Mesa Air Group Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results

May 9, 2022

PHOENIX, May 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mesa Air Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MESA) today reported second quarter fiscal 2022 financial and operating results.

Financial Summary Q2:

  • Pre-tax loss of $55.2 million, net loss of $42.8 million or $(1.19) per diluted share.
  • Adjusted net loss1 of $10.3 million or $(0.29) per diluted share.
  • Adjusted net loss excludes a $39.5 million (pre-tax) non-cash charge related to 12 CRJ aircraft held for sale.

Quarter Highlights:

  • Mesa took delivery of its third 737-400F freighter aircraft in the quarter.
  • Added an additional E175 flight simulator.

Fiscal Year Q2 Results:

Mesa’s Q2 FY22 results reflect a net loss of $42.8 million, or $(1.19) per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share for Q2 FY21. Mesa’s Q2 FY22 adjusted pre-tax loss1 was $13.1 million versus an adjusted pre-tax income1 of $12.1 million in Q2 FY21. The year over year decrease in adjusted pre-tax income of $25.2 million was primarily due to lower block hours and the impact of the PSP program.

Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO, said, “While demand for our product remains strong, our financial results this quarter reflect the ongoing challenge of heightened pilot attrition. In January, our operational and financial performance was significantly impacted by Covid-related higher pilot absence rates which have since subsided. We remain focused on taking steps to address pilot attrition, including increased hiring, simulator capacity, and training capabilities, which has been exacerbated by the industry wide pilot shortage.”

Fiscal Q2 details:

Total operating revenues in Q2 2022 were $123.2 million, an increase of $25.9 million (26.7%) from $97.3 million for Q2 2021. Contract revenue increased $30.3 million. This was due to the return to normal rates from our partners which were temporarily reduced last year related to the PSP program. These were partially offset by a reduction in block hours. Mesa’s Q2 2022 results include, per GAAP, the recognition of $0.8 million of previously deferred revenue, versus the deferral of $4.9 million of revenue in Q2 2021. The remaining deferred revenue balance will be recognized as flights are completed over the remaining terms of the contracts.

Mesa’s Adjusted EBITDA1 for Q2 2022 was $15.8 million, compared to $41.5 million in Q2 2021, and Adjusted EBITDAR1 was $25.2 million for Q2 2022, compared to $51.5 million in Q2 2021.

Operationally, the Company ran a controllable completion factor of 96.8% for American and 96.7% for United during Q2 2022. This is compared to a controllable completion factor of 99.8% for American and 100.0% for United during Q2 2021. This excludes cancellations due to weather and air traffic control. As Covid-related cancellations declined, our controllable completion factors for both American and United were both 99.9% for the month of March.

With respect to a total completion factor that includes all cancellations, Mesa reported a total completion factor of 93.5% for American and 93.7% for United during Q2 2022. This is compared to a total completion factor of 95.0% for American and 94.2% for United during Q2 2021.

1 See Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

Mesa ended the quarter at $75.9 million in unrestricted cash and equivalents. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $652.0 million in total debt secured primarily with aircraft and engines.

Fleet:

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, 47% of the Company’s total revenue was derived from our contracts with United, 46% from American, 1% from DHL, and 6% from leases of aircraft to a third party.

Below is our current and future fleet plan by partner and fleet type for FY22:

Fleet Plan (FY22) Q1 (Dec '21) Q2 (Mar '22) Q3 (Jun '22) Q4 (Sep '22)
  Actual Actual Forecast Forecast
E-175 – UA 80 80 80 80
CRJ-900 – AA 40 40 40 40
737-400F – DHL 2 3 3 3
Sub-total 122 123 123 123
CRJ-700 Leased 17 18 20 20
CRJ-700 to be Leased        
to Third party 3 2 - -
CRJs Spares/Parked 25 13 13 13
CRJs Held for Sale - 12 12 12
Total Fleet 167 168 168 168


Mesa Air Group will host a conference call with analysts on May 9th at 4:30 pm EDT. The conference call number is 888-469-2054 (Passcode: Phoenix (7463649)). The conference call can also be accessed live via the web by visiting https://investor.mesa-air.com.

A recorded version will be available on Mesa's website approximately two hours after the call for approximately 14 days.

1Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures

Although these financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"), certain non-GAAP financial measures may provide investors with useful information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Mesa's ongoing operations and may be useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. The tables below reflect supplemental financial data and reconciliations to GAAP financial statements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021. Readers should consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, not a substitute for, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude some, but not all items that may affect the Company's net income or loss. Additionally, these calculations may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies.

