Table of Contents

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the transition period from                             to

 

Commission File Number 001-33166

 

Allegiant Travel Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Nevada

 

20-4745737

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

8360 S. Durango Drive,

 

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

 

89113

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (702) 851-7300

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x    No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during thepreceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o  No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  o

 

Accelerated filer  x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer  o

 

Smaller reporting company  o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o   No  x

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of the close of business on May 1, 2009 was 20,209,936.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Allegiant Travel Company

 

Form 10-Q

March 31, 2009

 

INDEX

 

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

·

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

·

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

·

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

·

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

 

Exhibits

 

18

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except for share amounts)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

117,461

 

$

97,153

 

Restricted cash

 

15,629

 

16,032

 

Short-term investments

 

118,947

 

77,635

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $- at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

 

6,920

 

5,575

 

Expendable parts, supplies and fuel, net of allowance for obsolescence of $554 and $539 at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

 

9,201

 

7,005

 

Prepaid expenses

 

6,229

 

9,261

 

Deferred income taxes

 

120

 

111

 

Other current assets

 

1,269

 

1,645

 

Total current assets

 

275,776

 

214,417

 

Property and equipment, net

 

210,837

 

205,751

 

Restricted cash, net of current portion

 

270

 

 

Investment in and advances to joint venture

 

1,228

 

711

 

Deposits and other assets

 

6,335

 

3,097

 

Total assets

 

$

494,446

 

$

423,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of notes payable

 

$

24,050

 

$

23,435

 

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

 

1,937

 

1,903

 

Accounts payable

 

21,682

 

17,461

 

Accrued liabilities

 

20,920

 

19,232

 

Air traffic liability

 

103,532

 

68,997

 

Total current liabilities

 

172,121

 

131,028

 

Long-term debt and other long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable, net of current maturities

 

30,286

 

35,904

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities

 

2,986

 

3,483

 

Deferred income taxes

 

31,756

 

19,640

 

Total liabilities

 

237,149

 

190,055

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 20,957,792 and 20,917,477 shares issued; 20,169,786 and 20,339,646 shares outstanding, at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

 

21

 

21

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 788,006 and 577,831 shares at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

 

(23,854

)

(16,713

)

Additional paid in capital

 

166,644

 

164,206

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

483

 

566

 

Retained earnings

 

114,003

 

85,841

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

257,297

 

233,921

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

494,446

 

$

423,976

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited, in thousands, except for per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING REVENUE:

 

 

 

 

 

Scheduled service revenue

 

$

90,196

 

$

91,736

 

Fixed fee contract revenue

 

10,127

 

14,257

 

Ancillary revenue

 

41,320

 

27,147

 

Other revenue

 

476

 

 

Total operating revenue

 

142,119

 

133,140

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft fuel

 

33,398

 

63,494

 

Salary and benefits

 

23,409

 

17,126

 

Station operations

 

13,133

 

12,019

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

11,132

 

10,453

 

Sales and marketing

 

4,467

 

4,334

 

Aircraft lease rentals

 

405

 

1,008

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,882

 

5,015

 

Other

 

4,815

 

5,327

 

Total operating expenses

 

97,641

 

118,776

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

44,478

 

14,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on fuel derivatives, net

 

 

11

 

Loss (earnings) from joint venture, net

 

7

 

(10

)

Interest income

 

(701

)

(1,732

)

Interest expense

 

1,101

 

1,415

 

Total other (income) expense

 

407

 

(316

)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

44,071

 

14,680

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

15,909

 

5,008

 

NET INCOME

 

$

28,162

 

$

9,672

 

Earnings Per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.39

 

$

0.47

 

Diluted

 

$

1.37

 

$

0.47

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

20,219

 

20,471

 

Diluted

 

20,512

 

20,710

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

28,162

 

$

9,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,882

 

5,015

 

Loss on aircraft and other equipment disposals

 

82

 

367

 

Provision for obsolescence of expendable parts, supplies and fuel

 

15

 

45

 

Stock compensation expense

 

761

 

302

 

Deferred income taxes

 

12,107

 

2,567

 

Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises

 

 

(579

)

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

133

 

1,602

 

Accounts receivable

 

(1,345

)

(5,625

)

Income tax receivable

 

 

6,228

 

Expendable parts, supplies and fuel

 

(2,211

)

(2,768

)

Prepaid expenses

 

3,032

 

3,455

 

Other current assets

 

376

 

540

 

Accounts payable

 

4,221

 

2,092

 

Accrued liabilities

 

1,688

 

(635

)

Air traffic liability

 

34,535

 

21,541

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

88,438

 

43,819

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of short-term investments

 

(51,156

)

 

Proceeds from sale and maturities of short-term investments

 

9,761

 

19,663

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(12,050

)

(8,019

)

Investment in joint venture, net

 

