Results for third quarter of 2020

• Revenues of $9.5 million
• Adjusted operating loss1 of $79.9 million (operating loss of $132.0 million)
• Adjusted net loss3 of $139.8 million (net loss attributable to shareholders of $45.1 million)

Resumption of operations:

• Partial resumption of flights and tour operations since July 23, 2020
• 23 international routes and a summer domestic program operated mainly during the fourth quarter

Financial position:

• Cash and cash equivalents of $576.4 million as of July 31
• Advanced discussions to set up additional financing
• Air Canada's consent may be required

Transaction with Air Canada:

• Canadian approval process still underway to obtain a decision from the government
• In-depth investigation by the European Commission since August 20; decision expected by December 11
• If the required regulatory approvals are obtained and conditions are met, it is expected at the present time that the arrangement will be completed during the fourth quarter of the 2020 calendar year

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 10, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada's holiday travel leader, announces its results for the third quarter ended July 31, 2020.

"The reduction of operations to just one week for this quarter is unprecedented for Transat and for the industry as a whole. Given the dynamic measures we took to protect the Corporation and its cash flow, we're ready for the recovery," stated Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer, Transat. "However, with Canada maintaining some of the most stringent border restrictions and still requiring quarantine for people returning from abroad, it's time for the government to provide targeted support for the airline sector to ensure the existence of a competitive industry in Canada over the long term."

The global air transportation and tourism industry has faced a collapse in traffic and demand. Travel restrictions, uncertainty about when borders will reopen, both in Canada and at the destinations the Corporation flies to, and the need for quarantine and physical distancing measures create significant demand uncertainty for the remaining part of fiscal 2020 and at least for fiscal 2021. For the moment, the Corporation cannot predict all the impacts of COVID-19 on its operations and results, or when the situation will improve. Until the Corporation is able to resume operations at a sufficient level, the situation will affect its cash position. However, the Corporation has implemented a series of operational and commercial as well as financial measures, including cost reduction, aimed at preserving its cash flow. The Corporation is monitoring the situation daily to adjust these measures as it evolves.

The Corporation has taken the following measures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic:

• From April 1, and through July 22, the Corporation suspended all its flights and constantly monitored demand and constraints by destination in order to gradually return to operations;
• In March, as a precautionary measure, the Corporation drew down on its $50.0 million revolving credit facility agreement. It is now in advanced discussions to set up additional financing. As at July 31, the Corporation's cash and cash equivalents totalled $576.4 million;
• Senior executives and the Board of Directors agreed to a voluntary reduction in their compensation from 10% to 20%;
• In March, the Corporation decided to early retire all of its Airbus A310s from its fleet;
• In order to protect its cash and allow recovery after the restrictions have been lifted, the Corporation has granted its customers transferable travel credits with no expiry date for flights cancelled due to the exceptional situation and including travel restrictions imposed by governments;
• Since March, the Corporation has been renegotiating with aircraft lessors, as well as with owners of premises it occupies, to defer a number of monthly lease payments. The Corporation has also been negotiating with its suppliers to benefit from cost reductions and changes in its payment terms, and has implemented measures to reduce expenses and its investments. Preserving cash is a priority for the Corporation and other opportunities are being evaluated to achieve this objective;
• As of the end of March, the Corporation proceeded with the gradual temporary layoff of a large part of its personnel, reaching approximately 85%; for the resumption of operations, the Corporation recalled to work approximately 1,000 employees, but two thirds of its personnel remains laid off;
• In April, the Corporation made use of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") for its Canadian workforce, which enabled it to finance a portion of the salaries of its staff still at work and to propose employees temporarily laid off to receive a part of their salary equivalent to the amount of the grant received, without work counterpart;
• The Corporation currently anticipates that it will be forced to lay off at least 2,000 employees or 40% of its workforce in the future.

Third Quarter Highlights

Since mid-March, restrictions on international travel and government-imposed quarantine measures have made travel sales very difficult. The Corporation suspended all of its flights as of April 1 and therefore had no more sales from that date, until the partial resumption of airline operations on July 23, 2020. As a result, these factors caused the fall in revenues. The Corporation recognized revenues of $9.5 million during the quarter, a decrease of $689.4 million (98.6%) compared with 2019.

