.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $11.1 million in the same period of 2009.  The increase was attributable to the costs associated with increased repair of rotable parts and usage of expendable parts as a result of the growth of our fleet as the average number of aircraft in service increased from 39.4 aircraft during the first quarter of 2009 to 46.2 aircraft during the same period of 2010.   While we performed the same number of scheduled heavy maintenance checks during the first quarter of 2010 as in the prior year, a broader work scope for the prior year checks, in accordance with our maintenance program, resulted in less expensive checks during the first quarter of 2010 and a partial offset to the overall maintenance and repairs expense increase.

 

Sales and marketing expense.  Sales and marketing expense increased 13.8% to $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $4.5 million in the same period of 2009, primarily driven by an increase in credit card discount fees associated with the 20.2% increase in scheduled service and ancillary revenue.

 

Aircraft lease rentals expense.  Aircraft lease rentals expense was $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $0.4 million in the same period of 2009.   Four aircraft were under operating lease agreements for the first quarter of 2010 while two aircraft were under operating lease agreements for the same period of 2009.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $8.7 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $6.9 million for the same period of 2009, an increase of 26.3%, as the number of operating aircraft owned (including those leased to a third party) or subject to capital lease, increased by 14.6%, from 41 at March 31, 2009 to 47 at March 31, 2010.  The increase was also attributable to the impact of lowering the residual values of our aircraft, the accelerated depreciation for planned retirement of one MD-87 aircraft and additional depreciation related to non-aircraft equipment purchases during 2009.

 

Other expense.  Other expense increased by 53.7% to $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $4.8 million in the same period of 2009 due mainly to increased losses from engine dispositions, higher aviation insurance rates which became effective in the fourth quarter of 2009, and increased flight operations and administrative expenses attributable to company growth.  In many situations, the use of spare engines and rotable parts is less expensive than performing maintenance and repairs of existing engines and rotable parts.  Engine dispositions could result from a decision to replace rather than repair engines.

 

Other (Income) Expense

 

Other (income) expense was relatively flat, from a net other expense of $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2009, to a net other expense of $0.5 million for the same period of 2010. The increased expense is primarily attributable to a reduction of interest income earned on cash balances in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 partially offset by a reduction in interest expense due to lower debt balances.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate was 36.8% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to 36.1% for the same period of 2009. The higher effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 was largely due to the geographic mix from our flying and the impact this had on the state income tax portion of the tax provision. While we expect our tax rate to be fairly consistent in the near term, it will tend to vary depending on recurring items such as the amount of income we earn in each state and the state tax rate applicable to such income. Discrete items particular to a given year may also affect our tax rates.

 

Comparative Consolidated Operating Statistics

 

The following tables set forth our operating statistics for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

Percent

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Change*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating statistics (unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total system statistics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passengers

 

1,437,459

 

1,294,608

 

11.0

 

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)

 

1,373,756

 

1,166,981

 

17.7

 

Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)

 

1,557,186

 

1,331,957

 

16.9

 

Load factor

 

88.2

%

87.6

%

0.6

 

Operating revenue per ASM (RASM)** (cents)

 

10.89

 

10.67

 

2.1

 

Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents)

 

8.57

 

7.33

 

16.9

 

Fuel expense per ASM (cents)

 

3.68

 

2.51

 

46.6

 

Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents)

 

4.88

 

4.82

 

1.2

 

Operating expense per passenger

 

$

92.80

 

$

75.42

 

23.0

 

Fuel expense per passenger

 

$

39.91

 

$

25.80

 

54.7

 

Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel

 

$

52.89

 

$

49.62

 

6.6

 

Departures

 

11,700

 

10,624

 

10.1

 

Block hours

 

28,244

 

24,408

 

15.7

 

Average stage length (miles)

 

895

 

843

 

6.2

 

Average number of operating aircraft during period

 

46.2

 

39.4

 

17.3

 

Total aircraft in service end of period

 

47

 

41

 

14.6

 

Average departures per aircraft per day

 

2.81

 

3.00

 

(6.3

)

Average block hours per aircraft per day

 

6.8

 

6.9

 

(1.4

)

Full-time equivalent employees at period end

 

1,602

 

1,419

 

12.9

 

Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)

 

26,402

 

22,783

 

15.9

 

Average fuel cost per gallon

 

