News Releases
CALGARY, May 1 /CNW/ - WestJet (TSX:WJA) today announced its first
quarter 2007 financial results. The airline reported record first quarter net
earnings of $29.9 million compared to $12.9 million in the same period of
2006, an increase of 132 per cent. Diluted earnings per share of 23 cents for
the quarter were up from 10 cents in 2006.
Sean Durfy, WestJet's President said today, "Our first quarter results
reflect WestJet's ability to deliver three key elements crucial for success:
more guests are flying with us, revenue is increasing and costs have been
controlled; all while growing our capacity a significant 19 per cent. Our
strategic decision making, brand strength and exceptional guest experience,
delivered by our dedicated team of WestJetters, makes us one of the most
profitable airlines in North America."
First quarter revenue rose to $479.2 million, compared to $386.7 million
in the first quarter of 2006, an improvement of 23.9 per cent. Ancillary
revenues, which include buy-on-board, headsets, fees, liquor sales and
non-fare revenues from WestJet Vacations increased to $22.7 million, 66 per
cent higher than in the first quarter 2006.
Capacity, measured in ASM (available seat miles), for the first quarter
2007 rose to 3.4 billion from 2.9 billion in 2006, an increase of 19.1 per
cent. Load factor for the quarter ending March 31, 2007 was 81.1 per cent,
compared to 79.4 per cent in 2006, with each of the first three months of 2007
producing record-breaking load factors.
The airline flew 2.8 billion RPMs (revenue passenger miles) in the first
quarter 2007, compared to 2.3 billion in the same period 2006, an increase of
21.6 per cent. RASM (revenue per available seat mile) for the first quarter
2007 was 13.9 cents, compared to 13.3 cents in the same period in 2006, an
increase of 4.2 per cent. Yield, measured as revenue per RPM, was 17.1 cents
per passenger mile, compared to 16.8 cents in the same period 2006.
A continued focus on cost management resulted in a first quarter CASM
(cost per available seat mile) of 12.3 cents, a slight year-over-year
reduction of almost one per cent. Excluding fuel, the airline's CASM in the
first quarter of 2007 remained flat at 9.1 cents, compared to the same period
in 2006.
Sean Durfy continued, "Our seasonal capacity deployment strategy hit
stride, putting us in a unique position within the North American airline
industry to deploy a portion of our winter capacity to southern sun spots and
then return this inventory to Canada in the peak summer months. RASM increased
4.2 per cent on our total service, an impressive achievement given our 19 per
cent capacity increase in the quarter.
"Our commitment to providing exceptional service is winning over guests
as we now claim close to 35 per cent of the domestic market. We continue to
make inroads into the business and corporate segments which now account for
45 per cent of our guests. We recently signed Wal-Mart Canada to our growing
list of corporate accounts.
"This quarter was highlighted by our record earnings performance, our
careful management of expenses and our ability to attract an increasing number
of guests. We ended the quarter with a strong balance sheet and operating cash
flow, and conservative debt-to-equity ratios of 2.4 to 1.
"With the escalating cost of office space in the Calgary market, our
Board of Directors approved an estimated $90 million new office facility to be
located adjacent to WestJet's existing Hangar. Our research shows that we will
achieve efficiencies in space utilization and operating costs simply by
consolidating our office space from seven buildings down to one large campus.
"In the second quarter we will add 16 per cent more capacity compared to
the second quarter 2006. We see several opportunities for continued profitable
growth in Canada. Our strong brand awareness combined with our guest
satisfaction results indicate that over 90 per cent of our guests will fly
with us again. This positions us well to gain increasing market share and
further penetrate and stimulate markets within Canada. We are pleased with our
early bookings into Saint John, Kitchener-Waterloo and Deer Lake, all to be
launched on May 14th. Moreover, we have a strong team of WestJetters who are
committed to our guests and to each other. With their dedication and caring
nature, we remain confident in our ability to continue our profitable growth
throughout the remainder of 2007."
The airline reported first quarter on-time performance of 75.2 per cent,
compared to 64.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2006, a year-over-year
improvement of 10.4 points. WestJet's completion rate for the quarter was
98.4 per cent compared to 99.0 per cent in the first quarter 2006.
WestJet successfully completed an upgrade to its Open Skies reservation
system. This upgrade is being implemented in two phases. The first phase was
successfully completed on April 29th, 2007, which comprised of a migration to
the supported version as well as infrastructure enhancements. Work has now
begun on phase two of the upgrade which will deliver enhancements to WestJet's
global distribution system and web environments.
First Quarter 2007 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Results
Forward-looking Information
Certain information set forth in this document, including management's
assessment of WestJet's future plans and operations, contains forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements typically contain the words
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "may," "will,"
"should" or other similar terms. By their nature, forward-looking statements
are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond
WestJet's control, including the impact of general economic conditions,
changing domestic and international industry conditions, volatility of fuel
prices, terrorism, currency fluctuations, interest rates, competition from
other industry participants (including new entrants, and generally as to
capacity fluctuations and pricing environment), labour matters, government
regulation, stock-market volatility and the ability to access sufficient
capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that
management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions used in the
preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of
preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not
be placed on forward-looking statements. WestJet's actual results, performance
or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied
by, these forward-looking statements.
Additional information relating to WestJet, including Annual Information
Forms and financial statements, is located on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
To supplement its consolidated financial statements presented in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the
Company uses various non-GAAP performance measures, including available seat
mile (ASM), cost per available seat mile (CASM) defined as operating expenses
divided by available seat miles, revenue per available seat mile (RASM)
defined as total revenue divided by available seat miles, revenue per revenue
passenger mile (yield) defined as total revenue divided by revenue passenger
miles, operating revenues defined as the total of guest revenues, charter and
other revenues and interest income, operating margin defined as earnings from
operations divided by total revenues, and load factor defined as revenue
passenger miles divided by available seat miles. These measures are provided
to enhance the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial
performance and are included to provide investors and management with an
alternative method for assessing the Company's operating results in a manner
that is focused on the performance of the Company's ongoing operations and to
provide a more consistent basis for comparison between quarters. These
measures are not in accordance with or an alternative for GAAP and may be
different from measures used by other companies.
