Document


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
 
 
Or
o
TRANSITION 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

algtheaderlogo.jpg

Allegiant Travel Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Nevada
20-4745737
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
 
1201 North Town Center Drive
 
Las Vegas, Nevada
89144
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (702) 851-7300

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value
Nasdaq Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý  No o





Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý 

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 (§ 229.405 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

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)
 

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 aggregate market value of common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.8 billion computed by reference to the closing sale price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 29, 2018, the last trading day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of the close of business on February 15, 2019 was 16,281,038.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement to be used in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at the registrant’s annual meeting to be held on June 27, 2019, and to be filed with the Commission subsequent to the date hereof, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report on Form 10-K.

EXHIBIT INDEX IS LOCATED ON PAGE 71.





Allegiant Travel Company
Form 10-K
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018

Table of Contents

PART I
 
 
ITEM 1.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
ITEM 5.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9B.
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
ITEM 10.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 14.
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
ITEM 15.
ITEM 16.
 

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PART I

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 10-K, 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 our statements regarding future expense, capacity growth, expected capital expenditures, number of contracted aircraft to be placed in service in the future, future expansion of our golf management and family entertainment center businesses, the development and financing of our Sunseeker Resort, as well as other information concerning future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of future regulation and the effects of competition. 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", "hope" or similar expressions.

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

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

Item 1.  Business
 
Overview
 
We are a leisure travel company focused on providing travel services and products to residents of under-served cities in the United States. We were founded in 1997 and, in conjunction with our initial public offering in 2006, we incorporated in the state of Nevada. Our unique business model provides diversified revenue streams from various travel services and product offerings which distinguish us from other travel companies. We operate a low-cost passenger airline marketed primarily to leisure travelers in under-served cities, allowing us to sell air transportation both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with the sale of air-related and third party services and products. In addition, we provide air transportation under fixed fee flight arrangements. Our developed route network, pricing philosophy, advertising, and product offerings built around relationships with premier leisure companies, are all intended to appeal to leisure travelers and make it attractive for them to purchase air travel and related services and products from us.

Most recently, and in conjunction with our leisure travel focus, we are developing Sunseeker Resort in Florida, operating a golf course near the resort location, managing a golf course management solution and beginning to open family entertainment centers in cities in our route network.

Below is a brief description of the travel services and products we provide to our customers:

Scheduled service air transportation.  We provide scheduled air transportation on limited-frequency, nonstop flights predominantly between under-served cities and popular leisure destinations. As of February 15, 2019, our operating fleet consisted of 79 Airbus A320 series aircraft. As of that date, we were selling travel on 450 routes to 122 cities. In this document, references to "Airbus A320 series aircraft" are intended to describe both Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft.

Ancillary air-related products and services.  We provide unbundled air-related services and products in conjunction with air transportation for an additional cost to customers. These optional air-related services and products include baggage fees, advance seat assignments, our own travel protection product, change fees, use of our call center for purchases, priority

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boarding, a customer convenience fee, food and beverage purchases on board, and other air-related services. The revenue for ancillary air-related products and services is reflected in the Passenger revenue income statement line item, along with scheduled service air transportation revenue.

Third party products and services.  We offer third party travel products such as hotel rooms and ground transportation (rental cars and hotel shuttle products) for sale to our passengers. The marketing component of revenue related to our co-branded credit card is also accounted for in this category.

Fixed fee contract air transportation.  We provide air transportation through fixed fee agreements and charter service on a year-round and ad-hoc basis.

Other revenue. We may choose to temporarily act as a lessor as an avenue to opportunistically acquire aircraft and/or engines. Upon the expiration of the leases, we have operated the assets ourselves, or are preparing them for future service. We are also currently leasing spare engines to a third party and may choose to act as lessor temporarily in the future on an opportunistic basis. This line item also includes revenue from our golf course acquired in 2018 and our management solution to golf courses around the country.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1201 N. Town Center Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89144. Our telephone number is (702) 851-7300. Our website address is http://www.allegiant.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this annual report the information on our website and investors should not consider it to be a part of this document. Our website address is included in this document for reference only. Our annual report, quarterly reports, current reports and amendments to those reports are made available free of charge through the investor relations section on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Unique Business Model

We have developed a unique business model that focuses on leisure travelers in small and medium-sized cities. The business model has evolved as our experienced management team has looked differently at the traditional way business has been conducted in the airline and travel industries. Our focus on the leisure customer allows us to eliminate the significant costs associated with serving a wide variety of customers and to concentrate our product appeal on a customer base which is under-served by traditional airlines. We have consciously developed a business model which distinguishes us from the traditional airline approach:

 
 
Traditional Airline Approach
 
Allegiant Approach
Customer Base:
 
Business and leisure
 
Leisure
Network:
 
Primarily large and mid-sized markets
 
Small/medium-sized under-served markets
Competition:
 
High
 
Low
Schedule:
 
Uniform throughout the week
 
Low frequency/variable capacity
Distribution:
 
Sell through various intermediaries
 
Sell only directly to travelers
Fare Strategy:
 
Bundled pricing
 
Unbundled pricing of air-related services and products

By unbundling our air-related services and products such as baggage fees, advance seat assignments, travel protection, change fees, priority boarding, and food and beverage purchases, we are able to lower our airfares and target leisure travelers who are more concerned with price and the ability to customize their experience with us by only purchasing the additional conveniences they value. This strategy allows us to generate additional passenger revenues from these ancillary charges.
We have established a route network with a national footprint, providing service on 405 routes (and currently selling 450 routes) between 99 origination cities and 23 leisure destinations, and serving 42 states and Puerto Rico as of February 15, 2019. In most of these small and medium-sized cities, we provide service to more than one of our leisure destinations which are offered either on a year-round or seasonal basis.


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The geographic diversity of our route network protects us from regional variations in the economy and helps insulate us from competitive actions, as it would be difficult for a competitor to materially impact our business by targeting one city or region. Our widespread route network also contributes to the continued growth of our customer base. The below map illustrates our route network as of February 15, 2019, including service announcements as of that date.
allegiantfullroutemapcurrent.jpg

In developing a unique business model, our ancillary offerings (ancillary air-related items included in passenger revenue as well as the sale of third party products and services) have been a significant source of our revenue growth. We have increased revenue related to these ancillary items from $5.87 per passenger in 2004 to $49.98 per passenger in 2018. We own and manage our own air reservation system, which gives us the ability to modify our system to enhance product offerings based on specific needs, without being dependent on non-customized product upgrades from outside suppliers. We believe the control of our automation systems has allowed us to be innovators in the industry by providing our customers with a variety of different travel services and products, and allowing us to seek to increase revenues through testing of alternative revenue management approaches.

We believe the following strengths from our unique business model allow us to maintain a competitive advantage in the markets we serve:

Focus on leisure traffic from small and medium-sized cities

We believe small and medium-sized cities represent a large, under-served market, especially for leisure travel. Prior to the initiation of our service, leisure travelers from these markets had limited desirable options to reach leisure destinations because existing carriers are generally focused on connecting business customers through their hub-and-spoke networks.

We believe our low fare, nonstop service, along with our leisure company relationships, make it attractive for leisure travelers to purchase airfare and travel-related products from us. The size of the markets we serve, and our focus on the leisure customer,

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allow us to adequately serve these markets with less frequency, and to vary our air transportation capacity to match seasonal and day-of-the-week demand patterns.

By focusing primarily on under-served cities and routes, we believe we avoid the intense competition in high traffic domestic air corridors. In most of our small and medium-sized city markets, travelers previously faced high airfares and cumbersome connections (long drives) to major airports in order to reach our leisure destinations. Based on published data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”), we believe the initiation of our service stimulates demand, as we have typically seen a substantial increase in traffic subsequent to new service beginning. Our market strategy is neither hostile to legacy carriers, whose historical focus has been connecting small cities to business markets with regional jets, nor to traditional low cost or ultra-low cost carriers generally focused on larger markets. Additionally, many major carriers have reduced service to medium-sized cities which we believe they no longer consider to be core hubs.

Capacity management

We actively manage our seat capacity to match leisure demand patterns. Our ability to quickly adjust capacity helps us maintain profitability in the dynamic travel industry. Because of our low fixed costs, our low unit costs are not dependent on high utilization.
Our core business model manages seat capacity by increased utilization of our aircraft during periods of high leisure demand and decreased utilization in low leisure demand periods. In 2018, during our peak demand period in March, we averaged 8.3 system block hours per aircraft per day while in September, our lowest month for demand, we averaged 4.8 system block hours per aircraft per day. Our management of seat capacity also includes changes in weekly frequency of certain markets based on identified peak and off-peak travel demand throughout the year. For example, the leisure destination of Palm Springs, CA, is more desirable for our customers from Bellingham, WA during winter months. Therefore, we seasonally decrease the frequency of our Bellingham-Palm Springs flights in the summer, and increase flights per week in the winter. Unlike other carriers which provide a fairly consistent number of flights every day of the week, we concentrate our flights on high leisure demand travel days and fly a smaller portion of our schedule on low demand days such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Our strong revenue production from ancillary items, coupled with our ability to rapidly deploy or contract capacity, has allowed us to operate profitably throughout periods of high fuel prices and economic recession. We manage our capacity with a goal of being profitable on each route.

Low cost structure

We believe a low cost structure is essential to competitive success in the airline industry. Our operating expense per available seat mile ("CASM") was 9.56¢ in 2018 and 9.41¢ in 2017. Excluding the cost of fuel, our operating CASM was 6.57¢ in 2018 and also excluding fuel plus a one-time impairment charge to our MD-80 fleet, our operating CASM was 6.63¢ in 2017.

We continue to focus on maintaining low operating costs through the following tactics and strategies:

Low Aircraft Ownership Costs. We achieve low aircraft ownership costs by purchasing primarily used aircraft with meaningful remaining useful lives, at reduced prices. As of February 15, 2019, we own all but five of our aircraft and believe that we properly balance lower aircraft acquisition costs and operating costs to minimize our total costs. Although our 13 newly manufactured Airbus A320 series aircraft have higher purchase prices, we expect the benefits of a greater number of seats, better fuel efficiency, and longer depreciable lives will make these aircraft efficient additions to our fleet. In addition, our network has evolved such that we are maintaining higher levels of daily utilization on the newly manufactured aircraft. As of February 15, 2019, our operating fleet consists of 79 Airbus A320 series aircraft, of which 74 are owned by the Company.

Highly Productive Workforce. Our high level of employee productivity is due to our cost-driven scheduling, fewer unproductive labor work rules, and the effective use of automation and part-time employees. Although the number of our full-time equivalent employees per operating aircraft increased annually from 2015 to 2017 (largely as a result of the fleet transition), this number remained consistent from 2017 to 2018. In an effort to control costs, we also outsource major maintenance, stations and other functions to reliable third-party service providers.
Simple product. We believe offering a simple product is critical to achieving low operating costs. As such, we sell only nonstop flights; we do not code-share or interline with other carriers; we have a single class cabin; we do not provide any free catered items - everything on board is for sale; we do not provide cargo or mail services; and we do not offer other perks such as airport lounges.


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Low distribution costs. Our nontraditional marketing approach results in very low distribution costs. We do not sell our product through outside sales channels, thus avoiding the fees charged by travel web sites (Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity) and traditional global distribution systems (“GDS”) (Sabre or Worldspan). Our customers can only purchase travel at our airport ticket counters or, for a fee, on our website or through our telephone reservation center. The purchase of travel through our website is the least expensive form of distribution for us and accounted for 93.8 percent of our scheduled service revenue during 2018.

Small and medium-sized city market airports. Our business model focuses on residents of small and medium-sized cities in the United States. Typically, the airports in these cities have lower operating costs than airports in larger cities. These lower costs are driven by less expensive passenger facilities, landing, and ground service charges. In addition to inexpensive airport costs, many of our airports provide marketing support.

Cost-driven schedule. We aim to build our scheduled service so that our crews and aircraft return to base each night. This allows us to maximize crew efficiency, and more cost-effectively manage maintenance, spare aircraft and spare parts. Additionally, this structure allows us to add or subtract markets served by a base without incremental costs. We believe leisure travelers are generally less concerned about departure and arrival times than business travelers, so we are able to schedule flights at times that enable us to reduce costs while remaining desirable to our leisure customers.

Ancillary product offerings

We believe many leisure travelers are concerned primarily with purchasing air travel at the least expensive price. As such, we have unbundled the air transportation product by charging fees for services many U.S. airlines have historically bundled in their product offering. This pricing structure allows us to target travelers who are most concerned with low fare travel while also allowing travelers to customize their experience with us by purchasing only the additional conveniences they value. For example, we do not offer complimentary advance seat assignments; however, customers who value this product can purchase advance seat assignments for a small incremental cost. In addition, snacks and beverages are sold individually on the aircraft, allowing passengers to purchase only items they value.

Revenue from ancillary items will continue to be a key component in our total average fare as we believe leisure travelers are less sensitive to ancillary fees than the base fare.
Our third party product offerings give our customers the opportunity to purchase hotel rooms, rental cars and airport shuttle service. Our third party offerings are available to customers based on our agreements with various travel and leisure companies. For example, we have an exclusive agreement with Enterprise Holdings Inc. for the sale of rental cars packaged with air travel, which generated approximately 64 percent of our third party products revenue in 2018. The pricing of each product and our margin can be adjusted based on customer demand because our customers purchase travel directly through our booking engine.

