Mesa Air Group Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results
PHOENIX, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mesa Air Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MESA) ("Mesa" or the "Company") today reported third quarter fiscal 2024 financial and operating results.
Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Update:
Total operating revenues of $110.8 million, United Express contract revenue 8.0% higher year-over-year
Pre-tax loss of $20.7 million, net loss of $19.9 million, or $(0.48) per diluted share
Adjusted net loss1 of $9.4 million2, or $(0.23) per diluted share
Adjusted EBITDAR1 of $10.6 million
Operated at a 99.94% controllable completion factor3
United CPA and Fleet Update:
Extended increased block-hour rate on E-175 flying in current United CPA through August 31, 2025
At United's request, agreed to accelerate transition of fleet to all E-175s by March 1, 2025
United to reimburse costs up to $14 million associated with transition
United to purchase two CRJ-700s formerly leased to a third party for total proceeds of $11.0 million, $4.5 million of which will pay down the related outstanding obligations
Mesa and United remain in discussions for an enhanced CPA to support long-term profitability
Additional Updates:
During June quarter, entered agreements to sell 23 CF34-8C engines for total proceeds of $33.5 million, $29.0 million of which will pay down U.S. Treasury debt
Completed all asset transactions to eliminate RASPRO finance lease obligation
Generated $9.6 million from sale of approximately 2.3 million common shares of Archer Aviation, Inc. ("Archer"), originally acquired for $5.0 million, with Mesa still retaining up to approximately 1.17 million unvested equity warrants4 in Archer
"While we were pleased to experience an 8.0% increase in United Express contract revenue, our third-quarter block-hours were negatively impacted by a lag as we removed CRJ-900s from our contractual fleet and trained pilots to fly our E-175s," said Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO. "We generated positive adjusted EBITDAR for the second straight quarter given improving fleet mix and cost control. We continue to monetize our surplus assets and will direct proceeds toward reducing the related obligations and, as a result, interest expense. We were modestly operating cash flow-positive during the third quarter.
"Importantly, we have extended the increased block-hour rate in our CPA with United into next year. United has also agreed to reimburse Mesa for expenses associated with the transition to fully flying E-175 aircraft. The updated financial terms and our ongoing planning with United is critical as we rebuild our E-175 fleet utilization and margin runway through fiscal year 2025. We currently have the pilot resources to fly increased E-175 block hours, and have started the process of recalling pilots from furlough in anticipation of improved aircraft utilization.
"While we are not yet providing a forecast for fiscal year 2025, our focus continues to be on increasing utilization and maintaining overall operational performance," continued Ornstein. "As we transition into flying all E-175s, we will look to drive additional efficiencies from operating a single fleet type. We will also continue to consider longer-term financial and strategic opportunities to enhance the business."
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1 See Reconciliation of GAAP versus non-GAAP Disclosures2 Adjusted net loss primarily excludes $10.0 million of losses from accounting treatment of assets held for sale3 Excludes cancellations due to weather and air traffic control4 Vesting subject to Archer aircraft certification and the order and delivery of a specified number of aircraft
Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Details
Total operating revenues in Q3 2024 were $110.8 million, a decrease of $3.9 million, or 3.4%, from $114.7 million for Q3 2023. Contract revenue increased $1.2 million, or 1.3%, to $95.6 million, compared to $94.4 million in Q3 2023, driven by higher E-175 block-hour rates with United Airlines despite 3.3% fewer block hours. This increase was partially offset by higher deferred revenue in Q3 2024 and the wind-down of the DHL contract.
Pass-through revenue decreased by $5.1 million, or 25.3%, driven by lower pass-through maintenance expense. Mesa's Q3 2024 results include, per GAAP, the deferral of $2.3 million in revenue, versus the recognition of $1.8 million of previously deferred revenue in Q3 2023. The remaining deferred revenue balance of $12.4 million will be recognized as flights are completed over the remaining term of the United contract.
Total operating expenses in Q3 2024 were $119.8 million, a decrease of $35.1 million, or 22.7%, versus Q3 2023. This decrease primarily reflects a $22.6 million lower asset impairment loss. In addition, maintenance expense decreased by $6.8 million primarily due to lower labor and pass-through costs, and flight operations expense was $6.1 million lower due to decreases in pilot wages and training costs. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $5.6 million primarily due to the retirement and sale of CRJ aircraft and engines.
