SkyWest, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2024 Profit

Rhea-AI Summary

SkyWest, Inc. reported a strong financial performance in Q1 2024, with a net income of $60 million and revenue of $804 million. The company saw a significant improvement in profitability compared to the previous year, driven by increased block hour production and revenue growth. SkyWest also announced the delivery of three E175 partner-financed aircraft under an agreement with United Airlines, showcasing its commitment to expanding its fleet. With a positive outlook on future fleet deliveries and operational performance, SkyWest remains a key player in the airline industry.

Positive

• SkyWest reported a net income of $60 million in Q1 2024, a significant improvement from a net loss of $22 million in Q1 2023.
• Revenue increased to $804 million in Q1 2024, up 16% from $692 million in Q1 2023.
• Block hour production rose by 5% in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, indicating improved operational efficiency.
• SkyWest recognized $1 million of previously deferred revenue in Q1 2024, compared to deferring $63 million in Q1 2023.
• Operating expenses were $704 million in Q1 2024, up 1% from $697 million in Q1 2023.
• SkyWest had $821 million in cash and marketable securities at the end of Q1 2024, with total debt of $2.9 billion.
• The company repurchased 136,000 shares of common stock for $8.7 million during Q1 2024.
• SkyWest is scheduled to operate a total of 278 E175 aircraft by the end of 2026.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

SkyWest, Inc.'s financial results for Q1 2024 show a significant rebound with a net income of $60 million, which stands out considering the net loss of $22 million in Q1 2023. The key figures such as 16% revenue growth and a 5% increase in block hour production suggest operational efficiency improvements, likely reflecting better fleet utilization and staffing optimizations, namely in captain availability. The slight increase in operating expenses by 1% versus the revenue spike implies cost-control measures are likely effective.

Investors should note the reduction in debt from $3.0 billion to $2.9 billion, signaling a positive move towards deleveraging, while a decrease in cash from $835 million to $821 million suggests capital has been allocated towards investment or debt reduction. The active share repurchase program also indicates confidence in the company's valuation by its management.

However, the cumulative deferred revenue of $366 million on the balance sheet could be a point of attention for investors, as it could impact future revenue recognition and cash flows.

Market Research Analyst

As SkyWest continues to grow its fleet with more E175 aircraft, their strategic positioning within the regional airline market is solidified. The E175 is a popular regional jet, offering efficiency and passenger comfort, which is in line with industry trends favoring smaller, fuel-efficient aircraft for short to mid-range flights. The coordination with major airlines such as Delta and United for fleet optimization and delivery schedules enhances SkyWest's operational flexibility and ability to meet market demand.

Dependence on major airline partners for financing and operations does carry risk and investors should consider the implications of airline industry volatility on SkyWest's performance. New delivery schedules and partnership agreements are indicative of SkyWest’s strategic growth and may signal increased market confidence in regional carriers' role post-pandemic.

First Quarter 2024 Summary

• Q1 2024 pre-tax income of $80 million, net income of $60 million, or $1.45 per diluted share
• SkyWest took delivery of three of the 20 E175 partner-financed aircraft under a previously announced agreement with United Airlines
• Block hour production increased 5% in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023

ST. GEORGE, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW) (“SkyWest”) today reported financial and operating results for Q1 2024, including net income of $60 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $22 million, or $0.45 loss per share, for Q1 2023.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, Chief Executive Officer of SkyWest, said, “Our ability to meet our partners’ demand for additional production continues to increase as our captain availability has improved. We are also pleased with how our teams performed under challenging winter conditions during the first quarter.”

Financial Results

Revenue was $804 million in Q1 2024, up $112 million, or 16%, from $692 million in Q1 2023. SkyWest’s block hour production increased 5% in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, which reflects improvements in captain availability since Q1 2023.

For purposes of revenue comparability year-over-year, SkyWest recognized $1 million of previously deferred revenue during Q1 2024 under its flying contracts, compared to deferring $63 million of revenue under its flying contracts during Q1 2023. As of March 31, 2024, SkyWest had cumulative deferred revenue of $366 million on its balance sheet.

Operating expenses were $704 million in Q1 2024, up $7 million, or 1%, from $697 million in Q1 2023. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by the 5% increase in block hour production year-over-year, offset by lower aircraft rent expense from early lease buyouts SkyWest executed during 2023.