Financial position

As of December 31, 2018, we had $447.5 million of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and investment securities, and total debt and capital lease obligations of $1.3 billion. As of February 15, 2019, we also had 27 unencumbered aircraft available to use as collateral in the secured debt market. As we are profitable and have been able to consistently generate cash from operations, we believe we have more than adequate resources, along with outside financing expected to be available, to invest in the growth of our fleet, information technology, infrastructure, development, Sunseeker Resort, and our other non-airline initiatives, while meeting short-term obligations.

Our financial position and discipline regarding use of capital allows us to have greater financial flexibility to grow our business and to efficiently and effectively adapt to changing economic conditions.


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Routes and schedules

Our current scheduled air service (including seasonal service) predominantly consists of limited frequency, nonstop flights into leisure destinations from under-served cities across the continental United States. The scheduled service routes we are selling as of February 15, 2019 are summarized below (includes 405 routes we are currently serving, and 45 new routes which will begin service in 2019):

Routes to Orlando
 
70

Routes to Tampa/St. Petersburg
 
53

Routes to Las Vegas
 
53

Routes to Punta Gorda
 
43

Routes to Phoenix
 
43

Routes to Destin
 
29

Routes to Los Angeles
 
26

Other routes
 
133

Total routes
 
450


The number of routes served varies from time to time as some routes are offered seasonally.

Marketing and Distribution

Our website is our primary distribution method, and we also sell through our call center and at our airport ticket counters. This distribution approach creates significant cost savings and enables us to continue building loyalty with our customers through increased interaction with them. We are also able to utilize customer email addresses in our database, which provides multiple cost effective opportunities to market products and services, including at the time of travel purchase, between purchase and travel, and after travel is complete. In addition, we market products and services to our customers through digital advertising. We believe the breadth of options we offer allows us to provide a “one-stop” shopping solution to enhance the customer travel experience. When we enter new markets, we may advertise in local print publications, on the radio and/or television, to introduce our new service to the community. These activities are often supported by the local airport authority which has sought our initiation of service to the community. We continue to see benefit from marketing contributions of airport authorities and destination marketing organizations.

We continue to enhance our automation and expect the continuous improvements to our website and other automation enhancements will create additional revenue opportunities by allowing us to capitalize on customer loyalty with additional product offerings.

Our low cost distribution strategy results in reduced expenses by avoiding the fees associated with the use of GDS distribution points. This distribution strategy also permits us to closely manage ancillary product offerings and pricing while developing and maintaining a direct relationship with our customers. We believe this continuous communication will result in substantial benefits over time. With our own automation system, we have the ability to continually change ancillary product offerings and pricing points, which allows us to find the optimal pricing levels for our various offerings. We believe this would be difficult and impractical to achieve through the use of the GDS.

Competition

The airline industry is highly competitive. Passenger demand and fare levels have historically been influenced by, among other things, the general state of the economy, international events, fuel prices, industry capacity, and pricing actions taken by other airlines. The principal competitive factors in the airline industry are price, schedule, customer service, routes served, types of aircraft, safety record and reputation, code-sharing relationships, and frequent flyer programs.

Our competitors include legacy airlines, low cost carriers ("LCCs"), ultra-low cost carriers ("ULCC"), regional airlines, new entrant airlines, and other forms of transportation to a much lesser extent. Many of the airlines are larger, have significantly greater financial resources, are better known, and have more established reputations than us. In a limited number of cases, following our entry into a market, competitors have chosen to add service, reduce their fares, or both. Competitors may also choose to enter after we have developed a market.


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We believe our under-served city strategy has reduced the intensity of competition we might otherwise face. As of February 15, 2019, we are the only mainline domestic scheduled carrier operating out of the Orlando Sanford International Airport, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Punta Gorda Airport, and St. Petersburg Airport. Although no other mainline domestic scheduled carriers operate in these airports, most U.S. airlines serve the major airports for Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa. In addition, many U.S. airlines serve our other leisure destinations. As a result, there is potential for increased competition on our routes.

As of February 15, 2019, we face mainline competition on approximately 25 percent of our operating routes. We compete with Southwest Airlines on 61 routes, Frontier Airlines on 60 routes, Spirit Airlines on 27 routes, American Airlines on ten routes, Delta Airlines on ten routes, JetBlue Airlines on eight routes, United Airlines on six routes, and Sun Country Airlines on two routes. We may also experience additional competition based on recent route announcements of other airlines.

Indirectly, we compete with Southwest and other carriers that provide nonstop service to our leisure destinations from airports near our cities. We also face indirect competition from legacy carriers offering hub-and-spoke connections to our markets, although these fares tend to be substantially higher, with much longer elapsed travel times. Several airlines also offer competitive one-stop service from the medium-sized cities we serve.

In our fixed fee operations, we compete with other scheduled airlines in addition to independent passenger charter airlines. We also compete with aircraft owned or controlled by large tour companies. The basis of competition in the fixed fee market is cost, equipment capabilities, service, reputation, and schedule flexibility.

Data Security

We continue to invest heavily in cyber-security, cyber-risk, and privacy initiatives. We employ experienced staff dedicated to cyber-security and cyber-risk analysis, process and technology. We continue to evaluate and proactively implement new preventive and detective processes and technologies including forward-looking threat intelligence and data-centric security measures.

An example of our adoption of advanced security technologies is the use of Format Preserving Encryption to protect e-commerce payment card transactions. In essence, we do not store any credit card data, but rather we use stateless tokenization. 

Aircraft Fuel
 
The cost of fuel is volatile, as it is subject to many economic and geopolitical factors we can neither control nor predict. Significant increases in fuel costs could materially affect our operating results and profitability. We have not used financial derivative products to hedge our exposure to fuel price volatility in many years, nor do we have any plans to do so in the future. 
 
Employees

As of December 31, 2018, we employed 3,901 full-time equivalent employees, which consisted of 3,643 full-time and 516 part-time employees. Full-time equivalent employees consisted of approximately 860 pilots, 1,160 flight attendants, 260 airport operations personnel, 330 mechanics, 170 reservation agents, 40 flight dispatchers, and 1,080 management and other personnel.

Salary and benefits expense was our second largest expense in 2018, having represented 29 percent of total operating expenses. The collective bargaining agreement with our Flight Attendants went into effect in December 2017.


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Our relations with labor organizations representing our employee groups are governed by the Railway Labor Act ("RLA"). Under this act, if direct negotiations do not result in an agreement, either party may request the National Mediation Board ("NMB") to appoint a federal mediator. If no agreement is reached in these mediated discussions, the NMB may offer binding arbitration to the parties. If either party rejects binding arbitration, a “cooling off” period begins. At the end of this “cooling-off” period, the parties may engage in self-help, which among other events, could result in a strike from employees or for us to hire new employees to replace any striking workers. The table below identifies the status of pending collective bargaining negotiations with employee groups:

 Employee Group
 
Representative
 
Status of Agreement
 
 
 
 
 
Flight Dispatchers
 
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division, Local 986
 
Elected representation in October 2016. Negotiations are ongoing.
Maintenance Technicians
 
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division, Local 986
 
Elected representation in March 2018. Negotiations began in January 2019.

The collective bargaining agreements for our pilots and flight attendants last for a contractual term of five years each, expiring in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

If we are unable to reach a labor agreement with any employee group, they may seek to institute work interruptions or stoppages. We have not previously experienced any work interruptions or stoppages from our non-unionized or unionized employee groups.
 
Aircraft Maintenance

We have a Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") approved maintenance program, which is administered by our maintenance department headquartered in Las Vegas. Technicians employed by us have appropriate experience and hold required licenses issued by the FAA. We provide them with comprehensive training and maintain our aircraft in accordance with FAA regulations. The maintenance performed on our aircraft can be divided into three general categories: line maintenance, major maintenance, and component and engine overhaul and repair. Line maintenance is generally performed by our personnel in certain cities of our network and by contractors elsewhere. We contract with outside organizations to provide major maintenance and component and engine overhaul and repair. We have chosen not to invest in facilities or equipment to perform our own major maintenance, engine overhaul or component work. Our management closely supervises all maintenance functions performed by our personnel and contractors employed by us, and by outside organizations. In addition to the maintenance contractors we presently utilize, we believe there are sufficient qualified alternative providers of maintenance services that we can use to satisfy our ongoing maintenance needs.

Community Involvement

We have worked with the Make-A-Wish® Foundation since 2012 by flying "wish kids" and their families to their desired destinations, at no cost, and donating the proceeds from our in-flight Wingz Snack Pack program to the Foundation. Additionally, we donate the use of 7,500 square feet of office space at our headquarters' campus to the Southern Nevada chapter of Make-A-Wish® Foundation, providing a home for the nonprofit organization's administrative headquarters. The site also serves as the host location for volunteer training, meetings and a place of support for families of children receiving wishes.

We also support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ("STEM") education programs that provide access to careers in aeronautical sciences. In 2018, we donated over $0.4 million in aircraft parts to a Las Vegas high school in support of its aviation magnet program.
 
Non-Airline Initiatives

Sunseeker Resort
We are developing a hotel resort in Southwest Florida. We have purchased approximately 24 acres on the harbor in Port Charlotte, Florida for the construction of Sunseeker Resort - Charlotte Harbor. We have also purchased a nearby golf course we plan to market with the resort. Our current plans include the construction of a 500-room hotel and two towers offering an estimated 180 one, two and three bedroom suites, bar and restaurant options, and other amenities.

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We intend to begin construction on the project in the first quarter 2019 with completion of the hotel in late 2020. We intend to finance a significant portion of the project. Upon completion, we expect we will continue to own the hotel and all food and beverage options on the property.
This location was particularly attractive to us because of the number of flights we operate to the Punta Gorda airport, which is a short drive from the resort site. During 2018, we operated over 9,000 flights to Punta Gorda from our small and medium-sized cities and carried approximately 1.4 million passengers. The resort is also within driving distance from the nearby airports in Fort Myers, Sarasota and St. Petersburg. During 2018, we operated over 14,000 flights to St. Petersburg from our small and medium-sized cities and carried more than 2.0 million passengers to that destination. In addition, we currently offer service to Sarasota from three cities, and have recently announced service from nine additional cities, with routes planned to start in the first two quarters of 2019. Southwest Florida also attracts a substantial number of tourists by car.
Teesnap
We have worked to adapt our “buy-on-board” technology into a golf course management solution. As of December 31, 2018, we were providing these services to approximately 590 golf courses in 48 states throughout the country. To date, the financial results have not been significant to our overall performance.
Family Entertainment Centers
Our first family entertainment center opened in January 2019 in Clearfield, UT, near the Ogden, UT airport. It features games, attractions, and food. We plan to expand our family entertainment center offerings in locations near airports we serve. Plans for future locations of entertainment centers include Warren, MI (near the Flint, MI airport), and Fort Wayne, IN (near the Fort Wayne, IN airport).
Other travel and leisure initiatives
Consistent with our travel and leisure company focus, we intend to pursue other travel and leisure initiatives in the future.
Insurance
 
We maintain insurance policies we believe are of types customary in the airline industry and as required by the DOT, and are in amounts we believe to be adequate to protect us against material loss. The policies principally provide coverage for public liability, war-risk, passenger liability, baggage and cargo liability, property damage, including coverages for loss or damage to our flight equipment, directors and officers, workers’ compensation, and cyber security insurance. There is no assurance, however, that the amount of insurance we carry will be sufficient to protect us from material loss in all cases. Available commercial insurance in the future could be more expensive, could have material differences in coverage than is currently provided, and may not be adequate to protect us from risk of loss.
Government Regulation
 
We are subject to federal, state and local laws affecting the airline industry and to extensive regulation by the DOT, the FAA, and other governmental agencies.
DOT.  The DOT primarily regulates economic issues affecting air transportation such as certification and fitness of carriers, insurance requirements, consumer protection, competitive practices, and statistical reporting. The DOT also regulates requirements for accommodation of passengers with disabilities. The DOT monitors the continuing fitness of carriers and has the authority to promulgate regulations and to investigate (including by on-site inspections) and institute proceedings to enforce its regulations and related federal statutes, and may assess civil penalties, suspend or revoke operating authority, and seek criminal sanctions. The DOT also has authority to restrict or prohibit a carrier’s cessation of service to a particular community if such cessation would leave the community without scheduled airline service.
We hold DOT certificates of public convenience and necessity authorizing us to engage in scheduled air transportation of passengers, property and mail within the United States, its territories and possessions, and between the United States and all countries that maintain a liberal aviation trade relationship with the United States (known as “open skies” countries). We also hold DOT authority to engage in charter air transportation of passengers, property, and mail on a domestic and international basis.
FAA.  The FAA primarily regulates flight operations and safety, including matters such as airworthiness and maintenance requirements for aircraft, pilot, mechanic, dispatcher and flight attendant training and certification, flight and duty time limitations, and air traffic control. The FAA requires each commercial airline to obtain and hold an FAA air carrier certificate. This certificate, in combination with operation specifications issued to the airline by the FAA, authorizes the airline to operate

