Alaska Air Group revenue up 2.3%, returns to profitability in 4Q2009

Alaska Air Group revenue up 2.3% - consolidated financial/traffic highlights:

• Three months ended 31-Dec-2009:
  • Total operating revenue: USD846.1 million, +2.3% year-on-year;
    • Alaska Airlines: USD744.8 million, +2.6%;
    • Horizon Air: USD171.5 million, +4.8%;
  • Total operating cost: USD793.3 million, -15.0%;
    • Labour: USD248.8 million, +7.0%;
    • Fuel: USD172.5 million, -51.9%;
  • Operating profit (loss): USD52.8 million, compared to a loss of USD106.7 million in the previous corresponding period;
    • Alaska Airlines: USD42.3 million, compared to a loss of USD84.9 million in the previous corresponding period;
    • Horizon Air: USD11.1 million, compared to a loss of USD21.4 million in the previous corresponding period;
  • Net profit (loss): USD24.1 million, compared to a loss of USD75.2 million in the previous corresponding period;
  • Passenger numbers:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: 3.8 million, -0.2%;
    • Horizon Air: 1.7 million, +4.2%;
  • Passenger load factor:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: 80.2%, +3.2 ppts;
    • Horizon Air: 74.1%, +2.7 ppts;
  • Yield per RPM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 13.07 cents, -6.7%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 27.70 cents, -3.5%;
  • Revenue per ASM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 11.77 cents, -0.1%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 20.86 cents, +0.1%;
  • Passenger revenue per ASM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 10.48 cents, -2.8%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 20.52 cents, +0.2%;
  • Operating cost per ASM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 11.05 cents, -16.9%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 19.51 cents, -17.2%;
• 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009:
  • Total operating revenue: USD3,400 million, -7.2% year-on-year;
    • Alaska Airlines: USD3,006 million, -6.7%;
    • Horizon Air: USD654.4 million, -10.8%;
  • Total operating cost: USD3,132 million, -18.3%;
  • Operating profit (loss): USD267.4 million, compared to a loss of USD172.2 million in the previous corresponding period;
    • Alaska Airlines: USD228.8 million, compared to a loss of USD128.9 million in the previous corresponding period;
    • Horizon Air: USD40.8 million, compared to a loss of USD40.8 million in the previous corresponding period;
  • Net profit (loss): USD121.6 million, compared to a loss of USD135.9 million in the previous corresponding period;
  • Passenger numbers:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: 15.6 million, -7.4%;
    • Horizon Air: 6.8 million, -8.5%;
  • Passenger load factor:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: 79.3%, +2.0 ppts;
    • Horizon Air: 73.1%, +0.2 ppts;
  • Yield per RPM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 13.28 cents, -6.0%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 26.73 cents, -2.6%;
  • Operating revenue per ASM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 11.74 cents, -2.7%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 19.88 cents, -2.0%;
  • Passenger revenue per ASM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 10.54 cents, -3.5%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 19.55 cents, -2.2%;
  • Operating cost per ASM:
    • Alaska Airlines mainline: USD 10.78 cents, -14.0%;
    • Horizon Air: USD 18.64 cents, -13.0%. [more] [more - SEC Filing]

Alaska Air Group: "Our traffic and unit revenue performance, driven by positive network changes, outpaced the industry throughout the year. This performance, combined with lower fuel costs, placed Alaska Air Group's profitability among the best in the industry for 2009. This marks our sixth consecutive year of profits on an adjusted basis," Bill Ayer, Chairman & CEO. Source: Alaska Air Group, 28-Jan-2010.