Air Canada (Montreal) on October 26 will introduce the new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the Toronto (Pearson)-Copenhagen route. The new aircraft will operate three days a week replacing a Boeing 767-300 ER until December 31 per Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 C-GHPT (msn 35258) is parked between flights at the Toronto (Pearson) hub.
Air Canada: 
Chorus Aviation (Halifax), the parent of Jazz Aviation (Air Canada Express) (Halifax), reported a second quarter net profit of C$36.5 million ($33.5 million). This basically quadruples its second quarter 2013 net income of C$7.9 million (&.2 million) of the previous year.
Here is the full report:
For the second quarter 2014, Chorus reported EBITDA of $50.7 million compared to $48.0 million in the same quarter 2013, an increase of $2.7 million. Operating income was $34.3 million, $2.6 million higher than the same period 2013. Adjusted net income of $22.2 million or $0.18 per basic share was up by $0.8 million or $0.01 per basic share over the second quarter 2013. Chorus incurred $4.5 million in employee separation program costs in the second quarter versus $2.2 million in the same period in 2013. Chorus has invested $17.2 million in employee separation since the inception of this cost savings program in the first quarter of 2013.
For reporting purposes, at each quarter end, Chorus converts its US denominated aircraft debt into equivalent Canadian dollars based on the prevailing exchange rate. Chorus manages its exposure to currency risk on such long-term debt by billing related lease payments within the Capacity Purchase Agreement (‘CPA’) with Air Canada in the underlying currency (US dollars) related to the aircraft debt. In the second quarter of 2014, Chorus had an unrealized foreign exchange gain of $14.3 million versus an unrealized foreign exchange loss of $13.5 million in the same period of 2013.
Financial Performance –Second Quarter 2014 Compared to Second Quarter 2013
Operating revenue increased from $410.3 million to $417.8 million, representing an increase of $7.5 million or 1.8%. Controllable revenue increased by $9.0 million or 3.5%. This increase occurred primarily as a result of rate increases made pursuant to the CPA of $5.8 million, a favourable US dollar exchange rate of $5.2 million, and a $0.3 million increase in incentives earned under the CPA with Air Canada. These increases were offset by decreased CPA Billable Block Hours of $2.3 million.
Pass-through revenue decreased by $2.1 million or 1.4% from $148.7 million to $146.6 million, which included a decrease of $8.7 million related to airport and navigation fees and terminal handling services. (Effective January 1, 2014, Air Canada entered into a commercial agreement with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (‘GTAA’) that encompasses Chorus’ Air Canada Express operations. GTAA costs related to landing, terminal and other airport user fees, which are treated as pass-through costs under the CPA, are now paid directly by Air Canada pursuant to this agreement.) This decrease was offset by an increase of $7.3 million related to fuel costs driven primarily by an increase in jet fuel prices. The sale of consignment inventory was the primary factor in other revenue increasing by $0.6 million.
Operating expenses increased from $378.6 million to $383.6 million, an increase of $5.0 million. Controllable costs increased from $229.9 million to $237.0 million, an increase of $7.0 million or 3.1%. Pass-through costs decreased from $148.7 million to $146.6 million, a decrease of $2.1 million or 1.4%.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased by $2.7 million from $100.7 million to $103.4 million. Adjusted salaries, wages and benefits (adjusted by removing employee separation program costs and capitalized major maintenance overhaul labour costs), which includes pension, incentive compensation and other employee benefits, decreased by $0.9 million after incurring an increase in stock based compensation of $0.8 million due to a change in accounting policy. Employee separation program costs incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2014 were $4.5 million, an increase of $2.3 million over the same period of 2013. These costs include employee separation program costs of $2.1 million in 2014 related to the commencement of outsourcing of passenger handling services under applicable collective agreements. Salaries and wages were also affected by fewer labour costs being capitalized as a result of reduced major maintenance overhauls on owned aircraft of $1.4 million.
Aircraft maintenance expense increased by $4.0 million from $37.9 million to $41.9 million partially as a result of an unfavourable US dollar exchange rate on certain maintenance material purchases of $2.7 million and increased other maintenance costs of $2.6 million. These increases were offset by decreased Block Hours of $1.3 million.
Other expenses decreased by $0.8 million from $32.0 million to $31.2 million. The decrease was the result of reduced general overhead expenses.
Non-operating income increased by $27.8 million from a non-operating expense of $19.2 million to a non-operating income of $8.6 million. The strengthening of the Canadian dollar during the quarter contributed to a foreign exchange gain of $11.8 million compared to a foreign exchange loss of $13.0 million in the same period last year. During the quarter, Chorus redeemed the remaining balance of the convertible debentures, which accounted for a decrease in interest accretion of $0.3 million and a decrease in interest expense of $1.5 million. Interest expense related to long-term debt decreased by $0.8 million due to planned principal repayments. Chorus met employment conditions required in order to obtain the maximum annual forgiveness of a portion of the forgivable loan from the province of Nova Scotia, and as such $0.5 million was recorded in other income.
