JetBlue Announces First Quarter 2022 Results
JetBlue Airways reported a loss per share of ($0.79) for Q1 2022, contrasting with a profit of $0.14 in Q1 2019. The adjusted loss per share was ($0.80), with a pre-tax loss of ($398) million. Revenue decreased by 7.2%, but was better than expected due to strong demand. Operating expenses increased 17.5% year-over-year. JetBlue ended Q1 2022 with $2.9 billion in cash. Looking ahead, capacity is expected to grow by 0% to 5% for the full year, with anticipated revenue growth of 11% to 16% in Q2 2022.
- Revenue exceeded initial forecasts by six points.
- Strong underlying travel demand observed in March 2022.
- JetBlue recorded $2.9 billion in unrestricted cash.
- Launch of three new destinations expanding services.
- Loss per share of ($0.79) compared to past profits.
- Operating expenses increased 17.5% year-over-year.
- Pre-tax loss of ($398) million in Q1 2022.
- Fuel price rose 41% compared to Q1 2019, affecting profitability.
-
Reported GAAP loss per share of (
) in the first quarter of 2022 compared to diluted earnings per share of$0.79 in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted loss per share was ($0.14 )(1) in the first quarter of 2022 versus adjusted diluted earnings per share of$0.80 (1) in the first quarter of 2019.$0.16 -
GAAP pre-tax loss of
( in the first quarter of 2022, compared to a pre-tax income of$398) million in the first quarter of 2019. Excluding one-time items, adjusted pre-tax loss of$58 million ( (1) in the first quarter of 2022 versus adjusted pre-tax income of$400) million (1) in the first quarter of 2019.$70 million
Operational and Financial Highlights from the First Quarter
-
Capacity declined by
0.3% year over three, compared to our guidance for capacity to decline1% year over three. -
Revenue declined
7.2% year over three, compared to our guidance of a6% to9% decline year over three. This was approximately 6 percentage points ahead of the midpoint of our initial forecast of an11% to16% decline year over three, driven by pent-up demand that materialized beyond our expectations. -
Operating expenses per available seat mile increased
17.5% year over three. Operating expenses per available seat mile, excluding fuel and special items (CASM ex-fuel) (1) increased13.9% (1) year over three, compared to our guidance of a13% to15% increase year over three.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
-
As of
March 31, 2022 , JetBlue’s adjusted debt to capital ratio was54% (1). -
JetBlue ended the first quarter of 2022 with approximately in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term marketable securities, or$2.9 billion 36% of 2019 revenue. This excludes our undrawn revolving credit facility.$550 million -
JetBlue paid down approximately in regularly scheduled debt and finance lease obligations during the first quarter of 2022.$83 million
Fuel Expense and Hedging
-
The realized fuel price in the first quarter 2022 was
per gallon, a$2.90 41% increase versus first quarter 2019 realized fuel price of .$2.05 -
As of
April 26, 2022 ,JetBlue has not entered into forward fuel derivative contracts to hedge its fuel consumption for the second quarter of 2022. Based on the forward curve as ofApril 19, 2022 ,JetBlue expects an average all-in price per gallon of fuel of in the second quarter of 2022.$3.79
Leveraging the
-
JetBlue announced new benefits for TrueBlue Mosaic and AAdvantage status members traveling on either airline. The expanded list of new benefits include complimentary extra legroom seating based on availability at check-in; two complimentary checked bags; and same-day confirmed changes. -
During the first quarter,
JetBlue launched three new BlueCities:Puerto Vallarta ,Kansas City , andMilwaukee . Later this quarter, we plan to launch service to Asheville as well as our inaugural Canadian BlueCity,Vancouver . -
JetBlue remains on track to operate almost 300 daily departures fromNew York City airports.
Ensuring Our Long-Term Sustainability
-
JetBlue recently announced another deal for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply with Aemetis, committing to purchase 125 million blended gallons of the renewable fuel from their facility inCalifornia from 2025-2034. -
JetBlue Technology Ventures announced recent investments inElectric Power Systems , a leading provider of aerospace battery systems;Air Company , focused on carbon capture and conversion technologies; and the TPG Rise Climate fund as a Limited Partner. -
JetBlue Foundation – which supports aviation-related STEM programs – recently awarded grants to 10 charitable organizations to help increase advocacy for inclusion, gender and racial parity within STEM and aviation.
Resetting Plan to Build Back Margins
“Our first quarter results were characterized by a very strong demand acceleration, with revenue coming in more than six points ahead of our initial view in January. We delivered positive year-over-three revenue growth in the month of March as we exited the quarter with tremendous revenue momentum driven by very strong underlying travel demand across all of our core segments,” said
“To help restore our operational reliability, we are reducing our capacity growth further as we plan more conservatively for the summer and make investments to de-risk the operation. These actions will create more resiliency in the operation, and set us up for a better May, and an even better June and strong summer peak. As we strive to provide the high quality of service that our Customers have come to expect from us, we’re taking proactive measures to invest in and improve our operational performance.
