Air Canada today reported third quarter 2018 EBITDAR(1) (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment and aircraft rent) of $1.265 billion compared to third quarter 2017 EBITDAR of $1.360 billion. Air Canada reported operating income of $840 million compared to operating income of $976 million in last year's quarter. The airline reported third quarter adjusted pre-tax income(1) of $793 million compared to adjusted pre-tax income of $922 million in the prior year's quarter. On a GAAP basis, in the third quarter of 2018, Air Canada reported income before income taxes of $876 million compared to income before income taxes of $965 million in the third quarter of 2017.

"I am extremely pleased with both our unit revenue performance and our adjusted CASM(1) results for our all-important third quarter. Quarterly operating revenue grew 11 per cent, exceeding $5 billion for the first time in our history, and our year-over-year PRASM performance was among the best in the North American airline industry. Strong revenue and cost management substantially offset the challenges we faced in the quarter, principally the significant increase in fuel prices. Once again, the strength of our brand and of our people shone through in the quarter," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada.

"Going forward, we expect our revenue momentum to continue in the fourth quarter and into next year. Indeed, with the trends we are seeing now, we expect our PRASM performance, both in the domestic market and throughout the network, to continue to improve in the final quarter of 2018," said Mr. Rovinescu.

"Complementing our record revenue generation was a disciplined and efficient approach to costs. Adjusted CASM rose 1.1 per cent from the third quarter of the prior year, well below the 2 to 3 per cent increase projected for the period with our second quarter results in July. Largely driven by higher fuel prices, Air Canada's CASM increased 9.8 per cent from the third quarter of 2017. Cost control will remain central to our strategy and we have already identified or realized two-thirds of the $250 million cost transformation program initiated early this year. Furthermore, we reached record unrestricted liquidity of $5.3 billion and achieved a leverage ratio(1) of 2.0.

"Our business model is creating substantial value. We have a powerful and comprehensive network with three strong global hubs. We have a compelling product and customer offering. In July, Air Canada was named the Best Airline in North America for the second consecutive year and for the seventh time in nine years by Skytrax, which has also reaffirmed Air Canada's rating as North America's only four-star international network carrier.

"I thank our 30,000 employees for their hard work in taking care of our customers during a challenging but satisfying summer. We set a new, single-day record for passengers carried of more than 178,000 in August. Finally, I also thank our customers for their continued loyalty. It is our unwavering commitment to continue improving and providing superior, award-winning service as we transport them safely to their destinations," concluded Mr. Rovinescu.

Acquisition of Aimia's Aeroplan Loyalty Business

On August 21, 2018, Air Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Visa Canada Corporation (collectively, "the Consortium") and Aimia Inc. ("Aimia") announced that they had entered into an agreement in principle for the acquisition of Aimia's Aeroplan loyalty business. The transaction is subject to the satisfactory conclusion of definitive transaction documents, Aimia shareholder approval, and certain other conditions, including due diligence, receipt of customary regulatory approvals and completion by the Consortium of credit card loyalty program and network agreements for future participation in Air Canada's new loyalty program. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Third Quarter Income Statement Highlights

In the third quarter of 2018, on capacity growth of 6.7 per cent, record system passenger revenues of $5.018 billion increased $504 million or 11.2 per cent from the third quarter of 2017. The increase in system passenger revenues was driven by traffic growth of 7.5 per cent and a yield improvement of 3.4 per cent, despite an increase in average stage length of 1.3 per cent which had the effect of reducing system yield by 0.7 percentage points. On a stage-length adjusted basis, system yield increased 4.1 per cent year-over-year. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 4.2 per cent over the same quarter in 2017, or 4.9 per cent on a stage length adjusted basis.

In the business cabin, system passenger revenues increased $98 million or 13.0 per cent from the third quarter of 2017 on traffic and yield growth of 8.9 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2018, operating expenses of $4.575 billion increased $671 million or 17 per cent from the same quarter in 2017, mainly driven by higher fuel prices year-over-year and by the increase in capacity.

Air Canada's cost per available seat mile (CASM) increased 9.8 per cent from the third quarter of 2017. The airline's adjusted CASM increased 1.1 per cent from the prior year's quarter, better than the 2.0 to 3.0 per cent increase projected in Air Canada's news release dated July 27, 2018. Air Canada's better than expected adjusted CASM performance was largely driven by lower than forecasted Regional airlines expense, the impact of cost reduction initiatives related to Air Canada's cost transformation program, and other operating expense reductions. The lower Regional airlines expense was primarily due to certain engine maintenance events being recorded as capitalized maintenance versus operating expense in the third quarter of 2018, as well as timing of maintenance activities related to the Air Canada Express fleet.

Air Canada reported adjusted net income(1) of $561 million or $2.03 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2018 compared to adjusted net income of $922 million or $3.33 per diluted share in third quarter of 2017. On a GAAP basis, the airline reported third quarter 2018 net income of $645 million or $2.34 per diluted share compared to third quarter 2017 net income of $1.723 billion or $6.22 per diluted share. The net income in the third quarter of 2017 included an income tax recovery of $758 million.

