SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ýQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018
  
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from               to            

Commission File Number 001-33166
algtheaderq417a01.jpg
Allegiant Travel Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada20-4745737
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
1201 North Town Center Drive 
Las Vegas, Nevada89144
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (702) 851-7300

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ý  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ý  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  x
Accelerated filer  o
  
Non-accelerated filer  o
Smaller reporting company  o
  
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Emerging growth company  o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No ý

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of the close of business on July 14, 2017May 1, 2018 was 16,070,344.16,148,889.


Allegiant Travel Company
Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
ITEM 1.
   
ITEM 2.
   
ITEM 3.
   
ITEM 4.
   
PART II.OTHER INFORMATION 
   
ITEM 1.
   
ITEM 1A.
   
ITEM 2.
   
ITEM 3.
   
ITEM 4.
   
ITEM 5.
   
ITEM 6.
   
 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)

June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
(unaudited)  (unaudited)  
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents$20,040
 $64,711
$50,777
 $59,449
Restricted cash11,423
 11,647
12,370
 11,190
Short-term investments323,117
 269,269
341,262
 352,681
Accounts receivable23,917
 40,667
64,344
 71,057
Expendable parts, supplies and fuel, net17,855
 16,797
18,335
 17,647
Prepaid expenses25,753
 16,277
27,941
 23,931
Other current assets4,809
 2,686
1,776
 5,320
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS426,914
 422,054
516,805
 541,275
Property and equipment, net1,212,771
 1,095,314
1,635,821
 1,512,415
Long-term investments159,769
 124,834
85,659
 78,570
Deferred major maintenance, net28,813
 17,347
33,321
 31,326
Deposits and other assets11,730
 12,027
17,359
 16,571
TOTAL ASSETS$1,839,997
 $1,671,576
$2,288,965
 $2,180,157
CURRENT LIABILITIES:      
Accounts payable$18,002
 $16,010
$29,801
 $20,108
Accrued liabilities110,842
 96,661
119,448
 105,127
Air traffic liability237,835
 194,001
256,773
 204,299
Current maturities of notes payable, net of related costs116,387
 86,226
Current maturities of notes payable and capital leases, net of related costs154,850
 214,761
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES483,066
 392,898
560,872
 544,295
Long-term debt, net of current maturities and related costs761,082
 722,048
Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current maturities and related costs984,926
 950,131
Deferred income taxes127,631
 75,338
131,647
 119,013
Other noncurrent liabilities8,732
 7,670
11,716
 13,407
TOTAL LIABILITIES:1,380,511
 1,197,954
1,689,161
 1,626,846
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:      
Common stock, par value $.00123
 22
23
 23
Treasury stock(606,352) (517,803)(607,888) (605,655)
Additional paid in capital246,906
 238,236
259,225
 253,840
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net(1,391) (230)(3,959) (2,840)
Retained earnings820,300
 753,397
952,403
 907,943
TOTAL EQUITY459,486
 473,622
599,804
 553,311
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY$1,839,997
 $1,671,576
$2,288,965
 $2,180,157
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 (unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017
OPERATING REVENUE:          
Scheduled service revenue$220,615
 $189,122
 $432,713
 $390,728
Ancillary revenue:       
Air-related charges145,405
 128,713
 276,970
 249,643
Passenger revenue$396,771
 $347,836
Third party products14,304
 11,965
 27,046
 23,223
10,325

12,742
Total ancillary revenue159,709
 140,678
 304,016
 272,866
Fixed fee contract revenue11,029
 6,706
 22,289
 13,507
10,556
 11,259
Other revenue9,261
 8,345
 17,434
 16,366
7,792
 8,174
Total operating revenue400,614
 344,851
 776,452
 693,467
425,444
 380,011
OPERATING EXPENSES:          
Aircraft fuel85,387
 60,005
 170,049
 113,663
106,027
 84,662
Salary and benefits92,221
 68,553
 188,519
 137,761
112,963
 96,298
Station operations38,998
 33,328
 70,830
 64,061
37,584
 31,832
Maintenance and repairs28,645
 29,261
 58,740
 55,753
19,270
 30,095
Depreciation and amortization30,129
 25,396
 60,678
 50,081
28,149
 30,549
Sales and marketing12,861
 5,317
 22,859
 11,125
19,078
 13,331
Aircraft lease rentals2,400
 219
 2,564
 452
21
 164
Other24,777
 18,296
 44,129
 34,968
22,384
 19,351
Total operating expenses315,418
 240,375
 618,368
 467,864
345,476
 306,282
OPERATING INCOME85,196
 104,476
 158,084
 225,603
79,968
 73,729
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:          
Interest expense8,889
 7,390
 17,291
 14,629
12,724
 8,401
Interest income(1,475) (710) (2,739) (1,321)(1,907) (1,264)
Other, net(493) (300) (854) (663)(240) (360)
Total other expense6,921
 6,380
 13,698
 12,645
10,577
 6,777
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES78,275
 98,096
 144,386
 212,958
69,391
 66,952
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES29,800
 37,249
 54,279
 80,131
14,198
 24,601
NET INCOME$48,475
 $60,847
 $90,107
 $132,827
$55,193
 $42,351
Earnings per share to common stockholders:       
Earnings per share to common shareholders:   
Basic$2.94
 $3.68
 $5.44
 $7.98
$3.43
 $2.54
Diluted$2.94
 $3.68
 $5.43
 $7.97
$3.42
 $2.54
Shares used for computation:          
Basic16,198
 16,420
 16,290
 16,549
15,889
 16,382
Diluted16,220
 16,442
 16,317
 16,574
15,898
 16,405
          
Cash dividends declared per share:$0.70
 $0.70
 $1.40
 $1.00
$0.70
 $0.70

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017
Net income$48,475
 $60,847
 $90,107
 $132,827
$55,193
 $42,351
Other comprehensive (loss) income: 
  
     
  
Change in available for sale securities, net of tax(2) 148
 222
 439
(956) 225
Foreign currency translation adjustments(215) 43
 (298) (63)101
 (83)
Change in derivatives, net of tax(341) 6
 (556) (325)(135) (215)
Reclassification of derivative gains into Other revenue(240) (245) (529) (510)(129) (289)
Total other comprehensive loss(798) (48) (1,161) (459)(1,119) (362)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME$47,677
 $60,799
 $88,946
 $132,368
$54,074
 $41,989

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 20162018 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income$90,107
 $132,827
$55,193
 $42,351
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization60,678
 50,081
28,149
 30,549
Loss/(gain) on aircraft and other equipment disposals4,901
 (472)
(Gain) loss on aircraft and other equipment disposals(132) 2,548
Provision for obsolescence of expendable parts, supplies and fuel1,753
 1,043
586
 830
Amortization of deferred financing costs775
 745
494
 365
Share-based compensation expense7,249
 3,002
3,796
 4,349
Deferred income taxes51,995
 2,753
12,735
 2,508
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:      
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable16,572
 (227)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses(9,476) 584
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable2,263
 3,505
Decrease in accounts receivable6,713
 23,162
Increase in prepaid expenses(4,439) (8,917)
Increase in accounts payable9,959
 9,394
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities10,382
 23,888
14,267
 (10,561)
Increase (decrease) in air traffic liability43,834
 42,731
(Increase) in deferred major maintenance(14,331) (2,891)
Increase in air traffic liability52,474
 50,078
Change in deferred major maintenance(4,476) (1,504)
Other, net(3,558) (1,470)(2,392) 1,405
Net cash provided by operating activities263,144
 256,099
172,927
 146,557
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Purchase of investment securities(242,895) (197,611)(93,933) (146,625)
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities154,334
 180,078
97,224
 79,381
Aircraft pre-delivery deposits(63,468) 
Purchase of property and equipment, including capitalized interest(118,846) (105,177)(69,167) (58,536)
Other investing activities1,352
 3,773
521
 382
Net cash used in investing activities(269,523) (118,937)(65,355) (125,398)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Cash dividends paid to shareholders(23,204) (44,355)(11,295) (11,671)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt134,540
 28,000
Proceeds from the issuance of debt
 22,000
Repurchase of common stock(84,940) (63,319)(2,233) (4,923)
Principal payments on long-term debt(64,876) (39,210)
Principal payments on debt and capital lease obligations(102,914) (26,425)
Other financing activities188
 293
1,378
 (513)
Net cash used in financing activities(38,292) (118,591)(115,064) (21,532)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(44,671) 18,571
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD64,711
 87,112
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD$20,040
 $105,683
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash(7,492) (373)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD70,639
 76,358
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD$63,147
 $75,985
   
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:      
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:      
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized$16,001
 $11,936
$17,902
 $14,080
Income taxes paid, net of refunds$
 $59,928
$37
 $374



The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets:
 As of March 31,
 2018 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:

 

Cash and cash equivalents$50,777
 $64,732
Restricted cash12,370
 11,253
TOTAL CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH$63,147
 $75,985

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Allegiant Travel Company (the “Company”) and its majority-owned operating subsidiaries. The Company has no independent assets or operations, and all guarantees of the Company's publicly held debt are full and unconditional and joint and several. Any subsidiaries of the parent company other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments which management believes are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company for the respective periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for Form 10-Q. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto included in the annual report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014,February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" intended to create a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Under this ASU and subsequently issued amendments, the core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new standard, revenue related to certain air-related ancillary fees directly related to ticket revenue, such as seat fees and baggage fees, will no longer be considered distinct performance obligations separate from passenger travel and will be reclassified into scheduled service revenue. In addition, change fees previously recognized when incurred by the customer, will be deferred and recognized as revenue when air travel is provided and reclassified into scheduled service revenue.

