JetBlue's third quarter net income down 10%

JetBlue Airways has reported its results for the third quarter 2017. The airline reported operating income of US$310m, a decrease of 12.4% from the third quarter of 2016. Pre-tax income was US$293m, a decrease of 11.2% from the third quarter of 2016. Third quarter net income was US$179m million, this compares to JetBlue’s third quarter 2016 net income of US$199m. Operating revenues was US$1.8bn. Revenue passenger miles for the third quarter increased 2.3% to 12.2 billion on a capacity increase of 3.7%, resulting in a third quarter load factor of 85.1%, a 1.2 point decrease year over year. Yield per passenger mile in the third quarter was 13.32 cents, up 1.0% compared to the third quarter of 2016. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) for the third quarter of 2017 decreased 0.4% year over year to 11.34 cents and operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 0.9% year over year to 12.67 cents. Compared with last year, operating expenses for the quarter increased 9.1%, or US$125m. Interest expense for the quarter declined 18.5%, or US$5m, as JetBlue continued to reduce its debt. JetBlue’s operating expense per available seat mile (CASM) for the third quarter increased 5.2% year over year to 10.50 cents. Excluding fuel, third quarter CASM1 increased 2.7% to 8.07 cents.