Capital and Liquidity

SkyWest had $821 million in cash and marketable securities at March 31, 2024, down from $835 million at December 31, 2023.

Total debt at March 31, 2024 was $2.9 billion, down from $3.0 billion at December 31, 2023. Capital expenditures during Q1 2024 were $38 million for the purchase of spare engines and other fixed assets.

Under its previously announced share repurchase program authorized by the SkyWest Board of Directors in May 2023, SkyWest repurchased 136,000 shares of common stock for $8.7 million during Q1 2024 at an average price per share of $64.21. As of March 31, 2024, SkyWest had $82 million of remaining availability under its current share repurchase program.

Commercial Agreements

SkyWest is coordinating with its major airline partners to optimize the timing of upcoming announced fleet deliveries. The anticipated E175 future delivery dates summarized below are based on currently available information and are subject to change.

	2024		2025		2026		Total
Delta Air Lines	1		ꟷ		ꟷ		1
United Airlines(1)	21		7		8		36
Alaska Airlines	ꟷ		1		ꟷ		1
Total	22		8		8		38
____________________
(1) 17 of the E175 deliveries scheduled for 2024 are partner-financed.

By the end of 2026, SkyWest is scheduled to operate a total of 278 E175 aircraft.

About SkyWest

SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for SkyWest Airlines and SkyWest Leasing, an aircraft leasing company. SkyWest Airlines has a fleet of approximately 500 aircraft connecting passengers to over 240 destinations throughout North America. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines carrying more than 38 million passengers in 2023.

SkyWest will host its conference call to discuss its first quarter 2024 results today, April 25, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time. The conference call number is 1-888-330-2455 for domestic callers, and 1-240-789-2717 for international callers. Please call up to ten minutes in advance to ensure you are connected prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be available live on the Internet at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/364879427. This press release and additional information regarding SkyWest, including access information for the digital rebroadcast of the first quarter 2024 results call, participation at investor conferences and investor presentations can be accessed at inc.skywest.com.

Forward Looking-Statements

In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “forecasts,” "expects," "intends," "believes," "anticipates," “estimates,” "should," "likely" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the continued demand for our product, the effect of economic conditions on SkyWest’s business, financial condition and results of operations, the scheduled aircraft deliveries for SkyWest in upcoming periods and the related execution of SkyWest’s fleet transition strategy and expected timing thereof, expected production levels in future periods and associated staffing challenges, pilot attrition trends, SkyWest’s coordination with major airline partners to optimize the delivery of aircraft under previously announced agreements, the expected terms, timing and benefits related to SkyWest’s leasing and joint venture transactions, as well as SkyWest’s future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations, estimates, intentions and outlook, and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to SkyWest as of such date. SkyWest assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law. Readers should note that many factors could affect the future operating and financial results of SkyWest and could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements set forth in this release. These factors include, but are not limited to: the challenges of competing successfully in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry; developments associated with fluctuations in the economy and the demand for air travel, including related to inflationary pressures, and related decreases in customer demand and spending; uncertainty regarding continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and other potential future outbreaks of infectious diseases or other health concerns, and the consequences of such outbreaks to the travel industry, including travel demand and travel behavior, and our major airline partners in general and the financial condition and operating results of SkyWest in particular; the prospects of entering into agreements with existing or other carriers to fly new aircraft; ongoing negotiations between SkyWest and its major airline partners regarding their contractual obligations; uncertainties regarding operation of new aircraft; the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots, including captains, and related staffing challenges; the impact of regulatory issues such as pilot rest rules and qualification requirements; the ability to obtain aircraft financing; the financial stability of SkyWest’s major airline partners and any potential impact of their financial condition on the operations of SkyWest; fluctuations in flight schedules, which are determined by the major airline partners for whom SkyWest conducts flight operations; variations in market and economic conditions; significant aircraft lease and debt commitments; estimated useful life of long-lived assets, residual aircraft values and related impairment charges; labor relations and costs and labor shortages; the impact of global instability; rapidly fluctuating fuel costs and potential fuel shortages; the impact of weather-related, natural disasters and other air safety incidents on air travel and airline costs; aircraft deliveries; uncertainty regarding ongoing hostility between Russia and the Ukraine, as well as Israel and Hamas, and the related impacts on macroeconomic conditions and on the international operations of any of our major airline partners as a result of such conflict; and other unanticipated factors. Risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions which could cause SkyWest’s actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations are contained in SkyWest’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(Dollars and Shares in Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2024				2023
OPERATING REVENUES:
Flying agreements	$	778,289			$	663,838
Lease, airport services and other		25,325				27,993
Total operating revenues		803,614				691,831
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits		350,999				335,201
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs		145,415				142,226
Depreciation and amortization		95,870				94,149
Aircraft fuel		21,164				20,964
Airport-related expenses		20,888				18,295
Aircraft rentals		1,276				19,528
Other operating expenses		68,496				66,172
Total operating expenses		704,108				696,535
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		99,506				(4,704	)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income		11,626				10,033
Interest expense		(29,829	)			(33,620	)
Other income (loss), net		(1,128	)			2,174
Total other expense, net		(19,331	)			(21,413	)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		80,175				(26,117	)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES		19,877				(4,046	)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	60,298			$	(22,071	)
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$	1.50			$	(0.45	)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$	1.45			$	(0.45	)
Weighted average common shares:
Basic		40,299				49,391
Diluted		41,492				49,391

