KHK Kitty Hawk

Kitty Hawk, Inc. (AMEX:KHK), the parent company of Kitty Hawk Cargo, Inc. and Kitty Hawk Aircargo, Inc., today reported fourth quarter 2005 revenue of $45.9 million, an increase of $1.5 million compared to fourth quarter 2004. Due largely to the investment in the Company's scheduled airport-to-airport less than truckload (LTL) deferred freight network, a $1.3 million write down in the value of the Company's Boeing 727-200 aircraft parts and supplies and a $1.1 million increase in its reserve for surplus Boeing 727-200 aircraft parts and supplies, Kitty Hawk generated a net loss allocable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2005 of $4.1 million, or a loss of $0.08 per diluted common share. For the fourth quarter of 2004, Kitty Hawk reported net income of $5.4 million or $0.11 per diluted share, which included the reversal of $4.7 million of aircraft maintenance expenses. "The fourth quarter of 2005 was one of the most significant quarterly periods in Kitty Hawk's operating history," said Robert W. Zoller, President and CEO. "During the fourth quarter, we launched our new scheduled airport-to-airport LTL ground network, significantly improved our balance sheet and began to realize the efficiencies from the completed integration of our Boeing 737-300SF cargo aircraft into the Kitty Hawk fleet. In addition, we strengthened our management team and positioned the Company for growth in 2006. As of March 1, we are providing expedited air cargo service to 57 North American markets and scheduled LTL ground service to 46 North American markets, including numerous international freight gateways. Today Kitty Hawk is the only independent combined air and ground heavy weight freight network on the continent. "We have been very encouraged by the outstanding service levels of our new scheduled airport-to-airport LTL network," said Mr. Zoller. "From our start-up on October 31, 2005 through February 28, 2006, we have grown our ground network customer base to more than 150 customers and achieved an impressive on-time performance to the customer of 94.2% with a completion factor of 99.99% and loss damage ratio of 0.00002%." "The successful start up of the scheduled airport-to-airport LTL ground service, the higher lease costs of the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-300SF's and higher maintenance costs contributed to the net loss for the fourth quarter," said James R. Kupferschmid, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We finished the fourth quarter with $26.6 million in cash and have availability on our line of credit of more than $6.5 million," Mr. Kupferschmid added. Financial Results For the full year 2005 Kitty Hawk reported $156.7 million in revenue, compared to $158.5 million for the full year 2004. The Company reported a net loss allocable to common stockholders of $8.8 million, or a loss of $0.17 per diluted common share for the full year 2005, compared to net income of $6.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share for the full year 2004. Scheduled freight revenue for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $43.9 million, an increase of $857,000 compared to the fourth quarter 2004. Scheduled freight revenue for the full year 2005 was $151.9 million, compared to $154.0 million for the full year in 2004. Fourth quarter 2005 system chargeable weight (accounting for associated oversize and special handling requirements) was unchanged as compared with the fourth quarter of 2004 and average yield (revenue per unit of chargeable weight) increased 2.0% over the fourth quarter of 2004. Full year 2005 system chargeable weight decreased 8.7% and average yield increased 8.0% over the full year 2004. The decrease in chargeable weight was due to reduced demand for the Company's expedited air freight services, which was primarily attributable to higher prices charged as a result of higher aircraft fuel costs. The yield increase was primarily due to an increase in the fuel surcharge, the implementation of a security surcharge and a revised pricing structure implemented at the beginning of 2005. The yield increase was partially offset by competitive pricing pressures and a higher proportion of Kitty Hawk's chargeable weight during the fourth quarter 2005 from lower yielding markets and lower yielding services, including the Company's new LTL ground network. During 2004 and 2005, the Company incurred $1.9 million and $3.7 million respectively in one-time costs, including induction expenses and capital expenditures, to integrate the Boeing 737-300SF cargo aircraft into the current fleet and operations. The Company does not anticipate incurring additional Boeing 737-300SF cargo aircraft induction costs during 2006. As of December 31, 2005, the Company operated seven Boeing 737-300SF cargo aircraft under operating leases, five owned Boeing 727-200 cargo aircraft and five Boeing 727-200 cargo aircraft available under an aircraft and engine use agreement. 2006 Outlook Due to the seasonality of the business and continued investment in the scheduled airport-to-airport LTL ground network, the Company expects a net loss in the first quarter of 2006 that will exceed the fourth quarter 2005 net loss. During the first two quarters of 2006, the Company expects its transportation and freight handling expenses to continue to increase from the fourth quarter 2005 level due to the Company's continued investment in its scheduled airport-to-airport LTL ground network. In addition, the Company expects its capital expenditures for the full year 2006 to approximately match its historical annual rate of approximately $3 million. "We are already seeing signs that our investment in the scheduled airport-to-airport LTL ground network, as well as our continued strong air cargo service, is increasing our revenue base and positioning us as a more valuable resource for our freight forwarder customers in North America and as a strategic partner for international air carriers at U.S. gateways," said Mr. Zoller. "As a result, we expect to expand our revenues as 2006 progresses and believe we are positioned over the long term for profitable growth in a high aircraft fuel cost operating environment." Conference Call Information Management will host a conference call tomorrow morning, March 21, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. Central time to review the financial results. To access the call, dial 800-240-2430, or 303-262-2131 for international callers. To listen to the live web cast go to: www.kittyhawkcompanies.com in the Investor Relations area of the web site. