DENVER (May 22, 2003) - Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT) today announced
a net loss of $22.8 million, or $0.77 per common share, for its fiscal year
ended March 31, 2003. This compares to net income of $16.5 million, or $0.56
per diluted common share from the previous fiscal year. The Company's fiscal
year net loss included a $2.0 million after-tax credit for the cumulative effect
of a change in accounting for major aircraft overhauls from the accrual method
to the expense as incurred method. The loss before the cumulative effect of
the change in accounting was $24.9 million, or $0.84 per common share.
For the airline's fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2003, the airline reported
a net loss of $13.0 million, or $0.44 per common share, compared to net income
of $623,000, or $0.02 per diluted common share, for the same period last year.
The results of the fiscal fourth quarter 2003 include $0.08 per share (after
tax) of losses associated with unrealized losses on financial derivatives, a
write-down of Boeing spare parts inventory and the impact of reduced revenue
sharing credits associated with Denver International Airport's anticipated reserve
for United Airlines' bad debt.
Chief Executive Officer's Comments
"Reporting our first annual loss in five years is a disappointment and
reflects many of the challenges faced by our industry during the past year,
including a weakened economy and, in this latest quarter, the recent unrest
in the Middle East that culminated in the Iraq war. In addition, our fiscal
year 2003 loss was exacerbated by the severe winter blizzard in March 2003 that
shut down the Denver metro area for two days," said Frontier President
and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Potter. " However, we believe we are doing
all of the right things to continue to build upon our cost reduction accomplishments,
maximize revenue and improve our liquidity. During the past year we realized
year over year unit cost reductions of 10.8 percent, posting what we believe
are some of the greatest cost management improvements among our peers. With
the recent simplified fare structure implemented during February 2003, and launch
of our new branding campaign, 'A Whole Different Animal,' we believe customer
response will be favorable."
Fourth Quarter Operating and Financial Highlights
The airline's total revenues during its fiscal fourth quarter 2003 increased
4.7 percent to $118.5 million from $113.2 million in the fourth quarter of the
prior year. The airline's capacity, as measured by available seat miles (ASMs),
increased 26.5 percent during its fiscal fourth quarter 2003, while its traffic,
as measured by revenue passenger miles (RPMs), increased 26.8 percent compared
to fiscal fourth quarter 2002. This resulted in a load factor of 58.4 percent,
an increase of 0.2 load factor points from fiscal fourth quarter 2002. During
fiscal fourth quarter 2003, the airline's break-even load factor increased 12.7
load factor points to 67.8 percent. The airline's average fare during its fiscal
fourth quarter 2003 decreased 15.6 percent to $108 from $128 for the fiscal
fourth quarter 2002. Revenue per passenger mile (yield) for fiscal fourth quarter
2003 decreased 17.3 percent to 12.76 cents from 15.43 cents for fiscal fourth
quarter 2002. The airline's passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM)
for fiscal fourth quarter 2003 decreased 17.1 percent to 7.45 cents from 8.99
cents for fiscal fourth quarter 2002.
Cost per available seat mile (CASM) for fiscal fourth quarter 2003 increased
1.0 percent to 8.75 cents from 8.66 cents for fiscal fourth quarter 2002. CASM
excluding the airline's fuel costs decreased 4.8 percent to 7.14 cents, compared
to 7.50 cents for fiscal fourth quarter 2002. During the fiscal fourth quarter
2003, the airline paid 44.2 percent more per gallon for fuel as compared to
the same period last year, as the average cost per gallon of fuel during the
fiscal fourth quarter was $1.11. The airline's fiscal fourth quarter 2003 CASM
was adversely affected by an estimated 0.39 cents as a result of the write-down
of Boeing spare parts inventory and the impact of reduced revenue sharing credits
associated with Denver International Airport's anticipated reserve for United
Airlines' bad debt. The airline's year over year CASM reduction (excluding fuel)
was achieved principally by continued efficiencies of the airline's Airbus fleet
that increased from six aircraft at the end of fiscal year 2002 to 17 aircraft
as of March 31, 2003. Utilization for fiscal fourth quarter 2003 averaged 9.7
hours, an increase of 2.0 percent from fiscal fourth quarter 2002.
