Air Canada released its financial results for the first quarter of 2022 today.
“The substantial year-over-year improvement in Air Canada’s first-quarter results is clear evidence that a recovery is underway.
Our strong improvement is a testament to our employees, and I thank them for their hard work taking care of our customers throughout more than two years of a global pandemic.
Now, our employees are demonstrating this same level of determination, commitment, and passion in executing our recovery strategy,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
“The year began with weakness brought on by the Omicron variant and travel restrictions. However, we quickly rebounded in March with passenger volumes exceeding the strong December levels and passenger ticket sales in March 2022 over 90 percent of March 2019 levels, a leading indicator to much stronger 2022 second and third-quarter results.
Air Canada’s operating revenues during the quarter were $2.573 billion, more than triple those of the previous year’s comparable quarter. This was accompanied by a cost-cutting strategy that saw adjusted CASM* drop by nearly 6% from the fourth quarter of 2021. While quarterly EBITDA* was negative $143 million, it was up $620 million years over year, and we closed the quarter with $10.162 billion in unrestricted cash, which was near to year-end levels for 2021.
“In anticipation of our recovery, Air Canada has kept the course with key long-term projects to increase and diversify revenue and lower costs. One such program is the expansion of Air Canada Cargo, with quarterly revenue up 42 percent to $398 million from the first quarter of 2021, and now further expanded with the addition of two new Boeing 767-300 freighters to be delivered in 2022.
The renegotiation of key engine maintenance contracts completed in the quarter will also yield savings over the remaining life of the contracts. Aeroplan air redemption bookings in the quarter exceeded those of the same quarter in 2019 by 19 percent. The relaunched program saw the highest new member acquisitions and redemptions in a quarter, and generated third-party gross billings exceeding first quarter 2019 levels by 21 percent,” said Mr. Rousseau.
“Air Canada is rapidly adapting for the post-pandemic world. We are doing our part by contributing to the travel of Ukrainians to Canada, with a substantial donation of 100 million Aeroplan points. We have also advanced our ESG goals in the quarter by announcing an order for 26 fuel-efficient Airbus A321XLR aircraft, which we have now increased to 30 aircraft.
As well, we have recently entered into a long-term agreement with International Aero Engines, LLC (Pratt & Whitney) for the selection of the PW1100G-JM engines, spare engines, and related maintenance services for these new aircraft. We are responding to the evolving competitive landscape through our Rise Higher strategy to elevate all aspects of our business, particularly as it relates to the customer experience.
Given pent-up travel demand, the demonstrated loyalty of our customers, and the expected further removal of travel-related government restrictions, Air Canada anticipates its recovery will gain momentum through the balance of 2022 and beyond,” said Mr. Rousseau.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
– In the first quarter of 2022, Air Canada’s operating capacity, measured by Available Seat Miles (ASMs) increased about 3.4 times from the first quarter of 2021. When compared to the first quarter of 2019, ASM capacity represented a decline of 45 per cent, which was generally in line with the capacity expectations projected in Air Canada’s fourth quarter 2021 earnings release dated February 18, 2022.
– First-quarter 2022 passenger revenues of $1.917 billion increased nearly five times from the first quarter of 2021.
– First-quarter 2022 operating revenues of $2.573 billion increased about three-and-a-half times from the first quarter of 2021.
– First-quarter 2022 total operating expenses of $3.123 billion increased $1.345 billion or 76 per cent from the first quarter of 2021.
– First-quarter 2022 cost per available seat mile (CASM) of 21.8 cents compared to first quarter 2021 CASM of 42.2 cents.
– First-quarter 2022 adjusted cost per available seat mile* (adjusted CASM) of 15.6 cents compared to first quarter 2021 adjusted CASM of 40.4 cents.
– First-quarter 2022 EBITDA (excluding special items)* or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of negative $143 million compared to negative EBITDA of $763 million in the first quarter of 2021.
– First-quarter 2022 net loss of $974 million or $2.72 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $1.304 billion or $3.90 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2021.
– The first quarter of 2022 cash from operations was $335 million compared to cash used in operations of $888 million in the first quarter of 2021, an improvement of $1,223 million driven by improved operating results and strong advance ticket sales. Free cash flow of $59 million in the first quarter of 2022 improved by $1,221 million when compared to the same period in 2021.
