ITEM 2:
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis presents factors that had a material effect on the results of operations of SkyWest, Inc. (“SkyWest” “we” or “us”) during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Also discussed is our financial condition as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section of this Report entitled “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” for discussion of uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements contained in this Report should be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “hope,” “likely,” and “continue” and similar terms used in connection with statements regarding our outlook, the revenue environment, our contractual relationships and our expected financial performance. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our future growth and development plans, including our future financial and operating results, our plans for SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (“SkyWest Airlines”) and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (“ExpressJet”) our objectives, expectations, estimates, intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements are based on our existing beliefs about present and future events outside of our control and on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect. If one or more risks identified in this Report materializes, or any other underlying assumption proves incorrect, our actual results will likely vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected, or intended for a number of reasons, including but not limited to: the challenges of competing successfully in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry; developments associated with fluctuations in the economy and the demand for air travel; the financial stability of United Airlines, Inc. (“United”), Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”), American Airlines, Inc. (“American”) and Alaska Airlines, Inc. (“Alaska”) (each, a “major airline partner”) and any potential impact of their financial condition on the operations of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines or ExpressJet; fluctuations in flight schedules, which are determined by the major airline partners for whom SkyWest’s operating airlines conduct flight operations; variations in market and economic conditions; significant aircraft lease and debt commitments; realization of manufacturer residual value guarantees on applicable SkyWest aircraft; residual aircraft values and related impairment charges; the impact of global instability; labor relations and costs; potential fluctuations in fuel costs, and potential fuel shortages; the impact of weather-related or other natural disasters on air travel and airline costs; new aircraft deliveries; the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots; the other factors identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Report, elsewhere in this Report, in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other unanticipated factors.
There may be other factors not identified above of which we are not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements, and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these statements other than as required by law.
Overview
Through SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet, we have the largest regional airline operations in the United States. As of September 30, 2016, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet offered scheduled passenger service with approximately 3,200 total daily departures to destinations throughout North America. As of September 30, 2016, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet had a total fleet of 688 aircraft, of which 642 were in scheduled service, summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CRJ200
|
|
CRJ700
|
|
CRJ900
|
|
ERJ135
|
|
ERJ145
|
|
E175
|
|
EMB120
|
|
Total
|
|
United
|
|
75
|
|
47
|
|
—
|
|
5
|
|
149
|
|
49
|
|
—
|
|
325
|
|
Delta
|
|
107
|
|
65
|
|
64
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
5
|
|
—
|
|
241
|
|
American
|
|
31
|
|
13
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
14
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
58
|
|
Alaska
|
|
—
|
|
5
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
13
|
|
—
|
|
18
|
|
Aircraft in scheduled service
|
|
213
|
|
130
|
|
64
|
|
5
|
|
163
|
|
67
|
|
—
|
|
642
|
|
Subleased to an un-affiliated entity
|
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
2
|
|
Other*
|
|
12
|
|
9
|
|
—
|
|
4
|
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
17
|
|
44
|
|
Total
|
|
227
|
|
139
|
|
64
|
|
9
|
|
165
|
|
67
|
|
17
|
|
688
|
|
*As of September 30, 2016, these aircraft have been removed from service and are in the process of being returned under the applicable leasing arrangement, are owned Embraer Brasilia EMB120 turboprop aircraft (“EMB120s”) in the process of being sold or are aircraft transitioning between flying code-share agreements with our major airline partners.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately 53.2% of our aggregate capacity was operated for United, approximately 36.1% was operated for Delta, approximately 5.8% was operated for American and approximately 4.9% was operated for Alaska.
Historically, multiple contractual relationships with major airlines have enabled us to reduce our reliance on any single major airline code and to enhance and stabilize operating results through a mix of fixed-fee arrangements (referred to as “fixed-fee arrangements,” “fixed-fee contracts” or “contract flying arrangements”) and revenue-sharing arrangements (referred to as “prorate” arrangements). For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, contract flying revenue and prorate revenue represented approximately 86.4% and 13.6%, respectively, of our total passenger revenues. On contract routes, the major airline partner controls scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories and we are compensated by the major airline partner at contracted rates based on completed block hours (measured from takeoff to landing, including taxi time), flight departures and other operating measures. On prorate routes, our revenue may fluctuate based on ticket prices and passenger loads and we are responsible for all costs to operate the flight, including fuel.
Third Quarter Summary
We had total operating revenues of $799.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, a 0.7% increase, compared to total operating revenues of $794.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. We had net income of $41.3 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to net income of $36.3 million or $0.71 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015.
Significant items affecting our financial performance during the three months ended September 30, 2016 are outlined below:
Revenue
The number of aircraft we have under contract and the number of actual block hours we incur on completed flights are significant revenue drivers under our fixed-fee arrangements. We are currently in the process of a fleet transition that involves increasing the number of large dual-class regional jets we operate, including the Embraer E175 dual-class regional jet aircraft (“E175s”), while reducing the number of less profitable 50-seat regional jets we operate, including a portion of our Embraer ERJ145 regional jet aircraft (“ERJ145s”), Embraer ERJ135 regional jet aircraft (“ERJ135s”) and Canadair CRJ200 regional jet aircraft (“CRJ200s”). Additionally, in 2015, we completed the removal
of all EMB120s from our scheduled service. Our objective in the fleet transition is to improve our profitability through the addition of new dual class aircraft, including the E175 aircraft, placed into service, while removing aircraft from service that have been operating under unprofitable or less profitable fixed-fee contracts.
Despite the reduction in our fleet size and the related 6.2% reduction in our block hour production, our total revenues increased $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. This was primarily driven by 24 E175 aircraft added to flying arrangements and improved rates under certain existing arrangements as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. These improvements to revenue were significantly offset by the removal of a net 29 CRJ200s and ERJ145s aircraft from unprofitable or less-profitable flying agreements since September 30, 2015.
Operating Expenses
Our total operating expenses decreased $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to lower direct operating costs from fewer aircraft in service, significantly offset by $9.2 million of early aircraft lease return costs for six Canadair CRJ700’s regional jet aircraft (“CRJ700”) that were removed from operations, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. We plan to transition and redeploy CRJ700 aircraft that are expiring under an agreement with a major airline partner to another major airline partner for longer terms. We anticipate certain inefficiencies as aircraft are transitioned from one major airline partner to another major airline partner. Additional details regarding the reduction to our operating expenses are described in more detail in the section of this Report entitled “Results of Operations.”
