PURCHASE, N.Y., August 6, 2020 – Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW) today announced second-quarter 2020 net income of $78.9 million, or $3.01 per diluted share, compared with net income of $86.9 million, or $1.61 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2019.
On an adjusted basis, EBITDA totaled $247.0 million in the second quarter this year compared with $84.1 million in the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted net income in the second quarter of 2020 totaled $123.2 million, or $4.71 per diluted share, compared with $4.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2019.
“Revenue and earnings in the second quarter continued to exceed our expectations,” said Chief Executive Officer John W. Dietrich. “These positive results were primarily driven by the team capitalizing on strong demand and higher yields in our commercial charter and South America businesses. We also continued to provide the U.S. military with essential services and our ACMI customers flew well above their minimum guarantees.
“We continued to execute on very favorable business opportunities in a challenging operating environment, with the safety of our employees as our top priority. We leveraged the scale of our world-class fleet, the scope of our global operations and the flexibility of our business model to capitalize on market dynamics.
“To serve this increased demand, we reactivated three of our 747-400 converted freighters and operationalized a 777 freighter from our Dry Leasing business. This enabled us to serve the strong and profitable shorter-term demand, while also entering into numerous new long-term charter programs at attractive yields. We expanded our long-term charter business to include new agreements with manufacturers such as HP Inc., and large freight forwarders like DHL Global Forwarding, APEX Logistics, DB Schenker, Flexport and Geodis, all that wanted to secure committed capacity from us.”
Mr. Dietrich added: “We continued to deliver safe and high-quality service for our customers, despite the many challenges presented by this pandemic, including a variety of travel restrictions, testing protocols, quarantine mandates and other operational challenges. This is a true testament to the commitment and dedication of all our Atlas team members, particularly our crew and ground staff out in the field.
“We are taking every precaution to safeguard all our employees and ensure that we continue to transport the goods the world needs during these important times. We also appreciate our customers’ and vendors’ commitment to safety, and their partnership and unity as we protect our employees and our operations.”
He said: “Atlas is continuing to play an essential role in the global supply chain, and the goods we carry help save lives, fuel economic activity and support jobs. We are playing a key role in our customers’ operating networks, and are helping businesses and communities manage through COVID-19.
“With our broad portfolio of aircraft, including the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighters, along with large fleets of 777s, 767s and 737s, we provide our customers with fleet choices and operating capabilities that are unmatched in our industry.
“We have a talented team, a strong balance sheet, and we continue to demonstrate our ability to adjust to market conditions, capitalize on strategic growth opportunities, and navigate through these evolving and uncertain times.
“Reflecting our first-half results and our current market expectations, and subject to any material COVID-19 developments, we anticipate full-year 2020 revenue of just over $3 billion and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $750 million.*
“Our outlook also expects approximately 50% of our full-year 2020 adjusted net income to occur in the second half of the year. That would result in 2020 adjusted net income being more than double 2019.”
Second-Quarter Results
Volumes in the second quarter of 2020 increased to 84,966 block hours compared with 80,282 in the second quarter of 2019, with revenue rising to $825.3 million compared with $663.9 million in the prior-year quarter.
ACMI segment revenue during the period reflected lower block hours, primarily driven by the redeployment of 747-400 aircraft to the Charter segment to support new long-term charter programs with customers seeking to secure committed cargo capacity. This was partially offset by an increase in 777, 737 and 747-400 CMI flying.
ACMI segment contribution decreased during the quarter primarily due to higher heavy maintenance, including additional engine overhauls and other maintenance performed to take advantage of slot availability and opportunities for vendor pricing discounts. In addition, segment contribution reflected higher pilot costs related to a 10% increase in pay rates resulting from our recent interim agreement with our pilots and premium pay for pilots operating in certain areas outside of the U.S. significantly impacted by COVID-19; and the redeployment of 747-400 aircraft to the Charter segment to support new long-term charter programs with customers seeking to secure committed cargo capacity. Partially offsetting these items was an increase in 777, 737 and 747-400 CMI flying, and a reduction in aircraft rent and depreciation.
Charter segment revenue during the period primarily reflected increased levels of flying and an increase in the average rate per block hour. Block-hour volume growth was primarily driven by increased demand for freighter aircraft, reflecting a combination of increased demand for cargo, as well as the reduction of available cargo capacity in the market, the disruption of global supply chains due to the pandemic and our ability to increase utilization. As a result of this increase in demand and in support of new long-term charter programs with customers seeking to secure committed cargo capacity, we redeployed 747-400 aircraft from ACMI and began operating a 777 from our Dry Leasing business. The increase in the average rate per block hour primarily reflected higher commercial cargo yields (excluding fuel), partially offset by lower levels of 747 passenger flying for the U.S. military.
