algt_10q-033111.htm


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, 2011

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 the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o No o

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, 2011 was 19,039,732.



 
 

 

Allegiant Travel Company

Form 10-Q
March 31, 2011

INDEX

PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
ITEM 1.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                                                                                   
3
     
·
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010
3
     
·
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)
4
     
·
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)
5
     
·
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)                                                                                                                                   
6
     
ITEM 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
12
     
ITEM 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                                                                                                                                   
20
     
ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                                                   
20
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION                                                                                                                                   
20
     
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                                                   
20
     
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors                                                                                                                                   
21
     
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds                                                                                                                                   
21
     
ITEM 6.
Exhibits                                                                                                                                   
21

 
2

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except for share amounts)
   
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 115,916     $ 113,293  
Restricted cash
    21,526       21,287  
Short-term investments
    189,899       37,000  
Accounts receivable, net
    9,342       7,852  
Expendable parts, supplies and fuel, net of allowance for obsolescence of $215 and $170
               
at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    15,913       13,383  
Prepaid expenses
    30,073       24,071  
Deferred income taxes
    98       -  
Other current assets
    1,655       2,517  
Total current assets
    384,422       219,403  
Property and equipment, net
    297,557       267,298  
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates, net
    1,896       1,983  
Deposits and other assets
    13,343       12,582  
Total assets
  $ 697,218     $ 501,266  
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Current maturities of long term debt
  $ 6,122     $ 16,532  
Accounts payable
    35,369       24,759  
Accrued liabilities
    17,821       23,679  
Air traffic liability
    152,592       101,397  
Deferred income taxes
    302       246  
Total current liabilities
    212,206       166,613  
Long-term debt and other long-term liabilities:
               
Long term debt, net of current maturities
    137,694       11,604  
Deferred income taxes
    31,647       25,314  
Total liabilities
    381,547       203,531  
Stockholders' equity:
               
Common stock, par value $.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized;
               
21,493,268 and 21,455,634 shares issued;
               
19,037,565 and 19,005,821 shares outstanding, as of March 31, 2011
               
and December 31, 2010, respectively
    21       21  
Treasury stock, at cost, 2,455,703 and 2,449,813 shares at March 31, 2011
               
and December 31, 2010, respectively
    (96,158 )     (95,913 )
Additional paid in capital
    181,740       180,704  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (17 )     (9 )
Retained earnings
    230,085       212,932  
Total stockholders' equity
    315,671       297,735  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 697,218     $ 501,266  

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

 
3

 
 
ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited, in thousands, except for per share amounts)

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
OPERATING REVENUE:
           
Scheduled service revenue
  $ 128,533     $ 110,434  
Ancillary revenue:
               
  Air-related charges
    45,316       42,650  
  Third party products
    6,989       4,942  
    Total ancillary revenue
    52,305       47,592  
Fixed fee contract revenue
    12,022       11,267  
Other revenue
    371       344  
   Total operating revenue
    193,231       169,637  
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
               
Aircraft fuel
    79,187       57,366  
Salary and benefits
    30,865       25,892  
Station operations
    16,473       15,682  
Maintenance and repairs
    16,215       12,770  
Sales and marketing
    5,250       5,083  
Aircraft lease rentals
    315       507  
Depreciation and amortization
    9,890       8,691  
Other
    7,209       7,401  
   Total operating expenses
    165,404       133,392  
OPERATING INCOME
    27,827       36,245  
                 
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
               
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net     6       142  
Interest income     (276 )     (411 )
Interest expense
    796       749  
   Total other (income) expense
    526       480  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    27,301       35,765  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    10,148       13,165  
NET INCOME
  $ 17,153     $ 22,600  
Earnings per share to common stockholders:
               
Basic
  $ 0.90     $ 1.14  
Diluted
  $ 0.89     $ 1.12  
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing
earnings per share to common stockholders:
 
                 
Basic
    18,909       19,805  
Diluted
    19,090       20,222  

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

 
4

 
 
ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income
  $ 17,153     $ 22,600  
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
               
operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    9,890       8,691  
Loss on aircraft and other equipment disposals
    97       858  
Provision for obsolescence of expendable parts, supplies and fuel
    45       45  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount
    28       -  
Stock compensation expense
    1,078       969  
Deferred income taxes
    6,291       2,636  
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises
    -       (209 )
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
               
Restricted cash
    (239 )     (2,195 )
Accounts receivable
    (1,490 )     60  
Expendable parts, supplies and fuel
    (2,575 )     (985 )
Prepaid expenses
    (6,002 )     2,667  
Other current assets
    (415 )     1,396  
Accounts payable
    10,508       7,032  
Accrued liabilities
    (5,877 )     (5,930 )
Air traffic liability
    51,195       31,167  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    79,687       68,802  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of short-term investments
    (161,927 )     (49,245 )
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
    9,020       74,909  
Purchase of property and equipment, including pre-delivery deposits
    (40,531 )     (44,004 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    162       -  
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates, net
    87       91  
Decrease in deposits and other assets
    2,887       102  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (190,302 )     (18,147 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises
    -       209  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    79       1,841  
Proceeds from the issuance of long term debt
    132,000       -  
Repurchase of common stock
    (245 )     (2,852 )
Principal payments on long term debt
    (16,326 )     (6,421 )
Payments for deferred financing costs
    (2,270 )     -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    113,238       (7,223 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    2,623       43,432  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    113,293       90,239  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 115,916     $ 133,671  
                 
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS:
               
Common stock issued for software operating system
  $ -     $ 1,648  
Deposits applied against flight equipment purchase
  $ 1,277     $ -  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 
 
ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation:  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Allegiant Travel Company (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates in which ownership interest ranges from 20 to 50 percent and provide the Company the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for under the equity method. 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, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The preparation of 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.