Fleet activity
The following table summarizes our fleet scheduled for service as of September 30, 2015, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aircraft in Service
|
|
September 30, 2015
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
September 30, 2016
|
|
CRJ200s
|
|
220
|
|
225
|
|
213
|
|
CRJ700s
|
|
139
|
|
139
|
|
130
|
|
CRJ900s
|
|
64
|
|
64
|
|
64
|
|
ERJ145/135s
|
|
190
|
|
187
|
|
168
|
|
E175s
|
|
43
|
|
45
|
|
67
|
|
Total
|
|
656
|
|
660
|
|
642
|
|
Changes in our fleet activity from September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2016 are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Aircraft available for scheduled service at September 30, 2015:
|
|
|
656
|
|
Additions/Redeployed:
|
|
|
|
|
New E175 aircraft added with United:
|
9
|
|
|
|
New E175 aircraft added with Alaska:
|
10
|
|
|
|
New E175 aircraft added with Delta:
|
5
|
|
|
|
Redeployed (transitioned) CRJ700 aircraft with multiple partners:
|
18
|
|
|
|
Total Additions/Redeployed:
|
|
|
42
|
|
Removals:
|
|
|
|
|
ERJ145 aircraft removed from service with United:
|
(20)
|
|
|
|
ERJ145 aircraft removed from service with American:
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
CRJ200 aircraft removed from service with multiple partners, net of redeployed:
|
(7)
|
|
|
|
CRJ700 aircraft removed from service with multiple partners:
|
(27)
|
|
|
|
Total Removals:
|
|
|
(56)
|
|
Aircraft available for scheduled service at September 30, 2016:
|
|
|
642
|
|
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, which are presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Critical accounting policies are those policies that are most important to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and require management’s subjective and complex judgments due to the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, maintenance, aircraft leases, impairment of long-lived assets and stock-based compensation expense. The application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and the use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from such estimates.
As of September 30, 2016, we owned or leased 392 50-seat aircraft (CRJ200s and ERJ145s). Our future long-term outlook for 50-seat flying may evolve as we evaluate our major airline partners’ long-term needs for this aircraft type as part of our year-end fleet planning process. This evaluation of various potential strategic alternatives with respect to the 50-seat fleet could trigger an impairment evaluation and potentially result in the need to write down certain assets or incur certain lease related charges.
Other Accounting Items
Directly-reimbursed expenses under our fixed-fee arrangements.
Under our fixed-fee arrangements, our major airline partners directly reimburse us for certain operating expenses such as fuel, station rents and landing fees. When we incur directly-reimbursed expenses under our fixed-fee arrangements, we record the reimbursement as passenger revenue. Thus, the price and volume volatility of directly-reimbursed expenses may impact the comparability of revenue to previous periods and may impact the comparability of operating expenses to previous periods, without impacting the comparability of our operating income of those same periods.
Reimbursement for engine overhaul expenses under our fixed-fee arrangements.
Under certain of our fixed fee arrangements, we are directly-reimbursed for engine overhaul costs when incurred (“Directly-Reimbursed Engine Contracts”). Under our other fixed-fee arrangements, we are paid fixed hourly rates intended to cover certain operating expenses, including engine overhaul costs (“Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts”). Thus, the price and volume volatility of directly-reimbursed engine expenses may impact the comparability of revenue to previous periods and may impact the comparability of operating expenses to previous periods, without impacting the comparability of our operating income of those same periods.
Engine maintenance expense.
We use the direct-expense method of accounting for our regional jet aircraft engine overhaul costs. Under this method, the maintenance liability is recorded when the maintenance services are performed. For a portion of our engines, a third-party vendor provides our long-term engine maintenance services, covering scheduled and unscheduled repairs for covered engines. Under the terms of the vendor agreement, we pay a set dollar amount per engine hour flown on a monthly basis and the third-party vendor assumes the obligation to repair the engines at no additional cost to us, subject to certain specified exclusions (“Power-by-the-Hour Contracts”). Under our Power-by-the-Hour Contracts, we expense the engine maintenance cost as flight hours are incurred on the engines using the contractual rate set forth in the applicable Power-by-the-Hour Contract.
The table below summarizes how we are compensated by our major airline partners under our flying contracts for engine maintenance expense and the method we use to recognize the corresponding expense.
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed-fee contract
|
|
Compensation of Engine Expense
|
|
Expense Recognition
|
SkyWest Delta Connection (CRJs)
|
|
Directly-Reimbursed Engine Contracts
|
|
Direct Expense Method
|
SkyWest Delta Connection (E175)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Power-by-the-Hour Agreement
|
ExpressJet Delta Connection
|
|
Directly-Reimbursed Engine Contracts
|
|
Direct Expense Method
|
SkyWest United Express (CRJ200)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Direct Expense Method
|
SkyWest United Express (CRJ700)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Power-by-the-Hour Agreement
|
SkyWest United Express (E175)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Power-by-the-Hour Agreement
|
ExpressJet United (ERJ145)
|
|
Directly-Reimbursed Engine Contracts
|
|
Power-by-the-Hour Agreement
|
Alaska Agreement (CRJ700)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Power-by-the-Hour Agreement
|
Alaska Agreement (E175)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Power-by-the-Hour Agreement
|
SkyWest American Agreement (CRJ200)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Direct Expense Method
|
SkyWest American Agreement (CRJ700)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Power-by-the-Hour Agreement
|
ExpressJet American Agreement (CRJ200)
|
|
Fixed-Rate Engine Contracts
|
|
Direct Expense Method
|
ExpressJet American Agreement (ERJ145)
|
|
Partner pays directly to vendor
|
|
Not applicable
|
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to the interim Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Operational Statistics.
The following table sets forth our major operational statistics and the associated percentages-of-change for the periods identified below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
% Change
|
|
Revenue passenger miles (000)
|
|
7,248,848
|
|
7,753,692
|
|
(6.5)
|
%
|
Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (000)
|
|
8,689,404
|
|
9,265,717
|
|
(6.2)
|
%
|
Block hours
|
|
493,547
|
|
526,217
|
|
(6.2)
|
%
|
Departures
|
|
296,962
|
|
314,745
|
|
(5.6)
|
%
|
Passengers carried
|
|
14,028,703
|
|
14,757,355
|
|
(4.9)
|
%
|
Passenger load factor
|
|
83.4
|
%
|
83.7
|
%
|
(0.3)
|
pts
|
Revenue per available seat mile
|
|
9.2
|
¢
|
8.6
|
¢
|
7.0
|
%
|
Cost per available seat mile
|
|
8.4
|
¢
|
7.9
|
¢
|
6.3
|
%
|
Average passenger trip length (miles)
|
|
517
|
|
525
|
|
(1.5)
|
%
|
Revenues
. Total operating revenues increased $5.8 million, or 0.7%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. Our total operating revenue includes passenger revenues, which primarily consist of revenue earned on flights we operate under our fixed-fee and prorate arrangements,
and airport customer service revenue, including airport counter, gate, and ramp services, on flights we operate under our flying arrangements. Our total operating revenue also includes ground handling and other revenues, which primarily consist of revenue earned from providing airport counter, gate and ramp services to other airlines on flights operated by other airlines, and government subsidy revenue we receive for providing flight service to certain locations under our prorate arrangements. Changes in our passenger revenue and ground handling and other revenue are summarized below.
Passenger revenues.
Under our fixed-fee contracts, we are directly-reimbursed for certain expenses from our major airline partners and we record such reimbursements as passenger revenue. The following table summarizes our passenger revenues less directly-reimbursed expenses that impacted the comparability of our passenger revenues for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Passenger revenues
|
|
$
|
781,475
|
|
$
|
777,480
|
|
$
|
3,995
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
|
13,425
|
|
|
12,065
|
|
|
1,360
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
|
4,025
|
|
|
5,152
|
|
|
(1,127)
|
|
(21.9)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
|
15,425
|
|
|
17,840
|
|
|
(2,415)
|
|
(13.5)
|
%
|
Passenger revenue excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fee, station rent and engine maintenance
|
|
$
|
748,600
|
|
$
|
742,423
|
|
$
|
6,177
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
Passenger revenues (excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fees, station rents and engine overhaul expenses from our major airline partners) increased $6.2 million, or 0.8%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in passenger revenues (excluding fuel, landing fees, station rents and engine overhaul reimbursements) was primarily driven by 24 E175 aircraft added to flying arrangements and improved rates from certain existing flying arrangements as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in revenue from the additional E175 aircraft was significantly offset by the removal of a net 29 CRJ200 and ERJ145 aircraft since September 30, 2015.
