Document


 
 
 
 
 
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): January 24, 2019
AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC.
AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
1-8400
 
75-1825172
Delaware
 
1-2691
 
13-1502798
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
4333 Amon Carter Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
 
76155
4333 Amon Carter Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
 
76155
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(817) 963-1234
(817) 963-1234
N/A
(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))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
 
 
 
 






ITEM 2.02.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
On January 24, 2019, American Airlines Group Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release reporting financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
 
ITEM 7.01.
REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
On January 24, 2019, the Company provided an update for investors presenting information relating to its financial and operational outlook for 2019. This investor update is located on the Company’s website at www.aa.com under “Investor Relations.” The investor update is furnished as Exhibit 99.2.
The information in Items 2.02 and 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibits 99.1 and 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.
(d) Exhibits.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit No.
  
Description
 
 
99.1
  
 
 
99.2
  






SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, American Airlines Group Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC.
 
 
 
Date: January 24, 2019
By:
 
/s/ Derek J. Kerr
 
 
 
Derek J. Kerr
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, American Airlines, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
 
 
 
Date: January 24, 2019
By:
 
/s/ Derek J. Kerr
 
 
 
Derek J. Kerr
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer



Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1

 https://cdn.kscope.io/fe00c7f82de3e5e0495719d7e86b7414-aaglogoa07.jpg 
https://cdn.kscope.io/fe00c7f82de3e5e0495719d7e86b7414-g410912ex991pg01ba07.jpg
 
 
  
Corporate Communications
 
817-967-1577
 
 
mediarelations@aa.com
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, January 24, 2019
AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP REPORTS
FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2018 PROFIT
FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) today reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 results, including these highlights:
Reported a fourth-quarter 2018 pre-tax profit of $387 million, or $634 million excluding net special items1, and a fourth-quarter net profit of $319 million, or $481 million excluding net special items1,3 
Reported a full-year 2018 pre-tax profit of $1.9 billion, or $2.8 billion excluding net special items2, and a full-year net profit of $1.4 billion, or $2.1 billion excluding net special items2,3 
Fourth-quarter earnings were $0.69 per diluted share, or $1.04 per diluted share excluding net special items. Full-year 2018 earnings were $3.03 per diluted share, or $4.55 per diluted share excluding net special items
Accrued $175 million for the company’s profit sharing program in 2018, including $40 million in the fourth quarter
Returned $986 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in 2018

“We thank our team for taking care of our customers during the busy holiday travel period. Their efforts led to significant improvements in key operational metrics and great customer service. We also completed a number of important merger integration projects that will serve us well in the future," Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said.

“We enter 2019 with great momentum. We are intent upon running the most reliable operation in our post-merger history, pursuing high margin growth opportunities at our most profitable hubs, and executing on a number of valuable revenue and cost saving initiatives. We expect our total revenue per available seat mile to grow faster than our network competitors, and to deliver strong pre-tax earnings growth in 2019. At the midpoint of our guidance, 2019 diluted earnings per share excluding special items would increase approximately 40 percent versus 2018.”



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 2


Fourth-Quarter Revenue and Expenses
Pre-tax earnings excluding net special items for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $634 million, an $88 million decrease from the fourth quarter of 2017, driven by higher fuel prices.
 
GAAP
 
Non-GAAP1,3
 
GAAP
 
Non-GAAP2,3
 
4Q18
 
4Q17
 
4Q18
 
4Q17
 
FY18
 
FY17
 
FY18
 
FY17
Total operating revenues ($ mil)
$
10,938

 
$
10,611

 
$
10,938

 
$
10,611

 
$
44,541

 
$
42,622

 
$
44,541

 
$
42,622

Total operating expenses ($ mil)
10,389

 
9,973

 
10,159

 
9,670

 
41,885

 
38,391

 
41,092

 
37,657

Operating income ($ mil)
549

 
638

 
779

 
941

 
2,656

 
4,231

 
3,449

 
4,965

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax income ($ mil)
387

 
408

 
634

 
722

 
1,884

 
3,395

 
2,790

 
4,151

Pre-tax margin
3.5
%
 
3.8
%
 
5.8
%
 
6.8
%
 
4.2
%
 
8.0
%
 
6.3
%
 
9.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) ($ mil)
319

 
(583
)
 
481

 
444

 
1,412

 
1,282

 
2,117

 
2,592

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per diluted share
$
0.69

 
$
(1.22
)
 
$
1.04

 
$
0.93

 
$
3.03

 
$
2.61

 
$
4.55

 
$
5.27

Continued strength in passenger demand and record passenger yield drove a 3.1 percent year-over-year increase in fourth-quarter 2018 total revenue, to a record $10.9 billion. Driven by a 2.4 percent increase in passenger yield, passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) grew 1.4 percent to 14.59 cents. Cargo revenue was up 3.0 percent to $264 million due to a 9.1 percent increase in yield. Other revenue was up 6.3 percent to $712 million due primarily to higher loyalty revenue. Fourth-quarter total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased by 1.7 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 on a 1.4 percent increase in total available seat miles.

Total fourth-quarter 2018 operating expenses were $10.4 billion, up 4.2 percent year-over-year, driven by a 19.6 percent increase in consolidated fuel expense. Had fuel prices remained unchanged versus the fourth quarter of 2017, total fourth-quarter 2018 expenses would have been approximately $367 million lower. Total fourth-quarter 2018 cost per available seat mile (CASM) was 15.21 cents, up 2.7 percent from fourth quarter 2017. Excluding fuel and special items, consolidated fourth-quarter CASM was 11.32 cents, down 0.2 percent year-over-year.
Strategic Objectives
American’s long-term success is guided and measured by strategic objectives that ensure a healthy, competitive company for the long term: to create a world-class customer experience, make culture a competitive advantage, and build American Airlines to thrive forever by thinking forward and ensuring a strong financial foundation.
Create a World-Class Customer Experience
American has invested more than $25 billion in its team, product and fleet over the past five years - the largest investment of any carrier in commercial aviation history in such a short time. American continues to make large strides in delivering a world-class experience for its customers. In 2018, American:
Activated free live TV, now on 270 aircraft. American continues to be the only U.S. carrier to offer live TV on international flights
Expanded high-speed Wi-Fi, now on 570 aircraft, allowing customers to stream movies and TV shows. The rest of American’s long-term narrowbody aircraft will receive high-speed Wi-Fi in 2019