(517

)

1,509

 

Increase in lease and equipment deposits

 

(1,641

)

(735

)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(55,603

)

12,418

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises

 

 

579

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

247

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(7,061

)

(15,809

)

Principal payments on notes payable

 

(5,003

)

(3,242

)

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

 

(463

)

(1,518

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(12,527

)

(19,743

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

20,308

 

36,494

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

97,153

 

144,269

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

117,461

 

$

180,763

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

Note payable issued for aircraft and equipment

 

$

 

$

3,600

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation:  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include Allegiant Travel Company (“Allegiant” or the “Company”) and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Allegiant Air LLC, Allegiant Vacations LLC, Allegiant Information Systems, Inc. and AFH, Inc., and its 50% owned subsidiary accounted for under the equity method, SFB Fueling LLC.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments, which management believes are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company for the respective periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for Form 10-Q. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto included in the annual report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

The interim results reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the full year.

 

Note 2 — Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”), which replaces SFAS No. 141. SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. The Statement also establishes disclosure requirements intended to enable users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) became effective on January 1, 2009.  To date, the adoption of SFAS 141(R) has had no significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (“SFAS 160”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. The Statement also establishes reporting requirements intended to provide disclosures to identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 became effective on January 1, 2009.  To date, the adoption of SFAS 160 has had no significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”)The Statement requires disclosures of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 became effective on January 1, 2009.  To date, the adoption of SFAS 161 has had no significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) 28-1 (FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1), Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. This FSP requires disclosures of fair value for any financial instruments not currently reflected at fair value on the balance sheet for all interim periods. This FSP is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 and is to be applied prospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of the FSP to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Note 3 — Income Taxes

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company did not have any material unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company estimates that no significant unrecognized tax benefits will be recorded within the next twelve months.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  There was no significant accrued interest at March 31, 2009.  No penalties were accrued at March 31, 2009.

 

Note 4 — Stockholders’ Equity

 

In January 2009, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to acquire through open market purchases up to $25,000 of the Company’s common stock.  The repurchase program replaces a similar program the Board of Directors authorized in January 2008 which has expired.  As of March 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 210,175 shares under the newly authorized program at an average cost of $33.59 per share for a total expenditure of $7,061.  During 2008, under the expired program, the Company repurchased 553,700 shares through open market purchases at an average cost of $28.55 per share for a total expenditure of $15,809.

 

In March 2009, the Company acquired the exclusive rights to travel applications of the software operating system the Company has used since its inception. Allegiant Information Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed a plan of merger with an organization that owned the exclusive rights to the applications of the software operating system.  In consideration for the acquisition, the Company has issued 41,450 shares of its unregistered common stock.

 

Note 5 — Earnings Per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share, on a basic and diluted basis for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

28,162

 

$

9,672

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

 

20,219

 

20,471

 

Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options

 

121

 

64

 

Stock purchase warrants

 

143

 

136

 

Restricted stock

 

29

 

39

 

Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted

 

20,512

 

20,710

 

Net income per share, basic

 

$

1.39

 

$

0.47

 

Net income per share, diluted

 

$

1.37

 

$

0.47

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Note 6 — Long-Term Debt

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 8%, due at varying dates through December 2010

 

$

9,663

 

$

10,803

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 8.5%, due November 2011

 

11,063

 

11,698

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6%, due April 2012

 

14,189

 

15,234

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6%, due at varying dates through February 2011

 

9,199

 

10,364

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6.8%, due June 2011

 

6,098

 

6,697

 

Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 8%, due June 2011

 

4,094

 

4,507

 

Other notes payable

 

30

 

36

 

Capital lease obligations

 

4,923

 

5,386

 

Total long-term debt

 

59,259

 

64,725

 

Less current maturities

 

(25,987

)

(25,338

)

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

$

33,272

 

$

39,387

 

 

Note 7 — Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company adopted the required provisions of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) as of January 1, 2008 and adopted certain deferred provisions on January 1, 2009.  SFAS 157 is a technical standard which defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or a nonrecurring basis. SFAS 157 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Although the adoption of SFAS 157 has not materially impacted its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow, the Company is required to provide additional disclosures as part of its consolidated financial statements.

 

SFAS 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

As of March 31, 2009, the Company held cash equivalents and short term investments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Cash equivalents and short term investments consist of short-term, highly liquid, income-producing investments including money market funds, debt securities issued by U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies. Cash equivalents have original maturities of three months or less, while the short-term investments have maturities of greater than three months. These assets are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 because the Company values these assets using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs.