<<
Quarterly unaudited financial information
(In millions except per share data)
Three Months Ended
Mar. 31 Dec. 31 Sept. 30 Jun. 30
2007 2006 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues $ 479 $ 459 $ 502 $ 424
Net earnings $ 30 $ 27 $ 53 $ 22
Basic earnings per share $ 0.23 $ 0.21 $ 0.41 $ 0.17
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.23 $ 0.21 $ 0.41 $ 0.17
Three Months Ended
Mar. 31 Dec. 31 Sept. 30 Jun. 30
2006 2005 2005 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues $ 387 $ 368 $ 406 $ 325
Net earnings $ 13 $ 1 $ 30 $ 2
Basic earnings per share $ 0.10 $ 0.01 $ 0.24 $ 0.02
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.10 $ 0.01 $ 0.23 $ 0.02
>>
Highlights
We are pleased to report record first quarter net earnings of
$29.9 million. This is a significant increase over 2006's first quarter net
earnings of $12.9 million and represents an all-time high for the January to
March period. The growth in our 2007 first quarter net earnings was driven by
additional capacity, improved yield and record load factors, which in
combination represents revenue per available seat mile (RASM), and continued
cost control.
Revenue this quarter grew by 24% over the previous year's first quarter,
to $479.2 million. Operating margin in the first quarter of 2007 increased to
11.1%, compared to 6.8% in the same prior-year period.
With significant capacity increase, we are pleased with our RASM increase
of 4.2% to 13.9 cents from 13.3 cents in the same period in 2006. Our
continued focus on sustainable cost management has produced favourable
improvements as evidenced by a slight reduction in year-over-year first
quarter unit costs of almost one per cent, including fuel, and has remained
relatively flat at 9.1 cents, excluding fuel.
We began 2007 with a fleet of 63 Boeing Next-Generation aircraft with an
average age of only 2.5 years. During the quarter, we received two new 737-700
aircraft under operating leases, ending the period with 65 aircraft. Our
investment in new aircraft has allowed us to develop new routes, increase
frequency on existing routes, provide an overall increase in passenger
capacity, as well as improve the comfort of our guests onboard our flights.
Our young fleet provides us with lower operating costs through increased fuel
efficiencies.
<<
Operational Performance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended
--------------------------------------------
Mar. 31 Mar. 31 Dec. 31
2007 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available seat miles 3,449,047,814 2,897,107,881 3,314,759,901
Revenue passenger miles 2,797,170,289 2,300,447,475 2,503,375,293
Load factor 81.1% 79.4% 75.5%
Revenue per passenger
mile (cents) 17.1 16.8 18.3
Revenue per available
seat mile (cents) 13.9 13.3 13.8
Cost per passenger mile (cents) 15.2 15.7 16.5
Cost per available seat
mile (cents) 12.3 12.4 12.5
Fuel consumptions (litres) 172,158,303 142,291,618 165,605,465
Fuel cost/litre (cents) 64.0 67.1 64.2
Segments guests 3,040,589 2,621,192 2,889,435
Average stage length 858 831 827
Number of full time
equivalent employees
at quarter end 5,134 4,376 4,974
Fleet size at quarter end 65 55 63
Aircraft available for use 65 55 63
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
% increase % increase
(decrease) (decrease)
over Mar. 31 over Dec. 31
2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available seat miles 19.1% 4.1%
Revenue passenger miles 21.6% 11.7%
Load factor 2.1% 7.4%
Revenue per passenger
mile (cents) 1.9% (6.4%)
Revenue per available
seat mile (cents) 4.2% 0.5%
Cost per passenger mile (cents) (2.9%) (7.9%)
Cost per available seat
mile (cents) (0.8%) (1.2%)
Fuel consumptions (litres) 21.0% 4.0%
Fuel cost/litre (cents) (4.6%) (0.3%)
Segments guests 16.0% 5.2%
Average stage length 3.2% 3.7%
Number of full time
equivalent employees
at quarter end 17.3% 3.2%
Fleet size at quarter end 18.2% 3.2%
Aircraft available for use 18.2% 3.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
Our capacity, measured in available seat miles, in the first quarter of
2007 increased by 19.1% over the first quarter of 2006. That added capacity
was more than absorbed by the travelling public as demonstrated by an increase
in our first quarter load factor from 79.4% in 2006 to 81.1% in 2007, which is
our highest ever first quarter load factor. We continued to deliver a quality
product at an affordable price, including added frequency, an improved
schedule, the expanded choice of destinations, and operational quality in
terms of on-time performance.
We continued to successfully match capacity with demand in a particular
season. Our highest level of domestic traffic occurs over the summer months.
In the first quarter of 2007, when the harsh Canadian winter dampens domestic
travel, we allocated 36% of our total first quarter capacity to our
transborder, international and charter destinations, versus 22% allocated in
the fourth quarter of 2006. In comparison to the first quarter of 2006, we
allocated an additional 7% of our available seat miles to our transborder,
international and charter destinations. On an available seat mile basis, we
grew our charter, transborder and international capacity by 44.7% during the
first three months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Our average
stage length in the first quarter of 2007 grew to 858 miles as a result of the
increase in flights to longer-haul transborder and international destinations.
The increase in load factor for this quarter, in combination with yield
growth, demonstrates the success of our strategy of shifting capacity between
our domestic and transborder operations during the appropriate periods. Since
implementing this strategy, the impact on our financial results of changing
seasonal demand for air travel has somewhat been alleviated when compared to
our historical operating results.
<<
Revenues
% change % change
Three months ended over over
---------------------------
Mar. 31 Mar. 31 Dec. 31 Mar. 31 Dec. 31
Revenue per available
seat mile (cents) 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest revenues 11.33 10.90 12.37 3.9% (8.4)%
Charter and other 2.44 2.36 1.33 3.4% 83.5%
Interest income 0.13 0.08 0.13 62.5% -
---------------------------------------------
13.90 13.34 13.83 4.2% (0.5)%
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
>>
Our disciplined approach to revenue management and economic strength were
key contributors to our strong revenue performance this quarter. Total
revenues, which include guest revenues, charter and other revenues and
interest income, increased to $479.2 million in first quarter 2007, a 23.9%
increase from $386.7 million in the same period in 2006. Our first quarter
RASM grew 4.2% to 13.9 cents from 13.3 cents in the same period in 2006.
Guest revenues derived from our scheduled flight operations comprise 82%
of our total revenues. Guest revenues in the first quarter of 2007 increased
23.7% to $390.7 million versus $315.8 million for the same period last year.
The increase in guest revenue can be attributed to a 19% increase in capacity,
stronger load factors and higher fares. RASM related to our scheduled services
increased by 3.9% in the same comparative periods. Our strong revenue
environment, driven by increased demand for air travel, has allowed us to
implement rational increases to our fares during the quarter. During the
current quarter, our average fare was $141 compared to $132 the same
prior-year quarter.
