SkyWest, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2021 Profit

Rhea-AI Summary

SkyWest reported Q2 2021 financial results, showing a net income of $62 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, a significant rebound from a net loss of $26 million in Q2 2020. Revenue surged 88% to $657 million, driven by a 157% increase in block hours. Operating expenses rose 53% to $542 million, impacted by increased flights. SkyWest improved cash reserves to $956 million while reducing total debt to $3 billion. The company anticipates resuming aircraft deliveries with new E175 aircraft by mid-2023.

Positive

• Net income rose to $62 million from a loss of $26 million.
• Revenue increased by 88% to $657 million year-over-year.
• Block hours on completed flights were up 157% compared to Q2 2020.
• Cash and marketable securities reached $956 million.
• Total debt decreased to $3 billion from $3.2 billion.

Negative

• Revenue decreased by $87 million, or 12%, compared to Q2 2019.
• Completed block hours were down 13% from pre-COVID Q2 2019.
• Operating expenses increased by 53%, reflecting operational challenges.

SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW) (“SkyWest”) today reported financial and operating results for Q2 2021, including net income of $62 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $26 million, or $0.51 per share, for Q2 2020. The financial results improved from Q2 2020 due to the flying demand recovery from COVID-19.

The pre-tax results for Q2 2021 and Q2 2020 included $114 million and $152 million, respectively, in payroll support program grants received from the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) reflected as a reduction to operating expenses.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, Chief Executive Officer of SkyWest, said, “We are pleased to see continued demand improvement and look forward to returning to pre-COVID levels by the beginning of 2022. We are excited to resume new aircraft deliveries in the third quarter, with 29 new E175 aircraft by the first half of 2023. I want to thank our exceptional SkyWest team for their commitment to excellence through these dynamic and challenging circumstances.”

Financial Results

Revenue was $657 million in Q2 2021, up from $350 million in Q2 2020, or 88%, as SkyWest’s Q2 2021 block hours on completed flights were up 157% from Q2 2020. Revenue in Q2 2021 was down $87 million, or 12%, from Q2 2019 (pre-COVID) and completed block hours in Q2 2021 were down 13% from Q2 2019. SkyWest also provided temporary rate reductions to its major airline partners under its flying contracts during Q2 2021 and Q2 2020 in response to the COVID-19 demand disruption impact to its partners.

SkyWest deferred recognizing revenue on $6 million of fixed monthly payments received during Q2 2021 compared to $69 million of deferred fixed monthly payments received during Q2 2020. SkyWest will recognize the aggregate $138 million of deferred revenue from the fixed monthly payments on a per-completed, block hour basis over the remaining contract terms.

Operating expenses were $542 million in Q2 2021, up from $354 million in Q2 2020, or 53%. The increase in operating expenses was due to an increase in flights operated in Q2 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. SkyWest recognized $114 million in payroll support program grants received from Treasury in Q2 2021 under the payroll support program extension agreement (“PSP2”) and payroll support program 3 agreement (“PSP3”) as a reduction to operating expenses, compared to $152 million recognized in Q2 2020 received under the initial payroll support program agreement. Operating expenses were down $58 million, or 10%, from Q2 2019 (pre-COVID).

Capital and Liquidity

SkyWest had $956 million in cash and marketable securities at June 30, 2021, up from $826 million at December 31, 2020.

During Q2 2021 SkyWest repaid its $60 million secured loan with Treasury received under the CARES Act, and in connection with such repayment, terminated the secured loan agreements that provided up to $725 million of available borrowing with Treasury. As a result of the repayment, Treasury released $1.5 billion in collateral that consisted of aircraft engines and aircraft parts.

SkyWest has a $75 million line of credit facility with approximately $34 million of letters of credit issued under the facility and $41 million available under the line at June 30, 2021.

As previously announced, SkyWest entered into PSP3 with Treasury in April 2021 and received total proceeds of $250 million during Q2 2021. In consideration for the funding, approximately $45 million was in the form of a ten-year, low-interest unsecured term loan and SkyWest issued to Treasury warrants to purchase 78,317 shares of SkyWest common stock at a strike price of $57.47. In April 2021, SkyWest received additional proceeds of approximately $35 million under PSP2. In consideration of the additional funding, approximately $10.5 million was in the form of a ten-year, low-interest unsecured term loan and SkyWest issued to Treasury warrants to purchase an additional 25,958 shares of SkyWest common stock at a strike price of $40.41.