The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt effective January 1, 2018. The Company continues to evaluate the impact on its financial statements of adopting this new accounting standard and believes that adoption will have little effect on earnings, although the classification of certain air-related ancillary fees, as described above, will change.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 related to leases. This standard will require leases with durations greater than twelve months to be recognized on the balance sheet as a lease liability and a corresponding right-of-use asset, and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2019. The Company has not completed the assessment of this new standard. The Company believes adoption will have a significant impact on its consolidated balance sheets but is not expected to significantly change the recognition, measurement or presentation of associated expenseexpenses within the consolidated statements of income or cash flows.

Recently Adopted Standards

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which amends the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 230 on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The primary purpose of the ASU is to reduce the diversity in practice that has resulted from the lack of consistency on this topic. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018. This standard was applied retrospectively, which resulted in the inclusion of restricted cash as shown in the beginning and ending balances of cash on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash from our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows to the amounts reported within our Consolidated Balance Sheet is also included in a table below our Statement of Cash Flows.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)." This standard provides an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") to retained earnings. Stranded tax effects occur when a change in enacted tax rates is recorded in income from operations, even in situations in which the related income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were originally recognized in AOCI. This standard is effective for interim and annual and interimreporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017,31, 2018, and theearly adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt itadopted this standard effective January 1, 2018. Significant classification modificationsDue to the adoption of this standard, $0.6 million was reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings as of March 31, 2018.

In 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), (the "New Revenue Standard"). Under this ASU and subsequently issued amendments, revenue is recognized at the time a good or service is transferred to a customer for the amount of consideration received. Entities may use a full retrospective approach or report the


cumulative effect as of the date of adoption. We adopted this standard using the full retrospective transition method effective January 1, 2018 and recast prior year results as shown below.

Under the New Revenue Standard, revenue for all air-related ancillary fees that are directly related to ticket revenue, such as seat fees and baggage fees, are no longer considered distinct performance obligations separate from passenger travel and are reclassified into passenger revenue. These are deemed part of the single performance obligation of providing passenger transportation. While the adoption of the New Revenue Standard did not have a significant effect on earnings, $154.7 million of air-related ancillary fees for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 are now classified as passenger revenue.

The adoption of the New Revenue Standard resulted in a net reduction to our air traffic liability at December 31, 2017 of $5.9 million. This change resulted from the recognition of breakage revenue on issuance for credit vouchers that are expected to expire unused. In addition, we now defer recognition of revenues for fees associated with flight changes or cancellations rather than recognizing at the time the fee is incurred. The Company already recognizes revenue from the Co-brand credit card program on the deferral method.

The Company has a significant contract with Bank of America to issue The Allegiant World Mastercard® in which points are earned and awarded to cardholders in exchange for consideration received under an agreement with a seven year scheduled duration expiring in 2023. Under this arrangement, the Company identified the following deliverables: travel points to be awarded (the travel component), use of the Company’s brand and access to its member lists, and certain other advertising and marketing elements (collectively the marketing component). Consideration received from the Company’s co-brand agreement is allocated between the two components based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. The Company applies a level of management judgment and estimation in determining the best estimate of selling price for each deliverable by considering multiple inputs and methods including, but not limited to, the redemption value of points awarded, discounted cash flows, brand value, volume discounts, published selling prices, number of points to be awarded and number of points to be redeemed.

See Note 2, "Revenue Recognition," for more information.

Impact of Recently Adopted Standards

We recast certain prior period amounts to conform with the adoption of the New Revenue Standard as a result of adoption.shown in the tables below.

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
  As Previously       Current
(in thousands, except per share data) ReportedAdjustments   Presentation
Income Statement:    
   Passenger revenue* $212,097
$135,739
$347,836
Air-related charges 131,565
(131,565)
Sales and marketing 9,998
3,333
13,331
   Income tax provision 24,479
122
24,601
   Net income 41,632
719
42,351
   Diluted earnings per share $2.50
$0.04
$2.54
*Passenger revenue previously reported as Scheduled service revenue.
  December 31, 2017
   As Previously        Current
(in thousands)  ReportedAdjustments   Presentation
Balance Sheet:    
   Air traffic liability $210,184
$(5,885)$204,299
   Deferred income taxes 118,492
521
119,013
   Retained earnings 902,579
5,364
907,943


Note 2 — Revenue Recognition

Passenger Revenue

Passenger revenue is primarily composed of passenger ticket sales, credit voucher breakage, seat fees, baggage fees, and other travel-related services performed in conjunction with a passenger’s flight.

 Three Months Ended March 31,
 2018 2017
Scheduled service$238,520
 $214,263
Air-related ancillary charges154,717
 133,223
Co-brand redemption3,534
 350
Total passenger revenue$396,771
 $347,836

Scheduled service

Passenger tickets. We provide scheduled air transportation on limited-frequency, nonstop flights predominantly between under-served cities and popular leisure destinations. We record sales of passenger tickets to be flown by us in air traffic liability. Passenger revenue is recognized when we provide transportation or when ticket voucher breakage occurs.

We recognized $155.9 million in passenger revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that was recorded in our air traffic liability balance of $204.3 million at December 31, 2017. We expect the remaining balance of the December 31, 2017 air traffic liability to be recognized during the remainder of 2018.

Credit voucher breakage. We estimate the value of vouchers that will expire unused and recognize revenue at the time the credit voucher is issued.

Air-related

Air-related revenue is primarily composed of services performed in conjunction with a passenger's flight including baggage fees, the use of the Company’s website to purchase scheduled service transportation, advance seat assignments, and other services. We recognize revenue for these services when the related transportation service is provided. Prior to the adoption of the New Revenue Standard, the majority of these fees were classified separately as Ancillary air-related charges.

Co-brand redemption

In relation to the travel component of the contract with Bank of America, the Company has a performance obligation to provide cardholders with points to be used for future travel award redemptions. Therefore, consideration received from Bank of America related to the travel component is deferred based on its relative selling price and is recognized into passenger revenue when the points are redeemed and the transportation is provided. See below for a discussion of the marketing component.

 Points liability
Balance at January 1, 2018$8,903
Points awarded3,233
Points redeemed(3,534)
Balance at March 31, 2018$8,602

As of March 31, 2018, the amount of deferred revenue allocated to the co-branded credit card program is $8.6 million and is reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheet with the short-term component in Accrued liabilities and the remainder in Other noncurrent liabilities. This is estimated to be recognized over the next two years.


Third Party Products

Third party products revenue is generated from the sale of hotel rooms, rental cars, ticket attractions and co-brand marketing revenue.

Revenue from the sale of hotel rooms, rental cars, and ticket attractions is recognized at the time the product is utilized, such as the time a purchased hotel room is occupied. The Company follows accounting standards for determining whether it is a principal or an agent in revenue arrangements to determine the amount of revenue to be recognized for each element of a bundled sale involving air-related charges and third party products in addition to airfare. Revenue from the sale of third party products is recorded net (treatment as an agent) of amounts paid to wholesale providers, travel agent commissions, and transaction costs.

Pursuant to the co-brand agreement with Bank of America, the Company has various performance obligations collectively referred to as the marketing component. These obligations consist of use of the Company’s brand and access to its member lists, and certain other advertising and marketing elements. The marketing component is recorded as third party products revenue in the period in which points are awarded to the credit card holders.

Fixed Fee Contract Revenue

Fixed fee contract revenue consists of agreements to provide charter service on a year-round and ad hoc basis. Fixed fee contract revenue is recognized when the transportation is provided.

Other Revenue

Other revenue is generated from leased aircraft, engines, and other miscellaneous sources. Lease revenue is recognized ratably over the lease term.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable, reflected on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet, primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies associated with passenger revenue. These receivables are short-term, generally settled within a few days of sale. Bad debt expense, which occurs in the form of credit card chargebacks, was not material in any period presented.

Taxes and Fees

Various taxes and fees, assessed on the sale of tickets to customers, are collected by the Company serving as an agent, and remitted to taxing authorities. These taxes and fees are not included as revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and are recorded as a liability until remitted to the appropriate taxing authority.