Despite the current operating and fuel environment, we are seeing underlying momentum on our path to transforming JetBlue’s structural profitability. We are making great progress on many of our long-term initiatives in 2022, and these will be meaningful drivers of our earnings growth in the coming years.”
Revenue and Capacity
“For the full-year 2022, we are now planning to grow capacity between
“For the second quarter, we expect capacity to increase in a range between
Financial Performance and Outlook
“We are extremely pleased with the demand and revenue momentum, which accelerated throughout the quarter and resulted in first quarter revenue that was roughly six points ahead of our original January forecast; we also executed within the range of our original cost guidance despite abnormally elevated winter weather events. Looking ahead, we are reducing our full-year capacity growth as we work to restore operational reliability and catch up on a backlog of training events, and also as we remain mindful of elevated fuel prices,” said
“For the second quarter, we are forecasting CASM ex-Fuel(2) to increase
Our revenue performance for the second quarter is expected to be a record result. However, significantly higher fuel prices and investments in the operation are delaying our return to sustained pre-tax profitability. That said, we believe we are on a path to building back our margins and creating value for our owners through strong revenue growth, disciplined cost control, and a methodical approach to capacity decisions.”
Earnings Call Details
For further details see the First Quarter 2022 Earnings Presentation available via the internet at http://investor.jetblue.com.
About
Notes
(1) |
Non-GAAP financial measure; Note A provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures used in this release and explains the reasons management believes that presentation of these non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors regarding |
|
(2) |
With respect to JetBlue’s CASM ex-fuel guidance, |
Forward-Looking Statements
This Earnings Release (or otherwise made by
Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. You should understand that many important factors, in addition to those discussed or incorporated by reference in this Earnings Release, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this Earnings Release might not occur. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Earnings Release. Other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
This Earnings Release also includes certain “non-GAAP financial measures” as defined under the Exchange Act and in accordance with Regulation G. We have included reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and provided in accordance with
Additional Information and Where to Find It
Participants in the Solicitation
This Earnings Release is neither a solicitation of a proxy nor a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the
No Offer or Solicitation
This Earnings Release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Three Months
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
Percent
|
||||||||
OPERATING REVENUES | ||||||||||||
Passenger | $ |
1,603 |
|
$ |
670 |
|
139.5 |
|
||||
Other |
|
133 |
|
|
63 |
|
111.0 |
|
||||
Total operating revenues |
|
1,736 |
|
|
733 |
|
137.0 |
|
||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||||||
Aircraft fuel and related taxes |
|
571 |
|
|
193 |
|
195.0 |
|
||||
Salaries, wages and benefits |
|
688 |
|
|
521 |
|
32.0 |
|
||||
Landing fees and other rents |
|
132 |
|
|
115 |
|
14.8 |
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
143 |
|
|
125 |
|
15.1 |
|
||||
Aircraft rent |
|
26 |
|
|
25 |
|
4.2 |
|
||||
Sales and marketing |
|
57 |
|
|
23 |
|
152.9 |
|
||||
Maintenance, materials and repairs |
|
152 |
|
|
104 |
|
45.8 |
|
||||
Other operating expenses |
|
334 |
|
|
210 |
|
59.2 |
|
||||
Special items |
|
- |
|
|
(289 |
) |
(100.0 |
) |
||||
Total operating expenses |
|
2,103 |
|
|
1,027 |
|
104.8 |
|
||||
OPERATING LOSS |
|
(367 |
) |
|
(294 |
) |
24.6 |
|
||||
Operating margin |
|
- |
|
- |
19.1 |
|
pts. | |||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
|
(37 |
) |
|
(58 |
) |
(35.6 |
) |
||||
Interest income |
|
4 |
|
|
4 |
|
15.6 |
|
||||
Gain on investments, net |
|
2 |
|
|
4 |
|
(53.3 |
) |
||||
Other |
|
- |
|
|
(3 |
) |
(99.6 |
) |
||||
Total other income (expense) |
|
(31 |
) |
|
(53 |
) |
41.1 |
|
||||
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
(398 |
) |
|
(347 |
) |
14.7 |
|
||||
Pre-tax margin |
|
- |
|
- |
24.4 |
|
pts. | |||||
Income tax benefit |
|
(143 |
) |
|
(100 |
) |
42.8 |
|
||||
NET LOSS | $ |
(255 |
) |
$ |
(247 |
) |
3.3 |
|
||||
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE: | ||||||||||||
