Northwest Airlines Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results
Northwest Airlines Corporation (NYSE:NWA) today reported a third quarter pre-tax profit of $405 million, a 57 percent improvement versus the third quarter of 2006, excluding reorganization items. For the first nine months of 2007, Northwest reported a $778 million pre-tax profit, a 153 percent improvement versus the first nine months of 2006, also excluding reorganization items.
Northwest Airlines reported net income for the third quarter of $244 million, or $0.93 per diluted share.
Doug Steenland, president and chief executive officer, said, “Our third quarter pre-tax margin was 12 percent, the highest among U.S. network carriers. Our pre-tax profit of $405 million was the airline’s highest quarterly pre-tax profit in 10 years and the third highest in Company history. Our year-to-date pre-tax margin of 8.2 percent, excluding reorganization items, is also the highest among the network carriers.”
Steenland added, “These results are consistent with our five-year business plan, when adjusted for higher fuel prices. This strong performance makes it possible for us to continue to invest in the airline so that we can enhance shareholder value, remain competitive, and preserve and enhance the jobs of our co-workers.”
Steenland praised employees for helping the airline achieve industry-leading financial results, saying, “This remarkable turnaround reflects the hard work and commitment of our employees and demonstrates, once again, that we are all squarely focused on making the new Northwest Airlines a world-class employer and our customers’ preferred choice for air travel.”
As part of fulfilling its commitments to employees, the airline has accrued $72 million in profit sharing and performance incentive payments for the first nine months of the year.
OPERATIONS
The third quarter also marked the return to Northwest’s historical position of leadership in operational reliability.
“Since late July, the airline has successfully implemented actions that resulted in improved operating performance during August, September and October. Northwest’s system-wide completion factor improved from 97 percent in July to 99.2 percent in August; 99.7 percent in September; and 99.4 percent month-to-date in October,” Steenland said.
FINANCIAL RESULTS SUMMARY
Operating revenues for the third quarter were $3.4 billion, down 0.9 percent from last year. Excluding fresh-start accounting impacts, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 3.5 percent on a 0.8 percent decrease in available seat miles (ASMs). The RASM performance was driven by a 2.1 percent improvement in yield on a 1.2 percentage point improvement in load factor during the quarter.
Third quarter operating expenses were down $122 million, or four percent, year-over-year to $2.9 billion. At the same time, the airline’s mainline unit costs excluding fuel were flat versus last year.
Fuel expenses in the third quarter averaged $2.11 per gallon, excluding taxes and before out of period hedge gains, and were down 1.5 percent versus the third quarter of 2006. Northwest had previously hedged 40 percent of its fuel exposure for the quarter using a combination of collars and swaps. These hedges generated $23 million in fuel cost-savings for the quarter.
Dave Davis, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said, “The third quarter again illustrated the continued strengthening of our financial position. Third quarter EBITDAR was $674 million, a 20 percent EBITDAR margin, which was the highest among network carriers.”
Davis added, “Today we have one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry and we ended the quarter with $3.1 billion in unrestricted cash.”
EBITDAR is defined as operating income excluding depreciation, amortization and aircraft rents.
KEY INITIATIVES
Discussing developments since the carrier emerged from bankruptcy, Steenland noted, “Northwest continues to forge ahead with key initiatives that will generate further earnings improvements, enhance shareholder value, strengthen our competitive position, and benefit our employees.”
Update on Key Initiatives:
A. Profitability-enhancing Re-fleeting
— Northwest is halfway through its $6 billion re-fleeting program. The program has added thirty-two Airbus A330s to the airline’s fleet, and will involve the acquisition of seventy-two 76-seat regional jets manufactured by Embraer and Bombardier, and eighteen Boeing 787s.
— On Oct. 17, Northwest took delivery of its 32nd A330. In addition to being the operator of the world’s largest A330 fleet, Northwest operates the youngest international fleet of any U.S. carrier, with the retirement of its 747-200s and DC10s from scheduled service.
— Earlier this year Northwest began taking delivery of state-of-the-art 76-seat dual-class Embraer 175s and Bombardier CRJ900s. Two of each of these aircraft types will enter Northwest’s fleet every month through the end of 2008 at which time Northwest will operate thirty-six E-175s and thirty-six CRJ900s.