 

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

Description

 

March 31,
2009

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Cash equivalents

 

$

108,101

 

$

103,584

 

$

4,517

 

$

 

Short-term investments

 

118,947

 

 

118,947

 

 

Total assets

 

$

227,048

 

$

103,584

 

$

123,464

 

$

 

 

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Note 8 — Investment in Joint Venture

 

AFH, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company, has a joint venture agreement with Orlando Sanford International, Inc. (“OSI”) to handle certain fuel operations for the Orlando Sanford International Airport. The joint venture, which began operations in January 2007, is responsible for the purchase and transport of jet fuel to a fuel farm facility owned and operated by OSI, and for the sale of jet fuel to air carriers. In addition, AFH, Inc. is responsible for the administrative functions for the joint venture. The Company accounts for its 50% interest in the joint venture agreement under the equity method. AFH, Inc.’s proportionate allocation of net income or loss is reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of income in other (income) expense with an adjustment to the recorded investment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

Note 9 — Financial Instruments and Risk Management

 

Airline operations are inherently dependent on energy, and are therefore impacted by changes in jet fuel prices. Aircraft fuel expense represented approximately 34.2% and 53.5% of the Company’s operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The Company endeavors to acquire jet fuel at the lowest possible cost.

 

In the past, the Company has entered into financial derivative contracts to manage fuel price risk. These financial derivative instruments were not purchased or held for trading purposes. The Company suspended this hedging strategy in 2007 and the last contract settled in January 2008.  The Company does not have any derivative instruments as of March 31, 2009.

 

The Company’s fuel hedging program and the financial derivative instruments purchased pursuant to this program did not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Therefore, changes in the fair value of such derivative contracts, which amounted to losses of $11 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, were recorded as a “Loss on fuel derivatives, net” within other (income) expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  The amount includes both realized gains and losses and mark-to-market adjustments of the fair value of the derivative instruments at the end of each period.  As of March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had no derivative instruments on its projected fuel consumption.

 

Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is subject to certain legal and administrative actions it considers routine to its business activities. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of any pending legal or administrative matters will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 

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 our results of operations during the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.  Also discussed is our financial position as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and our consolidated financial statements appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section below entitled “Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

 

Overview

 

We are a leisure travel company. The focus of our business is a low-cost passenger airline marketed to leisure travelers in small cities. Our business model emphasizes low operating costs, diversified revenue sources, and the transport of passengers from small cities to leisure destinations. Our route network, pricing philosophy, product offering and advertising are all intended to appeal to leisure travelers and make it attractive for them to purchase air travel and related services from us.

 

We provide service primarily to Las Vegas (Nevada), Los Angeles (California), Phoenix (Arizona), Orlando (Florida), Tampa/St. Petersburg (Florida) and Ft. Lauderdale (Florida), six of the most popular leisure destinations in the United States.

 

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We fly charter (“fixed fee”) services under long-term contracts (primarily for Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.) and on an on-demand basis.  We have recently entered into fixed fee flying contracts with several different parties to provide charter service between Miami and four Cuban cities in support of the Cuban family charter program with service to begin in the second quarter of 2009.

 

Capacity Growth

 

The U.S. economy, impacted by the ongoing credit crisis, continues to suffer from extreme negative conditions.  These conditions have created a challenging environment for the airline industry with uncertainty for airline travel demand given tightening of consumer spending.  The uncertainty has resulted in capacity reductions and a compression of average air fare from carriers across the industry.  Despite the state of the economy, we believe our continued profitability, driven by the contribution of our ancillary revenues and the reductions in our operating expenses, coupled with sufficient demand in the markets we serve, allow us to restore capacity reductions made in 2008 and further expand our route network.  Along with increased frequency of existing routes, during the first quarter of 2009, we announced scheduled service to our sixth major leisure destination of Los Angeles, with initial service launched on May 1, 2009 from a number of small cities.  By the end of May, we will provide scheduled service to Los Angeles from 13 small cities.  Scheduled service was also announced from one small city to Oakland, California.  In addition, we began scheduled service to Punta Gorda, Florida in March 2009 from two small cities we currently serve and began scheduled service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in April 2009 from two small cities we currently serve.  We believe we can quickly reduce growth and appropriately adjust our capacity from this planned expansion if necessary to seek to maintain profitability in the event of further deterioration of the economic environment.

 

Aircraft Fuel

 

The airline industry is heavily dependent on jet fuel and fuel costs represent a significant portion of total operating expenses for airlines.  Fuel availability is also subject to periods of market surplus and shortage and is affected by demand for heating oil, gasoline and other petroleum products.  During the first quarter of 2009, fuel costs have stabilized in comparison to the extreme price fluctuations witnessed during 2008 making it the primary driver of the reduction in our costs.  Our average cost per gallon during the first quarter of 2009 was $1.47 compared to $2.88 during the same period of 2008.  The cost and future availability of fuel cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty and further fuel cost volatility could significantly affect our future results of operations.

