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8-K - 8-K - HAWAIIAN HOLDINGS INCa4q17earningsrelease.htm
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS

hawaiianairlineslogo.gif

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 29th, 2018
 
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Daniel Wong, Sr. Director - (808) 835-3291
Investor.Relations@HawaiianAir.com

MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT:
Alex Da Silva (808) 835-3712
Alex.DaSilva@HawaiianAir.com

 
Hawaiian Holdings Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results
 
HONOLULU — January 29, 2018 — Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) (the “Company”), parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (“Hawaiian”), today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017.

Fourth Quarter 2017 - Key Financial Metrics
 
 
GAAP
 
YoY Change
 
Adjusted
 
YoY Change
Net Income
 
$172.1M
 
+$170.2M
 
$57.5M
 
$(11.3)M
Diluted EPS
 
$3.29
 
+$3.25
 
$1.10
 
$(0.18)
Pre-tax Margin
 
16.0%
 
+15.4 pts.
 
13.6%
 
(4.0) pts.
Full Year 2017 - Key Financial Metrics
 
 
GAAP
 
YoY Change
 
Adjusted
 
YoY Change
Net Income
 
$364.0M
 
+$128.6M
 
$301.1M
 
+$21.1M
Diluted EPS
 
$6.82
 
+$2.46
 
$5.64
 
+$0.45
Pre-tax Margin
 
15.2%
 
(0.3) pts.
 
17.6%
 
(0.8) pts.


“We’re delighted to report record earnings for 2017 after our fourth quarter results cap an extremely strong year for Hawaiian” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO.  “Robust demand in all of our major geographies and moderate industry capacity growth offset the rising price of fuel.  We carried more guests this year than ever before and set new records for fourth quarter and full year revenue. These results are the product of the tireless efforts of the 6,600 employees who deliver authentic Hawaiian hospitality on the ground and in the air every single day.
 
Looking ahead, 2018 stands to be a year that Hawaiian enters into the last phase of a strategy mapped out over a decade ago. With new aircraft, new markets, and product enhancements tailored to the needs of the Hawai‘i traveler, we are better equipped to compete today than at any time in our past.  We look forward to the year ahead and all that it has in store.”


Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

On October 12, 2017, the Company announced the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share, the first of which was paid on November 30, 2017 to all stockholders of record as of November 17, 2017.

In addition, the Company repurchased approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock for approximately $100 million in 2017.  The Company also announced a new $100 million stock repurchase program in effect through December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2017 the Company had:
 
·                  Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $460 million.
·                  Outstanding debt and capital lease obligations of $571 million.

2017 Highlights

Operational

Carried a record 11.5 million passengers in 2017, a 4.1% increase over the previous year.
Completed new hangar facility which will provide significant efficiencies moving forward.
Introduced new uniforms which complements brand refresh that was unveiled earlier in the year.

New routes and increased frequencies

North America
Started operating new daily non-stop service between Portland International Airport (PDX) and Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG) in January 2018.
Announced new daily non-stop service between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Kahului (OGG) as well as between Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) with both expected to start in May 2018.
Extended seasonal non-stop service to year-round non-stop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Kaua‘i's Līhu‘e Airport (LIH).
Commenced summer seasonal service with daily non-stop flights between Oakland International Airport (OAK) and Līhu‘e (LIH) and thrice weekly flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Kona International Airport (KOA).
Announced extended service between Los Angeles (LAX) and both Kona (KOA) and Kahului (OGG), between Oakland (OAK) and both Līhu‘e (LIH) and Kona (KOA), and between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Honolulu (HNL).

International
Announced expansion of non-stop service between New Zealand's Auckland Airport (AKL) and Honolulu (HNL) starting in March 2018.
Announced expanded seasonal summer flights to include daily non-stop service between Narita International Airport (NRT) and Honolulu (HNL).

Neighbor Islands
Launched daily round trip service between Maui's Kapalua Airport (JHM) and both Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG), and between Līhu‘e (LIH) and Kona (KOA).