Our passenger revenue attributed to our directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fees, station rents and engine overhaul expenses decreased by $2.2 million, or 6.2%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease in directly-reimbursed expenses was due primarily to a reduction in directly-reimbursed engine events and an increase in our major airline partners paying landing fee and station rents directly to third party vendors.
Ground handling and other
. Total ground handling and other revenues increased $1.8 million, or 10.8%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily related to an increase in flight activity at prorate locations that provide government subsidies.
Individual expense components attributable to our operations are expressed in the following table in total and on the basis of cents per ASM (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
2016 Cents
|
|
2015 Cents
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Per ASM
|
|
Per ASM
|
Salaries, wages and benefits
|
|
$
|
305,958
|
|
$
|
304,633
|
|
$
|
1,325
|
|
0.4
|
%
|
3.5
|
|
3.3
|
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs
|
|
|
143,573
|
|
|
147,396
|
|
|
(3,823)
|
|
(2.6)
|
%
|
1.7
|
|
1.6
|
Aircraft rentals
|
|
|
65,766
|
|
|
68,003
|
|
|
(2,237)
|
|
(3.3)
|
%
|
0.8
|
|
0.7
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
71,743
|
|
|
66,603
|
|
|
5,140
|
|
7.7
|
%
|
0.8
|
|
0.7
|
Aircraft fuel
|
|
|
33,189
|
|
|
31,762
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
0.4
|
|
0.3
|
Ground handling services
|
|
|
16,498
|
|
|
18,892
|
|
|
(2,394)
|
|
(12.7)
|
%
|
0.2
|
|
0.2
|
Other
|
|
|
77,215
|
|
|
78,419
|
|
|
(1,204)
|
|
(1.5)
|
%
|
0.8
|
|
0.8
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
$
|
713,942
|
|
$
|
715,708
|
|
$
|
(1,766)
|
|
(0.2)
|
%
|
8.2
|
|
7.6
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
19,865
|
|
|
19,914
|
|
|
(49)
|
|
(0.2)
|
%
|
0.2
|
|
0.2
|
Total airline expenses
|
|
$
|
733,807
|
|
$
|
735,622
|
|
$
|
(1,815)
|
|
(0.2)
|
%
|
8.4
|
|
7.8
|
Salaries, wages and employee benefits.
Salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $1.3 million, or 0.4%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits was primarily due to an increase in crew training costs for the anticipated 19 E175 deliveries scheduled for the three months ending December 31, 2016, higher crew compensation costs resulting from labor agreements executed since September 30, 2015, and an increase in employee benefit costs compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015, which was partially offset by the decrease in other direct labor costs resulting from a net reduction in our fleet size and related level of departures and block hours.
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs.
Aircraft maintenance expense decreased $3.8 million, or 2.6%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs less the directly-reimbursed engine overhaul costs under our fixed-fee arrangements for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs
|
|
$
|
143,573
|
|
$
|
147,396
|
|
$
|
(3,823)
|
|
(2.6)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
|
15,425
|
|
|
17,840
|
|
|
(2,415)
|
|
(13.5)
|
%
|
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs excluding directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
$
|
128,148
|
|
$
|
129,556
|
|
$
|
(1,408)
|
|
(1.1)
|
%
|
Other aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs, excluding our directly-reimbursed engine overhaul costs, decreased $1.4 million, or 1.1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in aircraft maintenance expense (excluding directly-reimbursed engine overhaul costs) was primarily due to a decrease in direct maintenance costs that corresponds with our net decrease in fleet size and block hour reduction of 6.2%, which was partially offset by maintenance costs of $5.6 million associated with six CRJ700 aircraft early lease returns.
Aircraft rentals.
Aircraft rentals decreased $2.2 million, or 3.3%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in aircraft rentals was primarily due to a reduction of our fleet size that were financed through leases subsequent to September 30, 2015, partially offset by rent costs associated with six CRJ700 aircraft early lease returns of $3.2 million.
Depreciation and amortization.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.1 million, or 7.7%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to the purchase of 24 E175 aircraft and spare engines subsequent to September 30, 2015. Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 included $0.4 million of aircraft leasehold improvement write-offs associated with six CRJ700 aircraft early lease returns.
Aircraft Fuel.
Fuel costs increased $1.4 million, or 4.5%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our aircraft fuel expenses less directly-reimbursed fuel expense under our fixed-fee arrangements for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Aircraft fuel expenses
|
|
$
|
33,189
|
|
$
|
31,762
|
|
$
|
1,427
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
|
13,425
|
|
|
12,065
|
|
|
1,360
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
Aircraft fuel less directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
$
|
19,764
|
|
$
|
19,697
|
|
$
|
67
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
The increase in fuel cost (less directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners) was primarily due to an increase in the volume of gallons purchased, which was partially offset by the decrease in our average fuel cost per gallon in 2016 compared to 2015. In the event one of our major airline partners purchases fuel directly from vendors on flights we operate pursuant to a fixed-fee arrangement, we do not incur the fuel expense. The increase in gallons we purchased was due to an increase in the number of prorate flights we operated and additional gallons we purchased under certain of our fixed-fee contracts. The average fuel cost per gallon was $1.75 and $2.02 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The following table summarizes the gallons of fuel we purchased directly from fuel vendors and our fuel expense, for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
% Change
|
|
Fuel gallons purchased
|
|
|
18,936
|
|
|
15,739
|
|
20.3
|
%
|
Fuel expense
|
|
$
|
33,189
|
|
$
|
31,762
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
Ground handling service.
Ground handling service expense decreased $2.4 million, or 12.7%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. Ground handling service expense includes airport-related customer service costs, such as outsourced airport gate and ramp agent services, airport security fees and passenger interruption costs. The decrease in ground handling service expense was primarily due to a reduction in passenger liability insurance costs along with a decrease in the number of departures at locations for which SkyWest Airlines provides ground handling services subsequent to September 30, 2015.
Other operating expenses.
Other operating expenses, primarily consisting of property taxes, hull and liability insurance, landing fees, station rents, simulator costs, crew per diem, and crew hotel costs, decreased $1.2 million, or 1.5%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. Under our fixed-fee arrangements, landing fee and station rent expense are directly-reimbursed expenses. The following table summarizes our other operating expenses (less directly-reimbursed landing fees and station rents under our fixed-fee arrangements) for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
$
|
77,215
|
|
$
|
78,419
|
|
$
|
(1,204)
|
|
(1.5)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
|
4,025
|
|
|
5,152
|
|
|
(1,127)
|
|
(21.9)
|
%
|
Other operating expenses excluding directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
$
|
73,190
|
|
$
|
73,267
|
|
$
|
(77)
|
|
(0.1)
|
%
|
The decrease in other operating expense (less directly-reimbursed landing fees and station rents, expenses) was primarily related to the decrease in the fleet size and in other operating costs that resulted from the reduction in departures, which was partially offset by additional hotel costs primarily associated with an increase in crew training costs.
Interest Expense.