 

Our Fleet:

 

The following table sets forth the number and type of aircraft in service and operated by us at the dates indicated:

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

Own(a)(b)

 

Lease (c)

 

Total

 

Own(a)

 

Lease

 

Total

 

Own(a)

 

Lease

 

Total

 

MD82/83/88 s

 

35

 

2

 

37

 

32

 

2

 

34

 

28

 

4

 

32

 

MD87s

 

4

 

0

 

4

 

4

 

0

 

4

 

4

 

0

 

4

 

Total

 

39

 

2

 

41

 

36

 

2

 

38

 

32

 

4

 

36

 

 


(a)          Aircraft owned includes the following number subject to capital leases: March 31, 2009 — 2; December 31, 2008 — 2; March 31, 2008 — 7.

 

(b)         Does not include three owned MD-80 aircraft leased to a third party.  Under the terms of the lease, we expect these aircraft to be returned to us during 2009.

 

(c)          Does not include two MD-80 aircraft acquired during the quarter under operating leases and which we expect to place into service during the second quarter of 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our Markets:

 

Our scheduled service consists of limited frequency nonstop flights into leisure destinations from small cities. As of March 31, 2009, we offered scheduled service from 59 small cities primarily into our major leisure destinations of Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg and Ft. Lauderdale, including seasonal service.  As of March 31, 2009, we also provided limited service to five other leisure destinations.  Scheduled service to our sixth major leisure destination, Los Angeles, began in May 2009.  The following shows the number of destinations and small cities served as of the dates indicated:

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

As of December 31,

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2008

 

Major leisure destinations

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

Other leisure destinations

 

5

 

4

 

2

 

Small cities

 

59

 

57

 

51

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of three months ended March 31, 2009 to three months ended March 31, 2008

 

The table below presents our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Total operating revenue

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft fuel

 

23.4

 

47.6

 

Salary and benefits

 

16.5

 

12.8

 

Station operations

 

9.2

 

9.0

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

7.8

 

7.9

 

Sales and marketing

 

3.1

 

3.3

 

Aircraft lease rentals

 

0.3

 

0.8

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4.8

 

3.8

 

Other

 

3.4

 

4.0

 

Total operating expenses

 

68.7

%

89.2

%

Operating margin

 

31.3

%

10.8

%

 

We recorded total operating revenue of $142.1 million, income from operations of $44.5 million and net income of $28.2 million for the first quarter of 2009.  By comparison, for the same period in 2008, we recorded total operating revenue of $133.1 million, income from operations of $14.4 million and net income of $9.7 million.

 

Operating Revenue

 

Our operating revenue increased 6.7% to $142.1 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $133.1 million for the same period in 2008 primarily due to the 52.2% increase in ancillary revenue offset by a 1.7% decrease in scheduled service revenue and  a 29.0% decrease in fixed fee contract revenues.

 

System available seat miles (“ASMs”) increased by 4.9% as a 6.0% increase in departures was offset by a 1.3% decrease in average stage length.  We managed an increase in system operating revenue per ASM (“RASM”) of 1.9% as a result of system departure growth of 6.0% and an increase in ancillary revenue per scheduled passenger from $25.75 for the first quarter of 2008 to $34.12 for the same period in 2009.  These increases were offset by a reduction in our average base fare.

 

Scheduled service revenue.  Scheduled service revenue declined 1.7% to $90.2 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $91.7 million in the same period of 2008.  The decline in the first quarter of 2009 was a result of a decrease in scheduled service average fare of $12.48 from $87.00 to $74.52 offset by a 14.8% increase in the number of scheduled service passengers.  Scheduled service passenger growth was driven by a 10.3% increase in scheduled service departures and a 3.9 percentage point increase in scheduled service load factor to 90.8%.  Departure growth in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 resulted from service to additional routes and increased frequency for some existing routes, as we served 59 small cities with 116 routes at March 31, 2009 compared to 51 small cities with 103 routes at March 31, 2008.

 

Fixed fee contract revenue.  Fixed fee contract revenue declined 29.0% to $10.1 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $14.3 million in the same period of 2008. The decrease in fixed fee contract revenue was primarily due to a new fixed fee flying agreement with Harrah’s that began in January 2009 and a reduction from the use of two aircraft on the Tunica Program during the first quarter of 2008 to one aircraft for same period of 2009.  Under the new Harrah’s contract, Harrah’s reimburses us for the entire amount of fuel costs incurred for Harrah’s flying.  The per-block hour rate we charge Harrah’s is therefore reduces from the rate we charged under the old Harrah’s contracts under which we were previously responsible for a portion of the fuel expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Ancillary revenue.  Ancillary revenue increased 52.2% to $41.3 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $27.1 million in the same period of 2008, driven by a 14.8% increase in scheduled service passengers and a 32.6% increase in ancillary revenue per scheduled passenger from $25.75 to $34.14. The increase in ancillary revenue per scheduled passenger was primarily due to higher prices charged for certain existing products including assigned seating, customer convenience fee and checked baggage.