Mesa's Q3 2024 results reflect a net loss of $19.9 million, or $(0.48) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $47.6 million, or $(1.17) per diluted share, for Q3 2023. Mesa's Q3 2024 adjusted net loss was $9.4 million, or $(0.23) per diluted share, versus an adjusted net loss of $27.2 million, or $(0.67) per diluted share, in Q3 2023.
Mesa's adjusted EBITDA1 for Q3 2024 was $8.9 million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.8 million for Q3 2023. Adjusted EBITDAR was $10.6 million for Q3 2024, compared to an adjusted EBITDAR loss of $0.9 million for Q3 2023.
Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Operating Performance
Operationally, the Company reported a controllable completion factor of 99.94% for United during Q3 2024. This is compared to a controllable completion factor of 98.83% for United during Q3 2023. Controllable completion factor excludes cancellations due to weather and air traffic control.
For Q3 2024, approximately 98% of the Company's total revenue was derived from its contract with United. The Company's CPA with United provided for 73 large (70/76 seats) jets, comprising a mix of E-175s and CRJ-900s. In Q3 2024, Mesa's fleet mix comprised 55 E-175s and 18 CRJ-900s.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Mesa ended the June quarter with $16.3 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $366.4 million in total debt, secured primarily with aircraft and engines, compared to a balance of $577.5 million as of June 30, 2023. During the quarter, the Company made $22.3 million of debt payments related to CRJ engine sale transactions, $3.9 million in scheduled debt payments, and $5.0 million in principal payments associated with the restructuring of finance leases.
As of September 30, 2024, Mesa had $15.4 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. Based on the most recent appraisal value of spare parts, Mesa had $12.4 million in available credit under its United facility, subject to approval.
About Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Air Group, Inc. is the holding company of Mesa Airlines, a regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 65 cities in 33 states, the District of Columbia, Cuba, and Mexico. As of September 30, 2024, Mesa operated a fleet of 67 aircraft, with approximately 260 daily departures. The Company had approximately 1,838 employees. Mesa operates all its flights as United Express pursuant to the terms of a capacity purchase agreement entered into with United Airlines, Inc.
Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Press Release includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "plan", "intend", "believe", "may", "might", "will", "should", "can have", "likely" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations regarding future events, which in turn are based on information currently available to the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the Company's ability to respond in a timely and satisfactory matter to the inquiries by Nasdaq, the Company's ability to regain compliance with Listing Rule, the Company's ability to become current with its reports with the SEC, and the risk that the completion and filing of the Form 10-Qs will take longer than expected. For additional information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's filings with the SEC, including the risk factors contained in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's other subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.
Contact:Mesa Air Group,
Investor
MESA AIR GROUP, INC.Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
Three monthsended June 30,
Nine monthsended June 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating revenues:
Contract revenue
$
95,596
$
94,356
$
310,516
$
326,588
Pass-through and other revenue
15,197
20,335
50,636
57,111
Total operating revenues
110,793
114,691
361,152
383,699
Operating expenses:
Flight operations
45,455
51,557
146,602
164,707
Maintenance
44,266
51,072
137,165
145,344
Aircraft rent
1,684
864
4,296
5,782
General and administrative
9,715
11,346
32,857
38,872
Depreciation and amortization
9,730
15,316
32,846
47,060
Asset impairment
7,880
30,489
50,923
50,951
Loss/(Gain) on sale of assets
—
(6,722
)
150
(7,271
)
Other operating expenses
1,090
999
5,098
2,358
Total operating expenses
119,820
154,921
409,937
447,803
Operating loss
(9,027
)
(40,230
)
(48,785
)
(64,104
)
Other income (expense), net:
Interest expense
(9,032
)
(12,015
)
(30,832
)
(36,321
)
Interest income
17
8
45
128
(Loss)/Gain on investments
(776
)
—
6,454
—
Unrealized (Loss)/Gain oninvestments, net
(2,025
)
2,859
(6,073
)
3,275
Gain on extinguishment of debt
—
—
2,954
—
Gain on debt forgiveness
—
—
10,500
—
Other income (expense), net
125
(946
)
(234
)
(540
)
Total other expense, net
(11,691
)
(10,094
