8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 24, 2014

 

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-06033   36-2675207
Delaware   001-10323   74-2099724

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 

233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL   60606
233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL   60606
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(872) 825-4000

(872) 825-4000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On July 24, 2014, United Continental Holdings, Inc. (“UAL”), the holding company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (“United,” and together with UAL, the “Company”), issued a press release announcing the financial results of the Company for second quarter 2014. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On July 24, 2014, UAL will provide an investor update related to the financial and operational outlook for the Company for third quarter and full year 2014. A copy of the investor update is attached as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.2, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1*    Press Release issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated July 24, 2014
99.2*    Investor Update issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated July 24, 2014

 

* Furnished herewith electronically.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Chris Kenny

Name:

  Chris Kenny

Title:

  Vice President and Controller

Date: July 24, 2014


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1*    Press Release issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated July 24, 2014
99.2*    Investor Update issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated July 24, 2014

 

* Furnished herewith electronically.
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

   LOGO

United Announces

Second-Quarter 2014 Profit

UAL Reports $919 Million Second-Quarter 2014 Profit Excluding Special Items;

$789 Million Profit Including Special Items

Company announces $1.0 billion share repurchase program

CHICAGO, July 24, 2014 – United Airlines (UAL) today reported second-quarter 2014 net income of $919 million, an increase of 51 percent year-over-year, or $2.34 per diluted share, excluding $130 million of special items. Including special items, UAL reported second-quarter 2014 net income of $789 million, or $2.01 per diluted share.

 

    United’s consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 3.7 percent in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013.

 

    Second-quarter 2014 consolidated unit costs (CASM), excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel and profit sharing, decreased 0.2 percent year-over-year on a consolidated capacity reduction of 0.1 percent. Second-quarter 2014 CASM, including those items, increased 2.2 percent year-over-year.

 

    The company generated $1.5 billion of operating cash flow in the second quarter of 2014.

 

    UAL ended the second quarter with $6.8 billion in unrestricted liquidity.

 

    The company earned a 10.3 percent return on invested capital for the 12 months ended June 30, 2014.

 

    UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program, which the company expects to complete within the next three years.

“I am encouraged by the solid progress we made in the second quarter. Our team is focused on improving our operations and service and on continuing to improve year-over-year revenue performance and cost control,” said Jeff Smisek, UAL’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The $1 billion share repurchase program we announced today demonstrates our progress and commitment to increasing value for our shareholders and the confidence we have in our plan.”

 

LOGO


UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 2

 

Second-Quarter Revenue and Capacity

For the second quarter of 2014, total revenue was $10.3 billion, an increase of 3.3 percent year-over-year. Second-quarter consolidated passenger revenue increased 3.6 percent to $9.0 billion, compared to the same period in 2013. Ancillary revenue per passenger in the second quarter increased 7.9 percent year-over-year to more than $21 per passenger. Second-quarter cargo revenue decreased 1.7 percent versus the second quarter of 2013 to $232 million. Other revenue in the second quarter increased 1.7 percent year-over-year to $1.1 billion.

Consolidated revenue passenger miles increased 0.6 percent and consolidated available seat miles decreased 0.1 percent year-over-year for the second quarter, resulting in a second-quarter consolidated load factor of 85.3 percent.

Second-quarter 2014 consolidated PRASM increased 3.7 percent and consolidated yield increased 3.0 percent compared to the second quarter of 2013. The company’s consolidated domestic PRASM, including both mainline and regional flying, increased 5.6 percent year-over-year.

“We are beginning to see the benefits of the changes we’re implementing to our network and revenue management processes,” said Jim Compton, UAL’s vice chairman and chief revenue officer. “We have more work to do, however, and will continue to make the appropriate adjustments to accelerate our revenue growth.”

Passenger revenue for the second quarter of 2014 and period-to-period comparisons of related statistics for UAL’s mainline and regional operations are as follows:

 

     2Q 2014
Passenger
Revenue
(millions)
     Passenger
Revenue vs.
2Q 2013
    PRASM vs.
2Q 2013
    Yield vs.
2Q 2013
    Available
Seat Miles
vs.
2Q 2013
 

Domestic

   $ 3,517         6.3     7.8     6.8     (1.4 %) 

Atlantic

     1,710         2.8     2.5     2.1     0.3

Pacific

     1,190         (0.3 %)      (2.6 %)      (0.8 %)      2.4

Latin America

     731         10.3     4.4     1.5     5.6
  

 

 

          

International

     3,631         3.2     1.0     1.0     2.1

Mainline

     7,148         4.7     4.4     3.8     0.3

Regional

     1,833         (0.3 %)      2.4     0.6     (2.7 %) 
  

 

 

          

Consolidated

   $ 8,981         3.6     3.7     3.0     (0.1 %) 

Second-Quarter Costs

Second-quarter consolidated CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expense, fuel and profit sharing, decreased 0.2 percent compared to the second quarter of 2013. Second-quarter consolidated CASM, including those items, increased 2.2 percent year-over-year. The company’s strong cost performance in the quarter was largely driven by execution on its cost-savings initiatives, as well as by the timing of certain expenses moving to the second half of the year.


UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 3

 

Second-quarter total operating expenses, excluding special charges, increased $75 million, or 0.8 percent, year-over-year. Including special charges, total operating expenses increased $192 million, or 2.1 percent, in the second quarter versus the same period in 2013. Third-party business expense was $215 million in the second quarter of 2014.

Second-Quarter Liquidity and Cash Flow

UAL ended the second quarter with $6.8 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $1.0 billion of undrawn commitments under a revolving credit facility. The company generated $1.5 billion of operating cash flow in the second quarter. During the second quarter, the company had gross capital expenditures of $871 million, excluding fully reimbursable projects. The company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $333 million in the second quarter. For the 12 months ended June 30, 2014, the company’s return on invested capital was 10.3 percent.