Reclassifications:  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period’s financial statements to conform to 2011 classifications.  These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net income.

Note 2 — Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ratified Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 08-01, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (“EITF 08-1”). EITF 08-1 updates the current guidance pertaining to multiple-element revenue arrangements included in ASC Topic 605 and changes the allocation methods used in determining how to account for multiple payment streams. It also results in the ability to separately account for more deliverables and potentially less revenue deferrals.  This accounting standard is effective for new revenue arrangements entered into by the Company after January 1, 2011.  Adoption of the new accounting guidance has not had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements Disclosures,” which amends Subtopic 820-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to require new disclosures for fair value measurements and provides clarification for existing disclosure requirements. More specifically, this update requires (a) an entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements and to describe the reasons for the transfers; and (b) information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements to be presented separately (i.e., present the activity on a gross basis rather than net) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). This update clarifies existing disclosure requirements for the level of disaggregation used for classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, and requires disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. In 2010, the Company adopted those additional disclosure requirements which became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009.  Certain provisions which contain disclosures regarding information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  Adoption of these certain provisions on the Level 3 reconciliation has not had an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 — Short-term investments

The Company’s investments in marketable debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market value with the net unrealized gain or (loss) reported as a component of accumulated comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Short-term investments consisted of the following:

 
6

 
 
   
As of March 31, 2011
   
As of December 31, 2010
 
          Gross Unrealized                 Gross Unrealized        
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
(Losses)
   
Market Value
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
(Losses)
   
Market Value
 
Debt securities issued by states of the United States and political subdivisions of the states
  $ 131,993     $ 24     $ (26 )   $ 131,991     $ 32,140     $ 2     $ (10 )   $ 32,132  
Commercial paper
    24,949       19       (6 )     24,962       -       -       -       -  
Corporate debt securities
    32,976       1       (31 )     32,946       4,870       -       (2 )     4,868  
Total
  $ 189,918     $ 44     $ (63 )   $ 189,899     $ 37,010     $ 2     $ (12 )   $ 37,000  
 
The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method with any realized gains or losses reflected in income. The Company had no realized gains or losses during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or 2010.

The Company believes unrealized losses related to debt securities are not other-than-temporary. Debt securities in an unrealized loss position primarily included investments in municipal bonds and corporate debt securities.

Short-term investments had the following maturities as of March 31, 2011:

Maturities
 
Amount
 
Year 2011   
 
$
150,656
 
Year 2012   
 
39,243
 
Thereafter  
 
 
Total      
 
$
189,899
 

Note 4 — Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
   
As of March 31,
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
         
Senior secured term loan facility, interest at LIBOR plus 4.25%, due March 2017
  $ 124,381     $ -  
Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6.28%, due March 2015
    7,000       -  
Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6.26%, due August 2014
    12,435       13,224  
Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6%, due April 2012
    -       6,437  
Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 8.5%, due November 2011
    -       6,209  
Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6.8%, due June 2011
    -       1,616  
Notes payable, secured by aircraft, interest at 6%, due at varying dates through February 2011
    -       650  
Total long-term debt
    143,816       28,136  
Less current maturities
    (6,122 )     (16,532 )
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
  $ 137,694     $ 11,604  

Senior Secured Term Loan Facility
 
 
7

 
On March 10, 2011, the Company borrowed $125,000 under a senior secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan”).  The Term Loan matures on March 10, 2017, bears interest based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or prime rate with interest payable quarterly or more frequently until maturity and includes a LIBOR floor of 1.5%.  The Term Loan is secured by all property and assets of the Company with certain exceptions.  The Term Loan contains a maximum leverage covenant for the Company, maximum annual capital expenditures and other affirmative and negative covenants.  In addition to quarterly principal payments equal to 0.25% of the initial loan, the Term Loan also provides for mandatory and optional prepayment provisions.  In connection with the borrowing under the Term Loan, the Company made early payments in February 2011 of all existing debt obligations secured by its MD-80 aircraft.  Proceeds from the Term Loan will also be used for the funding of future capital expenditure programs and general corporate purposes.

As of March 31, 2011, management believes the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Term Loan.

Other

In March 2011, the Company borrowed $7,000 under a loan agreement secured by one Boeing 757-200 aircraft purchased in February 2011.  The note payable issued under the loan agreement bears interest at 6.28% per annum and is payable in monthly installments through March 2015. 
 
 
Note 5 — Stockholders’ Equity

The Company is authorized by the Board of Directors to acquire the Company’s stock through open market purchases under its share repurchase program.  No share repurchases were made under this program during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company repurchased 55,602 shares through open market purchases at an average cost of $51.29 per share for a total expenditure of $2,852.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company had $46,426 in unused stock repurchase authority remaining under the Board approved program.