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at specific airports using aircraft certificated by the FAA. We have and maintain in effect FAA certificates of airworthiness for all of our aircraft, and we hold the necessary FAA authority to fly to all of the cities we currently serve. Like all U.S. certificated carriers, our provision of scheduled service to certain destinations may require specific governmental authorization. The FAA has the authority to investigate all matters within its purview, to modify, suspend or revoke our authority to provide air transportation, to approve or disapprove the addition of aircraft to our operation specifications, and to modify, suspend or revoke FAA licenses issued to individual personnel, for failure to comply with FAA regulations. The FAA can assess civil penalties for such failures and institute proceedings for the collection of monetary fines after notice and hearing. The FAA also has authority to seek criminal sanctions. The FAA can suspend or revoke our authority to provide air transportation on an emergency basis, without notice and hearing, if, in the FAA’s judgment, safety requires such action. A legal right to an independent, expedited review of such FAA action exists. Emergency suspensions or revocations have been upheld with few exceptions. The FAA monitors our compliance with maintenance, flight operations and safety regulations on an ongoing basis, maintains a continuous working relationship with our operations and maintenance management personnel, and performs pre-scheduled inspections as well as frequent spot inspections of our aircraft, employees and records.
The FAA also has the authority to promulgate rules and regulations and issue maintenance directives and other mandatory orders relating to, among other things, inspection, repair and modification of aircraft and engines, increased security precautions, aircraft equipment requirements, noise abatement, mandatory removal and replacement of aircraft parts and components, mandatory retirement of aircraft, and operational requirements and procedures. Such rules, regulations and directives are normally issued after an opportunity for public comment, however, they may be issued without advance notice or opportunity for comment if, in the FAA’s judgment, safety requires such action.
We believe we are operating in compliance with applicable DOT and FAA regulations, interpretations and policies and we hold all necessary operating and airworthiness authorizations, certificates and licenses.
 Security.  Within the United States, civil aviation security functions, including review and approval of the content and implementation of air carriers’ security programs, passenger and baggage screening, cargo security measures, airport security, assessment and distribution of intelligence, threat response, and security research and development are the responsibility of the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) of the Department of Homeland Security. The TSA has enforcement powers similar to the DOT’s and FAA’s described above. It also has the authority to issue regulations, including in cases of emergency, the authority to do so without advance notice, including issuance of a grounding order as occurred on September 11, 2001.
Aviation Taxes and Fees. The authority of the federal government to collect most types of aviation taxes, which are used, in part, to finance the nation’s airport and air traffic control systems, and the authority of the FAA to expend those funds must be periodically reauthorized by the U.S. Congress. On October 5, 2018, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 was signed into law extending certain commercial aviation taxes (known generally as Federal Excise Taxes or "FET") through September 30, 2023. All carriers are required to collect these taxes from passengers and pass them through to the federal government.
In addition to FET, there are federal fees related to services provided by the TSA, and, in the case of international flights, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“CIS”), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS"). There are also FAA-approved Passenger Facility Charges ("PFCs") imposed by most of the airports we serve. Like FET, air carriers are required to collect these fees from passengers and pass them through to the respective federal agency or airport authority. These fees do not need to be reauthorized, although their amounts may be revised periodically.
In 2019 or thereafter, Congress may consider legislation that could increase the amount of FET and/or one or more of the other federally imposed or approved fees identified above. By thus increasing the overall price charged to passengers, such action could lessen demand for air travel or force carriers, including us, to lower fares to maintain demand. Also in 2019 or thereafter, Congress may consider privatization of the U.S air traffic control ("ATC") system with user fee based funding. The effect of such action, if adopted as law, on our operating costs is unknown. Additionally, federal funding to airports and/or airport bond financing could be affected through future legislation, which could result in higher fees, rates, and charges at many of the airports we serve.
Environmental.  We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and affecting matters such as aircraft engine emissions, aircraft noise emissions, and the discharge or disposal of materials and chemicals, which laws and regulations are administered by numerous state and federal agencies. These agencies have enforcement powers similar to the DOT’s and FAA’s described above. In addition, we may be required to conduct an environmental review of the effects projected from the addition of our service at airports.
In July 2016 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) formally concluded that current and projected concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted by various aircraft, including all of the aircraft we and other air carriers operate, threaten public

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health and welfare. This finding is a precursor to EPA regulation of commercial aircraft emissions in the United States, as has taken effect for operations within the European Union under EU legislation. Binding international measures adopted under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (“ICAO”), a specialized agency of the United Nations, are scheduled to become effective over the next several years. In 2016 the EPA indicated the regulations it intends to propose will be no less stringent than the ICAO standards.
Federal law recognizes the right of airport operators with special noise problems to implement local noise abatement procedures so long as those procedures do not interfere unreasonably with interstate and foreign commerce and the national air transportation system. These restrictions can include limiting nighttime operations, directing specific aircraft operational procedures during takeoff and initial climb, and limiting the overall number of flights at an airport. None of the airports we serve currently imposes restrictions on the number of flights or hours of operation that have a meaningful impact on our operations. It is possible one or more such airports may impose additional future restrictions with or without advance notice, which may impact our operations.
Foreign Ownership.  To maintain our DOT and FAA certificates, our airline operating subsidiary and we (as the airline’s holding company) must qualify continuously as citizens of the United States within the meaning of U.S. aeronautical laws and regulations. This means we must be under the actual control of U.S. citizens and we must satisfy certain other requirements, including that our president/chief executive officer and at least two-thirds of our board of directors and other managing officers are U.S. citizens, and that not more than 25 percent of our voting stock is owned or controlled by non-U.S. citizens. The amount of non-voting stock that may be owned or controlled by non-U.S. citizens is strictly limited as well. We believe we are in compliance with these ownership and control criteria.
Other Regulations.  Air carriers are subject to certain provisions of federal laws and regulations governing communications because of their extensive use of radio and other communication facilities, and are required to obtain an aeronautical radio license from the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). To the extent we are subject to FCC requirements, we intend to continue to comply with those requirements.
The quality of water used for drinking and hand-washing aboard aircraft is subject to regulation by the EPA. To the extent we are subject to EPA requirements, we intend to continue to comply with those requirements.
Working conditions of cabin crewmembers while onboard aircraft are subject to regulation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") of the Department of Labor. To the extent we are subject to OSHA requirements, we intend to continue to comply with those requirements.
Our operations may become subject to additional federal requirements in the future under certain circumstances. During a period of past fuel scarcity, air carrier access to jet fuel was subject to allocation regulations promulgated by the Department of Energy. Changes to the federal excise tax and other government fees imposed on air transportation have been proposed and implemented from time to time and may result in an increased tax burden for airlines and their passengers.
We are also subject to state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances at locations where we operate and to the rules and regulations of various local authorities that operate the airports we serve. None of the airports in the cities in which we operate have slot control, gate availability, or curfews that pose meaningful limitations on our operations. However, some airports we serve have short runways that require us to operate some flights at less than full capacity.
International air transportation, whether provided on a scheduled or charter basis, is subject to the laws, rules, regulations, and licensing requirements of the foreign countries to, from, and over which the international flights operate. Foreign laws, rules, regulations and licensing requirements governing air transportation are generally similar, in principle, to the regulatory scheme of the United States as described above, although in some cases foreign requirements are comparatively less onerous and in others, more onerous. We must comply with the laws, rules and regulations of each country to, from, or over which we operate. International flights are also subject to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Agriculture requirements and the requirements of equivalent foreign governmental agencies.
Future Laws and Regulations.  Congress, the DOT, the FAA, the TSA, and other governmental agencies have under consideration, and in the future may consider and adopt, new laws, regulations, interpretations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could affect, directly or indirectly, our operations, ownership, and profitability. We cannot predict what other matters might be considered in the future by the FAA, the DOT, the TSA, other agencies, or Congress, nor can we judge what impact, if any, the implementation of any of these proposals or changes might have on our business. 

Civil Reserve Air Fleet.  We are a participant in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (“CRAF”) Program which affords the U.S. Department of Defense the right to charter our aircraft during national emergencies when the need for military airlift exceeds

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the capability of available military resources. During the Persian Gulf War of 1990-91 and on other occasions, CRAF carriers were required to permit the military to use their aircraft in this manner. As a result of our CRAF participation, we are eligible to bid on and be awarded peacetime airlift contracts with the military.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Readers should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.

Risks Related to Allegiant
 
Our reputation and financial results could be harmed in the event of an accident or restrictions affecting aircraft in our fleet. 

As of February 15, 2019, our operating fleet consists exclusively of 79 Airbus A320 series aircraft, of which all but 13 were acquired used. Our used aircraft range from 9 to 22 years from their manufacture date at February 15, 2019. All of our MD-80 series aircraft were retired as of the end of November 2018.
An accident involving one of our aircraft, even if fully insured, could result in a public perception that we are less safe or reliable than other airlines, which would harm our business. Further, there is no assurance that the amount of insurance we carry would be sufficient to protect us from material loss. Because we are smaller than most airlines, an accident would likely adversely affect us to a greater degree than a larger, more established airline.

In-flight emergencies affecting our aircraft, and resulting media attention, could also contribute to a public perception regarding safety concerns and a loss of business.

The FAA could suspend or restrict the use of our aircraft in the event of actual or perceived mechanical problems or safety issues while it conducts its own investigation, whether involving our aircraft or another U.S. or foreign airline’s aircraft. Our business could also be significantly harmed if the public avoids flying our aircraft due to an adverse perception of the aircraft we utilize because of safety concerns or other problems, whether real or perceived, or in the event of an accident involving these aircraft.

A breach in the security of personal data could severely damage our reputation, cause considerable additional costs and result in regulatory penalties.

We receive, retain, and transmit certain personal information about our customers. Our on-line operations also rely on the secure transmission of this customer data. We use third-party systems, software, and tools in order to protect the customer data we obtain through the course of our business. Although we use these security measures to protect this customer information, a compromise of our physical or network security systems through a cyber-security attack would create the risk that our customers’ personal information might be obtained by unauthorized persons. A compromise in our security systems could adversely affect our reputation, which could impact customers' willingness to do business with us using credit or debit cards, disrupt operations, and could also result in litigation or the imposition of penalties. In addition, it could be costly to remediate.

The way businesses handle customer data is subject to increasing legislation and regulation typically intended to protect the privacy of customer data received, retained, and transmitted. We could be adversely affected if we fail to comply with existing rules or practices, or if legislation or regulations are expanded to require changes in our business practices. These privacy developments are difficult to anticipate and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The successful development of our first Sunseeker Resort is dependent on commercial and economic factors, some of which are beyond our control.

We are developing a hotel resort in Southwest Florida with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2019 and completion of the hotel expected in late 2020. The successful development of the project will be subject to various risks inherent in construction projects (such as securing sufficient financing on a timely basis, cost overruns and construction delays) as well as risks of gaining sufficient interest from vacationers to stay in our hotel or suites, the desirability of the project’s location, competition and the ability to profitably operate the hotel and related offerings once open.


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We rely heavily on automated systems to operate our business and any failure of these systems could harm our business.
 
We depend on automated systems to operate our business, including our air reservation system, telecommunication systems, our website, and other automated systems. Our continuing initiatives to enhance the capabilities of our automated systems could increase the risk of automation failures. Any failure by us to handle our automation needs could negatively affect our internet sales (on which we rely heavily) and customer service, and result in lost revenues and increased costs.

Our website and reservation system must be able to accommodate a high volume of traffic and deliver necessary functionality to support our operations. Our automated systems cannot be completely protected against events that are beyond our control, such as natural disasters, telecommunications failures, malware, ransom ware, security breaches or cyber-security attacks. Although we have implemented security measures, have information systems disaster recovery plans in place and carry cyber-security insurance, we cannot assure investors that these measures are adequate to prevent disruptions or that the insurance would cover all losses. Substantial or repeated website, reservations system, or telecommunication system failures could decrease the attractiveness of our services. Any disruption to these systems could result in the loss of important data and revenue, increase in expenses, and harm to our business.

Increases in fuel prices or unavailability of fuel would harm our business and profitability.

Fuel costs constitute a significant portion of our total operating expenses, representing 31.3 percent, 26.8 percent and 25.6 percent during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Significant increases in fuel costs have negatively affected our operating results in the past, and future fuel cost volatility could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Both the cost and availability of aircraft fuel are subject to many economic and political factors and events occurring throughout the world over which we have no control. Meteorological events may also result in short-term disruptions in the fuel supply. Aircraft fuel availability is also subject to periods of market surplus and shortage, and is affected by demand for heating oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products. Due to the effect of these events on the price and availability of aircraft fuel, our ability to control this cost is limited, and the price and future availability of fuel cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty. Due to the high percentage of our operating costs represented by fuel, a relatively small increase in the price of fuel could have a significantly negative impact on our operating costs. A fuel supply shortage or higher fuel prices could result in reduction of our service during the period affected.

We have made a business decision not to purchase financial derivatives to hedge against increases in the cost of fuel. This decision may make our operating results more vulnerable to the impact of fuel price increases.

Increased labor costs could result from industry conditions and could be impacted by labor-related disruptions.

Labor costs constituted approximately 29 percent of our total operating costs in 2018, our second largest expense line item. Industry demand for pilots and the supply of available pilots will impact our labor costs as we seek to retain our employees and compete against other airlines for qualified personnel.

