Hawaiian Holdings reports 2018 third quarter financial results, down to 5 767s

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2018.

“Through back-to-back hurricanes in Hawai’i and a typhoon in Japan, my colleagues minimized disruptions to operations, kept our guests safe, and supported community relief efforts all while delivering our authentic Hawaiian hospitality that is unmatched in the industry,” said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO.  “Our healthy financial and operational performance in this eventful quarter once again demonstrated that the Hawaiian team is second to none.”

Statistical information, as well as a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Shareholder Returns, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company returned $37.3 million to shareholders in the third quarter through $31.2 million in shares repurchased and $6.1 million in dividends paid.

On October 19, 2018 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share to be paid on November 30, 2018 to all shareholders of record as of November 16, 2018.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had:

• Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $591 million
• Outstanding debt and capital lease obligations of $718 million

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

Commercial

• Expanded its cargo services with the launch of its All-Cargo Neighbor Island service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Lihu’e Airport (LIH) and Hilo International Airport (ITO).  The All-Cargo service, which currently consists of two ATR-72 aircraft, is expected to expand in 2019 with the addition of flights between Honolulu (HNL) and Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) and Hawai’i Island’s Kona International Airport (KOA).

Operational

• Carried more than 3 million guests across its network, a record for the third quarter.

Partnerships

• Enhanced its comprehensive partnership with Japan Airlines with the implementation of reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for HawaiianMiles and JAL Mileage Bank members effective October 2018.  The enhanced program is the second phase of the comprehensive partnership launched in March 2018 with codeshare flights.

New Routes

• Announced its second East Coast route with new five-times-a-week non-stop service between Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) and Honolulu (HNL) beginning April 2019.

Copyright Photo: Michael Carter.

Fleet and Financing

• Took delivery of three Airbus A321neo aircraft between July and August, increasing the size of its A321neo fleet to nine aircraft.
• Retired two of its Boeing 767 aircraft in the third quarter as part of the planned exit from its 767 fleet.  Retired an additional 767 aircraft subsequent to quarter end, decreasing the size of its 767 fleet to five aircraft.
• Completed a sale-leaseback transaction for one of its Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
• Subsequent to quarter end, signed a definitive agreement with General Electric for the acquisition of GEnx engines to power its Boeing 787-9 fleet to be delivered starting in 2021.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Outlook

The table below summarizes the Company’s expectations for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2018 expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the recast results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, as applicable.

As a result of discretionary contributions to defined benefit and other postretirement plans made by the Company in the third quarter, and the resulting impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Company expects its effective tax rate for the full year ending December 31, 2018 to be in the range of 21 percent to 23 percent.