 

Other revenue.  We generated other revenue of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2009 as a result of the purchase of six MD-80 aircraft and three engines on lease to another airline in April 2008.  Three of these aircraft have since been returned to us and placed in service, two in the first quarter of 2009.  We expect to receive and place into service the three remaining aircraft and engines during 2009.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Our operating expenses declined by 17.8% to $97.6 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $118.8 million in the same period of 2008. We primarily evaluate our expense management by comparing our costs per passenger across different periods which enable us to assess trends in each expense category. The following table presents Operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods (“per-passenger costs”). The table also presents Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel, which represents operating expenses, less aircraft fuel expense, divided by the number of passengers carried. This statistic provides management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility. Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors beyond our control.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Percentage

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

Aircraft fuel

 

$

25.80

 

$

54.99

 

(53.1

)%

Salary and benefits

 

18.08

 

14.83

 

21.9

 

Station operations

 

10.14

 

10.41

 

(2.5

)

Maintenance and repairs

 

8.60

 

9.05

 

(5.0

)

Sales and marketing

 

3.45

 

3.75

 

(8.0

)

Aircraft lease rentals

 

0.31

 

0.87

 

(64.4

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

5.32

 

4.34

 

22.6

 

Other

 

3.72

 

4.61

 

(19.3

)

Operating expense per passenger

 

$

75.42

 

$

102.86

 

(26.7

)%

Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel

 

$

49.62

 

$

47.88

 

3.6

%

 

Our per-passenger costs decreased 26.7% as a result of the 17.8% decrease in our overall expenses and the increase of 12.1% in the number of system passengers carried in the first quarter of 2009 as compared with the same period of 2008.  The decrease in cost of aircraft fuel of 53.1% on a per-passenger basis was the main driver of overall expense reduction.

 

The following table presents unit costs, defined as Operating expense per ASM (“CASM”), for the indicated periods. The table also presents Operating CASM, excluding fuel, which represents operating expenses, less aircraft fuel expense, divided by available seat miles. As on a per passenger basis, excluding fuel on an ASM basis provides management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility.

 

We do not believe CASM is the most appropriate measure by which to evaluate our cost management due to the evolving nature of our route network, our aggressive approach to managing capacity (i.e., ASMs) on a seasonal basis, and the low utilization of our fleet which results in many of our expenses being more fixed as opposed to varying significantly with our ASM production. We provide this table as a convenience because we recognize that CASM is widely used to compare costs in the airline industry.

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

Percentage

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

Aircraft fuel

 

2.51

¢

5.00

¢

(49.8

)%

Salary and benefits

 

1.76

 

1.35

 

30.4

 

Station operations

 

0.99

 

0.95

 

4.2

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

0.84

 

0.82

 

2.4

 

Sales and marketing

 

0.34

 

0.34

 

 

Aircraft lease rentals

 

0.03

 

0.08

 

(62.5

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

0.52

 

0.39

 

33.3

 

Other

 

0.36

 

0.42

 

(14.3

)

Operating expense per ASM (CASM)

 

7.33

¢

9.35

¢

(21.6

)%

CASM, excluding fuel

 

4.82

¢

4.35

¢

10.8

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Aircraft fuel expense.  Aircraft fuel expense decreased 47.4% to $33.4 million in the first quarter of 2009, down from $63.5 million in the same period of 2008, primarily driven by a substantial decrease in the average cost per gallon to $1.47 from $2.88.   We had a slight increase in gallons consumed to 22.8 million from 22.0 million which is in line with our 6.0% increase in system departures and a 1.3% reduction in average stage length for the first quarter of 2009.

 

Salary and benefits expense.  Salary and benefits expense increased 36.7% to $23.4 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $17.1 million in the same period of 2008 as a result of an increase in accrued employee bonus expense and stock compensation expense, along with a 10.9% increase in full-time equivalent employees.   The increase in accrued employee bonus expense was driven by the significant year-over-year increase in first quarter operating income from 2008 to 2009, while increased stock compensation expense was a result of awards granted in April 2008 and January 2009.  The increase in our full-time equivalent employees was driven by a 14.2% increase in our average fleet from 34.5 aircraft during the first quarter of 2008 to 39.4 aircraft during the same period of 2009.  We employed approximately 1,419 full-time equivalent employees at March 31, 2009, compared to 1,280 full-time equivalent employees at March 31, 2008.

 

Station operations expense.  Station operations expense increased 9.3% to $13.1 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $12.0 million in the same period of 2008 principally attributable to a 6.0% increase in system departures.  Station operations expense per departure increased only 3.6% in first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008 despite fuller aircraft, as reflected in a 4.0 percentage point increase in system load factor to 87.7% for the first quarter of 2009.