Operations generated an operating loss of $132.0 million compared with operating income of $1.7 million in 2019, a deterioration of $133.7 million. Despite the absence of revenues up to July 23 and despite the cost reduction measures implemented to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation was obliged to maintain certain fixed costs during the suspension of airline operations; as a result, the fall in revenues was more pronounced than the decrease in operating expenses. The decline in operating results was accentuated by the unfavourable settlement of fuel-related derivative contracts. Transat reported an adjusted operating loss1 of $79.9 million compared with an adjusted operating income1 of $62.1 million in 2019, a deterioration of $142.0 million.

Net loss attributable to shareholders amounted to $45.1 million or $1.20 per share compared with $1.5 million or $0.04 per share in 2019. Net loss attributable to shareholders for the quarter includes a $67.7 million gain for changes in the fair value of fuel-related derivatives and other derivatives due to the significant recovery in fuel prices during the quarter, a $28.5 million foreign exchange gain mainly related to the remeasurement of lease liabilities. These gains reversed a very large portion of losses of the same nature included in the loss attributable to shareholders for the second quarter announced last June. Excluding non-operating items, Transat reported adjusted net loss3 of $139.8 million ($3.70 per share) for the third quarter of 2020, compared with adjusted net income3 of $6.2 million ($0.16 per share) in 2019.

Nine-Month Period Highlights

As a result of the above factors, the Corporation experienced a significant deterioration in its performance for the nine-month period ended July 31. The impact of the pandemic annihilated a very good start to the fiscal year, as the adjusted operating income1 for the first four months of the year was up $63.3 million compared with 2019, due to a significant improvement in the profitability of the sun destinations program, our main program during the winter season.

Considering the impacts of COVID-19, the Corporation recognized revenues of $1.3 billion, a decrease of $970.3 million (43.2%) compared with 2019, and operations generated an operating loss of $186.6 million, compared with $50.7 million in 2019, a deterioration of $136.0 million. Transat reported adjusted operating loss1 of $31.4 million compared with adjusted operating income1 of $94.9 million in 2019, a deterioration of $126.3 million.

Net loss attributable to shareholders amounted to $258.5 million or $6.85 per share compared with $55.4 million or $1.47 per share for the corresponding nine-month period of last year. Net loss attributable to shareholders for the quarter includes a $29.3 million charge for changes in the fair value of fuel-related derivatives and other derivatives due to the collapse in fuel prices in the second quarter, a $21.7 million charge to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets and a $7.4 million foreign exchange loss mainly related to the remeasurement of lease liabilities. Before non-operating items, Transat reported adjusted net loss3 of $198.9 million ($5.27 per share) for the first nine months of 2020, compared with $39.5 million ($1.05 per share) in 2019.

Financial position

As at July 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $576.4 million, compared with $723.8 million on the same date in 2019. This change was mainly attributable to a significant decrease in profitability, the acquisition of one replacement engine for the A321neo LR fleet ($16.6 million), and to costs related to the transaction with Air Canada ($15.3 million), partially offset by the $50.0 million drawdown on its revolving credit facility agreement.

The working capital ratio was 0.93, compared with 1.10 as at July 31, 2019. This change was mainly attributable to the increase in the current portion of lease liabilities and the decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

Deposits from customers for future travel amounted to $638.1 million, compared with $611.1 million as at July 31, 2019, an increase of $27.0 million.

As a result of this sudden, unpredictable and unprecedented health crisis and the resulting travel restrictions, the Corporation decided, like other Canadian carriers, to issue travel credits for cancelled trips. Customer deposits as at July 31, 2020 included these travel credits amounting to $564.0 million, 43% of which was placed in trust, with the difference representing deposits made directly with Air Transat or foreign subsidiaries. This exposes the Corporation to litigation and enforcement measures by legislative and regulatory authorities, including class action suits, which the Corporation intends to contest in good faith and with good reason.

Following the adoption of the IFRS 16 accounting standard, leases with terms of more than 12 months are now recorded as right-of-use under assets and as lease liabilities under liabilities. As at July 31, 2020, lease liabilities amounted to $909.2 million.

Off-balance-sheet agreements, excluding contracts with service providers, stood at $847.1 million as at July 31, 2020. This amount was composed of commitments to take delivery of the 11 undelivered A321neos.

As it is impossible to assess the pace of recovery or the possible evolution of the pandemic and its effects, the Corporation, similarly to the vast majority of air carriers and other travel industry players in the normal course of their operations following the impacts of COVID-19, is currently reviewing various opportunities to increase its cash flow. In particular, the Corporation is continuing discussions initiated in the second quarter with its financiers and the various levels of government to improve its cash flow.