Interest expense was $19.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The additional interest expense associated with the E175 aircraft added to our
fleet since September 30, 2015 that were debt financed was offset by the refinancing of certain debt at lower interest rates and reduction in certain other outstanding debt amounts subsequent to September 30, 2015.
Total airline expense.
Total airline expense (consisting of total operating expense and interest expense) decreased $1.8 million, or 0.2%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our total airline expense less the directly-reimbursed expenses that impacted comparability for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Total airline expense
|
|
$
|
733,807
|
|
$
|
735,622
|
|
(1,815)
|
|
(0.2)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
|
13,425
|
|
|
12,065
|
|
1,360
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
|
4,025
|
|
|
5,152
|
|
(1,127)
|
|
(21.9)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
|
15,425
|
|
|
17,840
|
|
(2,415)
|
|
(13.5)
|
%
|
Total airline expense excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fee, station rent and engine maintenance
|
|
$
|
700,932
|
|
$
|
700,565
|
|
367
|
|
0.1
|
%
|
Total airline expenses (excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, engine overhaul, landing fees and station rents) increased $0.4 million, or 0.1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The overall increase was primarily related to early aircraft lease return costs of $9.2 million associated with six CRJ700s, which was partially offset by reduction in fleet size, including a 6.2% reduction in block hours during the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015.
Income taxes.
Our provision for income taxes was 37.9% and 39.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The reduction in our effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in pre-tax income for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015, with a reduced impact from non-deductible crew per diem meal expenses for the same periods, and a reduction in valuation allowance related to certain state net operating losses we anticipate will be utilized before the benefit is scheduled to expire.
Net income.
Primarily due to the factors described above, we generated net income of $41.3 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to a net income of $36.3 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Operational Statistics.
The following table sets forth our major operational statistics and the associated percentages-of-change for the periods identified below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
% Change
|
|
Revenue passenger miles (000)
|
|
21,220,196
|
|
22,439,946
|
|
(5.4)
|
%
|
Available seat miles (000)
|
|
25,910,521
|
|
27,134,415
|
|
(4.5)
|
%
|
Block hours
|
|
1,473,755
|
|
1,574,364
|
|
(6.4)
|
%
|
Departures
|
|
879,891
|
|
933,430
|
|
(5.7)
|
%
|
Passengers carried
|
|
40,612,654
|
|
42,613,648
|
|
(4.7)
|
%
|
Passenger load factor
|
|
81.9
|
%
|
82.7
|
%
|
(0.8)
|
pts
|
Revenue per available seat mile
|
|
9.1
|
¢
|
8.6
|
¢
|
5.8
|
%
|
Cost per available seat mile
|
|
8.4
|
¢
|
8.2
|
¢
|
2.4
|
%
|
Average passenger trip length (miles)
|
|
523
|
|
527
|
|
(0.8)
|
%
|
Revenues
. Total operating revenues increased $20.4 million, or 0.9%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Our total operating revenue includes passenger
revenues, which primarily consist of revenue earned on flights we operate under our fixed-fee and prorate arrangements, and airport customer service revenue, including airport counter, gate, and ramp services, on flights we operate under our flying arrangements. Our total operating revenue also includes ground handling and other revenues, which primarily consist of revenue earned from providing airport counter, gate and ramp services to other airlines on flights operated by other airlines, and government subsidy revenue we receive for providing flight service to certain locations under our prorate arrangements. Changes in our passenger revenue and ground handling and other revenue are summarized below.
Passenger revenues.
Under our fixed-fee contracts, we are directly-reimbursed for certain expenses from our major airline partners and we record such reimbursements as passenger revenue. The following table summarizes our passenger revenues less directly-reimbursed expenses that impacted the comparability of our passenger revenues for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Passenger revenues
|
|
$
|
2,310,678
|
|
$
|
2,293,085
|
|
$
|
17,593
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
|
37,341
|
|
|
31,159
|
|
|
6,182
|
|
19.8
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
|
10,489
|
|
|
15,777
|
|
|
(5,288)
|
|
(33.5)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
|
48,415
|
|
|
74,722
|
|
|
(26,307)
|
|
(35.2)
|
%
|
Passenger revenue excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fee, station rent and engine maintenance
|
|
$
|
2,214,433
|
|
$
|
2,171,427
|
|
$
|
43,006
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
Passenger revenues (excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fees, station rents and engine overhaul expenses from our major airline partners) increased $43.0 million, or 2.0%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in passenger revenues (excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fees, station rents and engine overhaul expenses) was primarily driven by a $11.5 million favorable resolution of a flying agreement matter with one of our major airline partners with the remaining increase primarily attributable to 24 E175 aircraft added to flying arrangements and improved rates from certain existing flying arrangements as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The improvements to revenue from the additional E175 aircraft were partially offset by the removal of a net 29 CRJ200 and ERJ145 aircraft from unprofitable or less-profitable flying agreements since September 30, 2015.
Our passenger revenue attributed to our directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fees, station rents and engine overhaul expenses decreased by $25.4 million, or 20.9%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease in directly-reimbursed expenses was due primarily to a reduction in directly-reimbursed engine events and an increase in our major airline partners paying landing fees and station rents directly to third party vendors.
Ground handling and other
. Total ground handling and other revenues increased $2.8 million, or 5.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily related to increases in prorate flight activity at locations that provide government subsidies.
Individual expense components attributable to our operations are expressed in the following table in total and on the basis of cents per ASM (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
2016 Cents
|
|
2015 Cents
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Per ASM
|
|
Per ASM
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits
|
|
$
|
915,743
|
|
$
|
906,051
|
|
$
|
9,692
|
|
1.1
|
%
|
3.5
|
|
3.4
|
|
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs
|
|
|
424,722
|
|
|
461,972
|
|
|
(37,250)
|
|
(8.1)
|
%
|
1.6
|
|
1.7
|
|
Aircraft rentals
|
|
|
205,458
|
|
|
206,857
|
|
|
(1,399)
|
|
(0.7)
|
%
|
0.8
|
|
0.8
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
209,431
|
|
|
196,953
|
|
|
12,478
|
|
6.3
|
%
|
0.8
|
|
0.7
|
|
Aircraft fuel
|
|
|
90,827
|
|
|
90,254
|
|
|
573
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
0.4
|
|
0.3
|
|
Ground handling services
|
|
|
54,225
|
|
|
62,981
|
|
|
(8,756)
|
|
(13.9)
|
%
|
0.2
|
|
0.2
|
|
Other
|
|
|
231,004
|
|
|
235,447
|
|
|
(4,443)
|
|
(1.9)
|
%
|
0.9
|
|
0.9
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
$
|
2,131,410
|
|
$
|
2,160,515
|
|
$
|
(29,105)
|
|
(1.3)
|
%
|
8.2
|
|
8.0
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
55,876
|
|
|
56,460
|
|
|
(584)
|
|
(1.0)
|
%
|
0.2
|
|
0.2
|
|
Total airline expenses
|
|
$
|
2,187,286
|
|
$
|
2,216,975
|
|
$
|
(29,689)
|
|
(1.3)
|
%
|
8.4
|
|
8.2
|
|
Salaries, wages and employee benefits.
Salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $9.7 million, or 1.1%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits was primarily due to an increase in crew training costs for the anticipated E175 deliveries, higher crew compensation costs resulting from labor agreements executed since September 30, 2015, and an increase in employee benefit costs compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which was partially offset by the decrease in other direct labor costs resulting from a net reduction in our fleet size and related level of departures and block hours.