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 3


Launched service on 86 new routes including 14 new destinations, such as Reykjavik, Iceland; Budapest, Hungary; and Prague, Czech Republic. In 2019, American will become the only U.S. carrier to travel nonstop to Bologna, Italy and Dubrovnik, Croatia
Continued to deliver on its product segmentation strategy, expanding Basic Economy to Europe and adding Premium Economy to 103 aircraft. American offers Premium Economy on more aircraft than any other U.S. airline
Ordered 47 new Boeing 787s to replace retiring aircraft and keep American’s fleet the youngest among U.S. network airlines
Continued to offer a great premium experience on the ground and in the air, including renovating Admirals Club lounges in Miami and Dallas-Fort Worth. In 2019, American will open newly-renovated Admirals Club lounges in Boston, Charlotte and Pittsburgh, as well as a new, world-class premium Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining in Dallas-Fort Worth
Make Culture a Competitive Advantage
Taking care of team members translates into better customer care. American’s culture reflects its emphasis on providing the right tools, training and care for its frontline team members. In 2018, American:
Started the year by awarding team members $1,000 each as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Gave team members the opportunity to travel across American’s global network with two free round-trip tickets for the airline being named Air Transport World's 2017 Airline of the Year
Completed flight attendant operational integration, allowing flight attendants to fully intermix across the entire fleet. This integration creates improved scheduling options for flight attendants and the airline, and provides greater flexibility and service recovery during irregular operations
Supported the victims of the deadly California wildfires, as American team members conducted one of the airline’s largest disaster relief efforts by assembling 20,000 American Red Cross hygiene kits at its Phoenix cargo facility
Donated more than $35 million in cash and travel value across the globe in support of military and veteran’s initiatives, health research, disaster response and children’s well-being
Awarded $11 million in cash and recognition points through programs that recognize team members for good work supporting customers and colleagues
Build American Airlines to Thrive Forever
American is building a company that we expect to be consistently profitable today and in the future, making decisions to ensure it is financially strong and forward-thinking. In 2018, American:
Returned $986 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in 2018
Reported the best year ever at American Airlines Cargo, with a record $1 billion in revenue and 2 billion pounds of freight delivered
Ended 2018 with approximately $7.6 billion in total available liquidity, comprised of unrestricted cash and investments of $4.8 billion and $2.8 billion in undrawn revolver capacity. The company also had a restricted cash position of $154 million
Instituted the One Airline initiative, producing more than $300 million of cost savings in 2018. The One Airline initiative is designed to drive efficiencies and improve margins through simplifying the operation, improving staffing processes, centralizing internal workflows, and optimizing technology resources



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 4


Invested $3.7 billion in new aircraft, facilities upgrades for customers and team members, continued integration, and fleet modifications including the narrowbody retrofit program, high-speed Wi-Fi and Premium Economy
Broke ground on a $1.6 billion modernization project at Terminals 4 and 5 at Los Angeles International Airport, in partnership with Los Angeles World Airports
Unveiled the first new section of Terminal B at LaGuardia. The new concourse includes world-class technology, innovation, and best-in-class amenities. American now occupies three of the 11 gates in the new concourse
Was named No. 69, ahead of all other commercial airlines, on The Wall Street Journal’s Management Top 250 list
Launched a one-step facial recognition program at Los Angeles Terminal 4, which offers an easier airport experience for customers on select international departures
2019 Focus    
In 2019, American is focused on growing revenue, implementing cost improvements and running the most reliable operation in its post-merger history.
Extensive revenue initiatives - American expects to achieve $1 billion of revenue improvements in 2019 as it benefits from network optimization, merchandising and product segmentation. American leads the industry in Premium Economy, with the product on more aircraft than any other U.S. carrier. Premium Economy will be expanded to American’s full long-term widebody fleet by mid-2019. American will also add a total of 19 new gates at its Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte hubs, creating significant new revenue opportunities
Significant cost improvements - American’s 2019 initiatives are expected to produce more than $300 million of cost savings compared to 2018 by eliminating post-merger cost redundancies, leveraging technology efficiencies, and implementing changes to network strategy
Improve operational reliability - The airline is intensely focused on operational reliability, with efforts specifically targeting on-time departures, turn times and aircraft out of service
Quarterly Dividend
American declared a dividend of $0.10 per share to be paid on Feb. 20, 2019, to stockholders of record as of Feb. 6, 2019.
Guidance and Investor Update
American expects its first-quarter 2019 TRASM to be flat to up approximately 2.0 percent year-over-year. The company also expects its first-quarter 2019 pre-tax margin excluding net special items to be between 2.5 and 4.5 percent.4 Based on today’s guidance, American expects its 2019 diluted earnings per share excluding net special items to be between $5.50 and $7.50.4 
For additional financial forecasting detail, please refer to the company’s investor update, filed with this release with the SEC on Form 8-K. This filing will be available at aa.com/investorrelations.
Early Adoption of Lease Accounting Standard
In the fourth quarter of 2018, the company elected to adopt Accounting Standards Update 2016-02: Leases (Topic 842) (the New Lease Standard) as of Jan. 1, 2018. The New Lease Standard requires leases to be recognized on the balance sheet as liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. The company’s early adoption resulted in the recognition on the balance sheet of approximately $10 billion of lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. Adopting the New Lease Standard in the fourth quarter of 2018, pre-tax income for the quarter decreased by $16 million. Excluding a $70 million



