Hawaiian Holdings Reports 2009 Second Quarter Financial Results

  • Net income of $27.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted share
  • Operating income of $31.7 million, compared to $48.5 million in the second quarter of 2008, which included the benefit of a $52.5 million litigation settlement
  • Operating revenue decreased 8.5% to $292.0 million
  • Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $282.6 million at June 30, 2009


HONOLULU, July 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ - Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: HA) ("Holdings" or the "Company"), parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. ("Hawaiian"), today reported consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2009 of $27.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, on total operating revenue of $292.0 million. This result compares to $54.3 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, on total operating revenue of $319.2 for the three months ended June 30, 2008. The Company's operating income of $31.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compares to $48.5 million in the prior year period which included the benefit of a $52.5 million litigation settlement.

"Our second quarter results reflect another period of good financial performance for our Company in an extremely challenging macro environment," commented Mark Dunkerley, the Company's president and chief executive officer. "The core influences on our financial performance are the same as those facing our competitors - much lower fuel prices than last year offset by much lower demand resulting from the recession. Unlike most of our competitors, we have been able to strengthen our balance sheet over the course of the last six months. With the credit markets in turmoil, and recognizing that we have a number of substantial outlays in the next few years, this comparative strength is of tremendous importance.

"Higher fuel prices and lower fares suggest that the period ahead will be even more challenging, so this good start to the year is vital.

"Hawaiian's employees both in the front line and in support roles deliver a level of service to our customers that is the envy of the industry. Everything we do to position Hawaiian well for the challenges that lie ahead is for naught without the support of our employees and we are immensely fortunate to have such a wonderful team," concluded Mr. Dunkerley.

Additionally, the Company announced today that the Board of Directors determined to terminate the Company's previously announced stock purchase program in light of the substantial increase in the Company's stock price since the program was initiated in March 2009. The total shares purchased under the program were 201,651.

Second Quarter Financial Results

The Company reported operating income of $31.7 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to $48.5 million in the prior year period, which included the benefit of a $52.5 million litigation settlement.

Second quarter 2009 operating revenue was $292.0 million, an 8.5% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2008. Capacity for the quarter increased 1.8% year-over-year to 2.4 billion available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in RASM of 11.99 cents, down 10.2% from 13.35 cents in the second quarter a year ago. Second quarter load factor decreased to 84.2% from 85.1% in the same period a year ago. Passenger yield (passenger revenue per revenue passenger mile) decreased 13.8% to 12.51 cents from 14.51 cents in the second quarter of 2008. Selected Statistical Data is included in Table 2 below.

Excluding the litigation settlement received in the prior year period, total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2009 decreased 19.5% year-over-year to $260.3 million. This resulted in an operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) of 10.69 cents, down 20.9% versus the same period a year ago excluding the litigation settlement. Excluding fuel and the prior year litigation settlement, second quarter CASM increased 1.1% to 8.45 cents versus 8.36 cents for the same period a year ago. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and the litigation settlement in the prior year period is included in Table 5.

Aircraft fuel costs decreased 55.7% year-over-year in the second quarter to $54.7 million and represented 21.0% of operating expenses. Hawaiian's average cost per gallon of jet fuel decreased 56.1% year-over-year in the second quarter to $1.59 (including taxes and delivery), while block hours increased 6.2%, primarily reflecting increased 717 operations. The financial impact of hedging activities is included in non-operating income/expenses, and as such is not reflected in fuel expense. Non-operating expenses reflect $6.5 million in net gains from Hawaiian's fuel hedging activity.

Hawaiian believes that economic fuel expense is the best measure of the effect of fuel prices on its business as it most closely approximates the net cash outflow associated with the purchase of fuel for its operations in a period. Hawaiian defines economic fuel expense as GAAP fuel expense plus (gains)/losses realized through actual cash (receipts)/payments received from or paid to hedge counterparties for fuel hedge derivative contracts settled during the period. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, economic fuel expense was $54.9 million ($1.60 per gallon), compared to $115.0 million ($3.38 per gallon) in the year earlier period. An analysis of economic fuel expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is included in Table 3.