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs.
Aircraft maintenance expense decreased $37.3 million, or 8.1%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs less the directly-reimbursed engine overhaul costs under our fixed-fee arrangements for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs
|
|
$
|
424,722
|
|
$
|
461,972
|
|
$
|
(37,250)
|
|
(8.1)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
|
48,415
|
|
|
74,722
|
|
|
(26,307)
|
|
(35.2)
|
%
|
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs excluding directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
$
|
376,307
|
|
$
|
387,250
|
|
$
|
(10,943)
|
|
(2.8)
|
%
|
Other aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs, excluding our directly-reimbursed engine overhaul costs, decreased $10.9 million, or 2.8%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in aircraft maintenance expense (excluding directly-reimbursed engine overhaul costs) was primarily due to a decrease in direct maintenance costs that corresponds with our net decrease in fleet size and block hour reduction of 6.4% partially offset by maintenance costs of $8.7 million associated with nine CRJ700 aircraft early lease returns.
Aircraft rentals.
Aircraft rentals decreased $1.4 million, or 0.7%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in aircraft rentals was primarily due to a reduction of our fleet size that were financed through leases subsequent to September 30, 2015, significantly offset by rental costs associated with nine CRJ700 aircraft early lease returns of $10.0 million.
Depreciation and amortization.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $12.5 million, or 6.3%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to the purchase of 24 E175 aircraft and spare engines subsequent to September 30, 2015. Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, included $0.7 million of aircraft leasehold improvement write-offs associated with nine CRJ700 aircraft early lease returns.
Aircraft Fuel.
Fuel costs increased $0.6 million, or 0.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our aircraft fuel expenses less directly-reimbursed fuel expense under our fixed-fee arrangements for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Aircraft fuel expenses
|
|
$
|
90,827
|
|
$
|
90,254
|
|
$
|
573
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
|
37,341
|
|
|
31,159
|
|
|
6,182
|
|
19.8
|
%
|
Aircraft fuel less directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
$
|
53,486
|
|
$
|
59,095
|
|
$
|
(5,609)
|
|
(9.5)
|
%
|
The decrease in fuel cost (less directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners) was primarily due to the decrease in our average fuel cost per gallon in 2016 compared to 2015, which was partially offset by an increase in the volume of gallons purchased. In the event one of our major airline partners purchases fuel directly from vendors on flights we operate pursuant to a fixed-fee arrangement, we do not incur the fuel expense. The increase in gallons we purchased was due to an increase in the number of prorate flights we operated and additional gallons we purchased under certain of our fixed-fee contracts. The average fuel cost per gallon was $1.65 and $2.19 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The following table summarizes the gallons of fuel we purchased directly from fuel vendors and our fuel expense, for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
% Change
|
|
Fuel gallons purchased
|
|
|
55,043
|
|
|
41,263
|
|
33.4
|
%
|
Fuel expense
|
|
$
|
90,827
|
|
$
|
90,254
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
Ground handling service.
Ground handling service expense decreased $8.8 million, or 13.9%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Ground handling service expense includes airport-related customer service costs, such as outsourced airport gate and ramp agent services, airport security fees and passenger interruption costs. The decrease in ground handling service expense was primarily due to a reduction in passenger liability insurance costs along with a decrease in the number of departures at locations for which SkyWest Airlines provides ground handling services subsequent to September 30, 2015.
Other operating expenses.
Other operating expenses, primarily consisting of property taxes, hull and liability insurance, landing fees, station rents, crew simulator training, crew per diem, and crew hotel costs, decreased $4.4 million, or 1.9%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to the reduction in landing fee and station rent expense along with a decrease in the fleet size and in other operating costs that resulted from the reduction in departures during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Under our fixed-fee arrangements, landing fee and station rent expense are directly-reimbursed expenses. The following table summarizes our other operating expenses (less directly-reimbursed landing fees and station rents under our fixed-fee arrangements) for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
$
|
231,004
|
|
$
|
235,447
|
|
$
|
(4,443)
|
|
(1.9)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
|
10,489
|
|
|
15,777
|
|
|
(5,288)
|
|
(33.5)
|
%
|
Other operating expenses excluding directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
$
|
220,515
|
|
$
|
219,670
|
|
$
|
845
|
|
0.4
|
%
|
The increase in other operating expense (less directly-reimbursed landing fees and station rents, expenses) was primarily related to an increase in additional training costs associated with E175 deliveries, including the use of simulators and additional hotel rooms.
Interest Expense.
Interest expense decreased $0.6 million, or 1.0%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the refinancing of certain debt at lower interest rates and reductions in certain other outstanding debt amounts subsequent to September 30, 2015. These decreases were partially offset by additional interest expense associated with the E175 aircraft added to our fleet since September 30, 2015 that were debt financed.
Total airline expense.
Total airline expense (consisting of total operating expense and interest expense) decreased $29.7 million, or 1.3%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our total airline expense less the directly-reimbursed expenses that impacted comparability for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Total airline expense
|
|
$
|
2,187,286
|
|
$
|
2,216,975
|
|
(29,689)
|
|
(1.3)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed fuel from airline partners
|
|
|
37,341
|
|
|
31,159
|
|
6,182
|
|
19.8
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed landing fee and station rent from airline partners
|
|
|
10,489
|
|
|
15,777
|
|
(5,288)
|
|
(33.5)
|
%
|
Less: directly-reimbursed engine maintenance from airline partners
|
|
|
48,415
|
|
|
74,722
|
|
(26,307)
|
|
(35.2)
|
%
|
Total airline expense excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, landing fee, station rent and engine maintenance
|
|
$
|
2,091,041
|
|
$
|
2,095,317
|
|
(4,276)
|
|
(0.2)
|
%
|
Total airline expenses (excluding directly-reimbursed fuel, engine overhaul, landing fees and station rents) decreased $4.3 million, or 0.2%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The overall decrease was primarily related to the reduction in fleet size, including a 6.4% reduction in block hours during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which was partially offset by $19.4 million of early aircraft lease return costs for nine CRJ700 aircraft.
Income taxes.
Our provision for income taxes was 38.8% and 39.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The reduction in our effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in pre-tax income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, with a reduced impact from non-deductible crew per diem meal expenses for the same periods, and a reduction in valuation allowance related to state net operating losses we anticipate will be utilized before the benefit is scheduled to expire.
Net income.