Note 23 — Property and Equipment

Property and equipment (in thousands):

As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016As of March 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017
Flight equipment, including pre-delivery deposits$1,518,072
 $1,377,829
$1,668,984
 $1,539,433
Computer hardware and software113,321
 101,850
124,728
 123,675
Other property and equipment88,001
 81,786
142,630
 125,855
Total property and equipment1,719,394
 1,561,465
1,936,342
 1,788,963
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(506,623) (466,151)(300,521) (276,548)
Property and equipment, net$1,212,771
 $1,095,314
$1,635,821
 $1,512,415



Note 34 — Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (in thousands):

 As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016
Fixed-rate notes payable due through 2020$465,594
 $465,748
Variable-rate notes payable due through 2027411,875
 342,526
Total long-term debt, net of related costs877,469
 808,274
Less current maturities, net of related costs116,387
 86,226
Long-term debt, net of current maturities and related costs$761,082
 $722,048
    
Weighted average fixed-interest rate5.41% 5.41%
Weighted average variable-interest rate3.27% 3.16%
 As of March 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017
Fixed-rate notes payable and capital lease obligations due through 2029$542,352
 $465,462
Variable-rate notes payable due through 2027597,424
 699,430
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of related costs1,139,776
 1,164,892
Less current maturities, net of related costs154,850
 214,761
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current maturities and related costs$984,926
 $950,131
    
Weighted average fixed-interest rate on debt5.4% 5.4%
Weighted average variable-interest rate on debt3.8% 3.3%

Maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations for the remainder of 20172018 and for the next five years and thereafter, in the aggregate, are: remaining in 2017 - $45.8 million; 2018 - $154.4$129.9 million; 2019 - $530.0$552.2 million; 2020 - $64.5$99.8 million; 2021 - $37.2$72.8 million; 2022 - $45.5 million; and $45.6$239.6 million thereafter.

Secured Debt

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company did not enter into any new loan agreements.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

In 2015, the first six monthsCompany, through a wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility under which it was entitled to borrow up to $56.0 million. As of December 31, 2017, the balance under this facility was $41.3 million, net of related costs, with five Airbus aircraft included in the collateral pool. In March 2018, the Company borrowed $134.5paid off the remaining balance under this facility.

On March 30, 2018, the Company amended this facility and will now be able to borrow up to $81.0 million under loan agreements secured by ninebased on the value of Airbus A320 series aircraft.Series aircraft which the Company may choose to place in the collateral pool. The facility has a term of 24 months. Any notes under the facility will bear interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR plus 1.75 percent. An individual aircraft may remain in the collateral pool for up to two years. As of March 31, 2018, there was no balance on this credit facility.

General Unsecured Senior Notes

In June 2014, the Company completed an offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured obligations (the "Notes") which will mature in July 2019. In December 2016, the Company completed an offering of an additional $150.0 million principal amount of these notes, which were issued at a weighted average marginprice of 1.68101.5 percent and areof the principal amount, plus accrued interest from July 15, 2016. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.5 percent per year, payable in cash semi-annually, on January 15 and July 15 of each year.

The indenture pursuant to which the Notes were issued includes operating and financial restrictions on the Company. These restrictions limit or restrict, among other things, the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) incur liens; (iii) make restricted payments (including paying dividends on, redeeming, repurchasing or retiring capital stock); (iv) make investments; and (v) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets. These covenants are subject to various exceptions and qualifications under the terms of the indenture. As of December 31, 2017 and also March 31, 2018, the Company exceeded the consolidated total leverage ratio limit, which could affect the ability to make restricted payments in future periods after exhaustion of various exceptions. However, we do not expect this to have any impact on the restricted payments we routinely make in the ordinary course of business. The calculation is made on a quarterly installments over fivebasis based on the trailing 12 months.



Capital Leases

The Company has capital lease obligations related to aircraft, which significantly impacted our recognized assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2018, but did not result in any material cash receipts or ten years.cash payments during the quarter.

Note 45 — Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received by selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.

Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company uses the market approach valuation technique to determine fair value for investment securities. The assets classified as Level 1 consist of money market funds for which original cost approximates fair value. The assets classified as Level 2 consist of commercial paper, municipal debt securities, federal agency debt securities, US Treasury Bonds, and corporate debt securities, which are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources including transactions

involving identical or comparable assets and models utilizing market observable inputs. The Company has no investment securities classified as Level 3.

For those assets classified as Level 2 that are not in active markets, the Company obtains fair value from pricing sources using quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments, and uses pricing models which include all significant observable inputs: maturity dates, issue dates, settlement dates, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issue spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers and other market related data. These inputs are observable or can be derived from, or corroborated by, observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset.

The fair value of the Company's derivative instrument is determined using standard valuation models. The significant inputs used in these models are readily available in public markets or can be derived from observable market transactions and therefore have been classified as Level 2. Inputs used in these standard valuation models for derivative instruments include the applicable exchange and interest rates.


Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
 
As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016As of March 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017
Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2
Cash equivalents                      
Commercial paper$33,473
 $
 $33,473
 $27,910
 $
 $27,910
Municipal debt securities$1,568
 $
 $1,568
 $1,843
 $
 $1,843
3,102
 
 3,102
 2,782
 
 2,782
Money market funds502
 502
 
 123
 123
 
889
 889
 
 1,297
 1,297
 
Federal agency debt securities
 
 
 19,399
 
 19,399
Total cash equivalents2,070
 502
 1,568
 21,365
 123
 21,242
37,464
 889
 36,575
 31,989
 1,297
 30,692
Short-term 
  
    
  
  
 
  
    
  
  
Corporate debt securities122,875
 
 122,875
 107,878
 
 107,878
Commercial paper101,058
 
 101,058
 108,678
 
 108,678
Municipal debt securities143,273
 
 143,273
 78,826
 
 78,826
76,381
 
 76,381
 101,290
 
 101,290
Commercial paper96,105
 
 96,105
 108,372
 
 108,372
Corporate debt securities69,897
 
 69,897
 76,570
 
 76,570
Federal agency debt securities10,840
 
 10,840
 3,895
 
 3,895
39,529
 
 39,529
 31,428
 
 31,428
US Treasury Bonds3,002
 
 3,002
 1,606
 
 1,606
1,419
 
 1,419
 3,407
 
 3,407
Total short-term323,117
 
 323,117
 269,269
 
 269,269
341,262
 
 341,262
 352,681
 
 352,681
Long-term 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
Corporate debt securities106,134
 
 106,134
 25,048
 
 25,048
55,874
 
 55,874
 60,396
 
 60,396
Federal agency debt securities17,137
 
 17,137
 5,775
 
 5,775
Municipal debt securities29,378
 
 29,378
 72,623
 
 72,623
9,658
 
 9,658
 9,405
 
 9,405
Federal agency debt securities24,257
 
 24,257
 24,160
 
 24,160
US Treasury Bonds2,990
 
 2,990
 2,994
 
 2,994
Derivative instruments780
 
 780
 1,660
 
 1,660
107
 
 107
 282
 
 282
US Treasury Bonds
 
 
 3,003
 
 3,003
Total long-term160,549
 
 160,549
 126,494
 
 126,494
85,766
 
 85,766
 78,852
 
 78,852
Total financial instruments$485,736
 $502
 $485,234
 $417,128
 $123
 $417,005
$464,492
 $889
 $463,603
 $463,522
 $1,297
 $462,225

The fair value of the Company’s publicly held long-term debt is determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets; therefore, the Company has categorized its publicly held debt as Level 2. The remaining debt agreements are not publicly held. The Company has determined the estimated fair value of these notes to be Level 3, as certain inputs used to determine the fair value of these agreements are unobservable and, therefore, could be sensitive to changes in inputs. The Company utilizes the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of Level 3 debt.


Carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities and without reduction for related costs (in thousands):

As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 As of March 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 
Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Hierarchy LevelCarrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Hierarchy Level
Publicly held debt$451,750
 $469,820
 $452,179
 $468,005
 2$451,107
 $459,001
 $451,321
 $462,604
 2
Non-publicly held debt430,631
 402,628
 360,999
 340,866
 3616,974
 555,099
 719,681
 660,065
 3
Total long-term debt$882,381
 $872,448
 $813,178
 $808,871
 $1,068,081
 $1,014,100
 $1,171,002
 $1,122,669
 

Due to the short-term nature, carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value.

Note 5 — Derivative Instruments

The Company entered into a foreign currency swap in order to mitigate the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with the forecasted lease revenue from 12 Airbus A320 series aircraft leased to a European carrier until 2018. The Company uses a cash flow hedge to minimize the variability in cash flows of assets, liabilities and forecasted transactions caused by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the net change in fair value recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income related to an unrealized loss on the hedge was $0.6 million compared to $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

At inception, the Company formally designated and documented this financial instrument as a hedge of a specific underlying exposure, the risk management objective, and the strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. The Company also assessed whether the financial instrument used in the hedging transactions was effective at offsetting changes in either the fair values or cash flows of the related underlying exposures. This assessment is monitored on at least a quarterly basis, and the change in fair market value of any ineffective portion of a financial instrument would be immediately recognized into earnings. For each of the six months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, the Company realized $0.5 million in gains from its cash flow hedge into Other revenue. As of June 30, 2017, the Company expects $0.5 million to be reclassified from Other comprehensive income into Other revenue within the next 12 months.