Partnerships

Announced a new partnership with Japan Airlines (JAL) that provides for extensive code sharing, lounge access and frequent flyer program reciprocity, taking effect on March 25, 2018 (subject to government approval). Also announced the intention to establish a joint venture with JAL designed to provide even more choices, convenience and enhancements to the traveling public to/from Japan and beyond to multiple Asian markets.


Fleet and financing

Completed a sale-leaseback transaction covering three Boeing 767-300 aircraft as part of the planned exit from its Boeing 767-300 fleet.
Took delivery of its first two Airbus 321neo aircraft, its 24th Airbus 330-200 aircraft, and its first ATR-72 turboprop aircraft in an all-cargo configuration.
Entered into an agreement in January 2018 to purchase three Boeing 767-300s which it previously leased and will subsequently sell later this year in line with plans to retire its Boeing 767-300 fleet by the end of 2018.

People

Ratified a 63-month contract with its pilots represented by the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA).
Contributed $150.6 million during the year to employee benefit plans, comprised of a one-time payment of $18.5 million to fully fund and terminate the Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. Salaried & IAM Merged Pension Plan, a one-time payment of $101.9 million to settle a portion of the post-65 medical plan obligation in connection with the ratification of a contract amendment with the Air Line Pilots Association, representing its pilots, and a contribution of approximately $30.2 million, $25.5 million above the minimum required, to further reduce pension obligations.


Product and loyalty

Unveiled brand refresh in May 2017 which included an updated logo and aircraft livery.
Announced the introduction of remodeled Airbus 330-200 aircraft to its non-stop service between Sapporo's New Chitose Airport (CTS) and Honolulu (HNL) starting in February 2018.


First Quarter and Full Year 2018 Outlook
 
The table below summarizes the Company’s expectations for the first quarter ending March 31, 2018 and the full year ending December 31, 2018, expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the pro forma results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 or the year ended December 31, 2017, as applicable.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and created a new topic (ASC 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASC 606 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. ASC 606 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has elected to adopt the full retrospective transition method as of January 1, 2018, resulting in the restatement of all prior periods on the date of adoption. Metrics in the guidance tables below that have been impacted by ASC 606 are shown as both originally stated and on an unaudited pro forma basis.

 
 
First Quarter
First Quarter
First Quarter
 
 
 
First Quarter
Item
 
2017 Original
2017 Restated
2018 Guidance
 
GAAP Equivalent
 
2018 Guidance
Cost per ASM excluding Fuel (a)
 
9.39¢
9.29¢
Up 3.5% to up 6.5%
 
Cost per ASM (a)
 
Up 3.3% to up 6.7%
Operating Revenue Per ASM
 
13.58¢
13.40¢
Down 0.5% to up 2.5%
 
 
 
 
ASMs
 
 
 
Up 3.0% to up 5.0%
 
 
 
 
Gallons of jet fuel consumed
 
 
 
Up 4.0% to up 6.0%
 
 
 
 
Economic fuel cost per gallon (b)(c)
 
 
 
$1.90 to $2.00
 
Fuel cost per gallon (b)
 
$2.01 to $2.11

 
 
Full Year
Full Year
Full Year
 
 
 
Full Year
Item
 
2017 Original
2017 Restated
2018 Guidance
 
GAAP Equivalent
 
2018 Guidance
Cost per ASM excluding Fuel (a)
 
9.20¢
9.19¢
Down 0.5% to up 2.5%
 
Cost per ASM (a)
 
Up 1.9% to up 5.4%
ASMs
 
 
 
Up 5.0% to up 8.0%
 
 
 
 
Gallons of jet fuel consumed
 
 
 
Up 3.0% to up 6.0%
 
 
 
 
Economic fuel cost per gallon (b)(c)
 
 
 
$1.97 to $2.07
 
Fuel cost per gallon (b)
 
$2.02 to $2.12

(a) See Table 4 for a reconciliation of GAAP operating expenses to operating expenses excluding aircraft fuel.
(b) Economic fuel cost per gallon estimates are based on the January 16, 2018 fuel forward curve.
(c) See Table 3 for a reconciliation of GAAP fuel costs to economic fuel costs.