— Northwest is the North American launch customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with eighteen firm orders and fifty options. Together with the Boeing 747-400, the 787 is expected to become the mainstay of Northwest’s Pacific fleet. The Company is working with Boeing to refine the delivery schedule and expects the aircraft to be in service in the first quarter 2009 – well ahead of the peak summer season in the Pacific.
B. New Routes
— On Sept. 25, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Northwest the authority to operate Detroit-Shanghai daily nonstop service starting March 25, 2009.
— On June 6, Northwest began nonstop service from Detroit to Dusseldorf, and on July 1 daily nonstop service from Hartford, Conn. to Amsterdam started. These new routes use Boeing 757 aircraft equipped for transatlantic service.
— Earlier this month, Northwest announced that it will inaugurate two new routes to Europe in the spring of 2008: Minneapolis/St. Paul to Paris, and Portland, Ore. to Amsterdam. In addition, in September, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced that it will operate, as part of the NWA/KLM joint venture, daily nonstop service between Amsterdam and Dallas/Fort Worth beginning in 2008. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Northwest’s joint venture agreement with KLM.
C. Customer Service Enhancements
— Northwest continues to invest in facilities and equipment, information technology, and numerous other initiatives to improve its customers’ experience, including:
— Systems to provide a more convenient experience at the airport, such as the ability to use a hand-held device to check-in for flights. — New Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools and programs to attract and reward high value customers. — New equipment and information technology to build on Northwest’s leadership in luggage handling. — Improvements to Northwest’s WorldClubs.
D. Employee Focus
— The airline has launched the “Northwest Experience” for front-line employees – the largest employee collaboration initiative in more than a decade – as well as a newly redesigned Captain Leadership program for Northwest pilots. Both are designed to better equip employees to work together as a team in delivering best-in-class customer service.
— Since the beginning of 2007, Northwest has contributed $95 million to its employee pension plans.
— Northwest has established over sixty employee involvement teams. As part of this initiative, the Company is collaborating with employees to implement their ideas to improve the customer experience as well as make Northwest Airlines a better place to work.
Steenland said, “Today’s solid performance is indicative of the bright future ahead for Northwest Airlines. The ultimate beneficiaries of our success will be the shareholders, customers, employees and the communities we serve.”
FRESH-START REPORTING
Upon emergence from bankruptcy on May 31, 2007, the company adopted fresh-start reporting. Under fresh-start reporting, Northwest revalued its assets and liabilities to estimated market values. In addition to these fair value adjustments, the company changed its presentation of certain regional carrier-related revenue and expense items, acquired Mesaba Aviation, and changed its policies pertaining to the accounting for frequent flyer obligations and breakage of passenger tickets.
These non-cash adjustments affected Northwest’s balance sheet, statement of operations, and statement of cash flows. As a result of the fresh-start reporting adjustments, Northwest’s financial statements on and after June 1, 2007, are not comparable to its previously issued financial statements.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this news release that are not purely historical facts, including statements regarding our beliefs, expectations, intentions or strategies for the future, may be “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the ability of the company to operate pursuant to the terms of its financing facilities (particularly the related financial covenants), the ability of the company to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates, the future level of air travel demand, the company’s future passenger traffic and yields, the airline industry pricing environment, increased costs for security, the cost and availability of aviation insurance coverage and war risk coverage, the general economic condition of the U.S. and other regions of the world, the price and availability of jet fuel, the war in Iraq, the possibility of additional terrorist attacks or the fear of such attacks, concerns about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and other influenza or contagious illnesses, labor strikes, work disruptions, labor negotiations both at other carriers and the company, low cost carrier expansion, capacity decisions of other carriers, actions of the U.S. and foreign governments, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and inflation. Additional information with respect to the factors and events that could cause differences between forward-looking statements and future actual results is contained in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
