Alaska Air Group reports second quarter 2020 results; COVID-19 updates

Editor -

Financial Results:

  • Reported net loss for the second quarter of 2020 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $214 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, compared to net income of $262 million, or $2.11per diluted share in the second quarter of 2019.
  • Reported net loss for the second quarter of 2020, excluding the payroll support program wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $439 million, or $3.54 per diluted share, compared to net income of $270 million or $2.17 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2019.
  • Reported a debt-to-capitalization ratio, including short-term borrowings related to COVID-19, of 51%.

Liquidity Updates:

  • Lowered cash burn from an exit rate of $400 million per month in March to $120 million in June, a 70% reduction.
  • Closed on an additional $164 million in secured financing in the second quarter, secured by seven aircraft.
  • Held $2.8 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of June 30, 2020.
  • Obtained nearly $1.2 billion in financing through the issuance of Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETC), secured by 42 Boeing and 19 Embraer aircraft, on July 2, 2020.
  • Held $3.8 billion in cash and marketable securities as of July 22, 2020, including EETC funds received in July.
  • Received $992 million in support for Alaska and Horizon under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Payroll Support Program (PSP) in April 2020.
  • Reached an agreement for McGee to receive $30 million in CARES Act PSP support, $15 million of which was received in June 2020.
  • Signed a non-binding letter of intent with the U.S. Treasury to obtain up to $1.1 billion in additional CARES Act loans.

Operational Updates:

  • Received official oneworld invitation on July 23, 2020. The company is working to accelerate the timeline and join the partnership by the end of 2020.
  • Returned 43 mainline aircraft and all Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines aircraft to service. As of July 22, 2020, 89 mainline aircraft remain temporarily parked.
  • In July 2020, eliminated 300 management positions, initiated early-out programs for frontline workers and offered incentive leaves to pilots as we work to mitigate involuntary furloughs.
  • Received FAA certification to transport cargo in the passenger cabin on five Boeing 737-900 passenger aircraft, and began cargo-only service to Unalakleet, Alaska.
  • Announced expansion to year-round service to King Salmon and Dillingham, Alaska, to be flown by Horizon E175 aircraft, as well as began weekly service on Boeing 737 aircraft to Cold Bay, Alaska.
  • Announced 12 new routes to be flown to various destinations from Los Angeles International Airport.

Next-Level Care:

  • Expanded the Company's Next-Level Care initiative, including nearly 100 measures, offering layers of safety through every single stage of travel and helping guests build confidence in flying. Such measures include the following:

Covering and caring for guests

  • Flyers are required to complete a pre-travel wellness agreement at check-in. Guests aged 12 and older are required to wear a mask throughout all stages of travel.
  • Empowered flight attendants with the ability to issue "yellow card" warnings to guests refusing mask policies, with the consequence of suspension of future travel for non-compliance.
  • Provided hand sanitization stations throughout the airport, including lobby and gate areas. Personal sanitizing wipes made available onboard starting July 2020.
  • Extended "Peace-of-Mind" waiver, allowing changes to ticketed travel without change or cancellation fees for tickets booked through Sept. 8, 2020.

Personal Safety

  • Limiting the number of guests onboard and extended blocking middle seats on mainline aircraft through Sept. 30, 2020.
  • Reduced onboard service to limit interaction between flight crews and guests.
  • Placed floor decals throughout our airports, reminding guests to "mind their wingspan," when at ticket counters, kiosks and boarding.
  • Limited capacity of airport lounges to 50% and extended lounge memberships active as of April 1 by six months.
  • Boarding aircraft from the rear, and in smaller groups, to limit interaction between guests.
  • Working with airports to install plexiglass barriers at all guest touchpoints along their journey.

Exceeding CDC guidelines and clearing the air

  • Aircraft are equipped with hospital-grade HEPA air filters, which are designed to remove 99.95% of airborne contaminants and bring outside air on board every three minutes.
  • Exceed CDC cleaning guidelines on board and use high-grade, EPA-certified disinfectant to clean critical areas, and perform a deep-clean and sanitization of all aircraft overnight.
  • Utilizing electrostatic disinfectant sprayers, which emit a safe, high-grade EPA cleaning solution to sanitize surfaces.

Alaska Air Group Inc. today reported second quarter 2020 GAAP net loss of $214 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, compared to net income of $262 million, or $2.11 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of payroll support program wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported adjusted net loss of $439 million, or $3.54 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $270 million, or $2.17 per diluted share in 2019.

"Airlines are currently navigating the biggest demand contraction in the history of aviation," said Air Group CEO Brad Tilden. "The rest of the leadership team and I could not be more proud of how the people of Alaskaand Horizon reacted quickly and decisively to adjust our operations and our business, and to help our guests feel safe when they fly with us. Being tested in moments like this reveals character, and I'm confident in our future because of the way our people are responding every day with grit, determination and perseverance. Those are the qualities that will carry our airline and our country through this crisis and beyond."