At June 30, 2017, the fair value of the Company's derivative instrument was $0.8 million compared to $1.7 million at December 31, 2016, and is reported in the Company's consolidated balance sheet within deposits and other assets. Refer to Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements for additional information related to the estimated fair value.

Note 6 — Shareholders’ Equity

The Company is authorized by the Board of Directors to acquire its stock through open market purchases under its share repurchase program. As repurchase authority is used, the Board of Directors has, to date, authorized additional expenditures for share repurchases.

Share
For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company had no open market share repurchases. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, open market share repurchases consisted of the following during the periods indicated:following:

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017
Shares repurchased (not in thousands)(1)589,057
 55,148
 604,497
 369,997
None
 15,440
Average price per share$142.16
 $139.08
 $142.66
 $166.70
NA
 $161.92
Total (in thousands)$83,740
 $7,670
 $86,240
 $61,679
None
 $2,500
(1) Share amounts shown above include only open market repurchases and do not include shares withheld from employees for tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock vestings.

During the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company declared and paid recurring cash dividends of $1.40$0.70 per share, or $23.2$11.3 million.


Note 7 — Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed pursuant to the two-class method. Under this method, the Company attributes net income to two classes: common stock and unvested restricted stock. Unvested restricted stock awards granted to employees under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to cash dividends at the same rate as common stock.

Diluted net income per share is calculated using the more dilutive of the two methods. Under both methods, the exercise of employee stock options is assumed using the treasury stock method. The assumption of vesting of restricted stock, however, differs:

1.Assume vesting of restricted stock using the treasury stock method.

2.Assume unvested restricted stock awards are not vested, and allocate earnings to common shares and unvested restricted stock awards using the two-class method.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the second method, which assumes unvested awards are not vested, was used in the computation because it was more dilutive than the first method.


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):

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017
Basic:          
Net income$48,475
 $60,847
 $90,107
 $132,827
$55,193
 $42,351
Less net income allocated to participating securities(780) (350) (1,461) (758)(768) (694)
Net income attributable to common stock$47,695
 $60,497
 $88,646
 $132,069
$54,425
 $41,657
Net income per share, basic$2.94
 $3.68
 $5.44
 $7.98
$3.43
 $2.54
Weighted-average shares outstanding16,198
 16,420
 16,290
 16,549
15,889
 16,382
Diluted: 
  
  
  
 
  
Net income$48,475
 $60,847
 $90,107
 $132,827
$55,193
 $42,351
Less net income allocated to participating securities(779) (350) (1,459) (757)(768) (693)
Net income attributable to common stock$47,696
 $60,497
 $88,648
 $132,070
$54,425
 $41,658
Net income per share, diluted$2.94
 $3.68
 $5.43
 $7.97
$3.42
 $2.54
Weighted-average shares outstanding16,198
 16,420
 16,290
 16,549
15,889
 16,382
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock71
 36
 92
 42
46
 91
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding under treasury stock method16,269
 16,456
 16,382
 16,591
15,935
 16,473
Participating securities excluded under two-class method(49) (14) (65) (17)(37) (68)
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding under two-class method16,220
 16,442
 16,317
 16,574
15,898
 16,405

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of earnings per share were 62,605 and 45,940 (shares not1,463 shares (not in thousands), respectively..


Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies

As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company had firm commitments to purchase the following aircraft:

Aircraft Type Number of Aircraft Under Contract
Airbus A319 41
Airbus A320 2113

In addition, the Company has entered into lease agreements for an additional 13 Airbus A320 aircraft, three of which have been delivered but were not in service as of March 31, 2018. The remaining 10 aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of 2018.


Future minimum fixed payments for the Company's commitments related to the acquisition of aircraft (including aircraft lease obligations), airport fees under use and lease agreements, and other operating lease obligations are as follows as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

As of June 30, 2017As of March 31, 2018
Remaining in 2017$262,010
2018139,079
Remaining in 2018$128,042
2019112,040
124,842
202074,306
69,488
202133,047
28,582
202225,004
Thereafter230,593
164,987
Total commitments$851,075
$540,945

Contingencies

The Company is subject to certain legal and administrative actions it considers routine to its business activities. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of any pending legal or administrative matters will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Note 9 — Related Party Transactions

TheDuring the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company previously entered into a lease agreement for approximately 70,000 square feet of office space in a building in which the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and the Company's President owned minority interests as limited partners. The Company exercised its optiondid not make any payments to terminate the lease effective in May 2015 and paid $1.3 million in January 2016 in settlement of related litigation.parties.

Entities owned or controlled by the Company's Chairman and CEO have been paid for the building of corporate training content. This approach to training focuses on concept mastery, recognizing that individuals learn at varying paces, through different styles, and is designed to ensure the trainee fully understands each module before moving on to more advanced training. During the sixthree months ended June 30,March 31, 2017, and 2016, the Company made payments to these entities of $0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and nomillion. No further payments are expected.

Note 10 — Subsequent Events

In July 2017, the Company borrowed $68.0 million under loan agreements secured by two Airbus A320 series aircraft. The notes bear interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR plus an average margin of 1.50 percent and are payable in quarterly installments through July 2027.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis presents factors that had a material effect on our results of operations during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and 2016.2017. Also discussed is our financial position as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016.2017. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and our consolidated financial statements appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Please


refer to the section below entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

SECONDFIRST QUARTER REVIEW

Highlights:

Added fivefour Airbus A320 series aircraft into service and retired twofive MD-80 aircraft;
entered into a lease agreementexperienced year-over-year load factor improvements for 13 Airbus A320 series aircraft to be deliveredeach month during the quarter, with an overall 2.9 percentage point increase in 2017 and 2018, which will solidifyload factor for the plan to retire all MD-80 aircraft by the end of 2019;quarter;
operating 382margin remained relatively flat year over year, with less than a one percentage point decline, despite a 20.4 percent increase in the average fuel cost per gallon;
significant operational improvements, as we ranked among the the top three airlines for having the lowest cancellation rates in the industry for both January and February 2018;
paid recurring cash dividends of $11.3 million during the quarter; and
operating 390 routes as of quarter endquarter-end versus 342358 at the same point in 2016, and started service on 24 new routes during the quarter;
returned $83.7 million to shareholders through open market stock repurchases;
paid quarterly recurring cash dividends of $11.5 million during the quarter, $23.2 million year to date; and
raised $112.5 million in debt.2017.


AIRCRAFT

The following table sets forth the aircraft in service and operated by us as of the dates indicated:

June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017
MD-8045
 47
 49
32
 37
 47
B757-2002
 4
 5

 
 2
A319 (1)20
 17
 15
26
 22
 19
A320 (2)21
 16
 16
30
 30
 17
Total88
 84
 85
88
 89
 85
(1) Excludes 12Does not include eight A319 aircraft on lease to a European carrier untiland two that have been returned from lease but were not yet in service as of March 31, 2018.
(2) Excludes oneDoes not include eight A320 aircraft currently being prepared for revenuewhich we have taken delivery but were not yet in service as of June 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.

As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had firm commitments to purchase 2514 Airbus A320 series aircraft and had executed lease agreements for 1310 Airbus A320 series aircraft for which we have not yet taken delivery.to be delivered. We expect delivery of 1416 of these committed aircraft in the second half of 20172018 and the remaining aircraft in 2018 through2019 and 2020. We continuouslycontinually consider aircraft acquisitions on an opportunistic basis.

Fleet Plan

The below table indicates the number of aircraft expected to be in service as of the dates indicated, based on currently scheduled additions to, and retirements from, our operating fleet.

As of September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2017As of June 30, 2018 As of September 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2018
MD-8040
 37
27
 19
 
B757-2002
 
A31921
 22
31
 31
 32
A32025
 29
41
 45
 50
Total88
 88
99
 95
 82

NETWORK

Our operating network as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 represents an 11.78.9 percent increase in the number of routes flown compared to June 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. Our total number of under-servedorigination cities and leisure destinations were 98 and 20, compared with 95 and 19 as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018, compared with 97 and 2016, respectively.20 as of March 31, 2017. As of July 14, 2017,May 1, 2018, we were selling 408419 routes.

TRENDS

In continuing with our fleet transition plan,to an all-Airbus fleet, we added fivefour Airbus A320 series aircraft to our operating fleet during the secondfirst quarter 2017, including our first two newly manufactured aircraft.of 2018. Airbus aircraft flew 55.472.4 percent of our systemscheduled service ASMs for the quarter, and wecompared to 52.6 percent for the same time period in 2017. We expect ten26 more Airbus A320 series aircraft to be placed in service by the end of 2017. Average block hours per aircraft has increased by 12.5 percent quarter over quarter due to increased flying of Airbus aircraft as well as our mix of off-peak flying. Off-peak flying accounted for nearly 29 percent of ASMs for the first two quarters in 2017, versus approximately 26 percent for the same period in 2016.2018.