The company’s long-term capital structure goals include reducing its non-aircraft related debt and achieving a total gross debt balance, including capitalized operating leases, of approximately $15 billion while maintaining an unrestricted liquidity balance of $5 billion to $6 billion, including its undrawn revolver.

Share Repurchase Program

UAL’s Board authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program, which the company expects to complete within the next three years. This amount represents approximately 6 percent of the company’s market capitalization as of yesterday’s closing stock price. Additionally, in the second quarter, the company spent $62 million to retire convertible debt that would have converted into approximately 1.5 million shares of UAL common stock.

“We have laid a sound financial foundation over the last few years by paying off debt and investing in our business. Our earnings profile, coupled with measured capital expenditures and manageable debt maturities, enable us to take this initial step toward returning cash to our shareholders,” said John Rainey, UAL’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “This action helps us achieve a more balanced allocation of our cash flow.”

UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of common stock subject to prevailing market conditions and may discontinue such repurchases at any time.


UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 4

 

Second-Quarter 2014 Accomplishments

Operations, Employees and Network

 

    United Airlines reported a second-quarter mainline on-time arrival rate (domestic and international) of 76.4 percent, adversely affected by multi-month runway closures in its San Francisco and Newark hubs. The on-time arrival rate is based on flights arriving within 14 minutes of scheduled arrival time.

 

    The company reached a joint collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Airline Flight Control Association (PAFCA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) for United’s dispatchers. The dispatchers subsequently ratified the new agreement.

 

    The company began a facilitated negotiations process with the Association of Flight Attendants and held further discussions in advance of scheduled mediation with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing United’s technicians.

 

    United expanded its industry-leading global route network, launching nonstop flights from Houston to Munich; Newark to Santiago, Dominican Republic; and new seasonal service between Chicago and Edinburgh, Scotland, and from Washington, D.C., to both Madrid and Nassau, Bahamas. The company continued to develop its industry-leading Pacific gateway in San Francisco by launching service to Chengdu, China, and announcing service to Tokyo’s Haneda airport. The company also announced new service from Houston to Santiago, Chile, and announced new routes from Chicago to Belize City, Belize; Denver to Panama City; Houston to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and San Francisco to Kelowna, British Columbia. The airline announced nine new domestic markets and launched 14 new domestic routes in the second quarter, including United’s first service to Atlantic City, N.J.; Bangor, Maine; Pueblo, Colorado; and St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Finance and Fleet

 

    United raised $949 million of debt financing through enhanced equipment trust certificates at a blended rate of 4.13 percent. The debt proceeds are being used to finance the acquisition of 13 Boeing 737-900ERs, nine Embraer 175s, two 787-8 Dreamliners and one 787-9 Dreamliner.

 

    The company took delivery of 10 Boeing 737-900ERs and one 787-8 Dreamliner, and also exited from scheduled service nine 757-200s during the quarter.

 

    The company introduced seven highly efficient Embraer 175 aircraft to the United Express fleet. The modern and spacious 76-seat aircraft is the newest addition to the United Express fleet, enabling the airline to offer an improved regional jet experience. These aircraft will largely replace less-efficient 50-seat regional jets, and the company expects to reduce its 50-seat regional jet fleet by 38 aircraft by the end of the year.

 

    United continued installing slimmer, next-generation economy class seats on certain aircraft, which enables one to two additional rows per aircraft. The airline now offers these seats, which are 10 to 15 percent lighter than the seats they are replacing, on approximately 240 aircraft.


UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 5

 

Flyer-Friendly Product, Loyalty Program and Facilities

 

    The company now offers Wi-Fi on more than 290 aircraft, including its entire Airbus fleet, and expects to have more than 450 Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft by the end of 2014.

 

    United began installing its new personal device entertainment system on select aircraft, enabling customers to choose from more than 150 movies and nearly 200 television shows and watch them on their laptops or iOS devices.

 

    United launched its all-new mobile application for the Android platform, offering innovative new features, smoother functionality and an improved touch-friendly design. The new Android app follows the airline’s redesign of its mobile app for the iOS platform.

 

    United announced its 2015 MileagePlus program. Members will earn award miles based on ticket price – specifically the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges – and MileagePlus status, rather than distance flown.

 

    United consolidated its London Heathrow operation into one terminal in the new Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal. United’s 22 Star Alliance partners serving Heathrow are progressively moving to Terminal 2, enabling faster, more convenient connections for customers. United operates more daily flights to Heathrow than any other U.S. carrier.

 

    The company unveiled a new 10-gate, 97,000-square-foot concourse in Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal B that offers modern conveniences that streamline the airport experience, including self-tagging baggage kiosks, automated self-boarding gates and a new customer service center.

 

    The airline opened new United Clubs at London Heathrow, Boston and San Francisco, featuring the latest airport lounge design concept that it unveiled at United Clubs in Chicago, San Diego and Seattle. The company also opened a new United Global First Lounge in London, offering premium customers more privacy and personal service.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 374 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. With hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 32 new Embraer 175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.


UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 6

 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements included in this release are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans, including optimizing our revenue; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; our capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements and environmental regulations); labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; the possibility that expected merger synergies will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A., Risk Factors, of UAL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.