$

2.17

 

$

1.47

 

47.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled service statistics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passengers

 

1,356,610

 

1,210,325

 

12.1

 

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)

 

1,307,966

 

1,102,470

 

18.6

 

Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)

 

1,426,546

 

1,214,832

 

17.4

 

Load factor

 

91.7

%

90.8

%

0.9

 

Departures

 

10,081

 

9,141

 

10.3

 

Average passengers per departure

 

135

 

132

 

2.3

 

Block hours

 

25,355

 

21,867

 

16.0

 

Yield (cents)

 

8.44

 

8.18

 

3.2

 

Scheduled service revenue per ASM (cents)

 

7.74

 

7.42

 

4.3

 

Total ancillary revenue per ASM** (cents)

 

3.34

 

3.40

 

(1.8

)

Total revenue per ASM (TRASM)** (cents)

 

11.08

 

10.82

 

2.4

 

Average fare — scheduled service

 

$

81.41

 

$

74.52

 

9.2

 

Average fare — ancillary

 

$

35.08

 

$

34.09

 

2.9

 

Average fare — total

 

$

116.49

 

$

108.61

 

7.3

 

Average stage length (miles)

 

945

 

887

 

6.5

 

Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)

 

23,706

 

20,395

 

16.2

 

Average fuel cost per gallon

 

$

2.32

 

$

1.57

 

47.8

 

Percent of sales through website during period

 

88.3

%

87.4

%

0.9

 

 


* Except load factor and percent of sales through website, which is percentage point change

** Various components of these measures do not have a direct correlation to ASMs.  These figures are provided on a per ASM basis so as to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Current liquidity

 

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments increased from $249.3 million at December 31, 2009 to $269.2 million at March 31, 2010.  Restricted cash represents credit card deposits, escrowed funds under our fixed fee flying contracts and cash collateral against letters of credit required by hotel partners for guaranteed room availability, airports and certain other parties.  Escrowed funds under our fixed fee flying contracts are customer prepayments held as restricted cash until flights are completed.  Corresponding amounts are recorded as air traffic liability.  The timing of these prepayments results in fluctuations in the restricted cash balances at the end of reporting periods.  Short-term investments represent marketable securities classified as available-for-sale.

 

During the first quarter of 2010, our primary source of funds was cash generated by our operations. Our operating cash flows have allowed us to maintain a high level of liquidity while growing our fleet and meeting our short term obligations.  Under recent aircraft purchase agreements entered into, we have contractual obligations through 2011.  We currently anticipate funding the purchase of these aircraft with available cash assets, and, as we have in the past, also would consider raising funds through debt financing if terms are acceptable.  However, access to financing will not be required for us to meet these aircraft purchase obligations.

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

Operating Activities:  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, our operating activities provided $68.8 million of cash compared to $88.4 million during the same period of 2009.  The cash flows provided by operations for the period in 2010 were primarily the result of net income and an increase in air traffic liability which results from passenger bookings for future travel.  While the increase in air traffic liability remained relatively flat compared with the same period in 2009, higher net income and changes in certain assets and liabilities resulted in higher cash flows provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

Investing Activities:  Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $18.1 million compared to $55.6 million of cash used in investing activities in the same period of 2009.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, our primary use of cash was for the purchase of property and equipment of $44.0 million, which was offset by proceeds from the maturities of available-for-sale securities, net of purchases, of $25.7 million.  Purchases of property and equipment during the first quarter of 2010 consisted primarily of the cash purchase of six MD-80 aircraft and two 757 aircraft, along with pre-delivery deposits on the undelivered 757 aircraft.  During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we used cash for the purchase of available-for-sale securities, net of proceeds from maturities, of $41.4 million and the purchase of property and equipment of $12.0 million.  The $12.0 million of cash used for property and equipment purchases included the purchase of three MD-80 aircraft to be used for spare parts.

 

Financing Activities:  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we used $7.2 million in cash from financing activities compared to the use of $12.5 million during the same period of 2009.  We primarily used cash to make principal payments on our debt obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2010, which totaled $6.4 million.  While principal payments on our debt and capital lease obligations decreased slightly compared to the same period in 2009 as a result of no new debt issuances, we used less cash to purchase our common stock in open market purchases in the first quarter of 2010.  We spent $2.9 million to repurchase common stock in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $7.1 million for the same period of 2009.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

A description of our critical accounting policies is included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  There has been no material change to these policies for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

See related disclosure at “Item 1 — Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 2 — Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements.”