Note 6 – Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income included the following:
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net income
  $ 17,153     $ 22,600  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Unrealized loss on short-term investments, net of tax
    (8 )     (78 )
Total comprehensive income
  $ 17,145     $ 22,522  

Note 7 — Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements accounting standards define fair value, establish a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and require disclosures for each major asset and liability category and class of investment measured at fair value on either a recurring or a nonrecurring basis. 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. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy is established in accounting standards. The hierarchy 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, 2011, 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.  Cash equivalents have maturities of three months or less, while the short-term investments have maturities of greater than three months. The Company uses the market approach valuation technique to determine fair value for these cash equivalents and short-term investments.  The assets classified as Level 1 consist of money market funds for which original cost approximates fair value.  The assets classified as Level 2 consist of municipal debt securities and U.S. government corporation and agency debt securities which are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources including transactions involving identical or comparable assets and models utilizing market observable inputs.

 
8

 
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):
 
         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
                         
         
Quoted Prices in
         
Significant
 
         
Active Markets for
   
Significant Other
   
Unobservable
 
   
March 31,
   
Identical Assets
   
Observable Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Description
 
2011
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Cash equivalents
                       
    Money market funds
  $ 40,481     $ 40,481     $ -     $ -  
    Municipal debt securities
    56,200       -       56,200       -  
        Total cash equivalents
    96,681       40,481       56,200       -  
Short-term investments
                               
    Corporate debt securities
    32,946       -       32,946       -  
    Municipal debt securities
    131,991       -       131,991       -  
    Commercial paper
    24,962       -       24,962       -  
         Total short-term investments
    189,899       -       189,899       -  
Total cash equivalents and short-term investments
  $ 286,580     $ 40,481     $ 246,099     $ -  
                                 
 
                         
         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
                         
         
Quoted Prices in
         
Significant
 
         
Active Markets for
   
Significant Other
   
Unobservable
 
   
December 31,
   
Identical Assets
   
Observable Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Description
 
2010
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Cash equivalents
                       
    Money market funds
  $ 4,390     $ 4,390     $ -     $ -  
    Municipal debt securities
    100,127       -       100,127       -  
        Total cash equivalents
    104,517       4,390       100,127       -  
Short-term investments
                               
    Corporate debt securities
  $ 4,868       -       4,868       -  
    Municipal debt securities
    32,132       -       32,132       -  
         Total short-term investments
    37,000       -       37,000       -  
Total cash equivalents and short-term investments
  $ 141,517     $ 4,390     $ 137,127     $ -  
 
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

The fair value of the Company’s Term Loan was estimated using quoted market prices.  As of March 31, 2011, the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the Term Loan, including current maturities, were $125,314 and $124,381, respectively.  The carrying value for all other long-term debt, including current maturities, owed by the Company as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, approximates fair value.

Note 8 — Income Taxes

 
9

 
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company did not have any material changes to its unrecognized tax benefits.  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 or penalties at March 31, 2011.

Note 9 — Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed pursuant to the two-class method.  Under this method, the Company attributes net income to two classes, common stock and unvested restricted stock awards.  Unvested restricted stock awards granted to employees under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to cash dividends at the same rate as common stock.

Diluted net income per share is calculated using the more dilutive of two methods.  Under both methods, the exercise of employee stock options, stock purchase warrants and stock appreciation rights are assumed using the treasury stock method.  The assumption of vesting of restricted stock, however, differs:

 
1.
Assume vesting of restricted stock using the treasury stock method.

 
2.
Assume unvested restricted stock awards are not vested, and allocate earnings to common shares and unvested restricted stock awards using the two-class method.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the second method above which assumes unvested awards are not vested was used in the computation because it was more dilutive than the first method above which assumes vesting of awards using the treasury stock method.  Both methods resulted in the same diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share, on a basic and diluted basis for the periods indicated (shares in table below in thousands):

 
10

 
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Basic:
           
Net income
  $ 17,153     $ 22,600  
Less:  Net income allocated to participating securities
    (90 )     (91 )
Net income attributable to common stock
  $ 17,063     $ 22,509  
Net income per share, basic
  $ 0.90     $ 1.14  
Weighted-average shares outstanding
    18,909       19,805  
                 
Diluted:
               
Net income
    17,153       22,600  
Less:  Net income allocated to participating securities
    (89 )     -  
Net income attributable to common stock
    17,064       22,600  
Net income per share, diluted
  $ 0.89     $ 1.12  
                 
Weighted-average shares outstanding
    18,909       19,805  
Dilutive effect of stock options, stock purchase warrants, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights
    246       417  
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding under treasury stock method     19,155       20,222  
Participating securities excluded under two-class method
    (65 )     N/A  
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding under two-class method
    19,090       N/A  
 
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.

The Company entered into purchase agreements for 20 MD-80 aircraft during the fourth quarter of 2009.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company had taken possession of all the MD-80 aircraft under these purchase agreements but is obligated to pay $1,300 later in 2011 in accordance with the terms of these agreements.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company had placed seven of these aircraft into revenue service.  The Company expects to part-out five aircraft under these agreements and expects to place the remaining eight aircraft into revenue service to support growth through 2013.  

In March 2010, the Company entered into a purchase contract for six Boeing 757-200 aircraft.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company has taken ownership of four of these aircraft, with two being closed during the first quarter of 2011.  During the first quarter of 2011, the Company leased out three of these aircraft to third parties under operating lease agreements.  The Company intends to take possession of the leased aircraft at the end of the leases terms through the third quarter of 2012.  As of March 31, 2011, the remaining contractual obligations under the purchase agreement were $19,500, to be paid in 2011 upon taking ownership of the remaining aircraft.