Investor Conference Call
 
Hawaiian Holdings’ quarterly and full year earnings conference call is scheduled to begin today (January 29, 2018) 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 and available for 90 days on the investor relations section of the Company's website.
 
About Hawaiian Airlines
 
Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 13 years (2004-2016) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.

Now in its 89th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i’s biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to Hawai‘i from more U.S. gateway cities (11) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 170 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands, with a total of more than 250 daily flights system-wide.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow updates on Twitter about Hawaiian (@HawaiianAir) and its special fare offers (@HawaiianFares), and become a fan on its Facebook page (Hawaiian Airlines). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian’s LinkedIn page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines’ online newsroom.


Forward-Looking Statements
 
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance.  Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s expectations regarding cost per available seat mile, cost per available seat mile excluding fuel, available seat miles, gallons of jet fuel consumed, fuel cost per gallon, and economic fuel cost per gallon each for the quarter ending March 31, 2018 and for the full year ending December 31, 2018; the Company's expectations regarding operating revenue per available seat mile for the quarter ending March 31, 2018; the statements of our president and CEO; the Company’s plans to retire its Boeing 767-300 fleet by the end of 2018; the Company’s expected tax rate in 2018; and statements as to other matters that do not relate strictly to historical facts or statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are also intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company’s operations and business environment, all of 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 Company’s ability to accurately forecast quarterly and annual results; economic volatility; macroeconomic developments; political developments; the price and availability of aircraft fuel; fluctuations in demand for transportation in the markets in which the Company operates; the Company’s dependence on tourist travel; labor negotiations and related developments; competitive pressures, including the potential impact of rising industry capacity between North America and Hawai‘i; the Company's ability to continue to generate sufficient cash flow to support the payment of a quarterly dividend; changes in the Company's future capital needs; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the Company’s ability to implement its growth strategy.


The risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to above that could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements also include the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed from time to time in the Company’s other public filings and public announcements, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that may be filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof.  The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied herein will not be realized.



Table 1.
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except for per share data) (unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016 (a)
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016 (a)
 
% Change
Operating Revenue:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger
 
$
596,801

 
$
553,647

 
7.8
 %
 
$
2,362,076

 
$
2,145,742

 
10.1
 %
Other
 
89,748

 
79,326

 
13.1
 %
 
333,552

 
304,838

 
9.4
 %
Total
 
686,549

 
632,973

 
8.5
 %
 
2,695,628

 
2,450,580

 
10.0
 %
Operating Expenses:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Wages and benefits
 
166,225

 
139,545

 
19.1
 %
 
632,997

 
535,264

 
18.3
 %
Aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery
 
123,960

 
95,806

 
29.4
 %
 
440,383

 
344,322

 
27.9
 %
Aircraft rent
 
34,881

 
32,220

 
8.3
 %
 
137,764

 
124,565

 
10.6
 %
Maintenance materials and repairs
 
58,187

 
62,069

 
(6.3
)%
 
219,553

 
228,970

 
(4.1
)%
Aircraft and passenger servicing
 
35,997

 
33,631

 
7.0
 %
 
140,566

 
126,876

 
10.8
 %
Commissions and other selling
 
33,115

 
31,795

 
4.2
 %
 
131,783

 
125,731

 
4.8
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
29,490

 
26,499

 
11.3
 %
 
113,277

 
108,128

 
4.8
 %
Other rentals and landing fees
 
30,000

 
29,749

 
0.8
 %
 
116,763

 
108,087

 
8.0
 %
Purchased services
 
31,359

 
23,385

 
34.1
 %
 
110,787

 
96,274

 
15.1
 %
Other
 
43,157

 
33,210

 
30.0
 %
 
144,533

 
127,489

 
13.4
 %
Special items
 

 
109,142

 
(100.0
)%
 
23,450

 
109,142

 
(78.5
)%
Total
 
586,371

 
617,051

 
(5.0
)%
 
2,211,856

 
2,034,848

 
8.7
 %
Operating Income
 
100,178

 
15,922

 
529.2
 %
 
483,772

 
415,732

 
16.4
 %
Nonoperating Income (Expense):
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Other nonoperating special items
 
