Alaska Air Group reports first quarter 2020 results; COVID-19 response

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Financial Results:

  • Reported net loss for the first quarter of 2020 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $232 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4 million, or $0.03 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2019.
  • Reported net loss for the first quarter of 2020, excluding impairment charges, merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $102 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared to net income of $21 million or $0.17 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2019.
  • Reported impairment and other related charges of $160 million before tax related to certain aircraft, aircraft parts, and intangible assets.

COVID-19 Impacts and Response:
The impacts of COVID-19 on our business have been unprecedented. Demand deterioration began in February, and in March cancellations overwhelmed new bookings. Today demand remains over 90% below normal levels. Alaska Air Group's priorities as it continues to manage through this crisis are to ensure the health and safety of guests and employees, to preserve financial strength, and to plan for the future of the company. The following are key actions taken to date:

Guests and Employees

  • Implemented enhanced cleaning procedures on aircraft, including the use of high-grade, EPA-registered disinfectants and electrostatic sanitizing spray. Additionally, all planes are equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filters.
  • Taken additional steps to ensure guest health and safety including limiting load factors and seat availability, and reducing most in-flight services and requiring flight attendants and customer service agents to utilize masks.
  • Requiring face masks for guests starting May 11 and for employees who cannot maintain six feet of social distance from guests or coworkers starting May 4. This includes pilots, flight attendants and customer service agents.
  • Any elite-qualifying miles earned between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 will be rolled over to 2021.
  • Provided guests with a "Peace of Mind" waiver, allowing changes to ticketed travel without change or cancellation fees.
  • Utilized our dedicated fleet of cargo freighter to transport essential supplies from Seattle and throughout Alaska.
  • Donated 1 million meals to address food insecurity across our network, and 1 million LIFT miles to transport medical staff free of charge to respond to COVID-19. The airlines continue to support transportation of essential supplies through air cargo services.

Fleet and Network

  • Flown capacity in April decreased more than 80% compared to the prior year, and capacity cuts in May will also be at least 80%. We continue to expect capacity cuts in June to be significant.
  • Parked 156 mainline aircraft and 13 Horizon Air aircraft, and suspended flying for 8 SkyWest Airlines aircraft.

Cash Preservation and Expense Reduction

  • Held $2.1 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of March 31, 2020.
  • As of May 4, 2020, held $2.9 billion in cash and marketable securities, including Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Payroll Support Program (PSP) funds received in April.
  • Drew $400 million from existing credit facilities, and executed an agreement for a $425 million 364-day term loan facility.
  • Obtained an additional $50 million in secured financing on April 22, 2020.
  • Enacted a company-wide hiring freeze for all non-essential positions, reduced salaries of senior management and offered  voluntary short-term and incentive leave programs accepted by more than 5,000 employees.
  • Reduced cash burn from $400 million per month in March to $260 million in April, with the goal of reaching $200 million in June.
  • Suspended over $500 million in capital spending, largely through the deferral of pre-delivery aircraft payments and non-aircraft capital projects.
  • Negotiated payment extensions or reductions with lessors, vendors and airports.
  • Suspended stock repurchases and future dividend payments.

CARES Act Assistance

  • Reached an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to receive support under the CARES Act PSP and received $992 million in funding on April 23, 2020.
  • Applied to participate in the Loan Program of the CARES Act, which would give Air Group the option to access up to $1.1 billion in federal loans through Sept. 30, 2020.

Alaska Air Group Inc. today reported first quarter 2020 GAAP net loss of $232 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4 million, or $0.03 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of impairment charges,  merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported adjusted net loss of $102 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $21 million, or $0.17 per diluted share in 2019.

"In the face of one of the greatest challenges in the history of commercial aviation, our people at Alaska and Horizon are doing extraordinary work to respond to this crisis," said Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden. "I want to thank each of them for everything they're doing to serve our guests and to preserve the integrity of our operation. I also want to thank our leadership team for acting swiftly and courageously to reduce our cash burn rate and give us the best chance possible to navigate through this storm and capitalize on opportunities we may see on the other side. Alaska has been here for more than 88 years, serving our customers and communities, and providing good jobs for our people. Our commitment is to ensure this continues, and to emerge from this crisis better and stronger."