Our strategy to leverage our transborder destinations during periods of
slower domestic travel has significantly contributed to our success this
quarter. Compared to the same period one year ago, we have generated an
increase in our total transborder revenues as a result of increased capacity,
combined with modest fare increases on these routes. In addition, these routes
represent a greater proportion of our total operations in the first quarter of
2007, compared to the same period in 2006, which has allowed us to earn fares
that are comparably higher than fares charged on our domestic flights.
<<
Costs
% change % change
Three months ended over over
---------------------------
Cost per available seat Mar. 31 Mar. 31 Dec. 31 Mar. 31 Dec. 31
mile (cents) 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft fuel 3.20 3.30 3.21 (3.0%) (0.3%)
Airport operations 2.21 2.15 2.07 2.8% 6.8%
Flight operations and
navigational charges 1.82 1.69 1.88 7.7% (3.2%)
Sales and marketing 1.12 1.19 1.30 (5.9%) (13.8%)
Depreciation and amortization 0.90 0.83 0.91 8.4% (1.1%)
General and administration 0.66 0.69 0.51 (4.3%) 29.4%
Inflight 0.56 0.50 0.68 12.0% (17.6%)
Aircraft leasing 0.54 0.64 0.58 (15.6%) (6.9%)
Interest expense 0.54 0.53 0.53 1.9% 1.9%
Maintenance 0.53 0.66 0.56 (19.7%) (5.4%)
Guest services 0.26 0.26 0.26 (0.0%) (0.0%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.34 12.44 12.49 (0.8%) (1.2%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASM, excluding fuel 9.14 9.14 9.28 - (1.5%)
>>
The fundamentals of our business have remained strong. The success of our
core strategies is evidenced this quarter by our ability to grow our network
by 19% on an available seat mile basis, while at the same time continuing to
manage our costs.
Overall, our CASM, including fuel has improved slightly by 0.8% in the
first quarter of 2007 compared to the same quarter in 2006. Stage length
adjusted, our first quarter CASM, including fuel, would have decreased by 1.9%
over the same quarter in 2007, to 12.2 cents, and to 9.0 cents excluding fuel.
Generally, the efficiencies we realized throughout our operations,
attributed to economies of scale from increased capacity and longer stage
length, were slightly offset by higher airport rates and fees from our
increased transborder flights. Increases in these rates and fees, and
increased costs from higher compensation paid to our pilots under our new
pilot agreement approved in 2006 also contributed to increases in our costs
this quarter as will be further discussed.
Fuel
Although the cost of jet fuel remained at elevated levels, we experienced
slightly lower jet fuel prices during the quarter than we realized in recent
years. During this quarter, our fuel cost per ASM decreased by 3.0% over the
same period in 2006. This was driven primarily by a 4.6% decrease in the price
of jet fuel per litre. The benefit we realized from the decrease in fuel
prices was slightly offset by the increase in fuel burn from higher load
factors.
To mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in jet fuel prices, we
periodically use short-term and long-term financial and physical derivatives
and account for these derivatives as cash flow hedges. In the first quarter of
2006, we recognized a net loss of $2.2 million in aircraft fuel resulting from
hedging transactions. As at March 31, 2007, we had no outstanding hedge
contracts.
Airport operations
Airport operations CASM increased by 2.8% during the first three months
of 2007 to 2.21 cents from 2.15 cents in the comparative prior-year period.
Our airport costs are primarily driven by the destinations we operate in
during that particular period, the size of the aircraft we operate and rates
and fee increases determined by airport authorities.
Aligned with our seasonal capacity deployment strategy, we operated 46.8%
more flights to transborder destinations in the first quarter of 2007 compared
to the first quarter of 2006. While we have benefited from the success of our
sunny transborder destinations, these routes incur higher airport costs in
relation to our domestic airport operations as a result of higher rates and
fees charged in Canada related to transborder operations. This has resulted in
an increase in our unit costs in this area of operations.
Our Canadian operations are susceptible to bad weather conditions in the
winter, causing increased costs associated with de-icing aircraft, cancelled
flights and accommodating displaced guests. During the first quarter of 2007,
we incurred higher costs associated with these activities due to the harsher
winter we experienced thus far in the year compared to the previous year.
Flight operations and navigational charges
Flight operations and navigational expenses per ASM increased by 7.7%
during the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in the prior
year.
Flight operations expense includes pilot salaries, benefits and
stock-based compensation expense. Under the pilot agreement approved in 2006,
pilots can opt to receive various levels of cash in lieu of options as part of
their compensation arrangement.
During the first year of this new agreement, we incurred both a cash
expense, for the portion elected in cash under the terms of the new agreement,
and stock-based compensation expense related to the options that were granted
to all pilots in May of 2006 under the terms of the old pilot agreement.
Consequently, in addition to stock-based compensation expense during the
quarter, we paid cash compensation of $3.7 million to pilots who elected to
take a certain level of cash in lieu of options as part of their compensation.
Starting in May 2007, we expect to see a decline in stock-based compensation
expense from prior years related to our pilots who elected to receive more
cash rather than options in May 2007, as we will not be incurring the
additional stoc-based compensation expense related to those pilots.
Offsetting the increase in pilot compensation expense in the quarter, our
air navigational charges per available seat mile declined compared to the
first quarter in 2006. This decrease was driven by 1.8% decrease in rates
charged by NAV Canada and the decrease in the billable distance which
navigational fees apply due to our increased transborder operations.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization unit costs increased during the quarter by
8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a result of one-time
adjustments recorded in the first quarter of 2006 related to the purchase and
sale of three leased 737-200 aircraft, our quarterly CASM last year was
reduced. The disposition of these aircraft marked our final transition to a
renewed all Next-Generation fleet.
Aircraft leasing
In February and late March of this year, we added two new leased 737-700
aircraft to our fleet. With the addition of these aircraft, we now lease a
total of 20 Next-Generation aircraft, representing 31% of our total fleet, and
are scheduled to add one more leased aircraft to our fleet in November 2007.
Aircraft leasing costs per ASM decreased by 15.6% primarily as a result
of the dilution of these costs over a greater number of seat miles from the
growth in our operating capacity.
Maintenance
Maintenance CASM during the first quarter of 2007 decreased 19.7%
compared to the same quarter in 2006. In the first quarter of 2006, we
incurred incremental maintenance costs associated with the purchase and sale
of three leased 737-200 aircraft.
