THIRD QUARTER OVERVIEW - Operating income of $68 million compared to operating income of $112 million in the third quarter of 2008. - EBITDAR of $320 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to EBITDAR of $355 million in the same quarter of 2008. - Net income of $277 million in the third quarter of 2009, including gains on foreign exchange of $295 million, compared to a net loss of $132 million in the third quarter of 2008. - Passenger revenue decrease of $366 million or 13 per cent from the third quarter of 2008, due to a decline in yield of 11.2 per cent and a drop in traffic of 2.1 per cent. - Cost Transformation Program on track to achieve expected annual revenue and cost reduction initiatives of $50 million in 2009, $250 million by 2010 (of which $145 million has been achieved), and the full $500 million by 2011 (of which $175 million has been achieved), on a run rate basis. - RASM decrease of 10.2 per cent from the third quarter of 2008 due to the decline in yield as passenger load factor improved by 1.0 percentage point. - Unit cost (excluding fuel expense) increase of 4.5 per cent from the third quarter of 2008, largely due to timing of aircraft maintenance and related expenses. - At October 31, 2009, Air Canada's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments amounted to $1,460 million which included net proceeds of $248 million from its recent equity offering. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments amounted to $1,209 million at September 30, 2009.
The carrier reported net income of
Passenger revenues decreased
In the third quarter of 2009, traffic dropped 2.1 per cent on a 3.3 per cent cut in capacity, resulting in a passenger load factor improvement of 1.0 percentage point compared to the same quarter in 2008. This passenger load factor improvement reflected Air Canada's disciplined approach to capacity management and the various new initiatives undertaken to stimulate traffic and generate revenues, such as the new 7 per cent commission paid to Canadian travel agents since
System revenue per available seat mile (RASM) decreased 10.2 per cent from the third quarter of 2008, entirely due to the yield decline.
In the quarter, operating expenses declined
Unit cost, as measured by operating expense per available seat mile (CASM), decreased 9.2 per cent compared to the third quarter of 2008. Excluding fuel expense, CASM increased 4.5 per cent year-over-year mainly due to higher aircraft maintenance expenses. The spike in aircraft maintenance costs was primarily driven by timing of airframe and engine events in 2009 compared to 2008. The weaker Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar was also a factor in the CASM growth (excluding fuel expense) year-over-year. These increases were partly offset by a reduction in employee benefits expense as a result of revised actuarial assumptions.
The 4.5 per cent increase in CASM (excluding fuel expense) for the third quarter of 2009 was less than the projected CASM increase (excluding fuel expense) provided in Air Canada's news release dated
Air
In late July, Air
"The third quarter of 2009 was of pivotal significance for Air
"Building on these achievements, early in the fourth quarter we capitalized on improved market conditions to strengthen our liquidity position by almost
"Our improved balance sheet will give us more financial flexibility to meet challenges as they arise. Although we are seeing indications that the bottom of the recession is now behind us, the industry is still facing an extremely challenging revenue environment and we do not expect to see a full recovery for another 12 to 18 months.
"Against this backdrop, I am encouraged to report a third quarter operating income of
"While fuel prices were significantly lower this quarter than what we experienced last year, energy costs are rising and will likely remain highly volatile. Looking forward, our management team is focused on a number of priorities in order to mitigate the effects of a weak economy and drive meaningful annual profits on a sustainable basis. I would like to expand on the following three key priorities:
"Our first priority is reducing our unit costs to more competitive levels. Our Cost Transformation Program is on track to achieve expected annual revenue and cost reduction initiatives on a run rate basis of
"Our second priority is international growth. We remain focused on building a strong international network as well as key partnerships, while maintaining our commitment to the domestic Canadian market. We have announced plans to introduce a number of non-stop services to
"Most recently, Continental Airlines became our newest
"We will continue to leverage Canada's unique geographical position, our broad global access provided through bilateral air agreements, and Air Canada's extensive North American and international networks. Playing to these strengths, combined with a fully refurbished modern fleet and industry leading product, we are beginning to see encouraging results in our ability to capture increased flow traffic through our
"Our third priority, and one I am personally leading, is a culture change within Air
"This management team managed to stabilize the company against great odds during the past four months. By bringing the same energy and focused determination to our next priorities, I am confident we can manage through this economic cycle, achieve sustained profitability and create value for our shareholders," concluded
Current Outlook ---------------
Air
In the second quarter of 2009, Air
Air
The above guidance reflects Air Canada's assumption that the North American economy will remain weak for the fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, Air
The outlook provided constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a number of risks. Please see section below entitled "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information."