Further, we have four employee groups (pilots, flight attendants, flight dispatchers and maintenance technicians) which have elected union representation. These groups represent approximately 57 percent of our employees. In 2016, we reached a collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing our pilots, which became effective as of August 1, 2016. The agreement provides for enhancements to pay scales, benefits, and limited work rules.

An agreement with the Transport Workers Union for the flight attendant group was approved in December 2017, which will also increase costs over the five-year term of the contract. We are also still in the negotiation process with our flight dispatchers and our maintenance technicians, for which negotiations commenced in February 2017 and January 2019, respectively.
Union contracts with these, or other, work groups could put additional pressure on our labor costs.
If we are unable to reach agreement on the terms of collective bargaining agreements in the future, or we experience wide-spread employee dissatisfaction, we could be subject to work slowdowns or stoppages. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our operations and future results.


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Increases in taxes could impact demand for our services.

In 2019, Congress may consider legislation that could increase the amount of Federal Excise Tax and/or one or more of the other government fees imposed on air travel. By increasing the overall price charged to passengers, any additional taxes or fees could lessen the demand for air travel or force carriers to lower fares to maintain demand. Increased taxes and fees per passenger may impact our load factors more than other airlines as our lower fares are designed to stimulate demand for our services.

FAA limitations could impact our ability to grow in the future.

As with all airlines, the FAA must approve all aircraft and cities to be added to our operation specifications. Although there are no restrictions in place at the current time, future limitations from the FAA could potentially hinder our growth.

Unfavorable economic conditions may adversely affect travel from our markets to our leisure destinations.
 
The airline industry is particularly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. Unfavorable U.S. economic conditions have historically driven changes in travel patterns and have resulted in reduced discretionary spending for leisure travel. Unfavorable economic conditions could impact demand for airline travel in our small and medium-sized cities to our leisure destinations. During difficult economic times, we may be unable to raise prices in response to fuel cost increases, labor, or other operating costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our indebtedness, debt service obligations and other commitments could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations as well as limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from servicing our debt and operating our business.

Our debt and capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2018 totaled $1.3 billion. This indebtedness and other commitments with debt service and fixed charge obligations could:

make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including financial and other restrictive covenants, could result in an event of default under agreements governing our indebtedness;
make it more difficult to satisfy our other future obligations, including our obligations to pay the purchase price in respect of current and future aircraft purchase contracts;
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available to fund internal growth through working capital, capital expenditures, and for other purposes;
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business, the competitive environment, legislation and our industry;
make us more vulnerable to adverse changes in our business, economic, industry, market or competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;
expose us to interest rate and pricing increases on indebtedness and financing arrangements;
restrict us from pursuing strategic acquisitions or exploiting certain business opportunities;
subject us to a greater risk of non-compliance with financial and other restrictive covenants in financing arrangements;
limit, among other things, our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy and other purposes or raise equity capital in the future and increasing the costs of such additional financings; and
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who may not be as highly leveraged or who have less debt in relation to cash flow.

In addition, our ability to service our indebtedness will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors. Many of these factors are beyond our control and could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
At maturity, or in the event of an acceleration of payment obligations, we may be unable to pay our outstanding indebtedness with our cash and cash equivalents then on hand. In such event, we would be required to seek alternative sources of funding, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, terms as favorable as our current agreements, or at all. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness or find alternative means of financing our operations, we may be required to take actions that are inconsistent with our current business practices or strategy.


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Covenants in our senior secured term loan facility could limit how we conduct our business, which could affect our long-term growth potential.

On February 5, 2019, we borrowed $450.0 million under a Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Term Loan”). The Term Loan contains covenants limiting our ability to, among other things, make certain types of restricted payments, including paying dividends, incur debt or liens, merge or consolidate with others, dispose of assets, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, engage in certain business activities or make certain investments. In addition, the Credit and Guaranty Agreement contains financial covenants, including requiring us, at the end of each calendar quarter, to maintain a maximum total leverage ratio of 5.00:1.00 and to maintain a minimum aggregate amount of liquidity of $300.0 million. We have pledged our assets to secure the Term Loan with the exceptions of aircraft and aircraft engines, the Sunseeker Resort and certain other exceptions. This will limit our ability to obtain debt secured by these pledged assets while the Term Loan is outstanding.

The Credit and Guaranty Agreement contains various events of default (including failure to comply with the covenants under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement), and upon an event of default the lenders may, subject to various cure rights, require the immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Term Loan.
As a result of these restrictive covenants, we may be limited in how we conduct business, and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to operate during difficult times or to take advantage of new business opportunities.

Any inability to obtain financing for aircraft under contract could harm our fleet retirement and growth plan.

We typically finance our aircraft through debt financing after purchase. Although we believe debt financing will be available
for the aircraft we will acquire, we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to secure such financing on terms attractive to
us or at all. To the extent we cannot secure such financing on acceptable terms or at all, we may be required to modify our
aircraft acquisition plans, incur higher than anticipated financing costs, or use more of our cash balances for
aircraft acquisitions than we currently expect.

Our maintenance costs may increase as our fleet ages.

In general, the cost to maintain aircraft increases as they age, and exceeds the cost to maintain newer aircraft. FAA regulations, including the Aging Aircraft Airworthiness Directives, require additional and enhanced maintenance inspections for older aircraft. These regulations can directly impact the frequency of inspections as an aircraft ages, and vary by aircraft or engine type, depending on the unique characteristics of each aircraft and/or engine.

Engine overhaul expenses for our Airbus A320 series aircraft will be significantly higher than similar expenses for our MD-80 aircraft, which were all retired as of the end of November 2018. These major maintenance expenses for the Airbus aircraft are capitalized and amortized as part of depreciation and amortization expense.

In addition, we may be required to comply with any future law changes, regulations, or airworthiness directives. We cannot assure investors our maintenance costs will not exceed our expectations.
 
We rely on third parties to provide us with facilities, aircraft and services that are integral to our business.

We have entered into agreements with third-party contractors to provide certain facilities and services required for our operations, such as aircraft maintenance, ground handling, baggage services, and ticket counter space. Our reliance on others to provide essential services on our behalf gives us less control over costs and the efficiency, timeliness and quality of contract services.

We also rely on the owners of aircraft under contract to be able to deliver, or redeliver, aircraft in accordance with the terms of executed agreements in a timely manner. Our planned initiation of service with these aircraft in the future could be adversely affected if the third parties fail to perform as contractually obligated. 


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We may not be able to maintain or grow our ancillary revenues.

Our business strategy includes expanding our ancillary products and services. We cannot ensure that passengers will pay for additional ancillary products and services we offer in the future, or that they will continue to pay for the ancillary products and services we currently offer. Regulatory changes could also adversely affect our ancillary revenue opportunities. Failure to maintain our ancillary revenues could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and stock price. If we are unable to maintain and grow these revenues, we may be unable to execute our strategy to continue to offer low base fares in order to stimulate demand.

Our business could be harmed if we lose the services of our key personnel.
 
Our business depends upon the efforts of our chief executive officer, Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., president, John Redmond, and a small number of senior management and operating personnel. We do not currently maintain key-man life insurance on Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Redmond or any other executives. We may have difficulty replacing management or other key personnel who leave and, therefore, the loss of the services of any of these individuals could harm our business.

Risks Associated with the Airline and Travel Industry
 
The airline industry is highly competitive and future competition in our under-served markets could harm our business.
 
The airline industry is highly competitive. The smaller cities we serve on a scheduled basis have traditionally attracted considerably less attention from our potential competitors than larger markets, and in most of our small city markets, we are the only provider of nonstop service to our leisure destinations. In 2014, we began service to medium-sized cities which we believe to be under-served for nonstop service to our leisure destinations, and as of February 15, 2019, approximately 37 percent of our routes are serving these medium-sized cities. If other airlines begin to provide nonstop services to and from these markets, or otherwise target these markets, the increase in the amount of direct or indirect competition could cause us to reconsider service to affected markets or could impact our margins.
 
A future act of terrorism, the threat of such acts, or escalation of U.S. military involvement overseas could adversely affect our industry.
 
Even if not directed at the airline industry, a future act of terrorism, the threat of such acts, or escalation of U.S. military involvement overseas could have an adverse effect on the airline industry. In the event of a terrorist attack, the industry would likely experience significantly reduced demand for travel services. These actions, or consequences resulting from these actions, would likely harm our business and the airline and travel industry. If we are called on to provide aircraft in the event of national emergencies as a result of our participation in the CRAF program, our operations would be disrupted.

Changes in government laws and regulations imposing additional requirements and restrictions on our operations could increase our operating costs.

Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements, both domestically and internationally, that involve significant costs. In the last several years, the FAA has issued a number of directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that have required us to incur significant expenditures. FAA requirements cover, among other things, retirement of older aircraft, fleet integration of newer aircraft, security measures, collision avoidance systems, airborne windshear avoidance systems, noise abatement, weight and payload limits, assumed average passenger weight, and increased inspection and maintenance procedures to be conducted on aging aircraft. Proposals have also been made to re-regulate the airline industry in varying degrees. The future cost of complying with these and other laws, rules and regulations, including new federal legislative and DOT regulatory requirements in the consumer-protection area, cannot be predicted and could significantly increase our costs of doing business.

In recent years, the DOT has adopted revisions and expansions to a variety of its consumer protection regulations and policies. Additional new regulations or policies may be proposed or take effect in 2019 or thereafter, whether on DOT's initiative or as directed by Congress. We are not able to predict the impact of any new consumer protection rules on our business, though we monitor the progress of potential rulings. We are subject to fines or other enforcement actions if the DOT believes we are not in compliance with these or other rules or regulations or with the federal consumer protection laws administered by the DOT. Even if our practices are found to be in compliance with the DOT rules, we could incur substantial costs defending our practices.

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In November 2013, the FAA proposed revisions to the method by which air carriers calculate and control aircraft weight-and-balance. The proposal is based on a continuing increase in the average weight of persons in the United States. The FAA accepted industry comments on its proposal as amended, through mid-2017, but to date, no decision has been issued. If the revisions are adopted as proposed by the FAA, the ability of carriers to rely on average weights for this purpose will be complicated significantly, additional costs may result, and we may be required to carry less than full loads on certain flights.

Congress also may consider privatization of the U.S. Air Traffic Control system with user fee based funding; the potential effect on our operating costs is unknown. Additionally, federal funding to airports and/or airport bond financing could be affected through future deficit reduction legislation, which could result in higher fees, rates, and charges at many of the airports we serve.

In the past, legislation to address climate change issues has been introduced in the U.S. Congress, including a proposal to require transportation fuel producers and importers to acquire market-based allowances to offset the emissions resulting from combustion of their fuels. We cannot predict whether this or any similar legislation will be introduced or pass the Congress or, if enacted into law, how it would apply to the airline industry. In addition, the EPA concluded in 2016 that current and projected concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted by various aircraft, including all of the aircraft we and other carriers operate, threaten public health and welfare. This finding is a precursor to EPA regulation of commercial aircraft emissions in the United States, as has taken effect for operations within the European Union under EU legislation. Binding international measures adopted under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (“ICAO”), a specialized agency of the United Nations, are scheduled to become effective over the next several years. In 2016, the EPA indicated the regulations it intends to propose will be no less stringent than the ICAO standards. These developments and any additional legislation or regulations addressing climate change are likely to increase our costs of doing business in the future and the increases could be material.
With respect to aircraft weight and balance, consumer protection, climate change, taxation, and other matters affecting the airline industry, whether the source of new requirements is legislative or regulatory, increased costs will adversely affect our profitability if we are unable to pass the costs on to our customers or adjust our operations to offset the new costs.
Airlines are often affected by factors beyond their control, including air traffic congestion, weather conditions, increased security measures, the outbreak of disease and a reduction in demand to any particular market, any of which could harm our operating results and financial condition.
 
Like other airlines, we are subject to delays caused by factors beyond our control, including air traffic congestion at airports and en route, adverse weather conditions, increased security measures, and the outbreak of disease. Delays frustrate passengers and increase costs, which in turn could affect profitability. During periods of fog, snow, rain, storms or other adverse weather conditions, flights may be canceled or significantly delayed. Cancellations or delays due to weather conditions, traffic control problems, and breaches in security could harm our operating results and financial condition. Contagious illness and fear of contagion could have a material adverse impact on the airline industry. Any general reduction in airline passenger traffic as a result of an outbreak of disease or other travel advisories could dampen demand for our services even if not applicable to our markets. Resulting decreases in passenger volume would harm our load factors, could increase our cost per passenger and adversely affect our profitability.

A substantial proportion of our scheduled flights have Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Los Angeles, Punta Gorda, or Destin as either their destination or origin. Our business could be harmed by any circumstances causing a reduction in demand for air transportation to one or more of these markets, or our other leisure destinations, such as adverse changes in local economic conditions, negative public perception of the particular city, significant price increases, or the impact of future terrorist attacks or natural disasters.


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Risks Related to Our Stock Price
 
The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of an investment in our stock to decline.
 
