AMR Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2011 Results

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., today reported a net loss of $162 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2011, compared to a net profit of $143 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the same period of 2010.

These results reflect the adverse impact of quarter-end volatility in WTI crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates. WTI prices decreased, while jet fuel prices remained high, which resulted in a non-cash item relating to fuel hedging ineffectiveness being recorded in fuel expense. In addition, foreign exchange rates were volatile and the U.S. dollar strengthened during the period, and as a result of revaluing foreign assets, the Company incurred a foreign exchange loss. Altogether, these items, which the Company described on Oct. 10, increased AMR's net loss by approximately $50 million or 15 cents per share.

In the third quarter, the Company's overall performance was negatively impacted by fuel prices, which increased 41 percent compared to the prior year period. Taking into account the impact of fuel hedging, AMR paid on average $3.15 per gallon for jet fuel in the quarter versus $2.24 per gallon in the third quarter of 2010. As a result, the Company paid $653 million more for fuel in the third quarter of 2011 than it would have paid at prevailing prices from the corresponding prior-year period.

"While the third quarter was challenging for American Airlines, we are taking aggressive actions to improve the Company's performance and strengthen its foundation for long-term success," said AMR Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey. "We have put in place many of the critical building blocks for a successful future, including a strong network and alliance partnerships, accelerated fleet renewal plans and innovative products and services to enhance our customers' experience. At this point, our immediate top priority is to address the key remaining foundational issue, which is our cost structure, so that we can change the competitive dynamics and move our company forward on the path to profitability."

Arpey also highlighted several recent actions American has taken to address its near-term performance and strengthen the foundation for its success over the long term:

Capacity Reduction

In October, American Airlines announced it will adjust its late fall and winter schedule, which is expected to result in fourth quarter mainline capacity that is approximately 3 percent lower on a year-over-year basis.

While advance bookings are generally in line with last year, the Company is taking these additional steps in light of the uncertain economic environment, ongoing high fuel costs and to ensure it runs a reliable schedule for its customers given additional pilot retirements it anticipates throughout the fourth quarter.

With these latest moves, American expects full year 2011 capacity to be up about 0.4 percent year-over-year for mainline and consolidated capacity will be up approximately 1.2 percent. The Company's initial plan, announced in January, called for full year mainline capacity to increase and consolidated capacity to increase by more than 3 and 4 percent respectively.

757 Retirements

In October, American also announced plans to retire up to 11 Boeing 757s in 2012. The retirements will result in maintenance and fuel cost savings.

Driving Revenue Performance from Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific Joint Businesses

• American is taking additional steps to achieve value from its joint businesses with British Airways and Iberia in the Atlantic and Japan Airlines in the Pacific, including working with its partners to capitalize on strong point-of-sale demand in Europe and Japan.
• In an effort to maximize the revenue-generating potential from its joint business with British Airways and Iberia, American recently made adjustments in four areas – pricing, scheduling, co-location and corporate sales.
• To improve its performance across the Pacific, American is working closely with Japan Airlines to tailor a more focused schedule of connecting flights to meet the needs of its trans-Pacific customers.
• In the third quarter, American signed more than 100 joint corporate deals for the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific businesses and has secured commitments for increased revenue from several of its key customers.

$726 million EETC Public Offering

On Oct. 4, American completed a $726 million enhanced equipment trust certificates ("EETC") public offering, which refinanced in part certain debts that matured or were scheduled to mature in the fourth quarter 2011 and beyond.

Operational Progress

During the third quarter, American improved its arrival performance into Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago and Miami by approximately 3 percentage points compared to the corresponding period last year. Improved arrivals have also enhanced connections and baggage handling. American's DOT bag rate improved by approximately 10 percent year-over-year.

Financial and Operational Performance

AMR reported third quarter consolidated revenues of approximately $6.4 billion, an increase of 9.1 percent year-over-year. American, its regional affiliates, AA Cargo, as well as the 'other revenue' category, experienced year-over-year increases, as total operating revenue was approximately $534 million higher in the third quarter 2011 than in the third quarter of 2010.

Consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (unit revenue) grew 8.7 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010, and mainline unit revenue at American also grew 8.1 percent. Improving economic conditions and increased load factors drove higher unit revenue.

Passenger yield, which represents the average fares paid, increased at American by 7.0 percent year-over-year in the third quarter 2011.

In Latin America, the Company's largest international entity, AMR continues to see strong year-over-year growth, particularly in South American markets. In fact, in the third quarter, AMR's Latin American unit revenue was up almost 20 percent versus 2010 on both strong yields and load factors, with South America up nearly 25 percent. During the third quarter, the Company implemented several pricing initiatives in a number of Latin American markets that contributed to these results.

Mainline unit costs in the third quarter 2011 increased 3.9 percent year-over-year, excluding fuel costs, which reflects the impacts of unit cost headwinds associated with lower than planned 2011 capacity, as well as higher aircraft rent and expenses associated with higher revenues.

Mainline capacity, or total available seat miles, was flat in the third quarter 2011 compared to the prior year's third quarter, as the Company continues to maintain capacity discipline.

American's mainline load factor – or percentage of total seats filled – increased 0.9 points to 84.9 percent during the third quarter 2011 compared to the prior year period.

Balance Sheet Update

As of Sept. 30, AMR had approximately $4.8 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted balance of $474 million, compared to a balance of $5.0 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted balance of $447 million, at the end of the third quarter 2010.

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 $16.9 billion at the end of the third quarter 2011, compared to $16.2 billion a year earlier.

AMR's Net Debt, which it defines as Total Debt less unrestricted cash and short-term investments, was $12.6 billion at the end of the third quarter 2011, compared to $11.6 billion at the end of the third quarter 2010.

Guidance for the Fourth Quarter 2011

Fuel Expense and Hedging

While the cost of jet fuel has been increasing recently and remains very volatile, based on the Oct. 7 forward curve, AMR is planning for an average system price of $3.02 per gallon in the fourth quarter 2011 and $3.01 per gallon for all of 2011. Consolidated consumption for the fourth quarter is expected to be 667 million gallons of jet fuel.

AMR has 52 percent of its anticipated fourth quarter 2011 fuel consumption hedged at an average cap of $3.01 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($88 per barrel crude equivalent), with 41 percent subject to an average floor of $2.23 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($55 per barrel crude equivalent). AMR has 51 percent of its anticipated full-year consumption hedged at an average cap of $2.77 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($83 per barrel crude equivalent), with 39 percent subject to an average floor of $2.08 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($55 per barrel crude equivalent).

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

Fuel prices are expected to continue to be a significant cost headwind in 2011. The Company's cost per available seat mile for the fourth quarter 2011, excluding fuel and the potential impact of any new labor agreements, is now expected to increase between 6.2 and 6.6 percent on a consolidated basis. This increase is primarily driven by the lag in reducing expenses commensurate with the Company's recent additional capacity reductions. The fourth quarter is also impacted by cost pressures associated with higher aircraft rent and higher revenue related costs.  The Company's cost per available seat mile for full year 2011, excluding fuel and the potential impact of any new labor agreements, is expected to increase 2.0 to 3.0 percent, both on a mainline and consolidated basis.

Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter Results

AMR will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter of 2011 financial results on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. EDT. Following the analyst call, the Company 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 its unencumbered assets and other sources of liquidity; fleet plans; overall economic and industry conditions; plans and objectives for future operations;; regulatory approvals and actions; 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, and statements regarding the Company's liquidity, 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; 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 potential requirement for the Company to maintain reserves under its credit card processing agreements, which could materially adversely impact the Company's liquidity; 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 resolution of pending litigation with certain global distribution systems and business discussions with certain on-line travel agents; 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; 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; and changes in the price of the Company's common stock. Additional information regarding 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, 2010.

Current AMR Corp. news releases can be accessed at http://www.aa.com

SOURCE AMR Corporation

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