 

Maintenance and repairs expense.  Maintenance and repairs expense increased 6.5% to $11.1 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $10.5 million in the same period of 2008.  We performed six scheduled heavy maintenance checks in the first quarter of 2009 compared to four during the same period of 2008.  In addition, the scheduled heavy maintenance checks performed during the first quarter of 2009 were more costly based on a broader work scope than for the maintenance checks in the same period of 2008.  However, these cost increases were offset by a decrease in the repair costs of rotable parts, engine maintenance events, and a non-recurring inventory adjustment during the first quarter of 2008 for the recorded expense of low-value high usage expendables.  The timing and type of maintenance events may cause our maintenance and repairs expense to vary significantly from period to period.

 

Sales and marketing expense.  Sales and marketing expense increased 3.1% to $4.5 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $4.3 million in the same period of 2008, driven by an increase in advertising and credit card discount fees associated with the 10.6% increase in scheduled service and ancillary revenue.  Advertising expense increased as a result of entrance into new markets including the new major leisure destination of Los Angeles which launched service on May 1, 2009.

 

Aircraft lease rentals expense.  Aircraft lease rentals expense decreased to $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $1.0 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is a result of an average of two aircraft under operating leases during the first quarter of 2009 compared to four aircraft under operating leases during the first quarter of 2008.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense.  Depreciation and amortization expense was $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $5.0 million in the same period of 2008, an increase of 37.2%, in-line with the increase in the number of aircraft owned and subject to capital leases which increased from 32 at March 31, 2008 to 42 at March 31, 2009.   The number of aircraft at March 31, 2009 includes aircraft on lease to a third party at the time of acquisition.

 

Other expense.  Other expense decreased by 9.6% to $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $5.3 million in the same period of 2008 due mainly to decreased training expenses for flight operations and lower losses from engine dispositions, offset by increased rent associated with our new Company headquarters building which we occupied in the second quarter of 2008.

 

Other (Income) Expense

 

Other (income) expense changed from net other income of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2008 to net other expense of $0.4 million in the same period of 2009.  This change is primarily attributable to a reduction in interest income earned on cash balances from $1.7 million in 2008 to $0.7 million in the same period of 2009 as a result of lower prevailing interest rates, offset by a $0.3 million reduction in interest expense due to lower debt balances.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

While we expect our tax rate to be fairly consistent in the near term, it will tend to vary depending on recurring items such as the amount of income we earn in each state and the state tax rate applicable to such income. Discrete items particular to a given year may also affect our tax rates. Our effective income tax rate was 36.4% for the first quarter of 2009 compared to 34.1% in the same period of 2008. The lower effective tax rate for 2008 was largely attributable to the geographic mix from our flying and the impact this had on the state income tax portion of the tax provision.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Comparative Consolidated Operating Statistics

 

The following tables set forth our operating statistics for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

Percent

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating statistics (unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total system statistics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passengers

 

1,294,608

 

1,154,710

 

12.1

 

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)

 

1,166,981

 

1,062,247

 

9.8

 

Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)

 

1,331,957

 

1,270,247

 

4.9

 

Load factor

 

87.7

%

83.6

%

4.0

 

Operating revenue per ASM (RASM) (cents)

 

10.68

 

10.48

 

1.9

 

Operating CASM (cents)

 

7.33

 

9.35

 

(21.6

)

Fuel expense per ASM (cents)

 

2.51

 

5.00

 

(49.8

)

Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents)

 

4.82

 

4.35

 

10.8

 

Operating expense per passenger

 

$

75.42

 

$

102.86

 

(26.7

)

Fuel expense per passenger

 

$

25.80

 

$

54.99

 

(53.1

)

Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel

 

$

49.62

 

$

47.87

 

3.7

 

Departures

 

10,624

 

10,022

 

6.0

 

Block hours

 

24,408

 

23,413

 

4.2

 

Average stage length (miles)

 

843

 

854

 

(1.3

)

Average number of operating aircraft during period

 

39.4

 

34.5

 

14.2

 

Total aircraft in service end of period

 

41

 

36

 

13.9

 

Average departures per aircraft per day

 

3.00

 

3.19

 

(6.0

)

Full-time equivalent employees at period end

 

1,419

 

1,280

 

10.9

 

Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)

 

22,783

 

22,028

 

3.4

 

Average fuel cost per gallon

 

$

1.47

 

$

2.88

 

(49.0

)

Scheduled service statistics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passengers

 

1,210,325

 

1,054,398

 

14.8

 

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)

 

1,102,470

 

973,248

 

13.3

 

Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)

 

1,214,832

 

1,120,013

 

8.5

 

Load factor

 

90.8

%

86.9

%

3.9

 

Departures

 

9,141

 

8,291

 