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 5


mainline operating net special charge related to accelerated rent expense for aircraft grounded or expected to be grounded earlier than planned, adoption of the New Lease Standard increased pre-tax income excluding net special items for the fourth quarter of 2018 by $54 million. A significant portion of the adjustments recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 to adopt the New Lease Standard relate to prior 2018 quarters. The company will recast 2018 quarters for the adoption of the New Lease Standard in its 2018 Form 10-K filing.
Conference Call / Webcast Details
The company will conduct a live audio webcast of its earnings call today at 7:30 a.m. CT, which will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at aa.com/investorrelations. An archive of the webcast will be available on the website through Feb. 24.
Notes
See the accompanying notes in the Financial Tables section of this press release for further explanation, including a reconciliation of all GAAP to non-GAAP financial information.
1.
In the fourth quarter, the company recognized $247 million in net special items before the effect of income taxes. Fourth-quarter operating special items of $230 million principally included $146 million of fleet restructuring expenses, $81 million of merger integration expenses and $37 million in severance costs associated with reductions in headcount of management and support staff team members. These charges were offset in part by a $37 million net credit resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations. The company also recognized nonoperating special items of $17 million primarily related to mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
2.
For the full year 2018, the company recognized $906 million in net special items before the effect of income taxes. Total operating special items totaled a net charge of $793 million, which principally included $422 million of fleet restructuring expenses, $268 million of merger integration expenses, $58 million in severance costs as described above, a $45 million litigation settlement, and a $26 million non-cash charge to write off the company's Brazil route authority intangible asset as a result of the U.S.-Brazil open skies agreement. These charges were offset in part by a $76 million net credit resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations. The company also recognized nonoperating special items of $113 million primarily related to mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
3.
The 2018 fourth quarter income tax special credit of $22 million is the result of the reversal of the valuation allowance previously recognized in the 2018 first quarter related to the company’s estimated refund for Alternative Minimum Tax credits, which is no longer subject to sequestration. The 2018 full year income tax special charge of $18 million is related to an international income tax matter.
4.
American is unable to reconcile certain forward-looking projections to GAAP, as the nature or amount of special items cannot be determined at this time.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. American is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, whose members serve more than 1,000 destinations with about 14,250 daily flights to over 150 countries. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. In 2015, its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 6


Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
Certain of the statements contained in this report should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “seek,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “if current trends continue,” “optimistic,” “forecast” and other similar words. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, estimates and strategies for the future, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on our current objectives, beliefs and expectations, and they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and financial position and timing of certain events to differ materially from the information in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (especially in Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors), and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be other factors of which we are not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. We do not assume any obligation to publicly update or supplement any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these forward-looking statements other than as required by law. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the statement.





American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 7


American Airlines Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited) 
 
3 Months Ended
December 31,
 
Percent
Change
 
12 Months Ended
December 31,
 
Percent
Change
 
2018 (1)
 
2017 (2)
 
 
2018
 
2017 (2)
 
Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger
$
9,962

 
$
9,685

 
2.9

 
$
40,676

 
$
39,131

 
3.9

Cargo
264

 
257

 
3.0

 
1,013

 
890

 
13.8

Other
712

 
669

 
6.3

 
2,852

 
2,601

 
9.7

Total operating revenues
10,938

 
10,611

 
3.1

 
44,541

 
42,622

 
4.5

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
1,953

 
1,646

 
18.6

 
8,053

 
6,128

 
31.4

Salaries, wages and benefits
3,011

 
3,028

 
(0.5
)
 
12,251

 
11,954

 
2.5

Regional expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
474

 
383

 
23.8

 
1,843

 
1,382

 
33.4

Other
1,336

 
1,315

 
1.6

 
5,290

 
5,164

 
2.5

Maintenance, materials and repairs
550

 
484

 
13.7

 
2,050

 
1,959

 
4.7

Other rent and landing fees
452

 
443

 
2.0

 
1,900

 
1,806

 
5.2

Aircraft rent
343

 
305

 
12.6

 
1,264

 
1,197

 
5.6

Selling expenses
383

 
383

 

 
1,520

 
1,477

 
2.9

Depreciation and amortization
458

 
447

 
2.5

 
1,839

 
1,702

 
8.1

Special items, net
225

 
280

 
(19.8
)
 
787

 
712

 
10.5

Other
1,204

 
1,259

 
(4.4
)
 
5,088

 
4,910

 
3.6

Total operating expenses
10,389

 
9,973

 
4.2

 
41,885

 
38,391

 
9.1

Operating income
549

 
638

 
(14.1
)
 
2,656

 
4,231

 
(37.2
)
Nonoperating income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
34

 
24

 
41.2

 
118

 
94

 
25.8

Interest expense, net
(261
)
 
(266
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(1,056
)
 
(1,053
)
 
0.3

Other income, net
65

 
12

 
nm

 
166

 
123

 
35.0

Total nonoperating expense, net
(162
)
 
(230
)
 
(29.8
)
 
(772
)
 
(836
)
 
(7.7
)
Income before income taxes
387

 
408

 
(5.2
)
 
1,884

 
3,395

 
(44.5
)
Income tax provision
68

 
991

 
(93.1
)
 
472

 
2,113

 
(77.7
)
Net income (loss)
$
319

 
$
(583
)
 
nm

 
$
1,412


$
1,282

 
10.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.69

 
$
(1.22
)
 
 
 
$
3.04

 
$
2.62

 
 
Diluted
$
0.69

 
$
(1.22
)
 
 
 
$
3.03

 
$
2.61

 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
460,589

 
477,165

 
 
 
464,236

 
489,164

 
 
Diluted
461,915

 
477,165

 
 
 
465,660

 
491,692

 
 
(1) 
As previously discussed, in the fourth quarter of 2018, the company elected to adopt the New Lease Standard as of January 1, 2018. A significant portion of the adjustments recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 to adopt the New Lease Standard relate to prior 2018 quarters. The company will recast 2018 quarters for the adoption of the New Lease Standard in its 2018 Form 10-K filing.
(2) 
On January 1, 2018, the company adopted two new Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs): ASU 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (the New Revenue Standard) and ASU 2017-07: Compensation - Retirement Benefits (the New Retirement Standard). In accordance with the transition provisions of these new standards, the company has recast its 2017 financial information included herein to reflect the effects of adoption. For additional information, see Note 1(b) to AAG's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1A of its third quarter 2018 Form 10-Q filed on October 25, 2018 and Note 1(r) to AAG's Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A of its 2017 Form 10-K filed on February 21, 2018.
Note: Percent change may not recalculate due to rounding.



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 8


American Airlines Group Inc.
Consolidated Operating Statistics
(Unaudited)
 
3 Months Ended
December 31,
 
Change
 
12 Months Ended
December 31,
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Mainline
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
49,143

 
48,951

 
0.4
%
 
205,451

 
201,351

 
2.0
%
Available seat miles (ASM) (millions)
59,852

 
59,140

 
1.2
%
 
248,562

 
243,806

 
2.0
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
82.1

 
82.8

 
(0.7
)pts
 
82.7

 
82.6

 
0.1
pts
Passenger enplanements (thousands)
36,581

 
36,035

 
1.5
%
 
148,228

 
144,922

 
2.3
%
Departures (thousands)
273

 
265

 
2.9
%
 
1,098

 
1,081

 
1.6
%
Aircraft at end of period
956

 
948

 
0.8
%
 
956

 
948

 
0.8
%
Block hours (thousands)
846

 
833

 
1.6
%
 
3,493

 
3,441

 
1.5
%
Average stage length (miles)
1,198

 
1,226

 
(2.2
)%
 
1,236

 
1,240

 
(0.3
)%
Fuel consumption (gallons in millions)
877

 
866

 
1.2
%
 
3,644

 
3,579

 
1.8
%
Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes (dollars per gallon)
2.23

