Mesa Air Group Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results
Mesa Air Group reported Q1 fiscal 2024 results with total operating revenues at $118.8 million, down 19.3% from Q1 2023. The company posted a pre-tax loss of $57.0 million and a net loss of $57.9 million or $(1.41) per diluted share. Adjusted net loss stood at $21.8 million or $(0.53) per diluted share. Mesa paid down $39.2 million in debt through asset sales and noted a 5% increase in block hours over Q4 2023. Following the quarter, Mesa agreed to higher block-hour rates with United Airlines and terminated its cargo operation with DHL. Mesa expects to turn a net profit in Q2 2024 and break even in cash flow for the fiscal year. The company also reported a decrease in operating expenses and reduced pilot attrition.
- Paid down $39.2 million in debt via CRJ asset sales.
- Block hours increased by 5% over Q4 2023.
- Higher block-hour rate agreed with United Airlines.
- Pilot attrition improved, reducing training costs.
- Mesa Pilot Development program achieved profitability and provided new-hire first officers.
- Anticipates adjusted net profit in Q2 2024 after ten quarters of losses.
- Expected cash flow to break even for the rest of the fiscal year.
- Successfully sold 12 CF34-8C engines for $54.4 million.
- Total operating revenues decreased by 19.3% year-over-year.
- Pre-tax loss of $57.0 million and net loss of $57.9 million.
- Adjusted net loss of $21.8 million, widened from $4.3 million in Q1 2023.
- Operating expenses increased by 15.6% due to $40.4 million in asset impairment losses.
- Contract revenue decreased by 21.3%.
- Pass-through revenue also declined by 5.6%.
- Decline in Adjusted EBITDA to $5.1 million from $21.8 million in Q1 2023.
- Significant net debt of $481.0 million as of December 31, 2023.
Insights
Analyzing Mesa Air Group's fiscal Q1 2024 results reveals several key points for investors. The company reported
The company's substantial debt reduction efforts, including the sale of surplus CRJ assets generating
The heavy reliance on United Airlines for revenue, with
Mesa's operational metrics show both positive and negative trends. The company achieved a high controllable completion factor of
Additionally, the major developments in sustainable aviation equity investments may position Mesa strategically in the long term. Investments in companies such as XTI Aerospace, Archer Aviation and others in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector show a commitment to innovation and future growth. This diversification into advanced aviation technologies could pay off as the industry evolves, potentially offering new revenue streams.
Nevertheless, the immediate financial outlook appears strained and it will be important to monitor how well Mesa can transition its pilots and handle the fleet reduction to balance its finances. The focus on sustainability and innovation is promising, but investors should weigh these against the current financial instability.
PHOENIX, May 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mesa Air Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MESA) (“Mesa” or the “Company”) today reported first quarter fiscal 2024 financial and operating results.
First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Update:
- Total operating revenues of
$118.8 million - Pre-tax loss of
$57.0 million , net loss of$57.9 million or$(1.41) per diluted share - Adjusted net loss1 of
$21.8 million 2 or$(0.53) per diluted share - Adjusted EBITDAR1 of
$6.3 million - Block hours of 46,658, an approximate
5% increase over fourth quarter fiscal 2023 - Paid down
$39.2 million of debt during quarter with surplus CRJ asset sale proceeds
Developments Subsequent to Quarter End:
- As announced in January 2024, United Airlines agreed to significantly higher block-hour rate on E-175 flying
- As a result of the reduction in cargo demand, Mesa and DHL mutually agreed to wind down cargo operation as of February 2024
- As part of agreement, DHL will reimburse certain costs associated with wind-down
- Pilots from the cargo operation are transitioning to operate Mesa’s E-175 aircraft
- Consistent with long-term fleet plan, initiated reduction of 12 CRJ-900s from contracted fleet by August 2024
- Launched Prescott, AZ location for Mesa Pilot Development program and increased Pipistrel training fleet to 28
- Approximately 120 pilots are currently enrolled in program
- Received 283,734 common shares for vested warrants in XTI Aerospace, Inc.
Surplus CRJ Asset Sale Updates, Subsequent to Quarter End:
- Closed on sale of twelve CF34-8C engines for gross proceeds of
$54.4 million , with net proceeds of$15.9 million after debt reduction - Received LOI for purchase of twelve additional surplus CF34-8C engines for sale price of
$24.6 million , most of which will be used to pay down United States Treasury debt - Revised purchase obligations under finance lease for 15 CRJ-900s to extend from March 2024 to May through September 2024
Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO, said, “While it has been a long road, we have successfully completed the majority of our surplus CRJ asset sales. Over the past 19 months, we have finalized approximately
Ornstein continued, “In addition to the progress we have made on debt reduction and the block-hour rate increase we negotiated with United, another significant reason for our optimism moving forward is the substantial reduction in attrition across our work groups, especially pilots. Pilot attrition has improved sequentially over the past several months, and our attrition for May 2024 is less than half of what it was a year ago. Combined with increased monthly pilot training output, we expect to see lower training expenses and better utilization of our fleet, which should lead to improved operational performance and financial results. Additionally, we are pleased to report that our Mesa Pilot Development time-building program achieved profitability in its first year of operations and has already provided Mesa with new-hire first officers. It is currently our intent to source all future new-hire pilots from Mesa Pilot Development.
