Spirit Airlines Reports First Quarter 2023 Results
Spirit Airlines reported first quarter 2023 financial results, revealing total operating revenues of $1.35 billion, a 39.5% increase compared to the previous year. However, the airline incurred a net loss of $103.9 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, with adjusted losses at $89.4 million and $0.82 per share. Despite challenges including severe weather disruptions resulting in nearly 600 flight cancellations, Spirit's adjusted operating margin improved to (6.8)%. The company reported a strong load factor of 80.8% and plans for continued operational improvements. Nevertheless, ongoing issues like NEO engine availability and pilot attrition may impact future capacity. Unrestricted cash at the end of the quarter stood at $1.7 billion, supporting overall liquidity.
- Total operating revenues increased by 39.5% to $1.35 billion year-over-year.
- Adjusted operating margin improved to (6.8)%, better than expected.
- Load factor reached 80.8%, indicating strong demand.
- Spirit was recognized as 'Value Airline of the Year' by ATW and 'Most Affordable Airline' by WalletHub.
- Net loss of $103.9 million for Q1 2023, showing ongoing financial strain.
- Ongoing concerns with NEO engine availability affecting aircraft utilization.
- Pilot attrition issues remain volatile and have not improved significantly.
First Quarter 2023 | |||
(unaudited) | |||
As Reported | Adjusted1 | ||
Total operating revenues | |||
Operating income (loss) | |||
Operating margin | (8.3) % | (6.8) % | |
Net income (loss) | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
"For the first quarter 2023, our adjusted operating margin came in better than expected, helped by lower fuel and a strong revenue per available seat mile ("TRASM") performance. Looking ahead to the second quarter, demand continues to be strong and industry capacity remains constrained, both of which are beneficial for unit revenue. Our core business is solid, and the team is doing an excellent job solving for the problems within our control," said
"The improvements we've made at
First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
For the first quarter 2023,
For the first quarter 2023,
Operations
For the first quarter 2023, the Company's load factor was 80.8 percent. The Company experienced several adverse weather events across its network during the first quarter leading to a DOT on-time performance2 of 69.4 percent and a DOT Completion Factor2 of 98.3 percent. Excluding these weather-related and other uncontrollable events, the Company's controllable completion factor for the first quarter 2023 was 99.6 percent5.
Revenue
Total operating revenues for the first quarter 2023 were
On a per passenger flight segment basis, compared to the same period in 2022, total revenue per passenger flight segment ("segment") for the first quarter 2023 increased 12.0 percent to
Cost Performance
Total GAAP operating expenses for the first quarter 2023 increased 24.0 percent compared to the first quarter 2022 to
Compared to the guidance
Aircraft utilization in the first quarter 2023 was 11.2 hours, up 3.7 percent compared to the 10.8 hours in the same period of 2022 and a sequential improvement from the fourth quarter 2022 of 3.7 percent.
"For the second quarter 2023, we estimate our operating margin will range between 4.5 to 6.5 percent. In this demand environment, and with a declining fuel price in the second quarter of this year, the business at full utilization should be producing double digit operating margins. However, we continue to be hampered by NEO engine availability and pilot attrition issues that are preventing us from ramping up aircraft utilization. The NEO engine issues should improve as the year progresses but will likely remain a drag on utilization for the rest of the year. Also, pilot attrition levels have improved slightly from last year, but they are still volatile and they have not yet improved to the levels that we had hoped. Given these continued constraints, and our concerns about Air Traffic Control staffing, our capacity is heading towards to the lower end of our previous full year 2023 guide of 18 to 20 percent," said
Fleet
Liquidity and Capital Deployment
Total capital expenditures for the three months ended
First Quarter 2023 Highlights
Named Value Airline of the Year by Aviation Week Network'sAir Transport World (ATW)- Ratified an amended collective bargaining agreement with its pilots represented by the
Air Line Pilots Association - Launched the
Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program in partnership withLynn University's Burton D. Morgan College of Aeronautics inBoca Raton, Florida , a collaboration that is a first of its kind forSpirit , allowing students to attend a traditional university while gaining valuable experience toward a future career flying the carrier's signature yellow planes - Raised more than
for nonprofit organizations at its sixth annual$1.5 million Spirit Open in conjunction with theSpirit Charitable Foundation ; the Foundation makes charitable investments in nonprofit organizations across theU.S. ,Latin America and theCaribbean that advance its three pillars: Children & Families, Service Members and the Environment. Furthermore, the Foundation continues to honor its long-term commitments and supports immediate community needs, such as last year's hurricane relief efforts inFlorida - Initiated service to
Norfolk, Virginia , announced new service toSan Jose, California , and as part of celebrating its 20+ years inPuerto Rico , announced five new non-stop routes fromSan Juan, Puerto Rico
Merger Agreement with JetBlue
On
Conference Call/Webcast Detail
About
Forward Looking Guidance
The forward-looking guidance items provided in this release are based on the Company's current estimates and are not a guarantee of future performance. There could be significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the risk factors discussed in the Company's reports on file with the
Investors are encouraged to read this press release in conjunction with the company's Investor Update which provides additional information about the company's forward-looking estimates for certain financial metrics and is included along with this press release in the Current Report on Form 8-K furnished to the
Investors are also encouraged to read the Company's periodic and current reports filed with or furnished to the
End Notes | |
(1) | See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Pre-Tax Income (Loss), and Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to GAAP Net Income (Loss)" tables below for more details. |
(2) | Results are based on preliminary data compared to major and regional |
(3) | See "Calculation of Total Non-Ticket Revenue per Passenger Flight Segment" table below for more details. |
(4) | See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Expenses to GAAP Operating Expenses" table below for more details. |
(5) | Controllable completion factor excludes the following events, which are outside of the Company's control, from the calculation of completion factor: weather, air traffic and uncontrolled airport/runway closures, which may include acts of nature, disabled aircraft incidents on the runway, political/civil unrest and disturbances preventing normal operations within airline control, among others, and any city/state closures as declared by local authorities and asserted by our Security department. |
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Forward-Looking Statements in this release and certain oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") which are subject to the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. All statements other than statements of historical facts are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of these provisions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "project," "predict," "potential," and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, guidance for 2023 and statements regarding the Company's intentions and expectations regarding revenues, cash burn, capacity and passenger demand, additional financing, capital spending, operating costs and expenses, pre-tax income, pre-tax margin, taxes, hiring, aircraft deliveries and stakeholders, vendors and government support. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors include, among others, results of operations and financial condition, the competitive environment in our industry, our ability to keep costs low and the impact of worldwide economic conditions, including the impact of economic cycles or downturns on customer travel behavior, the consummation of the merger with JetBlue and other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited, in thousands, except per-share amounts) | |||||
Three Months Ended | |||||
Percent | |||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | |||
Operating revenues: | |||||
Passenger | $ 1,327,473 | $ 949,744 | 39.8 % | ||
Other | 22,301 | 17,571 | 26.9 % | ||
Total operating revenues | 1,349,774 | 967,315 | 39.5 % | ||
Operating expenses: | |||||
Aircraft fuel | 487,711 | 368,585 | 32.3 % | ||
Salaries, wages and benefits
| 389,185 | 305,890 | 27.2 % | ||
Landing fees and other rents | 97,345 | 82,936 | 17.4 % | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 77,991 | 76,191 | 2.4 % | ||