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
 
fuel price volatility, and the effect of economic and geopolitical factors and worldwide oil supply and consumption on fuel availability
announcements concerning our competitors, the airline industry, or the economy in general
strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings
media reports and publications about the safety of our aircraft or the aircraft types we operate
new regulatory pronouncements and changes in regulatory guidelines
announcements concerning our business strategy
our ability to grow service in the future as rapidly as the market anticipates as we continue to add more cities to our network
general and industry-specific economic conditions
changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts
substantial sales of our common stock or other actions by investors with significant shareholdings
additional issuances of our common stock
labor work actions
general market conditions

The stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These types of broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
 
In the past, stockholders have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities and we have been sued as a result of adverse publicity and stock price declines during 2018. This or similar litigation could result in substantial costs, divert management’s attention and resources, and harm our business or results of operations.

Other companies may have difficulty acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, due to provisions under our corporate charter and bylaws, as well as Nevada law.
 
Provisions in our articles of incorporation, our bylaws, and under Nevada law could make it more difficult for other companies to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain the following provisions, among others, which may inhibit an acquisition of our company by a third party:
 
advance notification procedures for matters to be brought before stockholder meetings
a limitation on who may call stockholder meetings
the ability of our board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without a stockholder vote

We are also subject to provisions of Nevada law that prohibit us from engaging in any business combination with any “interested stockholder,” meaning generally that a stockholder who beneficially owns 10 percent or more of our stock cannot acquire us for a period of time after the date this person became an interested stockholder, unless various conditions are met, such as approval of the transaction by our board of directors and stockholders.
 
Under U.S. laws and the regulations of the DOT, U.S. citizens must effectively control us. As a result, our president and at least two-thirds of our board of directors must be U.S. citizens and not more than 25 percent of our voting stock may be owned by non-U.S. citizens (although subject to DOT approval, the percent of foreign economic ownership may be as high as 49 percent). Any of these restrictions could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.


21









Our corporate charter and bylaws include provisions limiting voting by non-U.S. citizens.

To comply with restrictions imposed by federal law on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines, our articles of incorporation and bylaws restrict voting of shares of our capital stock by non-U.S. citizens. The restrictions imposed by federal law currently require no more than 25 percent of our stock be voted, directly or indirectly, by persons who are not U.S. citizens, and that our president and at least two-thirds of the members of our board of directors be U.S. citizens. Our bylaws provide no shares of our capital stock may be voted by or at the direction of non-U.S. citizens unless such shares are registered on a separate stock record, which we refer to as the foreign stock record. Our bylaws further provide no shares of our capital stock will be registered on the foreign stock record if the amount so registered would exceed the foreign ownership restrictions imposed by federal law. Registration on the foreign stock record is made in chronological order based on the date we receive a written request for registration. Non-U.S. citizens will be able to own and vote shares of our common stock only if the combined ownership by all non-U.S. citizens does not violate these requirements.
 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments
 
Not Applicable. 

Item 2.  Properties
 
Aircraft
 
The following table summarizes our total in-service aircraft as of December 31, 2018:
 
Aircraft Type
 
Owned (1)
 
Seating Capacity
(per aircraft)
 
Age Range (years)
 
Average Age
in Years
Airbus A319 (2)
 
32

 
156

 
12-15
 
13.5
Airbus A320 (3) (4)
 
44

 
177/186

 
1-22
 
12.3
Total aircraft
 
76

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Refer to Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 6 – Long-Term Debt for discussion of notes payable collateralized by our aircraft.
(2)
Does not include five aircraft of which we had taken delivery but not placed into service as of December 31, 2018.
(3)
Does not include two aircraft of which we had taken delivery but not placed into service as of December 31, 2018.
(4)
Includes five aircraft under capital lease.

The below table includes the number of aircraft expected in service by March 31, 2019:

A319
 
37

A320
 
46

Total
 
83


Ground Facilities
 
We lease facilities at the majority of our leisure destinations and several other airports we serve. Our leases for terminal passenger service facilities (which include ticket counter and gate space, and operations support areas) generally have a term ranging from month-to-month to several years, and may typically be terminated with a 30 to 90 day notice. We have also entered into use agreements at each of the airports we serve which provide for non-exclusive use of runways, taxiways, and other facilities. Landing fees under these agreements are based on the number of landings and weight of the aircraft.
 
We have operational bases at airports for many of the leisure destinations we serve, as well as Bellingham International Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, McGhee Tyson Airport, and Asheville Regional Airport. We are also developing a base in Grand Rapids, MI which is scheduled to open in June 2019. Our operational base in Myrtle Beach is maintained on a seasonal basis.


22









We use leased facilities at our operational bases to perform line maintenance, overnight parking of aircraft, and other operations' support. We lease additional space in cargo areas at McCarran International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport for our primary line maintenance operations. We also lease approximately 100,000 square feet of warehouse space in Las Vegas, Orlando Sanford, and Phoenix-Mesa for aircraft spare parts and supplies.

The following details the airport locations we utilize as operational bases as of February 15, 2019:

Airport
 
Location
 
 
 
Asheville Regional Airport
 
Fletcher, North Carolina
Bellingham International Airport
 
Bellingham, Washington
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
 
Hebron, Kentucky
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
 
Destin, Florida
Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
 
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Indianapolis International Airport
 
Indianapolis, Indiana
Los Angeles International Airport
 
Los Angeles, California
McCarran International Airport
 
Las Vegas, Nevada
McGhee Tyson Airport
 
Knoxville, Tennessee
Myrtle Beach International Airport
 
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Oakland International Airport
 
Oakland, California
Orlando Sanford International Airport
 
Sanford, Florida
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
 
Mesa, Arizona
Pittsburgh International Airport
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Punta Gorda Airport
 
Punta Gorda, Florida
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport
 
St. Petersburg, Florida

We believe we have sufficient access to gate space for current and presently contemplated future operations at all airports we serve.

Our primary corporate offices are located in Las Vegas, where we own approximately 11 acres of property containing approximately 211,000 square feet of office space. To date, we occupy approximately 182,000 square feet and the remaining space will be used for growth and expansion as needed.

We also lease and/or own other facilities in Las Vegas and Florida, with approximately 350,000 square feet of space used for training and other corporate purposes. These leases expire between 2019 and 2036.

Non-airline Initiatives

We own approximately 24 acres on the harbor in Port Charlotte, Florida for the construction of Sunseeker Resort - Charlotte Harbor. Additionally, we have purchased a golf course consisting of 156 acres and an 18,000 square foot club house in Lake Suzy, Florida.

We also have leased approximately 200,000 square feet in buildings in Clearfield, UT and Warren, MI for our family entertainment centers, and have purchased a property in Fort Wayne, IN containing an additional 65,500 square feet on 11 acres.

Item 3.  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 effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.


23









Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not applicable.


24








PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Market for our common stock

Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (symbol: ALGT). On February 15, 2019, the last sale price of our common stock was $139.21 per share. The following table sets forth the range of high and low sale prices for our common stock for the periods indicated.

 Period
 
High
 
Low
2018
 
 
 
 
 1st Quarter
 
$
181.45

 
$
147.50

 2nd Quarter
 
$
177.00

 
$
135.75

 3rd Quarter
 
$
147.00

 
$
117.30

 4th Quarter
 
$
135.48

 
$
98.21

2017
 
 

 
 

 1st Quarter
 
$
182.25

 
$
153.40

 2nd Quarter
 
$
169.15

 
$
134.65

 3rd Quarter
 
$
147.00

 
$
111.54

 4th Quarter
 
$
162.35

 
$
125.95


As of February 15, 2019, there were 199 holders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of shareholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of beneficial holders.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information regarding options, warrants and other rights to acquire equity securities under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018:

 
 
Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (2)
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
 
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (3)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
 
9,737

 
$
108.59

 
1,398,808


(1)
There are no securities to be issued under any equity compensation plans not approved by our security holders.
(2)
The shares shown as being issuable under equity compensation plans exclude unvested restricted stock awards of 196,194 as all restricted stock awards are deemed to have been issued, and exclude all outstanding stock appreciation rights ("SARs") which are settled in cash.
(3)
Our 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan applies a fungible ratio such that a full-value award, such as a restricted stock grant or restricted stock unit grant, will be counted at two times its number for purposes of the plan limit. As a result, a maximum of 699,404 shares of restricted stock are remaining for future issuance under the 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Dividend Policy

In 2018, we continued the payment of a regular quarterly dividend we began in 2016. The current dividend is set at $0.70 per share for each quarter, bringing total regular cash dividends declared, and paid, in 2018 to $2.80 per share. Regular cash dividends declared and paid in 2017 and 2016 were $2.80 per share and $2.40 per share, respectively. In January 2016, we also paid a $1.65 per share special dividend that was declared in December 2015.


25








In addition to our regular cash dividends, our Board of Directors periodically considers the payment of special cash dividends based on our results of operations, cash flow generation, liquidity, capital commitments, loan covenant compliance and other relevant factors.

At December 31, 2018, the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes contained limitations on restricted payments, which include stock repurchases and cash dividends. These restrictions were eliminated pursuant to the third supplemental indenture finalized in February 2019.

The Credit and Guaranty Agreement we entered into in February 2019 in connection with the Term Loan provides that absent an event of default, regularly scheduled dividends in any four-quarter period may be paid up to the lesser of $75.0 million or 20 percent of our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit and Guaranty Agreement) for the previous four-quarter period.    
Our Repurchases of Equity Securities
 
The following table reflects repurchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter 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)
October
 
234

 
$
117.06

 
None
 


November
 
41

 
121.98

 
None
 


December
 
None

 
N/A

 
None
 


Total
 
275

 
$
117.79

 
None
 
$
100,000


(1)
Reflects 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 a 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.


26








Stock Price Performance Graph
 
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return on the Nasdaq Composite Index and the AMEX Airline Index since December 31, 2013. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2013 and that all dividends are reinvested. Stock price performance presented for the historical periods presented is not necessarily indicative of future results.
chart-8ba6baf16ace5156bb5.jpg
 
 
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2015
 
12/31/2016
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
ALGT
 
$
100.00

 
$
144.94

 
$
164.15

 
$
165.07

 
$
156.68

 
$
107.62

Nasdaq Composite Index
 
$
100.00

 
$
113.40

 
$
119.89

 
$
128.89

 
$
165.29

 
$
158.87

AMEX Airline Index
 
$
100.00

 
$
149.36

 
$
124.70

 
$
159.03

 
$
167.34

 
$
129.94

 
The stock price performance graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this annual report on Form 10-K into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.


27








Item 6.  Selected Financial Data
 
The following financial information for each of the five years ended December 31, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. Readers should consider the selected consolidated financial data set forth below along with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes.

We adopted ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" (the "New Revenue Standard") and ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) effective January 1, 2018. As such, certain prior period results have been recast. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 
For the Year Ended December 31,
FINANCIAL DATA (in thousands except per share amounts):
2018
 
2017 (3)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014 (3)
 
 
 
As recast
 
As recast
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenue
$
1,667,447

 
$
1,511,203

 
$
1,378,942

 
$
1,262,188

 
$
1,137,046

Total operating expenses
1,423,988

 
1,280,573

 
1,006,375

 
890,486

 
979,701

Operating income
243,459

 
230,630

 
372,567

 
371,702

 
157,345

Total other expense (1)
44,141

 
31,623

 
24,600

 
24,983

 
20,214

Income before income taxes
199,318

 
199,007

 
347,967

 
346,719

 
137,131

Net income
$
161,802

 
$
198,148

 
$
220,866

 
$
220,374

 
$
86,689

Earnings per share to common shareholders (2):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
10.02

 
$
12.14

 
$
13.31

 
$
12.97

 
$
4.87

Diluted
10.00

 
12.13

 
13.29

 
12.94

 
4.86

Cash dividends declared per share
2.80

 
2.80

 
2.40

 
2.75

 
2.50

Total assets
$
2,498,668

 
$
2,180,157

 
$
1,671,576

 
$
1,358,331

 
$
1,240,986

Total long-term debt, net of related costs
1,271,733

 
1,164,892

 
808,274

 
641,678

 
588,794

Shareholders' equity
690,321

 
553,311

 
475,740

 
350,005

 
294,065

 
(1)
Net of capitalized interest for 2018, 2017, and 2016 in the amounts of $2.4 million, $3.2 million, and $1.8 million, respectively.
(2)
Our unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to cash dividends at the same rate as common stock. The Basic and Diluted earnings per share for the periods presented reflect the two-class method mandated by accounting guidance for the calculation of earnings per share. The two-class method adjusts both the net income and shares used in the calculation. Application of the two-class method did not have a significant impact on the basic or diluted earnings per share for the periods presented.
(3)
Operating expenses, operating income, net income and earnings per share in these years were impacted by special items: (a) a non-cash impairment charge of $35.3 million to our MD-80 fleet and related assets in the fourth quarter of 2017; (b) a $74.7 million income tax benefit from the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; and (c) a non-cash impairment charge of $43.3 million to six Boeing 757-200 aircraft and related assets in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

28








 
For the Year Ended December 31,
OPERATING DATA: (unaudited)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
As recast
 
As recast
 
 
 
 
Total system statistics:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passengers
13,750,199