Northwest Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world’s most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 1,000 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION ———————————————————————- CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS ———————————————————————- (Unaudited, in millions except per share amounts) ————- ————- Successor (a) Predecessor ————- ————- Three Months Three Months Ended Ended % September 30, September 30, Incr 2007 2006 (Decr) ————- ————- —— OPERATING REVENUES Passenger $ 2,577 $ 2,554 0.9 Regional carrier revenues 379 358 5.9 Cargo 212 254 (16.5) Other 210 241 (12.9) ————- ————- Total operating revenues 3,378 3,407 (0.9) OPERATING EXPENSES Aircraft fuel and taxes (b) 873 948 (7.9) Salaries, wages and benefits (c) 660 678 (2.7) Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs 210 170 23.5 Selling and marketing 185 199 (7.0) Other rentals and landing fees 142 151 (6.0) Depreciation and amortization 122 122 0.0 Aircraft rentals 93 52 78.8 Regional carrier expenses 192 356 (46.1) Other 442 365 21.1 ————- ————- Total operating expenses 2,919 3,041 (4.0) OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) 459 366 25.4 Operating margin 13.6% 10.7% 2.9 pts. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest expense, net (107) (137) 21.9 Investment income 52 30 73.3 Foreign currency gain (loss) (2) (3) 33.3 Other 3 2 50.0 ————- ————- Total other income (expense) (54) (108) 50.0 ————- ————- INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS AND INCOME TAXES 405 258 Reorganization items, net (d) – (1,431) ————- ————- INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 405 (1,173) Income tax expense (benefit) 161 6 ————- ————- NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 244 $ (1,179) ============= ============= Earnings (Loss) per common share: (e) Basic $ 0.93 $ (13.50) Diluted $ 0.93 $ (13.50) Average shares used in computation: Basic 262 87 Diluted 262 87 See accompanying consolidated notes.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION ———————————————————————- CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS ———————————————————————- (Unaudited, in millions except per share amounts) ——— ———– ——— ———– Combined Successor Predecessor (a) Predecessor ——— ———– ——— ———– Period Nine From Period From Months Nine Months June 1 to January 1 Ended Ended September to September September % 30, May 31, 30, 30, Incr 2007 2007 2007 2006 (Decr) ——— ———– ——— ———– —— OPERATING REVENUES Passenger $ 3,438 $ 3,768 $ 7,206 $ 7,028 2.5 Regional carrier revenues 514 521 1,035 1,093 (5.3) Cargo 281 318 599 704 (14.9) Other 275 317 592 763 (22.4) ——— ———– ——— ———– Total operating revenues 4,508 4,924 9,432 9,588 (1.6) OPERATING EXPENSES Aircraft fuel and taxes (b) 1,140 1,286 2,426 2,578 (5.9) Salaries, wages and benefits (c) 865 1,027 1,892 2,029 (6.8) Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs 274 303 577 542 6.5 Selling and marketing 250 315 565 583 (3.1) Other rentals and landing fees 188 235 423 436 (3.0) Depreciation and amortization 161 206 367 390 (5.9) Aircraft rentals 124 160 284 174 63.2 Regional carrier expenses 255 345 600 1,088 (44.9) Other 597 684 1,281 1,122 14.2 ——— ———– ——— ———– Total operating expenses 3,854 4,561 8,415 8,942 (5.9) OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) 654 363 1,017 646 57.4 Operating margin 14.5% 7.4% 10.8% 6.7% 4.1 pts. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest expense, net (147) (219) (366) (413) 11.4 Investment income 69 56 125 73 71.2 Foreign currency gain (loss) (1) – (1) (4) 75.0 Other 5 (2) 3 6 (50.0) ——— ———– ——— ———– Total other income (expense) (74) (165) (239) (338) 29.3 ——— ———– ——— ———– INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS AND INCOME TAXES 580 198 778 308 Reorganization items, net (d) – 1,551 1,551 (2,870) ——— ———– ——— ———– INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 580 1,749 2,329 (2,562) Income tax expense (benefit) 230 (2) 228 6 ——— ———– ——— ———– NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 350 $ 1,751 $ 2,101 $ (2,568) ========= =========== ========= =========== Earnings (Loss) per common share: (e) Basic $ 1.33 $ 20.03 $ (29.42) Diluted $ 1.33 $ 14.28 $ (29.42) Average shares used in computation: Basic 262 87 87 Diluted 262 113 87 See accompanying consolidated notes.