Hawaiian's year-over-year increase in Other Rentals and Landing Fees of $4.8 million reflects both the increase in its interisland operations and rate increases associated primarily with airports in the state of Hawaii. Aircraft rent increased $4.8 million compared to the second quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of the recognition of supplemental rent expenses for certain maintenance deposits paid to aircraft lessors. Commissions and Other Selling Expenses declined year-over-year by $3.9 million primarily as a result of a reduction in certain revenue-variable expenses including credit card processing fees.

Second quarter 2009 non-operating income totaled $5.6 million, compared with non-operating income of $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2008. During the current year period the Company recognized non-operating income totaling $6.5 million related to fuel hedging activities compared to non-operating income of $8.9 million during the prior year period. During the second quarter of 2009, fuel hedging expenses include $0.2 million of realized losses on derivative contracts settling in the quarter, the reversal of $3.2 million of previously recorded losses on these same contracts, and $3.5 million in unrealized gains related to fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Fuel Hedging
    --  As of June 30, 2009 the Company had:
        --  Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of
            $282.6 million, and $31.9 million in restricted cash.
        --  $85.7 million outstanding under two term loan facilities, $104.3
            million outstanding under floating rate notes issued in conjunction
            with the acquisition of three Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft in December
            2006, and additional notes payable of $29.6 million.
        --  $46.2 million of Capital Lease obligations primarily associated with
            four 717-200 aircraft.

    --  A summary of the Company's fuel derivatives contracts as of July
        24, 2009 is included as Table 4.



Company Highlights
    --  Hawaiian was ranked as the nation's #1 carrier for on-time
        performance and second for fewest misplaced bags as reported by the U.S.
        Department of Transportation's (DOT) Air Travel Consumer Report for
        the months of April and May.  Hawaiian has posted the nation's
        leading on-time performance numbers for seven consecutive months.
    --  In May, Hawaiian Airlines and Korean Airlines announced a newly-expanded
        code-sharing agreement that will allow Hawaiian to offer its customers
        nonstop service between Hawaii and Korea, as well as connecting service
        on flights within Korea and five other destinations in Asia.

    --  In celebration of its 80th anniversary of service in Hawaii, Hawaiian
        Airlines announced a $150,000 gift to Bishop Museum in May in support of
        its enduring mission to preserve the heritage and culture of Hawaii.



Investor Conference Call

Hawaiian Holdings' quarterly earnings conference call is scheduled to begin later today (Monday, July 27, 2009) at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (USA). The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Investors may listen to the live audio webcast on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.HawaiianAirlines.com. For those who are not available for the live webcast, the call will be archived for 90 days on Hawaiian's investor website.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian is the nation's highest-ranked carrier for service quality and performance for 2008 in the 19th annual Airline Quality Rating study. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past five years (2004-2008) and has been an industry leader in fewest misplaced bags during that same period (#1 from 2005-2007, #2 in 2008) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii.

