AMR Corporation Reports Significant Improvement in Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., today reported a net loss of $10.7 million for the second quarter of 2010, or $0.03 per share, compared to a net loss of $390 million, or $1.39 per share, in the second quarter of 2009.

These results include the impact of significantly higher fuel prices compared to the year-ago quarter. Including the impact of fuel hedging, AMR paid nearly $334 million more for jet fuel in the second quarter, at an average of $2.37 per gallon, than it would have paid at prices prevailing during the second quarter of 2009, when it paid $1.90 per gallon. The second quarter 2009 results included the impact of approximately $70 million in non-recurring charges related to the sale of certain aircraft and the grounding of leased Airbus A300 aircraft prior to lease expiration. Excluding those non-recurring charges, the second quarter 2009 loss was $319 million, or $1.14 per share.

"Though increased fuel prices added dramatically to our expenses this quarter, we made substantial progress improving our financial performance comparatively, both year-over-year and in sequential quarters," said AMR Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey. "As we move forward, we remain focused on our primary goals of driving revenue growth, controlling costs, and returning to sustained profitability.

"Our plan to achieve these objectives is distinguished by our cornerstone network strategy, the ongoing implementation of our planned joint business agreements in the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific markets, additional alliance and network activities, and our ongoing fleet renewal efforts.

"Taken together, these initiatives are designed to grow revenue, fortify our network, and control our unit costs – all central elements of our Flight Plan 2020. We believe our plan, and these initiatives, are paving the way to a more successful and competitive company."

Arpey also highlighted several recent developments that demonstrate the Company's progress in executing the five tenets of Flight Plan 2020: Fly Profitably, Invest Wisely, Earn Customer Loyalty, Strengthen and Defend our Global Network, and Be a Good Place for Good People.

Since the end of the second quarter, American and fellow oneworld® members British Airways and Iberia received final regulatory approval in the U.S. and European Union to operate a joint business between North America and Europe.

Capitalizing on the momentum from the granting of antitrust immunity across the Atlantic, and anticipating similar immunity across the Pacific, AMR today announced a reorganization of its senior management team.

Tom Horton, previously Executive Vice President Finance and Planning and Chief Financial Officer, has been promoted to President – AMR and American Airlines and will continue to report directly to Arpey.  With his expanded responsibilities, Horton will oversee the finance, planning, sales and marketing, customer service and information technology organizations. As part of these changes, Bella Goren will assume the role of Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer. Goren, formerly Senior Vice President – Customer Relationship Marketing, will report to Horton. (More information on the organizational changes is available in a separate press release issued today.)

In addition, American this week announced it will expand its partnership with JetBlue Airways in the coming months, so that members of American's AAdvantage® program and JetBlue's TrueBlue® customer loyalty program will be able to earn AAdvantage miles or TrueBlue points, respectively, when they fly only on American and JetBlue cooperative interline routes. Also, American today extended its fleet renewal efforts by agreeing to purchase 35 more-fuel-efficient Boeing 737-800 aircraft to continue replacing its MD80 fleet.

Financial and Operational Performance

AMR reported second quarter consolidated revenues of approximately $5.7 billion, an increase of 16.0 percent year over year. American, its regional affiliates, and AA Cargo, as well as the 'other revenue' category, all experienced double-digit, year-over-year increases, as total operating revenue was approximately $785 million better in second quarter 2010 compared to the second quarter of the previous year.

Consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (unit revenue) grew 16.7 percent compared to the second quarter of 2009, while mainline unit revenue at American grew 16.8 percent. Tight capacity control that drove higher load factors and improving economic conditions drove higher unit revenue.

Passenger yield, which represents the average fares paid, increased at American by 14.0 percent year over year in the second quarter.

Mainline unit costs in the second quarter increased 3.5 percent year over year, excluding fuel costs and 2009 special items. Trans-Atlantic cancellations caused by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano reduced operating earnings by an estimated $17 million.

Mainline capacity, or total available seat miles, in the second quarter decreased by 0.4 percent compared to the prior year's second quarter, as the Company continues to maintain capacity discipline.

American's mainline load factor – or percentage of total seats filled – was 83.9 percent during the second quarter, 2.0 points higher than the year-ago period.

Balance Sheet Update

AMR ended the second quarter with approximately $5.5 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted balance of $461 million, compared to a balance of $3.3 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted balance of $460 million, at the end of the second quarter of 2009.

AMR's Total Debt, which it defines as the aggregate of its long-term debt, capital lease obligations, the principal amount of airport facility tax-exempt bonds, and the present value of aircraft operating lease obligations, was $16.1 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2010, compared to $14.2 billion a year earlier.

AMR's Net Debt, which it defines as Total Debt less unrestricted cash and short-term investments, was $11.0 billion at the end of the second quarter, compared to $11.4 billion in the second quarter of 2009.

Second Quarter Highlights

• American received authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate daily, year-round scheduled service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tokyo International Airport at Haneda (HND). American will serve the JFK – Tokyo (Haneda) route starting Jan. 20, 2011.
• American Airlines launched its first flight between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, on May 25.
• American Airlines was awarded by the DOT rights to fly 11 new flights per week between the United States and Brazil beginning Nov. 18. American will fly between New York and Rio de Janeiro and between Miami and Brasilia.
• AMR named Daniel P. Garton President and Chief Executive Officer of American Eagle. AMR also reiterated its intent to evaluate the possible divestiture of American Eagle.
• Through the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE), American became the first U.S. airline to test next-generation technology and procedures designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions and save fuel on trans-Atlantic routes.