Aircraft rent | 85,267 | 66,044 | 29.1 % | ||
Maintenance, materials and repairs | 54,414 | 45,515 | 19.6 % | ||
Distribution | 48,017 | 35,351 | 35.8 % | ||
Special charges | 13,983 | 15,563 | (10.2) % | ||
Loss on disposal of assets | 7,100 | 11,552 | (38.5) % | ||
Other operating | 201,156 | 171,156 | 17.5 % | ||
Total operating expenses | 1,462,169 | 1,178,783 | 24.0 % | ||
Operating income (loss) | (112,395) | (211,468) | (46.9) % | ||
Other (income) expense: | |||||
Interest expense | 51,793 | 37,880 | 36.7 % | ||
Capitalized interest | (7,648) | (5,262) | 45.3 % | ||
Interest income | (15,434) | (467) | NM | ||
Other (income) expense | 542 | 417 | 30.0 % | ||
Total other (income) expense | 29,253 | 32,568 | (10.2) % | ||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (141,648) | (244,036) | (42.0) % | ||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (37,737) | (49,333) | (23.5) % | ||
Net income (loss) | $ (103,911) | $ (194,703) | (46.6) % | ||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ (0.95) | $ (1.79) | (46.9) % | ||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ (0.95) | $ (1.79) | (46.9) % | ||
Weighted-average shares, basic | 109,110 | 108,581 | 0.5 % | ||
Weighted-average shares, diluted | 109,110 | 108,581 | 0.5 % | ||
NM: "Not Meaningful" |
Selected Operating Statistics (unaudited) | |||||
Three Months Ended | Percentage | ||||
Operating Statistics | 2023 | 2022 | |||
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands) | 13,209,136 | 11,718,896 | 12.7 % | ||
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands) | 10,674,879 | 9,050,034 | 18.0 % | ||
Load factor (%) | 80.8 | 77.2 | 3.6 pts | ||
Passenger flight segments (thousands) | 10,598 | 8,506 | 24.6 % | ||
Departures | 72,749 | 60,958 | 19.3 % | ||
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) | 10.22 | 8.25 | 23.9 % | ||
Average yield (cents) | 12.64 | 10.69 | 18.2 % | ||
Fare revenue per passenger flight segment ($) | 57.45 | 49.19 | 16.8 % | ||
Non-ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($) | 69.91 | 64.53 | 8.3 % | ||
Total revenue per passenger flight segment ($) | 127.36 | 113.72 | 12.0 % | ||
CASM (cents) | 11.07 | 10.06 | 10.0 % | ||
Adjusted CASM (cents) (1) | 10.91 | 9.83 | 11.0 % | ||
Adjusted CASM ex-fuel (cents) (1)(2) | 7.22 | 6.68 | 8.1 % | ||
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | 142,343 | 124,916 | 14.0 % | ||
Average fuel cost per gallon ($) | 3.43 | 2.95 | 16.3 % | ||
Aircraft at end of period | 195 | 176 | 10.8 % | ||
Average daily aircraft utilization (hours) | 11.2 | 10.8 | 3.7 % | ||
Average stage length (miles) | 986 | 1,048 | (5.9) % |
(1) | Excludes operating special items. |
(2) | Excludes fuel expense and operating special items. |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company evaluates its financial performance utilizing various accounting principles generally accepted in
Because the non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered superior to and are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP financial measures presented in the press release and may not be the same as or comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies due to possible differences in the method of calculation and in the items being adjusted. We encourage investors to review our financial statements and other filings with the
The information below provides an explanation of certain adjustments reflected in the non-GAAP financial measures and shows a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures reported in this press release (other than forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures) to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Within the financial tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers. Per unit amounts presented are calculated from the underlying amounts.
The Company believes that adjusting for loss on disposal of assets and special charges is useful to investors because these items are not indicative of the Company's ongoing performance and the adjustments are similar to those made by our peers and allow for enhanced comparability to other airlines.
Operating expenses per available seat mile ("CASM") is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline's cost structure and efficiency. We exclude aircraft fuel and related taxes and special items from operating expenses to determine Adjusted CASM ex-fuel. We also believe that excluding fuel costs from certain measures is useful to investors because it provides an additional measure of management's performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence and increases comparability with other airlines that also provide a similar metric.