Because the average age of our fleet is 2.7 years, all of our aircraft
require less maintenance now than they will in the future. As our fleet ages,
our maintenance costs will increase on a per seat mile basis and as a
percentage of our total operating costs.
Reservations system
In January 2007, we entered into an agreement with a service provider to
suspend the current aiRES contract in order to negotiate an amendment to this
contract for the successful delivery of their aiRES reservation system. If the
negotiation is unsuccessful, the parties will each be in a position to proceed
with claims against each other. As at March 31, 2007, we had $31.8 million
capitalized, related solely to the aiRES project. If WestJet and the service
provider cannot come to an agreement by July 31, 2007, there is the potential
of a one-time write-off of this amount.
On December 22, 2006, we entered into a support agreement with the
provider of our current reservation system, effective through December 2008.
This support agreement will provide us with a supported upgraded version of
our current Open Skies reservation and distribution system. Further, it will
provide us with the functionality required to deliver our growth strategy and
business plans during the interim period while we seek to amend our aiRES
contract with the service provider.
While we are committed to completing the aiRES project, uncertainty does
remain, the outcome of which may impact the future recoverability of the
project and may have a significant impact on the financial statements of
future periods.
Financial Position
Our financial strength continued to be reflected in our strong balance
sheet and operating cash flow at the end of this quarter. At March 31, 2007,
our total cash and cash equivalents grew to $469.0 million and we achieved a
working capital ratio of 1 to 1.
Traditionally, we have financed our aircraft through either secured debt
or lease financing. Our debt-to-equity ratio, which includes $491.8 million of
off-balance-sheet financing related to the present value of our remaining
operating lease obligations, was 2.4 to 1 at the end of the quarter, compared
to 2.5 to 1 at the end of the same quarter one year ago. Our debt-to-equity
ratio at the end of the first quarter of 2007 was impacted by an adjustment to
our opening retained earnings during the period as a result of the adoption of
a new CICA Handbook section. Effective January 1, 2007, we adjusted our
opening retained earnings balance by $36.6 million (net of future tax of
$16.3 million) related to transaction costs on long-term debt we previously
included in other assets.
Operating cash flow
We have been able to generate sufficient funds from operations necessary
to meet our working capital requirements. Operating cash flow for the first
quarter of 2007 rose to $144.3 million, compared to $83.3 million in the same
period in 2006, primarily as a result of higher earnings that were driven by a
strong operating environment and the growth of our business.
Financing cash flow
During the quarter, we incurred a cash outflow of $51.9 million compared
to $104.5 million cash inflow in the same 2006 period. In the first quarter of
2007, we repaid $43.1 million of long-term debt primarily related to our
aircraft. In the previous year's first quarter, we received $138.9 million to
finance the purchase of three 737-600s and one 737-700 aircraft, and repaid
$28.5 million of long-term debt at the same time.
Since year-end 2006, we also paid cash of $8.6 million for deposits on
future leased aircraft. During the quarter, we accepted two aircraft under
operating leases and finalized leasing terms for two additional Boeing
Next-Generation 737 aircraft to be delivered in 2009. At March 31, 2007, we
had commitments to take delivery of an additional 20 Next-Generation aircraft
through the remainder of 2007 to 2009. In the remainder of 2007, we will
receive four 737-700s and one 737-800. In 2008, we will receive five 737-700s
and one 737-800. In 2009, we will take delivery of seven 737-700s and two
737-800s.
In addition to lease financing, we also capitalize on opportunities to
acquire aircraft under favourable debt arrangements supported by Ex-Im Bank
guarantees. We are currently in the process of converting our Preliminary
Commitment to a Final Commitment with Ex-Im Bank to cover an additional seven
aircraft to be delivered between 2007 and 2008.
Investing cash flow
In the first quarter of 2007, we paid an additional $10.4 million towards
future owned aircraft deliveries. At the end of the quarter, we had $46.7
million on deposit with Boeing, for use towards future owned aircraft
deliveries. During the quarter, we also received proceeds of $13.7 million on
the sale of two engines early in the year that were considered to be in excess
of our requirements.
As at April 26, 2007, we had 129,853,483 shares outstanding - 125,353,856
common voting shares and 4,499,627 variable voting shares and 13,333,401 stock
options outstanding.
Accounting policies
On January 1, 2007, we adopted the new Canadian accounting standards for
Financial Instruments - Disclosure and Presentation, Financial Instruments -
Recognition and Measurement, hedging and comprehensive income. Prior periods
have not been restated.
Comprehensive income consists of changes in gains and losses on hedge
settlements. Other comprehensive income refers to items recognized in
comprehensive income that are excluded from net earnings.
The new standard on Financial Instruments prescribes when a financial
asset, financial liability or non-financial derivative is to be recognized on
the balance sheet and at what amount, requiring fair value or cost-based
measures under different circumstances. Financial instruments must be
classified into one of these five categories: held-for-trading,
held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, available-for sale financial assets
or other financial liabilities. All financial instruments, including
derivatives, are measured on the balance sheet at fair value except for loans
and receivables, held-to-maturity investments and other financial liabilities
which are measured at amortized cost. Subsequent measurement and changes in
fair value will depend on initial classification, as follows: held-for-trading
financial assets are measured at fair value and changes in fair value are
recognized in net earnings; available-for-sale financial instruments are
measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in other
comprehensive income until the investment is derecognized or impaired at which
time the amounts would be recorded in net earnings.
Under adoption of these new standards, we designated our cash and cash
equivalents, including US dollar deposits, as held-for-trading, which is
measured at fair value. Accounts receivable are classified as loans and
receivables, which are measured at amortized cost. Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities, and long-term debt are classified as other financial
liabilities, which are measured at amortized cost.
Effective January 1, 2007, and as provided for on transition, we selected
a policy of immediately expensing transaction costs incurred related to the
acquisition of financial assets and liabilities. Previously, transaction costs
had been deferred and included on the balance sheet as other assets or
liabilities and amortized over the term of the related asset or liability.
Under the transitional provisions, we retrospectively adopted this change in
accounting policy without the restatement of prior period financial statements
and incurred a charge to retained earnings of $36.6 million (net of future tax
of $16.3 million) related to legal and financing fees on long-term debt.
All derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, are recorded
in the statement of earnings at fair value unless exempted from derivative
treatment as a normal purchase and sale. All changes in their fair value are
recorded in earnings unless cash flow hedge accounting is used, in which case,
changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income. As of March
31, 2007, we did not have any outstanding derivative instruments.
