Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Companies / Jetblue swings to Q1 loss on higher expenses
BackBack

Jetblue swings to Q1 loss on higher expenses

Jetblue swings to Q1 loss on higher expenses

Premium

Washington: JetBlue Airways Corp swung to an unexpected loss in the first quarter, but believes it has taken the right steps to position itself for new growth and a return to profitability.

New York-based JetBlue said winter storms cut revenue by $15 million and its transition to a new customer service and reservation system increased expenses by a like amount.

Higher fuel costs also eroded the carrier’s bottom line, a volatile scenario that affected all major airlines in the January-to-March period.

JetBlue reported a net loss of $1 million, or a penny per share, compared with net income of $12 million, or 5 cents a share for the year-ago period.

The consensus Wall Street per-share forecast for the quarter was a profit of 3 cents, according to Reuters.

Higher fares helped push revenue to $870 million, about $10 million shy of analysts’ expectations. Traffic was up and planes flew more than three-quarters full on average.

The second-quarter forecast calls for improving unit revenue, an increase in capacity and higher costs, excluding fuel.

JetBlue chief executive Dave Barger said the company was disappointed in its performance but was encouraged by recent revenue trends bolstered by an improving economy.

The airline also expects benefits from its new customer service system, a growing presence in Boston, and its position as the largest domestic carrier at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

“We are confident that we are taking the right steps to return to sustained profitability," Barger said in a statement.

JetBlue ended the quarter with $1.1 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 28 Apr 2010, 06:26 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App

Chat with MintGenie