 
1.90

 
17.2
%
 
2.21

 
1.71

 
29.1
%
Full-time equivalent employees at end of period
102,900

 
103,100

 
(0.2
)%
 
102,900

 
103,100

 
(0.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regional (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
6,427

 
6,376

 
0.8
%
 
25,709

 
24,995

 
2.9
%
Available seat miles (millions)
8,446

 
8,215

 
2.8
%
 
33,492

 
32,687

 
2.5
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
76.1

 
77.6

 
(1.5
)pts
 
76.8

 
76.5

 
0.3
pts
Passenger enplanements (thousands)
13,902

 
13,990

 
(0.6
)%
 
55,517

 
54,718

 
1.5
%
Aircraft at end of period
595

 
597

 
(0.3
)%
 
595

 
597

 
(0.3
)%
Fuel consumption (gallons in millions)
203

 
194

 
4.4
%
 
803

 
773

 
4.0
%
Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes (dollars per gallon)
2.34

 
1.97

 
18.6
%
 
2.30

 
1.79

 
28.3
%
Full-time equivalent employees at end of period (2)
26,000

 
23,500

 
10.6
%
 
26,000

 
23,500

 
10.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Mainline & Regional
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
55,570

 
55,327

 
0.4
%
 
231,160

 
226,346

 
2.1
%
Available seat miles (millions)
68,298

 
67,355

 
1.4
%
 
282,054

 
276,493

 
2.0
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
81.4

 
82.1

 
(0.7
)pts
 
82.0

 
81.9

 
0.1
pts
Yield (cents)
17.93

 
17.51

 
2.4
%
 
17.60

 
17.29

 
1.8
%
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
14.59

 
14.38

 
1.4
%
 
14.42

 
14.15

 
1.9
%
Total revenue per ASM (cents)
16.02

 
15.75

 
1.7
%
 
15.79

 
15.42

 
2.4
%
Cargo ton miles (millions)
710

 
752

 
(5.6
)%
 
2,908

 
2,788

 
4.3
%
Cargo yield per ton mile (cents)
37.25

 
34.13

 
9.1
%
 
34.81

 
31.91

 
9.1
%
Passenger enplanements (thousands)
50,483

 
50,025

 
0.9
%
 
203,745

 
199,640

 
2.1
%
Aircraft at end of period
1,551

 
1,545

 
0.4
%
 
1,551

 
1,545

 
0.4
%
Fuel consumption (gallons in millions)
1,080

 
1,060

 
1.8
%
 
4,447

 
4,352

 
2.2
%
Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes (dollars per gallon)
2.25

 
1.91

 
17.5
%
 
2.23

 
1.73

 
29.0
%
Full-time equivalent employees at end of period
128,900

 
126,600

 
1.8
%
 
128,900

 
126,600

 
1.8
%
Operating cost per ASM (cents)
15.21

 
14.81

 
2.7
%
 
14.85

 
13.88

 
6.9
%
Operating cost per ASM excluding special items (cents)
14.88

 
14.35

 
3.6
%
 
14.57

 
13.62

 
7.0
%
Operating cost per ASM excluding special items and fuel (cents)
11.32

 
11.34

 
(0.2
)%
 
11.06

 
10.90

 
1.4
%
 
(1) 
Regional includes wholly owned regional airline subsidiaries and operating results from capacity purchase carriers.
(2) 
Regional full-time equivalent employees only include our wholly owned regional airline subsidiaries.
Note: Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 9


American Airlines Group Inc.
Consolidated Revenue Statistics by Region
(Unaudited)
 
3 Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
12 Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Domestic (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
38,096
 
37,901
 
0.5
%
 
154,746
 
151,862
 
1.9
%
Available seat miles (ASM) (millions)
45,932
 
44,744
 
2.7
%
 
184,901
 
181,862
 
1.7
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
82.9
 
84.7
 
(1.8
)pts
 
83.7
 
83.5
 
0.2
pts
Passenger revenue (dollars in millions)
7,502
 
7,228
 
3.8
%
 
29,573
 
28,749
 
2.9
%
Yield (cents)
19.69
 
19.07
 
3.3
%
 
19.11
 
18.93
 
0.9
%
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
16.33
 
16.15
 
1.1
%
 
15.99
 
15.81
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Latin America (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
7,229
 
7,281
 
(0.7
)%
 
30,628
 
29,725
 
3.0
%
Available seat miles (millions)
9,085
 
9,269
 
(2.0
)%
 
38,493
 
37,702
 
2.1
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
79.6
 
78.5
 
1.1
pts
 
79.6
 
78.8
 
0.8
pts
Passenger revenue (dollars in millions)
1,186
 
1,218
 
(2.6
)%
 
5,125
 
4,840
 
5.9
%
Yield (cents)
16.41
 
16.73
 
(1.9
)%
 
16.73
 
16.28
 
2.8
%
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
13.06
 
13.14
 
(0.6
)%
 
13.31
 
12.84
 
3.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atlantic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
6,652
 
6,262
 
6.2
%
 
30,282
 
29,338
 
3.2
%
Available seat miles (millions)
8,624
 
8,558
 
0.8
%
 
39,178
 
38,112
 
2.8
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
77.1
 
73.2
 
3.9
pts
 
77.3
 
77.0
 
0.3
pts
Passenger revenue (dollars in millions)
905
 
858
 
5.5
%
 
4,376
 
4,028
 
8.7
%
Yield (cents)
13.61
 
13.71
 
(0.7
)%
 
14.45
 
13.73
 
5.3
%
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
10.50
 
10.03
 
4.7
%
 
11.17
 
10.57
 
5.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pacific
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
3,593
 
3,883
 
(7.5
)%
 
15,504
 
15,421
 
0.5
%
Available seat miles (millions)
4,657
 
4,784
 
(2.7
)%
 
19,482
 
18,817
 
3.5
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
77.1
 
81.2
 
(4.1
)pts
 
79.6
 
82.0
 
(2.4
)pts
Passenger revenue (dollars in millions)
369
 
381
 
(3.2
)%
 
1,602
 
1,514
 
5.8
%
Yield (cents)
10.26
 
9.81
 
4.7
%
 
10.33
 
9.82
 
5.2
%
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
7.92
 
7.96
 
(0.5
)%
 
8.22
 
8.05
 
2.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total International
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
17,474
 