IFRS update

The Corporation adopted IFRS 16, Leases, on November 1, 2019. The 2019 comparative figures have been restated to reflect these changes.

To sum up, the adoption of this standard resulted in increases of $748.4 million in assets, $716.9 million in liabilities and $22.7 million in equity, respectively, as at October 31, 2019. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the adoption of this standard resulted in an increase in net income attributable to shareholders of $0.8 million. The main changes related to the adoption of IFRS 16 are described in note 3 to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended July 31, 2020.

Resumption of operations

Having partially resumed its flights and tour operator activities on July 23, 2020, Transat is currently operating a condensed flight schedule for the summer with 17 destinations. It serves 11 European destinations (in France, the United Kingdom and Portugal) and three destinations in the South (Mexico, Dominican Republic and Haiti) from Montréal or Toronto, as well as a domestic program linking the main Canadian airports (Montréal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver). The Corporation will continue to adjust its programs based on border restrictions and health measures in place.

The Traveller Care program aims to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the Corporation's customers with new health measures at check-in, at boarding, on board and at destination.

On August 4, 2020, the Corporation announced a winter program including, at the height of the season, flights to many destinations to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America, the United States, Europe and Canada. A selection of hotel packages in the South and in Europe will also be offered.

Outlook

In the current situation, it is impossible for the moment to predict the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on future bookings, the partial resumption of flight operations and financial results.

The Corporation has implemented a series of operational, commercial and financial measures, including cost reduction, aimed at preserving its cash and continues to monitor the situation daily to adjust these measures as it evolves. Please see the Risks and Uncertainties section of the Corporation's MD&A for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 (and that of October 31, 2019) for a more detailed discussion of the main risks and uncertainties facing the Corporation.

Consequently, for now the Corporation is not providing an outlook for summer 2020 or winter 2021.

Discussions relating to the sale of the Corporation

On August 23, 2019, Transat's shareholders approved the arrangement agreement with Air Canada, under which it is provided that Air Canada will acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Transat for a cash consideration of $18.00 per share [the "arrangement"]. The arrangement remains subject to certain customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, particularly those of authorities in Canada and the European Union.

Notably, a public interest assessment regarding the arrangement is being undertaken by Transport Canada. On March 27, 2020, as part of this assessment process, the Commissioner of Competition released the report provided to Transport Canada summarizing his assessment of the impacts on competition. On May 1, 2020, Transport Canada in turn provided its assessment report to the Minister of Transport.

On May 25, 2020, the European Commission decided to open an in-depth ("Phase II") investigation to assess the transaction with Air Canada. This extension is part of the European Commission's normal process of assessing the impact of transactions submitted for its approval, which is currently complicated by the COVID 19 pandemic and the impact it is having on the international commercial aviation market. On September 1, 2020, with retroactive effect to August 20, 2020, the European Commission ended the suspension of the deadline decided on June 9, 2020 and set a new provisional deadline of December 11, 2020 for its decision.

While the Corporation remains firmly committed to completing the transaction with Air Canada, certain factors beyond its control and related to the COVID-19 pandemic could influence the outcome of the proposed arrangement. The market conditions of the global industry have been completely transformed. Among other things, the vast majority of North American, European and international air carriers have requested financial assistance measures, but have had to implement reductions in capacity (as the Corporation did). This context could impact the obtaining of approvals from regulatory authorities, especially regarding the appropriate package of remedies aimed at obtaining those approvals.

Moreover, owing to the pandemic and the continued restrictions on non-essential travel, the Corporation is actively looking to obtain additional sources of financing. The covenants undertaken under the arrangement agreement with Air Canada restrict and govern the Corporation's capacity to obtain additional sources of financing and may require Air Canada's prior consent. Although the agreement provides that Air Canada's consent may not be unreasonably withheld, there is no certainty that Air Canada will consent to the obtaining of additional sources of financing by the Corporation.

If the required approvals are obtained and the conditions are met, it is now expected that the arrangement will be completed during the fourth quarter of the 2020 calendar year. Under the arrangement agreement, the deadline for obtaining the regulatory approvals cannot be extended beyond December 27, 2020. This date, initially set for June 27, 2020, may be deferred, to the extent that the regulatory approvals are not obtained, for three one-month periods upon notification by one of the parties, and subsequently for three additional one-month periods under certain conditions. The Corporation has successively informed Air Canada of its decision to activate the first three initial one-month periods, which defers, for now, the June 27 deadline to September 27, 2020.