Primarily due to factors described above, we generated net income of $108.7 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to a net income of $77.4 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
Our Business Segments
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we had three reportable segments which are the basis of our internal financial reporting: SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet and SkyWest Leasing. Our segment disclosure relates to components of our business for which separate financial information is available to, and regularly evaluated by, our chief operating decision maker. Our operating segments consist of SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet and SkyWest Leasing. Corporate overhead expense is allocated to the operating expenses of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
(dollar amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Operating Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SkyWest Airlines operating revenue
|
|
$
|
502,600
|
|
$
|
485,749
|
|
$
|
16,851
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
ExpressJet operating revenues
|
|
|
260,362
|
|
|
283,034
|
|
|
(22,672)
|
|
(8.0)
|
%
|
SkyWest Leasing operating revenues
|
|
|
36,814
|
|
|
25,221
|
|
|
11,593
|
|
46.0
|
%
|
Total Operating Revenues
|
|
$
|
799,776
|
|
$
|
794,004
|
|
$
|
5,772
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
Airline Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SkyWest Airlines airline expense
|
|
$
|
443,088
|
|
$
|
426,601
|
|
$
|
16,487
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
ExpressJet airline expense
|
|
|
262,600
|
|
|
289,698
|
|
|
(27,098)
|
|
(9.4)
|
%
|
SkyWest Leasing airline expense
|
|
|
28,119
|
|
|
19,323
|
|
|
8,796
|
|
45.5
|
%
|
Total Airline Expense(1)
|
|
$
|
733,807
|
|
$
|
735,622
|
|
$
|
(1,815)
|
|
(0.2)
|
%
|
Segment profit (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SkyWest Airlines segment profit
|
|
$
|
59,512
|
|
$
|
59,148
|
|
$
|
364
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
ExpressJet segment loss
|
|
|
(2,238)
|
|
|
(6,664)
|
|
|
4,426
|
|
(66.4)
|
%
|
SkyWest Leasing profit
|
|
|
8,695
|
|
|
5,898
|
|
|
2,797
|
|
47.4
|
%
|
Total Segment Profit
|
|
$
|
65,969
|
|
$
|
58,382
|
|
$
|
7,587
|
|
13.0
|
%
|
Interest Income
|
|
|
591
|
|
|
311
|
|
|
280
|
|
90.0
|
%
|
Other Income (Expense), net
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,070
|
|
|
(1,070)
|
|
NM
|
|
Consolidated Income Before Taxes
|
|
$
|
66,560
|
|
$
|
59,763
|
|
$
|
6,797
|
|
11.4
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
|
Total Airline Expense includes operating expense and interest expense
|
SkyWest Airlines Segment Profit.
SkyWest Airlines segment profit increased $0.4 million, or 0.6%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. SkyWest Airlines block hour production increased to 282,287, or 1.5%, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, from 278,074 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the additional block hour production from the new E175 aircraft added subsequent to September 30, 2015. Significant items contributing to the SkyWest Airlines segment profit are set forth below.
SkyWest Airlines Operating Revenues increased by $16.9 million, or 3.5%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily due to revenue associated with our additional E175 aircraft subsequent to September 30, 2015.
SkyWest Airlines Airline Expense increased by $16.5 million, or 3.9%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in the SkyWest Airlines Airline Expense was primarily due to the following factors:
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ salaries, wages, and benefits increased by $11.8 million, or 7.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily due to the additional block hour production along with a new pilot compensation package put in place subsequent to September 30, 2015 and crew training associated with the new E175 aircraft deliveries.
|
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs expense increased by $6.5 million, or 8.6%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily attributable to $3.7 million of maintenance costs associated with four CRJ700 early lease return aircraft along with direct maintenance costs associated with the increased volume of departures and the replacement and repair of aircraft parts and components.
|
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ ground handling service expense decreased $1.0 million, or 7.4%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease
|
in ground handling service expense was primarily due to a reduction in passenger liability insurance costs subsequent to September 30, 2015.
|
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ fuel expense (excluding directly-reimbursed fuel expense under its fixed-fee arrangements) increased $0.1 million, or 0.3%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in fuel cost was primarily due to an increase in the volume of gallons purchased which was partially offset by a decrease in the average fuel cost per gallon in 2016 compared to 2015. The average fuel cost per gallon was $1.75 and $2.02 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
|
ExpressJet Segment Loss.
ExpressJet segment loss decreased $4.4 million, or 66.4%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. ExpressJet’s block hour production decreased to 211,260, or 14.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, from 248,143 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the removal of ERJ145 aircraft previously operated under ExpressJet’s United fixed-fee agreement. Significant items contributing to the ExpressJet segment loss are set forth below.
ExpressJet Operating Revenues decreased by $22.7 million, or 8.0%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the corresponding period of 2015. The decrease in ExpressJet Operating Revenues was primarily due to a reduction in scheduled departures in ExpressJet’s ERJ145 fleet operating under its United fixed-fee arrangement, which was partially offset by rate increases under certain fixed-fee contracts effective January 1, 2016.
ExpressJet’s Airline Expense decreased $27.1 million, or 9.4%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in ExpressJet Airline Expense was primarily due to the following factors:
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s salaries, wages and benefits decreased $10.5 million, or 7.5%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in scheduled production subsequent to September 30, 2015 that resulted from the decreased number of ERJ145 aircraft and CRJ200 aircraft in service, partially offset by a new pilot compensation package put in place subsequent to September 30, 2015.
|
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs expense decreased $10.3 million, or 14.2%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in fleet size subsequent to September 30, 2015, a decrease in the number of directly-reimbursed engine events and maintenance cost-saving initiatives. This was partially offset by $1.9 million of maintenance costs associated with two CRJ700 early lease return aircraft.
|
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s aircraft rental expenses decreased $1.2 million, or 7.1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a reduction of our fleet size that were financed through leases subsequent to September 30, 2015, partially offset by $3.2 million of lease costs associated with two CRJ700 early lease return aircraft.
|
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s ground handling service expense decreased $1.4 million, or 28.5%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in ground handling service expense was primarily due to a reduction in passenger liability insurance costs subsequent to September 30, 2015.
|
SkyWest Leasing Segment Profit.
SkyWest Leasing profit increased $2.8 million, or 47.4%, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to 24 E175 aircraft added to the fleet subsequent to September 30, 2015.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we had three reportable segments which are the basis of our internal financial reporting: SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet and SkyWest Leasing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
(dollar amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Operating Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SkyWest Airlines operating revenue
|
|
$
|
1,473,003
|
|
$
|
1,387,451
|
|
$
|
85,552
|
|
6.2
|
%
|
ExpressJet operating revenues
|
|
|
794,410
|
|
|
896,683
|
|
|
(102,273)
|
|
(11.4)
|
%
|
SkyWest Leasing operating revenues
|
|
|
95,777
|
|
|
58,685
|
|
|
37,092
|
|
63.2
|
%
|
Total Operating Revenues
|
|
$
|
2,363,190
|
|
$
|
2,342,819
|
|
$
|
20,371
|
|
0.9
|
%
|
Airline Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SkyWest Airlines airline expense
|
|
$
|
1,298,727
|
|
$
|
1,249,783
|
|
$
|
48,944
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
ExpressJet airline expense
|
|
|
814,815
|
|
|
921,372
|
|
|
(106,557)
|
|
(11.6)
|
%
|
SkyWest Leasing airline expense
|
|
|
73,744
|
|
|
45,820
|
|
|
27,924
|
|
60.9
|
%
|
Total Airline Expense(1)
|
|
$
|
2,187,286
|
|
$
|
2,216,975
|
|
$
|
(29,689)
|
|
(1.3)
|
%
|
Segment profit (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SkyWest Airlines segment profit
|
|
$
|
174,276
|
|
$
|
137,668
|
|
$
|
36,608
|
|
26.6
|
%
|
ExpressJet segment loss
|
|
|
(20,405)
|
|
|
(24,689)
|
|
|
4,284
|
|
(17.4)
|
%
|
SkyWest Leasing profit
|
|
|
22,033
|
|
|
12,865
|
|
|
9,168
|
|
71.3
|
%
|
Total Segment Profit
|
|
$
|
175,904
|
|
$
|
125,844
|
|
$
|
50,060
|
|
39.8
|
%
|
Interest Income
|
|
|
1,506
|
|
|
1,647
|
|
|
(141)
|
|
(8.6)
|
%
|
Other Income (Expense), net
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,070
|
|
|
(1,070)
|
|
NM
|
|
Consolidated Income Before Taxes
|
|
$
|
177,410
|
|
$
|
128,561
|
|
$
|
48,849
|
|
38.0
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
|
Total Airline Expense includes operating expense and interest expense
|
SkyWest Airlines Segment Profit.