4,617

 

 
 
 
(45,585
)
 

 
 
Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs
 
(7,609
)
 
(8,159
)
 
 
 
(30,901
)
 
(36,612
)
 
 
Interest income
 
1,652

 
963

 
 
 
6,132

 
4,007

 
 
Capitalized interest
 
2,179

 
1,244

 
 
 
8,437

 
2,651

 
 
Gains on fuel derivatives
 
13,540

 
4,685

 
 
 
3,312

 
20,106

 
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 
(480
)
 
 
 

 
(10,473
)
 
 
Other components of net periodic benefit cost
 
(3,420
)
 
(5,053
)
 
 
 
(16,713
)
 
(20,270
)
 
 
Other, net
 
(1,060
)
 
(5,561
)
 
 
 
2,101

 
4,323

 
 
Total
 
9,899

 
(12,361
)
 
 
 
(73,217
)
 
(36,268
)
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
110,077

 
3,561

 
 
 
410,555

 
379,464

 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(62,053
)
 
1,619

 
 
 
46,514

 
144,032

 
 
Net Income
 
$
172,130

 
$
1,942

 
 
 
$
364,041

 
$
235,432

 
 
Net Income Per Common Stock Share:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Basic
 
$
3.31

 
$
0.04

 
 
 
$
6.86

 
$
4.40

 
 
Diluted
 
$
3.29

 
$
0.04

 
 
 
$
6.82

 
$
4.36

 
 
Weighted Average Number of Common Stock Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
51,939

 
53,433

 
 
 
53,074

 
53,502

 
 
Diluted
 
52,263

 
53,910

 
 
 
53,413

 
53,958

 
 
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share
 
$
0.12

 

 
 
 
$
0.12

 

 
 




(a) The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Accounting Standard Update 2017-07 (ASU 2017-07) is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption only permitted for the Company in the first quarter of 2017, provided all provisions of the ASU are adopted. The Company early adopted this standard during the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-07 resulted in a reclassification of $5.1 million and $20.3 million from wages and benefits to other components of net periodic benefit cost on the Company's consolidated statement of operations for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively.





Table 2.
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
Selected Statistical Data
(in thousands, except as otherwise indicated) (unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
% Change
Scheduled Operations (a) :
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Revenue passengers flown
 
2,910

 
2,728

 
6.7
 %
 
11,498

 
11,044

 
4.1
%
Revenue passenger miles (RPM)
 
4,120,002

 
3,929,846

 
4.8
 %
 
16,307,344

 
15,484,369

 
5.3
%
Available seat miles (ASM)
 
4,788,457

 
4,565,978

 
4.9
 %
 
18,991,566

 
18,371,544

 
3.4
%
Passenger revenue per RPM (Yield)
 

14.49
¢
 

14.09
¢
 
2.8
 %
 

14.48
¢
 

13.86
¢
 
4.5
%
Passenger load factor (RPM/ASM)
 
86.0
%
 
86.1
%
 
(0.1
) pt.
 
85.9
%
 
84.3
%
 
1.6
 pt.
Passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM)
 

12.46
¢
 

12.13
¢
 
2.7
 %
 

12.44
¢
 

11.68
¢
 
6.5
%
Total Operations (a) :
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Revenue passengers flown
 
2,914

 
2,730

 
6.7
 %
 
11,505

 
11,051

 
4.1
%
RPM
 
4,125,894

 
3,932,713

 
4.9
 %
 
16,316,739

 
15,492,509

 
5.3
%
ASM
 
4,798,039

 
4,570,679

 
5.0
 %
 
19,006,682

 
18,384,637

 
3.4
%
Passenger load factor (RPM/ASM)
 
86.0
%
 
86.0
%
 

 
85.8
%
 
84.3
%
 
1.5
 pt.
Operating revenue per ASM (RASM)
 

14.31
¢
 

13.85
¢
 
3.3
 %
 

14.18
¢
 

13.33
¢
 
6.4
%
Operating cost per ASM (CASM)
 

12.22
¢
 

13.50
¢
 
(9.5
) pt.
 