17,426
 
0.3
%
 
76,414
 
74,484
 
2.6
%
Available seat miles (millions)
22,366
 
22,611
 
(1.1
)%
 
97,153
 
94,631
 
2.7
%
Passenger load factor (percent)
78.1
 
77.1
 
1.0
pts
 
78.7
 
78.7
 
pts
Passenger revenue (dollars in millions)
2,460
 
2,457
 
0.1
%
 
11,103
 
10,382
 
6.9
%
Yield (cents)
14.08
 
14.10
 
(0.2
)%
 
14.53
 
13.94
 
4.2
%
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
11.00
 
10.87
 
1.2
%
 
11.43
 
10.97
 
4.2
%
(1) 
Domestic results include Canada, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
(2) 
Latin America results include the Caribbean.
Note: Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 10


Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Information to Non-GAAP Financial Information
American Airlines Group Inc. (the company) sometimes uses financial measures that are derived from the condensed consolidated financial statements but that are not presented in accordance with GAAP to understand and evaluate its current operating performance and to allow for period-to-period comparisons. The company believes these non-GAAP financial measures may also provide useful information to investors and others. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP measures of other companies, and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance, cash flow or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company is providing a reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to their comparable financial measures on a GAAP basis.
The tables below present the reconciliations of the following GAAP measures to their non-GAAP measures:
Pre-Tax Income (GAAP measure) to Pre-Tax Income Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP measure)
Pre-Tax Margin (GAAP measure) to Pre-Tax Margin Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP measure)
Net Income (GAAP measure) to Net Income Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP measure)
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (GAAP measure) to Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP measure)
Operating Income (GAAP measure) to Operating Income Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP measure)
Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the company's current operating performance and to allow for period-to-period comparisons. As special items may vary from period-to-period in nature and amount, the adjustment to exclude special items allows management an additional tool to better understand the company’s core operating performance.
Additionally, the tables below present the reconciliations of total operating costs (GAAP measure) to total operating costs excluding special items and fuel (non-GAAP measure). Management uses total operating costs excluding special items and fuel to evaluate the company's current operating performance and for period-to-period comparisons. The price of fuel, over which the company has no control, impacts the comparability of period-to-period financial performance. The adjustment to exclude aircraft fuel and special items allows management an additional tool to better understand and analyze the company’s non-fuel costs and core operating performance.
Reconciliation of Pre-Tax Income Excluding Special Items
 
3 Months Ended
December 31,
 
Percent
Change
 
12 Months Ended
December 31,
 
Percent
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
 
Pre-tax income as reported
 
$
387

 
$
408

 
 
 
$
1,884

 
$
3,395

 
 
Pre-tax special items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special items, net (1)
 
225

 
280

 
 
 
787

 
712

 
 
   Regional operating special items, net
 
5

 
23

 
 
 
6

 
22

 
 
   Nonoperating special items, net (2)
 
17

 
11

 
 
 
113

 
22

 
 
Total pre-tax special items
 
247

 
314

 
 
 
906

 
756

 
 
Pre-tax income excluding special items
 
$
634

 
$
722

 
-12%
 
$
2,790

 
$
4,151

 
-33%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calculation of Pre-Tax Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax income as reported
 
$
387

 
$
408

 
 
 
$
1,884

 
$
3,395

 
 
Total operating revenues as reported
 
$
10,938

 
$
10,611

 
 
 
$
44,541

 
$
42,622

 
 
Pre-tax margin
 
3.5
%
 
3.8
%
 
 
 
4.2
%
 
8.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calculation of Pre-Tax Margin Excluding Special Items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax income excluding special items
 
$
634

 
$
722

 
 
 
$
2,790

 
$
4,151

 
 
Total operating revenues as reported
 
$
10,938

 
$
10,611

 
 
 
$
44,541

 
$
42,622

 
 
Pre-tax margin excluding special items
 
5.8
%
 
6.8
%
 
 
 
6.3
%
 
9.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Net Income Excluding Special Items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) as reported
 
$
319

 
$
(583
)
 
 
 
$
1,412

 
$
1,282

 
 
Special items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total pre-tax special items (1), (2)
 
247

 
314

 
 
 
906

 
756

 
 
Income tax special items, net (3)
 
(22
)
 
823

 
 
 
18

 
823

 
 
   Net tax effect of special items
 
(63
)
 
(110
)
 
 
 
(219
)
 
(269
)
 
 
Net income excluding special items
 
$
481

 
$
444

 
8%
 
$
2,117

 
$
2,592

 
-18%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Excluding Special Items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income excluding special items
 
$
481

 
$
444

 
 
 
$
2,117

 
$
2,592

 
 
Shares used for computation (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Basic
 
460,589

 
477,165

 
 
 
464,236

 
489,164

 
 
   Diluted
 
461,915

 
479,382

 
 
 
465,660

 
491,692

 
 
Earnings per share excluding special items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Basic
 
$
1.04

 
$
0.93

 
 
 
$
4.56

 
$
5.30

 
 
   Diluted
 
$
1.04

 
$
0.93

 
 
 
$
4.55

 
$
5.27

 
 



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 11


Reconciliation of Operating Income Excluding Special Items
 
3 Months Ended
December 31,
 
12 Months Ended
December 31,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
Operating income as reported
 
$
549

 
$
638

 
$
2,656

 
$
4,231

Special items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special items, net (1)
 
225

 
280

 
787

 
712

   Regional operating special items, net
 
5

 
23

 
6

 
22

Operating income excluding special items
 
$
779

 
$
941

 
$
3,449

 
$
4,965

Reconciliation of Total Operating Cost per ASM Excluding Special Items and Fuel
 
3 Months Ended
December 31,
 
12 Months Ended
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
Total operating expenses as reported
 
$
10,389

 
$
9,973

 
$
41,885

 
$
38,391

Special items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special items, net (1)
 
(225
)
 
(280
)
 
(787
)
 
(712
)
   Regional operating special items, net
 
(5
)
 
(23
)
 
(6
)
 
(22
)
Total operating expenses, excluding special items
 
10,159

 
9,670

 
41,092

 
37,657

Fuel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Aircraft fuel and related taxes - mainline
 
(1,953
)
 
(1,646
)
 
(8,053
)
 
(6,128
)
   Aircraft fuel and related taxes - regional
 
(474
)
 
