AMR Corporation Reports Third Quarter Profit of $143 Million

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., today reported a net profit of $143 million for the third quarter of 2010, or $0.39 per diluted share.

The current quarter results compare to a net loss of $359 million for the third quarter 2009, or $1.26 per share, which included the impact of approximately $94 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 third quarter 2009 loss was $265 million, or $0.93 per share.

"We are pleased to report our first profitable quarter, excluding special items, since the third quarter of 2007, " said AMR Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey. "Our entire team is intensely focused on building strong momentum from our cornerstone, partnership and alliance strategies that enhance our global network reach. We are excited about our recently launched Joint Business in the trans-Atlantic with British Airways and Iberia and the forthcoming opportunity with Japan Airlines in the Pacific, as well as additional network enhancements in key markets. While there is clearly much more work to do, our results show significant improvement in revenue and reflect our continued dedication to controlling costs."

Arpey also highlighted several recent developments that demonstrate the Company's progress in executing on its strategic initiatives under Flight Plan 2020.

Joint Business with British Airways and Iberia

American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia launched their Joint Business between North America and Europe on Oct. 1.  The American, British Airways and Iberia trans-Atlantic business, initially representing approximately $7 billion in combined revenue between the carriers, will offer seamless service to 433 destinations in 105 countries, with 5,178 daily departures worldwide.

As part of enhancing the new Joint Business, American, British Airways and Iberia announced service to four new key routes, beginning spring 2011. They are: New York JFK-Budapest and Chicago-Helsinki (operated by American Airlines), London Heathrow-San Diego (operated by British Airways) and Madrid-Los Angeles (operated by Iberia). Also in spring 2011, American will add additional frequencies from JFK to Barcelona and Miami to Madrid.

Recall of Approximately 800 Furloughed Employees

American announced in early October that it is sending recall notices to 545 flight attendants and 250 pilots. Several factors contributed to the company's ability to recall, primarily its efforts to capitalize on new international flying and business opportunities with British Airways and Iberia, continuing to strengthen its cornerstone hubs, preparing for its pending alliance with Japan Airlines, and its current staffing needs.

Tentative DOT Approval for Antitrust Immunity with Japan Airlines

Also since the close of the third quarter, American Airlines and Japan Airlines received tentative approval of the antitrust immunity application filed by the two airlines in February. By this action, the Department of Transportation has moved another step closer to granting antitrust immunity to the two airlines.

Under an immunized agreement, the two airlines anticipate cooperating commercially on flights between North America and Asia. This Joint Business opportunity represents significant growth opportunities for American long term as the Pacific region currently accounts for only about 4 percent of American's total system capacity.

Enhancing Strategic Position in Los Angeles

Today, the Company announced the next step in its cornerstone strategy, enhancing service in Los Angeles with a 28 percent increase in daily departures. AMR plans to launch new service from Los Angeles to Shanghai, China, as well as nine new domestic markets by spring 2011. New flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai are scheduled to begin on April 5, 2011.

Financial and Operational Performance

AMR reported third quarter consolidated revenues of approximately $5.8 billion, an increase of 14.0 percent year over year. American, its regional affiliates, and AA Cargo, all experienced double-digit, year-over-year increases, as total operating revenue was approximately $715 million better in third quarter 2010 compared to the third quarter 2009.

Consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (unit revenue) grew 10.7 percent compared to the third quarter 2009, and mainline unit revenue at American also grew 10.7 percent. Improving economic conditions and strong load factors drove higher unit revenue.

Passenger yield, which represents the average fares paid, increased at American by 10.7 percent year over year in the third quarter.

Mainline unit costs in the third quarter 2010 decreased 0.7 percent year over year, excluding fuel costs and 2009 non-recurring charges.

Including the impact of fuel hedging, AMR paid $123 million more for jet fuel in the third quarter, at an average of $2.24 per gallon, than it would have paid at prices prevailing during the third quarter 2009, when it paid $2.07 per gallon.

Mainline capacity, or total available seat miles, increased in the third quarter by 3.6 percent compared to the prior year's third quarter, as the Company continues to maintain capacity discipline and selectively allocate capacity for growth markets such as China.

American's mainline load factor – or percentage of total seats filled – was 84.0 percent during the third quarter, maintaining strong levels that are consistent with the year-ago period.

Balance Sheet Update

AMR ended the third quarter with approximately $5.0 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted balance of $447 million, compared to a balance of $4.6 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted balance of $459 million, at the end of the third quarter 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 $16.2 billion at the end of the third quarter 2010, compared to $15.7 billion a year earlier.

AMR's Net Debt, which it defines as Total Debt less unrestricted cash and short-term investments, was $11.6 billion at the end of the third quarter, comparable to the third quarter 2009.

Other Third Quarter and Recent Highlights:

• American Eagle began First Class service onboard all of its CRJ-700 aircraft. Additionally, American Eagle started taking delivery of 22 new CRJ-700 aircraft – a significant investment by AMR to enhance its product offering to better compete in key business markets.
• American signed a memorandum of understanding with Air Berlin, the fifth largest carrier in Europe, outlining a comprehensive codeshare and frequent flyer relationship. The Company expects to implement its codeshare with Air Berlin before the end of 2010 and anticipates that Air Berlin will join oneworld® in early 2012. With hubs in Berlin and Dusseldorf, Air Berlin offers service to more than 160 cities in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and North America, which will complement American's network.
• American, which offers more flights to Brazil than any other U.S. airline, launched codesharing on flights operated by GOL Airlines between Sao Paulo and Salvador, Belem, Brasilia, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre and Recife, as well as between Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre.
• American Airlines and JetBlue Airways implemented their commercial agreement, offering customers convenient connections and more travel options to and from New York and Boston.
• American Airlines and Jetstar, a Qantas Group airline, signed an agreement establishing a codeshare relationship between several destinations in New Zealand.
• American Airlines and WestJet Airlines entered into an interline agreement, expanding travel options to more cities in Canada for American's customers.

Guidance

Mainline and Consolidated Capacity

AMR expects its full-year mainline capacity to increase by 1.0 percent in 2010 compared to 2009, with domestic capacity up 0.2 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 1.4 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 fourth quarter 2010 to increase by 3.4 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2009, with domestic capacity expected to be up 0.5 percent and international capacity expected to be up 8.2 percent compared to fourth quarter 2009 levels. AMR expects consolidated capacity in the fourth quarter 2010 to increase by 4.1 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2009.

Fuel Expense and Hedging

While the cost of jet fuel has been increasing recently and remains very volatile, based on the Oct. 1 forward curve, AMR is planning for an average system price of $2.41 per gallon in the fourth quarter 2010 and $2.31 per gallon for all of 2010. Consolidated consumption for the fourth quarter is expected to be 684 million gallons of jet fuel.

AMR has 40 percent of its anticipated fourth quarter 2010 fuel consumption hedged at an average cap of $2.33 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($84 per barrel crude equivalent), with 40 percent subject to an average floor of $1.77 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($61 per barrel crude equivalent). AMR has 38 percent of its anticipated full-year consumption hedged at an average cap of $2.42 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($90 per barrel crude equivalent), with 37 percent subject to an average floor of $1.82 per gallon of jet fuel equivalent ($65 per barrel crude equivalent).

The estimated 1.1 percent increase in consolidated cost per seat mile for 2010, excluding fuel and special items, 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.

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.

Detailed financial information follows:

SOURCE AMR Corporation

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