Southwest Airlines Reports Fourth Quarter Profit and 38th Consecutive Year of Profitability

DALLAS, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today reported its fourth quarter and full year 2010 results.  Net income for fourth quarter 2010 was $131 million, or $.18 per diluted share, compared to $116 million, or $.16 per diluted share, for fourth quarter 2009.  Both periods’ results included special items primarily related to non-cash, mark-to-market, and other items associated with a portion of the Company’s fuel hedge portfolio.  In addition, fourth quarter 2010 results included approximately $3 million in charges (net of profitsharing and taxes) primarily related to consulting and legal fees in connection with the proposed acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc.* Excluding special items for both periods, fourth quarter 2010 net income was $115 million, or $.15 per diluted share, compared to $74 million, or $.10 per diluted share, for fourth quarter 2009.   This was in line with Thomson's First Call mean estimate of $.15 per diluted share for fourth quarter 2010.  Additional information regarding special items is included in this release and in the accompanying reconciliation tables.

For the full year 2010, net income was $459 million, or $.61 per diluted share, compared to $99 million, or $.13 per diluted share, for full year 2009.  In addition to full year 2010 results including charges related to the proposed acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc.*, and both years’ results including special items primarily related to fuel hedging, full year 2009 results included a $35 million charge (net of profitsharing and taxes) relating to the Company's 2009 voluntary early-out program.  Excluding these special items for both years, full year 2010 net income was $550 million, or $.74 per diluted share, compared to $143 million, or $.19 per diluted share, for full year 2009.

Gary C. Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I commend our People for their perseverance, persistence, and resolve.  Because of them, we emerged from the worst decade in aviation history without losses, without furloughs, and without degradation of our Customer experience. And, 2010 marked our 38th consecutive year of profitability, a tremendous feat unmatched in the aviation industry.  

“Our fourth quarter 2010 net income, excluding special items, improved 55 percent from fourth quarter 2009.  We produced record fourth quarter operating revenues of $3.1 billion, which also was an all-time quarterly record on an available seat mile basis at 12.56 cents.  December passenger unit revenues increased approximately five percent year-over-year.  Thus far in January, booking and revenue trends suggest similar year-over-year improvement in January versus December 2010.  Bookings in place for the remainder of the first quarter also are strong.”

Fourth quarter 2010 unit costs, excluding special items, increased 7.6 percent from fourth quarter 2009, largely due to the 12.7 percent increase in economic fuel costs per gallon to $2.48.   Fourth quarter 2010 economic fuel costs included $14 million, or $0.04 per gallon, in unfavorable cash settlements for fuel derivative contracts.  Based on the Company’s first quarter 2011 fuel hedge position and market prices (as of January 18th), first quarter 2011 economic fuel costs, including fuel taxes, are estimated to be approximately $2.80 per gallon.  Additional information regarding the Company’s fuel derivative contracts is included in the accompanying tables. 

Excluding fuel and special items in both periods, fourth quarter 2010 unit costs increased 5.8 percent from fourth quarter 2009, as expected.  Based on current cost trends and capacity plans, the Company expects its first quarter 2011 nonfuel unit costs to increase at a lower year-over-year rate than experienced in fourth quarter 2010.

Kelly stated, “Given the slow economic recovery and volatile fuel environment in 2010, we continued our disciplined strategy of strengthening our network through optimization.   This allowed us to bring Southwest’s legendary low fare service to Panama City Beach, Florida in 2010, and grow key markets like Denver, Boston, and St. Louis, with virtually no seat mile growth for the year.  Absent the acquisition of AirTran*, we currently have no plans to grow our fleet significantly until we reach our profit target and achieve a 15 percent pretax return on invested capital.”

The Company recently revised its Boeing delivery schedule, resulting in three additional aircraft to be delivered in 2011.  The Company now has 19 Boeing 737-700 aircraft scheduled for firm delivery in 2011, and 20 Boeing 737-800s scheduled for firm delivery in 2012.  In 2011*, available seat miles are estimated to increase in the five to six percent range from 2010, unchanged from previous forecasts.  The revised 737 Delivery Schedule is included in the accompanying tables. 

“As we begin our fifth decade of operations, we have bold aspirations to be the best in every way possible,” continued Kelly.  “We are confident in our ability to deliver, based on existing competitive strengths including:  low cost, low fare Leadership; outstanding Customer Service; excellent operations; America’s largest mainline route network; and a strong financial position.  These strengths have earned us record-setting revenue production; industry-leading Customer Service rankings; the world’s largest all-Boeing fleet; and the most domestic Customers of any airline (based on originating passengers boarded).  