(383
)
 
(1,843
)
 
(1,382
)
Total operating expenses, excluding special items and fuel
 
$
7,732

 
$
7,641

 
$
31,196

 
$
30,147

 
 
(in cents)
 
(in cents)
Total operating expenses per ASM as reported
 
15.21

 
14.81

 
14.85

 
13.88

Special items per ASM:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special items, net (1)
 
(0.33
)
 
(0.42
)
 
(0.28
)
 
(0.26
)
   Regional operating special items, net
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.03
)
 

 
(0.01
)
Total operating expenses per ASM, excluding special items
 
14.88

 
14.35

 
14.57

 
13.62

Fuel per ASM:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Aircraft fuel and related taxes - mainline
 
(2.86
)
 
(2.44
)
 
(2.86
)
 
(2.22
)
   Aircraft fuel and related taxes - regional
 
(0.69
)
 
(0.57
)
 
(0.65
)
 
(0.50
)
Total operating expenses per ASM, excluding special items and fuel
 
11.32

 
11.34

 
11.06

 
10.90

Note: Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
FOOTNOTES: 
(1) 
The 2018 fourth quarter mainline operating special items totaled a net charge of $225 million, which principally included $146 million of fleet restructuring expenses, $81 million of merger integration expenses, $37 million in severance costs associated with reductions of management and support staff team members, offset in part by a $37 million net credit resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations. The 2018 twelve month period mainline operating special items totaled a net charge of $787 million, which principally included $422 million of fleet restructuring expenses, $268 million of merger integration expenses, $58 million in severance costs as described above, a $45 million litigation settlement, a $26 million non-cash charge to write off the company's Brazil route authority intangible asset as a result of the U.S.-Brazil open skies agreement, offset in part by a $76 million net credit resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations.
The 2017 fourth quarter mainline operating special items totaled a net charge of $280 million, which principally included a $123 million charge for a $1,000 cash bonus and associated payroll taxes granted to mainline employees in recognition of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 2017 Tax Act), $81 million of merger integration expenses, $58 million of fleet restructuring expenses and a $20 million net charge resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations. The 2017 twelve month period mainline operating special items totaled a net charge of $712 million, which principally included $273 million of merger integration expenses, $232 million of fleet restructuring expenses, a $123 million charge for the $1,000 2017 Tax Act employee bonus described above, $46 million for labor contract expenses and a $27 million net charge resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations.
Fleet restructuring expenses principally included accelerated depreciation and rent expense for aircraft and related equipment grounded or expected to be grounded earlier than planned. Merger integration expenses included costs associated with integration projects, principally the company's flight attendant, human resources and payroll, and technical operations systems.
(2) 
The 2018 fourth quarter and twelve month period nonoperating special items primarily included $22 million and $104 million, respectively, of mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments. The 2018 twelve month period nonoperating special items also included $13 million of costs associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments.
Nonoperating special charges in the 2017 periods primarily consisted of costs associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments.
(3) 
The 2018 fourth quarter income tax special credit of $22 million is the result of the reversal of the valuation allowance previously recognized in the 2018 first quarter related to the company's estimated refund for Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) credits, which is no longer subject to sequestration. The 2018 twelve month period income tax special charge of $18 million is related to an international income tax matter.
The 2017 fourth quarter and twelve month period income tax special charge of $823 million is the result of a non-cash charge to income tax expense to reflect the impact of lower corporate income tax rates on the company’s deferred tax asset and liabilities due to the 2017 Tax Act, which reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.



American Airlines Group Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Profit
January 24, 2019
Page 12


American Airlines Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions) 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(unaudited)
 
 

Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash
$
275

 
$
295

Short-term investments
4,485

 
4,771

Restricted cash and short-term investments
154

 
318

Accounts receivable, net
1,706

 
1,752

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, net
1,522

 
1,359

Prepaid expenses and other
495

 
651

Total current assets
8,637

 
9,146

Operating property and equipment
 
 
 
Flight equipment
41,456

 
40,318

Ground property and equipment
8,764

 
8,267

Equipment purchase deposits
1,278

 
1,217

Total property and equipment, at cost
51,498

 
49,802

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(17,443
)
 
(15,646
)
Total property and equipment, net
34,055

 
34,156

Operating lease right-of-use assets
9,406

 

Other assets
 
 
 
Goodwill
4,091

 
4,091

Intangibles, net
2,137

 
2,203

Deferred tax asset
1,145

 
1,816

Other assets
1,321

 
1,373

Total other assets
8,694

 
9,483

Total assets
$
60,792

 
$
52,785

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt and finance leases
$
3,293

 
$
2,554

Accounts payable
1,774

 
1,688

Accrued salaries and wages
1,427

 
1,672

Air traffic liability
4,339

 
4,042

Loyalty program liability
3,267

 
3,121

Operating lease liabilities
1,711

 

Other accrued liabilities
2,299

 
2,281

Total current liabilities
18,110

 
15,358

Noncurrent liabilities
 
 
 
Long-term debt and finance leases, net of current maturities
21,179

 
22,511

Pension and postretirement benefits
6,907

 
7,497

Loyalty program liability
5,272

 
5,701

Operating lease liabilities
8,104

 

Other liabilities
1,389

 
2,498

Total noncurrent liabilities
42,851

 
38,207

Stockholders' equity (deficit)
 
 
 
Common stock
5

 
5

Additional paid-in capital
4,964

 
5,714

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(5,274
)
 
(5,154
)
Retained earnings (deficit)
136

 
(1,345
)
Total stockholders' deficit
(169
)
 
(780
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
$
60,792

 
$
52,785



Exhibit
https://cdn.kscope.io/fe00c7f82de3e5e0495719d7e86b7414-aalogoa43.jpg
Exhibit 99.2

Investor Relations Update
January 24, 2019
General Overview
Capacity - The company expects its 2019 full year capacity to be up approximately 3.0 percent (gauge up approximately 1.0 percent, departures up approximately 3.5 percent and stage length down approximately 1.5 percent) year-over-year. For the first quarter, the company expects system capacity to be up approximately 1.0 percent year-over-year.
 
 
Revenue - The company expects its first quarter total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) to be approximately flat to up 2.0 percent year-over-year.
 
