SkyWest, Inc. reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

SkyWest generated $9.6 million of net income, or $0.18 per diluted share, for Q1 2015. This represents an after-tax improvement of $32.5 million from Q1 2014, which had a net loss of $(22.9) million, or $(0.44) per diluted share.

Q1 2015 Financial Highlights

•   Pre-tax income increased $59 million from Q1 2014 primarily due to improved operating performance, additional flying contracts and improved recovery from weather disruptions.
•   SkyWest generated $100 million in EBITDA in Q1 2015, compared to $35 million in Q1 2014.
•   Revenue included improvements of $21 million from higher flight completion rates and $33 million from the additional E175 operations, improved contract rates from renewals and extensions and improved contract performance incentives. These improvements provided a significant offset to the anticipated revenue decrease from a reduced fleet size and production.
•   Operating expenses were down by $74 million compared to Q1 2014, primarily driven by improved operating efficiencies and a net decrease in production.

Q1 2015 Operational Update

•   ExpressJet’s adjusted completion rate significantly improved to 99.6% in Q1 2015 from 98.0% in Q1 2014. SkyWest Airlines adjusted completion rate also improved to 99.3% in Q1 2015 from 99.0% in Q1 2014.
•   ExpressJet reduced its number of total cancelled flights, including weather cancellations, to 7,300 flights, or 4.5% of scheduled flights, in Q1 2015, from approximately 20,400, or 10.6% of scheduled flights, in Q1 2014. Additionally, SkyWest Airlines reduced its number of total cancelled flights, including weather cancellations, to 3,500 flights, or 2.3% of scheduled flights, in Q1 2015, from 6,400 flights, or 4.1% of scheduled flights, in Q1 2014.

April 30, 2015

•   SkyWest was named one of “America’s Best Employers 2015” by Forbes ®. SkyWest is the only regional airline company included on the 2015 list.
•   The reduction in ExpressJet’s ERJ145 operations was the primary driver in SkyWest’s 6.4% reduction in departures and a 5.5% reduction in block hours compared to Q1 2014.
•   Total aircraft in service went to 693 at March 31, 2015 from 717 December 31, 2014, summarized as follows:

o Added nine new E175 aircraft with United

o Added five used 50-seat aircraft with Delta and six used 50-seat aircraft with American

o Removed 15 EMB120 aircraft from service

o Removed 29 50-seat aircraft from service previously operated with United

 Under a previously announced agreement with Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of seven new E175 aircraft between Q2 2015 and the Q1 2016.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, SkyWest, Inc. President said, “Our first quarter results reflect strong progress on our long-term objectives to improve operating performance and reduce the number of aircraft operating in unprofitable flying contracts. During the quarter we continued execution of our fleet transition plan and we expect this transition to continue through 2016. First quarter’s positive results demonstrate solid execution of these long-term strategic objectives to improve profitability.”

Q1 2015 Capital and liquidity update

•   SkyWest had $480 million in cash and marketable securities at March 31, 2015. Cash and marketable securities decreased $79 million during Q1 2015, primarily due to $46 million in scheduled semi-annual aircraft lease pre-payments and SkyWest’s investment of $36 million to acquire E175 aircraft and $10 million to acquire E175 spare parts and engines.
•   Long-term debt increased $164 million from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to the issuance of $203 million of long-term debt for nine E175 aircraft delivered during Q1 2015, partially offset by principal payments made on total outstanding debt.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest removed 15 Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilias from service during the quarter. Embaer EMB-120ER Brasilia N560SW (msn 120334) prepares to taxi from the gate at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

SkyWest Airlines aircraft slide show (in-house liveries):