Alaska Airlines - 10-Q quarterly report FY

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the transition period from . . . . . . to . . . . . .

Commission file number 1-8957

ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

19300 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington 98188
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (206) 431-7040

     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      

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

     The registrant has 26,546,130 common shares, par value $1.00, outstanding at March 31, 2002.

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PART I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
Alaska Air Group, Inc.

ASSETS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
Alaska Air Group, Inc.

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
Alaska Air Group, Inc.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)
Alaska Air Group, Inc.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
Alaska Air Group, Inc.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
Alaska Air Group, Inc.

Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (the Company or Air Group) include the accounts of its principal subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines, Inc. (Alaska) and Horizon Air Industries, Inc. (Horizon). These statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. They include all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The adjustments made were of a normal recurring nature. Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year’s financial statements to conform to the 2002 presentation.

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. Under this Statement, the Company’s intangible assets are considered to have an indefinite life and will no longer be amortized but instead will be subject to periodic impairment testing. Additionally, we will be required to apply a fair market value based assumption test to our goodwill at least annually. The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 142 is expected to increase annual net income by $2.0 million related to the discontinuance of amortization of existing goodwill. We are currently evaluating whether there will be additional impacts from the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on our consolidated financial statements such as an impairment of existing goodwill amounts.

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (effective for the Company on January 1, 2003). This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The Company is in the process of evaluating the financial statement impact of SFAS No. 143.

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” This Statement supersedes SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of” and APB Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations - - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions”. Adoption of this Statement, in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2002, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Earnings per Share (See Note 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements at December 31, 2001)

Earnings per share (EPS) calculations for the three months ended March 31 were as follows (in millions except per share amounts). The calculation is the same for basic and diluted EPS. Stock options are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because they are antidilutive and they represented 2.4 million and 3.0 million shares, respectively, in 2001 and 2002.

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Note 3. Other Assets

At December 31, 2001 and March 31, 2002, other assets included prepaid pension cost of $98.4 million and $97.5 million, respectively.

Note 4. Frequent Flyer Program (See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements at December 31, 2001)

Alaska’s Mileage Plan liabilities are included under the following balance sheet captions.

Note 5. Operating Segment Information (See Note 11 to Consolidated Financial Statements at December 31, 2001)

Operating segment information for Alaska Airlines, Inc. (Alaska) and Horizon Air Industries, Inc. (Horizon) for the three months ended March 31 was as follows (in millions):

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Alaska Airlines Financial and Statistical Data

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Horizon Air Financial and Statistical Data

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

Forward-Looking Information

This report may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the best information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are indicated by phrases such as “will”, “should”, “the Company believes”, “we expect” or any other language indicating a prediction of future events. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of a number of factors, some of which the Company cannot predict or control. For a discussion of these factors, please see Item 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

Results of Operations
First Quarter 2002 Compared with First Quarter 2001

The consolidated net loss for the first quarter of 2002 was $34.4 million, or $1.30 per share, compared with a loss of $33.1 million, or $1.25 per share, in 2001. The consolidated operating loss for the first quarter of 2002 was $51.4 million compared with an operating loss of $49.5 million for 2001. Financial and statistical data for Alaska and Horizon is shown on pages 9 and 10, respectively. A discussion of this data follows.

Alaska Airlines Revenues

Capacity was down 4.9% in January but increased 3.1% in February and 4.5% in March. For the quarter, capacity increased 0.9% due to our service to new markets (Seattle to Washington D.C., Los Angeles to Cancun and Los Angeles to Calgary), partially offset by reduced service in existing markets, especially the Pacific Northwest to Southern California and Northern California. Traffic grew by 2.8%, and our passenger load factor increased 1.3 percentage points. The Canada and Mexico markets experienced the largest increases in load factor. Passenger yields were down 5.5% due to a combination of fewer business passengers, a drop off in demand due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and fare sales offered to stimulate demand. Yields were down in virtually all major markets, with Mexico and Canada showing the largest decreases. The lower yield combined with the higher load factor resulted in a 3.1% decrease in revenue per available seat mile (ASM). The higher traffic combined with the lower yield resulted in a 2.8% decrease in passenger revenue.

Freight and mail revenues decreased 13.1% due to lower freight and mail volumes as a result of decreased business activity and increased security restrictions. Other-net revenues increased 27.9%, largely due to increased revenue from the sale of miles in Alaska’s frequent flyer program.

Alaska Airlines Expenses

For the quarter, total operating expenses were flat compared to 2001. Fuel expense decreased by $18.8 million, which was offset by increases in other expense categories, primarily wages and benefits. Cost per ASM decreased by 0.9%. Cost per ASM excluding fuel increased by 4.1%. Explanations of significant year-over-year changes in the components of operating expenses are as follows:

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Horizon Air Revenues

Capacity was down in 7.8% in January, increased 2.5% in February and decreased 1.0% in March. For the quarter, capacity decreased 2.2% due to lower customer demand, especially in the shorthaul markets. Approximately 4% of first quarter capacity was in new markets (San Jose to Tucson, Portland to Tucson, Sacramento to Palm Springs and Portland to Palm Springs). Passenger load factor increased 0.2 percentage points. Passenger yields were down 10.4% due to a combination of fewer business passengers, a drop off in demand due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and

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fare sales offered to stimulate demand. The lower traffic combined with the lower yield resulted in a 12.1% decrease in passenger revenue.

