LAS VEGAS, July 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT) today reported the following financial results for the second quarter 2018, as well as comparisons to the prior year:

"We are proud to announce our 62nd consecutive profitable quarter," stated Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company. "This is the second consecutive quarter of EPS growth, despite seeing our fuel cost per gallon increase by over 39 percent in the second quarter. This is a wonderful testament to the hard work of our team members as we navigate another busy summer.

"We are continuing our transition to an all-Airbus fleet. We have done an excellent job year-to-date but this summer was the critical period in this transition, including the timely delivery and induction of fifteen Airbus aircraft, and retirement of six MD-80s.  Today we are on our schedule as planned, though some delayed deliveries in late May impacted our peak June period, in terms of top line and operations reliability.  Looking forward, we should complete our transition at the end of November as scheduled.

"Our CASM-ex fuel results came in nicely. Our improved operational results as well as efficiencies from the Airbus fleet are beginning to pay dividends, and we are pleased with where the cost trend line is headed. Additionally, fuel efficiency continues to improve with the transition, with 76 vs. 72 ASMs per gallon this year compared to the same period last year.

“The Sunseeker resort project continues to move ahead. We are closing in on a financing plan and hope to announce the specifics in the next 60 to 90 days. We continue to be impressed with the many synergies and business alignments between Sunseeker and our air service presence on the west coast of Florida. Our Punta Gorda destination - a 15 minute drive from our Sunseeker location, grew over 30 percent in capacity on a trailing twelve month basis. We are on a pace to carry over 1.5 million passengers in and out of Punta Gorda this year."

Shareholder returns

• 2018 shareholder returns - over $22 million in the first half of the year through dividends
  
  • Will pay dividends of $0.70 per share on August 31, 2018 to shareholders of record as of August 17, 2018
  • Current share repurchase authority of $100 million as of July 25, 2018

2018 outlook

• Third quarter scheduled and system ASMs are expected to grow between thirteen and fifteen percent vs last year
• 2018 full year ASM growth is expected to be between nine and eleven percent due to slower than expected aircraft deliveries
• 2018 fuel cost is expected to be $2.35 per gallon using the forward curve as of July 24, 2018
• 2018 EPS is expected to be between $9 and $10 per share due to the expected higher fuel cost
  
  • Fuel expense is expected to increase approximately $35 million from when guided in November 2017

Allegiant Travel Company will host a conference call with analysts at 4:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, July 25, 2018 to discuss its second quarter 2018 financial results. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available via the Company’s Investor Relations website homepage at http://ir.allegiantair.com. The webcast will also be archived in the “Events & Presentations” section of the website.

Allegiant.®

Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ:ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small and mid-sized cities to world-class leisure destinations. The airline offers industry-low fares on an all-jet fleet while also offering other travel-related products such as hotel rooms and rental cars. All can be purchased only through the company website, Allegiant.com. Beginning with one aircraft and one route in 1999, the company has grown to more than 80 aircraft and approximately 400 routes across the country with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. For downloadable press kit, including photos, visit: http://gofly.us/iiFa303wrtF

Media Inquiries: mediarelations@allegiantair.com

Investor Inquiries: ir@allegiantair.com

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only estimates or predictions based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include our statements regarding future expenses, ASM growth, expected capital expenditures, number of contracted aircraft to be placed in service in the future, timing of aircraft retirements, as well as other information concerning future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, industry environment and potential growth opportunities. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "believe," "expect," “guidance,” "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate", “project”, “hope” or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements generally may be found in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov . These risk factors include, without limitation, an accident involving, or problems with, our aircraft, public perception of our safety, our reliance on our automated systems, limitation on growth as we transition to a single fleet type, our reliance on third parties to deliver aircraft under contract to us on a timely basis, risk of breach of security of personal data, volatility of fuel costs, labor issues and costs, the ability to obtain regulatory approvals as needed , the effect of economic conditions on leisure travel, debt covenants and balances, the ability to finance aircraft under contract, terrorist attacks, risks inherent to airlines, our competitive environment, our reliance on third parties who provide facilities or services to us, the possible loss of key personnel, economic and other conditions in markets in which we operate, the ability to successfully develop a hotel-condo project in Southwest Florida, governmental regulation, increases in maintenance costs and cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results.

Any forward-looking statements are based on information available to us today and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.

Detailed financial information follows:

(1) Passenger revenue previously reported as Scheduled service revenue and Ancillary air-related revenue.
(2) The Company's unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to cash dividends at the same rate as common stock. The Basic and Diluted earnings per share calculations for the periods presented reflect the two-class method mandated by ASC Topic 260, "Earnings Per Share." The two-class method adjusts both the net income and the shares used in the calculation. Application of the two-class method did not have a significant impact on the Basic and Diluted earnings per share for the periods presented.

(1) Except load factor and percent of sales through website, which is percentage point change.
(2) Various components of this measurement do not have a direct correlation to ASMs. These figures are provided on a per ASM basis to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis. The 2017 figure reflected has been adjusted from previously reported as a result of recast of revenue in accordance with revenue recognition accounting rules adopted by us as of January 1, 2018.
(3) Reflects division of passenger revenue between scheduled service and air-related charges in Company's booking path.

(1) Passenger revenue previously reported as Scheduled service revenue and Ancillary air-related revenue.
(2) The Company's unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to cash dividends at the same rate as common stock. The Basic and Diluted earnings per share calculations for the periods presented reflect the two-class method mandated by ASC Topic 260, "Earnings Per Share." The two-class method adjusts both the net income and the shares used in the calculation. Application of the two-class method did not have a significant impact on the Basic and Diluted earnings per share for the periods presented.

(1) Except load factor and percent of sales through website, which is percentage point change.
(2) Various components of this measurement do not have a direct correlation to ASMs. These figures are provided on a per ASM basis to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis. The 2017 figure reflected has been adjusted from previously reported as a result of recast of revenue in accordance with revenue recognition accounting rules adopted by us as of January 1, 2018.
(3) Reflects division of passenger revenue between scheduled service and air-related charges in Company's booking path.

EPS Calculation

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share, on a basic and diluted basis, for the periods indicated (share count and dollar amounts other than per-share amounts in table are in thousands):