Effective January 1, 2007, we transferred $13.4 million of unamortized
hedging losses related to certain Boeing Next-Generation leased aircraft to
accumulated other comprehensive income. We will continue to amortize the
hedging losses to net earnings over the remaining term of the previously
related hedged item.
Additional disclosure requirements for financial instruments have been
approved by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and will be
required disclosure beginning January 1, 2008.
Outlook
Based on our financial strength, competitive position and the current
economic environment, our current 2007 outlook is favourable. The second
quarter marks a period of seasonal capacity shifting as we transition our
fleet from our winter charter and sun destinations back to our Canadian
domestic operations in anticipation of the busy summer period. We are shifting
17 per cent of our capacity to domestic operations in the second quarter of
2007 as compared to the first quarter of 2007. With planned capacity growth of
14 per cent domestically and 16 per cent overall in the second quarter of 2007
versus the second quarter of 2006, we expect some pressure to be placed on our
yield in our second quarter comparable to what we experienced during the same
time last year.
April 30, 2007
<<
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2007, December 31, 2006 and, March 31,2006 (Unaudited)
(Stated in Thousands of Dollars)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31 December 31 March 31
2007 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
(note 2) $ 469,044 $ 377,517 $ 288,100
Accounts receivable 15,952 12,645 16,970
Income taxes recoverable 3,011 13,820 13,559
Assets held for sale (note 3) - 13,157 -
Prepaid expenses and deposits 31,731 30,727 33,849
Inventory 9,501 8,200 7,189
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
529,239 456,066 359,667
Property and equipment (note 3) 2,142,317 2,158,746 1,938,822
Other assets (note 1) 54,248 111,715 94,247
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,725,804 $ 2,726,527 $ 2,392,736
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and
shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities $ 142,085 $ 121,157 $ 115,972
Advance ticket sales 183,665 148,743 154,222
Non-refundable guest credits 41,702 40,508 33,764
Current portion of long-term debt
(note 4) 148,228 153,720 125,325
Current portion of obligations
under capital lease (note 5(b)) 360 356 342
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
516,040 464,484 429,625
Long-term debt (note 4) 1,253,570 1,291,136 1,143,870
Obligations under capital
lease (note 5(b)) 1,391 1,483 1,751
Other liabilities 14,020 14,114 16,765
Future income tax 149,009 149,283 113,029
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,934,030 1,920,500 1,705,040
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital (note 6(a)) 435,016 431,248 429,718
Contributed surplus 60,462 58,656 43,671
Accumulated other
comprehensive income (13,070) - -
Retained earnings 309,366 316,123 214,307
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
791,774 806,027 687,696
Commitments and contingencies
(note 5)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,725,804 $ 2,726,527 $ 2,392,736
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
March 31, 2007, December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2006 (Unaudited)
(Stated in Thousands of Dollars)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated
other
For the three months ended Share Contributed comprehensive
March 31, 2007 capital surplus income
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 2007 $ 431,248 $ 58,656 $ -
Change in accounting
policies (note 1) - - (13,420)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 2007,
restated 431,248 58,656 (13,420)
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings - - -
Amortization of hedge
settlements - - 350
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total comprehensive income
Issuance of shares pursuant to
stock option plans (note 6(a)) 124 - -
Stock-based compensation expense
(note 6(d)) - 5,450 -
Stock-based compensation on stock
options exercised (note 6(a)) 3,644 (3,644) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 2007 $ 435,016 $ 60,462 $ (13,070)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained
For the three months ended March 31, 2007 earnings Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 2007 $ 316,123 $ 806,027
Change in accounting policies (note 1) (36,612) (50,032)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 2007, restated 279,511 755,995
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings 29,855 29,855
Amortization of hedge settlements - 350
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total comprehensive income 30,205
Issuance of shares pursuant to stock option
plans (note 6(a)) - 124
Stock-based compensation expense (note 6(d)) - 5,450
Stock-based compensation on stock options
exercised (note 6(a)) - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 2007 $ 309,366 $ 791,774
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the twelve months ended
December 31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2005 $ 429,613 $ 39,093 $ -
Net earnings - - -
Stock-based compensation expense
(note 6(d)) - 21,205 -
Stock-based compensation on stock
options exercised (note 6(a)) 1,642 (1,642) -
Share issuance costs (note 6(a)) (10) - -
Tax benefit of issue costs
(note 6(a)) 3 - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2006 $ 431,248 $ 58,656 $ -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2005 $ 201,447 $ 670,153
Net earnings 114,676 114,676
Stock-based compensation expense (note 6(d)) - 21,205
Stock-based compensation on stock options
exercised (note 6(a)) - -
Share issuance costs (note 6(a)) - (10)
Tax benefit of issue costs (note 6(a)) - 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2006 $ 316,123 $ 806,027
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three months ended March
31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2005 $ 429,613 $ 39,093 $ -
Net earnings - - -
Stock-based compensation expense
(note 6(d)) - 4,683 -
Stock-based compensation on stock
options exercised (note 6(a)) 105 (105) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 2006 $ 429,718 $ 43,671 $ -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three months ended March 31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2005 $ 201,447 $ 670,153
Net earnings 12,860 12,860
Stock-based compensation expense (note 6(d)) - 4,683
Stock-based compensation on stock options
exercised (note 6(a)) - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 2006 $ 214,307 $ 687,696
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
For the periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)
(Stated in Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended March 31
2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
Guest revenues $ 390,732 $ 315,779
Charter and other 84,077 68,591
Interest income 4,399 2,363
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
479,208 386,733
Expenses:
Aircraft fuel 110,211 95,502
Airport operations 76,112 62,272
Flight operations and navigational
charges 62,791 48,846
Sales and marketing 38,767 34,403
Depreciation and amortization 31,022 24,051
General and administration 22,859 20,067
Inflight 19,485 14,444
Interest expense 18,772 15,556
Aircraft leasing 18,475 18,493
Maintenance 18,414 19,310
Guest services 8,935 7,512
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
425,843 360,456
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from operations 53,365 26,277
Non-operating income (expense):
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange (322) 266
Gain on disposal of property and equipment 503 834
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
181 1,100
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee profit share (note 7) (6,654) (2,847)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes 46,892 24,530
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense:
Current (989) (1,292)
Future (16,048) (10,378)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(17,037) (11,670)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 29,855 $ 12,860
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share: (note 6(c))
Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.10
Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)
(Stated in Thousands of Dollars)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended March 31
2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities:
Net earnings $ 29,855 $ 12,860
Items not involving cash:
Depreciation and amortization 31,022 24,051
Amortization of other liabilities (217) (217)
Amortization of hedge settlements 350 348
Gain on disposal of property and
equipment (503) (834)
Loss on disposal of aircraft parts 83 47
Stock-based compensation expense 5,450 4,683
Future income tax expense 16,048 10,378
Decrease in non-cash working capital 62,241 32,011
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
144,329 83,327
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt (note 4) (43,058) (28,520)
Increase in long-term debt (note 4) - 138,881
Decrease in obligations under capital lease
(note 5(b)) (88) (226)
Increase in other assets (8,887) (5,648)
Issuance of shares (note 6(a)) 124 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(51,909) 104,487
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Aircraft additions (12,228) (159,733)
Aircraft disposals - 3,720
Other property and equipment additions (2,425) (4,776)
Other property and equipment disposals 13,760 1,435
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(893) (159,354)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash 91,527 28,460
Cash, beginning of period 377,517 259,640
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, end of period $ 469,044 $ 288,100
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash is defined as cash and cash equivalents.