The management information circular dated July 19, 2019 contains additional information regarding the arrangement.

Additional information

The Corporation adopted IFRS 16, Leases, on November 1, 2019, and restated the quarterly financial information shown in the table below for 2019.

The results were affected by non-operating items, as summarized in the following table:

Hedging - The Corporation records in the statement of income any gains or losses resulting from mark-to-market adjustments of the derivative financial instruments used to manage aircraft fuel-price risk, as well any gains or losses resulting from mark-to-market adjustments of certain hedging instruments used to mitigate exchange-rate exposure stemming from its expenses and/or revenues in foreign currencies. In the third quarter of 2020, this resulted in a $67.7 million non-cash gain, compared with an $8.8 million non-cash loss ($6.5 million after income taxes) in 2019. For the nine-month period, this resulted in a $32.2 million non-cash loss ($29.3 million after income taxes), compared with $9.1 million ($6.7 million after income taxes) in 2019.

The Corporation uses hedging instruments to mitigate exchange-rate exposure stemming from its expenses and/or revenues in foreign currencies. Accordingly, under applicable accounting standards, any fluctuations resulting from mark-to-market adjustments of these instruments are recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position and consolidated statement of comprehensive income rather than in the consolidated statement of income. For the third quarter of 2020, Transat recorded a gain of $0.2 million on these foreign exchange derivatives, compared with a loss of $6.1 million ($4.5 million after income taxes) in 2019. For the nine-month period, Transat recorded a gain of $11.6 million ($8.6 million after income taxes) on these foreign exchange derivatives, compared with a loss of $10.3 million ($7.6 million after income taxes) in 2019.

About Transat

Transat A.T. Inc. is a leading integrated international tourism company specializing in holiday travel. Under the Transat and Air Transat banners, the Corporation offers vacation packages, hotel stays and air travel to some 60 destinations in over 25 countries in the Americas and Europe. Transat is firmly committed to sustainable tourism development, as reflected in its multiple corporate responsibility initiatives over the past 12 years, and obtained Travelife certification in 2018. Based in Montréal, the Corporation has 5,000 employees (TSX: TRZ).

NOTES

The following are non-IFRS financial measures used by management as indicators to evaluate ongoing and recurring operational performance.

1. Adjusted operating income (loss): Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization expense and asset impairment, restructuring charge, lump-sum payments related to collective agreements and other significant unusual items, including premiums for fuel-related derivatives and other derivatives matured during the period. The Corporation uses this measure to assess the operational performance of its activities before the aforementioned items to ensure better comparability of financial results.
2. Adjusted pre-tax income (loss): Income (loss) before income tax expense before change in fair value of fuel-related derivatives and other derivatives, gain (loss) on business disposals, gain (loss) on asset disposal; restructuring charge, lump-sum payments related to collective agreements, asset impairment, foreign exchange gain (loss) and other significant unusual items, and including premiums for fuel-related derivatives and other derivatives matured during the period. The Corporation uses this measure to assess the financial performance of its activities before the aforementioned items to ensure better comparability of financial results.
3. Adjusted net income (loss): Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders before net income (loss) from discontinued operations, change in fair value of fuel-related derivatives and other derivatives, gain (loss) on business disposals, gain (loss) on asset disposals, restructuring charge, lump-sum payments related to collective agreements, asset impairment, foreign exchange gain (loss), reduction in the carrying amount of deferred tax assets and other significant unusual items, and including premiums for fuel-related derivatives and other derivatives that matured during the period, net of related taxes. The Corporation uses this measure to assess the financial performance of its activities before the aforementioned items to ensure better comparability of financial results. Adjusted net income (loss) is also used in calculating the variable compensation of employees and senior executives.

Conference call

Third quarter 2020 conference call: Thursday, September 10, 10:00 a.m. Dial 1-800-926-9801. Name of conference: Transat. Webcast: follow this link. The archived call will be available until October 9, 2020 at 1-800-558-5253, access code 21951702.

The fourth-quarter results will be announced on December 10, 2020.

Non-IFRS measures

Transat prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). We will occasionally refer to non-IFRS financial measures in the news release. These non-IFRS financial measures do not have any meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. They are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.