 
12,310,122

 
11,128,191

 
9,500,611

 
8,154,357

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
12,307,247

 
11,106,772

 
10,282,827

 
8,944,952

 
7,825,962

Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
14,899,874

 
13,612,003

 
12,375,505

 
10,526,610

 
8,945,616

Load factor
82.6
%
 
81.6
%
 
83.1
%
 
85.0
%
 
87.5
%
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents) (1) (2)
9.56

 
9.41

 
8.13

 
8.45

 
10.95

Fuel expense per ASM (cents) (2)
2.99

 
2.52

 
2.08

 
2.64

 
4.34

Operating CASM, excluding fuel (cents) (1)
6.57

 
6.89

 
6.05

 
5.81

 
6.61

ASMs per gallon of fuel
77.82

 
72.96

 
71.62

 
70.20

 
69.38

Departures
101,212

 
93,061

 
82,341

 
68,653

 
56,961

Block hours
230,123

 
212,405

 
190,706

 
160,431

 
135,572

Average stage length (miles)
868

 
870

 
889

 
900

 
918

Average number of operating aircraft during period
91.0

 
87.3

 
83.3

 
74.3

 
68.8

Average block hours per aircraft per day
6.9

 
6.7

 
6.3

 
5.9

 
5.4

Full-time equivalent employees at end of period
3,901

 
3,752

 
3,416

 
2,846

 
2,411

Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
191,471

 
186,563

 
172,796

 
149,951

 
128,933

Average fuel cost per gallon (2)
$
2.33

 
$
1.84

 
$
1.49

 
$
1.86

 
$
3.01

Scheduled service statistics:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Passengers
13,606,103

 
12,138,146

 
11,003,864

 
9,355,097

 
8,017,442

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
12,145,601

 
10,901,161

 
10,130,675

 
8,821,908

 
7,711,696

Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
14,340,674

 
13,031,824

 
11,921,733

 
10,236,075

 
8,693,631

Load factor
84.7
%
 
83.7
%
 
85.0
%
 
86.2
%
 
88.7
%
Departures
96,554

 
88,432

 
78,747

 
65,683

 
54,440

Block hours
220,760

 
202,752

 
183,290

 
155,403

 
131,210

Total scheduled service revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) (3)
11.10

 
10.93

 
11.02

 
11.82

 
12.66

Average fare - scheduled service (4)
$
67.01

 
$
67.90

 
$
69.86

 
$
78.63

 
$
91.30

Average fare - ancillary air-related charges (4)
$
45.71

 
$
45.14

 
$
45.47

 
$
46.43

 
$
41.37

Average fare - third party products
$
4.27

 
$
4.34

 
$
4.08

 
$
4.29

 
$
4.56

Average fare - total
$
116.99

 
$
117.38

 
$
119.41

 
$
129.35

 
$
137.23

Average stage length (miles)
875

 
876

 
895

 
915

 
934

Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
183,798

 
178,298

 
166,528

 
145,654

 
125,173

Percent of sales through website during period
93.8
%
 
94.0
%
 
94.2
%
 
95.1
%
 
93.8
%
OTHER DATA: (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotel room nights
409,164

 
390,986

 
439,942

 
452,272

 
528,329

Rental car days
1,823,451

 
1,415,901

 
1,502,326

 
1,204,982

 
916,640

Golf courses under agreement with Teesnap
590

 
296

 
186

 
50

 
3

(1)
Includes effects of special items in 2017 and 2014.
(2)
Includes effect of fuel tax refund of $8.3 million (approximately $0.05 per gallon) in 2016.
(3)
Various components of this measure do not have a direct correlation to ASMs. These figures are provided on a per ASM basis so as to facilitate comparisons with airlines reporting revenues on a per ASM basis.
(4)
Reflects division of passenger revenue between scheduled service and air-related charges in the Company's booking path.


29








The following terms used in this section and elsewhere in this annual report have the meanings indicated below:
 
Available seat miles” or “ASMs” represents the number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of miles the seats are flown.
 
Average fuel cost per gallon” represents total aircraft fuel expense for our total system divided by the total number of fuel gallons consumed in our total system.
 
Average stage length” represents the average number of miles flown per flight. 

“Block hours” represents the number of hours during which the aircraft is in revenue service, measured from the time of gate departure until the time of gate arrival at the destination.

Load factor” represents the percentage of aircraft seating capacity utilized (revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles).
 
Operating expense per ASM” or “CASM” represents operating expenses divided by available seat miles.
 
Operating CASM, excluding fuel” represents operating expenses, less aircraft fuel, divided by available seat miles. Although Operating CASM, excluding fuel, is not a calculation based on generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered as an alternative to Operating Expenses as an indicator of our financial performance, this statistic provides 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 and therefore are beyond our control.
 
Passengers” represents the total number of passengers flown on all flight segments.
 
Revenue passenger miles” or “RPMs” represents the number of miles flown by revenue passengers.
 
“Total scheduled service revenue per ASM” or “TRASM” represents passenger revenue divided by scheduled service available seat miles.
 
Item 7.  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 years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Also discussed is our financial position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Investors should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section entitled “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this annual report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

AIRCRAFT

Operating Fleet

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

 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
A320 (1) (2)
44

 
30

 
16

A319 (3)
32

 
22

 
17

MD-80

 
37

 
47

B757-200

 

 
4

Total
76

 
89

 
84


(1) Does not include two aircraft for which we have taken delivery as of December 31, 2018.
(2) Includes five aircraft under capital lease as of December 31, 2018.
(3) Does not include five aircraft for which we have taken delivery as of December 31, 2018.

30









As of February 15, 2019, we are party to forward purchase agreements for 14 Airbus A320 series aircraft. We expect delivery of 11 of these aircraft in 2019, two in 2020, and one in 2022. In January 2019, we took delivery of two aircraft for which we had a purchase agreement as of December 31, 2018. Refer to Part I - Item 2 - Properties for further detail regarding our aircraft fleet. We continuously consider aircraft acquisitions on an opportunistic basis.

NETWORK
 
We use profitability management tools to manage capacity and route expansion through optimization of our flight schedule to, among other things, better match demand in certain markets. We continually adjust our network through the addition of new markets and routes, adjusting the frequencies into existing markets, and exiting under-performing markets, as we seek to achieve and maintain profitability on each route we serve.

As of February 15, 2019 and including recent service announcements, we were selling 450 routes.

Our route network as of December 31, 2018 represents a 4.0 percent increase in the number of routes flown compared to the end of 2017, and the number of medium-sized cities served is now up to 24 since we began service to these larger cities in 2014.

The following table shows the number of leisure destinations and cities served as of the dates indicated (includes cities served seasonally):

 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Leisure destinations
23

 
19

 
21

Origination cities
98

 
101

 
97

Total cities
121

 
120

 
118

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total routes
417

 
401

 
360


TRENDS

As of the end of November 2018, we have fully transitioned to an all-Airbus A320 series fleet with the addition of 24 Airbus A320 series aircraft and the retirement of 37 MD-80 aircraft during 2018. We expect to add 17 additional Airbus aircraft to our operating fleet by the end of 2019.

An all-Airbus fleet is expected to bring about many improvements, including greater fuel efficiency and enhanced reliability, which should allow us to reduce spare counts and fly more during peak days. Airbus aircraft flew 82.1 percent of our scheduled service ASMs in 2018, compared to 59.7 percent in 2017, which drove a 6.7 percent increase in fuel efficiency (measured as ASMs per gallon).

Throughout the transition to an all-Airbus fleet, we have also seen improvements in our operations, which is a trend expected to continue now that the transition is complete. Our controllable flight completion rate for 2018 was 99.7 percent (among the best in the industry) and our on-time arrival rate increased by nearly 4 percentage points.

In 2016, we announced certain initiatives intended to increase our profitability by 2020. These include fuel cost savings from increased ASM production per gallon of fuel, efforts to decrease cost per ASM excluding fuel, revenue from our credit card program, eCommerce initiatives and a new pricing engine, increased revenues from fixed fee flying, the modification of certain of our Airbus aircraft to 186 seats and greater fleet productivity.

In 2018, we increased ASM production per gallon of fuel (which we estimate saved approximately $30 million of fuel cost) and increased revenue over 2016 levels of fixed fee flying (over $18 million of increased fixed fee revenues). In addition, we have recognized approximately $33 million in third party product revenue from our co-brand credit card program since its introduction in 2016. We maintained additional personnel and incurred higher training expenses in connection with the fleet transition, and expect our labor efficiency to improve, and our training expenses to decline, as we now have an all-Airbus fleet.

As of February 15, 2019, we were offering service on 151 medium-sized city routes compared to 140 as of the same date in 2018. We initiated service on nine new network routes in the fourth quarter of 2018, including service into three new cities:

31








Saint George, UT; Tucson, AZ; and Albany, NY. Our recently announced routes also include new service to Anchorage, AK in 2019.

Of the 450 routes we were selling as of February 15, 2019, approximately 75 percent are not competitive routes, and of the recent service announcements, approximately 85 percent are not competitive routes. We are continually expanding our network, and have identified approximately 600 potential routes for future growth.

In November 2018, we opened a new operational base in Knoxville, TN and announced plans to open a new operational base in Grand Rapids, MI in June 2019, which will be our 16th year-round base of operations.

Planning and development for Sunseeker Resort - Charlotte Harbor is ongoing. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2019, with the opening of the resort planned for late 2020.

We believe that disclosing non-airline information separately will allow investors to better understand and analyze our principal operating performance, and we intend to begin reporting distinct operating segments (airline and non-airline) in 2019.

Our flight dispatchers voted for union representation by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters ("IBT") and negotiations began in February 2017. The dispatchers failed to ratify a tentative agreement in May 2018 and, as a result, negotiations continue. There are approximately 40 employees in this operating group.

In March 2018, our maintenance technicians, who represent approximately nine percent of our total employee base (approximately 330 employees), voted for union representation by the IBT. Negotiations for an agreement with this group began in late January 2019.

Any labor actions whether following an inability to reach a collective bargaining agreement with any employee group or otherwise could impact our operations during the continuance of any such activity. Any labor agreement reached following negotiations would also likely increase our operating costs.

Our Operating Expenses

A brief description of the items included in our operating expense line items follows.

Aircraft fuel expense includes the cost of aircraft fuel, fuel taxes, into plane fees and airport fuel flowage, storage or through-put fees.
 
Salary and benefits expense includes wages, salaries, and employee bonuses, sales commissions for in-flight personnel, as well as expenses associated with employee benefit plans, stock compensation expense related to equity grants, and employer payroll taxes.

Station operations expense includes the fees charged by airports for the use or lease of airport facilities and fees charged by third party vendors for ground handling services, commissary expenses and other related services.

Depreciation and amortization expense includes the depreciation of all owned fixed assets, including aircraft and engines. Also included is the amortization of major maintenance expenses on our Airbus A320 series aircraft and engines, which are capitalized under the deferral method of accounting and amortized as a component of depreciation and amortization expense over the estimated period until the next scheduled major maintenance event.
 
Maintenance and repairs expense includes all parts, materials and spares required to maintain our aircraft as well as major maintenance costs for our MD-80 aircraft (which have all been retired as of the end of November 2018). Also included are fees for repairs performed by third party vendors.

Sales and marketing expense includes all advertising, promotional expenses, sponsorships, travel agent commissions and debit and credit card processing fees associated with the sale of scheduled service and air-related ancillary charges.
 
Aircraft lease rentals expense consists of the cost for sub-service which may be contracted out in conjunction with operational disruptions.
 
Other expense includes travel and training expenses for crews and ground personnel, facility lease expenses, professional fees, personal property taxes, information technology consulting, non-salary expenses for non-airline initiatives (including Teesnap,

32








Sunseeker Resort - Charlotte Harbor, and the family entertainment centers), the cost of passenger liability insurance, aircraft hull insurance and all other insurance policies excluding employee welfare insurance. Additionally, this expense includes loss on disposals of aircraft and other equipment disposals, and all other administrative and operational overhead expenses not included in other line items above.

Special charge includes the non-cash impairment charge taken in 2017 on our MD-80 series aircraft, engines and related assets.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2018 compared to 2017

Operating Revenue

Passenger revenue. Passenger revenue now includes both scheduled service revenue and ancillary air-related revenue, due to the implementation of the New Revenue Standard. Passenger revenue for 2018 increased 11.8 percent compared with 2017. The increase was driven primarily by a 9.2 percent increase in scheduled service departures and a 1.0 percentage point increase in load factor, which resulted in a 12.1 percent increase in scheduled service passengers. The higher number of passengers resulted in year-over-year increases in ancillary revenue from products such as baggage, seat and convenience fees.
 
Third party revenue. Ancillary third party revenue increased 10.2 percent in 2018 from 2017, due primarily to an increase in net revenue from rental cars resulting from the increase in scheduled service passengers. Our co-branded credit card program continues to contribute to revenue and we expect meaningful incremental revenues in 2019 and going forward.

Fixed fee contract revenue. Fixed fee contract revenue for 2018 increased 3.2 percent compared with 2017 due to an increase in ad-hoc charter flying as well as continuing fixed fee flying for Apple Vacations and the Department of Defense.

Other revenue. Other revenue for 2018 decreased $12.4 million, primarily as 12 aircraft generating lease revenue from a European carrier during 2017 were redelivered to us throughout 2017 and 2018. The effects of this decrease were partially offset by increases in revenue from our golf course management solution as well as revenue generated from the leasing of spare RB-211 engines.

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 provides 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.

The following table presents operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods.