EBITDA was $50.7 million compared to $48.0 million in 2013, an increase of $2.7 million or 5.7%, producing an EBITDA margin of 12.1%.
Operating income of $34.3 million was up $2.6 million or 8.1% over second quarter 2013 from $31.7 million.
Net income for the second quarter of 2014 was $36.5 million or $0.30 per basic share, an increase of $28.6 million from $7.9 million. On an adjusted basis, net income was $22.2 million or $0.18 per basic share, an increase of $0.8 million from $21.4 million. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to their nearest GAAP measure is provided in Chorus’ Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated August 13, 2014.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CRJ705 (CL-600-2D15) C-GLJZ (msn 15051) approaches the runway at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Air Canada Express-Jazz Aviation:
Air Canada (Montreal) today reported second quarter adjusted net income (1) of $139 million (all amounts in Canadian dollars) or $0.47 per diluted share compared to adjusted net income of $115 million or $0.41 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2013, an improvement of $24 million or 21 per cent. EBITDAR (1) (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent) amounted to $456 million compared to EBITDAR of $385 million in the second quarter of 2013. On a GAAP basis, Air Canada reported net income of $223 million or $0.75 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2014 compared to a net loss of $23 million or $0.09 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2013. Air Canada’s second quarter 2014 EBITDAR and GAAP net income results included favourable tax-related provision adjustments of $41 million. These provisions are excluded from Air Canada’s adjusted (net income and CASM) results.
“I am pleased to report that Air Canada delivered its best second quarter financial performance in the Corporation’s history, surpassing last year’s records in all three measures of operating income, adjusted net income and EBITDAR,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. These results underline the significant incremental progress being achieved through our various value-enhancing strategies, as they continue to be implemented.
“In addition to seeing good year-over-year revenue growth in all of our five markets, we have also seen a marked increase in the number of international and U.S.-originating customers choosing Air Canada for their global travel plans. Investments by Air Canada and our industry partners to provide a seamless transfer experience at Canada’s major hubs are starting to show results. The performance of Air Canada rougeTM has exceeded expectations and allows Air Canada to now compete more effectively in leisure markets on a more cost effective basis. Combined with Air Canada’s other cost transformation strategies, adjusted CASM decreased 4.7 per cent from the previous year’s quarter.
“During the quarter, Air Canada took delivery of the first two of 37 firm orders for the Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft and a third since, in July (above). The renewal of our international fleet with these next-generation aircraft will provide us with significant improvements in fuel efficiency and allow us to offer customers superior comfort and amenities. We look forward to realizing the full benefits of our international fleet renewal as new aircraft enter the mainline fleet.
“I am especially pleased that once again international air travellers surveyed by the independent UK-based research firm, Skytrax, selected Air Canada as Best Airline in North America for the fifth year in a row. This honour recognizes the professionalism of our employees and their commitment to taking care of our customers, as well as our investment in providing an award-winning product on board our aircraft and on the ground.
“Looking ahead, we remain focused on maintaining the momentum to transform Air Canada into an increasingly profitable company for our shareholders and employees, and executing on our four core priorities: cost transformation, international growth, customer engagement and culture change,” concluded Mr. Rovinescu.
Second Quarter Income Statement Highlights
System passenger revenues amounted to $2,965 million, an increase of $208 million or 7.5 per cent from the second quarter of 2013, on a 9.9 per cent growth in traffic as yield declined 2.1 per cent year-over-year. Average stage length, on a system-basis, increased 2.5 percent from the same quarter of 2013 and had the effect of reducing yield by 1.5 percentage points. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) decreased 0.8 per cent from the same quarter in 2013 on the lower yield as passenger load factor improved 1.1 percentage points. In the second quarter of 2014, system premium cabin revenues increased $14 million or 2.4 per cent on yield growth of 3.6 per cent partly offset by a traffic decline of 1.2 per cent.
Operating expenses amounted to $3,060 million, an increase of $177 million or 6 per cent from the second quarter of 2013 on an 8.5 per cent increase in capacity. Included in Other operating expenses in the second quarter of 2014 were favourable tax-related provision adjustments of $41 million. The unfavourable impact of a weaker Canadian dollar on foreign currency denominated operating expenses (mainly U.S. dollars), when compared to same quarter in 2013, increased operating expenses by $110 million. This unfavourable currency impact on operating expenses was partially offset by a favourable currency impact on passenger revenues of $70 million.