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UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 7

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2014, AND 2013

 

     Three Months Ended     %     Six Months Ended     %  
     June 30,     Increase/     June 30,     Increase/  
(In millions, except per share data)    2014     2013     (Decrease)     2014     2013     (Decrease)  

Operating revenue:

            

Passenger:

            

Mainline

   $ 7,148      $ 6,829        4.7      $ 12,996      $ 12,767        1.8   

Regional

     1,833        1,839        (0.3     3,369        3,460        (2.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total passenger revenue

     8,981        8,668        3.6        16,365        16,227        0.9   

Cargo

     232        236        (1.7     441        463        (4.8

Other operating revenue

     1,116        1,097        1.7        2,219        2,032        9.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenue

     10,329        10,001        3.3        19,025        18,722        1.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating expense:

            

Aircraft fuel (A)

     3,101        3,068        1.1        6,018        6,118        (1.6

Salaries and related costs

     2,187        2,175        0.6        4,340        4,302        0.9   

Regional capacity purchase

     591        628        (5.9     1,150        1,216        (5.4

Landing fees and other rent

     567        507        11.8        1,139        1,004        13.4   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     471        480        (1.9     929        918        1.2   

Depreciation and amortization

     417        425        (1.9     826        833        (0.8

Distribution expenses

     346        347        (0.3     664        675        (1.6

Aircraft rent

     222        235        (5.5     446        475        (6.1

Special charges (B)

     169        52        NM        221        144        NM   

Other operating expenses

     1,352        1,314        2.9        2,735        2,531        8.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expense

     9,423        9,231        2.1        18,468        18,216        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

     906        770        17.7        557        506        10.1   

Nonoperating income (expense):

            

Interest expense

     (186     (194     (4.1     (373     (395     (5.6

Interest capitalized

     13        12        8.3        27        23        17.4   

Interest income

     4        6        (33.3     9        11        (18.2

Miscellaneous, net (B)

     54        (123     NM        (35     (100     (65.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total nonoperating expense

     (115     (299     (61.5     (372     (461     (19.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income before income taxes

     791        471        67.9        185        45        311.1   

Income tax expense (benefit) (C)

     2        2        —          5        (7     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

   $ 789      $ 469        68.2      $ 180      $ 52        246.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Earnings per share, basic

   $ 2.11      $ 1.37        54.0      $ 0.48      $ 0.15        220.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Earnings per share, diluted

   $ 2.01      $ 1.21        66.1      $ 0.47      $ 0.15        213.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted average shares, basic

     373        341        9.4        371        337        10.1   

Weighted average shares, diluted

     396        394        0.5        392        337        16.3   

NM Not meaningful

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UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 8

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES (UNAUDITED)

 

(A) UAL’s results of operations include fuel expense for both mainline and regional operations.

 

    Three Months Ended     %     Six Months Ended     %  
    June 30,     Increase/     June 30,     Increase/  
(In millions, except per gallon)   2014     2013     (Decrease)     2014     2013     (Decrease)  

Mainline fuel expense excluding hedge impacts

  $ 2,527      $ 2,486        1.6      $ 4,892      $ 4,947        (1.1

Hedge losses reported in fuel expense (a)

    1        9        NM        4        18        NM   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total mainline fuel expense

    2,528        2,495        1.3        4,896        4,965        (1.4

Regional fuel expense

    573        573        —          1,122        1,153        (2.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Consolidated fuel expense

    3,101        3,068        1.1        6,018        6,118        (1.6

Cash received on settled hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting (b)

    5        5        NM        12        22        NM   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Fuel expense including all gains from settled hedges

  $ 3,096      $ 3,063        1.1      $ 6,006      $ 6,096        (1.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Mainline fuel consumption (gallons)

    822        827        (0.6     1,568        1,575        (0.4

Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense

  $ 3.07      $ 3.01        2.0      $ 3.12      $ 3.14        (0.6

Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon

  $ 3.08      $ 3.02        2.0      $ 3.12      $ 3.15        (1.0

Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received on settled hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting

  $ 3.07      $ 3.01        2.0      $ 3.11      $ 3.14        (1.0

Regional fuel consumption (gallons)

    182        189        (3.7     352        365        (3.6

Regional average aircraft fuel price per gallon

  $ 3.15      $ 3.03        4.0      $ 3.19      $ 3.16        0.9   

Consolidated fuel consumption (gallons)

    1,004        1,016        (1.2     1,920        1,940        (1.0

Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense

  $ 3.09      $ 3.01        2.7      $ 3.13      $ 3.14        (0.3

Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon

  $ 3.09      $ 3.02        2.3      $ 3.13      $ 3.15        (0.6

Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received on settled hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting

  $ 3.08      $ 3.01        2.3      $ 3.13      $ 3.14        (0.3

 

(a) Includes losses from settled hedges that were designated for hedge accounting. UAL allocates 100 percent of hedge accounting losses to mainline fuel expense.
(b) Includes ineffectiveness gains (losses) on settled hedges and gains (losses) on settled hedges that were not designated for hedge accounting. Ineffectiveness gains (losses) and gains (losses) on hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net.

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UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 9

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES (UNAUDITED)

 

(B) Special items include the following:

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     June 30,      June 30,  
(In millions)    2014     2013      2014     2013  

Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft

   $ 66      $ —         $ 66      $ —     

Severance and benefits

     38        —           52        14   

Impairment of assets held for disposal

     32        —           33        —     

Integration-related costs

     17        45         51        115   

Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net

     16        —           19        (3

Additional costs associated with the temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft

     —          7         —          18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special charges

   $ 169      $ 52       $ 221      $ 144   

Venezuela local currency loss

   $ —        $ —         $ 21      $ —     

Income tax benefit

     —          —           (1     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes

   $ 169      $ 52       $ 241      $ 144   

Mark-to-market (MTM) (gains) losses from fuel hedges settling in future periods

     ($46   $ 62         ($33   $ 23   

Prior period gains on fuel contracts settled in the current period

     7        25         42        31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total special items, net of income taxes

   $ 130      $ 139       $ 250      $ 198   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

2014—Special items

Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft: During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the company recorded $66 million for the permanent grounding of 21 of the company’s Embraer ERJ 135 regional aircraft under lease through 2018, which includes an accrual for remaining lease payments and an amount for maintenance return conditions. As a result of the current fuel prices, new Embraer 175 regional jet deliveries and impact of pilot shortages at regional carriers, the company decided to permanently ground these 21 Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft. The company continues to operate nine Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft and will assess the possibility of grounding those aircraft when the current capacity purchase contracts end in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Severance and benefits: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the company recorded $38 million and $52 million, respectively, related to reductions of management and front-line employees, including from Cleveland airport, as part of its cost savings initiatives. The company reduced its average daily departures from Cleveland by over 60 percent during the second quarter. The company is currently evaluating its options regarding its long-term contractual commitments at Cleveland. The capacity reductions at Cleveland may result in further special charges, which could be significant, related to our contractual commitments.