“For the second fiscal quarter of 2024, we expect to report an adjusted net profit for the first time in ten quarters. We also expect to generate breakeven cash flow for the remainder of the fiscal year. As our business turns the corner, we can focus on longer-term strategic opportunities to enhance shareholder value as well as job security and career advancement for our people.”
First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Details
Total operating revenues in Q1 2024 were
Total operating expenses in Q1 2024 were
Mesa’s Q1 2024 results reflect a net loss of
Mesa’s Adjusted EBITDA1 for Q1 2024 was
First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Operating Performance
Operationally, the Company reported a controllable completion factor of
For Q1 2024, approximately
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Mesa ended the December quarter with
As of March 31, 2024, Mesa’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents were
Sustainable Aviation Equity Investments
On March 13, 2024, Mesa received 283,734 common shares of XTI Aerospace, Inc. ("XTI Aerospace") in exchange for a portion of the equity warrants held in vertical-lift aircraft developer XTI Aircraft Company (“XTI”). XTI Aerospace was formed following the merger of XTI and Inpixon on March 12, 2024 and began publicly trading the following day. Mesa continues to hold the balance of the unvested warrants.
In addition to XTI, Mesa maintains several other investments in sustainable aviation companies. As of December 31, 2023, Mesa held 2.27 million common shares and 1.17 million unvested equity warrants3 in Archer Aviation, Inc., a developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for use in urban settings.
Mesa also holds 222,222 unvested equity warrants3 in privately-held Heart Aerospace Incorporated (“Heart”), which is developing 30-seat, hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Previously, Mesa held
Additionally, Mesa has made investments in REGENT, a developer and manufacturer of all-electric passenger seagliders, and Elroy Air, which is developing autonomous aircraft systems for air cargo and other applications.
About Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Air Group, Inc. is the holding company of Mesa Airlines, a regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 79 cities in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Cuba, and Mexico. As of March 31, 2024, Mesa operated a fleet of 80 aircraft, with approximately 263 daily departures. The Company had approximately 2,110 employees. Mesa operates all its flights as United Express pursuant to the terms of a capacity purchase agreement entered into with United Airlines, Inc.
Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Press Release includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “can have”, “likely” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations regarding future events, which in turn are based on information currently available to the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to respond in a timely and satisfactory matter to the inquiries by Nasdaq, the Company’s ability to regain compliance with Listing Rule, the Company’s ability to become current with its reports with the SEC, and the risk that the completion and filing of the Form 10-Qs will take longer than expected. For additional information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the risk factors contained in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s other subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.
Contact:
Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Media
media@mesa-air.com
Investor Relations
investor.relations@mesa-air.com
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Operating revenues: | ||||||||
| Contract revenue | $ | 101,100 | $ | 128,450 | ||||
| Pass-through and other revenue | 17,677 | 18,723 | ||||||
| Total operating revenues | 118,777 | 147,173 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Flight operations | 51,818 | 58,320 | ||||||
| Maintenance | 48,627 | 48,287 | ||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,204 | 4,083 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 12,009 | 13,988 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 13,293 | 15,203 | ||||||
| Asset impairment | 40,384 | 3,719 | ||||||
| Loss on sale of assets | 386 | — | ||||||
| (Gain) on extinguishment of debt | (2,954 | ) | — | |||||
| Other operating expenses | 2,458 | 1,126 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 167,225 | 144,726 | ||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | (48,448 | ) | 2,447 | |||||
| Other income (expense), net: | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (11,160 | ) | (11,276 | ) | ||||
| Interest income | 14 | 71 | ||||||
| Unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, net | 2,451 | (1,679 | ) | |||||
| Other income, net | 157 | 417 | ||||||
| Total other expense, net | (8,538 | ) | (12,467 | ) | ||||
| Income (loss) before taxes | (56,986 | ) | (10,020 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 864 | (930 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (57,850 | ) | $ | (9,090 | ) | ||
| Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders | ||||||||
| Basic | $ | (1.41 | ) | $ | (0.25 | ) | ||
| Diluted | $ | (1.41 | ) | $ | (0.25 | ) | ||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Basic | 40,940 | 36,183 | ||||||
| Diluted | 40,940 | 36,183 | ||||||
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except shares) (Unaudited)