Third Quarter and Other Recent Accomplishments ---------------------------------------------- - In October, welcomed Continental Airlines as a new Star Alliance partner providing Air Canada customers with new travel options throughout Continental's network in the eastern United States and Central America, expanded Aeroplan benefits, and new revenue stream opportunities for the airline. - Received approval in July from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the formation of a transatlantic alliance between Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa and United Airlines. The DOT granted antitrust immunity to the four carriers that allows them to develop an integrated joint venture, referred to as "A++", and strengthen their transatlantic network creating new options and benefits for customers. - In October, completed a public share offering for aggregate gross proceeds to Air Canada of $260 million (net proceeds of $248 million after expenses and underwriter fees). - In the third quarter, contributed $109 million to funding its employees' defined benefit pension plans, for a total of $330 million in contributions made in the first nine months of 2009. - Achieved on-time arrivals performance of 82 per cent in the quarter based on Air Canada's domestic Canada arrivals as measured according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's standards. - Paid out $4 million in the third quarter of 2009 to Air Canada employees under the Corporation's 'Sharing Our Success' monthly incentive program. - In July, received federal government regulatory approval for amendments to the airline's pension funding following ratification of pension funding agreements by the membership of all five unions and successful conclusion of a consultation process with retirees and all non- unionized employees for these same pension funding arrangements. - In July, finalized arrangements to raise $1.02 billion in new liquidity, including proceeds of transactions from the sale and leaseback of three Boeing 777 aircraft substantially completed in November 2009, with the remaining portion of the proceeds expected to be received in the fourth quarter 2009. - Finalized an agreement, effective August 1, 2009, amending the terms of its capacity purchase agreement with Jazz which provides Air Canada with significantly reduced purchase costs for the Jazz network feed over the terms of the contract. - In July, amended credit card processing agreements with one of Air Canada's principal credit card processors on favourable terms. - In July, reached an agreement with Boeing to amend the Boeing 787 Dreamliner purchase agreement to reduce the number of options for additional Boeing 787 aircraft by ten, from 23 to 13, and to provide for purchase rights for ten Boeing 787 aircraft. Air Canada continues to have 37 firm orders for Boeing 787 aircraft. Air Canada and Boeing also agreed to amend certain commercial terms, including revisions to delivery dates. Air Canada's first Boeing 787 aircraft is now scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2013. - In July, took delivery of its final Boeing 777 aircraft in special themed livery in recognition of the carrier's role as Official Airline of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. - Web penetration for domestic Canada sales in the third quarter of 2009 was 67 per cent - an increase of one percentage point over the third quarter of 2008. Web penetration for combined Canada and U.S. transborder sales was 56 per cent - an increase of 2 percentage points from the same quarter in 2008. - 77 per cent of domestic Canada sales, or 66 per cent when combined with U.S. sales, were made directly with Air Canada, either online or through call centres in the third quarter of 2009, compared to 75 per cent of domestic Canada sales, or 63 per cent when combined with U.S. sales, in the third quarter of 2008. - 58 per cent of Air Canada's customers used self-service check-in products world wide in the third quarter - an increase of 2 percentage points over the previous year's quarter. - Since launching a carbon offset program in May 2007, Air Canada customers have funded the planting of more than 2,800 trees to offset 14,200 tonnes of carbon emissions, the equivalent of taking over 3,500 cars off the road for a year.
(1) Non-GAAP Measures
Air
EBITDAR is a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in the airline industry to assess earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and aircraft rent. EBITDAR is used to view operating results before aircraft rent, depreciation and amortization as these costs can vary significantly among airlines due to differences in the way airlines finance their aircraft and other assets. EBITDAR is not a recognized measure for financial statement presentation under GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning and is therefore not comparable to similar measures presented by other public companies.
Readers should refer to Air Canada's Third Quarter 2009 Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), which will be filed on SEDAR, and made available on Air Canada's website at www.aircanada.com, for a reconciliation of EBITDAR to operating income (loss).
For further information on Air Canada's public disclosure file, including Air Canada's Annual Information Form dated
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------
Air Canada's public communications may include written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements are included in this press release and may be included in other communications, including filings with regulatory authorities and securities regulators. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.
Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions, including those described herein and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, industry, market, credit and economic conditions, the ability to reduce operating costs and secure financing, pension issues, energy prices, currency exchange and interest rates, employee and labour relations, competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, insurance issues and costs, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, supply issues, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified throughout this press release and, in particular, those identified in section 15 "Risk Factors" of Air Canada's Third Quarter 2009 MD&A dated
Assumptions were made by Air
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Highlights ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The financial and operating highlights for the Corporation for the periods indicated are as follows. ------------------------------------------------------ Third Quarter First Nine Months ------------------------------------------------------ (Canadian dollars in millions except per share figures) 2009 2008 Change $ 2009 2008(1) Change $ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Operating revenues 2,670 3,075 (405) 7,391 8,584 (1,193) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income (loss) before a special provision(1) 68 112 (44) (233) 107 (340) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income (loss) 68 112 (44) (233) (18) (215) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-operating expense (83) (147) 64 (272) (126) (146) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss before non-controlling interest, foreign exchange and income taxes (15) (35) 20 (505) (144) (361) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) for the period 277 (132) 409 32 (298) 330 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating margin before a special provision %(1) 2.5% 3.6% (1.1)pp -3.2% 1.2% (4.4)pp ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating margin % 2.5% 3.6% (1.1)pp -3.2% -0.2% (3.0)pp ------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDAR before a special provision(1)(2) 320 355 (35) 512 826 (314) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDAR(2) 320 355 (35) 512 701 (189) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDAR margin before a special provision %(1)(2) 12.0% 11.5% 0.5 pp 6.9% 9.6% (2.7)pp ------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDAR margin %(2) 12.0% 11.5% 0.5 pp 6.9% 8.2% (1.3)pp ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 1,209 1,114 95 1,209 1,114 95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow (268) (373) 105 (347) (557) 210 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted debt/equity ratio % 84.7% 72.0% 12.7 pp 84.7% 72.0% 12.7 pp ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings (loss) per share - basic $2.77 ($1.32) $4.09 $0.32 ($2.98) $3.30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings (loss) per share - diluted $2.44 ($1.32) $3.76 $0.30 ($2.98) $3.28 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Statistics Change % Change % ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue passenger miles (millions) (RPM) 14,153 14,458 (2.1) 36,999 39,674 (6.7) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Available seat miles (millions) (ASM) 16,946 17,515 (3.3) 45,502 48,503 (6.2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Passenger load factor % 83.5% 82.5% 1.0 pp 81.3% 81.8% (0.5)pp ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Passenger revenue per RPM (cents) 16.9 19.0 (11.2) 17.4 18.9 (7.8) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Passenger revenue per ASM (cents) 14.1 15.7 (10.2) 14.2 15.5 (8.4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue per ASM (cents) 15.8 17.6 (10.3) 16.2 17.7 (8.2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating expense per ASM ("CASM") (cents) 15.4 16.9 (9.2) 16.8 17.5 (4.1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASM, excluding fuel expense (cents) 11.3 10.8 4.5 12.7 12.1 5.3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (thousands)(3) 23.2 24.5 (5.3) 23.1 24.4 (5.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aircraft in operating fleet at period end(4) 335 341 (1.8) 335 341 (1.8) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average fleet utilization (hours per day)(5) 9.9 10.2 (3.0) 9.4 9.9 (5.1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average aircraft flight length (miles)(5) 883 894 (1.2) 854 873 (2.2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuel price per litre (cents)(6) 68.6 101.0 (32.1) 68.4 88.9 (23.1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuel litres (millions) 988 1,048 (5.7) 2,685 2,941 (8.7) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) A provision related to investigations and proceedings related to alleged anti-competitive cargo pricing activities of $125 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2008. (2) See section 17 "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in Air Canada's Third Quarter 2009 MD&A for a reconciliation of EBITDAR before the provision for cargo investigations and proceedings to operating income (loss) and EBITDAR to operating income (loss). (3) Reflects FTE employees at Air Canada. Excludes FTE employees at Jazz. (4) Includes Jazz aircraft covered under the Jazz CPA. (5) Excludes charter operations. Also excludes third party carriers operating under capacity purchase arrangements, other than Jazz aircraft covered under the Jazz CPA. (6) Includes fuel handling and is net of fuel hedging results.
%SEDAR: 00001324EF
For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; aircanada.com
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