1Reconciliation of GAAP versus Non-GAAP Disclosures
(In thousands, except for per diluted share) (Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended March 31, 2022   Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
  Income (Loss) Before Taxes Income Tax (Expense)/ Benefit Net Income (Loss) Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share   Income Before Taxes Income Tax (Expense)/ Benefit Net Income   Net Income per Diluted Share
GAAP Income (Loss) $ (55,165 ) 12,382   (42,783 ) $ (1.19 )   $ 7,579   (1,890 ) 5,689   $ 0.14
Adjustments (1) (2) (3)   39,843   (9,097 ) 30,746   $ 0.85       4,508   (1,124 ) 3,384   $ 0.09
Loss on Investments, Net (4)   2,261   (522 ) 1,739   $ 0.05              
Adjusted Income (Loss)   (13,061 ) 2,763   (10,298 ) $ (0.29 )     12,087   (3,014 ) 9,073   $ 0.23
                     
Interest Expense   8,120             8,755          
Interest Income   (42 )           (79 )        
Depreciation and Amortization   20,747             20,705          
Adjusted EBITDA   15,764             41,468          
                     
Aircraft Rent   9,434             9,992          
Adjusted EBITDAR $ 25,198           $ 51,460          

(1) Includes adjustment for lease termination expense of $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 related to the purchase of a CRJ-900 aircraft, which was previously leased from Bombardier Capital.
(2) Includes adjustment for impairment charges of $39.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to certain of the Company's aircraft which are classified as held for sale.
(3) Includes adjustment for operating lease right of use asset impairment charges of $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to the abandonment of one of the Company's leased facilities.
(4) Includes losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the Company's investments in equity securities of $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

                     
  Six Months Ended March 31, 2022   Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
  Income (Loss) Before Taxes Income Tax (Expense)/ Benefit Net Income (Loss) Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share   Income Before Taxes Income Tax (Expense)/ Benefit Net Income
Net Income per Diluted Share
GAAP Income (Loss) $ (73,551 ) 16,494   (57,057 ) $ (1.58 )   $ 26,518   (6,711 ) 19,807   $ 0.52
Adjustments (1)(2)(3)(4)   39,843   (9,097 ) 30,746   $ 0.85       3,558   (900 ) 2,658   $ 0.07
Loss on Investments, Net (5)   8,723   (1,992 ) 6,731   $ 0.19              
Adjusted Income (Loss)   (24,985 ) 5,405   (19,580 ) $ (0.54 )     30,076   (7,611 ) 22,465   $ 0.59
                     
Interest Expense   16,050             17,837          
Interest Income   (93 )           (205 )        
Depreciation and Amortization   41,775             41,175          
Adjusted EBITDA   32,747             88,883          
                     
Aircraft Rent   19,020             20,040          
Adjusted EBITDAR $ 51,767           $ 108,923          

(1) Includes adjustment for gain on extinguishment of debt of $1.0 million related to repayment of the Company’s aircraft debts during the six months ended March 31, 2021.
(2) Includes adjustment for lease termination expense of $4.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 related to the purchase of a CRJ-900 aircraft, which was previously leased from Bombardier Capital.
(3) Includes adjustment for impairment charges of $39.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2022 related to certain of the Company's aircraft which are classified as held for sale.
(4) Includes adjustment for operating lease right of use asset impairment charges of $0.4 million during the six months ended March 31, 2022 related to the abandonment of one of the Company's leased facilities.
(5) Includes losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the Company's investments in equity securities of $8.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2022.

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 110 cities in 40 states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, and Mexico as well as cargo services out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. As of March 31, 2022, Mesa operated a fleet of 168 aircraft with approximately 349 daily departures and 2,800 employees. Mesa operates all of its flights as either American Eagle, United Express, or DHL Express flights pursuant to the terms of capacity purchase agreements entered into with American Airlines, Inc., United Airlines, Inc., and DHL.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “approximate” or “plan,” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For more information on risk factors for Mesa Air Group, Inc.’s business, please refer to the periodic reports the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Many of the risks identified in the periodic reports have been and will continue to be heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse effects arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events. Mesa Air Group, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, to reflect any change in Mesa Air Group, Inc.’s expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

    Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Six Months Ended
March 31,
      2022       2021       2022       2021  
Operating revenues:                
Contract revenue   $ 111,988     $ 81,712     $ 248,882     $ 208,870  
Pass-through and other revenue     11,225       15,568       22,088       38,781  
Total operating revenues     123,213       97,280       270,970       247,651  
                 