SkyWest Airlines segment profit increased $36.6 million, or 26.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. SkyWest Airlines block hour production increased to 835,445, or 3.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, from 803,741 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the additional block hour production from the new E175 aircraft added subsequent to September 30, 2015. Significant items contributing to the SkyWest Airlines segment profit are set forth below.
SkyWest Airlines Operating Revenues increased by $85.6 million, or 6.2%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily due to our additional E175 aircraft operations, a $11.5 million favorable resolution of a flying agreement matter with one of our major airline partners and improved contract performance incentives.
SkyWest Airlines Airline Expense increased by $48.9 million, or 3.9%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in the SkyWest Airlines Airline Expense was primarily due to the following factors:
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ salaries, wages, and benefits increased by $39.2 million, or 8.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily due to the additional block hour production and due to a new pilot compensation package put in place subsequent to September 30, 2015 and crew training associated with the new E175 aircraft deliveries.
|
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs expense increased by $21.9 million, or 10.3%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in direct maintenance costs associated with
|
the increased volume of departures and the replacement and repair of aircraft parts and components and $3.7 million of maintenance costs associated with four CRJ700 early lease return aircraft.
|
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ ground handling service expense decreased $4.4 million, or 9.0%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in ground handling service expense was primarily due to a reduction in passenger liability insurance costs and deicing events in SkyWest Airlines’ prorate operations in comparison with the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
|
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ fuel expense (excluding directly-reimbursed fuel expense under its fixed-fee arrangements) decreased $5.0 million, or 8.7%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in fuel cost was primarily due to a decrease in the average fuel cost per gallon in 2016 compared to 2015, which was partially offset by an increase in the volume of gallons purchased. The average fuel cost per gallon was $1.65 and $2.19 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
|
|
·
|
|
SkyWest Airlines’ depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $2.8 million, or 2.9%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily attributable to the elimination of EMB120 aircraft-related depreciation, due to our removal of the EMB120 aircraft from service during 2015.
|
ExpressJet Segment Loss.
ExpressJet segment loss increased $4.3 million, or 17.4%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. ExpressJet’s block hour production decreased to 638,310, or 17.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, from 770,623 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the removal of ERJ145 aircraft previously operated under ExpressJet’s United fixed-fee agreement. Significant items contributing to the ExpressJet segment loss are set forth below.
ExpressJet Operating Revenues decreased by $102.3 million, or 11.4%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the corresponding period of 2015. The decrease in ExpressJet Operating Revenues was primarily due to a reduction in scheduled departures in ExpressJet’s ERJ145 fleet operating under its United fixed-fee arrangement, which was partially offset by rate increases under certain fixed-fee contracts effective January 1, 2016 and higher flight completion rates.
ExpressJet’s Airline Expense decreased $106.6 million, or 11.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in ExpressJet Airline Expense was primarily due to the following factors:
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s salaries, wages and benefits decreased $29.5 million, or 6.9%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in scheduled production subsequent to September 30, 2015 that resulted from the decreased number of ERJ145 aircraft and CRJ200 aircraft in service, partially offset by a new pilot compensation package put in place subsequent to September 30, 2015.
|
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs expense decreased $58.7 million, or 23.5%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in fleet size subsequent to September 30, 2015, a decrease in the number of directly-reimbursed engine events and maintenance cost saving initiatives partially offset by $4.9 million of maintenance costs associated with early lease return aircraft.
|
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s ground handling services expenses decreased $4.4 million, or 30.2%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in scheduled production that resulted from a reduction in fleet size and a reduction in passenger liability insurance costs.
|
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s other airline expense decreased $6.9 million, or 7.1%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in scheduled production subsequent to September 30, 2015.
|
|
·
|
|
ExpressJet’s interest expense decreased $4.7 million, or 47.1%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the refinancing of certain debt at lower interest rates and reductions in certain other outstanding debt amounts subsequent to September 30, 2015.
|
SkyWest Leasing Segment Profit.
SkyWest Leasing profit increased $9.2 million, or 71.3%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the E175 aircraft added to the fleet subsequent to September 30, 2015.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Cash
Cash Position and Liquidity.
The following table provides a summary of the net cash provided by (used in) our operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and our total cash and marketable securities positions as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
399,318
|
|
$
|
313,540
|
|
$
|
85,778
|
|
27.4
|
%
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(850,727)
|
|
|
(656,371)
|
|
|
(194,356)
|
|
29.6
|
%
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
298,141
|
|
|
337,300
|
|
|
(39,159)
|
|
(11.6)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
49,767
|
|
$
|
203,035
|
|
$
|
(153,268)
|
|
(75.5)
|
%
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
8,235
|
|
|
8,216
|
|
|
19
|
|
0.2
|
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
506,170
|
|
|
286,668
|
|
|
219,502
|
|
76.6
|
%
|
Total
|
|
$
|
564,172
|
|
$
|
497,919
|
|
$
|
66,253
|
|
13.3
|
%
|
Cash Flows provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $85.8 million, or 27.4%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in cash used in working capital accounts and an increase in income before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased $194.4 million, or 29.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to investments in marketable securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
Cash Flows provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities decreased $39.2 million, or 11.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily related to proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $497.5 million associated with 22 E175 aircraft acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the proceeds from issuance of debt of $521.2 million associated with 23
E175 aircraft acquired and the issuance of $25.0 million in a term loan during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we used an additional $14.1 million as principal payments on long-term debt primarily due to the additional E175 aircraft acquired after September 30, 2015. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we used $18.7 million to purchase treasury shares.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that in the absence of unusual circumstances, the working capital currently available to us will be sufficient to meet our present financial requirements, including anticipated expansion, planned capital expenditures, and scheduled lease payments and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months.
At September 30, 2016, our total capital mix was 45.8% equity and 54.2% long-term debt, compared to 47.6% equity and 52.4% long-term debt at December 31, 2015.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we increased our line of credit with a bank from $25 million to $75 million. At September 30, 2016, we had $6.5 million in letters of credit issued under the facility which reduced the amount available under the facility to $68.5 million. The facility expires on June 1, 2018 and has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.5% (3.0% at September 30, 2016).