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED NOTES: ———————————————————————- (Unaudited) (a) Northwest Airlines Corporation (“NWA Corp.” or the “Company”) is a holding company whose operating subsidiary is Northwest Airlines, Inc. (“Northwest”). In September 2005, NWA Corp. and Northwest, along with certain direct and indirect subsidiaries filed Chapter 11 petitions for relief in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On May 31, 2007, the Company and its debtor subsidiaries emerged from Chapter 11. In connection with its emergence from Chapter 11, the Company adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code (“SOP 90-7″). References to “Successor” refer to NWA Corp. on or after June 1, 2007, after giving effect to the application of fresh-start reporting. References to “Predecessor” refer to NWA Corp. prior to June 1, 2007. Thus, the consolidated financial statements prior to June 1, 2007 reflect results based upon the historical cost basis of the Company while the post-emergence consolidated financial statements reflect the new basis of accounting incorporating the fair value adjustments made in recording the effects of fresh- start reporting. Therefore, the post-emergence periods are not comparable to the pre-emergence periods. However, for discussions on the results of operations, the Company has compared the Successor Company’s results for the three months ended September 30, 2007 to the Predecessor Company’s results for the three months ended September 30, 2006, as well as combined the results for the five months ended May 31, 2007 and the four months ended September 30, 2007 to compare with the Predecessor Company’s results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. In addition to the fair value adjustments required for fresh- start reporting, the Company changed its presentation of certain regional carrier related revenue and expense items, acquired Mesaba Aviation, Inc. and changed its policies pertaining to the accounting for frequent flyer obligations and breakage of passenger tickets. See the table of year-over-year variance reconciliations for further details. (b) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded $12 million and $34 million in mark-to-market gains, respectively, related to fuel derivative contracts that will settle in future periods. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded $16 million and $15 million in mark-to-market losses, respectively, related to fuel derivative contracts that settled during the fourth quarter of 2006. (c) During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded an additional expense of $12 million for the summer reliability incentive program. (d) In connection with its bankruptcy proceedings and adoption of fresh-start reporting, the Company recorded largely non-cash reorganization income (expense) and, in accordance with GAAP, these items are separately classified in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. (e) Successor EPS. The Company’s Plan of Reorganization contemplates Reorganized NWA Corp. issuing approximately 277 million shares out of the 400 million shares of new common stock authorized under its amended and restated certificate of incorporation. The new common stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and began trading under the symbol “NWA” on May 31, 2007. The distributions of Reorganized NWA Corp. common stock, subject to certain holdbacks as described in the Plan of Reorganization, were generally made as follows: –234.4 million shares of common stock were issuable to holders of certain general unsecured claims and holders of guaranty claims; –27.8 million shares of common stock issued in the Rights Offering and Equity Commitment Agreement; and –15.2 million shares of common stock are subject to awards under a management equity plan. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share (“SFAS No. 128″), basic and diluted earnings per share were computed by dividing the Successor Company’s net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the applicable reporting period presented. SFAS No. 128 requires that the entire 234.4 million shares issued to holders of unsecured and guaranty claims be considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share as these shares will ultimately be issued to unsecured creditors once the resolution of disputed unsecured claims is completed. The 15.2 million shares subject to awards under the management equity plan were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including the shares would have been anti-dilutive. Predecessor EPS. Predecessor basic earnings per share was computed based on the Predecessor’s final weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share included approximately 25.3 million dilutive securities related to the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock and convertible debt.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION ———————————————————————- RECONCILIATION OF YEAR-OVER-YEAR VARIANCES: ———————————————————————- (Unaudited, in millions) As a result of the adoption of fresh-start reporting, the Company’s financial statements on or after June 1, 2007 are not comparable with its pre-emergence financial statements because they are, in effect, those of a new entity. In addition to the fair value adjustments required for fresh-start reporting, the Company changed its policies pertaining to the accounting for frequent flyer obligations and breakage of passenger tickets. The effects of fresh- start reporting, the policy changes and the impact of exit-related stock compensation expense on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations are itemized below in column (A). On April 24, 2007, Mesaba Aviation, Inc. was acquired by the Company and became a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary. The impact on the Company’s year-over-year variance as a result of this consolidation is itemized in column (B). In conjunction with the Amended Airline Services Agreement with Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. and the Stock Purchase and Reorganization Agreement with Mesaba Aviation, Inc., the Company changed its presentation of certain regional carrier related revenue and expense items effective January 1, 2007. This change in presentation had no impact on the Company’s operating income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and is itemized in column (C). Excluding the items listed above, the comparable year-over-year operating performance variances are itemized in column (D). System passenger revenue increased 2.7 percent due primarily to a 3.5 percent improvement on unit revenue. Cargo revenue decreased on a 10.3 percent reduction in cargo traffic and a 7.3 percent reduction in yield. Operating expenses are lower year-over-year due to the successful implementation of the Company’s objectives to achieve both labor and non-labor cost savings. Successor Predecessor ————- ————– Three Months Three Months Ended Ended Total September 30, September 30, Incr 2007 2006 (Decr) ————- ————- —— OPERATING REVENUES Passenger $ 2,577 $ 2,554 $ 23 Regional carrier revenues 379 358 21 Cargo 212 254 (42) Other 210 241 (31) ————- ————- —— Total operating revenues 3,378 3,407 (29) OPERATING EXPENSES Aircraft fuel and taxes 873 948 (75) Salaries, wages and benefits 660 678 (18) Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs 210 170 40 Selling and marketing 185 199 (14) Other rentals and landing fees 142 151 (9) Depreciation and amortization 122 122 – Aircraft rentals 93 52 41 Regional carrier expenses 192 356 (164) Other 442 365 77 ————- ————- —— Total operating expenses 2,919 3,041 (122) OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) 459 366 93 Operating margin 13.6% 10.7% 2.9 pts. (A) (B) (C) (D) —————————————- Increase (Decrease) Due To: —————————————- Fresh-Start/ Mesaba Rgnl Total Exit-Related Net of Carrier Incr Stk Comp. Exp. Elim Reclass Operations (Decr) —————————————- —— OPERATING REVENUES Passenger $ (39) $ – $ – $ 62 $ 23 Regional carrier revenues 5 – – 16 21 Cargo – – – (42) (42) Other 23 5 (55) (4) (31) —————————————- —— Total operating revenues (11) 5 (55) 32 (29) OPERATING EXPENSES Aircraft fuel and taxes – 4 – (79) (75) Salaries, wages and benefits 7 27 – (52) (18) Aircraft maintenance materials and repairs – 7 – 33 40 Selling and marketing (7) – – (7) (14) Other rentals and landing fees – 3 – (12) (9) Depreciation and amortization (2) 2 1 (1) – Aircraft rentals – – 43 (2) 41 Regional carrier expenses – (53) (99) (12) (164) Other – 12 – 65 77 —————————————- —— Total operating expenses (2) 2 (55) (67) (122) OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (9) 3 – 99 93 Operating margin ———————————————————————- EBITDAR CALCULATION: ———————————————————————- (Unaudited, in millions) Successor ————- Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 ————- Operating income (loss) $ 459 Depreciation and amortization 122 Aircraft rentals 93 ————- EBITDAR (1) 674 EBITDAR margin 20.0% (1) EDITDAR is defined as operating income excluding depreciation, amortization and aircraft rents. The Company believes that EDITDAR is a useful financial measure when comparing the Company’s financial results to those of the industry.