Basic | $ |
(0.79 |
) |
$ |
(0.78 |
) |
||||||
Diluted | $ |
(0.79 |
) |
$ |
(0.78 |
) |
||||||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING: | ||||||||||||
Basic |
|
320.5 |
|
|
316.3 |
|
||||||
Diluted |
|
320.5 |
|
|
316.3 |
|
COMPARATIVE OPERATING STATISTICS | ||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
Percent
|
||||||
Revenue passengers (thousands) |
|
8,177 |
|
4,463 |
83.2 |
|
||||
Revenue passenger miles (millions) |
|
10,927 |
|
5,808 |
88.1 |
|
||||
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions) |
|
15,383 |
|
9,090 |
69.2 |
|
||||
Load factor |
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
pts. | |||
Aircraft utilization (hours per day) |
|
9.9 |
|
5.9 |
67.8 |
|
||||
Average fare | $ |
195.99 |
$ |
149.97 |
30.7 |
|
||||
Yield per passenger mile (cents) |
|
14.67 |
|
11.52 |
27.3 |
|
||||
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents) |
|
10.42 |
|
7.36 |
41.5 |
|
||||
Revenue per ASM (cents) |
|
11.29 |
|
8.06 |
40.0 |
|
||||
Operating expense per ASM (cents) |
|
13.67 |
|
11.30 |
21.0 |
|
||||
Operating expense per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)(1) |
|
9.87 |
|
12.25 |
(19.4 |
) |
||||
Departures |
|
78,393 |
|
44,049 |
78.0 |
|
||||
Average stage length (miles) |
|
1,231 |
|
1,277 |
(3.6 |
) |
||||
Average number of operating aircraft during period |
|
282.0 |
|
266.0 |
6.0 |
|
||||
Average fuel cost per gallon, including fuel taxes | $ |
2.90 |
$ |
1.72 |
68.4 |
|
||||
Fuel gallons consumed (millions) |
|
197 |
|
112 |
75.2 |
|
||||
Average number of full-time equivalent crewmembers |
|
19,304 |
|
14,493 |
33.2 |
|
(1) Refer to Note A at the end of our Earnings Release for more information on this non-GAAP financial measure. Operating expense per available seat mile, excluding fuel (“CASM Ex-Fuel”) excludes fuel and related taxes, other non-airline operating expenses, and special items. |
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA | ||||||
(in millions) | ||||||
|
|
|
||||
2022 |
|
2021 |
||||
(unaudited) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ |
1,834 |
$ |
2,018 |
||
Total investment securities |
|
1,060 |
|
863 |
||
Total assets |
|
13,803 |
|
13,642 |
||
Total debt |
|
3,926 |
|
4,006 |
||
Stockholders' equity |
|
3,598 |
|
3,849 |
Note A – Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Operating expense per available seat mile, excluding fuel and related taxes, other non-airline operating expenses, and special items (“CASM Ex-Fuel”)
Operating expenses per available seat mile, or CASM, is a common metric used in the airline industry. We exclude aircraft fuel and related taxes, operating expenses related to other non-airline businesses, such as
There were no special items in the first quarter of 2022.
Special items in the first quarter of 2019 include one-time costs related to the Embraer E190 fleet transition, as well as one-time costs related to the implementation of our pilots' collective bargaining agreement.
We believe that CASM ex-fuel is useful for investors because it provides investors the ability to measure financial performance excluding items beyond our control, such as fuel costs, which are subject to many economic and political factors, or not related to the generation of an available seat mile, such as operating expense related to certain non-airline businesses. We believe this non-GAAP measure is more indicative of our ability to manage airline costs and is more comparable to measures reported by other major airlines.
With respect to JetBlue’s CASM ex-fuel guidance,
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE | ||||||||||||||||
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSE PER ASM, EXCLUDING FUEL | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions, per ASM data in cents) | ||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended |
||||||||||||||||
2022 |
|
2019 |
|
Percent
|
||||||||||||
$ |
|
per ASM |
|
$ |
|
per ASM |
|
$ |
|
per ASM |
||||||
Total operating expenses | $ |
2,103 |
$ |
13.67 |
$ |
1,795 |
$ |
11.63 |
17.1 |
17.5 |
||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||
Aircraft fuel and related taxes |
|
571 |
|
3.71 |
|
437 |
|
2.83 |
30.5 |
31.0 |
||||||
Other non-airline expenses |
|
14 |
|
0.09 |
|
9 |
|
0.06 |
50.2 |
50.7 |
||||||
Special items |
|
- |
|
- |
|
12 |
|
0.08 |
NM |
NM |
||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fuel | $ |
1,518 |
$ |
9.87 |
$ |
1,337 |
$ |
8.66 |
13.5 |
13.9 |
Operating expense, (loss) income before taxes, net (loss) income and (loss) earnings per share, excluding special items and net gain on investments
Our GAAP results in the applicable periods were impacted by charges that are deemed special items.