Air Canada’s adjusted cost per available seat mile (adjusted CASM(1)), which excludes fuel expense, the cost of ground packages at Air Canada VacationsTM and unusual items, decreased 4.7 per cent compared to the second quarter of 2013. The 4.7 per cent reduction in adjusted CASM surpassed the adjusted CASM decrease of 3.5 to 4.5 per cent projected in Air Canada’s news release dated May 15, 2014, largely the result of ASM capacity coming at the top end of the expected range and a slight improvement in the value of the Canadian dollar versus what Air Canada assumed in its May 15, 2014 projections.
In the second quarter of 2014, Air Canada recorded operating income of $245 million compared to operating income of $174 million in the second quarter of 2013, an improvement of $71 million. Air Canada’s second quarter 2014 operating income results included favourable tax-related provision adjustments of $41 million.
Financial and Capital Management Highlights
At June 30, 2014, unrestricted liquidity (cash, short-term investments and undrawn lines of credit) amounted to $2,954 million (June 30, 2013 – $2,139 million). Air Canada’s principal objective in managing liquidity risk is to maintain a minimum unrestricted liquidity level of $1.7 billion.
In April 2014, Air Canada completed a private offering of US$400 million of 7.75 per cent senior unsecured notes due 2021 and received net proceeds of approximately $432 million.
At June 30, 2014, adjusted net debt (1) amounted to $4,309 million, a decrease of $42 million from December 31, 2013. The airline’s adjusted net debt to EBITDAR ratio was 2.9 at June 30, 2014 versus a ratio 3.0 at December 31, 2013. Air Canada uses this ratio to manage its financial leverage risk and its objective is to maintain the ratio below 3.5.
In the second quarter of 2014, free cash flow (1) reflected a decline of $183 million from the second quarter of 2013, reflecting primarily the acquisition of two Boeing 787 aircraft.
For the 12 months ended June 30, 2014, return on invested capital (ROIC (1)) was 11.0 per cent versus 8.8 per cent for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013. Air Canada’s goal is to achieve a sustainable ROIC of 10 to 13 per cent by 2015.
Pension Highlights
Based on actuarial valuations completed in the second quarter of 2014, the aggregate solvency surplus in Air Canada’s domestic registered pension plans as at January 1, 2014 was $89 million whereas the solvency deficit at January 1, 2013 was $3.7 billion. The elimination of the $3.7 billion deficit and the surplus generated were largely the result of the following factors: (i) a 13.8 per cent return on investments during 2013, (ii) the implementation of pension benefit amendments which decreased the solvency deficit by approximately $970 million, (iii) contributions made by Air Canada in respect of 2013 of $225 million in respect of the solvency deficit and (iv) the application of a prescribed discount rate of 3.9 per cent to calculate its future pension obligations. Refer to section 9.7 “Pension Funding Obligations” of Air Canada’s 2013 MD&A dated February 12, 2014 for additional information on Air Canada’s pension funding obligations.
Current Outlook
For the third quarter of 2014, Air Canada expects its system ASM capacity, as measured by available seat miles (ASMs), to increase in the range of 9.0 to 10.0 per cent when compared to the third quarter of 2013.
Air Canada now expects its full year 2014 system ASM capacity to increase in the range of 7.0 to 8.0 per cent (as opposed to the 6.5 to 8.0 per cent growth projected in Air Canada’s news release dated May 15, 2014) and its full year domestic ASM capacity to increase in the range of 4.0 to 5.0 per cent when compared to 2013 (as opposed to 3.0 to 4.0 per cent growth projected in Air Canada’s news release dated May 15, 2014). The projected system capacity increase is expected to be achieved at a unit cost which is below historical levels. The change in projected domestic ASM capacity is primarily driven by the use of larger aircraft on transcontinental routes in support of the airline’s international expansion strategy.
Air Canada expects the ASM capacity growth to be comprised of an increase in the total number of seats dispatched (system) in the third quarter and full year 2014 in the range of 6.5 to 7.5 per cent and 5.0 to 6.0 per cent, respectively, when compared to same periods in 2013.
For the third quarter of 2014, Air Canada expects adjusted CASM to decrease in the range of 3.5 to 4.5 per cent when compared to the third quarter of 2013.
Taking into account Air Canada’s adjusted CASM performance in the second quarter of 2014, for the full year 2014, Air Canada now expects adjusted CASM to decrease in the range of 3.2 to 4.2 per cent from the full year 2013 (as opposed to the 3.0 to 4.0 per cent decrease projected in Air Canada’s news release dated May 15, 2014).