Financial and Capital Management Highlights

At September 30, 2018, unrestricted liquidity (cash, short-term investments and undrawn lines of credit) amounted to $5.309 billion, the highest level in Air Canada's history (December 31, 2017 – $4.181 billion).

At September 30, 2018, adjusted net debt of $5.620 billion decreased $496 million from December 31, 2017. In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, increases in long-term debt and finance lease balances of $559 million and capitalized operating lease balances of $63 million were more than offset by an increase in cash and short-term investment balances of $1,118 million. At September 30, 2018, Air Canada's leverage ratio was 2.0 versus a ratio of 2.1 at December 31, 2017.

Net cash flows from operating activities of $371 million in the third quarter of 2018 decreased $122 million compared to the third quarter of 2017. Free cash flow(1) of $470 million in the third quarter of 2018 represented an increase of $146 million from the third quarter of 2017. Third quarter 2018 free cash flow included net proceeds of $293 million from the sale of 25 Embraer 190 aircraft.

For the 12 months ended September 30, 2018, return on invested capital (ROIC(1)) was 12.7 per cent, significantly higher than Air Canada's weighted average cost of capital of 7.4 per cent.

2017 Investor Day Targets and Current Outlook

At its September 2017 Investor Day, Air Canada provided guidance on key financial metrics:

Annual EBITDAR margin (EBITDAR as a percentage of operating revenue) of 17-20 per cent in 2018, 2019 and 2020:
As disclosed in its news release dated July 27, 2018, Air Canada continues to expect to achieve an annual EBITDAR margin of approximately 16 per cent for the full year 2018. This decrease in projected EBITDAR margin takes into account a significantly higher fuel price per litre than that assumed in Air Canada's Investor Day news release dated September 19, 2017. As additional mitigation measures take effect, including further pricing and productivity improvements and the airline's $250 million Cost Transformation Program due for completion in 2019, Air Canada is confident that its EBITDAR margin and ROIC will normalize by year-end and that it will realize these Investor Day targets post-2018.
As mentioned above, Air Canada continues to expect to achieve an annual EBITDAR margin of 17-20 per cent in 2019 and 2020.
Annual ROIC of 13-16 per cent in 2018, 2019 and 2020:
As disclosed in its news release dated July 27, 2018, Air Canada continues to expect its annual ROIC to be approximately 12 per cent in 2018. This decrease in projected annual ROIC reflects Air Canada's expectation of a lower level of adjusted net income than previously anticipated.
As mentioned above, Air Canada continues to expect to achieve an annual ROIC of 13-16 per cent in 2019 and 2020.
Cumulative free cash flow of $2.0 billion to $3.0 billion over the 2018-2020 period.
Air Canada continues to expect to achieve this target.
A leverage ratio not exceeding 1.2 by the end of 2020 (measured by adjusted net debt over trailing 12-month EBITDAR):
Air Canada continues to expect to achieve this target.
Full Year 2018 Free Cash Flow

Air Canada now expects positive free cash flow in the range of $500 million to $600 million in 2018, as opposed to the range of $350 million to $500 million projected in Air Canada's news release dated July 27, 2018, largely due to higher than expected cash from operations, including working capital.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Adjusted CASM

For the fourth quarter of 2018, Air Canada expects adjusted CASM (which excludes fuel expense, the cost of ground packages at Air Canada Vacations and special items) to increase 1.5 to 2.5 per cent when compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.

Air Canada now expects full year 2018 adjusted CASM to range between no increase to an increase of 0.75 per cent when compared to the full year 2017, instead of the range of a decrease of 0.5 per cent to an increase of 1.0 per cent projected in Air Canada's July 27, 2018 news release. Approximately 0.75 percentage points of this range are driven by non-recurring costs for branding initiatives and new uniforms, customer service and technology investments, accelerated depreciation and sale-leaseback rent expense for Embraer 190 aircraft, and 2018 start-up costs of approximately $10 million related to Air Canada's new loyalty program scheduled to launch in 2020.

Additional Guidance

For the full year 2018:

Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment Expense

Air Canada continues to expect depreciation, amortization and impairment expense to increase by approximately $125 million from the full year 2017.

Employee Benefits Expense

Air Canada continues to expect employee benefits expense to increase by approximately $75 million from the full year 2017.

Aircraft Maintenance Expense

Air Canada now expects aircraft maintenance expense to increase by approximately $95 million from the full year 2017, as opposed to the increase of $90 million projected in Air Canada's news release dated July 27, 2018.

2018 Outlook – Major Assumptions: Assumptions were made by Air Canada in preparing and making forward-looking statements. As part of its assumptions, Air Canada assumes continued relatively modest Canadian GDP growth for the fourth quarter and full year 2018. Air Canada also expects that the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$1.30 per U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter and at C$1.29 per U.S. dollar for the full year 2018 and that the price of jet fuel will average 86 CAD cents per litre in the fourth quarter and 81 CAD cents per litre for the full year 2018.