10.3

 

Average passengers per departure

 

132

 

127

 

3.9

 

Block hours

 

21,162

 

20,346

 

4.0

 

Yield (cents)

 

8.18

 

9.43

 

(13.3

)

Scheduled service revenue per ASM (cents)

 

7.42

 

8.19

 

(9.4

)

Ancillary revenue per ASM (cents)

 

3.40

 

2.42

 

40.5

 

Total revenue per ASM (cents)

 

10.82

 

10.61

 

2.0

 

Average fare — scheduled service

 

$

74.52

 

$

87.00

 

(14.3

)

Average fare — ancillary

 

$

34.12

 

$

25.75

 

32.5

 

Average fare — total

 

$

108.64

 

$

112.75

 

(3.6

)

Average stage length (miles)

 

887

 

907

 

(2.2

)

Percent of sales through website during period

 

87.4

%

87.8

%

(0.4

)

 


*  Except load factor and percent of sales through website, which is percentage point change

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Current liquidity.  Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments increased from $190.8 million at December 31, 2008 to $252.0 million at March 31, 2009.  Restricted cash represents credit card deposits, escrowed funds under our fixed fee flying contracts, cash collateral against letters of credit required by hotel partners for guaranteed room availability, airports and certain other parties.  Escrowed funds under our fixed fee flying contracts are customer prepayments held as restricted cash until flights are completed.  Corresponding amounts are recorded as air traffic liability.  The timing of these prepayments result in fluctuations in the restricted cash balances at reporting periods.  Short-term investments represent marketable securities available for sale.

 

Sources and Uses of Cash.

 

Operating Activities:  During the three months ended March 31, 2009, our operating activities provided $88.4 million of cash compared to $43.8 million during the same period of 2008.  The cash flows provided by operations for the first quarter of 2009 primarily consisted of net income, change in our air traffic liability which results from passenger bookings for future travel, and the non-cash change in our deferred income taxes balance.  These three components were at significantly higher levels than in first quarter 2008.  Our capacity growth announcements during the first quarter of 2009, including service to our sixth major leisure destination of Los Angeles, contributed to the increase in passenger bookings for future travel.

 

Investing Activities:  Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $55.6 million compared to $12.4 million of cash provided by investing activities in the same period of 2008.  During the three months ended March 31, 2009, our primary use of cash was for the purchase of available-for-sale securities, net of maturities of $41.4 million and the purchase of property and equipment of $12.0 million.  Purchases of property and equipment during the first quarter of 2009 primarily included the cash purchase of three MD-80 aircraft to be used for spare parts.  We generated cash mainly from investing activities during the first quarter of 2008 as a result of $19.7 million from the sale and maturities of available-for-sale securities offset by $8.0 million used in the partially financed purchase of two MD-80 aircraft and other capital expenditures.

 

Financing Activities:  During the three months ended March 31, 2009 we used $12.5 million in cash from financing activities compared to the use of $19.7 million for the same period of 2008.  We used $7.1 million to repurchase common stock in the open market compared to $15.8 million in the first quarter of 2008.  Principal payments on capital lease obligations and notes payable for the first quarter of 2009 were $5.5 million compared to $4.8 million in the same period of 2008.

 

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

 

The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual cash obligations as of March 31, 2009 and the periods in which payments are due (in thousands):

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than 1 year

 

1-3 years

 

4 to 5 years

 

More than 5 years

 

Long term debt obligations (1)

 

$

60,228

 

$

20,254

 

$

38,330

 

$

1,644

 

$

 

Capital lease obligations

 

5,365

 

1,665

 

3,700

 

 

 

Operating lease obligations (2)

 

30,401

 

3,596

 

9,148

 

7,078

 

10,579

 

Total future payments on contractual obligations

 

$

95,994

 

$

25,515

 

$

51,178

 

$

8,722

 

$

10,579

 

 


(1)         Long-term debt obligations include scheduled interest payments.

(2)         Operating lease obligations include aircraft operating leases, our office lease and leases of airport station property. Operating lease payments begin in second quarter of 2009 for two MD-80 aircraft acquired under operating leases during the first quarter of 2009.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

A description of our critical accounting policies is included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  There has been no material change to these policies for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See related disclosure at “Item 1 — Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 2 — Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements.”

 

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Table of Contents

 

Special Note about Forward-Looking Statements

 

We have made forward-looking statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and in this section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of future regulation and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions.

 

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements generally may be found in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. These risk factors include, without limitation, the impact of contagious diseases on travel, the effect of the economic downturn on leisure travel, increases in fuel prices, terrorist attacks, risks inherent to airlines, demand for air services to our leisure destinations from the markets served by us, our ability to implement our growth strategy, our fixed obligations, our dependence on our leisure destination markets, our ability to add, renew or replace gate leases, our competitive environment, problems with our aircraft, dependence on fixed fee customers, our reliance on our automated systems, economic and other conditions in markets in which we operate, governmental regulation, increases in maintenance costs and insurance premiums and cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results.