| December 31, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16,068 | $ | 32,940 | |||
| Restricted cash | 3,134 | 3,132 | |||||
| Receivables, net | 5,517 | 8,253 | |||||
| Expendable parts and supplies, net | 28,830 | 29,245 | |||||
| Assets held for sale | 92,260 | 57,722 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,476 | 7,294 | |||||
| Total current assets | 150,285 | 138,586 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 534,459 | 698,022 | |||||
| Lease and equipment deposits | 1,630 | 1,630 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 8,959 | 9,709 | |||||
| Deferred heavy maintenance, net | 7,200 | 7,974 | |||||
| Assets held for sale | 40,336 | 12,000 | |||||
| Other assets | 32,764 | 30,546 | |||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 775,633 | $ | 898,467 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases | $ | 156,789 | $ | 163,550 | |||
| Current portion of deferred revenue | 3,983 | 4,880 | |||||
| Current maturities of operating leases | 3,240 | 3,510 | |||||
| Accounts payable | 54,451 | 58,957 | |||||
| Accrued compensation | 7,657 | 10,008 | |||||
| Other accrued expenses | 27,774 | 27,001 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | $ | 253,894 | $ | 267,906 | |||
| NONCURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||
| Long-term debt and finance leases, excluding current portion | 315,464 | 364,728 | |||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 7,706 | 8,077 | |||||
| Deferred credits | 4,464 | 4,617 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 8,842 | 8,414 | |||||
| Deferred revenue, net of current portion | 14,062 | 16,167 | |||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 28,589 | 28,522 | |||||
| Total noncurrent liabilities | 379,127 | 430,525 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 633,021 | 698,431 | |||||
| STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | |||||||
| Common stock of no par value and additional paid-in capital, 125,000,000 shares authorized; 40,940,326 (2024) and 40,940,326 (2023) shares issued and outstanding, 4,899,497 (2024) and 4,899,497 (2023) warrants issued and outstanding | 271,581 | 271,155 | |||||
| Retained earnings/(Accumulated deficit) | (128,969 | ) | (71,119 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders' equity | 142,612 | 200,036 | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 775,633 | $ | 898,467 | |||
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
Operating Highlights
(Unaudited)
| Three months ended | |||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | |||||||
| Available seat miles (thousands) | 1,026,800 | 1,175,745 | (12.7 | )% | |||||
| Block hours | 46,658 | 50,940 | (8.4 | )% | |||||
| Average stage length (miles) | 535 | 565 | (5.3 | )% | |||||
| Departures | 26,254 | 27,776 | (5.5 | )% | |||||
| Passengers | 1,608,170 | 1,746,376 | (7.9 | )% | |||||
| Controllable completion factor* | |||||||||
| United | 99.92 | % | 99.96 | % | (0.0 | )% | |||
| Total completion factor** | |||||||||
| United | 99.20 | % | 99.21 | % | (0.0 | )% | |||
*Controllable completion factor excludes cancellations due to weather and air traffic control
**Total completion factor includes all cancellations
Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures
Although these financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"), certain non-GAAP financial measures may provide investors with useful information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Mesa's ongoing operations and may be useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. The tables below reflect supplemental financial data and reconciliations to GAAP financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Readers should consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, not a substitute for, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude some, but not all items that may affect the Company's net income or loss. Additionally, these calculations may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies.
1Reconciliation of GAAP versus non-GAAP Disclosures
(In thousands, except for per diluted share) (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) Before Taxes | Income Tax (Expense) Benefit | Net Income (Loss) | Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share | Income (Loss) Before Taxes | Income Tax (Expense) Benefit | Net Income (Loss) | Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share | ||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP income (loss) | $ | (56,986 | ) | $ | (864 | ) | $ | (57,850 | ) | $ | (1.41 | ) | $ | (10,020 | ) | $ | 930 | $ | (9,090 | ) | $ | (0.25 | ) | ||
| Adjustments(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) (8) | 37,640 | (1,566 | ) | 36,074 | $ | 0.88 | 5,398 | (589 | ) | 4,809 | $ | 0.13 | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted income loss | (19,346 | ) | (2,430 | ) | (21,776 | ) | $ | (0.53 | ) | (4,622 | ) | 341 | (4,281 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 11,160 | 11,276 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (14 | ) | (71 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 13,293 | 15,203 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 5,093 | 21,786 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,204 | 4,083 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 6,297 | $ | 25,869 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Mesa Air Group, Inc.
1 See Reconciliation of GAAP versus non-GAAP Disclosures
2 Adjusted net loss primarily excludes
3 Each struck at a value of
FAQ
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