Impairment of assets held for disposal: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the company recorded $32 million and $33 million, respectively, for charges related primarily to impairment of its flight equipment held for disposal associated with its Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 fleets.

Integration-related costs: Integration-related costs include compensation costs related to systems integration and training and relocation for employees.

Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net: The company incurred losses on sales of aircraft and other assets and other special losses totaling $16 million and $19 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

Venezuela local currency loss: During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the company recorded $21 million of losses as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net due to ongoing negotiations applicable to funds held in local Venezuelan currency. Approximately $100 million of the company’s unrestricted cash balance was held as Venezuelan bolivars as of June 30, 2014.

MTM (gains) losses from fuel hedges settling in future periods and prior period gains on fuel contracts settled in the current period: The company utilizes certain derivative instruments that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The company records changes in the fair value of these economic hedges to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the company recorded $46 million and $33 million, respectively, in MTM gains on economic hedges that will settle in future periods. For economic hedges that settled in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the company recorded MTM gains of $7 million and $42 million, respectively, in prior periods. The figures above also include an insignificant amount of ineffectiveness on hedges that are designated for hedge accounting.

2013—Special items

Integration-related costs: Integration-related costs included compensation costs related to systems integration and training, branding activities, new uniforms, write-off or acceleration of depreciation on systems and facilities that were no longer used or planned to be used for significantly shorter periods, relocation for employees and severance primarily associated with administrative headcount reductions.


UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 10

 

Voluntary severance and benefits: During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the company recorded $14 million associated with a voluntary program offered by United in which flight attendants took an unpaid 13-month leave of absence. The flight attendants continue to receive medical benefits and other company benefits while on leave under this program. Approximately 1,300 flight attendants opted to participate in the program.

Charges for temporarily grounded 787 aircraft: The company recorded $18 million associated with the temporary grounding of its Boeing 787 aircraft. The charges were comprised of aircraft depreciation expense and dedicated personnel costs that the company incurred while the aircraft were grounded.

Gains on sales of assets and other special items, net: The company recorded a $5 million gain related to a contract termination and $2 million in losses on the sale of assets.

MTM (gains) losses from fuel hedges settling in future periods and prior period gains on fuel contracts settled in the current period: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the company recorded $62 million and $23 million, respectively, in MTM losses on economic hedges that settled in later periods. For economic hedges that settled in the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the company recorded MTM gains of $25 million and $31 million, respectively, in prior periods. The figures above also include an insignificant amount of ineffectiveness on hedges that are designated for hedge accounting.

 

(C) No federal income tax expense was recognized related to the company’s pretax income for the three months ended June 30, 2014, and 2013 and the six months ended June 30, 2014, and 2013 due to the utilization of book net operating loss carry forwards for which no benefit has previously been recognized. The company is required to provide a valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because UAL concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately not be realized.

 

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UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 11

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATISTICS

 

    Three Months Ended     %     Six Months Ended     %  
    June 30,     Increase/     June 30,     Increase/  
    2014     2013     (Decrease)     2014     2013     (Decrease)  

Mainline:

           

Passengers (thousands)

    23,852        23,592        1.1        45,081        45,071        —     

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

    47,101        46,720        0.8        87,438        87,267        0.2   

Available seat miles (millions)

    55,192        55,009        0.3        104,989        104,829        0.2   

Cargo ton miles (millions)

    604        573        5.4        1,189        1,119        6.3   

Passenger load factor:

           

Mainline

    85.3     84.9     0.4  pts.      83.3     83.2     0.1  pts. 

Domestic

    87.6     86.8     0.8  pts.      86.4     85.6     0.8  pts. 

International

    83.2     83.1     0.1  pts.      80.3     81.0     (0.7 ) pts. 

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

    12.95        12.41        4.4        12.38        12.18        1.6   

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

    15.18        14.62        3.8        14.86        14.63        1.6   

Average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense (a)

  $ 3.07      $ 3.01        2.0      $ 3.12      $ 3.14        (0.6

Average aircraft fuel price per gallon (a)

  $ 3.08      $ 3.02        2.0      $ 3.12      $ 3.15        (1.0

Average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received on settled hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting (a)

  $ 3.07      $ 3.01        2.0      $ 3.11      $ 3.14        (1.0

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

    822        827        (0.6     1,568        1,575        (0.4

Aircraft in fleet at end of period

    701        696        0.7        701        696        0.7   

Average stage length (miles) (b)

    1,971        1,958        0.7        1,946        1,918        1.5   

Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours)

    10:44        10:52        (1.2     10:21        10:25        (0.6

Regional:

           

Passengers (thousands)

    11,985        12,360        (3.0     22,656        23,236        (2.5

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

    6,799        6,861        (0.9     12,845        12,858        (0.1

Available seat miles (millions)

    8,022        8,242        (2.7     15,441        15,794        (2.2

Passenger load factor

    84.8     83.2     1.6  pts.      83.2     81.4     1.8  pts. 