 
CASM - The company expects 2019 full year consolidated CASM excluding fuel, special items and new labor agreements to be at the upper end of its previous guidance of between 1.0 and 2.0 percent year-over-year. This increase from previous guidance is due to an increase in sale-leaseback transactions and higher than expected profit sharing on better earnings. Overall CASM growth in 2019 is driven primarily by increased maintenance expense from required engine overhauls (0.6 points), increased airport rent expense at our hubs (0.4 points), and higher earnings related salaries and benefits expense, primarily from increased profit sharing (0.4 points).

Consolidated CASM in the first quarter1 is expected to be up approximately 4.0 percent year-over-year. CASM growth is highest in the first quarter due to a limited increase in capacity, as well as the timing of aircraft maintenance, salaries and benefits, and selling expenses through the year. CASM growth is expected to decelerate to approximately 2.5 percent in the second quarter and further decline to approximately 1.0 percent in the third and 0.5 percent in the fourth quarters of 2019.

The company continues to expect its 2020 CASM excluding fuel, special items and new labor agreements to be up between 1.0 and 2.0 percent year-over-year.
 
 
Fuel - Based on the January 22, 2019 forward curve, the company expects to pay an average of between $1.97 and $2.02 per gallon of consolidated jet fuel (including taxes) in the first quarter. Forecasted volume and fuel prices for the remainder of the year are provided on the following page.
 
 
Liquidity - As of December 31, 2018, the company had approximately $7.6 billion in total available liquidity, comprised of unrestricted cash and investments of $4.8 billion and $2.8 billion in undrawn revolver capacity. The company also had a restricted cash position of $154 million.
 
 
Capital Expenditures - In line with previous guidance, the company expects $4.7 billion in capex in 2019, including $3.0 billion in aircraft and $1.7 billion in non-aircraft capex. In 2020, the company expects total capex to decline by $1.4 billion year-over-year with aircraft capex spend of $1.6 billion and non-aircraft capex spend of $1.7 billion. For 2021, total capex is expected to fall by a further $1.1 billion year-over-year. Aircraft capex spend is expected to be $1.0 billion and non-aircraft capex is expected to be $1.2 billion.
 
 
Taxes - As of December 31, 2018, the company had approximately $10.2 billion of federal net operating losses (NOLs) and $3.1 billion of state NOLs, substantially all of which are expected to be available in 2019 to reduce future federal and state taxable income. The company expects to recognize a provision for income taxes in 2019 at an effective rate of approximately 24 percent, which will be substantially non-cash.
 
 
Pre-tax Margin and EPS - Based on the assumptions outlined above, the company presently expects its first quarter pre-tax margin excluding special items to be approximately 2.5 to 4.5 percent1. The company expects to report full year 2019 earnings per diluted share excluding special items of between $5.50 and $7.501.
Notes:
1.
The company is unable to reconcile certain forward-looking projections to GAAP as the nature or amount of special items cannot be determined at this time.

Please refer to the footnotes and the forward looking statements page of this document for additional information


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Financial Update
January 24, 2019
Financial Comments
 

 
1Q19E
 
2Q19E
 
3Q19E
 
4Q19E
 
FY19E2
Consolidated Guidance1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) (bil)
~66.6
 
~74.9
 
~77.8
 
~71.6
 
~290.8
Cargo Revenues ($ mil)3
~235
 
~270
 
~280
 
~290
 
~1,075
Other Revenues ($ mil)3
~705
 
~730
 
~720
 
~705
 
~2,860
Average Fuel Price (incl. taxes) ($/gal) (as of 1/22/2019)
1.97 to 2.02
 
1.99 to 2.04
 
2.02 to 2.07
 
1.99 to 2.04
 
1.99 to 2.04
Fuel Gallons Consumed (mil)
~1,033
 
~1,164
 
~1,208
 
~1,097
 
~4,500
CASM ex fuel and special items (YOY % change)4
+3% to +5%
 
+1.5% to +3.5%
 
+0% to +2%
 
-0.5% to +1.5%
 
+1% to +3%
Interest Income ($ mil)
~(39)
 
~(39)
 
~(37)
 
~(40)
 
~(155)
Interest Expense ($ mil)
~272
 
~279
 
~283
 
~276
 
~1,110
Other Non-Operating (Income)/Expense ($ mil)5
~(43)
 
~(46)
 
~(44)
 
~(43)
 
~(176)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAPEX Guidance ($ mil) Inflow/(Outflow)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Aircraft CAPEX
~(425)
 
~(425)
 
~(425)
 
~(425)
 
~(1,700)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Aircraft CAPEX & net PDPs
~(778)
 
~(876)
 
~(761)
 
~(617)
 
~(3,032)
Assumed Aircraft Financing
~860
 
~818
 
~568
 
~483
 
~2,728
Net Aircraft CAPEX & PDPs2
~82
 
~(58)
 
~(193)
 
~(135)
 
~(304)

Notes:
1.
Includes guidance on certain non-GAAP measures, which exclude special items. The company is unable to reconcile certain forward-looking projections to GAAP as the nature or amount of special items cannot be determined at this time. Please see the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this document.
2.
Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding.
3.
Cargo/Other revenue includes cargo revenue, loyalty program revenue, and contract services.
4.
CASM ex fuel and special items is a non-GAAP financial measure.
5.
Other Non-Operating (Income)/Expense primarily includes non-service related pension and retiree medical benefit income/costs, gains and losses from foreign currency, and income/loss from the company’s approximate 25% ownership interest in Republic Airways Holdings Inc.
 


Please refer to the footnotes and the forward looking statements page of this document for additional information


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Fleet Update
January 24, 2019
Fleet Comments 
In 2019, the company expects to take delivery of 46 mainline aircraft comprised of 17 A321neo aircraft, 20 B738 MAX aircraft, 2 B789 aircraft and 7 used A319 aircraft. The company also expects to retire 55 mainline aircraft, including 10 B757 aircraft, 9 B763 aircraft, 6 E190 aircraft and 30 MD80 aircraft.
In 2019, the company expects to increase the regional fleet count by a net of 12 aircraft, resulting from the addition of 11 CRJ900 aircraft and 20 E175 aircraft, as well as the reduction of 14 CRJ200 aircraft and 5 ERJ140 aircraft.

