Air Canada Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results
- Operating revenues of
$5.196 billion for the first quarter of 2025, 1% lower year over year. - Operating loss of
$108 million and adjusted EBITDA* of$387 million with adjusted EBITDA margin* of 7.4%. - Cash flow from operating activities of
$1.526 billion and free cash flow* of$831 million , a year-over-year decrease of$66 million and$225 million respectively. - Leverage ratio* of 1.3 at
March 31, 2025 , compared to 1.4 at end of 2024. - Purchased and cancelled over 15 million shares in the quarter, completing the normal course issuer bid announced in
November 2024 . - Announced intention to launch substantial issuer bid (SIB) to purchase and cancel up to
$500 million of shares.
"Our first quarter 2025 results show
"In the quarter, we reported strong cash from operations and free cash flow. Our leverage ratio decreased from the fourth quarter of 2024. Although advance ticket sales grew in line with our expectations in the period, we anticipate market conditions will remain unsteady with an uncertain economic outlook. In response, we are prudently moderating our expectations and concentrating on controllable factors such as cost management and strategic capacity adjustments to ensure strong performance in key financial metrics.
"Our results demonstrate that we have a solid and diversified commercial foundation, a disciplined capital allocation strategy, and a skilled and dedicated team. We are encouraged that despite some shifts in certain markets, overall demand trends remain steady. In the quarter, we purchased and cancelled over 15 million shares to complete the normal course issuer bid program announced last November. In our ongoing drive to create value, we are pleased to announce today our intention to launch a substantial issuer bid to purchase and cancel up to
*
Adjusted
CASM, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted EBITDA margin, leverage ratio, net debt, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted earnings (loss) per share, and free cash flow are referred to in this news release. Such measures are non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, or supplementary financial measures, are not recognized measures for financial statement presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this news release for descriptions of these measures, and for a reconciliation of |
The following is an overview of
First Quarter 2025 Financial Results
- Operating revenues of
$5.196 billion decreased$30 million or 1% on an operated capacity decline of 0.4% year over year. - Operating expenses of
$5.304 billion increased$89 million or 2%, driven by depreciation, ground package costs and the impact of an unfavourable foreign exchange variance year over year. Lower fuel prices year over year partially offset the increase. - Operating loss of
$108 million compared to operating income of$11 million in the same period in 2024. - Adjusted EBITDA of
$387 million , with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.4%, decreased$66 million and 1.3 percentage points, respectively. - Adjusted pre-tax loss* of
$215 million , compared to an adjusted pre-tax loss of$94 million in the same period in 2024. - Net loss of
$102 million and diluted loss per share of$0.40 compared to a net loss of$81 million and diluted loss per share of$0.22 . - Adjusted net loss* of
$150 million and adjusted loss per diluted share of$0.45 compared to an adjusted net loss of$96 million and adjusted loss per diluted share of$0.27 . - Adjusted CASM* of
15.27 cents compared to14.76 cents , an increase of 3.5%. - Net cash flows from operating activities of
$1,526 million decreased$66 million . - Free cash flow* of
$831 million decreased$225 million .
Outlook
For the second quarter of 2025,
For the full year 2025,
Metric |
Prior 2025 Guidance |
Updated 2025 Guidance |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
ASM capacity |
3% to 5% increase versus 2024 |
1% to 3% increase versus 2024 |
Adjusted CASM |
14.25 ¢ to 14.50 ¢ |
14.25 ¢ to 14.50 ¢ |
Free cash flow |
Break even +/- |
Break even +/- |
Major Assumptions
Announcement of a Substantial Issuer Bid
Shareholders wishing to accept the Proposed Offer will have the opportunity to tender their Shares by making (i) an "auction tender" at a specified price per Share within a range to be proposed by
The discussion in this news release relating to the Proposed Offer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell
2028 Targets
On
Metric |
2028 Targets |
2030 Aspirations |
Operating revenues |
Approximately |
Exceed |
Adjusted EBITDA margin* |
Greater than or equal to 17% |
Between 18% and 20% |
Net cash flows from operating activities as a percentage of adjusted EBITDA* |
Approximately 90% |
Approximately 90% |
Additions to property, equipment and intangible assets as a percentage of operating revenues* |
Lower than or equal to 12% |
Lower than 12% |
Free cash flow margin* |