WeIn conjunction with the fleet transition, we retired twofive MD-80 aircraft during the quarter and expect to retire eight morethe remaining 32 MD-80 aircraft and our two remaining Boeing 757-200 aircraft by the end of 2017. Our scheduled2018. Although the number of aircraft in our fleet will decline by the end of the year with the retirement of all of our MD-80 retirements could be accelerated if unexpected major maintenance wereaircraft, we intend to be needed.continue to increase our capacity and network as we have higher utilization rates on our Airbus fleet.  

Irregular operations,We have seen significant improvements in our operations. According to the most recent Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics, we ranked among the the top three airlines for having the lowest cancellation rates in the industry for both January and February 2018. We have company initiatives to engage every employee in the goal of improving operations. Additionally, we expect to gain operational efficiencies as well as costs necessary to effectivelywe transition to a single fleet type, have contributed to increased costs during the second quarter 2017. Costs associated with these needs, such as higher pilot staffing levels to support our flight schedule with three separate aircraft types, while continually training additionalan all Airbus pilots to support the growing number of operating Airbus aircraft, will continue until the fleet transition nears completion.fleet.

DuringOur customer satisfaction has improved. Travel & Leisure Magazine recently announced we finished third in its 2017 American Customer Satisfaction Index of the American airline industry, ahead of all three legacy carriers. The magazine reported we had the highest jump in score from the prior year of all airlines in the report.

In April 2018, CBS aired a 60 Minutes segment critical of our safety and the FAA oversight of our operations. We believe the report was misleading, misrepresented our safety culture at that time and now, and mostly ignored the substantial improvement in the reliability of our operations since the events reported. In the wake of this segment, our rate of cancellations increased and bookings declined. Within a matter of a few weeks after the story aired, cancellations and bookings returned to more normal levels. Although we do not believe the impact of this story will have a material effect on our results of operations, it is not known whether there will be any lingering effect on our business.

The continued roll out of our new revenue management system has had positive results. We have seen five consecutive months of year-over-year load factor improvements. Our overall scheduled service load factor for the first quarter 2018 was 85.1 percent compared to 82.2 percent for the first quarter 2017.
As of March 31, 2018, we announced 28were offering service on 142 medium-sized city routes compared to 101 as of the same date in 2017. We have 29 new routes expected to begin in the second half of 2017,quarter, including service into three newour newest cities - Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Norfolk, Virginia;Nashville, Tennessee; Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida; and Gulfport, Mississippi. As ofCharleston, South Carolina.

Planning and development for Sunseeker Resorts is ongoing. Construction is expected to begin in June 30, 2017, we were offering service on 123 medium-sized city routes compared to 87 as2018, with the opening of the same date in 2016. Our East Coast presence continues to be an area of focus, with 62.3 percent of scheduled service ASMs represented by Eastern markets, and we have commenced seasonal service to Destin, Florida, our newest base.resort planned for early 2020.

The collective bargaining agreement reached with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for our pilots became effective on August 1, 2016. Incremental expense related to the initial year of this agreement (including head count increases) in the first half of 2017 was approximately $31 million. We will continue to see incremental expense for this agreement over the remainder of the five-year agreement term.

We have two employee groups whichOur flight dispatchers have voted for union representation and with whichnegotiations began in February 2017, but we have yet to reach agreement - flight attendants and flight dispatchers. Thesean agreement. There are approximately 40 employees make up approximately 31 percent of our totalin this employee base.group. Any labor actions following an inability to reach a collective bargaining agreementsagreement with thesethis employee groupsgroup could materially impact our operations during the continuance of any such activity. Any labor agreement reached following negotiations would also likely increase our operating costs.

In March 2018, our maintenance technicians, who represent approximately nine percent of our total employee base (approximately 340 employees), voted for union representation by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). Negotiations for an agreement with this group will begin in the near future.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of three months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 to three months ended June 30, 2016March 31, 2017

Operating Revenue

Scheduled servicePassenger revenue. ScheduledPassenger revenue now includes both scheduled service revenue forand air-related ancillary revenue, due to the secondimplementation of the New Revenue Standard. For the first quarter 20172018, passenger revenue increased 16.714.1 percent compared to 2016.2017. The increase was primarily driven by a 14.615.2 percent increase in scheduled service passengers aidedoffset by ana 1.0 percent decrease in scheduled service average fare. The increase in scheduled service average base fare.passengers is due to a 9.5 percent increase in departures and a 2.9 percentage point increase in load factor.

Ancillary air-related charges.Third party products revenue. Ancillary air-related chargesThird party product revenue for the secondfirst quarter 2017 increased 13.02018 decreased 19.0 percent overall compared to 2016,2017, due mostly to the increase in scheduled service passengers. The increase was slightly diluted by a 1.4 percent decrease in average ancillary air-related fare per passenger which correlates with a 3.1 percent reduction in stage length, as shorter trips tend to produce lower ancillary charges.

Ancillary third party revenue. Ancillary third partyallocation of certain revenue increased 19.5 percent for the second quarter 2017 compared to 2016 due to revenue generated fromcomponents of our Allegiant World Mastercard® co-branded credit card, program which launched in third quarter 2016.whereby $3.6 million of the revenue related to the travel component was reclassified into passenger revenue. This increase from co-branded credit card revenuedecrease was slightly offset by a decrease in net revenue from third party products (hotel rooms,

on rental cars, attraction and show tickets) driven by a 7.5which increased 20.5 percent and 5.5 percent decrease in hotel room nights and rental car days, respectively. Overall, there was a 4.3 percent increase in ancillary third party revenue per passenger year over year.

Fixed fee contract revenue. Fixed fee contract revenue for the secondfirst quarter 2017 increased $4.3 million2018 decreased 6.2 percent from 20162017. This was planned and expected due mostly to increasedless availability of aircraft for charter flying for both the Department of Defense and underduring our Apple Vacations charter.fleet transition.

Operating Expenses

We primarily evaluate our expense management by comparing our costs per passenger and per ASM across different periods, which enables us to assess trends in each expense category. The following table presents operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods. The table also presents operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel, a statistic which gives management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility. Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors beyond our control.


 Three Months Ended June 30, Percent
 2017 2016 Change
Aircraft fuel*$25.83
 $20.85
 23.9 %
Salary and benefits27.89
 23.82
 17.1
Station operations11.80
 11.58
 1.9
Maintenance and repairs8.66
 10.17
 (14.8)
Depreciation and amortization9.11
 8.82
 3.3
Sales and marketing3.89
 1.85
 110.3
Aircraft lease rentals0.73
 0.08
 NM
Other7.49
 6.34
 18.1
Operating expense per passenger*$95.40
 $83.51
 14.2 %
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel$69.57
 $62.66
 11.0 %
*Includes effect of $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016.
NM - Not meaningful
 Three Months Ended March 31, Percent
 2018 2017 Change
Aircraft fuel$32.10
 $29.38
 9.3 %
Salary and benefits34.20
 33.42
 2.3
Station operations11.38
 11.05
 3.0
Maintenance and repairs5.83
 10.45
 (44.2)
Depreciation and amortization8.52
 10.60
 (19.6)
Sales and marketing5.78
 4.63
 24.8
Aircraft lease rentals0.01
 0.06
 (83.3)
Other6.78
 6.72
 0.9
Operating expense per passenger$104.60
 $106.31
 (1.6)%
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel$72.50
 $76.93
 (5.8)%

The following table presents unit costs on a per ASM basis, or CASM, for the indicated periods. As on a per-passenger basis, excluding fuel on a per ASM basis provides management and investors the ability to measure and monitor our cost performance absent fuel price volatility.

 Three Months Ended June 30, Percent
 2017 2016 Change
Aircraft fuel*
2.38¢ 
1.89¢ 25.9 %
Salary and benefits2.57
 2.16
 19.0
Station operations1.09
 1.05
 3.8
Maintenance and repairs0.80
 0.92
 (13.0)
Depreciation and amortization0.84
 0.80
 5.0
Sales and marketing0.36
 0.17
 111.8
Aircraft lease rentals0.07
 0.01
 NM
Other0.69
 0.56
 23.2
CASM*
8.80¢ 
7.56¢ 16.4 %
Operating CASM, excluding fuel
6.42¢ 
5.67¢ 13.2 %
*Includes effect of $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016.
NM - Not meaningful
 Three Months Ended March 31, Percent
 2018 2017 Change
Aircraft fuel
2.84¢ 
2.51¢ 13.1 %
Salary and benefits3.03
 2.85
 6.3
Station operations1.01
 0.94
 7.4
Maintenance and repairs0.52
 0.89
 (41.6)
Depreciation and amortization0.75
 0.90
 (16.7)
Sales and marketing0.51
 0.40
 27.5
Other0.61
 0.58
 5.2
CASM
9.27¢ 
9.07¢ 2.2 %
Operating CASM, excluding fuel
6.43¢ 
6.56¢ (2.0)%

Aircraft fuel expense. Aircraft fuel expense increased 42.325.2 percent for the secondfirst quarter 20172018 compared to 2016. Excluding one-time, $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016, fuel expense would have increased 25.0 percent year over year and2017 as the system average fuel cost per gallon would have increased by 10.3 percent. Additionally, there was20.4 percent, coupled with a 12.93.8 percent increase in system fuel gallons consumed on a 10.4 percent increase in system ASMs. ASM growth outpaced fuel consumption as fuel efficiency (measured as ASMs per gallon) increased 6.4 percent year over year, due to an increase in total system capacity of 12.7 percent.increased flying on our Airbus aircraft which are more fuel efficient.