 
 
Active Mainline Year Ending Fleet Count
 
 
 
Active Regional Year Ending Fleet Count1
 
 
2018A

 
2019E

 
2020E

 
2021E

 
 
 
2018A

 
2019E

 
2020E

 
2021E

A319
 
126

 
133

 
133

 
133

 
CRJ200
 
35

 
21

 
21

 
21

A320
 
48

 
48

 
48

 
44

 
CRJ700
 
119

 
119

 
113

 
113

A321
 
219

 
219

 
219

 
219

 
CRJ900
 
118

 
129

 
133

 
133

A321neo
 

 
17

 
32

 
50

 
E175
 
154

 
174

 
189

 
189

A332
 
15

 
15

 
15

 
15

 
ERJ140
 
51

 
46

 
34

 
34

A333
 
9

 
9

 
9

 
9

 
ERJ145
 
118

 
118

 
118

 
118

B738
 
304

 
304

 
299

 
276

 
 
 
595

 
607

 
608

 
608

B738 MAX
 
20

 
40

 
50

 
60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B757
 
34

 
24

 
24

 
24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B763
 
24

 
15

 
6

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B772
 
47

 
47

 
47

 
47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B773
 
20

 
20

 
20

 
20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B788
 
20

 
20

 
32

 
42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B789
 
20

 
22

 
22

 
22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
E190
 
20

 
14

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MD80
 
30

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
956

 
947

 
956

 
961

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Notes:
1.
At the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, the company had 8 ERJ140 regional aircraft in temporary storage, which are not included in the active regional ending fleet count.
 


Please refer to the footnotes and the forward looking statements page of this document for additional information


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Shares Outstanding
January 24, 2019
Shares Outstanding Comments 
The estimated weighted average shares outstanding for 2019 are listed below.
On April 25, 2018, the company’s Board authorized a new $2.0 billion share repurchase program to expire by the end of 2020, of which $1.65 billion remained available for use as of January 1, 2019. This brings the total amount authorized for share repurchase programs to $13.0 billion since the merger. All previous repurchase programs had been fully expended as of March 31, 2018.
2019 Shares Outstanding (shares mil)1
 
 
Shares
For Q1
 
Basic
 
Diluted
Earnings
 
461

 
462

Net loss
 
461

 
461

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
For Q2-Q4 Average
 
Basic
 
Diluted
Earnings
 
462

 
463

Net loss
 
462

 
462

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
For FY 2019 Average
 
Basic
 
Diluted
Earnings
 
462

 
463

Net loss
 
462

 
462


Notes:
1.
Shares outstanding are based upon several estimates and assumptions, including average per share stock price and stock award activity and does not assume any future share repurchases. The number of shares in actual calculations of earnings per share will likely be different from those set forth above.
 


Please refer to the footnotes and the forward looking statements page of this document for additional information


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GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
January 24, 2019
The company sometimes uses financial measures that are derived from the consolidated financial statements but that are not presented in accordance with GAAP to understand and evaluate its current operating performance and to allow for period-to-period comparisons. The company believes these non-GAAP financial measures may also provide useful information to investors and others. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP measures of other companies, and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance, cash flow or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company is providing a reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to their comparable financial measures on a GAAP basis. The table below presents the reconciliation of total operating costs (GAAP measure) to total operating costs excluding special items and fuel (non-GAAP measure). Management uses total operating costs excluding special items and fuel to evaluate the company's current operating performance and for period-to-period comparisons. The price of fuel, over which the company has no control, impacts the comparability of period-to-period financial performance. Additionally, special items may vary from period-to-period in nature and amount. These adjustments to exclude aircraft fuel and special items allow management an additional tool to better understand and analyze the company’s non-fuel costs and core operating performance. Additionally, the table below presents the reconciliation of other non-operating expense (GAAP measure) to other non-operating expense excluding special items (non-GAAP measure). Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate the company’s current performance and to allow for period-to-period comparisons. As special items may vary from period-to-period in nature and amount, the adjustment to exclude special items allows management an additional tool to better understand the company’s core operating performance.
 
American Airlines Group Inc. GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
($ mil except ASM and CASM data)
 
1Q19 Range
 
2Q19 Range
 
3Q19 Range
 
4Q19 Range
 
FY19 Range
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
Consolidated1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated operating expenses
$
9,972

 
$
10,178

 
$
10,550

 
$
10,770

 
$
10,687

 
$
10,912

 
$
10,248

 
$
10,465

 
$
41,459

 
$
42,327

Less fuel expense
2,035

 
2,087

 
2,316

 
2,375

 
2,440

 
2,501

 
2,183

 
2,238

 
8,975

 
9,200

Less special items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating expense excluding fuel and special items
7,937

 
8,091

 
8,233

 
8,396

 
8,247

 
8,412

 
8,065

 
8,227

 
32,484

 
33,127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated CASM (cts)
14.97

 
15.28

 
14.09

 
14.38

 
13.74

 
14.03

 
14.31

 
14.62

 
14.26

 
14.56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated CASM excluding fuel and special items (Non-GAAP) (cts)
11.92

 
12.15

 
10.99

 
11.21

 
10.60

 
10.81

 
11.26

 
11.49

 
11.17

 
11.39

YOY (%)
3.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
1.5
%
 
3.5
%
 
0.0
%
 
2.0
%
 
-0.5
 %
 
1.5
%
 
1.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated ASMs (bil)
66.6

 
66.6

 
74.9

 
74.9

 
77.8

 
77.8

 
71.6

 
71.6

 
290.8

 
290.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other non-operating (income)/expense1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other non-operating (income)/expense
$
(43
)
 
$
(43
)
 
$
(46
)
 
$
(46
)
 
$
(44
)
 
$
(44
)
 
$
(43
)
 
$
(43
)
 
$
(176
)
 
$
(176
)
Less special items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-operating (income)/expense excluding special items
(43
)
 
(43
)
 
(46
)
 
(46
)
 
(44
)
 
(44
)
 
(43
)
 
(43
)
 
(176
)
 
(176
)
 
Notes:
Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
1.
Certain of the guidance provided excludes special items. The company is unable to fully reconcile such forward-looking guidance to the corresponding GAAP measure because the full nature and amount of the special items cannot be determined at this time. Special items for this period may include, among others, merger integration expenses and fleet restructuring expenses.


Please refer to the footnotes and the forward looking statements page of this document for additional information


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Forward Looking Statements
January 24, 2019
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “seek,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “if current trends continue,” “optimistic,” “forecast” and other similar words. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, the company’s plans, objectives, estimates, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the company’s current objectives, beliefs and expectations, and they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and financial position and timing of certain events to differ materially from the information in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (especially in Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors) and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be other factors of which the company is not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. The company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or supplement any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these forward-looking statements other than as required by law. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the statements.




 


Please refer to the footnotes and the forward looking statements page of this document for additional information