Hawaiian will mark 80 years of continuous service in Hawaii on November 11, 2009. Hawaiian is the state's biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the largest provider of passenger air service to Hawaii from the state's primary visitor markets on the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities (10) than any other airline, as well as service to the Philippines, Australia, American Samoa, and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides more than 160 daily jet flights within the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The foregoing information contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company's operations and business environment which may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, in these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the price and availability of aviation fuel; a continued decline in the U.S. and global economies; our dependence on tourist travel; competition in the transpacific and interisland markets; the effects of seasonality and cyclicality; the concentration of our business in Hawaii; the competitive advantages held by network carriers in the transpacific markets; the effects of new entrants into the transpacific and interisland markets; competitive pressures on pricing (particularly from lower-cost competitors); demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; our ability to negotiate amendments to labor agreements which are currently amendable; our dependence on satisfactory labor relations; the impact of our substantial financial and operating leverage; our ability to comply with financial covenants; the competitiveness of our labor costs; our substantial funding obligations under our defined benefit pension plans; our ability to attract, motivate and retain key executives and other employees; our increasing dependence on technologies to operate our business; our reliance on other companies for facilities and services (including, without limitation, aircraft maintenance, code sharing, reservations, computer services, accounting, frequent flyer programs, passenger processing, ground facilities, baggage and cargo handling and personnel training); our fleet concentration in out-of-production Boeing 717-200 aircraft; our long-term commitments with aircraft and engine manufacturers and eventual financing arrangements; delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries or other loss of fleet capacity; the effects of any hostilities or act of war (in the Middle East or elsewhere) or any terrorist attack; increases in aircraft maintenance costs due to the aging and increased utilization of our fleet, and the possible unavailability of other aircraft; bankruptcies in the airline industry and the possible negative impact such bankruptcies might have on fares and excess capacity; government legislation and regulation, including the Aviation and Transportation Security Act and other similar regulations; changes that may be required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other regulators to Hawaiian Airlines, Inc's aircraft or operations; the impact of possible aircraft incidents; the impact of possible outbreaks of disease; the impact of litigation, anticipated and unanticipated; the impact of possible disruptions due to unpredictable weather and environmental concerns; the potential impact of consolidation within the airline industry; increased airport rent rates and landing fees at the airports within the State of Hawaii or elsewhere; the cost and availability of insurance, including aircraft insurance; security related costs and regulation; our ability to implement our growth strategy and related cost reduction goals; consumer perceptions of our services compared to other airlines.

Any forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any statements expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Additional information on risk factors that could potentially affect the Company's financial results may be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    Table 1.
    Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except for per
     share data) (unaudited)

                                     Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                           June 30,           June 30,
                                           --------           -------
                                      2009      2008      2009      2008
                                      ----      ----      ----      ----

    Operating Revenue:
      Passenger                     $256,643  $295,200  $510,784  $525,566
      Cargo                           15,148     9,016    30,057    16,778
      Other                           20,213    14,976    39,787    28,112
                                      ------    ------    ------    ------
        Total                        292,004   319,192   580,628   570,456
                                     -------   -------   -------   -------

    Operating Expenses:
      Aircraft fuel, including
       taxes and oil                  54,661   123,377   104,860   214,413
      Wages and benefits              66,772    64,958   134,237   122,259
      Aircraft rent                   28,083    23,322    52,234    47,135
      Maintenance materials
       and repairs                    28,201    29,960    56,980    59,335
      Aircraft and passenger
       servicing                      14,610    14,314    29,230    27,986
      Commissions and
       other selling                  16,266    20,148    33,715    36,319
      Depreciation and amortization   13,054    11,755    25,777    23,774
      Other rentals and
       landing fees                   13,759     8,944    26,253    17,113
      Litigation settlement                -   (52,500)        -   (52,500)
      Other                           24,895    26,443    49,693    48,156
                                      ------    ------    ------    ------
        Total                        260,301   270,721   512,979   543,990
                                     -------   -------   -------   -------

    Operating Income                  31,703    48,471    67,649    26,466
                                      ------    ------    ------    ------

    Nonoperating Income (Expense):
      Interest and amortization of
       debt discounts
       and issuance costs             (4,770)   (4,847)  (10,020)  (10,480)
      Interest income                  1,743     1,867     2,463     3,857
      Unrealized loss
       on securities                   1,671         -     1,671         -
      Gains (losses) on fuel
       derivatives                     6,510     8,877     5,123    14,451
      Other, net                         438       (23)       50       136
                                         ---       ---        --       ---
        Total                          5,592     5,874      (713)    7,964
                                       -----     -----      ----     -----

    Income Before Income Taxes        37,295    54,345    66,936    34,430

      Income tax expense (benefit)     9,802         -    15,909         -
                                       -----       ---    ------       ---

    Net Income                       $27,493   $54,345   $51,027   $34,430
                                     =======   =======   =======   =======