Salary and benefits expense. Salary and benefits expense increased $23.7$16.7 million or 34.517.3 percent for the secondfirst quarter 20172018 when compared to the same period last year. The increase is largely attributable to $16.8 million in incremental expense related to the collective bargaining agreement with our pilots, which went into effect in August 2016, as well as costs associated with a 12.46.8 percent increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees needed to support additional operating aircraft and the transition to a single fleet type. Additionally, stock compensation expensethe collective bargaining agreement with our flight attendants went into effect January 1, 2018. In conjunction with this agreement, flight attendant salaries increased incrementallyan average of 14 percent year over year. There were also annual salary increases for our pilots, as dictated by $1.9 million related to management equity grants which were not in place in second quarter 2016.their collective bargaining agreement.

Station operations expense. Station operations expense for the secondfirst quarter 20172018 increased 17.018.1 percent on a 17.09.5 percent increase in scheduled service departures compared to the same period in 2016.2017. The increase in expense outpaced the increase in departures due to expired incentives and an increase in various supplementary station expenses.

Maintenance and repairs expense. Maintenance and repairs expense for the secondfirst quarter 20172018 decreased 2.1$10.8 million, or 36.0 percent compared to the same period in 2016. This2017. The year-over-year decrease is mostlylargely due to a decrease innine fewer heavy maintenance events performed on our MD-80 series aircraft, which are being systematically retired from our operating fleet. The cost of major maintenance expenseevents for our MD-80 aircraft, as there was a higher number of events in the prior year because the number of MD-80 aircraft in service was higher in the second quarter 2016. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in expenses related to parts repairs and routine maintenance in the current quarter. We expect routine maintenance expenses for our used Airbus aircraft to increase over time as repair costs foris deferred in accordance with the deferral method of accounting and the amortization of these aircraft are generally more expensive than similar maintenance for our MD-80 aircraft.expenses is included under depreciation and amortization expense.

Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for the secondfirst quarter 2017 increased 18.62018 decreased $2.4 million, or 7.9 percent, comparedyear over year. The decrease is largely due to 2016. Depreciation expense for the remainder of 2017 will continue to outpace 2016 as retirement of our MD-80 aircraft. As a result of the

impairment charge taken on our MD-80 fleet in fourth quarter 2017, we no longer have aircraft has been accelerateddepreciation expense associated with this fleet type. Depreciation expense related to 2019 or earlier. We alsothe MD-80 aircraft for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $6.4 million.

This decrease in depreciation and amortization expense was partially offset by higher incremental monthly depreciation expense associated with our Airbus aircraft, as we continue to add Airbus aircraft into service which resultservice. Depreciation expense related to the ownership of the Airbus A320 series aircraft was $18.2 million for the first quarter 2018 compared to $12.8 million for the same period in higher incremental monthly depreciation expense than our MD-80s.2017. Amortization of major maintenance costs under the deferral method of accounting for the Airbus aircraft was $2.5 million for the first quarter 2018 compared to $1.3 million for the first quarter 2017.

Sales and marketing expense. Sales and marketing expense for the secondfirst quarter 20172018 increased $7.5$5.7 million compared to the same period in 2016,2017, mostly due to an increase in net credit card fees paid by us. We previously charged for credit card fee reimbursement (a fee charged to customers for using a credit card) at zero margin, which was applied as a reduction to sales and marketing expense, and the net amount paid by us for credit card fees was reduced. We discontinued the charge for credit card fee reimbursement in January 2017, although this charge still applies to travel booked up to the discontinuation date. Credit card fee reimbursements for the second quarter (which were recorded as reductions of sales and marketing expense) declined to $0.6 million from $6.3 million in the second quarter 2016, accounting for the majority of the increase in this line item year over year.

Aircraft lease rentals expense. Aircraft lease rentals expense for the second quarter 2017 increased $2.2 million compared to 2016 due to subservice flights needed for irregular operations. We do not currently have operating aircraft under lease.

Other operating expense. Other operating expense for the second quarter 2017 increased $6.5 million compared to 2016. The increase in expense is due to increased flight crew training needed to support our growing operating fleet and network, as well as losses taken on the disposal of assets.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate remained relatively flat quarter over quarter, at 38.1 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 38.0 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2016. While we expect our tax rate to be fairly consistent in the near term, it will vary depending on recurring items such as the amount of income we earn in each state and the state tax rate applicable to such income. Discrete items during interim periods may also affect our tax rates.

Comparison of six months ended June 30, 2017 to six months ended June 30, 2016
Operating Revenue

Scheduled service revenue. Scheduled service revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased 10.7 percent compared with 2016. The increase was mostly the result of a 12.8 percent increase in scheduled service passengers offset by a 1.8 percent decrease in scheduled service average base fare, which was affected by a 24.2 percent increase in off-peak capacity period over period.
Ancillary air-related charges. Ancillary air-related charges for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased 10.9 percent compared with 2016 due mostly to the increase in scheduled service passengers. These effects were diluted by a 1.7 percent decrease in ancillary air-related charges per passenger as items such as bag fees tend to decrease in correlation with a shorter stage length and lower base fare.

Ancillary third party revenue. Ancillary third party revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $3.8 million over the same period in 2016 due to revenue generated from our co-branded credit card program which launched in third quarter 2016. This increase from co-branded credit card revenue was slightly offset by a decrease in net revenue from third party products (hotel rooms, rental cars, attraction and show tickets), partially driven by a 5.4 percent decrease in hotel room nights. Overall, there was a 3.0 percent increase in ancillary third party revenue per passenger year over year.

Fixed fee contract revenue. Fixed fee contract revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $8.8 million compared with 2016, due to increased flying for both the Department of Defense and under our Apple Vacations charter.

Operating Expenses
The following table presents operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods:
 Six Months Ended June 30, Percent
 2017 2016 Change
Aircraft fuel*$27.48
 $20.77
 32.3 %
Salary and benefits30.47
 25.18
 21.0
Station operations11.45
 11.71
 (2.2)
Maintenance and repairs9.49
 10.19
 (6.9)
Depreciation and amortization9.81
 9.15
 7.2
Sales and marketing3.69
 2.03
 81.8
Aircraft lease rentals0.41
 0.08
 NM
Other7.13
 6.40
 11.4
Operating expense per passenger*$99.93
 $85.51
 16.9 %
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel$72.45
 $64.74
 11.9 %
*Includes effect of $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016.
NM - Not meaningful


The following table presents unit costs on a per ASM basis, defined as Operating CASM, for the indicated periods:
 Six Months Ended June 30, Percent
 2017 2016 Change
Aircraft fuel*
2.44¢ 
1.84¢ 32.6 %
Salary and benefits2.71
 2.23
 21.5
Station operations1.02
 1.04
 (1.9)
Maintenance and repairs0.84
 0.90
 (6.7)
Depreciation and amortization0.87
 0.81
 7.4
Sales and marketing0.33
 0.18
 83.3
Aircraft lease rentals0.04
 0.01
 NM
Other0.63
 0.56
 12.5
CASM*
8.88¢ 
7.57¢ 17.3 %
Operating CASM, excluding fuel
6.44¢ 
5.73¢ 12.4 %
*Includes effect of $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016.
NM - Not meaningful

Aircraft fuel expense. Aircraft fuel expense increased 49.6 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Excluding the effect of one-time $8.3 million in fuel tax refunds in the second quarter 2016, fuel expense would have increased 39.4 percent and the system average fuel cost per gallon would have increased by 23.9 percent. Additionally, there was a 12.9 percent increase in system fuel gallons consumed due to an increase in total system capacity of 12.6 percent.
Salary and benefits expense. Salary and benefits expense increased $50.8 million or 36.8 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The increase is largely attributable to $31.0 million in incremental expense related to the collective bargaining agreement with our pilots, which went into effect in August 2016, as well as costs associated with a 12.4 percent increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees needed to support additional operating aircraft and the transition to a single fleet type. Additionally, stock compensation expense increased incrementally by $4.4 million related to management equity grants which were not in place in the first half of 2016.
Station operations expense. Station operations expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased 10.6 percent on a 17.0 percent increase in scheduled service departures compared to the same period in 2016. Decreases in various supplementary station expenses contributed to growth in departures outpacing the increase in expense.