Year End Operating and Financial Highlights
The airline's total revenues during its fiscal year 2003 increased 5.6 percent
to $470.0 million from $445.1 million for the prior year. The airline's capacity,
as measured by ASMs, increased 30.9 percent during fiscal year 2003, while its
traffic, as measured by RPMs, increased 30.6 percent. This resulted in a load
factor of 59.9 percent, a decrease of 0.1 points from fiscal year 2002. During
fiscal year 2003, the airline's break-even load factor increased 7.1 points
to 64.7 percent. The airline's average fare during its fiscal year 2003 decreased
17.4 percent to $109 from $132 from the prior year. The airline's RASM for fiscal
year 2003 decreased 19.4 percent to 7.63 cents from 9.47 cents for fiscal year
2002.
CASM for the fiscal year 2003 decreased 10.8 percent to 8.32 cents from 9.33
cents for fiscal year 2002. CASM excluding the airline's fuel costs decreased
13.8 percent to 6.90 cents during fiscal year 2003, compared to 8.00 cents during
fiscal year 2002. During fiscal year 2003, the average cost per gallon of fuel
was $0.96, a 10.3 percent increase from last year. Utilization for fiscal year
2003 averaged 9.8 hours, an increase of 7.7 percent from fiscal year 2002.
Fleet Update
At the end of fiscal year 2003, the airline's fleet consisted of 17 Airbus A319
aircraft, 16 Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 737-200s. Frontier has firm orders
to take delivery of 11 additional Airbus A319 and A318 aircraft during fiscal
year 2004, and return nine Boeing aircraft to their lessors. This will result
in two net additional aircraft to Frontier's fleet by the end of its fiscal
year 2004, bringing its total fleet to 38 aircraft, including 24 Airbus A319
aircraft, four Airbus A318 aircraft and 10 Boeing 737-300 aircraft.
The Company also announced it has extended its codeshare agreement with Mesa
Air Group, Inc., operating as Frontier JetExpress, through Aug. 31, 2003.
Potter said, "We believe a regional jet operation is an important component
to our business model, and we continue to discuss our long-term options with
Mesa, as well as explore revenue opportunities with other regional jet operators."
Liquidity and Derivative Transactions
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments on March 31, 2003 were approximately
$104.9 million, compared to $89.6 million at March 31, 2002. The airline reported
working capital of $60.8 million as of March 31, 2003, compared to working capital
of $41.3 million on March 31, 2002.
Frontier's Chief Financial Officer Paul Tate noted, "Our available cash
significantly increased during our fiscal fourth quarter 2003 with the closing
of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board federal loan guarantee of a $70
million commercial loan facility combined with an assignment of our March 2003
Airbus A319 delivery. These transactions netted $68.2 million and $7.1 million
of additional cash, respectively."
Addressing the Company's derivative transactions, Tate said, "Since initiating
a fuel hedging program in late November 2002, we have reduced fuel expenses
in fiscal year 2003 by over $725,000, on a pre-tax basis. As of the end of our
fiscal year 2003, we have remaining derivative fuel hedging contracts covering
approximately 30 percent of our jet fuel requirements through May 2003 at an
average price of $0.77 cents per gallon; 20 percent for June 2003 at $0.80 cents
per gallon; 20 percent for July through November 2003 at $0.74 cents per gallon
and 15 percent for December 2003 at $0.72 cents per gallon.
The Company accounts for the derivative contracts entered into as trading contracts
under FAS133, and therefore records any settlements received or paid as an adjustment
to the cost of fuel. Changes in the fair value of the contracts attributable
to changes in future prices are recorded as nonoperating income. As a result,
the fiscal fourth quarter 2003 results include an unrealized derivative loss
of $537,261 recorded in nonoperating income. There were no fuel hedges in effect
during the fiscal fourth quarter 2002.
In March 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap, effective April
1, 2003, that will effectively fix the interest rate on the amortizing portion
of the ATSB loan (principal loan balance of $27 million) through June 2007.
The interest rate on the $33 million balloon due June 30, 2007 remains at a
three-month floating LIBOR rate. The increase in the interest rate on the amortizing
portion of the loan over the float rate on the day the derivative contract became
effective was 116 basis points.