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

    22.85        22.31        2.4        21.82        21.91        (0.4

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

    26.96        26.80        0.6        26.23        26.91        (2.5

Aircraft in fleet at end of period

    561        570        (1.6     561        570        (1.6

Average stage length (miles) (b)

    559        542        3.1        556        539        3.2   

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UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 12

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATISTICS (Continued)

 

    Three Months Ended     %     Six Months Ended     %  
    June 30,     Increase/     June 30,     Increase/  
    2014     2013     (Decrease)     2014     2013     (Decrease)  

Consolidated (Mainline and Regional):

           

Passengers (thousands)

    35,837        35,952        (0.3     67,737        68,307        (0.8

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

    53,900        53,581        0.6        100,283        100,125        0.2   

Available seat miles (millions)

    63,214        63,251        (0.1     120,430        120,623        (0.2

Passenger load factor

    85.3     84.7     0.6  pts.      83.3     83.0     0.3  pts. 

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

    14.21        13.70        3.7        13.59        13.45        1.0   

Total revenue per available seat mile (cents)

    16.34        15.81        3.4        15.80        15.52        1.8   

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

    16.66        16.18        3.0        16.32        16.21        0.7   

Average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense (a)

  $ 3.09      $ 3.01        2.7      $ 3.13      $ 3.14        (0.3

Average aircraft fuel price per gallon (a)

  $ 3.09      $ 3.02        2.3      $ 3.13      $ 3.15        (0.6

Average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received on settled hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting (a)

  $ 3.08      $ 3.01        2.3      $ 3.13      $ 3.14        (0.3

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

    1,004        1,016        (1.2     1,920        1,940        (1.0

Average full-time equivalent employees (thousands)

    82.0        85.2        (3.8     82.6        85.0        (2.8

 

(a) Fuel price per gallon includes aircraft fuel and related taxes.
(b) Average stage length equals the average distance a flight travels weighted for size of aircraft.

 

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UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 13

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION

UAL evaluates its financial performance utilizing various accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and Non-GAAP financial measures, including net income/loss excluding special items, net earnings/loss per share excluding special items, and CASM, among others. CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline’s cost structure and efficiency. Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, UAL has included the following reconciliation of reported Non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. UAL believes that adjusting for special items is useful to investors because special charges are non-recurring charges not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. In addition, the company believes that adjusting for MTM (gains) losses from fuel hedges settling in future periods and prior period gains on fuel contracts settled in the current period is useful because the adjustments allow investors to better understand the cash impact of settled hedges in a given period. UAL also believes that excluding third-party business expenses, such as maintenance, ground handling and catering services for third parties, fuel sales and non-air mileage redemptions, provides more meaningful disclosure because these expenses are not directly related to UAL’s core business. UAL also believes that excluding fuel costs from certain measures is useful to investors because it provides an additional measure of management’s performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence. UAL excludes profit sharing because this exclusion allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry.

 

     Three Months Ended      $     %     Six Months Ended      $     %  
     June 30,      Increase/     Increase/     June 30,      Increase/     Increase/  
(in millions)    2014      2013      (Decrease)     (Decrease)     2014      2013      (Decrease)     (Decrease)  

Operating expenses

   $ 9,423       $ 9,231       $ 192        2.1      $ 18,468       $ 18,216       $ 252        1.4   

Less: Special charges (B)

     169         52         117        NM        221         144         77        NM   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Operating expenses, excluding special charges

     9,254         9,179         75        0.8        18,247         18,072         175        1.0   

Less: Third-party business expenses

     215         170         45        26.5        408         291         117        40.2   

Less: Fuel expense

     3,101         3,068         33        1.1        6,018         6,118         (100     (1.6

Less: Profit sharing, including taxes

     53         42         11        26.2        53         42         11        26.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Operating expenses, excluding fuel, profit sharing, special charges and third-party business expenses

   $ 5,885       $ 5,899       $ (14     (0.2   $ 11,768       $ 11,621       $ 147        1.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Net income

   $ 789       $ 469       $ 320        68.2      $ 180       $ 52       $ 128        246.2   

Less: Special items, net (B)

     130         139         (9     NM        250         198         52        NM   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Net income, excluding special items, net

   $ 919       $ 608       $ 311        51.2      $ 430       $ 250       $ 180        72.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 2.01       $ 1.21       $ 0.80        66.1      $ 0.47       $ 0.15       $ 0.32        213.3   

Add back: Special items, net of tax

     0.33         0.35         (0.02     NM        0.64         0.51         0.13        NM   

Add back: Impact of dilution

     —           0.01         (0.01     NM        —           0.02         (0.02     NM   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Diluted earnings per share, excluding special items, net

   $ 2.34       $ 1.57       $ 0.77        49.0      $ 1.11       $ 0.68       $ 0.43        63.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   


UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 14

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION (Continued)

 

 

     Three Months Ended            Six Months Ended         
     June 30,      % Increase/     June 30,      % Increase/  
     2014      2013      (Decrease)     2014      2013      (Decrease)  

CASM Mainline Operations (cents)

           

Cost per available seat mile (CASM)

     14.09         13.83         1.9        14.47         14.34         0.9   

Less: Special charges (B)

     0.31         0.10         NM        0.21         0.14         NM   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges

     13.78         13.73         0.4        14.26         14.20         0.4   

Less: Third-party business expenses

     0.39         0.31         25.8        0.39         0.28         39.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expenses

     13.39         13.42         (0.2     13.87         13.92         (0.4

Less: Fuel expense

     4.58         4.53         1.1        4.66         4.73         (1.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuel

     8.81         8.89         (0.9     9.21         9.19         0.2   

Less: Profit sharing per available seat mile

     0.10         0.08         25.0        0.05         0.04         25.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing

     8.71         8.81         (1.1     9.16         9.15         0.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM Consolidated Operations (cents)

           

Cost per available seat mile (CASM)

     14.91         14.59         2.2        15.34         15.10         1.6   

Less: Special charges (B)

     0.27         0.08         NM        0.19         0.12         NM   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges

     14.64         14.51         0.9        15.15         14.98         1.1   

Less: Third-party business expenses

     0.34         0.27         25.9        0.34         0.24         41.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expenses

     14.30         14.24         0.4        14.81         14.74         0.5   

Less: Fuel expense

     4.91         4.85         1.2        4.99         5.07         (1.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuel

     9.39         9.39         —          9.82         9.67         1.6   

Less: Profit sharing per available seat mile

     0.08         0.06         33.3        0.05         0.04         25.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing

     9.31         9.33         (0.2     9.77         9.63         1.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

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UAL Announces Second-Quarter 2014 Profit / Page 15

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)

Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe provides useful supplemental information for management and investors by measuring the effectiveness of our operations’ use of invested capital to generate profits. We use ROIC to track how much value we are creating for our shareholders as it represents an important financial metric that we believe provides meaningful information as to how well we generate profits relative to the capital invested in our business.