In March 2011, the Company entered into a use and lease agreement as a Signatory Airline with the Clark County Department of Aviation, the operator of McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada.  As a Signatory Airline, the Company is obligated to meet specific requirements and minimum standards for passengers flown.  The Company’s operating lease obligations under this agreement are estimated to be $36,469 for the term of the agreement through June 2015.

 
11

 

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, 2011 and 2010.  Also discussed is our financial position as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. 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, 2010.  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.

First quarter 2011 results

During the first quarter of 2011, we earned net income of $17.2 million on operating revenues of $193.2 million and achieved a 14.4% operating margin despite the rapid increase in fuel prices experienced during the quarter.  Capacity management contributed to a 92.9% scheduled service load factor and our highest quarterly total average fare of $125.22, but unit revenue increases were outpaced by the 38.0% year-over-year increase in fuel expenses.  Rising crude oil prices and the expansion of crack spreads have pushed our system average fuel cost per gallon up 32.3%, from $2.17 for the first quarter of 2010 to $2.87 for the same period in 2011.

Our strong revenue results were driven from a 13.3% increase in scheduled service revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) which contributed to an 11.4% increase in total scheduled service revenue and ancillary revenue per ASM (“TRASM”) for the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010.  We believe our unit revenue gains are due to a stronger demand environment, changes in our pricing strategy and our aggressive management of capacity in our network.  In addition, an increase in third party ancillary revenue due to margin improvement on increased sales of hotel and transportation products contributed to the increase in TRASM.

During the first quarter of 2011, our operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel increased $3.07, or 5.8%, to $55.96, due to increases for salaries and benefits expense and maintenance and repairs expense.  Pilot and flight attendant agreements entered into in May and July of 2010, respectively, were the largest driver of a 19.2% increase in salaries and benefits expense, while an increase in the number of major maintenance activities and a 10.4% increase in our average number of operating aircraft were primarily repsonsible for the 27.0% increase in maintenance and repairs expense.

We borrowed $125.0 million under a senior secured term loan facility.  Our six year term loan is secured by all of our assets, excluding three of our Boeing 757-200 aircraft, with a floating interest rate.  We believe the term loan further strengthens our balance sheet and provides adequate proceeds for the funding of future capital expenditures including our MD-80 aircraft seat reconfiguration program and the purchase of the two remaining Boeing 757-200 aircraft under an existing purchase agreement.

Aircraft

Operating Fleet

During the first quarter of 2011, we temporarily grounded one MD-80 aircraft (130-seat MD-87) from service, which decreased our operating fleet to 51 aircraft at March 31, 2011.  The following table sets forth the number and type of aircraft in service and operated by us at the dates indicated:

   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Own(a)
   
Lease
   
Total
   
Own(a)
   
Lease
   
Total
   
Own(a)(c)
   
Lease(b)
   
Total
 
MD82/83/88s  
    47       2       49       47       2       49       39       4       43  
MD87s
    2       0       2       3       0       3       4       0       4  
Total
    49       2       51       50       2       52       43       4       47  
 
________________________
 
(a)
Does not include aircraft owned, but not yet added to our operating fleet.

(b)
In February 2010, we exercised purchase options on two aircraft under operating leases.  In October 2010, we took ownership of these aircraft.

 
12

 
 
(c)
Includes two aircraft subject to capital leases as of March 31, 2010.  In September 2010, we exercised early purchase options and took ownership of these two aircraft.

Aircraft not in service
 
As of March 31, 2011, we owned four Boeing 757-200 aircraft, two of which were purchased during the first quarter of 2011.  Three of these aircraft have been leased out to third parties on a short term basis.  The expected return dates of these aircraft, under their respective leases, are through the third quarter of 2012.  Lease revenue associated with these leased aircraft will begin to be recorded in the second quarter of 2011.  Our fourth Boeing 757-200 aircraft is expected to enter revenue service in the third quarter of 2011.

As of March 31, 2011, four of our MD-80 aircraft previously in storage are being readied for revenue service and are the first of our MD-80 aircraft being modified under our seat reconfiguration program.  These aircraft are expected to enter revenue service in the second and third quarters of 2011, but are not expected to increase the number of our in-service aircraft as they will replace in-service MD-80 aircraft which will then undergo seat reconfiguration.  We have an additional four MD-80 aircraft in storage to facilitate growth through 2012.

Network

As of March 31, 2011, we offered scheduled service from 62 small cities on 162 routes primarily into our six major leisure destinations.  Changes in our route network during the first quarter of 2011 were primarily a result of shifting routes from ten of our small cities from Orlando International Airport back to our original operational base in Orlando Sanford International Airport.  In addition, we initiated service on one route to Phoenix and one route to Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg.  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,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2010
 
                   
Major leisure destinations
    6       6       6  
Other leisure destinations
    5       5       5  
Small cities served
    62       62       57  
Total cities served
    73       73       68  
 
Routes to Las Vegas
    45       45       39  
Routes to Orlando airports (a)
    29       29       30  
Routes to Phoenix
    28       27       20  
Routes to Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg
    21       20       20  
Routes to Los Angeles (includes Long Beach)
    17       17       11  
Routes to Ft. Lauderdale
    7       7       5  
Other routes
    15       15       9  
Total routes
    162       160       134  
 
_______________________________
 
(a)  
In February 2011, we consolidated our Orlando operations back to our original operational base at Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Trends and Uncertainties

Global crude oil supply concerns and political unrest in oil producing countries continue to drive up energy prices, intensified by a weak dollar, increasing inflation concerns and expansion of crack spreads.  We anticipate higher energy costs in the near term and in an effort to drive higher unit revenues we will continue to moderate our capacity.  Our low fixed, high variable cost structure allows us to flex up our aircraft utilization to maximize profitability during peak periods and flex down when we experience revenue softness or in this extremely high fuel cost environment.  Once we believe fuel prices begin to moderate, we expect to return to our historical growth rates.