Operating expenses:                
Flight operations     42,410       37,403       90,008       74,367  
Maintenance     47,357       51,773       106,338       104,637  
Aircraft rent     9,434       9,992       19,020       20,040  
General and administrative     7,860       11,164       20,438       24,237  
Depreciation and amortization     20,747       20,705       41,775       41,175  
Lease termination           4,508             4,508  
Impairment of assets held for sale     39,475             39,475        
Other operating expenses     685       941       2,657       2,232  
Government grant recognition           (55,967 )           (67,278 )
Total operating expenses     167,968       80,519       319,711       203,918  
Operating income (loss)     (44,755 )     16,761       (48,741 )     43,733  
                 
Other income (expense), net:                
Interest expense     (8,120 )     (8,755 )     (16,050 )     (17,837 )
Interest income     42       79       93       205  
Loss on investments, net     (2,261 )           (8,723 )      
Other income (expense), net     (71 )     (506 )     (130 )     417  
Total other (expense), net     (10,410 )     (9,182 )     (24,810 )     (17,215 )
                 
Income (loss) before taxes     (55,165 )     7,579       (73,551 )     26,518  
Income tax expense (benefit)     (12,382 )     1,890       (16,494 )     6,711  
Net income (loss)   $ (42,783 )   $ 5,689     $ (57,057 )   $ 19,807  
                 
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders                
Basic   $ (1.19 )   $ 0.16     $ (1.58 )   $ 0.56  
Diluted   $ (1.19 )   $ 0.14     $ (1.58 )   $ 0.52  
                 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding                
Basic     36,048       35,628       36,005       35,579  
Diluted     36,048       39,432       36,005       38,382  


MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except shares) (Unaudited)

    March 31,
2022
  September 30,
2021
ASSETS      
         
CURRENT ASSETS:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 75,896   $ 120,517
Restricted cash     3,351     3,350
Receivables, net     6,849     3,167
Expendable parts and supplies, net     26,255     24,467
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     7,608     6,885
Total current assets     119,959     158,386
         
Property and equipment, net     1,064,349     1,151,891
Intangible assets, net     6,281     6,792
Lease and equipment deposits     8,371     6,808
Operating lease right-of-use assets     79,706     93,100
Deferred heavy maintenance, net     5,289     3,499
Assets held for sale     36,528    
Other assets     32,873     36,121
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 1,353,356   $ 1,456,597
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases   $ 111,671   $ 111,710
Current portion of deferred revenue     2,675     6,298
Current maturities of operating leases     16,601     32,652
Accounts payable     76,733     61,476
Accrued compensation     10,285     12,399
Other accrued expenses     31,406     33,657
Total current liabilities     249,371     258,192
         
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Long-term debt and finance leases, excluding current portion     521,457     539,700
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities     29,936     33,991
Deferred credits     3,508     3,934
Deferred income taxes     53,281     69,940
Deferred revenue, net of current portion     26,868     28,202
Other noncurrent liabilities     36,394     34,591
Total noncurrent liabilities     671,444     710,358
      Total liabilities     920,815     968,550
         
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:        
Preferred stock of no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding        
Common stock of no par value and additional paid-in capital, 125,000,000
shares authorized; 36,126,724 (2022) and 35,958,759 (2021) shares issued
and outstanding, and 4,899,497 (2022) and 4,899,497 (2021) warrants
issued and outstanding
    257,923     256,372
Retained earnings     174,618     231,675
Total stockholders' equity     432,541     488,047
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 1,353,356   $ 1,456,597


MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
Operating Highlights (unaudited)

    Three months ended
    March 31
    2022   2021   Change
Available Seat Miles (thousands)   1,616,896   1,771,498   -8.7%
Block Hours   65,613   73,942   -11.3%
Average Stage Length (miles)   671   690   -2.8%
Departures   31,983   35,270   -9.3%
Passengers   1,921,635   1,684,043   14.1%
Controllable Completion Factor*            
American   96.76%   99.83%   -3.1%
United   96.71%   99.99%   -3.3%
Total Completion Factor**            
American   93.51%   95.01%   -1.6%
United   93.74%   94.22%   -0.5%

*Controllable Completion Factor excludes cancellations due to weather and air traffic control
**Total Completion Factor includes all cancellations

Source: Mesa Air Group, Inc.

Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Media
Jacqueline Palmer
Media@mesa-air.com

Investor Relations
Susan M. Donofrio
IR@mesa-air.com


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Source: Mesa Air Group, Inc.