 

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SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We have made forward-looking statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and in this section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, future service to be provided and the effects of future regulation and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions.

 

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements may be found in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. These risk factors include, without limitation, increases in fuel prices, the effect of the economic downturn on leisure travel, terrorist attacks, risks inherent to airlines, demand for air services to our leisure destinations from the markets served by us, our ability to implement our growth strategy, our dependence on our leisure destination markets, our ability to add, renew or replace gate leases, the competitive environment, problems with our aircraft, dependence on fixed fee customers, our reliance on our automated systems, economic and other conditions in markets in which we operate, governmental regulation, our ability to obtain regulatory approvals, increases in maintenance costs and cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results.

 

Any forward-looking statements are based on information available to us today and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are subject to certain market risks, including commodity prices (specifically, aircraft fuel).  The adverse effects of changes in these markets could pose a potential loss as discussed below. The sensitivity analysis does not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor does it consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ. See the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of our significant accounting policies and additional information.

 

Aircraft Fuel

 

Our results of operations can be significantly impacted by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Aircraft fuel expense represented 43.0% of our operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2010.  Increases in fuel prices or a shortage of supply could have a material effect on our operations and operating results. Based on our fuel consumption for the three months ended March 31, 2010, a hypothetical ten percent increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel would have increased fuel expense by approximately $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  While we do not currently hedge fuel price risk, in the past we entered into forward contracts or other financial products to reduce our exposure to fuel price volatility. We have not had any fuel derivative contracts outstanding since January 2008.

 

Interest Rates

 

We have market risk associated with changing interest rates due to the short-term nature of our invested cash, which totaled $133.7 million, and short term investments of $115.5 million at March 31, 2010.  We invest available cash in certificates of deposit, investment grade commercial paper, and other highly rated financial instruments. Because of the short-term nature of these investments, the returns earned closely parallel short-term floating interest rates. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates in the three months ended March 31, 2010 would not have had a significant impact on our interest income.

 

Our long term debt consists of fixed-rate notes payable and capital lease arrangements. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates as of March 31, 2010, would not have a material effect on the fair value of our fixed- rate debt instruments. Also, a hypothetical 100 basis point change in market rates would not impact our earnings or cash flow associated with our fixed-rate debt.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer (“CEO”) and chief financial officer (“CFO”), we evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the

 

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Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.   Based upon this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Changes in internal controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarter ending March 31, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

We are subject to certain legal and administrative actions we consider routine to our business activities. We believe the ultimate outcome of any pending legal or administrative matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

We have evaluated our risk factors and determined there have been no changes to our risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A in the Form 10-K since we filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K on March 3, 2010:

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Our Repurchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table reflects repurchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2010. In January 2010, our Board of Directors increased the remaining authority of our existing share repurchase program (repurchase program approved in January 2009) to acquire to $25.0 million our stock through open market purchases.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we repurchased 55,602 shares through open market purchases at an average cost of $51.29 per share for a total expenditure of $2.9 million.

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Maximum Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs

 

January 2010

 

39,800

 

$

51.69

 

39,800

 

$

22,942,767

 

February 2010

 

15,802

 

50.28

 

15,802

 

22,148,246

 

March 2010

 

 

 

 

22,148,246

 

Total

 

55,602

 

$

51.29

 

55,602

 

$

22,148,246

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation (1)

3.2

 

Bylaws of the Company (2)

10.1

 

Aircraft Sale Agreement dated as of March 3, 2010 between the Company and Aercap Partners I Limited and Wells Fargo Bank Northeast (owner trustee under the MSN 26963 and 26964 Trust Agreements) (3)

31.1

 

Rule 13a - 14(a) / 15d - 14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

31.2

 

Rule 13a - 14(a) / 15d - 14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

32

 

Section 1350 Certifications

 


(1)     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Registration Statement #333-134145 filed by the Company with the Commission and amendments thereto.

(2)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 9, 2009.

(3)  Portions of the indicated document have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and the document indicated has been filed separately with the Commission as required by Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2010

By:

/s/ Andrew C. Levy

 

Andrew C. Levy

 

President and Principal Financial Officer

 

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