Mesa Air total operating revenues topped $121.8 million for the first quarter.

Mesa Air Group, Inc. has released details of its second quarter fiscal 2023 financial and operating results this week.  Some of the key figures show the regional airline had total operating revenues of $121.8 million and a pre-tax loss of $37.2 million, net loss of $35.1 million. 

The company initiated CRJ-900 transition to United Airlines in March, with last American Airlines flight operated on April 3rd and reduced its debt by approximately $80 million primarily with proceeds from asset sales.

Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO, said, “While our financial results reflect the ongoing transition of CRJ flying to United, we believe these actions will prove to be the right long-term strategic decision for the company. We began operating CRJ-900 flights for United Airlines in March, representing the culmination of months of diligent preparation and coordination between Mesa and United teams. We have already started to realize significantly improved pilot retention and attraction as a result of our expanded agreement with United. While we were ultimately more conservative in the timing of our transition than we had projected through second-quarter end, we have now transitioned 24 CRJ-900s.”

Fiscal Second Quarter Details:

Total operating revenues in Q2 2023 were $121.8 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 1.1%, from $123.2 million for Q2 2022. Contract revenue decreased $8.2 million, or 7.3%. These decreases were driven by deferred revenue and lower block hours, partially offset by higher United block-hour rates for new pilot payscales. Pass-through revenue, driven by maintenance and property taxes, increased by $6.8 million. Mesa’s Q2 2023 results include, per GAAP, the deferral of $5.7 million, versus the recognition of $0.8 million of previously deferred revenue in Q2 2022. The remaining deferred revenue balance of $24.5 million will be recognized as flights are completed over the remaining term of the United contract.

Total operating expenses in Q2 2023 were $148.7 million, a decrease of $19.3 million, or 11.5%, versus Q2 2022. This decrease was primarily due to $22.7 million lower non-cash impairment of assets held for sale versus Q2 2022, an $8.6 million decrease in aircraft rent attributable to the reclassification from operating lease to finance lease for certain CRJ-900s, and a $4.2 million decrease in depreciation primarily driven by the lower depreciable base from the CRJ-900 asset impairment charge in Q4 2022. The decrease was partially offset by a $12.4 million increase in flight operations expense to $54.8 million, reflecting higher pilot pay scales and increased training costs as we continue to drive pilot throughput, as well as a $5.7 million increase in general and administrative expense, reflecting higher pass-through property tax costs. Total adjusted operating expenses, excluding one-time items, were $132 million, an increase of 2.7% compared to the prior year period.

Mesa’s Q2 2023 results reflect a net loss of $35.1 million, or $(0.88) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $42.8 million, or $(1.19) per diluted share for Q2 2022. Mesa’s Q2 2023 adjusted net loss1 was $21.3 million, or $(0.53) per diluted share, versus an adjusted net loss1 of $10.3 million, or $(0.29) per diluted share, in Q2 2022.

Mesa’s Adjusted EBITDA1 for Q2 2023 was $7.1 million, compared to $15.8 million in Q2 2022, and Adjusted EBITDAR1 was $7.9 million for Q2 2023, compared to $25.2 million in Q2 2022.

Operationally, the Company reported a controllable completion factor of 99.6% for United and 99.8% for American during Q2 2023. This is compared to a controllable completion factor of 96.7% for United and 96.8% for American during Q2 2022. This excludes cancellations due to weather and air traffic control.

With respect to a total completion factor that includes all cancellations, Mesa reported a total completion factor of 98.5% for United and 94.7% for American during Q2 2023. This is compared to a total completion factor of 93.7% for United and 93.5% for American during Q2 2022.

For Q2 2023, 55% of the Company’s total revenue was derived from our contracts with United, 40% from American, 4% from DHL, and 1% from leases of aircraft to a third party. Upon our completion of the transition of the American CRJ-900s to United, our contracted regional fleet will consist of 80 large (70/76 seats) jets, comprising a mix of E-175s and CRJ-900s. Additionally, we will continue to operate four 737-400/800s at DHL.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow:

Mesa ended the quarter at $51.4 million in unrestricted cash and equivalents. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $608.7 million in total debt secured primarily with aircraft and engines.

During the quarter, the Company closed on the sale of 4 of the 11 CRJ-900s agreed to be sold to a third-party. Mesa also sold to United the remaining eight CRJ-550s and ten out of the 30 engines previously agreed upon. Net proceeds from these transactions were used to pay down $52 million of debt. Additionally, we made $28 million of scheduled debt payments in the quarter.