 

(in millions)    Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2014
 

Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT)

  

Pre-tax income excluding special items (a)

   $ 1,207   

Add: Interest expense (b)

     770   

Add: Interest component of capitalized aircraft rent (b)

     450   

Add: Net interest on pension (b)

     126   

Less: Adjusted income tax benefit

     14   
  

 

 

 

NOPAT

   $ 2,567   
  

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     (1.2 %) 

Invested Capital (five-quarter average)

  

Total assets

   $ 37,434   

Add: Capitalized aircraft rent (@ 7.0x)

     6,553   

Less:

  

Advance ticket sales

     (4,432

Frequent flier deferred revenue

     (6,457

Deferred income taxes

     2,443   

Tax valuation allowance

     (4,036

Other non-interest bearing liabilities

     (6,608
  

 

 

 

Average Invested Capital

   $ 24,897   
  

 

 

 

Return on Invested Capital

     10.3
  

 

 

 
     Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2014
 

(a) Non-GAAP Financial Reconciliation

  

Pre-tax income

   $ 679   

Add: Special items

     528   
  

 

 

 

Pre-tax income excluding special items

   $ 1,207   
  

 

 

 

 

(b) Net of tax shield

###

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO    LOGO

 

Investor Update    Issue Date: July 24, 2014

This investor update provides guidance and certain forward looking statements about United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “UAL”). The information in this investor update contains the financial and operational outlook for the Company for third quarter and full year 2014.

Capacity

For third quarter 2014, the Company estimates its consolidated system available seat miles (“ASMs”) to increase between 0.2% and 1.2% compared to the same period in the prior year. The Company estimates its full-year 2014 consolidated system ASMs to be between flat and up 1.0% year-over-year.

Revenue

The Company expects its third-quarter 2014 consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) to increase between 2.0% and 4.0% versus the third quarter of 2013.

Advance Booked Seat Factor (Percentage of Available Seats that are Sold)

Compared to the same period last year, for the next six weeks, mainline domestic advance booked seat factor is down 1.5 points and mainline international advance booked seat factor is up 0.8 points. Mainline Atlantic advance booked seat factor is down 0.9 points, mainline Pacific advance booked seat factor is down 1.2 points and mainline Latin America advance booked seat factor is up 4.6 points. Regional advance booked seat factor is down 2.2 points.

Non-Fuel Expense

For the third quarter 2014, the Company expects consolidated cost per ASM (“CASM”), excluding profit sharing, fuel, third-party business expenses and special charges, to increase 1.0% to 2.0% year-over-year. The Company expects full-year 2014 consolidated CASM, excluding profit sharing, fuel, third-party business expenses and special charges, to increase 1.0% to 2.0% year-over-year.

The Company expects to record approximately $70 million of third-party business expense in the third quarter and approximately $550 million for full year 2014. Corresponding third-party business revenue associated with third-party business activities is recorded in other revenue. As of June 30, 2014, the Company ended its agreement to sell fuel to a third party, which will reduce other revenue and third-party business expense.

Fuel Expense

UAL estimates its consolidated fuel price, including the impact of settled hedges, to be between $3.02 and $3.07 per gallon for the third quarter and between $3.06 and $3.11 for full year 2014. These estimates are based on the July 17, 2014 fuel forward curve.

Non-Operating Expense

The Company estimates non-operating expense to be between $155 million and $185 million for the third quarter and between $660 million and $710 million for full year 2014.

The Company excludes non-cash gains/losses on fuel hedges from its non-operating expense guidance and non-GAAP earnings.

Profit Sharing and Share-Based Compensation

For 2014, the Company will pay approximately 10% of total adjusted earnings as profit sharing to employees for adjusted earnings up to a 6.9% adjusted pre-tax margin and approximately 14% for any adjusted earnings above that amount. Adjusted earnings for the purposes of profit sharing are calculated as GAAP pre-tax earnings, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation program expense.

Share-based compensation expense for the purposes of the profit sharing calculation is estimated to be $59 million year to date through the third quarter 2014 and $80 million for full year 2014.

Capital Expenditures and Scheduled Debt and Capital Lease Payments

The Company expects between $630 million and $680 million of gross capital expenditures in the third quarter and approximately $3.1 billion for full year 2014, including net purchase deposits. UAL’s gross capital expenditures exclude fully reimbursable capital projects.

The Company expects scheduled debt and capital lease payments of approximately $300 million in the third quarter and approximately $1.6 billion for full year 2014, including all pre-payments made year to date.

Pension Expense and Contributions

The Company estimates that its pension expense will be approximately $130 million for full-year 2014. This amount excludes non-cash settlement charges related to lump-sum distributions. The Company expects to make approximately $290 million of cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans in 2014.

Taxes

UAL currently expects to record minimal cash income taxes in 2014.