Business Developments
- Unveiled a simplified domestic pricing structure, reducing business and
leisure fares and capping fares at $499 one-way;
- Completed installation of DIRECTV equipment in all Airbus aircraft;
- Increased membership in the airline's frequent flyer program EarlyReturns
93 percent from approximately 276,000 on March 31, 2002 to approximately 533,000
as of March 31, 2003;
- Increased the number of corporate and business accounts 38 percent from
approximately 8,400 on March 31, 2002 to approximately 11,600 on March 31,
2003;
- Increased passenger connection opportunities 37 percent to 11.5 over the
same period last year, when the airline's passenger connection opportunities
were 8.4;
- Increased the percentage of flown revenue generated from www.frontierairlines.com
from 23 percent during March 2002 to 31 percent during March 2003;
- Increased the amount of e-tickets as a percentage of total revenue to approximately
87 percent for the year ended March 31, 2003, up from 83 percent for the year
ended March 31, 2002;
- For the fourth consecutive year, received the Federal Aviation Administration's
Diamond Award, which recognizes the airline's maintenance and engineering
department for its advanced maintenance education and training efforts.
The airline will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly earnings on
May 23, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. MDT. The call is available via the World Wide Web
on the airline's Web site at www.frontierairlines.com. A replay of the conference
call, including the question and answer session, will be available at http://www.frontierairlines.com/about/investor.asp
for 12 months.
About Frontier Airlines
Denver-based Frontier Airlines employs approximately 3,100 aviation professionals
and is the second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport.
Frontier and its regional jet partner Frontier JetExpress offer service to 38
cities. Frontier's fleet consists of 36 aircraft, which feature a single-class
configuration. In 2002, for the fourth consecutive year, Frontier's maintenance
and engineering department has received the Federal Aviation Administration's
highest award, the Diamond Certificate of Excellence. This award signifies 100
percent of the airline's maintenance and engineering employees have completed
advanced aircraft maintenance training programs. In April 2002, Entrepreneur
ranked Frontier one of two "Best Low-Fare Airlines." Frontier provides
capacity information and other corporate information on its Web site, which
may be viewed at www.frontierairlines.com.
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Frontier notes that this press release contains forward-looking statements and
that certain information contained in this press release involves risks and
uncertainties that could result in actual results differing materially from
expected results. These statements include, but are not limited to, discussions
pertaining to Frontier's future revenue and liquidity, continuing cost management,
simplified fare structure, new branding campaign, expanding Frontier's service
into new markets, its conversion to an all Airbus fleet, and obtaining a long-term
agreement with a regional jet operator. Forward-looking statements represent
the Company's expectations and beliefs concerning future events, based on information
available to the Company as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking
statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which
cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated.
Some of the factors that could significantly impact the forward-looking statements
in this press release include, but are not limited to: terrorist attacks or
other incidents that could cause the public to question the safety and/or efficiency
of air travel; operational disruptions, including weather; industry consolidation;
the impact of labor issues; enhanced security requirements; changes in the government's
policy regarding relief to the airline industry; the stability of the U.S. economy;
the economic environment of the airline industry; the timing of, and expense
associated with, expansion and modification of our operations in accordance
with our business strategy or in response to competitive pressures or other
factors; increased federal scrutiny of low-fare carriers generally that may
increase our operating costs or otherwise adversely affect us; actions of competing
airlines, such as increasing capacity and pricing actions of United Airlines
and other competitors; the availability of suitable aircraft, which may affect
our ability to achieve operating economies and implement our business strategy;
the unavailability of, or inability to secure upon acceptable terms, financing
necessary to purchase aircraft that we have ordered; issues relating to our
transition to an Airbus aircraft fleet; uncertainties regarding aviation fuel
prices; and actions of the U.S. and local government and regulatory agencies.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date
of this press release. Additional information regarding these and other factors
may be contained in the Company's SEC filings, including without limitation,
the Company's 10-K for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2002; the Company's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2002; the Company's Form 8-K filed May 7,
2002 and the Company's Form 8-K filed January 22, 2002, as amended by the Company's
Form 8-K/A filed July 11, 2002.
|
FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC. SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In Thousands)
(unaudited)
|
| |
March 31,
|
|
2003
|
2002
|
| Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ 104,880 |
$ 89,555 |
| Current assets |
$ 190,838 |
$ 193,393 |
| Total assets |
$ 587,844 |
$ 413,685 |
| Current liabilities |
$ 130,047 |
$ 152,064 |
| Long-term debt, excluding current portion |
$ 261,739 |
$ 66,832 |
| Total liabilities |
$ 428,877 |
$ 244,552 |
| Stockholders' equity |
$ 158,967 |
$ 169,133 |
| Working capital |
$ 60,791 |
$ 41,329 |
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