Cash interest paid during the three months ended March 31, 2007 was
$19,336,000 (2006 - $14,778,000).
Net cash taxes received during the three months ended March 31, 2007 were
$9,820,000 (2006 - net cash taxes paid $942,000).
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)
(Tabular Dollar Amounts are Stated in Thousands of Dollars, Except Share
and Per Share Data)
The interim consolidated financial statements of WestJet Airlines Ltd.
("WestJet" or "the Corporation") have been prepared by management in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada. The
interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared following
the same accounting policies and methods of computation as the
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006 except as disclosed below. The disclosures provided below are
incremental to those included with the annual consolidated financial
statements. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto in the Corporation's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
The Corporation's business is seasonal in nature with varying levels of
activity throughout the year. The Corporation experiences increased
domestic travel in the summer months and more demand for transborder and
charter sun destinations over the winter period.
1. Change in accounting policies:
On January 1, 2007, the Corporation adopted the new Canadian accounting
standards for Financial Instruments - Disclosure and Presentation,
Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement, hedging and
comprehensive income. Prior periods have not been restated.
Comprehensive income consists of changes in gains and losses on hedge
settlements. Other comprehensive income refers to items recognized in
comprehensive income that are excluded from net earnings.
The new standard on Financial Instruments prescribes when a financial
asset, financial liability or non-financial derivative is to be
recognized on the balance sheet and at what amount, requiring fair value
or cost-based measures under different circumstances. Financial
instruments must be classified into one of these five categories: held-
for-trading, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, available-for sale
financial assets or other financial liabilities. All financial
instruments, including derivatives, are measured on the balance sheet at
fair value except for loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments
and other financial liabilities which are measured at amortized cost.
Subsequent measurement and changes in fair value will depend on initial
classification, as follows: held-for-trading financial assets are
measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized in net
earnings; available-for-sale financial instruments are measured at fair
value with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income
until the investment is derecognized or impaired at which time the
amounts would be recorded in net earnings.
Under adoption of these new standards, the Corporation designated its
cash and cash equivalents, including US dollar deposits, as held-for-
trading, which is measured at fair value. Accounts receivable are
classified as loans and receivables, which are measured at amortized
cost. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and long-term debt are
classified as other financial liabilities, which are measured at
amortized cost.
Effective January 1, 2007, and as provided for on transition, the
Corporation has selected a policy of immediately expensing transaction
costs incurred related to the acquisition of financial assets and
liabilities. Previously, transaction costs had been deferred and included
on the balance sheet as other assets or liabilities and amortized over
the term of the related asset or liability. Under the transitional
provisions, the Corporation retrospectively adopted this change in
accounting policy without the restatement of prior period financial
statements and incurred a charge to retained earnings of $36.6 million
(net of future tax of $16.3 million) related to legal and financing fees
on long-term debt.
All derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, are recorded
in the statement of earnings at fair value unless exempted from
derivative treatment as a normal purchase and sale. All changes in their
fair value are recorded in earnings unless cash flow hedge accounting is
used, in which case, changes in fair value are recorded in other
comprehensive income. As of March 31, 2007, the Corporation did not have
any outstanding derivative instruments.
Effective January 1, 2007, the Corporation transferred $13.4 million of
unamortized hedging losses related to certain Boeing Next-Generation
leased aircraft to accumulated other comprehensive income. The
Corporation will continue to amortize the hedging losses to net earnings
over the remaining term of the previously related hedged item.
Additional disclosure requirements for financial instruments have been
approved by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and will be
required disclosure beginning January 1, 2008.
2. Financial instruments:
As at March 31, 2007, the Corporation had US dollar cash and cash
equivalents totalling US$35,146,000 (December 31, 2006 - US$32,019,000,
March 31, 2006 - US$41,795,000).
As at March 31, 2007, cash and cash equivalents include US$358,000
(December 31, 2006 - US$5,279,000, March 31, 2006 - US$7,341,000) and
CAD$1,815,000 (December 31, 2006 - CAD$1,858,000, March 31, 2006 - $NIL)
of restricted cash. US$189,000 (December 31, 2006 - US$186,000, March 31,
2006 - US$110,000) is cash not yet remitted for passenger facility
charges.
3. Property and equipment:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated
March 31, 2007 Cost Depreciation Net book value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft $ 2,088,208 $ 210,543 $ 1,877,665
Ground property and
equipment 154,448 69,931 84,517
Spare engines and parts 71,530 10,984 60,546
Buildings 40,028 5,075 34,953
Leasehold improvements 6,927 4,723 2,204
Assets under capital lease 2,481 818 1,663
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,363,622 302,074 2,061,548
Deposits on aircraft 48,164 - 48,164
Assets under development 32,605 - 32,605
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,444,391 $ 302,074 $ 2,142,317
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated
December 31, 2006 Cost Depreciation Net book value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft $ 2,086,301 $ 185,526 $ 1,900,775
Ground property and
equipment 153,896 65,854 88,042
Spare engines and parts 70,459 10,145 60,314
Buildings 40,028 4,825 35,203
Leasehold improvements 6,914 4,579 2,335
Assets under capital lease 2,481 694 1,787
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,360,079 271,623 2,088,456
Deposits on aircraft 38,011 - 38,011
Assets under development 32,279 - 32,279
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,430,369 $ 271,623 $ 2,158,746
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated
March 31, 2006 Cost Depreciation Net book value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft $ 1,779,561 $ 122,079 $ 1,657,482
Ground property and
equipment 131,920 52,277 79,643
Spare engines and parts 68,661 8,857 59,804
Buildings 39,501 4,071 35,430
Leasehold improvements 6,420 4,126 2,294
Assets under capital lease 2,481 315 2,166
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,028,544 191,725 1,836,819
Deposits on aircraft 66,256 - 66,256
Assets under development 35,747 - 35,747
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,130,547 $ 191,725 $ 1,938,822
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
On January 10, 2007, the Corporation announced the suspension of the
aiRES project while an amendment to the existing contract is negotiated.