There were no special items in the first quarter of 2022.
Special items in the first quarter of 2019 include one-time costs related to the Embraer E190 fleet transition, as well as one-time costs related to the implementation of our pilots' collective bargaining agreement.
Mark-to-market and certain gains and losses on our investments were also excluded from our first quarter 2022 GAAP results.
We believe the impact of these items distort our overall trends and that our metrics are more comparable with the presentation of our results excluding the impact of these items. The table below provides a reconciliation of our GAAP reported amounts to the non-GAAP amounts excluding the impact of these items.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE |
||||||||
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSE, (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE TAXES, |
||||||||
NET (LOSS) INCOME AND (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE |
||||||||
EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS AND NET GAIN ON INVESTMENTS |
||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
||||||||
(unaudited) |
||||||||
Three Months Ended
|
||||||||
2022 |
|
2019 |
||||||
Total operating revenues | $ |
1,736 |
|
$ |
1,871 |
|
||
Total operating expenses | $ |
2,103 |
|
$ |
1,795 |
|
||
Less: Special items |
|
- |
|
|
12 |
|
||
Total operating expenses excluding special items | $ |
2,103 |
|
$ |
1,783 |
|
||
Operating (loss) income | $ |
(367 |
) |
$ |
76 |
|
||
Add back: Special items |
|
- |
|
|
12 |
|
||
Operating (loss) income excluding special items | $ |
(367 |
) |
$ |
88 |
|
||
Operating margin excluding special items |
|
- |
|
|
||||
(Loss) income before income taxes | $ |
(398 |
) |
$ |
58 |
|
||
Add back: Special items |
|
- |
|
|
12 |
|
||
Less: Net gain on investments |
|
2 |
|
|
- |
|
||
(Loss) income before income taxes excluding special items and net gain on investments | $ |
(400 |
) |
$ |
70 |
|
||
Pre-tax margin excluding special items and net gain on investments |
|
- |
|
|
||||
Net (loss) income | $ |
(255 |
) |
$ |
42 |
|
||
Add back: Special items |
|
- |
|
|
12 |
|
||
Less: Income tax (expense) benefit related to special items |
|
- |
|
|
3 |
|
||
Less: Net gain on investments |
|
2 |
|
|
- |
|
||
Less: Income tax (expense) related to net gain on investments |
|
(1 |
) |
|
- |
|
||
Net (loss) income excluding special items and net gain on investments | $ |
(256 |
) |
$ |
51 |
|
||
(Loss) earnings per common share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ |
(0.79 |
) |
$ |
0.14 |
|
||
Add back: Special items, net of tax |
|
- |
|
|
0.02 |
|
||
Less: Net gain on investments, net of tax |
|
0.01 |
|
|
- |
|
||
Basic excluding special items and net gain on investments | $ |
(0.80 |
) |
$ |
0.16 |
|
||
Diluted | $ |
(0.79 |
) |
$ |
0.14 |
|
||
Add back: Special items, net of tax |
|
- |
|
|
0.02 |
|
||
Less: Net gain on investments, net of tax |
|
0.01 |
|
|
- |
|
||
Diluted excluding special items and net gain on investments | $ |
(0.80 |
) |
$ |
0.16 |
|
Adjusted debt to capitalization ratio
Adjusted debt to capitalization ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which we believe is helpful to investors in assessing the company's overall debt profile. Adjusted debt includes aircraft operating lease liabilities, in addition to total debt and finance leases, to present estimated financial obligations. Adjusted capitalization represents total equity plus adjusted debt.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE | ||||||
ADJUSTED DEBT TO CAPITALIZATION |
||||||
(in millions) (unaudited) | ||||||
Long-term debt and finance leases | $ |
3,545 |
$ |
3,651 |
||
Current maturities of long-term debt and finance leases |
|
381 |
|
355 |
||
Operating lease liabilities - aircraft |
|
246 |
|
256 |
||
Adjusted debt | $ |
4,172 |
$ |
4,262 |
||
Long-term debt and finance leases |
|
3,545 |
|
3,651 |
||
Current maturities of long-term debt and finance leases |
|
381 |
|
355 |
||
Operating lease liabilities - aircraft |
|
246 |
|
256 |
||
Stockholders' equity |
|
3,598 |
|
3,849 |
||
Adjusted capitalization | $ |
7,770 |
$ |
8,111 |
||
Adjusted debt to capitalization ratio |
|
|
|
|
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JetBlue Investor Relations
+1 718 709 2202
ir@jetblue.com
+1 718 709 3089
corpcomm@jetblue.com
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