Maintenance and repairs expense. Maintenance and repairs expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased 5.4 percent compared with the same period in 2016, due primarily to a 2.4 percent increase in average number of aircraft in service as well as incremental expenses related to parts repairs and routine maintenance on our Airbus aircraft. We expect routine maintenance expenses for our used Airbus aircraft to increase over time as repair costs for these aircraft are generally more expensive than similar maintenance for our MD-80 aircraft.
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased by 21.2 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. Depreciation expense for the remainder of 2017 will continue to outpace 2016 as retirement of our MD-80 aircraft has been accelerated to 2019 or earlier. We have also added ten Airbus aircraft into service as of June 30, 2017 when compared to the same date in 2016, which results in higher incremental monthly depreciation expense than our MD-80s. Additionally, this expense was affected by major maintenance amortization for our Airbus aircraft in accordance with the deferral method of accounting. Prior to June 2016, we had not incurred any major maintenance costs on our Airbus aircraft.
Sales and marketing expense. Sales and marketing expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $11.7 million compared to the same period in 2016, mostly due to an increase in net credit card fees paid by us. We previously charged for credit card fee reimbursement (a fee charged to customers for using a credit card) at zero margin, which was applied as a reduction to sales and marketing expense, and the net amount paid by us for credit card fees was reduced. We discontinued the charge for credit card fee reimbursement in January 2017, although this charge still applies to travel booked up to the discontinuation date. Consequently, credit card fee reimbursements for the first half of 2017 (which were recorded as reductions of sales and marketing expense) declined to $4.0 million from $13.2 million in the first half of 2016.paid. There were also year-over-year increased expenses related to various marketing initiatives for our growing network.

Aircraft lease rentals expense. Aircraft lease rentals expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $2.1 million compared to the same period in 2016 due to additional subservice flights needed for irregular operations in the second quarter 2017. We do not currently have operating aircraft under lease.

Other expense. Other operating expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $9.2 million compared to 2016. The increase is partially due to losses recorded on disposed aircraft parts in 2017 compared to a gain of over $2.0 million recorded on an engine sale in 2016. Additionally, property taxes on higher asset amounts, and expenses related to crew training in 2017 to support our fleet transition and network growth, also increased year over year.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate remained flat at 37.6was 20.5 percent for each of the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.March 31, 2018, compared to 37.0 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The effective tax rate for the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 differed from the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.021.0 percent primarily due to executive compensation deduction limitations as well asthe dissolution of foreign subsidiaries, offset by state and foreign taxes. While we expect our tax rate to be fairly consistent in the near term, it will vary depending on recurring items such as the amount of income we earn in each state and the state tax rate applicable to such income. Discrete items during interim periods may also affect our tax rates.




Comparative Consolidated Operating Statistics

The following tables set forth our operating statistics for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended June 30, PercentThree Months Ended March 31, Percent
2017 2016 Change*2018 2017 Change (1)
Operating statistics (unaudited):          
Total system statistics:          
Passengers3,306,193
 2,878,460
 14.9
3,302,951
 2,881,248
 14.6
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)2,958,808
 2,665,753
 11.0
3,094,805
 2,708,498
 14.3
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)3,584,209
 3,178,904
 12.7
3,728,563
 3,376,837
 10.4
Load factor82.6% 83.9% (1.3)83.0% 80.2% 2.8
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents)***
8.80
 7.56
 16.4
Fuel expense per ASM (cents)***2.38
 1.89
 25.9
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents)9.27
 9.07
 2.2
Fuel expense per ASM (cents)2.84
 2.51
 13.1
Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents)6.42
 5.67
 13.2
6.43
 6.56
 (2.0)
ASMs per gallon of fuel71.9
 72.0
 (0.1)76.7
 72.1
 6.4
Departures24,721
 20,969
 17.9
24,248
 22,295
 8.8
Block hours56,056
 48,506
 15.6
57,803
 53,193
 8.7
Average stage length (miles)866
 893
 (3.0)910
 903
 0.8
Average number of operating aircraft during period85.3
 83.8
 1.8
90.7
 84.7
 7.1
Average block hours per aircraft per day7.2
 6.4
 12.5
7.1
 7.0
 1.4
Full-time equivalent employees at end of period3,628
 3,228
 12.4
3,776
 3,536
 6.8
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)49,858
 44,153
 12.9
48,640
 46,850
 3.8
Average fuel cost per gallon***$1.71
 $1.36
 25.7
Average fuel cost per gallon$2.18
 $1.81
 20.4
Scheduled service statistics:          
Passengers3,266,789
 2,850,112
 14.6
3,279,368
 2,845,480
 15.2
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)2,903,257
 2,626,770
 10.5
3,064,619
 2,661,934
 15.1
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)3,436,872
 3,072,135
 11.9
3,602,015
 3,237,164
 11.3
Load factor84.5% 85.5% (1.0)85.1% 82.2% 2.9
Departures23,609
 20,171
 17.0
23,264
 21,248
 9.5
Block hours53,632
 46,763
 14.7
55,689
 50,876
 9.5
Total scheduled service revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents)**11.07
 10.74
 3.1
Total passenger revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) (2)11.30
 11.14
 1.4
Average fare - scheduled service(3)$67.54
 $66.36
 1.8
$73.81
 $75.42
 (2.1)
Average fare - ancillary air-related charges$44.51
 $45.16
 (1.4)
Average fare - ancillary third party products$4.38
 $4.20
 4.3
Average fare - air-related charges (3)$47.18
 $46.82
 0.8
Average fare - third party products$3.15
 $4.48
 (29.7)
Average fare - total$116.43
 $115.72
 0.6
$124.14
 $126.72
 (2.0)
Average stage length (miles)869
 897
 (3.1)916
 908
 0.9
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)47,821
 42,698
 12.0
46,872
 44,892
 4.4
Average fuel cost per gallon***$1.70
 $1.36
 25.0
Average fuel cost per gallon$2.17
 $1.80
 20.6
Rental car days sold398,587
 375,711
 6.1
Hotel room nights sold108,984
 105,328
 3.5
Percent of sales through website during period95.1% 93.9% 1.2
93.8% 95.1% (1.3)
*(1) Except load factor and percent of sales through website during period, which are presented as a percentage point change.
**(2) Various components of this measure do not have a direct correlation to ASMs. This measure is provided on a per ASM basis so as to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis.
*** Includes effect(3) Reflects division of $8.3 million fuel tax refundspassenger revenue between scheduled service and air-related charges in the second quarter of 2016.


 Six Months Ended June 30, Percent
 2017 2016 Change*
Operating statistics (unaudited):     
Total system statistics:     
Passengers6,187,441
 5,471,367
 13.1
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)5,667,306
 5,185,903
 9.3
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)6,961,046
 6,180,289
 12.6
Load factor81.4% 83.9% (2.5)
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents)***8.88
 7.57
 17.3
Fuel expense per ASM (cents)***2.44
 1.84
 32.6
Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents)6.44
 5.73
 12.4
ASMs per gallon of fuel72.0
 72.1
 (0.1)
Departures47,016
 39,887
 17.9
Block hours109,249
 94,776
 15.3
Average stage length (miles)883
 913
 (3.3)
Average number of operating aircraft during period85.0
 83.0
 2.4
Average block hours per aircraft per day7.1
 6.3
 12.7
Full-time equivalent employees at end of period3,628
 3,228
 12.4
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)96,708
 85,676
 12.9
Average fuel cost per gallon***$1.76
 $1.33
 32.3
Scheduled service statistics:     
Passengers6,112,269
 5,417,421
 12.8
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)5,565,191
 5,110,323
 8.9
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)6,674,035
 5,970,086
 11.8
Load factor83.4% 85.6% (2.2)
Departures44,857
 38,346
 17.0
Block hours104,507
 91,326
 14.4
Total scheduled service revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents)**11.04
 11.11
 (0.6)
Average fare - scheduled service$70.80
 $72.12
 (1.8)
Average fare - ancillary air-related charges$45.31
 $46.08
 (1.7)
Average fare - ancillary third party products$4.42
 $4.29
 3.0
Average fare - total$120.53
 $122.49
 (1.6)
Average stage length (miles)887
 917
 (3.3)
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)92,713
 82,852
 11.9
Average fuel cost per gallon***$1.75
 $1.33
 31.6
Percent of sales through website during period94.2% 94.1% 0.1
* Except load factor and percent of sales through website during period, which are presented as a percentage point change.
** Various components of this measure do not have a direct correlation to ASMs. This measure is provided on a per ASM basis so as to facilitate comparison with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis.
*** Includes effect of $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016.Company's booking path.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current liquidity

Cash, restricted cash and investment securities (short-term and long-term) increaseddecreased from $470.5$501.9 million at December 31, 20162017 to $514.3$490.1 million at June 30, 2017.March 31, 2018. Restricted cash represents escrowed funds under fixed fee contracts and cash collateral against letters of credit required by hotel properties for guaranteed room availability, airports and certain other parties. Under our fixed fee flying contracts, we require our customers to prepay for flights to be provided by us. The prepayments are escrowed until the flight is completed and are recorded as restricted cash with a corresponding amount as air traffic liability. Investment securities represent highly liquid marketable securities which are available-for-sale.