 In 2011, we expect significant investment of capital in our aircraft and aircraft improvements.  In the first quarter we completed the purchase of our third and fourth Boeing 757-200 aircraft.  We continue to work on the certification process to bring on a second fleet type onto our operating certificate and expect to have one of the four Boeing 757-200 aircraft available for charters and scheduled service in the third quarter of 2011.  Once we complete the process to add the Boeing 757-200 aircraft to our operating certificate, we plan to refocus our efforts on gaining flag carrier status and completing the ETOPS certification process in order to launch service to Hawaii in late 2012.

 
13

 
 
Our seat reconfiguration program has been initiated and we expect our first reconfigured aircraft to enter revenue service in the second quarter of 2011.  The complete fleet reconfiguration will take approximately 12 months to complete.  All of our MD-80 aircraft (excluding our MD-87 aircraft) will be reconfigured from 150 seats to 166 seats by standardizing the passenger layout accommodations which will be made possible by removing galleys, relocating lavatories and installing slim line, light weight seats.  We believe these additional 16 seats will be accretive to earnings as they will allow us to grow capacity without adding incremental aircraft into our operating fleet.  In addition we expect to realize material cost savings from the addition of these seats in the form of reduced per passenger costs and cost per available seat mile.  Four of our eight MD-80 aircraft in storage are currently being inducted to support our reconfiguration program and will be the first 166 seat reconfigured aircraft in revenue service.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of three months ended March 31, 2011 to three months ended March 31, 2010

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

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Total operating revenue
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses:
               
Aircraft fuel
    41.0       33.8  
Salary and benefits
    16.0       15.3  
Station operations
    8.5       9.2  
Maintenance and repairs
    8.4       7.5  
Sales and marketing
    2.7       3.0  
Aircraft lease rentals
    0.2       0.3  
Depreciation and amortization
    5.1       5.1  
Other
    3.7       4.4  
Total operating expenses
    85.6 %     78.6 %
Operating margin
    14.4 %     21.4 %

Operating Revenue

Our operating revenue increased 13.9% to $193.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $169.6 million for the same period of 2010 primarily driven by a 7.5% increase in our total average fare from $116.49 to $125.22, along with a 6.5% increase in scheduled service passengers on a 5.2% increase in scheduled service departures.  We believe a stronger demand environment, changes in our pricing strategy and aggressive capacity management contributed to the increase in average fare and led to our single highest quarterly total average fare.


Scheduled service revenue.  Scheduled service revenue increased 16.4% to $128.5 million in the first quarter of 2011, from $110.4 million in the same period of 2010.  The increase was primarily driven by a 7.5% increase in the scheduled service average base fare for the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, along with a 6.5% increase in scheduled service passengers.  Passenger growth was driven by a 5.2% increase in the number of scheduled service departures and a slight increase in scheduled service load factor, up 1.2 percentage points to 92.9%.  The increase in departure growth was driven by the increase in routes to our Phoenix market and Los Angeles market (with commencement of flying to Long Beach in July 2010) and route expansion of our seasonal service during 2010.

Ancillary revenue.  Ancillary revenue increased 9.9% to $52.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 up from $47.6 million in the same period of 2010, driven by a 6.5% increase in scheduled service passengers and a 3.2% increase in ancillary revenue per scheduled passenger from $35.08 to $36.22.  The following table details ancillary revenue per scheduled service passenger from air-related charges and third party products:

             
   
Three months ended March 31,
       
   
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Air-related charges
  $ 31.38     $ 31.44       (0.2 ) %
Third party products
    4.84       3.64       33.0 %
Total ancillary revenue per scheduled service passenger
  $ 36.22     $ 35.08       3.2 %

 
14

 
The following table details the calculation of ancillary revenue from third party products. Third party products consist of revenue from the sale of hotel rooms, ground transportation (rental cars and hotel shuttle products), attraction and show tickets and fees we receive from other merchants selling products through our website:

             
   
Three months ended March 31,
       
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Gross ancillary revenue - third party products
  $ 26,537     $ 22,489       18.0 %
Cost of goods sold
    (18,316 )     (16,367 )     11.9 %
Transaction costs (a)
    (1,232 )     (1,180 )     4.4 %
Ancillary revenue - third party products
  $ 6,989     $ 4,942       41.4 %
As percent of gross ancillary revenue - third party
    26.3 %     22.0 %  
4.3pp
 
 
___________________________
(a)   Includes credit card fees and travel agency commissions

During the first quarter of 2011, we generated gross revenue of $26.5 million from third party products, which resulted in net revenue of $7.0 million.  Third party products increased on a per-passenger basis primarily as a result of increased margins on the sale of more hotel rooms compared to the same period in the prior year.