LOGO

 

Company Outlook

Third-Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Operational Outlook

 

     Estimated 3Q 2014    Year-Over-Year %
Change

Higher/(Lower)
   Estimated FY 2014    Year-Over-Year %
Change

Higher/(Lower)

Capacity (Million ASMs)

           

Mainline Capacity

           

Domestic

   27,824 - 28,108    (1.9%) - (0.9%)      

Atlantic

   13,296 - 13,428    0.8% - 1.8%      

Pacific

   10,277 - 10,377    2.6% - 3.6%      

Latin America

   5,285 - 5,335    7.1% - 8.1%      

Total Mainline Capacity

   56,682 - 57,248    0.3% - 1.3%      

Regional

   8,489 - 8,573    (0.5%) - 0.5%      

Consolidated Capacity

           

Domestic

   36,037 - 36,403    (1.6%) - (0.6%)    135,748 - 137,129    (1.7%) - (0.7%)

International

   29,134 - 29,418    2.5% - 3.5%    109,691 - 110,763    2.3% - 3.3%

Total Consolidated Capacity

   65,171 - 65,821    0.2% - 1.2%    245,439 - 247,892    0.0% - 1.0%

Traffic (Million RPMs)

           

Mainline Traffic

           

Domestic

           

Atlantic

           

Pacific

                 

Latin America

       

Total Mainline System Traffic

   Traffic guidance to be provided at a future date   

Regional System Traffic

                 

Consolidated System Traffic

           

Domestic System

           

International System

           

Total Consolidated System Traffic

           

Load Factor

           

Mainline Load Factor

           

Domestic

           

Atlantic

           

Pacific

           

Latin America

                 

Total Mainline Load Factor

   Load factor guidance to be provided at a future date   

Regional Load Factor

                 

Consolidated Load Factor

           

Domestic

           

International

           

Total Consolidated Load Factor

           

 

(more)

 

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Company Outlook

Third-Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Financial Outlook

 

     Estimated
3Q 2014
   Year-Over-Year %
Change
Higher/(Lower)
   Estimated
FY 2014
   Year-Over-Year
% Change
Higher/(Lower)

Revenue (¢/ASM)

           

Mainline Passenger Unit Revenue

   12.80 - 13.05    3.0% - 5.0%      

Consolidated Passenger Unit Revenue

   13.99 - 14.26    2.0% - 4.0%      

Operating Expense1 (¢/ASM)

           

Mainline Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing & Third-Party Business Expenses

   13.14 - 13.31    (0.6%) - 0.7%    13.56 - 13.73    (0.7%) - 0.6%

Consolidated Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing & Third-Party Business Expenses

   13.96 - 14.13    (1.2%) - 0.0%    14.44 - 14.62    (0.6%) - 0.7%

Non-Fuel Expense1 (¢/ASM)

           

Mainline Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing, Fuel & Third-Party Business Expenses

   8.69 - 8.78    1.8% - 2.8%    9.02 - 9.11    0.7% - 1.7%

Consolidated Unit Cost Excluding Profit Sharing, Fuel & Third-Party Business Expenses

   9.20 - 9.29    1.0% - 2.0%    9.58 - 9.68    1.0% - 2.0%

Third-Party Business Expenses ($M)

   $70       $550   

Select Expense Measures ($M)

           

Aircraft Rent

   $220       $890   

Depreciation and Amortization

   $430       $1,660   

Fuel Expense

           

Mainline Fuel Consumption (Million Gallons)

   844       3,196   

Consolidated Fuel Consumption (Million Gallons)

   1,033       3,912   

Consolidated Fuel Price Excluding Hedges (Price per

Gallon)

   $3.02 - $3.07       $3.06 - $3.11   

Consolidated Fuel Price Including Settled

Hedges (Price per Gallon)

   $3.02 - $3.07       $3.06 - $3.11   

Non-Operating Expense ($M)

           

Non-Operating Expense1, 2

   $155 - $185       $660 - $710   

Income Taxes

           

Effective Income Tax Rate

   0%       0%   

Capital Expenditures

           

Gross Capital Expenditures incl. Purchase Deposits

   $630M - $680M       ~$3.1B   

Scheduled Debt and Capital Lease Payments

   $300M       $1.6B   

 

1. Excludes special charges
2. Excludes non-cash gains/losses on fuel hedges

 

 

(more)

 

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Company Outlook

Fuel Price Sensitivity

As of July 17, 2014, the Company had hedged 26% of its projected fuel requirements for third quarter 2014, 31% for fourth quarter 2014 and 28% for full year 2014. The Company uses a combination of swaps, three-way and four-way collars on aircraft fuel and Brent crude oil.

With the Company’s current portfolio, hedge gains/losses are recorded in both fuel expense and non-operating expense (cash-settled and non-cash). The table below outlines the Company’s estimated cash hedge impacts at various price points relative to the baseline July 17, 2014 fuel forward curve, where Brent crude spot price was $107.89 per barrel.

 

Brent Fuel Scenarios*    Cash Hedge Impact    3Q14     4Q14  
          forecast     forecast  

+$40 / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 3.99      $ 3.98   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      0.09        0.10   

+$30 / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 3.76      $ 3.74   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      0.08        0.10   

+$20 / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 3.52      $ 3.50   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      0.07        0.09   

+$10 / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 3.28      $ 3.26   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      0.04        0.06   

Current Price

($107.89/bbl)

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 3.04      $ 3.03   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      0.00        0.00   

($10) / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 2.80      $ 2.79   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      (0.02     (0.03

($20) / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 2.56      $ 2.55   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      (0.06     (0.10

($30) / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 2.33      $ 2.31   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      (0.11     (0.17

($40) / Barrel

   Fuel Price Excluding Hedge** ($/gal)    $ 2.09      $ 2.07   
   Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal)      (0.16     (0.24

 

* Projected fuel scenarios represent hypothetical fuel curves parallel to the baseline July 17, 2014 curve and are meant to illustrate the behavior of our fuel hedge portfolio at different commodity price points
** Fuel price per gallon excluding hedge impacts, but including taxes and transportation costs