11.64
¢
 

11.07
¢
 
5.1
%
CASM excluding aircraft fuel and special items (b)
 

9.64
¢
 

9.02
¢
 
6.9
 %
 

9.20
¢
 

8.61
¢
 
6.9
%
Aircraft fuel expense per ASM (c)
 

2.58
¢
 

2.10
¢
 
22.9
 %
 

2.32
¢
 

1.87
¢
 
24.1
%
Revenue block hours operated
 
47,926

 
44,627

 
7.4
 %
 
189,881

 
179,254

 
5.9
%
Gallons of jet fuel consumed
 
66,511

 
61,647

 
7.9
 %
 
259,915

 
244,118

 
6.5
%
Average cost per gallon of jet fuel (actual) (c)
 
$
1.86

 
$
1.55

 
20.0
 %
 
$
1.69

 
$
1.41

 
19.9
%
Economic fuel cost per gallon (c)(d)
 
$
1.84

 
$
1.51

 
21.9
 %
 
$
1.70

 
$
1.52

 
11.8
%
 
(a)         Includes the operations of the Company's contract carrier under a capacity purchase agreement.
(b)         See Table 4 for a reconciliation of GAAP operating expenses to operating expenses excluding aircraft fuel.
(c)         Includes applicable taxes and fees.
(d)         See Table 3 for a reconciliation of GAAP fuel costs to economic fuel costs.





Table 3.
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
Economic Fuel Expense
(in thousands, except per-gallon amounts) (unaudited)
 
The Company believes that economic fuel expense is a good 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. The Company defines economic fuel expense as GAAP fuel expense plus losses/(gains) realized through actual cash (receipts)/payments received from or paid to hedge counterparties for fuel hedge derivative contracts settled during the period.

 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
% Change
Aircraft fuel expense, including taxes and delivery
 
$
123,960

 
$
95,806

 
29.4
 %
 
$
440,383

 
$
344,322

 
27.9
 %
Realized (gains)/losses on settlement of fuel derivative contracts
 
(1,565
)
 
(2,778
)
 
(43.7
)%
 
534

 
27,572

 
(98.1
)%
Economic fuel expense
 
$
122,395

 
$
93,028

 
31.6
 %
 
$
440,917

 
$
371,894

 
18.6
 %
Fuel gallons consumed
 
66,511

 
61,647

 
7.9
 %
 
259,915

 
244,118

 
6.5
 %
Economic fuel costs per gallon
 
$
1.84

 
$
1.51

 
21.9
 %
 
$
1.70

 
$
1.52

 
11.8
 %

 
 
Estimated three months ending
March 31, 2018
 
 Estimated full year ending
December 31, 2018
Aircraft fuel expense, including taxes and delivery
 
$
128,994

-
$
137,885

 
$
540,894

-
$
583,805

Realized (gains)/losses on settlement of fuel derivative contracts
 
(7,000
)
-
(7,000
)
 
(13,500
)
-
(13,500
)
Economic fuel expense
 
$
121,994

-
$
130,885

 
$
527,394

-
$
570,305

Fuel gallons consumed
 
64,208

-
65,442

 
267,712

-
275,510

Economic fuel costs per gallon
 
$
1.90

-
$
2.00

 
$
1.97

-
$
2.07


Table 4.
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Reconciliation
(in thousands, except per-share and CASM data) (unaudited)
 
The Company evaluates its financial performance utilizing various GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, including net income, diluted net income per share, CASM, PRASM, RASM, Passenger Revenue per RPM and EBITDAR.  Pursuant to Regulation G, the Company has included the following reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis.  The adjustments are described below:

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts, net of tax, are based on market prices for open contracts as of the end of the reporting period. This line item includes the unrealized amounts of fuel and interest rate derivatives (not designated as hedges) that will settle in future periods and the reversal of prior period unrealized amounts. The Company believes that excluding the impact of these derivative adjustments helps investors to analyze the Company's core operational performance and compare its results to other airlines in the periods presented below.