Charter segment contribution was driven by the increase in commercial cargo yields (excluding fuel), and demand for freighter aircraft, reflecting a combination of increased demand for cargo, as well as the reduction of available capacity in the market, the disruption of the global supply chain due to the pandemic and our ability to increase utilization. In addition, segment contribution benefited from a reduction in aircraft rent and depreciation, and the redeployment of 747-400 aircraft from ACMI and a 777 freighter from Dry Leasing. These improvements were partially offset by: higher heavy maintenance expense, including additional engine overhauls and other maintenance performed to take advantage of slot availability and opportunities for vendor pricing discounts; lower U.S. military passenger flying as the pandemic disrupted the movement of U.S. military personnel; and higher pilot costs related to a 10% increase in pay rates resulting from our recent interim agreement with our pilots and premium pay for pilots operating in certain areas outside of the U.S. significantly impacted by COVID-19.
In Dry Leasing, lower segment revenue and contribution in the second quarter of 2020 primarily related to changes in leases and the disposition of certain nonessential Dry Leased aircraft during the first quarter of 2020.
Lower unallocated income and expenses, net, during the quarter primarily reflected a $24.3 million (after tax) refund of aircraft rent paid in previous years.
Reported earnings in the second quarter of 2020 also included an effective income tax rate of 29.5%, due mainly to nondeductible changes in the value of outstanding warrants. On an adjusted basis, our results reflected an effective income tax rate of 21.6%.
Cash and Short-Term Investments
At June 30, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments totaled $739.2 million, compared with $114.3 million at December 31, 2019.
Our improved cash balance primarily reflected strong cash provided by operating activities, and also included the funds we received through the Payroll Support Program available to air cargo carriers under the CARES Act. Those funds will be utilized to pay the salaries, wages and benefits of employees, and helps us to protect the jobs of our highly-skilled team during this period of global uncertainty.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the first six months of 2020 primarily related to proceeds from debt issuance and from our revolving credit facility, partially offset by payments on debt obligations.
Net cash used for investing activities during the first six months of 2020 primarily related to capital expenditures and payments for flight equipment and modifications, including spare engines and GEnx engine performance upgrade kits, partially offset by proceeds from the disposal of aircraft.
To mitigate the impact of any continuation or worsening of the pandemic, we have implemented a number of cost-reduction initiatives, including a significant reduction in nonessential employee travel, the use of contractors and ground staff hiring. We have also taken actions to increase liquidity and strengthen our financial position, such as the sale of certain nonessential assets and our participation in the Payroll Support Program under the CARES Act.
Half-Year Results
Reported results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 reflected net income of $102.3 million, or $3.92 per diluted share, which included a $29.7 million unrealized loss on financial instruments. Results for the first half compared with net income of $57.2 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, which included an unrealized loss on financial instruments of $4.3 million, for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
On an adjusted basis, EBITDA totaled $368.2 million in the first half of 2020 compared with $204.5 million in the first half of 2019. First-half 2020 adjusted net income totaled $153.1 million, or $5.87 per diluted share, compared with $31.8 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, in the first half of 2019.
2020 Outlook*
Reflecting our first-half results and our current market expectations for the balance of the year, and subject to any material COVID-19 developments, we expect to fly more than 330,000 block hours in 2020, with about 70% of the hours in ACMI and the remainder in Charter.
We also anticipate revenue of just over $3 billion and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $750 million. Our outlook also expects approximately 50% of our full-year 2020 adjusted net income to occur in the second half of the year. That would result in 2020 adjusted net income being more than double 2019.
Historically, we have generated the vast majority of our earnings in the second half of the year. This year, however, due to the strength of the first half, we anticipate our full-year 2020 adjusted net income to be more evenly split between the first and second half. Our second-quarter results this year benefited from commercial charter yields that were significantly above typical levels and from a $24.3 million (after tax) refund of excess aircraft rent paid in previous years.
Aircraft maintenance expense in 2020 is expected to total about $480 million, with depreciation and amortization totaling around $255 million. Core capital expenditures, which exclude aircraft and engine purchases, are projected to total approximately $80 to $90 million, mainly for parts and components for our fleet.
We estimate our full-year 2020 adjusted effective income tax rate will be approximately 23%.