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
	March 31,			December 31,
	2024			2023
Cash and marketable securities	$	821,164		$	835,223
Other current assets		248,197			296,673
Total current assets		1,069,361			1,131,896
Property and equipment, net		5,413,537			5,405,685
Deposits on aircraft		77,282			77,282
Other long-term assets		422,563			411,430
Total assets	$	6,982,743		$	7,026,293
Current portion, long-term debt	$	506,602		$	443,869
Other current liabilities		805,694			810,423
Total current liabilities		1,312,296			1,254,292
Long-term debt, net of current maturities		2,389,227			2,562,183
Other long-term liabilities		1,116,317			1,096,316
Stockholders' equity		2,164,903			2,113,502
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	6,982,743		$	7,026,293

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Additional Operational Information (unaudited)
SkyWest’s fleet in scheduled service or under contract by aircraft type:
	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023		March 31, 2023
E175 aircraft	240		237		236
CRJ900 aircraft	41		41		36
CRJ700 aircraft	105		118		103
CRJ200 aircraft	89		89		116
Total aircraft in service or under contract	475		485		491

As of March 31, 2024, SkyWest leased 35 CRJ700s and five CRJ900s to third parties and had 16 CRJ200s that are ready for service under SkyWest Charter (“SWC”) operations (these aircraft are excluded from the table above).

Selected operational data:
	For the three months ended March 31,
Block hours by aircraft type:	2024			2023			% Change
E175s	178,985			160,751			11.3		%
CRJ900s	17,392			20,713			(16.0	)	%
CRJ700s	58,285			52,028			12.0		%
CRJ200s	35,139			42,749			(17.8	)	%
Total block hours	289,801			276,241			4.9		%
Departures	169,432			160,623			5.5		%
Passengers carried	9,149,453			8,575,870			6.7		%
Adjusted flight completion	99.9	%		99.7	%		0.2		pts
Raw flight completion	97.7	%		97.5	%		0.2		pts
Passenger load factor	80.8	%		80.2	%		0.6		pts
Average trip length	461			472			(2.3	)	%

Adjusted flight completion percent excludes weather cancellations. Raw flight completion includes weather cancellations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240425747274/en/

Investor Relations

435.634.3200

Investor.relations@skywest.com

Corporate Communications

435.634.3553

corporate.communications@skywest.com

Source: SkyWest, Inc.

FAQ

What was SkyWest's net income in Q1 2024?

SkyWest reported a net income of $60 million in Q1 2024.

How much did SkyWest's revenue increase in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023?

Revenue increased to $804 million in Q1 2024, up 16% from $692 million in Q1 2023.

What was the percentage increase in block hour production for SkyWest in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023?

Block hour production rose by 5% in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023.

How much cash and marketable securities did SkyWest have at the end of Q1 2024?

SkyWest had $821 million in cash and marketable securities at the end of Q1 2024.

How many E175 aircraft is SkyWest scheduled to operate by the end of 2026?

SkyWest is scheduled to operate a total of 278 E175 aircraft by the end of 2026.