 

Any forward-looking statements are based on information available to us today and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are subject to certain market risks, including commodity prices (specifically, aircraft fuel).  The adverse effects of changes in these markets could pose a potential loss as discussed below. The sensitivity analysis does not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor does it consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ. See the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of our significant accounting policies and additional information.

 

Aircraft Fuel

 

Our results of operations can be significantly impacted by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Aircraft fuel expense represented 34% of our operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Increases in fuel prices or a shortage of supply could have a material effect on our operations and operating results. Based on our fuel consumption for the three months ended March 31, 2009, a hypothetical ten percent increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel would have increased fuel expense by approximately $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  While we do not currently hedge fuel price risk, in the past we entered into forward contracts or other financial products to reduce our exposure to fuel price volatility. As of March 31, 2009, we had no fuel derivative contracts outstanding.

 

Interest Rates

 

We have market risk associated with changing interest rates due to the short-term nature of our invested cash, which totaled $117.5 million, and short term investments of $118.9 million at March 31, 2009.  We invest available cash in certificates of deposit, investment grade commercial paper, and other highly rated financial instruments. Because of the short-term nature of these investments, the returns earned closely parallel short-term floating interest rates. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates in the three months ended March 31, 2009 would not have had a significant impact on our interest income.

 

Our long term debt consists of fixed-rate notes payable and capital lease arrangements. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates as of March 31, 2009, would not have a material effect on the fair value of our fixed- rate debt instruments. Also, a hypothetical 100 basis point change in market rates would not impact our earnings or cash flow associated with our fixed-rate debt.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer (“CEO”) and chief financial officer (“CFO”), we evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.   Based upon this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Changes in internal controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarter ending March 31, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

We are subject to certain legal and administrative actions we consider routine to our business activities. We believe the ultimate outcome of any pending legal or administrative matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

We have evaluated our risk factors and determined that other than the following, there have been no changes to our risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A in the Form 10-K since we filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K on March 3, 2009:

 

The recent swine flu pandemic may adversely affect air travel and materially affect our results of operations.

 

A recent outbreak of swine flu began in Mexico and cases have been reported in the United States. The outbreak may dissuade people from air travel at this time and for some time in the future. Travel advisories could further dampen demand for our services even if not applicable to our markets. We are unable to predict the scope or duration of the swine flu outbreak or its impact on the travel industry generally or our business in particular. Resulting decreases in passenger volume would harm our load factors, could increase our cost per passenger and adversely affect our profitability.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

In March 2009, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger with RPW Consolidated Information Systems Incorporated (“RPW”) under which RPW was merged with and into a newly created wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. With that acquisition, we acquired the exclusive rights to travel applications of the software operating system we have used since inception. In consideration for the merger, we issued a total of 41,450 shares of common stock to the owner of RPW and the licensor of the software. The above described stock issuances were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as transactions not involving a public offering. No general solicitation was made by us or any person acting on our behalf, the securities sold are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates for the shares contain an appropriate legend stating such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. No underwriters were involved in connection with the issuances of securities referred to above.

 

Our Repurchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table reflects repurchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2009. On January 29, 2009, we announced a share repurchase program to acquire through open market purchases up to $25.0 million of our common stock over a period not to exceed 12 months.  As of March 31, 2009, we have repurchased 210,175 shares of our common stock through open market purchases at an average cost of $33.59 per share for a total expenditure of $7.1 million.

 

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ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Maximum Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs

 

January 2009

 

 

$

 

 

$

25,000,000

 

February 2009

 

122,466

 

33.73

 

122,466

 

20,869,195

 

March 2009

 

87,709

 

33.41

 

87,709

 

17,939,192

 

Total

 

210,175

 

$

33.59

 

210,175

 

$

17,939,192

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation (1)

3.2

 

Bylaws of the Company (2)

10.1

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 15, 2009, by and among the Company, Allegiant Information Systems, Inc., RPW Consolidated Information Systems Incorporated and Robert P. Wilson, III.

10.2

 

Perpetual Software License Agreement dated as of March 15, 2009, among CMS Solutions, Inc., RPW Consolidated Information Systems Incorporated and Mitchell Allee.

31.1

 

Rule 13a - 14(a) / 15d - 14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

31.2

 

Rule 13a - 14(a) / 15d - 14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

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Section 1350 Certifications

 


(1)     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Registration Statement #333-134145 filed by the Company with the Commission and amendments thereto.

(2)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 9, 2008.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

 

 

 

 

Date: May 4, 2009

By:

/s/ Andrew C. Levy

 

Andrew C. Levy

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

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