For the third quarter of 2020, we expect commercial charter yields to moderate from the second quarter, but still remain elevated compared with typical yields for this time of year. We anticipate flying more than 85,000 block hours (about 70% in ACMI), with revenue of nearly $800 million and adjusted EBITDA of about $170 million. We also expect that our third-quarter adjusted net income will represent approximately 20% of our full-year 2020 adjusted net income, or to be more than six times higher than third-quarter 2019 adjusted net income of $9.5 million.
We provide guidance on an adjusted basis because we are unable to predict, with reasonable certainty, the effects of outstanding warrants and other items that could be material to our reported results.*
Conference Call
Management will host a conference call to discuss Atlas Air Worldwide’s second-quarter 2020 financial and operating results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 6, 2020.
Interested parties may listen to the call live at Atlas Air Worldwide’s Investor site or at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/9fgsqxqz.
For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be archived on the Investor site following the call. A replay will also be available through August 14 by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S. Toll Free) or (404) 537-3406 (from outside the U.S.) and using Access Code 1098299#.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we present certain non-GAAP financial measures to assist in the evaluation of our business performance. These non-GAAP measures include Adjusted EBITDA; Adjusted net income; Adjusted Diluted EPS; Adjusted effective tax rate; and Free Cash Flow, which exclude certain noncash income and expenses, and items impacting year-over-year comparisons of our results. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for Net income (loss); Diluted EPS; Effective tax rate; and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities, which are the most directly comparable measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Effective during the three months ended September 30, 2019, we changed our method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA to include Other Non-operating expenses (income) to enhance the usefulness for investors and analysts, and the comparability of the calculation to that of other companies. Prior period amounts have been adjusted for comparability.
Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the performance of the company’s ongoing operations and in planning and forecasting future periods. We believe that these adjusted measures, when considered together with the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provide meaningful supplemental information to assist investors and analysts in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. For example:
*We provide guidance on an adjusted basis and are unable to provide forward-looking guidance on a U.S. GAAP basis or a reconciliation to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures because we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items. The principal item is the impact on our results of our outstanding warrant liability, which are highly dependent on the change in our stock price during the period reported. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on our U.S. GAAP results.
About Atlas Air Worldwide:
Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., Southern Air Holdings, Inc. and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc., and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Our companies operate the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations.
Atlas Air Worldwide’s press releases, SEC filings and other information may be accessed through the company’s home page, www.atlasairworldwide.com.
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect Atlas Air Worldwide’s current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Those statements are based on management’s beliefs, plans, expectations and assumptions, and on information currently available to management. Generally, the words “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “believe,” “seek,” “project,” “estimate,” and similar expressions used in this release that do not relate to historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. They are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the operations and business environments of Atlas Air Worldwide and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “companies”) that may cause the actual results of the companies to be materially different from any future results, express or implied, in such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to effectively operate the network service contemplated by our agreements with Amazon; our ability to coordinate with Amazon to accept newly converted aircraft; the possibility that Amazon may terminate its agreements with the companies; the ability of the companies to operate pursuant to the terms of their financing facilities; the ability of the companies to obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers; the companies’ ability to maintain contracts that are critical to their operations; the ability of the companies to fund and execute their business plan; the ability of the companies to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives, pilots and associates; the ability of the companies to attract and retain customers; the continued availability of our
wide-body aircraft; demand for cargo services in the markets in which the companies operate; changes in U.S. and foreign government trade policies; economic conditions; the impact of geographical events or health epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic; our compliance with the requirements and restrictions under the Payroll Support Program; the effects of any hostilities or act of war (in the Middle East or elsewhere) or any terrorist attack; significant data breach or disruption of our information technology systems; labor costs and relations, work stoppages and service slowdowns; the outcome of pending negotiations with our pilots’ union; financing costs; the cost and availability of war risk insurance; aviation fuel costs; security-related costs; competitive pressures on pricing (especially from lower-cost competitors); volatility in the international currency markets; weather conditions; government legislation and regulation; consumer perceptions of the companies’ products and services; anticipated and future litigation; and other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in Atlas Air Worldwide’s reports to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
For additional information, we refer you to the risk factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q filed by Atlas Air Worldwide with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other factors and assumptions not identified above may also affect the forward-looking statements, and these other factors and assumptions may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed.
Except as stated in this release, Atlas Air Worldwide is not providing guidance or estimates regarding its anticipated business and financial performance for 2020 or thereafter.
Atlas Air Worldwide assumes no obligation to update such statements contained in this release to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such estimates other than as required by law and expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update publically any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances.
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