Significant Commitments and Obligations
General
The following table summarizes our commitments and obligations as noted for each of the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Oct - 2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2020
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
Operating lease payments for aircraft and facility obligations
|
|
$
|
1,020,483
|
|
$
|
67,280
|
|
$
|
191,086
|
|
$
|
155,584
|
|
$
|
122,627
|
|
$
|
134,867
|
|
$
|
349,039
|
|
Firm aircraft and spare engine commitments
|
|
|
1,079,846
|
|
|
529,865
|
|
|
515,478
|
|
|
14,787
|
|
|
14,787
|
|
|
4,929
|
|
|
—
|
|
Interest commitments(A)
|
|
|
407,009
|
|
|
22,154
|
|
|
77,500
|
|
|
66,992
|
|
|
57,072
|
|
|
47,574
|
|
|
135,717
|
|
Principal maturities on long-term debt
|
|
|
2,248,305
|
|
|
87,560
|
|
|
282,582
|
|
|
266,010
|
|
|
260,634
|
|
|
221,791
|
|
|
1,129,728
|
|
Total commitments and obligations
|
|
$
|
4,755,643
|
|
$
|
706,859
|
|
$
|
1,066,646
|
|
$
|
503,373
|
|
$
|
455,120
|
|
$
|
409,161
|
|
$
|
1,614,484
|
|
|
(A)
|
|
At September 30, 2016, we had variable rate notes representing 7.9% of our total long-term debt. Actual interest commitments will change based on the actual variable interest.
|
Purchase Commitments and Options
On May 21, 2014, we announced our execution of an agreement with Embraer, S.A. for the purchase of new E175 aircraft. We have entered into contracts for firm deliveries of 104 aircraft under the agreement. As of September 30, 2016, we had taken delivery of 67 E175s. We anticipate taking delivery of the remaining 37 E175s covered by the firm order by the end of 2017.
We have not historically funded a substantial portion of our aircraft acquisitions with working capital. Rather, we have generally funded our aircraft acquisitions through a combination of operating leases and long-term debt financing. At the time of each aircraft acquisition, we evaluate the financing alternatives available to us, and select one or more of these methods to fund the acquisition. At present, we intend to fund our acquisition of any additional aircraft through debt financing. Based on current market conditions and discussions with prospective leasing organizations and financial institutions, we currently believe that we will be able to obtain financing for our committed acquisitions, as well as additional aircraft. We intend to finance our E175 aircraft purchases with approximately 85% debt and the remaining purchase price balance with cash.
Aircraft Lease and Facility Obligations
We also have significant long-term lease obligations primarily relating to our aircraft fleet. At September 30, 2016, we had 431 aircraft under lease with remaining terms ranging from one year or less to ten years. Future minimum lease payments due under all long-term operating leases were approximately $1.0 billion at September 30, 2016. Assuming a 4.89% discount rate, which is the average rate used to approximate the implicit rates within the applicable aircraft leases, the present value of these lease obligations would have been equal to approximately $0.8 billion at September 30, 2016.
Long-term Debt Obligations
As of September 30, 2016, we had $2.2 billion of long-term debt obligations, including current maturities, related to the acquisition of CRJ200s, CRJ700s, CRJ900s, E175 aircraft and spare engine financings. The average effective interest rate on the debt related to such aircraft and spare engine financings was approximately 3.7% at September 30, 2016.
Guarantees
We have guaranteed the obligations of SkyWest Airlines under the SkyWest Airlines Delta Connection Agreement and the SkyWest Airlines United Express Agreement for the E175 aircraft. We have also guaranteed the obligations of ExpressJet under the ExpressJet Delta Connection Agreement and the ExpressJet United ERJ Agreement.
Seasonality
Our results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of those for an entire year, since the airline industry is subject to seasonal fluctuations and general economic conditions. Our operations are somewhat favorably affected by increased travel on our prorate routes, historically occurring during the summer months, and unfavorably affected by decreased travel during the months November through February and by inclement weather, which may occasionally or frequently, depending on the severity of the inclement weather in any given winter, result in cancelled flights during the winter months.
ITEM 3:
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Aircraft Fuel
In the past, we have not experienced difficulties with fuel availability and we currently expect to be able to obtain fuel at prevailing prices in quantities sufficient to meet our future needs. Pursuant to our fixed-fee arrangements, United, Delta, Alaska and American have agreed to bear the economic risk of fuel price fluctuations on our contracted flights. We bear the economic risk of fuel price fluctuations on our prorate operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately 4.5% of our ASMs were flown under prorate arrangements. For illustrative purposes only, we have estimated the impact of the market risk of fuel price fluctuations on our prorate operations using a hypothetical increase of 25% in the price per gallon we purchase. Based on this hypothetical assumption, we would have incurred an additional $13.4 million in fuel expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Interest Rates
Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates due to the amounts of variable rate long-term debt and the amount of cash and securities held. The interest rates applicable to variable rate notes may rise and increase the amount of interest expense. We would also receive higher amounts of interest income on cash and securities held at the time; however, the market value of our available-for-sale securities would likely decline. At September 30, 2016, we had variable rate notes representing 7.9% of our total long-term debt compared to 12.1% of our long-term debt at December 31, 2015. For illustrative purposes only, we have estimated the impact of market risk using a hypothetical increase in interest rates of one percentage point for both variable rate long-term debt and cash and securities. Based on this hypothetical assumption, we would have incurred an additional $1.6 million in interest expense and received $3.7
million in additional interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. However, under our contractual arrangements with our major airline partners, the majority of the increase in interest expense would be passed through and recorded as passenger revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Also for illustrative purposes only, we have estimated the impact of a hypothetical decrease in interest rates of one percentage point for both variable rate long-term debt and cash and securities. Based upon this hypothetical example, we would have recognized $1.6 million less in interest expense and received $3.7 million less in interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. If interest rates were to decline, our major airline partners would receive the principal benefit of the decline, since interest expense is generally passed through to our major airline partners, resulting in a reduction to passenger revenue in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
We currently intend to finance the acquisition of aircraft through manufacturer financing, third-party leases or long-term borrowings. Changes in interest rates may impact the actual cost to us to acquire these aircraft. To the extent we place these aircraft in service under our code-share agreements with Delta, United, Alaska or other carriers, our code-share agreements currently provide that reimbursement rates will be adjusted higher or lower to reflect changes in our aircraft financing interest rates.
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, which have been designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of September 30, 2016, those controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control
During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act).
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are subject to certain legal actions which we consider routine to our business activities. As of September 30, 2016, there were no pending legal proceedings that, if decided against us, were likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, as supplemented below, which factors could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The risks described in our reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The residual value of our owned aircraft may be less than estimated in our depreciation policies.
As of September 30, 2016, we had approximately $3.9 billion of property and equipment and related assets net of accumulated depreciation. Additionally, as of September 30, 2016, we had approximately $8.8 million in intangible assets. In accounting for these long‑lived and intangible assets, we make estimates about the expected useful lives of the assets, the expected residual values of certain of these assets, and the potential for impairment based on the fair value of the assets and the cash flows they generate. Factors indicating potential impairment include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in the market value of the long‑lived assets, a significant change in the condition of the long‑lived assets and operating cash flow losses associated with the use of the long‑lived assets. In the event the estimated residual value of any of our aircraft types is determined to be lower than the residual value assumptions used in our depreciation policies, the applicable aircraft type in our fleet may be impaired and may result in a material reduction in the book value of applicable aircraft types we operate or we may need to prospectively modify our depreciation policies. An impairment on any of our aircraft types we operate or an increased level of depreciation expense resulting from a change to our depreciation policies could result in a material negative impact to our financial results.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Historically, our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of specified amounts of our common stock in the public market during specified periods. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, our Board of Directors did not authorize and we did not repurchase any additional shares of our common stock.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
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|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
|
32.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
32.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
|
101.INS
|
|
XBRL Instance Document
|
101.SCH
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
|
101.CAL
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
|
101.DEF
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
|
101.LAB
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
|
101.PRE
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
|
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on November 4, 2016.
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|
|
|
SKYWEST, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
By
|
/s/ Robert J. Simmons
|
|
|
Robert J. Simmons
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
d
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