Approximately 5% |
Approximately 5% |
Return on invested capital* |
Not provided |
Greater than or equal to 12% |
Fully diluted share count |
Lower than 300 million shares |
Lower than 300 million shares |
* Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted EBITDA margin, net cash flows from operating activities as a percentage of adjusted EBITDA, additions to property, equipment and intangible assets as a percentage of operating revenues, free cash flow margin and return on invested capital are referred to in this news release. Such measures are non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, or supplementary financial measures, are not recognized measures for financial statement presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. |
The 2028 long-term targets and 2030 aspirations provided in this news release do not constitute guidance or outlook but rather are provided for the purpose of assisting the reader in measuring progress toward
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below is a description of certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios used by
Adjusted CASM
In calculating adjusted CASM, aircraft fuel expense is excluded from operating expense results as it fluctuates widely depending on many factors, including international market conditions, geopolitical events, jet fuel refining costs and
Adjusted CASM is reconciled to GAAP operating expense as follows:
(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated) |
First Quarter |
|||||
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
||||
Operating expense – GAAP |
$ |
5,304 |
$ |
5,215 |
$ |
89 |
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aircraft fuel |
|
(1,186) |
|
(1,254) |
|
68 |
Ground package costs |
|
(373) |
|
(335) |
|
(38) |
Freighter costs (excluding fuel) |
|
(42) |
|
(35) |
|
(7) |
Operating expense, adjusted for the above-noted items |
$ |
3,703 |
$ |
3,591 |
$ |
112 |
ASMs (millions) |
|
24,240 |
|
24,337 |
|
(0.4) % |
Adjusted CASM (cents) |
¢ |
15.27 |
¢ |
14.76 |
¢ |
0.51 |
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of operating revenues) are commonly used in the airline industry and are used by
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are reconciled to GAAP operating income (loss) as follows:
|
First Quarter |
|||||
(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated) |
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
|||
Operating income (loss) – GAAP |
$ |
(108) |
$ |
11 |
$ |
(119) |
Add back: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and impairment |
|
495 |
|
442 |
|
53 |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
387 |
$ |
453 |
$ |
(66) |
Operating revenues |
$ |
5,196 |
$ |
5,226 |
$ |
(30) |
Operating margin (%) |
|
(2.1) |
|
0.2 |
|
(2.3) pp |
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) |
|
7.4 |
|
8.7 |
|
(1.3) pp |
Adjusted Pre-tax Income (Loss)
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is used by
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is reconciled to GAAP income (loss) before income taxes as follows:
(Canadian dollars in millions) |
First Quarter |
|||||
2025 |
2024 |
$ Change |
||||
Loss before income taxes – GAAP |
$ |
(167) |
$ |
(65) |
$ |
(102) |
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss |
|
11 |
|
(59) |
|
70 |
Net interest relating to employee benefits |
|
(5) |
|
(5) |
|
- |
Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value |
|
(54) |
|
(11) |
|
(43) |
Loss on debt settlements |
|
- |
|
46 |
|
(46) |
Adjusted pre-tax loss |
$ |
(215) |
$ |
(94) |
$ |
(121) |
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Share – Diluted
Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per share are reconciled to GAAP net income as follows:
(Canadian dollars in millions) |
First Quarter |
|||||
2025 |
2024 |
$ Change |
||||
Net loss – GAAP |
$ |
(102) |
$ |
(81) |
$ |
(21) |
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss |
|
11 |
|
(59) |
|
70 |
Net interest relating to employee benefits |
|
(5) |
|
(5) |
|
- |
Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value |
|
(54) |
|
(11) |
|
(43) |
Loss on debt settlements |
|
- |
|
46 |
|
(46) |
Income tax, including for the above reconciling items |
|
- |
|
14 |
|
(14) |
Adjusted net loss |
$ |
(150) |
$ |
(96) |
$ |
(54) |
Weighted average number of outstanding shares used in computing diluted income per share (in millions) |
|
330 |
|
358 |
|
(28) |
Adjusted loss per share – diluted |
$ |
(0.45) |
$ |
(0.27) |
$ |
(0.18) |
The table below reflects the share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share on an adjusted earnings per share basis:
(In millions) |
First Quarter |
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic |
330 |
358 |
Effect of dilution |
- |
- |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted |
330 |
358 |
Free Cash Flow
The table below reconciles free cash flow to net cash flows from (used in) operating activities for the periods indicated.