 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
As recast
 
 
Aircraft fuel
$
32.42

 
$
27.89

 
16.2
 %
Salary and benefits
30.10

 
30.19

 
(0.3
)
Station operations
11.71

 
11.58

 
1.1

Depreciation and amortization
9.41

 
9.89

 
(4.9
)
Maintenance and repairs
7.20

 
9.22

 
(21.9
)
Sales and marketing
5.35

 
4.61

 
16.1

Aircraft lease rentals
0.06

 
0.25

 
(76.0
)
Other
7.31

 
7.54

 
(3.1
)
Special charge (1)

 
2.86

 
NM

Operating expense per passenger
$
103.56

 
$
104.03

 
(0.5
)%
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel
$
71.14

 
$
76.14

 
(6.6
)%
(1) $35.3 million impairment charge on MD-80 fleet in 2017.


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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.

The following table presents unit costs on a per ASM basis, or CASM, for the indicated periods.

 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
As recast
 
 
Aircraft fuel

2.99
¢
 

2.52
¢
 
18.7
 %
Salary and benefits
2.78

 
2.73

 
1.8

Station operations
1.08

 
1.05

 
2.9

Depreciation and amortization
0.87

 
0.89

 
(2.2
)
Maintenance and repairs
0.66

 
0.83

 
(20.5
)
Sales and marketing
0.49

 
0.42

 
16.7

Aircraft lease rentals
0.01

 
0.02

 
(50.0
)
Other
0.68

 
0.69

 
(1.4
)
Special charge (1)

 
0.26

 
NM

CASM

9.56
¢
 

9.41
¢
 
1.6
 %
CASM, excluding fuel

6.57
¢
 

6.89
¢
 
(4.6
)%
(1) $35.3 million impairment charge on MD-80 fleet in 2017.

Salary and benefits expense. Salary and benefits expense for 2018 increased $42.3 million, or 11.4 percent, compared with 2017. The increase was primarily the result of a 4.0 percent increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees ("FTE") as well as an 8.3 percent increase in system block hours.

Aircraft fuel expense. Aircraft fuel expense for 2018 increased $102.5 million, or 29.8 percent, compared with 2017 as the system average fuel cost per gallon increased by 26.6 percent, coupled with a 2.6 percent increase in system fuel gallons consumed on a 9.5 percent increase in system ASMs. ASM growth outpaced fuel consumption as fuel efficiency (measured as ASMs per gallon) increased 6.7 percent year over year due to increased flying on our Airbus aircraft which are more fuel efficient than our MD-80 aircraft.

Station operations expense. Station operations expense for 2018 increased $18.4 million, or 12.9 percent, on a 9.2 percent increase in scheduled service departures compared with 2017. The increase in expense outpaced the increase in departures due primarily to rate increases, including landing and ground handling fees, at our larger airports which tend to be more expensive. We continue to view airport expense as a key factor when considering new market entrance.

Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2018 increased $7.6 million, or 6.3 percent, compared with 2017, partially related to a 4.2 percent increase in the average number of aircraft in service as we continue to add Airbus aircraft into our fleet. Depreciation expense for the Airbus fleet was $85.3 million in 2018 compared to $56.8 million in 2017 as a result of the addition of 24 Airbus aircraft during the year. Amortization of major maintenance costs under the deferral method of accounting for the Airbus aircraft was $12.5 million for 2018 compared to $6.7 million for 2017 due to the growing number of Airbus aircraft in service and related scheduled major maintenance events.

No depreciation expense was recognized in 2018 for our MD-80 fleet as an impairment charge was taken in the fourth quarter 2017 which reduced the carrying value of this fleet to zero. Depreciation expense for our MD-80 fleet and related assets in 2017 was $20.9 million. Our remaining Boeing 757-200 aircraft and related assets were retired in 2017.

Maintenance and repairs expense. Maintenance and repairs expense for 2018 decreased $14.5 million, or 12.7 percent, compared with 2017. The year-over-year decrease is partially due to fewer heavy maintenance events performed on our MD-80 series aircraft, as they were systematically retired from our operating fleet throughout 2018. Additionally, the cost of major maintenance events for our Airbus aircraft is capitalized in accordance with the deferral method of accounting and the amortization of these expenses is included under depreciation and amortization expense.


34








Sales and marketing expense. Sales and marketing expense for 2018 increased $16.8 million, or 29.7 percent, compared to 2017, partly due to an increase in net credit card fees paid as a result of an 11.8 percent increase in passenger revenue year over year. There were also increased expenses related to various marketing initiatives, including our multi-year partnerships with the Vegas Golden Knights and Minor League Baseball.

Other expense. Other expense for 2018 increased by $7.7 million, or 8.3 percent, compared with 2017. The increase is primarily due to information technology administration expenses, as well as other expenses incurred to support our airline operations and non-airline initiatives.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate was 18.8 percent and 0.4 percent for 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate year over year was primarily due to a $74.7 million one-time tax benefit related to the remeasurement of deferred tax balances recognized in 2017 per the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (the "Tax Act"). We expect our tax rate to be between 24 percent and 25 percent in the near term primarily as a result of the 21 percent federal income tax rate, as well as the estimated impact of state taxes.

2017 compared to 2016

Operating Revenue

Passenger revenue. Passenger revenue for these years has been recast to include both scheduled service revenue and ancillary air-related revenue, due to the implementation of the New Revenue Standard. Passenger revenue for 2017 increased 8.1 percent, or $103.0 million, compared with 2016. The increase was mostly the result of a 10.3 percent increase in the number of scheduled service passengers offset by a 1.5 percent decrease in average scheduled service fare coupled with a 0.8 percent decrease in average fare for air-related charges. Hurricane Irma’s largest impact was evident in Florida markets during the third quarter 2017. The tragic Las Vegas shooting on October 1, 2017 negatively impacted scheduled service demand in this market for several weeks in the fourth quarter 2017. Combined, the negative impact to revenue of these two events was in excess of $8.5 million.

Third party revenue. Third party revenue increased $7.8 million, or 17.3 percent, in 2017 from 2016, primarily due to revenue generated from our co-branded credit card program. The increase from co-branded credit card revenue was offset by a decrease in net revenue from third party products (hotel rooms, rental cars, attraction and show tickets) resulting from an 11.1 percent and 5.8 percent decrease in hotel room nights and rental car days, respectively. Hurricane Irma had a significant impact on rental car sales in our Florida markets during the third quarter 2017. Overall, there was a 6.4 percent increase in third party revenue per passenger year over year as increases from the co-branded credit card more than offset declines in other areas.

Fixed fee contract revenue. Fixed fee contract revenue for 2017 increased $16.7 million, or 52.3 percent, compared with 2016 due to routes added to our Apple Vacations charter, as well as increased flying for the Department of Defense due to additional spare MD-80 aircraft available as additional Airbus aircraft were placed into revenue service.

Other revenue. Other revenue for 2017 increased $4.8 million, or 14.5 percent, due mostly to engine lease revenue generated from leasing spare engines to a third party.

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Operating Expenses
 
The following table presents operating expense per passenger for the indicated periods.

 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
Percentage
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
As recast
 
As recast
 
 
Salary and benefits
$
30.19

 
$
26.24

 
15.1
 %
Aircraft fuel (1)
27.89

 
23.12

 
20.6

Station operations
11.58

 
11.15

 
3.9

Maintenance and repairs
9.22

 
9.98

 
(7.6
)
Depreciation and amortization
9.89

 
9.45

 
4.7

Sales and marketing
4.61

 
3.11

 
48.2

Aircraft lease rentals
0.25

 
0.08

 
212.5

Other
7.54

 
7.29

 
3.4

Special charge (2)
2.86

 

 
NM

Operating expense per passenger
$
104.03

 
$
90.42

 
15.1
 %
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel
$
76.14

 
$
67.30

 
13.1
 %
(1) Includes effect of $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016.
(2) $35.3 million impairment charge on MD-80 fleet in 2017.

The following table presents unit costs on a per ASM basis, or CASM, for the indicated periods.

 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
Percentage
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
As recast
 
As recast
 
 
Salary and benefits
2.73

¢
2.36

¢
15.7
 %
Aircraft fuel (1)
2.52

 
2.08

 
21.2

Station operations
1.05

 
1.00

 
5.0

Maintenance and repairs
0.83

 
0.90

 
(7.8
)
Depreciation and amortization
0.89

 
0.85

 
4.7

Sales and marketing
0.42

 
0.28

 
50.0

Aircraft lease rental
0.02

 
0.01

 
100.0

Other
0.69

 
0.65

 
6.2

Special charge (2)
0.26

 

 
NM

CASM
9.41

¢
8.13

¢
15.7
 %
CASM, excluding fuel
6.89

¢
6.05

¢
13.9
 %
(1) Includes effect of $8.3 million fuel tax refunds in the second quarter of 2016.
(2) $35.3 million impairment charge on MD-80 fleet in 2017.

Salary and benefits expense. Salary and benefits expense for 2017 increased $79.6 million, or 27.3 percent, compared with 2016. The increase is largely attributable to $52.0 million in incremental expense related to the collective bargaining agreement with our pilots (effective August 1, 2016), which also takes into consideration a 14.1 percent increase in pilot FTEs. The overall increase also reflects costs associated with an 8.4 percent increase in the number of all other FTEs needed to support additional operating aircraft and the transition to a single fleet type.

Aircraft fuel expense. Aircraft fuel expense for 2017 increased $86.0 million, or 33.4 percent, compared with 2016. Excluding the effect of one-time $8.3 million in fuel tax refunds in the second quarter 2016, fuel expense would have increased 29.3 percent and the system average fuel cost per gallon would have increased by 19.5 percent. Additionally, there was an 8.0 percent increase in system fuel gallons consumed due to a 10.0 percent increase in system capacity. ASM growth outpaced fuel consumption as average ASMs per gallon increased 1.9 percent year over year due to the fuel efficiency of the Airbus fleet.

36









Station operations expense. Station operations expense for 2017 increased $18.5 million, or 14.9 percent, on a 12.3 percent increase in scheduled service departures compared with 2016. The increase in expense outpaced the increase in departures due to servicing more medium-sized cities at higher frequencies (these cities generally have higher costs than smaller city airports) as well as various supplementary station expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2017 increased $16.5 million, or 15.7 percent, compared with 2016, partially related to a 4.8 percent increase in the average number of operating aircraft. Amortization of major maintenance costs under the deferral method of accounting for the Airbus aircraft was $6.7 million for 2017 compared to $1.5 million for 2016, as our first major maintenance event on our Airbus aircraft did not occur until second quarter 2016. Depreciation expense related to Airbus A320 series aircraft was $56.8 million for 2017 compared to $44.9 million for 2016.

Depreciation expense related to MD-80 aircraft declined to approximately $20.9 million for 2017 from $30.0 million in 2016 as we have continued to retire these aircraft.

Maintenance and repairs expense. Maintenance and repairs expense for 2017 increased $2.4 million, or 2.2 percent, compared with 2016 due primarily to a 4.8 percent increase in average number of operating aircraft in service, offset by fewer major maintenance events performed on our MD-80 series aircraft. The cost of major maintenance events for our Airbus aircraft is capitalized in accordance with the deferral method of accounting and the amortization of these expenses is included under depreciation and amortization expense.

Sales and marketing expense. Sales and marketing expense for 2017 increased $22.0 million compared to 2016, primarily due to an increase in net credit card fees paid as a result of an 8.1 percent increase in passenger revenue year over year. There were also year-over-year increased expenses related to various marketing initiatives for our nationwide network.

Other expense. Other expense for 2017 increased by $11.7 million, or 14.4 percent, compared with 2016. The increase is due to flight crew training needed to support our fleet transition and growing route network, information technology expenses, as well as other administrative expenses incurred to support our operational growth.

Special charge. We incurred a $35.3 million non-cash impairment charge to our MD-80 series aircraft, engines and related assets, triggered in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate was 0.4 percent and 36.5 percent for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a $74.7 million one-time tax benefit related to the remeasurement of deferred tax balances per the Tax Act enacted in December 2017. 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Unrestricted cash and investment securities (short-term and long-term) decreased at December 31, 2018 to $447.5 million from $490.7 million in 2017. Restricted cash represents escrowed funds under fixed fee contracts and cash collateralized 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 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 reflected as air traffic liability. Investment securities represent liquid marketable securities which are available-for-sale.
During 2018, our primary source of funds was $356.6 million generated by our operations in addition to $211.2 million in proceeds from notes payable. Our operating cash flows and long-term debt 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 capital outlay for Sunseeker Resort and our other non-airline initiatives. 

We believe we have more than adequate liquidity resources through our operating cash flows, borrowings, and cash balances, to meet our future contractual obligations. We continue to consider raising funds through debt financing on an opportunistic basis.


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In addition to our recurring quarterly cash dividend, our current share repurchase authority is $100.0 million. There is no expiration date for the program.