 

(more)

 

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Company Outlook

Fleet Plan

As of July 24, 2014, the Company’s fleet plan was as follows:

 

     Mainline Aircraft in Scheduled Service  
     YE 2013      1Q D     2Q D     3Q D     4Q D     YE 2014      FY D  

B747-400

     23         —          —          —          —          23         —     

B777-200

     74         —          —          —          —          74         —     

B787-8/9

     8         2        —          2        2        14         6   

B767-300/400

     51         —          —          —          (1     50         (1

B757-200/300

     131         (3     (9     (11     (15     93         (38

B737-700/800/900

     254         9        10        4        6        283         29   

A319/A320

     152         —          —          —          —          152         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Mainline Aircraft

     693         8        1        (5     (8     689         (4

 

     Regional Aircraft in Scheduled Service  
     YE 2013      1Q D      2Q D     3Q D     4Q D     YE 2014      FY D  

Q400

     28         —           —          —          —          28         —     

Q300

     5         —           —          —          —          5         —     

Q200

     16         —           —          —          —          16         —     

ERJ-145

     277         —           (18     (10     (10     239         (38

ERJ-135

     9         —           —          —          (9     —           (9

CRJ200

     75         —           —          —          —          75         —     

CRJ700

     115         —           —          —          —          115         —     

EMB 120

     9         —           —          —          —          9         —     

EMB 170

     38         —           —          —          —          38         —     

EMB 175

     —           —           7        12        13        32         32   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Regional Aircraft

     572         —           (11     2        (6     557         (15

Share Count

These share count charts are based upon several assumptions including market stock price and number of shares outstanding. The number of shares used in the actual earnings per share calculation will likely be different from those set forth below. The share count numbers below do not incorporate any share repurchase activity that may occur during the quarter.

 

     3Q 2014
   (Estimated)
     Basic Share Count    Diluted Share Count    Interest Add-back

Net Income

   (in millions)    (in millions)    (in $ millions)

Less than or equal to $0

   373    373    $—  

$1 million - $43 million

   373    373    —  

$44 million - $72 million

   373    380    1

$73 million - $333 million

   373    391    3

$334 million or greater

   373    395    7
     Full Year 2014
   (Estimated)
     Basic Share Count    Diluted Share Count    Interest Add-back

Net Income

   (in millions)    (in millions)    (in $ millions)

Less than or equal to $0

   372    372    $—  

$1 million - $160 million

   372    372    —  

$161 million - $288 million

   372    380    3

$289 million - $1,334 million

   372    391    12

$1,335 million or greater

   372    396    27

 

(more)

 

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GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations

UAL evaluates its financial performance utilizing various accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and Non-GAAP financial measures, including net income/loss, net earnings/loss per share and CASM, among others. Non-GAAP financial measures are presented because they provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor UAL’s performance on a consistent basis. CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline’s cost structure and efficiency. Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, UAL has included the following reconciliation of reported Non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. UAL believes that excluding fuel costs from certain measures is useful to investors because it provides an additional measure of management’s performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence. UAL believes that adjusting for special charges is useful to investors because they are non-recurring charges not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. UAL also believes that excluding third-party business expenses, such as maintenance, ground handling and catering services for third parties, fuel sales and non-air mileage redemptions, provides more meaningful disclosure because these expenses are not directly related to UAL’s core business. UAL also believes excluding profit sharing allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry. In addition, UAL believes that excluding non-cash (gains)/losses on fuel hedges from non-operating expense is useful because it allows investors to better understand the impact of settled hedges on a given period’s results.

 

     Estimated
3Q 2014
     Estimated
FY 2014
 
     Low      High      Low      High  

Mainline Unit Cost (¢/ASM)

           

Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing

     13.26         13.43         13.82         13.99   

Special Charges (a)

     —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing & Special Charges (b)

     13.26         13.43         13.82         13.99   

Less: Third-Party Business Expenses

     0.12         0.12         0.26         0.26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expenses & Special Charges (b)

     13.14         13.31         13.56         13.73   

Less: Fuel Expense (c)

     4.45         4.53         4.54         4.62   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mainline CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expenses, Fuel & Special Charges (b)

     8.69         8.78         9.02         9.11   
     Low      High      Low      High  

Consolidated Unit Cost (¢/ASM)

           

Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing

     14.07         14.24         14.66         14.84   

Special Charges (a)

     —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing & Special Charges (b)

     14.07         14.24         14.66         14.84   

Less: Third-Party Business Expenses

     0.11         0.11         0.22         0.22   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expenses & Special Charges (b)

     13.96         14.13         14.44         14.62   

Less: Fuel Expense (c)

     4.76         4.84         4.86         4.94   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expenses, Fuel & Special Charges (b)

     9.20         9.29         9.58         9.68   
     Low      High      Low      High  

Non-operating Expense ($M)

           

Non-operating expense

   $ 185       $ 215       $ 701       $ 751   

Exclude: Non-cash (gains)/losses on fuel hedges

     30         30         41         41   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-operating expense, adjusted (b)

   $ 155       $ 185       $ 660       $ 710   

 

(a) Operating expense per ASM – CASM excludes special charges, the impact of certain primarily non-cash impairment, severance and other similar accounting charges. While the Company anticipates that it will record such special charges throughout the year and may record profit sharing, at this time the Company is unable to provide an estimate of these charges with reasonable certainty.
(b) These financial measures provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor the Company’s performance on a consistent basis.
(c) Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors and are therefore beyond the Company’s control.

 

 

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Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Certain statements included in this investor update are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans, including optimizing our revenue; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; our capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements and environmental regulations); labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; the possibility that expected merger synergies will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A., Risk Factors, of UAL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.

For further questions, contact Investor Relations at (872) 825-8610 or investorrelations@united.com

 

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