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION ———————————————————————- PASSENGER AND REGIONAL CARRIER REVENUES AND STATISTICAL RESULTS ———————————————————————- (Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, ————————— Percent 2007 2006 Change ————- ————- ——- Scheduled Service – Consolidated: (1) Available seat miles (ASM) (millions) 23,889 24,073 (0.8) Revenue passenger miles (RPM) (millions) 20,644 20,521 0.6 Passenger load factor 86.4 % 85.2 % 1.2 pts. Revenue passengers (millions) 17.3 17.6 (1.7) Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) 14.32 cents 14.19 cents 0.9 Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) excluding fresh-start 14.49 cents 14.19 cents 2.1 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) 12.38 cents 12.10 cents 2.3 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) excluding fresh-start 12.52 cents 12.10 cents 3.5 Scheduled Service – Mainline: (2) Available seat miles (ASM) (millions) 22,030 22,237 (0.9) Revenue passenger miles (RPM) (millions) 19,215 19,160 0.3 Passenger load factor 87.2 % 86.2 % 1.0 pts. Revenue passengers (millions) 13.9 14.3 (2.8) Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) 13.41 cents 13.33 cents 0.6 Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) excluding fresh-start 13.61 cents 13.33 cents 2.1 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) 11.70 cents 11.48 cents 1.9 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) excluding fresh-start 11.87 cents 11.48 cents 3.4 Nine Months Ended September 30, ————————— Percent 2007 2006 Change ————- ————- ———– Scheduled Service – Consolidated: (1) Available seat miles (ASM) (millions) 70,438 69,713 1.0 Revenue passenger miles (RPM) (millions) 59,453 59,053 0.7 Passenger load factor 84.4 % 84.7 % (0.3)pts. Revenue passengers (millions) 50.3 51.1 (1.6) Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) 13.86 cents 13.75 cents 0.8 Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) excluding fresh-start 13.97 cents 13.75 cents 1.6 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) 11.70 cents 11.65 cents 0.4 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) excluding fresh-start 11.80 cents 11.65 cents 1.3 Scheduled Service – Mainline: (2) Available seat miles (ASM) (millions) 65,178 64,098 1.7 Revenue passenger miles (RPM) (millions) 55,518 54,871 1.2 Passenger load factor 85.2 % 85.6 % (0.4)pts. Revenue passengers (millions) 40.9 41.2 (0.7) Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) 12.98 cents 12.81 cents 1.3 Passenger revenue per RPM (yield) excluding fresh-start 13.11 cents 12.81 cents 2.3 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) 11.06 cents 10.96 cents 0.9 Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) excluding fresh-start 11.17 cents 10.96 cents 1.9 ———————————————————————- PASSENGER AND REGIONAL CARRIER REVENUES ———————————————————————- (Unaudited) Domestic Pacific Atlantic ——– ——- ——– As reported: ——————————– Third Quarter 2007 Passenger revenues (in millions) $ 1,531 $ 626 $ 420 Increase (Decrease) from 2006: Passenger revenues (4.2)% 3.1% 20.3 % Scheduled service ASMs (capacity) (5.5)% 0.3% 15.5 % Scheduled service RPMs (traffic) (3.3)% 0.9% 12.9 % Passenger load factor 1.9 pts. 0.5pts. (2.0)pts. Yield (0.9)% 2.3% 6.7 % Passenger RASM 1.3 % 2.9% 4.3 % Excluding fresh-start: ——————————– Third Quarter 2007 Passenger revenues (in millions) $ 1,566 $ 636 $ 414 Increase (Decrease) from 2006: Passenger revenues (2.0)% 4.8% 18.6 % Yield 1.3 % 3.9% 5.0 % Passenger RASM 3.7 % 4.6% 2.7 % Mainline Consolidated ——– ———— As reported: ——————————– Third Quarter 2007 Passenger revenues (in millions) $ 2,577 $ 2,956 Increase (Decrease) from 2006: Passenger revenues 0.9 % 1.5 % Scheduled service ASMs (capacity) (0.9)% (0.8)% Scheduled service RPMs (traffic) 0.3 % 0.6 % Passenger load factor 1.0 pts. 1.2 pts. Yield 0.6 % 0.9 % Passenger RASM 1.9 % 2.3 % Excluding fresh-start: ——————————– Third Quarter 2007 Passenger revenues (in millions) $ 2,616 $ 2,990 Increase (Decrease) from 2006: Passenger revenues 2.4 % 2.7 % Yield 2.1 % 2.1 % Passenger RASM 3.4 % 3.5 % (1) Consolidated statistics include Northwest Airlink regional carriers. (2) Mainline statistics exclude Northwest Airlink regional carriers, which is consistent with how the Company reports statistics to the Department of Transportation (“DOT”).