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax, is excluded to help investors analyze the Company's core operational performance and compare its results to other airlines in the periods presented below.

As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Company recognized a one time benefit of $104.2 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2017 from the estimated impact of the revaluation of deferred tax



assets and liabilities. For 2018, the expected reduction in the corporate tax rate will result in an all-in book tax rate for the Company of 24% to 26%.


2016 special items

The impairment analysis and ultimate charge was triggered by the decision in the fourth quarter of 2016 to exit the Boeing 767-300 fleet in 2018. The Company estimated the fair value of the owned Boeing 767-300 fleet assets using third party pricing information and quotes from potential buyers, which resulted in a $49.4 million impairment charge ($0.92 per diluted share).

In 2016, the Company accrued $34.0 million associated with the tentative agreement with ALPA related to past service (prior to January 1, 2017) and also elected to pay a $4.8 million profit sharing bonus payment to other labor groups related to prior period service.

In connection with the decision to exit the Boeing 767-300 fleet, the Company negotiated a termination of its Boeing 767-300 maintenance agreement and recorded a $21.0 million charge related to the amount paid to terminate the contract.

2017 special items

In August 2017, the Company terminated the Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. Salaried & IAM Merged Pension Plan (the Merged Plan) and settled a portion of its pilots' other post-retirement medical plan liability. In connection with the reduction of these liabilities the Company recorded one-time other nonoperating special items of $35.2 million related to the Merged Plan termination and $10.4 million related to the other post-retirement (OPEB) medical plan partial settlement.

In April 2017, the Company executed a sale leaseback transaction with an independent third party for three Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The lease terms for the three aircraft commenced in April 2017 and continues through November 2018, December 2018, and January 2019, respectively. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a loss on sale of aircraft of $4.8 million.

In February 2017, the Company reached a tentative agreement with ALPA, covering the Company's pilots. In March 2017, the Company received notice from ALPA that the agreement was ratified by ALPA's members.  The agreement became effective April 1, 2017 and has a term of 63 months.  The agreement includes, among other various benefits, a pay adjustment and ratification bonus computed based on previous service. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company expensed $18.7 million related to (1) a one-time payment to reduce the Company's future 401K employer contribution for certain pilot groups, which is not recoverable once paid and (2) a one-time true up of the pilot vacation accrual at the revised rates set forth in the agreement.

The Company believes that excluding such special items helps investors analyze the Company's operational performance and compare its results to other airlines in the periods presented below.





 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Total
 
Diluted Per Share
 
Total
 
Diluted Per Share
 
Total
 
Diluted Per Share
 
Total
 
Diluted Per Share
GAAP net income, as reported
 
$
172,130

 
$
3.29

 
$
1,942

 
$
0.04

 
$
364,041

 
$
6.82

 
$
235,432

 
$
4.36

Add: estimated effect of revaluation of deferred tax liability
 
(104,176
)
 
(1.99
)
 

 

 
(104,176
)
 
(1.95
)
 

 

Add (deduct): changes in fair value of derivative contracts
 
(11,974
)
 
(0.23
)
 
(1,907
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(3,846
)
 
(0.07
)
 
(47,678
)
 
(0.88
)
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 
480

 
0.01

 

 

 
10,473

 
0.19

Add: special items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Operating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on sale of aircraft
 

 

 

 

 
4,771

 
0.09

 

 

Collective bargaining charge
 

 

 
38,781

 
0.72

 
18,679

 
0.35

 
38,781

 
0.72

Impairment charge
 

 