Fixed fee contract revenue.  Fixed fee contract revenue increased 6.7% to $12.0 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $11.3 million in the same period of 2010.  New flying under agreements with Apple Vacations (flying began in December 2010) and Peppermill Resorts Inc. (flying began in January 2011), more than offset a reduction in flying under our agreement with Caesars Entertainment Inc. (formerly Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.).  The number of block hours flown under the Caesars Entertainment Inc. agreement, were 2,047 during the first quarter of 2010, compared to 1,388 during the same period of 2011.

Other revenue.  We generated other revenue of $0.3 million in each of the first quarter of 2011 and in the same period of 2010 primarily from flight equipment leased to third parties.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses increased 24.0% to $165.4 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $133.4 million in the same period of 2010 largely due to a 38.0% increase in our fuel expense.  We primarily evaluate our expense management by comparing our costs per passenger across different periods which enables 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
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Aircraft fuel
  $ 51.40     $ 39.91       28.8 %
Salary and benefits
    20.03       18.01       11.2  
Station operations
    10.69       10.91       (2.0 )
Maintenance and repairs
    10.52       8.88       18.5  
Sales and marketing
    3.41       3.54       (3.6 )
Aircraft lease rentals
    0.20       0.35       (42.0 )
Depreciation and amortization
    6.42       6.05       6.2  
Other
    4.68       5.15       (9.1 )
Operating expense per passenger
  $ 107.36     $ 92.80       15.7 %
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel
  $ 55.96     $ 52.89       5.8 %

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 ("ASMs"). As on a per passenger basis, excluding fuel on a per ASM basis provides management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility.

 
15

 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Percentage
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Aircraft fuel
    4.89 ¢     3.68 ¢     32.9 %
Salary and benefits
    1.91       1.66       15.1  
Station operations
    1.02       1.01       1.1  
Maintenance and repairs
    1.00       0.82       22.2  
Sales and marketing
    0.32       0.33       (3.0 )
Aircraft lease rentals
    0.02       0.03       (33.3 )
Depreciation and amortization
    0.61       0.56       8.9  
Other
    0.45       0.48       (6.2 )
Operating expense per ASM (CASM)
    10.22 ¢     8.57 ¢     19.4 %
CASM, excluding fuel
    5.33 ¢     4.88 ¢     9.2 %
 
Our CASM, excluding fuel, increased 9.2% in part due to a 5.9% reduction in average block hours per aircraft per day and a 1.1% decrease in system average storage length.
 
Aircraft fuel expense.  Aircraft fuel expense increased $21.8 million or 38.0% to $79.2 million for the first quarter of 2011 up from $57.4 million in the same period of 2010, primarily driven by 32.3% increase in the system average cost per gallon from $2.17 to $2.87.  System departure growth of 4.6% also contributed to the aircraft fuel expense increase, which resulted in a 4.3% increase in gallons consumed, which increased from 26.4 million to 27.5 million.

Salary and benefits expense.  Salary and benefits expense increased 19.2% to $30.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 up from $25.9 million in the same period of 2010.  Our salary and benefits expense per full-time equivalent increased 18.3% year-over-year as a result of our new pilot and flight attendant compensation agreements which went into effect in May and July 2010, respectively, along with higher medical insurance premiums and increased 401(k) contributions and employer taxes.  These increases were offset by a decrease in our accrued bonus expense driven by the year-over-year decrease in first quarter operating income.

Station operations expense.  Station operations expense increased 5.0% to $16.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $15.7 million in the same period of 2010 as a result of a 4.6% increase in system departures.  In February 2011, we consolidated our Orlando operations back to our original operational base at Orlando Sanford International Airport.  Although initial cost savings from this consolidation are relatively minimal, the consolidation will help reduce operational complexity for our east coast operations.

Maintenance and repairs expense.  Maintenance and repairs expense increased 27.0% to $16.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $12.8 million in the same period of 2010.  The increase was attributable to major maintenance activity for airframe checks and engine overhauls along with the growth of our operating fleet.  Our average number of operating aircraft increased 10.4% year-over-year from 46.2 to 51.0.  In late 2010, we decided to alter our approach to engine overhauls and replacements and now expect to manage our engines through a combination of performing service overhauls on some units and purchasing engines to replace others.  We expect to recognize expenses of between $20.0 million and $25.0 million in 2011 for the overhaul or repair of 30 – 35 MD-80 engines.  This compares to $5.0 million of engine overhaul costs incurred during 2010. We expect most of these expenses will be recognized during the second and third quarters of 2011.

Sales and marketing expense.  Sales and marketing expense increased 3.3% to $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $5.1 million for the same period of 2010.  The increase was due to higher credit card transaction costs associated with the 14.4% increase in scheduled service revenue and ancillary revenue.  The increase in transaction costs was partially offset by reductions in small city advertising expenses and credit card rates resulting from the transition to a new credit card processor in July 2010.

Aircraft lease rentals expense.  Aircraft lease rentals decreased to $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $0.5 million in the same period of 2010.  Two aircraft were under operating lease agreements during the first quarter of 2011 while four aircraft were under operating lease agreements for the same period of 2010.

Depreciation and amortization expense.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $9.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $8.7 million for the same period of 2010, an increase of 13.8%, driven by a 10.4% increase in the number of average operating aircraft.  Additional depreciation expense related to Boeing 757-200 aircraft not in revenue service and leased to third parties was recognized during the first quarter of 2011 in connection with the lease out of such aircraft during the quarter.