Total debt at June 30, 2021 was $3.0 billion, down from $3.2 billion at December 31, 2020. Capital expenditures during Q2 2021 were $16 million for the purchase of two used CRJ700 aircraft, spare engines and other fixed assets.

Status Update on Previously Announced Agreements

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

Flying contract with Alaska Airlines (“Alaska”) for nine E175 aircraft

• Eight aircraft deliveries are anticipated in 2022 and one aircraft delivery is anticipated in the first half of 2023. The aircraft are scheduled to be placed into service in 2022 and 2023.
• SkyWest anticipates financing the aircraft through debt.

Flying contract with American Airlines (“American”) for 20 E175 aircraft

• 18 aircraft deliveries are anticipated in the second half of 2021 and two deliveries are expected in 2022. The aircraft are scheduled to be placed into service in 2022.
• SkyWest anticipates financing the aircraft through debt.

Flying contract with American for CRJ700 aircraft

• SkyWest placed six used CRJ700s in service during Q2 2021.
• SkyWest anticipates placing ten used CRJ700s into service during the second half of 2021, resulting in 90 CRJ700s in service with American by the end of 2021.
• As announced today, SkyWest anticipates placing eleven additional used CRJ700s into service between late 2022 and mid-2023, resulting in 101 CRJ700s in service with American by mid-2023.

About SkyWest

SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for SkyWest Airlines and SkyWest Leasing, an aircraft leasing company. SkyWest Airlines has a fleet of over 450 aircraft connecting passengers to over 230 destinations throughout North America. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines carrying more than 21 million passengers in 2020 and 43 million passengers in 2019.

SkyWest will host its conference call to discuss its second quarter 2021 results today, July 29, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time. The conference call number is 1-866-982-4145 for domestic callers, and 1-873-415-0275 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://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3312359/88B00D4CAB82532E2EEC5DAF486F8926. This press release and additional information regarding SkyWest, including access information for the digital rebroadcast of the second quarter 2021 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 impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on SkyWest’s business, financial condition and results of operations, the scheduled aircraft deliveries for SkyWest in upcoming years, and related removal from service and/or placement into service of certain aircraft, the return to pre-COVID production levels and expected timing thereof, SkyWest’s coordination with major airline partners to optimize the delivery of aircraft under previously announced deals, 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, uncertainties regarding the impact of the PSP2 funding, PSP3 funding and loans on SkyWest’s business and operations, the continued uncertainty of the duration, scope and impact of COVID-19, a further spread or worsening of COVID-19, the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak to economic conditions, the travel industry and our major 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 partners regarding their contractual obligations, uncertainties regarding operation of new aircraft, the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots, the impact of regulatory issues such as pilot rest rules and qualification requirements, and the ability to obtain aircraft financing.

Actual operational and financial results of SkyWest will likely also vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of other reasons, including, in addition to those identified above: the existing global COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of any other disease or similar public health threat that affects travel demand or travel behavior; 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 the duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and related decreases in customer demand and spending; the financial stability of SkyWest’s major partners and any potential impact of their financial condition on the operations of SkyWest; fluctuations in flight schedules, which are determined by the major 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; the impact of global instability; rapidly fluctuating fuel costs, and potential fuel shortages; the impact of weather-related or other natural disasters on air travel and airline costs; aircraft deliveries; 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. Additionally, the risks, uncertainties and other factors set forth above or otherwise referred to in the reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission may be further amplified by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Dollars and Shares in Thousands, Except per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
OPERATING REVENUES:
Flying agreements		$	632,967			$	336,370			$	1,144,158			$	1,045,864
Lease, airport services and other			24,023				13,669				47,387				34,111
Total operating revenues			656,990				350,039				1,191,545				1,079,975
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits			233,423				170,218				453,265				419,379
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs			190,879				121,289				394,706				281,505
Depreciation and amortization			109,895				131,638				219,492				243,346
Airport-related expenses			22,038				21,550				46,486				52,190
Aircraft fuel			25,867				6,821				45,061				32,234
Aircraft rentals			15,723				16,697				31,213				33,752
Payroll support grant			(114,144	)			(151,938	)			(307,317	)			(151,938	)
Other operating expenses			58,286				38,167				112,774				107,589
Total operating expenses			541,967				354,442				995,680				1,018,057
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)			115,023				(4,403	)			195,865				61,918
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income			210				1,685				494				4,249
Interest expense			(33,940	)			(30,926	)			(65,294	)			(61,130	)
Other income, net			80				402				296				800
Total other expense, net			(33,650	)			(28,839	)			(64,504	)			(56,081	)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES			81,373				(33,242	)			131,361				5,837
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES			19,379				(7,527	)			33,467				1,564
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	61,994			$	(25,715	)		$	97,894			$	4,273
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE		$	1.23			$	(0.51	)		$	1.95			$	0.09
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE		$	1.22			$	(0.51	)		$	1.93			$	0.08
Weighted average common shares:
Basic			50,346				50,140				50,316				50,208
Diluted			50,725				50,140				50,727				50,357