|
First Quarter |
|||||
(Canadian dollars in millions) |
2025 |
2024 |
$ Change |
|||
Net cash flows from operating activities |
$ |
1,526 |
$ |
1,592 |
$ |
(66) |
Additions to property, equipment and intangible assets |
|
(695) |
|
(536) |
|
(159) |
Free cash flow |
$ |
831 |
$ |
1,056 |
$ |
(225) |
Net Debt
Net debt is a capital management measure and a key component of the capital managed by
Net Debt to Trailing 12-Month Adjusted EBITDA (Leverage Ratio)
Net debt to trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA ratio (also referred to as "leverage ratio") is commonly used in the airline industry and is used by
The table below reconciles leverage ratio to
(Canadian dollars in millions) |
|
|
Change |
|||
Total long-term debt and lease liabilities |
$ |
10,710 |
$ |
10,915 |
$ |
(205) |
Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities |
|
2,016 |
|
1,755 |
|
261 |
Total long-term debt and lease liabilities (including current portion) |
|
12,726 |
|
12,670 |
|
56 |
Less cash, cash equivalents and short- and long-term investments |
|
(8,061) |
|
(7,752) |
|
(309) |
Net debt |
$ |
4,665 |
$ |
4,918 |
$ |
(253) |
Adjusted EBITDA (trailing 12 months) |
$ |
3,520 |
|
3,586 |
|
(66) |
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio |
|
1.3 |
|
1.4 |
|
(0.1) |
For further information on
First Quarter 2025 Conference Call
Media and the public may access this call on a listen-in basis. Details are as follows:
Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/876izdz4
By telephone: 647-932-3411 or 1-800-715-9871 (toll-free)
Conference ID 6439503
Please allow 10 minutes to be connected to the conference call.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions, including statements relating to
Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions including those described herein and are subject to important risks and uncertainties, which are amplified in the current environment. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business of
Factors that may cause results to differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements include economic conditions, statements or actions by governments and uncertainty relating to the imposition of (or threats to impose) tariffs on Canadian exports or imports and their resulting impacts on the Canadian, North American and global economies and travel demand, geopolitical conditions such as the military conflicts in the
The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this news release represent
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Selected Financial Metrics and Statistics
The financial and operating highlights for
(Canadian dollars in millions, except per share data or where indicated) |
First Quarter |
||
Financial Performance Metrics |
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
Operating revenues |
5,196 |
5,226 |
(30) |
Operating income (loss) |
(108) |
11 |
(119) |
Operating margin (1) (%) |
(2.1) |
0.2 |
(2.3) pp (8) |
Adjusted EBITDA (2) |
387 |
453 |
(66) |
Adjusted EBITDA margin (2) (%) |
7.4 |
8.7 |
(1.3) pp |
Loss before income taxes |
(167) |
(65) |
(102) |
Net loss |
(102) |
(81) |
(21) |
Adjusted pre-tax loss (2) |
(215) |
(94) |
(121) |
Adjusted net loss (2) |
(150) |
(96) |
(54) |
Total liquidity (3) |
9,464 |
10,001 |
(537) |
Net cash flows from operating activities |
1,526 |
1,592 |
(66) |
Free cash flow (2) |
831 |
1,056 |
(225) |
Net debt (2) |
4,665 |
3,781 |
884 |
Diluted loss per share |
(0.40) |
(0.22) |
(0.18) |
Adjusted loss per share (2) |
(0.45) |
(0.27) |
(0.18) |
Operating Statistics (4) |
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions) |
19,887 |
20,520 |
(3.1) |
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions) |
24,240 |
24,337 |
(0.4) |
Passenger load factor % |
82.0 % |
84.3 % |
(2.3) pp |
Passenger revenue per RPM (Yield) (cents) |
21.8 |
21.7 |
0.6 |
Passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM) (cents) |
17.9 |
18.3 |
(2.1) |
Operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) |
21.4 |
21.5 |
(0.2) |
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents) |
21.9 |
21.4 |
2.1 |
Adjusted CASM (cents) (2) |
15.3 |
14.8 |
3.5 |
Avg. number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees (thousands) (5) |
37.2 |
36.9 |
0.7 |
Aircraft in operating fleet at period-end |
359 |
366 |
(1.9) |
Seats dispatched (thousands) |
13,339 |
13,479 |
(1.0) |
Aircraft frequencies (thousands) |
91.3 |
90.9 |
0.5 |
Average stage length (miles) (6) |
1,817 |
1,805 |
0.7 |
Fuel cost per litre (cents) |
97.7 |
105.6 |
(7.5) |
Fuel litres (thousands) |
1,191,444 |
1,184,718 |
0.6 |
Revenue passengers carried (thousands) (7) |
10,383 |
10,751 |
(3.4) |
(1) |
Operating margin is a supplementary financial measure and is defined as operating income (loss) as a percentage of operating revenues. |
(2) |
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted earnings (loss) per share, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted EBITDA margin, free cash flow, net debt and adjusted CASM are non-GAAP financial measures, capital management measures, non-GAAP ratios or supplementary financial measures. Such measures are not recognized measures for financial statement presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Refer to section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this release for descriptions of |
(3) |
Total liquidity refers to the sum of cash, cash equivalents, short and long-term investments, and the amounts available under |
(4) |
Except for the reference to average number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, operating statistics in this table include third party carriers operating under capacity purchase agreements with |
(5) |
Reflects FTE employees at |
(6) |
Average stage length is calculated by dividing the total number of available seat miles by the total number of seats dispatched. |
(7) |
Revenue passengers are counted on a flight number basis (rather than by journey/itinerary or by leg), which is consistent with the IATA definition of revenue passengers carried. |
(8) |
"pp" denotes percentage points and refers to a measure of the arithmetic difference between two percentages. |
SOURCE