If the negotiation is unsuccessful, the parties will each be in a
position to proceed with claims against each other. While the Corporation
is committed to completing the aiRES project, uncertainty does remain,
the outcome of which may impact the future recoverability of the project
and may have a significant impact on the financial statements of future
periods. As at March 31, 2007, $31,841,000 (December 31, 2006 -
$31,869,000, March 31, 2006 - $19,348,000) is included in assets under
development for costs related to the aiRES project.
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, property and equipment was
acquired at an aggregate cost of $NIL (December 31, 2006 - $192,000,
March 31, 2006 - $172,000) by means of capital leases.
In 2006, the Corporation entered into agreements to sell certain spare
engines and aircraft parts to an unrelated third party. At December 31,
2006, these engines and parts had been taken out of revenue-generating
service and were included at their net book value in current assets, as
assets held for sale. These transactions were completed in early 2007.
4. Long-term debt:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2007 2006 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,709,467,000 in 45 individual
term loans, amortized on a
straight-line basis over a 12-year
term, repayable in quarterly
principal instalments ranging from
$674,000 to $955,000, plus fixed
interest at a weighted average rate
of 5.31%, maturing between 2014 and
2018. These facilities are guaranteed
by the Ex-Im Bank and secured by
32 700-series aircraft and
13 600-series aircraft. $ 1,357,825 $ 1,393,439 $ 1,223,284
$35,000,000 in three individual
term loans, repayable in monthly
instalments ranging from $104,000
to $166,000 including floating
interest at the bank's prime rate
plus 0.88% with an effective
interest rate of 6.88% as at
March 31, 2007, maturing between
2008 and 2011, secured by three
Next-Generation flight simulators. 25,514 26,223 19,091
$10,341,000 in 15 individual term
loans, amortized on a straight-line
basis over a five-year term,
repayable in quarterly principal
instalments ranging from $29,000
to $47,000, plus floating interest
at the Canadian LIBOR rate plus
0.08% with a weighted average
effective interest rate of 4.36%
as at March 31, 2007, maturing
between 2007 and 2011, guaranteed
by the Ex-Im Bank and secured by
certain 700-series and 600-series
aircraft. 5,168 11,699 12,761
$12,000,000 term loan repayable
in monthly instalments of $108,000
including interest at 9.03% maturing
April 2011, secured by the Calgary
hangar facility. 10,331 10,426 10,679
$4,550,000 term loan repayable in
monthly instalments of $50,000
including floating interest at the
bank's prime rate plus 0.50%, with
an effective interest rate of 6.50%
as at March 31, 2007, maturing
April 2013, secured by the
Calgary hangar facility. 2,960 3,069 3,380
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,401,798 1,444,856 1,269,195
Less current portion 148,228 153,720 125,325
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,253,570 $ 1,291,136 $ 1,143,870
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future scheduled repayments of long-term debt are as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 $ 111,174
2008 161,239
2009 145,407
2010 144,737
2011 157,465
2012 and thereafter 681,776
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,401,798
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Corporation has a preliminary commitment from Ex-Im Bank for seven
aircraft to be delivered between July 2007 and July 2008. An application
to convert the preliminary commitment to a final commitment has been
submitted for these seven aircraft at a total value of US$246 million.
The Corporation will be charged a commitment fee of 0.125% per annum on
the unutilized and uncancelled balance of the Ex-Im Bank facility,
payable at specified dates and upon delivery of each aircraft, and is
charged a 3% exposure fee on the financed portion of the aircraft price,
payable upon delivery of an aircraft.
5. Commitments and contingencies:
a) Aircraft:
The Corporation has committed to purchase six 737-700s and one 737-800
Next-Generation aircraft to be delivered over the course of 2007 and
2008.
The remaining estimated amounts, to be paid in deposits and purchase
prices in US dollars, relating to the purchases of the remaining aircraft
and live satellite television systems are as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 $ 149,300
2008 103,002
2009 7,070
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 259,372
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
b) Leasehold Commitments:
The Corporation has entered into operating leases and agreements for
aircraft, buildings, computer hardware and software licences, satellite
programming and capital leases relating to ground handling equipment. The
obligations are as follows:
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Capital Leases Operating Leases
----------------------------------
2007 $ 333 $ 79,035
2008 444 119,791
2009 444 140,360
2010 698 153,260
2011 37 150,499
2012 and thereafter - 670,397
----------------------------------
Total lease payments 1,956 $ 1,313,342
------------------
------------------
Less weighted average imputed interest at
5.29% (205)
----------------
Net minimum lease payments 1,751
Less current portion of obligations
under capital lease (360)
----------------
Obligations under capital lease $ 1,391
----------------
----------------
The Corporation has committed to lease an additional 10 737-700 aircraft
and three 737-800 aircraft to be delivered between 2007 and 2009, for
terms ranging between eight and 10 years, in US dollars. These amounts
have been included at their Canadian dollar equivalent in the above table
and US dollar equivalent in the table below.
The Corporation has certain operating leases primarily related to
aircraft that are denominated in US dollars. The US dollar amounts of
these operating leases, which have been included at their Canadian dollar
equivalent above, are as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 $ 58,918
2008 93,350
2009 116,168
2010 129,069
2011 128,978
2012 and thereafter 564,057
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,090,540
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
c) Contingencies:
A Statement of Claim was filed by Jetsgo Corporation (Jetsgo) in the
Ontario Superior Court on October 15, 2004, against WestJet, an officer
and a former officer (the Defendants). The principal allegations were
that the Defendants conspired together to unlawfully obtain Jetsgo's
proprietary information and to use this proprietary information to harm
Jetsgo. Jetsgo was seeking damages in an unspecified amount to be
determined prior to trial plus $50 million for spoliation, punitive and
exemplary damages. Jetsgo provided no details or evidence to substantiate
its claim. On May 13, 2005, Jetsgo sought bankruptcy protection. Based on
an Order of the Ontario Supreme Court of Justice dated April 25, 2007,
this action has been formally dismissed.