Freight and mail revenues decreased 47.8%. In June 2001, Horizon ceased carrying general freight in order to focus on carrying higher-yield small packages. This change, along with the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks, led to the decline in revenues. Other-net revenues increased $4.2 million, primarily due to manufacturer support received as compensation for delays in delivery of CRJ 700 aircraft.

Horizon Air Expenses

Operating expenses decreased by $16.2 million, or 13.6%, primarily due to a decrease in maintenance and fuel expenses. Horizon’s transition to its new fleet, as well as decreases in fuel prices, contributed to the decrease in these expenses. Cost per ASM decreased by 11.6%. Cost per ASM excluding fuel decreased by 7.6%. Explanations of significant year-over-year changes in the components of operating expenses are as follows:

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Consolidated Nonoperating Income (Expense)

Net nonoperating items were $2.0 million expense in 2002 compared to $1.8 million expense in 2001. Interest income decreased $3.7 million due to lower interest rates, while interest expense (net of capitalized interest) was up $3.2 million due to new debt incurred in the past year and much lower levels of capitalization. Other-net included a $3.1 million gain due to the increase in value of fuel hedging contracts in 2002 (compared with a $1.7 million loss on such contracts in 2001), a $1.4 million insurance recovery and a $1.0 million gain on conversion of Equant N.V. shares (a telecommunications network company owned by many airlines).

Consolidated Income Tax Credit Accounting standards require us to provide for income taxes each quarter based on our estimate of the effective tax rate for the full year. The volatility of air fares and fuel prices and the seasonality of our business make it difficult to accurately forecast full-year pretax results. In addition, a relatively small change in pretax results can cause a significant change in the effective tax rate due to the magnitude of nondeductible expenses, such as employee per diem costs. In estimating the 35.6% tax rate for the first quarter of 2002, we considered a variety of factors, including the U.S. federal rate of 35%, estimates of nondeductible expenses and state income taxes, and our forecast of pretax income for the full year. We evaluate this rate each quarter and make adjustments if necessary.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The table below presents the major indicators of financial condition and liquidity.

The Company’s cash and marketable securities portfolio decreased $41.0 million during the first three months of 2002. $49.4 million of the decrease is attributable to payments for transportation taxes related to the fourth quarter of 2001 which we were allowed to defer until this quarter under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, and $35.5 million is for the incremental portion of lease payments on Horizon’s new aircraft. Cash was also used for $25.3 million of capital expenditures, including the purchase of spare parts and airframe and engine overhauls. These decreases were partially offset by $14.5 million of flight equipment deposits that were returned by Horizon’s aircraft manufacturer.

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Shareholders’ equity decreased $23.0 million primarily due to the net loss of $34.4 million.

Financing Activities - During the first quarter of 2002, Horizon added three Dash 8-400 and two CRJ 700 aircraft to its operating fleet. The aircraft were financed with a combination of U.S. leveraged leases and single investor leases with terms of approximately 16.5 years. The aggregate future minimum lease payments under these five new operating leases will be $117.8 million.

Commitments - At March 31, 2002, the Company had firm orders for 27 aircraft requiring aggregate payments of approximately $661 million, as set forth below. In addition, Alaska has options to acquire 28 more B737s, and Horizon has options to acquire 15 Dash 8-400s and 25 CRJ 700s. Alaska expects to finance the new planes with leases, long-term debt or internally generated cash. Horizon expects to finance its new aircraft with operating leases.

New Accounting Standards - In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (effective for the Company on January 1, 2003). This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The Company is in the process of evaluating the financial statement impact of SFAS No. 143.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
Flight 261 Litigation

Alaska is a defendant in a number of lawsuits relating to the loss of Flight 261 on January 31, 2000. Representatives of all 88 passengers and crew on board have filed cases against Alaska, the Boeing Company, and others. The suits seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. In May 2001, the judge presiding over the majority of the cases ruled that punitive damages are not available against Alaska. Alaska has settled a number of these cases and continues in its efforts to settle the remaining ones. Consistent with industry standards, the Company maintains insurance against aircraft accidents.

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Management believes the ultimate disposition of this matter is not likely to materially affect the Company’s financial position or results of operations. This forward-looking statement is based on management’s current understanding of the relevant law and facts; it is subject to various contingencies, including the potential costs and risks associated with litigation and the actions of judges and juries.

The Company is also a party to other ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business and with respect to which no material liability is expected.

ITEM 5. Other Information

In April 2002, in response to requests from shareholders constituting a significant percentage of Alaska Air Group’s stock ownership, the Company eliminated its shareholder rights plan.

ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Exhibit 10 — Employment agreement between Alaska Airlines, Inc. and George D. Bagley

(b)  On January 4, 2002, February 15, 2002, March 11, 2002, April 3, 2002 and April 12, 2002 reports on Form 8-K were filed discussing estimated financial results under regulation FD disclosure.

Signatures

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

Date: April 29, 2002

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