Air Canada’s outlook assumes Canadian GDP growth of 2.0 to 2.5 per cent for 2014. Air Canada also expects that the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$1.08 per U.S. dollar in the third quarter of 2014 and C$1.09 for the full year 2014 and that the price of jet fuel will average 90 cents per litre for the third quarter of 2014 and 91 cents per litre for the full year 2014.
Notes:
1) Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share – diluted are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to section 16 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of Air Canada’s Second Quarter 2014 MD&A for additional information.
(2) EBITDAR (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment and aircraft rent) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to section 16 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of Air Canada’s Second Quarter 2014 MD&A for additional information.
(3) Unrestricted liquidity refers to the sum of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and the amount of available credit under Air Canada’s revolving credit facilities. At June 30, 2014, unrestricted liquidity was comprised of cash and short-term investments of $2,615 million and undrawn lines of credit of $339 million. At June 30, 2013, unrestricted liquidity was comprised of cash and short-term investments of $2,107 million and undrawn lines of credit of $32 million.
(4) Free cash flow (cash flows from operating activities less additions to property, equipment and intangible assets) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to section 7.5 “Consolidated Cash Flow Movements” of Air Canada’s Second Quarter 2014 MD&A for additional information.
(5) Adjusted net debt (total debt less cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments plus capitalized operating leases) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to section 7.3 “Adjusted Net Debt” of Air Canada’s Second Quarter 2014 MD&A for additional information.
(6) Return on invested capital (“ROIC”) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to section 16 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of Air Canada’s Second Quarter 2014 MD&A for additional information
(7) Operating statistics (except for average number of FTE employees) include third party carriers (such as Jazz Aviation LP (“Jazz”) and Sky Regional Airlines Inc. (“Sky Regional”) operating under capacity purchase agreements with Air Canada.
(8) Adjusted CASM is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to section 16 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of Air Canada’s Second Quarter 2014 MD&A for additional information.
(9) Reflects FTE employees at Air Canada. Excludes FTE employees at third party carriers (such as Jazz and Sky Regional) operating under capacity purchase agreements with Air Canada.
(10) Average stage length is calculated by dividing the total number of available seat miles by the total number of seats dispatched.
(11) Includes fuel handling expenses. Economic fuel price per litre is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to sections 4 and 5 “Results of Operations” of Air Canada’s Second Quarter 2014 MD&A for additional information.
(12) Revenue passengers are counted on a flight number basis which is consistent with the IATA definition of revenue passengers carried.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 C-GHPQ (msn 35257) departs from the Toronto (Pearson) hub.
Air Canada:
Air Canada (Montreal) announced today that it will introduce a new seasonal nonstop service operated by Air Canada rouge (Toronto-Pearson) between Vancouver and Palm Springs, California this winter. Flights to the ‘Golf Capital of the World’ will be operated with Air Canada rouge Airbus A319 aircraft featuring three customer comfort options: rouge, rouge Plus with preferred seating offering additional legroom, and Premium rouge with additional personal space and enhanced service.
Air Canada rouge flights between Vancouver and Palm Springs, CA will begin on December 18, 2014 and will operate three times weekly until April 12, 2015.
Air Canada will continue to evaluate future market opportunities as new aircraft are introduced into its mainline fleet and existing aircraft are released for operation by Air Canada rouge as market demand warrants. Since the launch in July 2013 of Air Canada rouge, Air Canada has deployed its leisure carrier to a growing number of Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and select sun destinations in the United States.
Air Canada rouge operates a fleet consisting of Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A319 aircraft transferred from Air Canada.
Air Canada’s mainline fleet renewal is ongoing with the introduction of new aircraft. In May, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner and is scheduled to receive a total of six 787 aircraft in 2014 with the remaining 31 scheduled between 2015 and 2019. In February 2014, Air Canada took delivery of the last of five new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft to enter its mainline fleet.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-114 C-GBHR (msn 785) taxies at the Toronto (Pearson) hub.
Air Canada: 
Air Canada rouge:
Air Canada (Montreal) has filed an application with the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC ) of Brazil to fly from Toronto (Pearson) to Rio de Janeiro (Galeão Airport) with three weekly frequencies according to Melhores Destinos. Air Canada has proposed to start the new route on December 12. This follows the recent announcement by TAM Airlines that it wants to fly to Toronto from Sao paulo.
Under the application, flight AC 98 will depart from Toronto at 1:55 a.m. (0155) and arrive in Rio de Janeiro at 12:25 (1225). Return flight AC 99 will depart from Galeão at 9:45 p.m. (2145) and arrive in Toronto at 8:45 a.m. (0845) the following day. AC proposes to start operations with Boeing 767-300 equipment.
Copyright Photo: Reinhard Zinabold/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-38E ER C-GBZR (msn 25404) approaches the runway at the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto.
Air Canada: 
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