    Net Income Per Common Stock
     Share:
      Basic                            $0.53     $1.14     $0.99     $0.73
                                       =====     =====     =====     =====
      Diluted                          $0.53     $1.09     $0.98     $0.71
                                       =====     =====     =====     =====

    Weighted Average Number of
     Common Stock Shares
     Outstanding:
      Basic                           51,435    47,488    51,584    47,396
                                      ======    ======    ======    ======
      Diluted                         51,855    49,796    51,820    48,739
                                      ======    ======    ======    ======



    Table 2.
    Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
    Selected Statistical Data

                                               Three Months Ended
                                                     June 30,
                                                     --------
                                       2009           2008          Change
                                       ----           ----          ------
    Scheduled Operations:
      Revenue passenger miles
       (RPM) (a)                      2,051.3        2,034.4          0.8%
      Available seat miles
       (ASM) (a)                      2,434.9        2,391.5          1.8%
      Passenger revenue per RPM         12.51 cents    14.51 cents  (13.8%)
      Passenger load factor
       (RPM/ASM)                         84.2%          85.1%        (0.9) pt.
      Passenger revenue per ASM
       (PRASM)                          10.54 cents    12.35 cents  (14.7%)

    Total Operations:
      Revenue passenger miles
       (RPM) (a)                      2,051.6        2,034.4          0.8%
      Available seat miles
       (ASM) (a)                      2,435.2        2,391.5          1.8%
      Passenger load factor
       (RPM/ASM)                         84.2%          85.1%        (0.9) pt.
      Operating Revenue per ASM
       (RASM)                           11.99 cents    13.35 cents  (10.2%)
      Operating Cost per ASM (CASM)     10.69 cents    11.32 cents   (5.6%)
      CASM - excluding litigation
       settlement                       10.69 cents    13.52 cents  (20.9%)
      CASM - excluding litigation
       settlement and aircraft fuel      8.45 cents     8.36 cents    1.1%



                                                Six Months Ended
                                                    June 30,
                                                    --------
                                       2009           2008          Change
                                       ----           ----          ------
    Scheduled Operations:
      Revenue passenger miles
       (RPM) (a)                      4,010.9        3,964.5          1.2%
      Available seat miles
       (ASM) (a)                      4,826.8        4,662.3          3.5%
      Passenger revenue per RPM         12.73 cents    13.26 cents   (4.0%)
      Passenger load factor
       (RPM/ASM)                         83.1%          85.0%        (1.9) pt.
      Passenger revenue per ASM
       (PRASM)                          10.58 cents    11.27 cents   (6.1%)

    Total Operations:
      Revenue passenger miles
       (RPM) (a)                      4,011.7        3,973.3          1.0%
      Available seat miles
       (ASM) (a)                      4,827.7        4,672.8          3.3%
      Passenger load factor
       (RPM/ASM)                         83.1%          85.0%        (1.9) pt.
      Operating Revenue per ASM
       (RASM)                           12.03 cents    12.21 cents   (1.5%)
      Operating Cost per ASM (CASM)     10.63 cents    11.64 cents   (8.7%)
      CASM - excluding litigation
       settlement                       10.63 cents    12.77 cents  (16.8%)
      CASM - excluding litigation
      settlement and aircraft fuel       8.45 cents     8.18 cents    3.3%


    (a) In millions.



    Table 3.
    Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
    Economic Fuel Expense

                                    Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                          June 30,             June 30,
                                          -------              -------
                                        2009     2008        2009     2008
                                        ----     ----        ----     ----

    Raw fuel expense, including
     taxes and delivery              $54,661  $123,377    $104,860  $214,797
    Fuel gallons consumed             34,307    34,030      68,124    65,941
                                      ------    ------      ------    ------
    Raw fuel cost per gallon           $1.59     $3.63       $1.54     $3.26
                                       -----     -----       -----     -----

    Add/(subtract) realized
     losses/(gains) on fuel
     derivative contracts:
      Included in operating expenses       -         -           -      (384)
      Included in nonoperating
       expenses                          213    (8,336)     11,177   (12,865)