“We have significant revenue initiatives underway to close the gap between our current profit performance versus our target.  First and foremost, we are committed to our proposed acquisition of AirTran*, which is expected to yield significant net annual synergies of more than $400 million by 2013.

“We were thrilled to recently announce the March 1, 2011 launch of our All-New Rapid Rewards program, many years in the making.  We believe the new frequent flyer program offers substantial improvements for our Members, and has the potential to contribute hundreds of millions in incremental net revenues over the next several years.

“Introducing the larger Boeing 737-800 into our fleet in 2012 brings many more exciting destinations into the realm of possibilities for the Southwest network.  On long-haul, high-demand routes, the economics favor the -800 versus the -700, producing lower unit costs.  It also offers better scheduling flexibility in high-demand, slot-controlled, or gate-restricted markets.  

“Finally, we have begun the multi-year process of replacing our reservation system to pave the way for international destinations, along with other Customer Service and revenue enhancements.  

“In addition to these four significant initiatives, we continue efforts to implement enhancements to Revenue Management, rollout inflight internet connectivity, and implement Required Navigation Performance (RNP).  Also, we are very excited to launch service to Greenville-Spartanburg and Charleston, South Carolina, and Newark, New Jersey in March 2011.  

“We have a lot of work in front of us.  But, without a doubt, we have proven our ability to successfully manage change.  Our Employees deserve all the credit.  Truly, they are our greatest strength.”

2010 Southwest Airlines recognitions and honors include: 

• Named the top U.S. Airline on the University of Michigan’s American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) 
• Recognized as the twelfth most admired Company in the world by FORTUNE magazine; the only U.S. airline to make this list of the World's Top 50 Most Admired Companies  
• Ranked seventh among the top ten companies in MSN Money’s 2010 Customer Service Hall of Fame 
• Honored by Executive Travel Magazine and their 2010 Leading Edge Awards as the best North American Low Cost Carrier for its outstanding Customer Service  
• Named Best Low-Cost Carrier in North America by Business Traveler Magazine
• Recognized as the Best Domestic Value, Best Luggage Policy, Best Check-in Experience, Top Website, and Best Consumer On-Time Estimates in the 2010 Airline Survey conducted by Zagat
• Named Favorite Domestic Airline and recognized as having the friendliest domestic flight crews in the 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards by SmarterTravel.com
• Ranked second in the Glassdoor.com Employee Choice Awards for Best Places to Work; the only airline to make the list
• Ranked in the top 150 in Newsweek’s 2010 Green Rankings of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S.
• Named to the annual ranking of the Top 50 Most Socially Responsible Companies in the U.S. by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and The Reputation Institute; the only airline to make the list
• Received The Williams Trophy from the Washington Airports Task Force for its commitment to training Pilots and retrofitting aircraft for Required Navigational Performance, the cornerstone of the Next Generation Air Traffic Control system
• Received a near-perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s ninth annual Corporate Equality Index Survey, which grades U.S. employers on categories such as nondiscrimination policies, training, Employee benefits, Employee support through diversity councils, and marketing
• Selected by G.I. Jobs magazine as one of the nation’s Top Military Friendly Employers
• Awarded the Quest for Quality Award by Logistics Management magazine, the 14th consecutive year for Southwest Airlines Cargo to receive the recognition; also received top honors in critical categories, such as Customer Service, Ontime Performance, Value, Information Technology, and Equipment and Operations
• Southwest Cargo was named Airline of the Year by Express Delivery and Logistics Association for the sixth consecutive year  
• Nuts About Southwest was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the PRNews Platinum PR Awards, recognizing Southwest’s initiatives that have set high benchmarks for originality and execution

Southwest will discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2010 results on a conference call at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time today.  A live broadcast of the conference call will be available at southwest.com.

Operating Results

Total operating revenues for fourth quarter 2010 increased 14.8 percent to $3.1 billion, compared to fourth quarter 2009, while fourth quarter 2010 total operating expenses increased 13.9 percent to $2.9 billion.  Operating income for fourth quarter 2010 was $216 million, compared to operating income of $167 million in fourth quarter 2009.  Excluding special items, operating income increased 32.8 percent to $263 million in fourth quarter 2010, compared to $198 million in fourth quarter 2009.

Operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010, increased 16.9 percent to $12.1 billion compared to full year 2009, while full year 2010 operating expenses increased 10.2 percent to $11.1 billion. Operating income for 2010 was $988 million, compared to $262 million in 2009.  Excluding special items, operating income for 2010 was $1.2 billion, compared to $540 million in 2009.  The Company’s return on invested capital (before taxes and excluding special items) was approximately 10 percent for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, compared to approximately five percent for the same period in 2009.  Additional information regarding pretax return on invested capital is included in the accompanying reconciliation tables.

Other expenses were $243 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $98 million for the same period in 2009.  This $145 million increase in other expenses primarily resulted from a $160 million unfavorable swing in other (gains) losses, net.  Other losses of $106 million were recognized in 2010, compared to $54 million in other gains in 2009, primarily resulting from unrealized gains/losses associated with fuel derivative contracts.  Premium costs associated with the Company’s fuel derivative contracts of $134 million in 2010 and $148 million in 2009 were also included in other (gains) losses, net.  Net interest expense decreased $15 million primarily due to lower market interest rates.

Net cash provided by operations for 2010 was $1.6 billion, substantially driven by the $459 million in net income, and $628 million in non-cash depreciation and amortization expense.  Capital expenditures for 2010 were $493 million.  The Company repaid $155 million in debt during 2010, and is scheduled to repay approximately $500 million in current maturities of long-term debt in 2011.  As of January 18th, the Company had approximately $3.8 billion in cash and short-term investments.  In addition, the Company has a fully available, unsecured, revolving credit facility of $600 million.

* The closing of the Company’s proposed acquisition of AirTran is still subject to the approval of AirTran stockholders, receipt of Department of Justice and certain other regulatory clearances, and fulfillment of customary closing conditions.  Estimated fuel consumption and estimated available seat miles for 2011 and beyond excludes any potential impact of the acquisition.  The Company currently expects to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2011.  

Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

Communications in this press release do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. The proposed acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (“AirTran”) by Southwest Airlines Co. (“Southwest”) will be submitted to the stockholders of AirTran for their consideration. In connection therewith, Southwest has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that includes a proxy statement of AirTran that also constitutes a prospectus of Southwest. Southwest and AirTran also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. SOUTHWEST URGES INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AIRTRAN TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about Southwest and AirTran, as such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Southwest are available free of charge on Southwest’s website at http://www.southwest.com/ under the tab “Investor Relations” or by contacting Southwest’s Investor Relations Department at (214) 792-4415. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by AirTran are available free of charge on AirTran’s website at http://www.airtran.com/ under the tab “Investor Relations” or by contacting AirTran’s Investor Relations Department at (407) 318-5188.

Southwest, AirTran and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of AirTran in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Southwest is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2010. Information about the directors and executive officers of AirTran is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2010. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains 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.  Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to (i) the Company’s financial targets and outlook; (ii) its plans and expectations related to managing risk associated with changing jet fuel prices; (iii) its growth strategies and expectations, including fleet, network, and capacity plans and expectations; (iv) its strategic initiatives and the expected impact of the initiatives on its results of operations and its customer experience, offerings, and benefits; and (v) its expectations related to its proposed acquisition of AirTran. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current intent, expectations, and projections and are not guarantees of future performance.  These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them.  Factors include, among others, (i) changes in the price of aircraft fuel, the impact of hedge accounting, and any changes to the Company’s fuel hedging strategies and positions; (ii) the impact of the economy on demand for air travel and fluctuations in consumer demand generally for the Company’s services; (iii) the impact of fuel prices and economic conditions on the Company’s overall business plan and strategies; (iv) actions of competitors, including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions, and consolidation and alliance activities; (v) the Company’s ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives; (vi) the Company’s dependence on third parties to assist with implementation of certain of its initiatives; (vii) the impact of governmental regulations on the Company’s operations; (viii) the possibility that the Company’s proposed acquisition of AirTran is delayed or does not close, including due to the inability of Southwest and AirTran to obtain all approvals necessary or the failure of other closing conditions; (ix) the Company’s ability to successfully integrate AirTran’s business and realize the expected synergies from the transaction; and (x) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed (i) under the heading "Risk Factors" in both the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2010; and (ii) under the heading “Forward-looking statements” in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2010.  

SOURCE Southwest Airlines