During the first sixthree months of 2017,2018, our primary source of funds was $263.1$172.9 million generated by operations as well as $134.5 million in proceeds from long-term debt issuance.operations. Our operating cash flows and previous borrowings have allowed us to invest in our fleet transition and return capital to shareholders. Our future capital needs are primarily for the acquisition of additional aircraft, including our existing Airbus A320 series aircraft commitments, as well as potential capital outlay related to Sunseeker Resorts as well as other travel and leisure initiatives. Of the 26 aircraft expected to be placed into service during the remainder of 2018, 13 are structured as capital leases and will not require separate financing, and 10 have already been paid for (representing the aircraft already returned or being returned from lease to a European carrier).

We believe we have more than adequate liquidity resources through our operating cash flows, borrowings, and cash balances, to meet our future contractual obligations, and expect to finance a significant portion of the purchase price of our newly manufactured Airbus aircraft order on acceptable terms. Weobligations. In addition, we continue to consider raising funds through debt financing on an opportunistic basis.

In addition to our recurring quarterly cash dividend, we plan to continue repurchasing our stock in the open market subject to availability of cash resources and compliance with our debt covenants. In July 2017, our board of directors replenished ourOur current repurchase authority to a total ofis $100 million. There is no expiration to this program.

Debt

Our long-term debt obligations, without reduction for related issuance costs, increaseddecreased from $813.2$1,171.0 million as of December 31, 20162017 to $882.4$1,068.1 million as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as we borrowed additional fundspaid off our senior secured by aircraft whilerevolving credit facility and continued making scheduled repayments on our existing debt. During the secondfirst quarter 2017of 2018, we borrowed $112.5 million secured by seven aircraft.did not enter into any new debt agreements.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities. During the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, our operating activities provided $263.1$172.9 million of cash compared to $256.1$146.6 million during the same period of 2016.2017. The year-over-year increase in cash inflows was primarily impacted by adjustments made for non-cash items such as deferredis the result of a $12.8 million increase in net income taxes, as well as changes in various asset and liability accounts, including a decrease$24.8 million year-over-year increase in accounts receivable, which offset the effects of lower net income for the six months ended June 30, 2017.accrued liabilities.

Operating cash inflows are primarily derived from providing air transportation and related ancillary products and services to customers, and we expect to use that cash flow to purchase aircraft and equipment, make scheduled debt payments, and return capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. 

Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities was $269.5$65.4 million during the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 compared to $118.9$125.4 million for the same period in 2016.2017. The year-over-year increasedecrease is mostly due primarily to $182.3 million in property and equipment purchases and pre-delivery deposits compared to $105.2investment security activity, as cash proceeds from investment securities (net of purchases) were $3.3 million in the same periodfirst three months of 2016. Additionally, our net2018 compared to cash used to purchase investment securities (net of proceeds from maturities) was $88.6 million during the first six monthsproceeds) of 2017 compared to $17.5$67.2 million for the same period in 2016.2017. Cash used to purchase property and equipment was $69.2 million for the first three months of 2018 compared to $58.5 million in the same period of 2017.

Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities for the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 was $38.3$115.1 million compared to $118.6$21.5 million for the same period in 2016. During2017. The year-over-year increase is primarily due to an increase in principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations, as we paid $102.9 million in debt and capital lease payments in the first six quarter 2018 compared to $26.4 million for the same period in 2017. Our debt payments in the first quarter 2018 included various balloon payments, as well as the payoff of our senior secured revolving credit facility, which had $41.6 million in outstanding principal as of December 31, 2017. Additionally, we did not receive any funds from issuance of new debt during the first quarter 2018, whereas we received $22.0 million in loan proceeds during the same period in 2017. For the three

months of 2017,ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased $2.2 million of common stock for $84.9 million and paid cash dividends of $23.2$11.3 million, compared to the repurchase of $4.9 million in common stock for $63.3 million and payment of cash dividends of $44.4$11.7 million ($27.7 million of which was a special dividend declared in December 2015) infor the same period of 2016. These uses were offset by proceeds from the issuance of debt net of principal payments of $69.7 million in 2017, while principal payments exceeded proceeds from issuance of debt by $11.2 million in the same period of 2016.2017.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made forward-looking statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions, and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, fleet plan, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, future service to be provided, and the effects of future regulation

and competition.competition, and the development of a resort in Southwest Florida. 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,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project” 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 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 automation systems, limitation on growth as we transition to a single fleet type, 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, the 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 resort in Southwest Florida, governmental regulation, increases in maintenance costs and cyclical and seasonal fluctuations to our operating results. 

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

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

A descriptionIn the first quarter of 2018, there were no changes to our critical accounting policies is includedand estimates from those disclosed in Item 7 ofthe Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes contained in our Annual Report on2017 Form 10-K, except as discussed below relating to the New Revenue Standard.

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted the New Revenue Standard using the full retrospective method, which resulted in the recast of the 2017 prior period data presented. Under this ASU and subsequently issued amendments, revenue is recognized at the time a good or service is transferred to a customer for the year ended December 31, 2016. There has been no material change to these policies during the six months ended June 30, 2017.amount of consideration received.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are subject to certain market risks, including commodity prices (specifically aircraft fuel). The adverse effects of changes in these markets could pose potential losses as discussed below. The sensitivity analysis provided does not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor does it consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ.

Aircraft Fuel

Our results of operations can be significantly impacted by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel, as aircraft fuel expense represented 27.530.7 percent of our operating expenses for the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017.March 31, 2018. Increases in fuel prices, or a shortage of supply, could have a material impact on our operations and operating results. Based on our fuel consumption for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, a hypothetical ten percent increase in the average price per gallon of fuel would have increased fuel expense by approximately $8.3 million and $17.6 million, respectively.$10.7 million. We have not hedged fuel price risk in recentfor many years.

Interest Rates

We have market risk associated with changing interest rates due to the short-term nature of our cash and investment securities and variable-rate debt. We invest available cash in government and corporate debt securities, investment grade commercial

paper, and other highly rated financial instruments. Because of the short-term nature of these investments, the returns earned closely parallel short-term floating interest rates. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates for the three months ended March 31, 2018 would have impacted interest income from cash and investment securities by approximately $1.2 million.

As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had a total of $414.7$601.4 million in variable-rate debt, including current maturities and without reduction for related costs. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates for the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, would have affected interest expense by $1.9approximately $1.6 million.

As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had $467.7$466.7 million of fixed-rate debt, including current maturities and without reduction for related costs, which had a fair value of $484.9$474.0 million. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates would not impact interest expense or have a material effect on the fair value of our fixed-rate debt instruments as of such date.

See Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, for further information about market risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer (“CEO”) and chief financial officer (“CFO”), we evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act.” Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in

the SEC’s rules and forms. Based upon this evaluation, management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ending June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. Although the new revenue standard is not expected to have a material impact on our ongoing net income, changes were made to relevant business processes and the related control activities, including information systems, in order to monitor and maintain appropriate controls over financial reporting. The operating effectiveness of these changes will be evaluated as part of our annual assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.

 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are subject to certain legal and administrative actions we consider routine to our business activities. We believe the ultimate outcome of any pending legal or administrative matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

We have evaluated our risk factors and determined there are no changes to the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Our Repurchases of Equity Securities

The following table reflects the repurchases of our common stock during the secondfirst quarter 2017:2018:

Period Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part of our Publicly
Announced Plan
 Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that
May Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (in thousands) (2)
April 55,491
 $146.50
 55,400
  
May 290,587
 143.40
 282,358
  
June 251,299
 139.90
 251,299
  
Total 597,377
 $142.22
 589,057
 $3,096
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part of our Publicly
Announced Plan
 Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that
May Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (in thousands) (2)
January 177
 $161.45
 None  
February 9,741
 167.96
 None  
March 3,269
 174.30
 None  
Total 13,187
 $169.45
   $100,000
(1)Includes shares repurchased from employees who vested a portion of their restricted stock grants. These share repurchases were made at the election of each employee pursuant to an offer to repurchase by us. In each case, the shares repurchased constituted the portion of vested shares necessary to satisfy income tax withholding requirements.
(2)
Represents the remaining dollar amount of open market purchases of our common stock which has been authorized by the Board under a share repurchase program. Subsequent to June 30, 2017, the Board approved additional share repurchase authority, and the remaining share repurchase authority as of July 26, 2017 was $100 million.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

None


Item 6. Exhibits
3.1
3.2
12
31.1
31.2
32
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

(1)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Registration Statement #333-134145 filed by the Company with the Commission and amendments thereto.
(2)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.23.1 to the QuarterlyCurrent Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016,8-K filed with the Commission on November 1, 2016.April 25, 2018.



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
   
   
Date:July 31, 2017May 8, 2018By:/s/ Scott Sheldon
  Scott Sheldon, as duly authorized officer of the Company (Chief Financial Officer) and as Principal Financial Officer

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