 
16

 
Other expense.  Other expense remained relatively flat, with a slight decrease to $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $7.4 million in the same period of 2010.  We continue to incur pre-operating expenses associated with the certification process for the Boeing 757-200 aircraft type which began in the first quarter of 2010.  An increase in these pre-operating expenses along with an increase in other administrative expenses were offset by a lower loss from disposal of flight equipment, which were $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 and $0.1 million in the same period of 2011.

Other (Income) Expense

Other (income) expense was a net other expense of $0.5 million in each of the first quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011.  A reduction in interest income earned on cash balances in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 was offset by a reduced loss from our unconsolidated affiliates during the quarter compared to the prior year.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective income tax rate was 37.2% for the first quarter of 2011 compared to 36.8% for the same period of 2010. The higher effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2011 was largely due to the geographic mix of our flying, with increased flying in certain states, and the impact this had on the state income tax portion of the tax provision. 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 during interim periods may also affect our tax rates.

Comparative Consolidated Operating Statistics

The following tables set forth our operating statistics for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

   
Three months ended March 31,
   
Percent
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change*
 
                   
Operating statistics (unaudited):
                 
Total system statistics:
                 
Passengers
    1,540,621       1,437,459       7.2  
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
    1,450,110       1,373,756       5.6  
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
    1,617,786       1,557,186       3.9  
Load factor
    89.6 %     88.2 %     1.4  
Operating revenue per ASM (RASM)** (cents)
    11.94       10.89       9.6  
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents)
    10.22       8.57       19.3  
Fuel expense per ASM (cents)
    4.89       3.68       32.9  
Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents)
    5.33       4.88       9.2  
Operating expense per passenger
  $ 107.36     $ 92.80       15.7  
Fuel expense per passenger
  $ 51.40     $ 39.91       28.8  
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel
  $ 55.96     $ 52.89       5.8  
Departures
    12,237       11,700       4.6  
Block hours
    29,366       28,244       4.0  
Average stage length (miles)
    885       895       (1.1 )
Average number of operating aircraft during period
    51.0       46.2       10.4  
Total aircraft in service end of period
    51       47       8.5  
Average departures per aircraft per day
    2.7       2.8       (3.6 )
Average block hours per aircraft per day
    6.4       6.8       (5.9 )
Full-time equivalent employees at period end
    1,615       1,602       0.8  
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
    27,546       26,402       4.3  
Average fuel cost per gallon
  $ 2.87     $ 2.17       32.3  
                         
Scheduled service statistics:
                       
Passengers
    1,444,198       1,356,610       6.5  
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
    1,360,810       1,307,966       4.0  
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
    1,465,028       1,426,546       2.7  
Load factor
    92.9 %     91.7 %     1.2  
Departures
    10,603       10,081       5.2  
Average passengers per departure
    136       135       0.7  
Block hours
    26,244       25,355       3.5  
Yield (cents)
    9.45       8.44       12.0  
Scheduled service revenue per ASM (PRASM) (cents)
    8.77       7.74       13.3  
Total ancillary revenue per ASM** (cents)
    3.57       3.34       6.9  
Total revenue per ASM (TRASM)** (cents)
    12.34       11.08       11.4  
Average fare — scheduled service
  $ 89.00     $ 81.40       9.3  
Average fare — ancillary air-related charges
  $ 31.38     $ 31.44       (0.2 )
Average fare — ancillary third party products
  $ 4.84     $ 3.64       33.0  
Average fare — total
  $ 125.22     $ 116.49       7.5  
Average stage length (miles)
    921       945       (2.5 )
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
    24,719       23,706       4.3  
Average fuel cost per gallon
  $ 3.11     $ 2.32       34.1  
Percent of sales through website during period
    89.9 %     88.3 %     1.6  
__________________________
* Except load factor and percent of sales through website, which is percentage point change
** Various components of these measures do not have a direct correlation to ASMs.  These figures are provided on a per ASM basis so as to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis.

 
17

 
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments increased from $171.6 million at December 31, 2010 to $327.3 million at March 31, 2011.  Restricted cash represents credit card deposits, cash collateral against notes payable, escrowed funds under our fixed fee flying contracts and 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 results in fluctuations in the restricted cash balances at the end of reporting periods.  Short-term investments represent marketable securities classified as available-for-sale.

During the first quarter of 2011, we augmented our liquidity with cash generated from the $125.0 million borrowed under a senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan”).  Proceeds from the Term Loan received during the quarter will be used to fund future capital expenditure programs and general corporate purposes.  Our net cash provided by financing activities along with sources of funds from operations more than offset our investing activities for the quarter.  The uses of funds from investing activities were primarily for capital expenditures incurred during the quarter and the short-term investment of proceeds from the Term Loan.  We believe we have more than adequate liquidity resources through our operating cash flows and the proceeds from the Term Loan to meet our future capital obligations.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities:  During the three months ended March 31, 2011, our operating activities provided $79.7 million of cash compared to $68.8 million during the same period of 2010.  The cash flows provided by operations for the period in 2011 were primarily the result of net income and an increase in air traffic liability which results from passenger bookings for future travel.  An increase in the air traffic liability compared with the same period in 2010 was the principal factor in higher cash flows provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 in comparison to the prior year.