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries Summary of Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
		June 30,			December 31,
		2021			2020
Cash and marketable securities		$	955,675		$	825,908
Other current assets			175,158			156,894
Total current assets			1,130,833			982,802
Property and equipment, net			5,194,282			5,330,423
Deposits on aircraft			90,044			31,625
Other long-term assets			576,604			542,772
Total assets		$	6,991,763		$	6,887,622
Current portion, long-term debt		$	360,968		$	402,158
Other current liabilities			748,390			539,564
Total current liabilities			1,109,358			941,722
Long-term debt, net of current maturities			2,652,262			2,801,538
Other long-term liabilities			981,238			1,004,817
Stockholders' equity			2,248,905			2,139,545
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	6,991,763		$	6,887,622

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries Additional Operational Information (unaudited)
SkyWest’s fleet in scheduled service by aircraft type:
		June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020		June 30, 2020
E175 aircraft		193		193		189
CRJ900 aircraft		40		39		43
CRJ700 aircraft		104		90		86
CRJ200 aircraft		141		130		153
Total aircraft in service		478		452		471

As of June 30, 2021, SkyWest leased 34 CRJ700s and five CRJ900s to third parties (these aircraft are excluded from the table above).

Selected operational data:
		For the three months ended June 30,									For the six months ended June 30,
Block hours by aircraft type:		2021			2020			% Change			2021			2020			% Change
E175s		149,226			61,455			142.8	%		277,724			194,134			43.1	%
CRJ900s		29,713			3,433			765.5	%		53,719			32,353			66.0	%
CRJ700s		73,380			30,666			139.3	%		136,475			98,740			38.2	%
CRJ200s		71,726			30,472			135.4	%		132,309			158,022			(16.3	)%
Total block hours		324,045			126,026			157.1	%		600,227			483,249			24.2	%
Departures		185,498			80,755			129.7	%		340,392			290,038			17.4	%
Adjusted flight completion		99.9	%		99.9	%		—	pts		99.9	%		99.9	%		—	pts
Raw flight completion		99.5	%		99.7	%		(0.2	) pts		98.5	%		96.4	%		2.1	pts
Passengers carried		9,301,873			1,802,327			416.1	%		15,010,462			10,666,833			40.7	%
Passenger load factor		76.4	%		34.4	%		42.0	pts		67.6	%		58.0	%		9.6	pts
Average trip length		533			487			9.4	%		536			492			8.9	%

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/20210729006042/en/

FAQ

What were SkyWest's Q2 2021 financial results?

SkyWest reported a net income of $62 million and revenue of $657 million in Q2 2021.

How did SkyWest's revenue in Q2 2021 compare to Q2 2020?

SkyWest's revenue increased by 88% from $350 million in Q2 2020.

What is the current debt level of SkyWest as of June 30, 2021?

SkyWest's total debt decreased to $3 billion from $3.2 billion.

When does SkyWest expect to resume aircraft deliveries?

SkyWest anticipates resuming aircraft deliveries in the third quarter, with new E175 aircraft by mid-2023.

How much cash and marketable securities did SkyWest have as of June 30, 2021?

SkyWest had $956 million in cash and marketable securities.