SkyWest chalks up second quarter 2021 profit

SkyWest has reported financial and operating results for the second quarter of 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, 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.”

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights

Pre-tax income of $81 million, net income of $62 million, or $1.22 per diluted share

Secured an agreement with Alaska Airlines for nine E175 aircraft; eight aircraft were previously announced, one additional aircraft announced today

Secured an agreement with American Airlines for eleven additional used CRJ700s to be placed into service by mid-2023, resulting in a total 101 CRJ700s under agreement with American

Placed six used CRJ700 aircraft into service under a previously announced agreement with American

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, 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.

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