 
49,361

 
0.92

 

 

 
49,361

 
0.92

Termination of Boeing 767-300
 

 

 
21,000

 
0.39

 

 

 
21,000

 
0.39

    Nonoperating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partial settlement and curtailment loss
 
(4,617
)
 
(0.09
)
 

 

 
10,384

 
0.19

 

 

Loss on plan termination
 

 

 

 

 
35,201

 
0.66

 

 

Total special items
 
(4,617
)
 
(0.09
)
 
109,142

 
2.03

 
69,035

 
1.29

 
109,142

 
2.03

Add (deduct): tax effect of adjustments
 
6,089

 
0.12

 
(40,903
)
 
(0.76
)
 
(23,924
)
 
(0.45
)
 
(27,307
)
 
(0.51
)
Adjusted net income
 
$
57,452

 
$
1.10

 
$
68,754

 
$
1.28

 
$
301,130

 
$
5.64

 
$
280,062

 
$
5.19


 
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Income Before Income Taxes, as reported
 
$
110,077

 
$
3,561

 
$
410,555

 
$
379,464

Add: changes in fair value of derivative contracts
 
(11,974
)
 
(1,907
)
 
(3,846
)
 
(47,678
)
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 
480

 

 
10,473

Add: special items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Operating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on sale of aircraft
 

 

 
4,771

 

Collective bargaining charge
 

 
38,781

 
18,679

 
38,781

Impairment charge
 

 
49,361

 

 
49,361

Termination of Boeing 767-300
 

 
21,000

 

 
21,000

    Nonoperating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partial settlement and curtailment loss
 
(4,617
)
 

 
10,384

 

Loss on plan termination
 

 

 
35,201

 

  Total special items
 
$
(4,617
)
 
$
109,142

 
$
69,035

 
$
109,142

Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes
 
$
93,486

 
$
111,276

 
$
475,744

 
$
451,401





Operating Costs per Available Seat Mile (CASM)
The Company has separately listed in the table below its fuel costs per ASM and non-GAAP unit costs, excluding fuel and special items. These amounts are included in CASM, but for internal purposes the Company consistently uses cost metrics that exclude fuel and special items (if applicable) to measure and monitor its costs.
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016 (a)
 
2017
 
2016 (a)
GAAP operating expenses
 
$
586,371

 
$
617,051

 
$
2,211,856

 
$
2,034,848

Less: aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery
 
(123,960
)
 
(95,806
)
 
(440,383
)
 
(344,322
)
Less: special items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Operating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on sale of aircraft
 

 

 
(4,771
)
 

Collective bargaining charge
 

 
(38,781
)
 
(18,679
)
 
(38,781
)
Impairment charge
 

 
(49,361
)
 

 
(49,361
)
Termination of Boeing 767-300
 

 
(21,000
)
 

 
(21,000
)
  Total special items
 
$

 
$
(109,142
)
 
$
(23,450
)
 
$
(109,142
)
Adjusted operating expenses—excluding aircraft fuel and special items
 
$
462,411

 
$
412,103

 
$
1,748,023

 
$
1,581,384

Available Seat Miles
 
4,798,039

 
4,570,679

 
19,006,682

 
18,384,637

CASM—GAAP
 

12.22
¢
 

13.50
 ¢
 

11.64
 ¢
 

11.07
 ¢
Less: aircraft fuel
 
(2.58
)
 
(2.10
)
 
(2.32
)
 
(1.87
)
Less: special items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Operating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on sale of aircraft
 

 

 
(0.02
)
 

Collective bargaining charge
 

 
(0.84
)
 
(0.10
)
 
(0.20
)
Impairment charge
 

 
(1.08
)
 

 
(0.28
)
Termination of Boeing 767-300
 

 
(0.46
)
 

 
(0.11
)
  Total special items
 

¢
 

(2.38
 

(0.12
 

(0.59
CASM—excluding aircraft fuel and special items
 

9.64
¢
 

9.02
 ¢
 

9.20
 ¢
 

8.61
 ¢

(a) The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Accounting Standard Update 2017-07 (ASU 2017-07) is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption only permitted for the Company in the first quarter of 2017, provided all provisions of the ASU are adopted. The Company early adopted this standard during the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-07 resulted in a reclassification of $5.1 million and $20.3 million from wages and benefits to other components of net periodic benefit cost on the Company's consolidated statement of operations for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively.