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION ———————————————————————- MAINLINE OPERATING STATISTICAL RESULTS (1) ———————————————————————- (Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, ————————— Percent 2007 2006 Change ————- ————- ——- Total operating ASM (millions) 22,059 22,289 (1.0) Passenger service operating expense per total ASM (2) (3) 10.76 cents 10.98 cents (2.0) Summer Reliability Incentive Program expense per total ASM 0.05 cents – cents n/m Mainline fuel expense per total ASM 3.47 cents 3.71 cents (6.5) Mainline fuel expense per total ASM, excluding mark-to-market adjustments related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods 3.52 cents 3.65 cents (3.6) Cargo ton miles (CTM) (millions) 529 590 (10.3) Cargo revenue per ton mile 40.00 cents 43.17 cents (7.3) Fuel gallons consumed (millions) 398 417 (4.6) Average fuel cost per gallon, excluding fuel taxes 208.17 cents 217.78 cents (4.4) Average fuel cost per gallon, excluding fuel taxes and mark- to-market adjustments related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods 210.89 cents 214.06 cents (1.5) Number of operating aircraft at end of period Full-time equivalent employees at end of period Nine Months Ended September 30, ————————— Percent 2007 2006 Change ————- ————- ——- Total operating ASM (millions) 65,248 64,187 1.7 Passenger service operating expense per total ASM (2) (3) 10.52 cents 11.04 cents (4.7) Summer Reliability Incentive Program expense per total ASM 0.02 cents – cents n/m Mainline fuel expense per total ASM 3.29 cents 3.49 cents (5.7) Mainline fuel expense per total ASM, excluding mark-to-market adjustments related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods 3.34 cents 3.47 cents (3.7) Cargo ton miles (CTM) (millions) 1,491 1,703 (12.4) Cargo revenue per ton mile 40.16 cents 41.36 cents (2.9) Fuel gallons consumed (millions) 1,167 1,196 (2.4) Average fuel cost per gallon, excluding fuel taxes 197.35 cents 205.31 cents (3.9) Average fuel cost per gallon, excluding fuel taxes and mark- to-market adjustments related to fuel derivative contracts that settle in future periods 200.06 cents 204.05 cents (2.0) Number of operating aircraft at end of period 364 373 (2.4) Full-time equivalent employees at end of period 29,579 31,084 (4.8) (1) Mainline statistics exclude Northwest Airlink regional carriers, which is consistent with how the Company reports statistics to the Department of Transportation (“DOT”). (2) This financial measure excludes non-passenger service expenses. The Company believes that providing financial measures directly related to passenger service operations allows investors to evaluate and compare the Company’s core operating results to those of the industry. (3) Passenger service operating expense excludes the following items unrelated to passenger service operations: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, —————— —————– (In millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006 ——– ——- ——- ——- Regional carrier expenses $ 320 $ 356 $ 899 $ 1,088 Freighter operations 173 194 460 582 MLT Inc. – net of intercompany eliminations 40 41 145 157 Other 14 2 48 29
NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION ———————————————————————- SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA ———————————————————————- (Unaudited, in millions) Successor Predecessor ————- ———— September 30, December 31, 2007 2006 ————- ———— Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,559 $ 1,461 Unrestricted short-term investments 572 597 Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 739 424 Total assets 24,393 13,215 Total debt and capital leases, including current maturities 6,914 8,899 (1) Total liabilities 16,839 20,929 Total common stockholders’ equity (deficit) 7,554 (7,991) (1) Includes certain debt and capital lease obligations classified as subject to compromise as of December 31, 2006. ———————————————————————- FOURTH QUARTER 2007 AND 2007 FULL YEAR GUIDANCE ———————————————————————- 4Q 2007 Forecast 2007 Forecast (year-over-year change) (year-over-year change) ———————– ———————– Scheduled service ASMs (capacity) Domestic (1) (6%) – (7%) (2%) – (3%) International 2% – 3% 4% – 5% Mainline (1) (2%) – (3%) 0% – 1% Regional 14% – 15% (1%) – (2%) Consolidated (2) (1%) – (2%) 0% – 1% Passenger service operating expense per total ASM excluding fuel (1) 2.5% – 3.5% (2%) – (3%) 4Q 2007 Forecast 2007 Forecast ———————– ———————– Average fuel cost per gallon, excluding fuel taxes (1) $2.40 $2.06 Fuel gallons consumed (millions) 374 1,541 (1) Mainline statistics exclude Northwest Airlink regional carriers, which is consistent with how the Company reports statistics to the Department of Transportation (“DOT”). (2) Consolidated statistics include Northwest Airlink regional carriers. ———————————————————————- ESTIMATED FRESH-START AND EXIT-RELATED STOCK COMPENSATION EXPENSE ———————————————————————- (In millions) Inc (Decr) ———- 4Q 2007 Estimate ———- OPERATING REVENUES Passenger and regional carrier revenues $ (26) Other 23 ———- Total operating revenues (3) OPERATING EXPENSES Salaries, wages and benefits 9 Selling and marketing (4) Depreciation and amortization (2) ———- Total operating expenses 3 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) $ (6)