The Corporation is party to other legal proceedings and claims that arise
during the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of management
that the ultimate outcome of these and any outstanding matters will not
have a material effect upon the Corporation's financial position, results
of operations or cash flows.
6. Share capital:
a) Issued and outstanding:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2007 December 31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number Amount Number Amount
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common and variable voting
shares:
Balance, beginning of
period 129,648,688 $ 431,248 129,575,099 $ 429,613
Exercise of options(cash
and cashless) 253,634 124 73,589 -
Stock-based compensation
on stock options exercised - 3,644 - 1,642
Share issuance costs - - - (10)
Tax benefit of issue costs - - - 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period 129,902,322 $ 435,016 129,648,688 $ 431,248
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------
Number Amount
-------------------------------------------------
Common and variable voting
shares:
Balance, beginning of
period 129,575,099 $ 429,613
Exercise of options(cash
and cashless) 3,206 -
Stock-based compensation
on stock options exercised - 105
Share issuance costs - -
Tax benefit of issue costs - -
-------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period 129,578,305 $ 429,718
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
As at March 31, 2007, the number of common voting shares and variable
voting shares amounted to 125,003,722 (December 31, 2006 - 124,495,951,
March 31, 2006 - 120,116,434) and 4,898,600 (December 31, 2006 -
5,152,737, March 31, 2006 - 9,461,871) respectively.
The Corporation has an Employee Share Purchase Plan ("ESPP") whereby the
Corporation matches contributions from each employee. Under the terms of
the ESPP, the Corporation has the option to acquire common shares on
behalf of employees through open market purchases or to issue new shares
from treasury at the current market price. In 2006 and continuing through
to March 31, 2007, the Corporation elected to purchase these shares
through the open market. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the
Corporation's share of the contributions is recorded as compensation
expense and amounted to $7,714,000 (2006 - $5,816,000).
On February 26, 2007, WestJet filed a notice with the Toronto Stock
Exchange (the "TSX") to make a normal course issuer bid to purchase
outstanding shares on the open market. As approved by the TSX, WestJet is
authorized to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares (representing approximately
1.5% of its currently issued and outstanding shares) during the period
from February 28, 2007 to February 27, 2008, or until such earlier time
as the bid is completed or terminated at the option of WestJet. Any
shares WestJet purchases under this bid will be purchased on the open
market through the facilities of the TSX at the prevailing market price
at the time of the transaction. Shares acquired under the bid will be
cancelled. As at March 31, 2007, the Corporation had not repurchased any
shares pursuant to the bid.
b) Stock option plans:
Changes in the number of options, with their weighted average exercise
prices, are summarized below:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2007 December 31, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
average average
Number of exercise Number of exercise
Options price Options price
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock options outstanding,
beginning of period 15,046,201 $ 13.21 11,428,718 $ 13.94
Issued 10,959 $ 15.28 5,980,660 $ 11.82
Exercised (961,552) $ 11.21 (433,129) $ 11.21
Forfeited (131,063) $ 12.82 (332,711) $ 13.19
Expired - $ - (1,597,337) $ 13.78
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock options outstanding,
end of period 13,964,545 $ 13.35 15,046,201 $ 13.21
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable, end of period 3,884,684 $ 14.23 4,846,236 $ 13.63
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2006
------------------------------------------------------
Weighted
average
Number of exercise
Options price
------------------------------------------------------
Stock options outstanding,
beginning of period 11,428,718 $ 13.94
Issued 17,574 $ 12.23
Exercised (27,736) $ 11.21
Forfeited (59,896) $ 14.76
Expired (21,087) $ 12.44
------------------------------------------------------
Stock options outstanding,
end of period 11,337,573 $ 13.94
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable, end of period 3,955,357 $ 12.25
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
Under the terms of the Corporation's stock option plans, a cashless
settlement alternative is available whereby option holders can elect to
receive a number of shares equivalent to the difference between the
market value of the options and the exercise price. The result of the
cashless settlement is that dilution is significantly reduced by reducing
the number of shares that are issued under the stock option plans. For
the three months ended March 31, 2007, option holders exercised 950,523
options (December 31, 2006 - 433,129, March 31, 2006 - 27,736) on a
cashless settlement basis and received 242,605 shares (December 31, 2006
- 73,589, March 31, 2006 - 3,206).
c) Per share amounts:
The following table summarizes the shares used in calculating net
earnings per share:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended March 31
2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
- basic 129,783,267 129,577,263
Effect of dilutive employee stock options 597,646 132,697
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
- diluted 130,380,913 129,709,960
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three month period ended March 31, 2007, 3,274,549 options (2006
- 8,682,556) were not included in the calculation of dilutive potential
shares as the result would be anti-dilutive.
d) Stock-based compensation:
As new options are granted, the fair value of these options is expensed
over the vesting period, with an offsetting entry to contributed surplus.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Upon the exercise of stock
options, consideration received, together with amounts previously
recorded in contributed surplus, is recorded as an increase in share
capital.
The fair market value of options granted during the three months ended
March 31, 2007 and 2006 and the assumptions used in their determination
are as follows:
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Three Months Ended March 31
2007 2006
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Weighted average fair market value per option $ 5.32 $ 4.58
Average risk-free interest rate 4.00% 3.86%
Average volatility 39% 42%
Expected life (years) 3.8 3.7
Dividends per share $ - $ -
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Stock-based compensation expense included in flight operations and
general and administration expenses totalled $5,450,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 2007 (2006 - $4,683,000).
7. Employee profit share provision:
The provision for employee profit share is estimated based on actual
year-to-date earnings results. The actual employee profit share amount is
to be determined by the Board of Directors based on audited financial
results at the completion of the financial year.
8. Comparative figures:
Certain prior-period balances have been reclassified to conform to
current period's presentation.
>>
WestJet will hold a live analysts' conference call today at 9 a.m. MDT
(11 a.m. EDT). Sean Durfy, President and Vito Culmone, Executive
Vice-President, Finance and CFO will discuss WestJet's first quarter 2007
results and answer questions from financial analysts. Following the analysts'
question period, members of the media are invited to participate in a question
and answer session as time permits. The conference call is available through
the toll-free telephone number 1-888-564-1610. Participants are encouraged to
join the call 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start, at 8:50 a.m. MDT (10:50
EDT). The call can also be heard live through an Internet webcast in the
Investor Relations section of westjet.com.