NEW YORK, April 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) today reported its results for the first quarter 2007:
* Operating revenues for the quarter totaled $608 million, representing growth of 24.0% over operating revenues of $490 million in the first quarter of 2006. * Operating loss for the quarter was $13 million, resulting in a negative 2.2% operating margin, compared to an operating loss of $25 million and a negative 5.2% operating margin in the first quarter of 2006. * Pre-tax loss for the quarter was $45 million, resulting in a negative 7.3% pre-tax margin, compared with a pre-tax loss of $47 million and a negative 9.7% pre-tax margin in the year-ago period. * Net loss for the quarter was $22 million, representing a loss of $0.12 per diluted share, compared with first quarter 2006 net loss of $32 million, or a loss of $0.18 per diluted share.
"We are disappointed with our first quarter results, which were significantly impacted by two ice storms in the Northeast area," said David Neeleman, JetBlue's Chairman and CEO. "We learned a great deal following the events and consequently, we're better able to recover from irregular operations and provide the superior service our customers deserve and have grown to appreciate."
JetBlue achieved a completion factor of 96.1% of scheduled flights in the first quarter, compared to 99.0% in 2006. On-time performance, defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation as arrivals within 14 minutes of schedule, was 63.6% in the first quarter compared to 70.6% in the same period in 2006. The Company attained a load factor in the first quarter of 2007 of 80.6%, a decrease of 3.6 points on a capacity increase of 12.1% over the first quarter of 2006.
Dave Barger, JetBlue's President, commented: "Our operational results were notably impacted by the ice storms. In response to these events, we made several fundamental changes to our operational strategy, implemented new communication tactics and introduced the JetBlue Customer Bill of Rights. While we realize there is more work to do, we were pleased with the outcome of the second ice storm in March and our improved response."
For the first quarter, revenue passenger miles increased 7.3% from the first quarter of 2006 to 5.9 billion. Yield per passenger mile was 9.49 cents, up 13.4% compared to 2006. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 8.6% year-over-year to 7.65 cents. Available seat miles grew 12.1% to 7.4 billion. Operating expenses for the first quarter were $621 million, up 20.5% from the first quarter of 2006. Operating expense per ASM (CASM) for the first quarter 2007 increased 7.5% year-over-year to 8.43 cents. During the quarter, realized fuel price was $1.88 per gallon, a 1.1% increase over first quarter 2006 realized fuel price of $1.86 per gallon. Excluding fuel, CASM increased 8.2% year-over-year. JetBlue ended the quarter with $774 million in cash and investment securities.
Looking ahead, for the second quarter of 2007, JetBlue expects to report an operating margin between eight and ten percent based on an assumed aircraft fuel cost per gallon of $2.06, net of hedges. Pre-tax margin for the quarter is expected to be between three and five percent. CASM is expected to increase between six and eight percent over the year-ago period. Excluding fuel, CASM in the second quarter is expected to increase between five and seven percent year over year. Capacity is expected to increase between 12 and 14 percent in the second quarter and stage length is expected to decrease roughly ten percent over the same period last year.
For the full year 2007, JetBlue expects to report an operating margin between five and seven percent based on an assumed aircraft fuel cost per gallon of $2.06, net of hedges. Pre-tax margin for the full year is expected to be between one and three percent. CASM for the full year is expected to increase between seven and nine percent over full year 2006. Excluding fuel, CASM in 2007 is expected to increase between seven and nine percent year over year. Capacity for the full year 2007 is expected to increase between 11 and 13 percent over 2006 and stage length is expected to decrease roughly six percent over full year 2006. The CASM and ex-fuel CASM guidance in both the second quarter and full year includes the impact of the reduction in seats on JetBlue's A320 aircraft from 156 to 150 seats per aircraft, which was completed in early February.
JetBlue will conduct a conference call to discuss its quarterly earnings today, April 24, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available via the internet at http://investor.jetblue.com.
About Jetblue:
New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers the most legroom throughout coach (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines). JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 51 cities with up to 575 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com.
JetBlue's 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable, FOX InFlight(tm) is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight(tm) is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.
The JetBlue logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=795
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including, without limitation, our extremely competitive industry; increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to implement our growth strategy, including the ability to operate reliably the EMBRAER 190 aircraft; our significant fixed obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market; our reliance on automated systems and technology; our being subject to potential unionization; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; and external geopolitical events and conditions. Further information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------ Percent
2007 2006 Change
------- ------- ----------
OPERATING REVENUES
Passenger $ 564 $ 463 21.7
Other 44 27 62.0
------- -------
Total operating revenues 608 490 24.0
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages and benefits 164 132 23.9
Aircraft fuel 190 160 18.8
Landing fees and other rents 45 38 18.5
Depreciation and amortization 42 34 24.9
Aircraft rent 30 22 33.7
Sales and marketing 29 20 43.9
Maintenance materials and repairs 26 21 22.0
Other operating expenses 95 88 8.5
------- -------
Total operating expenses 621 515 20.5
------- -------
OPERATING INCOME (13) (25) (47.1)
Operating margin (2.2)% (5.2)% 3.0 pts.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense (52) (37) 38.5
Capitalized interest 8 5 54.8
Interest income and other 12 10 23.4
------- -------
Total other income (expense) (32) (22) 41.2
------- -------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (45) (47)
Pre-tax margin (7.3)% (9.7)% 2.4 pts.
Income tax expense (benefit) (23) (15)
------- -------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (22) $ (32)
======= =======
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic $ (0.12) $ (0.18)
======= =======
Diluted $ (0.12) $ (0.18)
======= =======
Weighted average shares
outstanding (thousands):
Basic 178,204 173,246
Diluted 178,204 173,246
COMPARATIVE OPERATING STATISTICS
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------ Percent
2007 2006 Change
------- ------- ---------
Revenue passengers (thousands) 5,091 4,335 17.4
Revenue passenger miles (millions) 5,942 5,536 7.3
Available seat miles
(ASMs) (millions) 7,370 6,577 12.1
Load factor 80.6% 84.2% (3.6)pts.
Breakeven load factor (a) 88.1% 92.7% (4.6)pts.
Aircraft utilization
(hours per day) 12.7 12.8 (1.4)
Average fare $110.79 $106.86 3.7
Yield per passenger
mile (cents) 9.49 8.37 13.4
Passenger revenue per
ASM (cents) 7.65 7.04 8.6
Operating revenue per
ASM (cents) 8.25 7.46 10.6
Operating expense per
ASM (cents) 8.43 7.84 7.5
Operating expense per
ASM, excluding fuel (cents) 5.85 5.40 8.2
Airline operating expense
per ASM (cents) (a) 8.36 7.76 7.7
Departures 46,574 34,417 35.3
Average stage length (miles) 1,086 1,246 (12.8)
Average number of operating
aircraft during period 121.5 95.5 27.2
Average fuel cost per gallon $ 1.88 $ 1.86 1.1
Fuel gallons consumed (millions) 101 86 17.5
Percent of sales through
jetBlue.com during period 76.4% 82.3% (5.9)pts.
Full-time equivalent employees
at period end (a) 9,260 9,039 2.4
(a) Excludes operating expenses and employees of LiveTV, LLC,
which are unrelated to our airline operations.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(in millions)
March 31, December 31,
2007 2006
------- -----------
Cash, cash equivalents and
investment securities $ 774 $ 699
Total assets 5,145 4,843
Total debt 2,938 2,840
Stockholders' equity 960 952