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately one hour after the call's conclusion and through midnight ET March 28, 2006 by dialing 800-405-2236 or 303-590-3000 for international callers and entering the following pass code:11055935. followed by the pound sign. About Kitty Hawk, Inc. www.kittyhawkcompanies.com As a recognized leader in customer service, Kitty Hawk is the premier provider of guaranteed, mission-critical, scheduled overnight air and beginning October 31, 2005 of scheduled time-definite airport-to-airport less-than-truckload (LTL) ground freight transportation to major business centers and surrounding communities throughout North America, including, Alaska, Hawaii, Toronto, Canada, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. With more than 30 years experience in the aviation and air freight industries, Kitty Hawk plays a key connecting role in the global supply chain. Kitty Hawk serves the logistics needs of more than 550 freight forwarders, integrated carriers, logistics companies and major airlines with its extensive integrated air and ground network, fleet of Boeing 737-300SF and 727 cargo aircraft, as well as a 239,000 square-foot cargo warehouse, US Customs clearance and sort facility at its Fort Wayne, Indiana hub. In 2005, Kitty Hawk became the North American launch customer for the fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly Boeing 737-300SF cargo aircraft. Kitty Hawk's air and ground cargo networks and award-winning, guaranteed overnight time-definite service are ideal for heavy-weight shipments (over 150 lbs), special goods with unique dimensions, perishables, animals and other valuable shipments. Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: This report may contain forward-looking statements that are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or future financial and operating performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those indicated by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "forecast," "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "intends," "plan," "believe," "potential" or other similar words indicating future events or contingencies. Some of the things that could cause actual results to differ from expectations are: economic conditions; the impact of high fuel prices; our inability to successfully implement and operate our expanded scheduled airport-to-airport less than truckload deferred freight network; failure of key suppliers and vendors to perform; our inability to attract sufficient customers at economical prices for our expanded ground network; unforeseen increases in liquidity and working capital requirements related to our expanded ground network; potential competitive responses from other operators of nationwide coast-to-coast less than truckload networks; the continued impact of terrorist attacks, global instability and potential U.S. military involvement; the Company's significant lease obligations and indebtedness; the competitive environment and other trends in the Company's industry; changes in laws and regulations; changes in the Company's operating costs including fuel; changes in the Company's business plans; interest rates and the availability of financing; liability and other claims asserted against the Company; labor disputes; the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; inflation. For a discussion of these and other risk factors, see the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed therein. These risk factors may not be exhaustive. The Company operates in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on the Company's business or events described in any forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform them to actual results. -0- *T KITTY HAWK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Quarter ended December 31, Year ended December 31, ------------------------- ----------------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 ----------- --------- ---------- ------------- (in thousands) Revenue: Scheduled freight $43,882 $43,025 $151,910 $154,016 ACMI 717 612 1,649 2,449 Miscellaneous 1,268 741 3,078 2,032 ------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- Total revenue 45,867 44,378 156,637 158,497 Cost of revenue: Flight expense 8,826 6,399 30,241 27,924 Transportation expense 6,880 4,100 17,106 14,603 Aircraft fuel expense 15,597 13,657 54,656 45,838 Aircraft maintenance expense 5,936 (1,576) 14,207 7,047 Freight handling expense 7,438 7,121 26,715 27,705 Depreciation and amortization 902 801 3,693 3,091 Operating overhead expense 2,172 2,388 11,146 10,809 ------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- Total cost of revenue 47,751 32,890 157,764 137,017 ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------- Gross profit (loss) (1,884) 11,488 (1,127) 21,480 General and administrative expense 2,078 2,986 8,052 11,073 ------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- Operating income (loss) (3,962) 8,502 (9,179) 10,407 Other (income) expense: Interest expense 78 93 287 333 Other income (206) (327) (956) (426) ------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- Total other income (128) (234) (669) (93) ------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes (3,834) 8,736 (8,510) 10,500 Income tax expense -- 3,326 -- 3,970 ------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- Net income (loss) $(3,834) $5,410 $(8,510) $6,530 ============ =========== ========== =========== Preferred stock dividends, including beneficial conversion feature 313 -- 313 -- ------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders $(4,147) $5,410 $(8,823) $6,530 ============ =========== ========== =========== Basic income (loss) per share $(0.08) $0.11 $(0.17) $0.13 ============ =========== ========== =========== Diluted income (loss) per share $(0.08) $0.11 $(0.17) $0.12 ============ =========== ========== =========== Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 51,582,032 51,051,788 51,447,898 50,779,179 ============ =========== ========== =========== Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 51,582,032 53,889,260 51,447,898 53,767,124 ============ =========== ========== =========== KITTY HAWK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2005 December 31, 2004 ----------------- ----------------- Cash and cash equivalents $26,650 $16,284 Total assets 56,934 49,070 Notes payable and long-term obligations 2,305 2,755 Stockholders' equity $27,407 $34,116 *T