Debt

Our total long-term debt and capital lease obligations balance, without reduction for related issuance costs, remained relatively consistent at $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We borrowed additional funds secured largely by aircraft, while making $232.2 million in scheduled repayments on existing debt. During 2018 we borrowed $153.5 million secured by aircraft, $46.9 million against our senior secured revolving credit facility, and $10.8 million secured by various ground equipment. In February 2019, we also borrowed $450.0 million under a Credit and Guaranty Agreement, the proceeds from which were used to purchase $347.9 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding senior unsecured Notes. We expect to call the remaining balance of our senior unsecured Notes in advance of their maturity in July 2019.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities. During 2018, our operating activities provided $356.6 million of cash compared to $390.7 million during 2017. Operating cash inflows are primarily derived from providing air transportation and related ancillary products and services to customers, for which the vast majority of tickets are purchased prior to the day travel occurs. The year-over-year decrease in reported cash inflows resulted primarily from a decrease in net income.
During 2017, our operating activities provided $390.7 million of cash compared to $348.2 million in 2016. The year-over-year increase in reported cash inflows largely resulted from the increase in earnings after adjustments made for non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization ($16.5 million higher in 2017) and the special charge in 2017 ($35.3 million), and as a result of a $12.7 million increase in air traffic liability.
Investing Activities. During 2018, cash used for investing activities was $269.0 million compared to $618.5 million in 2017. Cash used for capital expenditures was $334.8 million in 2018 compared to $580.2 million in 2017. The year-over-year decrease is also due partially to investment security activity, as cash proceeds from maturities of investment securities (net of purchases) were $65.1 million during 2018 compared to $43.4 million cash used for the purchase of investments (net of maturities) during 2017.
During 2016, our primary use of cash was for capital expenditures of $325.2 million. Cash was also used for the purchase of investment securities, net of maturities, of $83.5 million.

Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities during 2018 was $62.4 million compared to cash provided by financing activities of $222.1 million in 2017. The year-over-year change is primarily due to debt activity. In 2018, principal payments net of proceeds from debt issuance were $21.0 million compared to proceeds of $358.7 million from the issuance of long-term debt net of principal payments during 2017. This was slightly offset by less share repurchase activity in 2018 compared with 2017.

In 2016, cash provided by financing activities was $32.6 million. Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt net of principal payments of $167.1 million were offset by $67.5 million in cash dividends paid to shareholders and $66.4 million in stock repurchases.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual cash obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2018 and the periods in which payments are due (in thousands):

 
 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
2-3 years
 
4-5 years
 
More than 5 years
Long-term debt obligations (1)
 
$
1,290,626

 
$
626,982

 
$
286,015

 
$
132,186

 
$
245,443

Aircraft acquisition obligations (2) (5)
 
311,460

 
259,160

 
34,300

 
18,000

 

Operating lease obligations (3) (5)
 
29,329

 
8,102

 
9,674

 
3,256

 
8,297

Airport fees under use and lease agreements (4) (5)
 
15,766

 
10,480

 
5,286

 

 

Total future payments under contractual obligations
 
$
1,647,181

 
$
904,724

 
$
335,275

 
$
153,442

 
$
253,740

 


38








(1)
Long-term debt obligations (including variable interest entities) include scheduled interest payments, using LIBOR rates as of December 31, 2018, and excludes debt issuance costs.
(2)
Includes aircraft acquisition obligations under existing aircraft and engine purchase agreements.
(3)
Operating lease obligations include the lease and use of gate space and areas surrounding gates, operating support areas in airport terminals under use and lease agreements, and leases of office, warehouse and other space.
(4)
Includes obligations for common and joint use space in the airport terminal facilities under use and lease agreements.
(5)
Not reflected on our balance sheet.

In February 2019, we entered into the Term Loan to refinance our senior unsecured Notes due July 2019. The proceeds from the Term Loan were used to purchase $347.9 million of the Notes and we will use the balance of the proceeds to call the remainder of the Notes.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements based on events and transactions occurring during the periods reported. Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements provides a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies.

Critical accounting policies are defined as those policies that reflect significant judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe our critical accounting policies are limited to those described below. 
 
Affinity Credit Card Program

The Allegiant World Mastercard® is issued by Bank of America through which arrangement points are sold and consideration is received under an agreement with a seven year scheduled duration which expires in 2023. Under this arrangement, we identified the following deliverables: travel points to be awarded (the travel component), use of our brand and access to our member lists, and certain other advertising and marketing elements (collectively the marketing component). Applying guidance under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13 - Revenue Recognition (Topic 606): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, each of these deliverables is accounted for separately and allocation of the consideration from the agreement is determined based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. We applied 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.
Revenue from the travel component is deferred based on its relative selling price and is recognized into scheduled service revenue when the points are redeemed by cardholders. Revenue from the marketing component is considered earned in the period in which points are sold and is therefore recognized into third party products revenue in the same period.
Accounting for Long-Lived Assets  
We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, consisting principally of property and equipment, when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. In making these determinations, we utilize certain assumptions, including, but not limited to: (i) estimated fair value of the assets; and (ii) estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by those assets which are based on additional assumptions such as (but not limited to) asset utilization, average fare, block hours, fuel costs, length of service the asset will be used in operations, and estimated salvage values.

In estimating the useful lives and residual values of our aircraft, we have primarily relied upon actual experience with the same or similar aircraft types, current and projected future market information, and recommendations from other industry sources. Subsequent revisions to these estimates could be caused by changing market prices of our aircraft, changes in utilization of the aircraft, and other fleet events. We evaluate these estimates used for each reporting period and adjust when deemed necessary. To the extent a change in estimate for useful lives or salvage values of our property and equipment occurs, there could be an acceleration of depreciation expense associated with the change in estimate. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.

39








 
Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Costs and Major Maintenance Deferral 

We account for major maintenance costs of Airbus airframes and the related CFM engines using the deferral method. Under this method, the cost of major maintenance events is capitalized and amortized as a component of depreciation and amortization expense over the estimated period until the next scheduled major maintenance event. The timing of the next major maintenance event is estimated based on assumptions including estimated cycles, hours and months, required maintenance intervals, and the age/condition of related parts. These assumptions may change based on forecasted aircraft utilization changes, updates to government regulations, and manufacturer maintenance intervals, as well as unplanned incidents causing damage requiring a major maintenance event prior to a scheduled visit. If the estimated timing of the next maintenance event changes, the related amortization period would also change.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See related disclosure in Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are subject to certain market risks, including changes in interest rates and commodity prices (specifically, aircraft fuel). The adverse effects of changes in markets could pose potential loss, as discussed below. The sensitivity analysis 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. Aircraft fuel expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 represented 31.3 percent of our total operating expenses. Increases in fuel prices or a shortage of supply could have a material effect on our operations and operating results. Based on our 2018 fuel consumption, a hypothetical ten percent increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel would have increased fuel expense by approximately $44.4 million for the 2018 year. We have not hedged fuel price risk in many years.

Interest Rates
 
As of December 31, 2018, we had $635.0 million of variable-rate debt, including current maturities and without reduction of $4.1 million in related costs. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates would have affected interest expense by approximately $6.7 million for 2018.
 
As of December 31, 2018, we had $518.8 million of fixed-rate debt, including current maturities and without reduction of $0.9 million in related costs. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates would not impact interest expense on our fixed-rate debt instruments as of such date.


40








Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
 
Quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized below and reflect amounts as recast related to adoption of ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" (the "New Revenue Standard"). Amounts are shown in thousands, except for per share amounts.

 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
$
425,444

 
$
436,780

 
$
393,109

 
$
412,114

Operating income
79,968

 
74,222

 
26,181

 
63,088

Net income
55,193

 
50,016

 
15,147

 
41,447

Earnings per share to common shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
3.43

 
$
3.10

 
$
0.94

 
$
2.56

Diluted
3.42

 
3.10

 
0.94

 
2.56

2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
$
380,011

 
$
401,844

 
$
350,195

 
$
379,154

Operating income
73,729

 
85,795

 
44,342

 
26,764

Net income attributable to Allegiant Travel Company
42,351

 
49,038

 
23,384

 
83,376

Earnings per share to common shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
2.54

 
$
2.98

 
$
1.45

 
$
5.18

Diluted
2.54

 
2.97

 
1.45

 
5.18


The sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts does not equal the annual amount reported as per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter and for the full year, based on respective weighted average common shares outstanding and other potentially dilutive common shares.

Income and earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2017 were impacted by a non-cash impairment charge of $35.3 million on the Company's MD-80 fleet and related assets and a $74.7 million income tax benefit from the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.



41








Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Allegiant Travel Company:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets Allegiant Travel Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 28, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers due to the full retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2014‑09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), as amended.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.

Dallas, Texas
February 28, 2019


42









ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)

 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
As recast
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
81,520

 
$
59,449

Restricted cash
14,391

 
11,190

Short-term investments
314,464

 
352,681

Accounts receivable
36,014

 
71,057

Expendable parts, supplies and fuel, net of reserve of $14,410 and $13,756
19,516

 
17,647

Prepaid expenses
29,122

 
23,931

Other current assets
221

 
5,320

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
495,248

 
541,275

Property and equipment (including $145,393 and $112,750 from VIEs, Note 6), net of accumulated depreciation of $373,977 and $276,548
1,847,268

 
1,512,415

Long-term investments
51,526

 
78,570

Deferred major maintenance, net of accumulated amortization of $13,694 and $8,218
67,873

 
31,326

Deposits and other assets
36,753

 
16,571

TOTAL ASSETS:
$
2,498,668

 
$
2,180,157

CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
27,452

 
$
20,108

Accrued liabilities
122,027

 
105,127

Air traffic liability
212,230

 
204,299

Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including $11,538 and $8,935 from VIEs, Note 6), net of related costs of $1,443 and $2,298
152,287

 
214,761

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
513,996

 
544,295

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including $123,696 and $92,424 from VIEs, Note 6), net of current maturities and related costs of $3,591 and $3,812
1,119,446

 
950,131

Deferred income taxes
164,027

 
119,013

Other noncurrent liabilities
10,878

 
13,407

TOTAL LIABILITIES:
1,808,347

 
1,626,846

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 12)
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,622,548 and 22,515,997 shares issued; 16,183,274 and 16,066,404 shares outstanding in 2018 and 2017, respectively
23

 
23

Treasury stock, at cost, 6,439,274 and 6,449,593 shares in 2018 and 2017, respectively
(605,037
)
 
(605,655
)
Additional paid in capital
270,935

 
253,840

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(661
)
 
(2,840
)
Retained earnings
1,025,061

 
907,943

TOTAL EQUITY:
690,321

 
553,311

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
$
2,498,668

 
$
2,180,157

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

43









ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
As recast
 
As recast
OPERATING REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger
$
1,533,701

 
$
1,372,037

 
$
1,269,067

Third party products
58,060

 
52,707

 
44,940

Fixed fee contract
50,286

 
48,708

 
31,972

Other
25,400

 
37,751

 
32,963

   Total operating revenues
1,667,447

 
1,511,203

 
1,378,942

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel
445,814

 
343,333

 
257,332

Salary and benefits
413,892

 
371,599

 
291,974

Station operations
161,019

 
142,581

 
124,052

Depreciation and amortization
129,351

 
121,713

 
105,216

Maintenance and repairs
99,015

 
113,481

 
111,070

Sales and marketing
73,514

 
56,675

 
34,629

Aircraft lease rentals
868

 
3,098

 
924

Other
100,515

 
92,840

 
81,178

Special charge

 
35,253

 

   Total operating expenses
1,423,988

 
1,280,573

 
1,006,375

OPERATING INCOME
243,459

 
230,630

 
372,567

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
(9,226
)
 
(5,808
)
 
(3,010
)
Interest expense
53,762

 
38,990

 
28,836

Other, net
(395
)
 
(1,559
)
 
(1,226
)
   Total other expenses
44,141

 
31,623

 
24,600

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
199,318

 
199,007

 
347,967

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
37,516

 
859

 
127,101

NET INCOME
$
161,802

 
$
198,148

 
$
220,866

Earnings per share to common shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
10.02

 
$
12.14

 
$
13.31

Diluted
$
10.00

 
$
12.13

 
$
13.29

Shares used for computation:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
15,941

 
16,073

 
16,465

Diluted
15,967

 
16,095

 
16,489

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividend declared per share:
$
2.80

 
$
2.80

 
$
2.40

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

44









ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
As recast
 
As recast
NET INCOME
$
161,802

 
$
198,148

 
$
220,866

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Change in available for sale securities, net of tax
(1,153
)
 
49

 
318

Foreign currency translation adjustments
177

 
(681
)
 
88

Change in derivatives, net of tax
3,155

 
(1,978
)
 
(1,470
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
2,179

 
(2,610
)
 
(1,064
)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
163,981

 
$
195,538

 
$
219,802


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

45









ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common
 
 
 
Additional
 
other
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
stock
 
Par
 
paid-in
 
comprehensive
 
Retained
 
Treasury
 
shareholders'
 
outstanding
 
value
 
capital
 
income (loss)
 
earnings
 
shares
 
equity
Balance at December 31, 2015
16,803

 
$
22

 
$
228,945

 
$
834

 
$
573,619

 
$
(453,415
)
 
$
350,005

Share-based compensation
219

 

 
9,291

 

 

 

 
9,291

Shares repurchased by the Company and held as treasury shares
(402
)
 

 

 

 

 
(66,371
)
 
(66,371
)
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan
13

 

 

 

 

 
1,983

 
1,983

Cash dividends declared, $2.40 per share

 

 

 

 
(39,812
)
 

 
(39,812
)
Other comprehensive (loss)