Guidance

Mainline and Consolidated Capacity

AMR expects its full-year mainline capacity to increase by 0.9 percent in 2010 compared to 2009, with domestic capacity down 0.1 percent and an increase of international capacity of 2.4 percent compared to 2009 levels. On a consolidated basis, AMR expects full-year capacity to increase by 1.2 percent in 2010 compared to 2009.

The Company's 2010 capacity levels include the reinstatement of flying that was canceled in 2009 due to the H1N1 virus and the launch of Chicago-Beijing service, which was deferred from 2009.

AMR expects mainline capacity in the third quarter of 2010 to increase by 3.0 percent compared to the third quarter of 2009, with domestic capacity expected to be up 0.3 percent and international capacity expected to be up 7.3 percent compared to third quarter 2009 levels. AMR expects consolidated capacity in the third quarter of 2010 to increase by 3.4 percent compared to the third quarter of 2009.

Fuel Expense and Hedging

While the cost of jet fuel has been increasing recently and remains very volatile, based on the July 8 forward curve, AMR is planning for an average system price of $2.25 per gallon in the third quarter of 2010 and $2.29 per gallon for all of 2010. Consolidated consumption for the third quarter is expected to be 715 million gallons of jet fuel.

AMR has 44 percent of its anticipated third quarter 2010 fuel consumption hedged at an average cap of $2.38 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($89 per barrel crude equivalent), with 43 percent subject to an average floor of $1.81 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($66 per barrel crude equivalent). AMR has 38 percent of its anticipated full-year consumption hedged at an average cap of $2.43 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($92 per barrel crude equivalent), with 37 percent subject to an average floor of $1.83 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($67 per barrel crude equivalent).

Mainline and Consolidated Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM), Excluding Special Items

The estimated 1.2 percent increase in consolidated cost per seat mile, excluding fuel and special items, for 2010 is primarily due to anticipated higher revenue-related expenses (such as credit card fees, commissions, and booking fees), airport-related expenses (such as landing fees and facilities costs), and financing costs related to new aircraft deliveries. The third quarter and full year estimates above exclude the potential impact of current tentative labor agreements that, if they become effective in 2010, would increase full year unit costs by an estimated 0.4 percent, which would result in a full year cost estimate in line with previous guidance. The increased costs are largely the result of the signing bonus and wage increases included in the agreements. If the agreements are ratified, the Company anticipates implementing productivity improvements consistent with the agreements that will help to offset the ongoing cost of salary increases. 

Editor's Note: AMR's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Arpey, and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Horton, will make a presentation to analysts during a teleconference on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at 2 p.m. EDT. Following the analyst call, they will hold a question-and-answer conference call for media. Reporters interested in listening to the presentation or participating in the media Q&A should call 817-967-1577.

Statements in this release contain various 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, which represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. When used in this release, the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "indicates," "believes," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "targets" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals, or actions we may take in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's expectations concerning operations and financial conditions, including changes in capacity, revenues, and costs; future financing plans and needs; the amounts of the Company's unencumbered assets and other sources of liquidity; fleet plans; overall economic and industry conditions; plans and objectives for future operations; regulatory approvals and actions, including the Company's application for antitrust immunity with other oneworld alliance members; and the impact on the Company of its results of operations in recent years and the sufficiency of its financial resources to absorb that impact. Other forward-looking statements include statements which do not relate solely to historical facts, such as, without limitation, statements which discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this release. 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. This release includes forecasts of unit cost and revenue performance, fuel prices and fuel hedging, capacity and traffic estimates, other income/expense estimates, share count, statements regarding the Company's liquidity, and statements regarding expectations of regulatory approval of our application for antitrust immunity with other oneworld members, each of which is a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations. The following factors, in addition to other possible factors not listed, could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements: the materially weakened financial condition of the Company, resulting from its significant losses in recent years; very weak demand for air travel and lower investment asset returns resulting from the severe global economic downturn; the Company's need to raise substantial additional funds and its ability to do so on acceptable terms; the ability of the Company to generate additional revenues and reduce its costs; continued high and volatile fuel prices and further increases in the price of fuel, and the availability of fuel; the Company's substantial indebtedness and other obligations; the ability of the Company to satisfy certain covenants and conditions in certain of its financing and other agreements; changes in economic and other conditions beyond the Company's control, and the volatile results of the Company's operations; the fiercely and increasingly competitive business environment faced by the Company; potential industry consolidation and alliance changes; competition with reorganized carriers; low fare levels by historical standards and the Company's reduced pricing power; changes in the Company's corporate or business strategy; extensive government regulation of the Company's business; conflicts overseas or terrorist attacks; uncertainties with respect to the Company's international operations; outbreaks of a disease (such as SARS, avian flu or the H1N1 virus) that affects travel behavior; labor costs that are higher than those of the Company's competitors; uncertainties with respect to the Company's relationships with unionized and other employee work groups; increased insurance costs and potential reductions of available insurance coverage; the Company's ability to retain key management personnel; potential failures or disruptions of the Company's computer, communications or other technology systems; losses and adverse publicity resulting from any accident involving the Company's aircraft; interruptions or disruptions in service at one or more of the Company's primary market airports; the heavy taxation of the airline industry; changes in the price of the Company's common stock; and the ability of the Company to reach acceptable agreements with third parties. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.

The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE AMR Corporation