                                     -------  --------    --------  --------
    Economic fuel expense            $54,874  $115,041    $116,037  $201,548
    Fuel gallons consumed             34,307    34,030      68,124    65,941
                                      ------    ------      ------    ------
    Economic fuel cost per gallon      $1.60     $3.38       $1.70     $3.06
                                       =====     =====       =====     =====



    Table 4.
    Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
    Fuel Derivative Contract Summary
    As of July 24, 2009

                         Weighted
                         Average                                   Percentage
                         Ceiling                                      of
                          Price     Ceiling Price      Gallons     Quarter's
                          (per       Range (Per        Hedged      Consumption
                         gallon)       Gallon)       (Thousands)     Hedged
                         --------    ------------     ----------    --------
    Third Quarter 2009
    ------------------
    Crude Oil              $1.58      $2.39 - $1.10     17,178         54%

    Fourth Quarter 2009
    -------------------
    Crude Oil              $1.67      $1.97 - $1.20     12,516         38%

    First Quarter 2010
    ------------------
    Crude Oil              $1.80      $2.02 - $1.60      7,560         24%

    Second Quarter 2010
    -------------------
    Crude Oil              $1.89      $2.04 - $1.73      2,646          8%




                                                                  Percentage
                         Weighted                                     of
                          Average     Floor Price      Gallons     Quarter's
                           Floor      Range (Per       Hedged     Consumption
                           Price       Gallon)       (Thousands)     Hedged
                          --------    -----------     ---------- ------------
    Third Quarter 2009
    -------------
    Crude Oil              $1.15      $1.89 - $0.88      8,820          28%

    Fourth Quarter 2009
    --------------
    Crude Oil              $1.06      $1.41 - $0.92      7,686          24%

    First Quarter 2010
    -------------
    Crude Oil              $1.19      $1.42 - $0.96      3,906          12%

    Second Quarter 2010
    --------------
    Crude Oil              $1.43      $1.43 - $1.42        630           2%



    Table 5.
    Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (in millions, except for CASM data) (unaudited)

                        Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                             June 30,                  June 30,
                        2009          2008         2009          2008
                        ----          ----         ----          ----
    GAAP operating
     expenses          $260.3        $270.7        $513.0        $544.0
       Litigation
        settlement          -         (52.5)            -         (52.5)
                          ---         -----           ---         -----
    Operating
     expenses, less
     litigation
     settlement         260.3         323.2         513.0         596.5
      Aircraft fuel,
       including
       taxes and oil     54.7         123.4         104.9         214.4
                         ----         -----         -----         -----
    Operating
     expenses, less
     litigation
     settlement and
     aircraft fuel     $205.6        $199.8        $408.1        $382.1
                       ======        ======        ======        ======


    Available Seat
     Miles            2,435.2       2,391.5       4,827.7       4,672.8

    CASM - GAAP         10.69 cents   11.32 cents   10.63 cents   11.64 cents
      Add back:
       Litigation
       settlement           -         (2.20)            -         (1.12)
                          ---         -----           ---         -----
    CASM - excluding
     litigation
     settlement         10.69 cents   13.52 cents   10.63 cents   12.77 cents
       Less: aircraft
        fuel             2.24          5.16          2.16          4.59
                         ----          ----          ----          ----
    CASM - excluding
     litigation
     settlement and
     aircraft fuel       8.45 cents    8.36 cents    8.45 cents    8.18 cents
                         ====          ====          ====          ====


    Notes:
    ------
    ASM's represents total operations



SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.
CONTACT: Company, Peter Ingram, CFO, +1-808-835-3030, peter.ingram@hawaiianair.com, or Investor Relations, Matt Bernier, Sr. Director, +1-808-838-5508, matt.bernier@hawaiianair.com, or Media, Alan L. Hoffman, Sr. VP, +1-808-838-6758, al.hoffman@hawaiianair.com, all of Hawaiian Airlines
Web Site: http://www.HawaiianAirlines.com