Investing Activities:  Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $190.3 million compared to $18.1 million of cash used in investing activities in the same period of 2010.  During the three months ended March 31, 2011, our primary use of cash was for the investment of proceeds from the Term Loan in short-term investments and the purchase of property and equipment of $40.5 million.  Purchases of property and equipment during the first quarter of 2011 consisted primarily of the cash purchase of two Boeing 757-200 aircraft, along with other engine and flight equipment purchases.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, our primary use of cash was for the purchase of property and equipment of $44.0 million, which was offset by proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities, net of purchases, of $25.7 million.  Purchases of property and equipment during the first quarter of 2010 consisted primarily of the cash purchase of six MD-80 aircraft, two Boeing 757-200 aircraft, and pre-delivery deposits on undelivered Boeing 757-200 aircraft.

Financing Activities:  Cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $113.2 million, compared to $7.2 million of cash which was used in financing activities for the same period in 2010.  Net of deferred financing costs, we received $122.7 million from the Term Loan along with proceeds from the issuance of notes payable associated with a $7.0 million secured loan.  Cash received from these financing activities was offset by $16.3 million of principal debt payments, with the majority of this amount attributable to early payment on existing debt obligations secured by MD-80 aircraft.

 
18

 
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual cash obligations as of March 31, 2011 and the periods in which payments are due (in thousands):

   
Total
   
2011
    2012-2013     2014-2015    
Thereafter
 
Long-term debt obligations (1)
  $ 188,075     $ 10,776     $ 41,397     $ 16,499     $ 119,403  
Operating lease obligations (2)
    60,290       9,982       28,690       17,987       3,631  
Aircraft purchase obligations (3)
    20,850       20,850       -       -       -  
Total future payments on contractual obligations
  $ 269,215     $ 41,608     $ 70,087     $ 34,486     $ 123,034  
________________
 
(1)
Amounts for long-term debt obligations represent contractual amounts due, including interest.  Fixed rate debt includes scheduled interest payments.  Interest on variable rate debt was estimated using interest rates in effect as of March 31, 2011.   
 
(2)
Operating lease obligations include aircraft operating leases and leases of office space and airport station property.  Certain lease rates included in operating leases for airport station property are adjusted with estimation for these periods based on rates in effect as of March 31, 2011.
 
(3)
Aircraft purchase obligations under existing aircraft purchase agreements.

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, 2010.  There has been no material change to these policies for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

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.”

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, future service to be provided 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 may be found in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. These risk factors include, without limitation, increases in fuel prices, the effect of the economic downturn on leisure travel, 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, unionization efforts, our dependence on our leisure destination markets, our ability to add, renew or replace gate leases, the 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, aging aircraft and other governmental regulation, our ability to obtain regulatory approvals, increases in maintenance costs 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.

 
19

 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are subject to certain market risks, including changes in interest rates and 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 47.9% of our operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  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, 2011, a hypothetical ten percent increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel would have increased fuel expense by approximately $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  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. We have not had any fuel derivative contracts outstanding since January 2008.

Interest Rates

We have market risk associated with changing interest rates due to the short-term nature of our invested cash, which totaled $115.9 million, and short term investments of $189.9 million at March 31, 2011.  We invest available cash in 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, 2011 would not have had a significant impact on our interest income.

In March 2011, we borrowed $125.0 million under a senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan”) which bears variable-rate interest.  As a result of the Term Loan, we had $124.4 million of variable-rate debt as of March 31, 2011.  A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates in the three months ended March 31, 2011 would not have had a significant impact on our interest expense.  Also, a hypothetical 100 basis point change in market rates would not have a significant impact on our earnings or cash flow associated with our variable-rate debt.

We had $19.4 million, including current maturities, of fixed-rate debt as of March 31, 2011.  A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates as of March 31, 2011, 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.

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, 2011, 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.

 
20

 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors

We have evaluated our risk factors and determined 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 11, 2011.

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

Our Repurchases of Equity Securities

The following table reflects our repurchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2011.  All stock repurchases during this period were made from employees who received restricted stock grants. All stock repurchases were made at the election of each employee pursuant to an offer to repurchase by us. In each case, the shares repurchased constituted the portion of vested shares necessary to satisfy withholding tax requirements.


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 (1)
 
January 2011
 
 
$
N/A
 
None
 
$
46,426,175
 
February 2011
 
5,890
 
41.54
 
None
 
46,426,175
 
March 2011
 
 
N/A
 
None
 
46,426,175
 
Total
 
5,890
 
$
41.54
 
None
 
$
46,426,175
 

(1)  Represents the remaining dollar value of open market purchases of the Company’s common stock which has been authorized by   the Board of Directors under a share repurchase program.

Item 6.
 
Exhibits
     
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation (1)
3.2
 
Bylaws of the Company (2)
10.1
 
Credit Agreement dated as of March 10, 2011 between the Company, the Lenders, Citadel Securities Trading LLC, as administrative agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as collateral agent for the Lenders.  (3)
10.2
 
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of March 10, 2011 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, collateral agent.  (3)
10.3
 
Aircraft Security Agreement dated as of March 10, 2011 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, collateral agent.  (3)
10.4
 
Airport Use and Lease Agreement signed on March 17, 2011 between the Company and Clark County Department of Aviation.
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
32
 
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 November 9, 2009.
(3)
Portions of the indicated document have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and the document indicated has been filed separately with the Commission as required by Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 
 
21

 

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 10, 2011
By:
/s/ Scott Sheldon
 
Scott Sheldon
 
Principal Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
22