Calculation of Total Non-Ticket Revenue per Passenger Flight Segment (unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
(in thousands, except per-segment data) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Operating revenues | |||
Fare | $ 608,861 | $ 418,418 | |
Non-fare | 718,612 | 531,326 | |
Total passenger revenues | 1,327,473 | 949,744 | |
Other revenues | 22,301 | 17,571 | |
Total operating revenues | $ 1,349,774 | $ 967,315 | |
Non-ticket revenues (1) | $ 740,913 | $ 548,897 | |
Passenger segments | 10,598 | 8,506 | |
Non-ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($) | |||
(1) Non-ticket revenues equal the sum of non-fare passenger revenues and other revenues. |
Special Items (unaudited) (1) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Operating special items include the following: | |||
Loss on disposal of assets (2) | 7,100 | 11,552 | |
Operating special expense (3) | 13,983 | 15,563 | |
Total special items (1) | $ 21,083 | $ 27,115 |
(1) | Refer to the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information. |
(2) | 2023 includes amounts related to the loss on two aircraft sale leaseback transactions net of gains related to the sale of four A319 aircraft. 2022 includes amounts related to the impairment of one spare engine and the loss on three aircraft sale leaseback transactions. |
(3) | 2023 includes legal, advisory, retention award program and other fees related to the Merger Agreement. 2022 includes amounts related to legal, advisory, retention award program and other fees related to the former merger agreement with Frontier Group Holdings. |
Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Expenses to GAAP Operating Expenses (unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
(in thousands, except CASM data in cents) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Total operating expenses, as reported | $ 1,462,169 | $ 1,178,783 | |
Less: Operating special items expense (credit) | 21,083 | 27,115 | |
Adj. Operating expenses, non-GAAP (1) | 1,441,086 | 1,151,668 | |
Less: Aircraft fuel expense | 487,711 | 368,585 | |
Adj. Operating expenses excluding fuel, non-GAAP (2) | $ 953,375 | $ 783,083 | |
Available seat miles | 13,209,136 | 11,718,896 | |
CASM (cents) | 11.07 | 10.06 | |
Adj. CASM (cents) (1) | 10.91 | 9.83 | |
Adj. CASM ex-fuel (cents) (2) | 7.22 | 6.68 |
(1) | Excludes operating special items. Refer to the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information. |
(2) | Excludes operating special items and aircraft fuel expense. Refer to the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information. |
Reconciliation of Adjusted Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes to GAAP Provision (Benefit) for Net Income (unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes, as reported | $ (37,737) | $ (49,333) | |
Less: Net Income (loss) tax impact of special items | (6,543) | (5,869) | |
Adj. Provision (benefit) for income taxes, net, non-GAAP (1) | $ (31,194) | $ (43,464) | |
(1) The Company determined the Adjusted Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes by calculating our estimated annual effective tax |
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Pre-Tax Income (Loss), and Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to GAAP Net Income (Loss)(unaudited) (1) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
(in thousands, except per-share data) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Net income (loss), as reported | $ (103,911) | $ (194,703) | |
Add: Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (37,737) | (49,333) | |
Income (loss) before income taxes, as reported | (141,648) | (244,036) | |
Pre-tax margin | (10.5) % | (25.2) % | |
Add: Special items expense (credit) (2) | 21,083 | 27,115 | |
Adj. Income (loss) before income taxes, non-GAAP (3) | (120,565) | (216,921) | |
Adj. Pre-tax margin, non-GAAP (3) | (8.9) % | (22.4) % | |
Add: Total other (income) expense | 29,253 | 32,568 | |
Adj. Operating income (loss), non-GAAP (3) | (91,312) | (184,353) | |
Adj. Operating margin, non-GAAP (3) | (6.8) % | (19.1) % | |
Adj. Provision (benefit) for income taxes (4) | (31,194) | (43,464) | |
Adj. Net income (loss), non-GAAP (3) | $ (89,371) | $ (173,457) | |
Weighted-average shares, diluted | 109,110 | 108,581 | |
Adj. Net income (loss) per share, diluted (3) | $ (0.82) | $ (1.60) | |
Total operating revenues | $ 1,349,774 | $ 967,315 | |
(1) | Refer to the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information. |
(2) | See "Special Items" for more details. |
(3) | Excludes operating special items. Refer to the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information. |
(4) | See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes to GAAP Provision (Benefit) for Net Income" table above for more details. |
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) per Share to GAAP Net Income (Loss) per Share (unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
(per share) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Net income (loss) per share, diluted, as reported | $ (0.95) | $ (1.79) | |
Add: Impact of special items | 0.19 | 0.25 | |
Add: Tax impact of special items (2) | (0.06) | (0.05) | |
Adj. Net income (loss) per share, diluted, non-GAAP (1) | $ (0.82) | $ (1.60) |
(1) | Refer to the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information. |
(2) | Reflects the difference between the Company's GAAP Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes and Adjusted Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes as presented in the Reconciliation of Adjusted Net income to GAAP Net Income, on a per share basis. |
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