 
 
Estimated three months ending March 31, 2018
 
Estimated full year ending December 31, 2018
 
 
(in thousands, except for CASM figures)
 
(in thousands, except for CASM figures)
GAAP operating expenses
 
$
576,870

-
$
607,691

 
$
2,365,773

-
$
2,517,418

Less: aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery
 
(128,994
)
-
(137,885
)
 
(540,894
)
-
(583,805
)
Adjusted operating expenses - excluding aircraft fuel
 
$
447,876

-
$
469,806

 
$
1,824,879

-
$
1,933,613

Available Seat Miles
 
4,658,024

-
4,748,471

 
19,957,016

-
20,527,217

CASM - GAAP
 

12.39
¢
-

12.79
¢
 

11.85
¢
-

12.26
¢
Less: aircraft fuel
 
(2.77
)
-
(2.90
)
 
(2.71
)
-
(2.84
)
CASM - excluding aircraft fuel
 

9.62
¢
-

9.89
¢
 

9.14
¢
-

9.42
¢

Pre-tax margin
The Company excludes unrealized (gains) losses from fuel derivative contracts, losses on extinguishment of debt and special items from pre-tax margin for the same reasons as described above.

 
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Pre-Tax Margin, as reported
 
16.0
 %
 
0.6
 %
 
15.2
 %
 
15.5
 %
Add: changes in fair value of derivative contracts
 
(1.7
)%
 
(0.3
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
(2.0
)%
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt
 
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
 %
 
0.4
 %
Add: special items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Operating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on sale of aircraft
 
 %
 
 %
 
0.2
 %
 
 %
Collective bargaining charge
 
 %
 
6.1
 %
 
0.7
 %
 
1.6
 %
Impairment charge
 
 %
 
7.8
 %
 
 %
 
2.0
 %
Termination of Boeing 767-300
 
 %
 
3.3
 %
 
 %
 
0.9
 %
    Nonoperating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partial settlement and curtailment loss
 
(0.7
)%
 
 %
 
0.4
 %
 
 %
Loss on plan termination
 
 %
 
 %
 
1.3
 %
 
 %
Adjusted Pre-Tax Margin
 
13.6
 %
 
17.6
 %
 
17.6
 %
 
18.4
 %




Leverage ratio
The Company uses adjusted total debt, including aircraft rent, in addition to long-term adjusted debt and capital leases, to represent long-term financial obligations. The Company excludes unrealized (gains) losses from fuel derivative contracts, losses on extinguishment of debt, and special items from earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent (EBITDAR) for the reasons as described above. Management believes this metric is helpful to investors in assessing the Company’s overall debt.

 
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
December 31, 2017
Debt and capital lease obligations
 
$
570,671

Plus: Aircraft leases capitalized at 7x last twelve months' aircraft rent
 
964,348

Adjusted debt and capital lease obligations
 
$
1,535,019

 
 
 
EBITDAR:
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
$
410,555

Add back:
 
 
Interest and amortization of debt expense
 
30,901

Depreciation and amortization
 
113,277

Aircraft rent
 
137,764

EBITDAR
 
$
692,497

 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
Add: changes in fair value of derivative contracts
 
(3,846
)
Add: special items
 
 
    Operating
 
 
Collective bargaining charge
 
18,679

Loss on sale of aircraft
 
4,771

    Nonoperating
 
 
Partial settlement and curtailment loss
 
10,384

Loss on plan termination
 
35,201

Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
757,686

 
 
 
Leverage Ratio
 
2.0
x