Alaska Air Group, Inc. Form 424(b)(3)
 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Number 333-107177
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated October 7, 2003)

$150,000,000

(ALASKA AIR LOGO)

Senior Convertible Notes due 2023

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

     This document supplements the prospectus of Alaska Air Group, Inc., dated October 7, 2003, relating to the notes issued in a private placement in March 2003 and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. The information in this prospectus supplement replaces and supersedes the information set forth under the heading “Selling Security Holders” in the prospectus dated October 7, 2003.

     This prospectus supplement is incorporated by reference into, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus dated October 7, 2003. This prospectus supplement is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in connection with, the prospectus dated October 7, 2003.

     We have not applied for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation through any automated quotation system. The notes were offered to qualified institutional buyers as defined in, and in reliance on, Rule 144A under the Securities Act, in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

     You should consider carefully the risks that we have described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of the prospectus dated October 7, 2003.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus supplement is November 4, 2003

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

      We originally issued the notes in a private placement in March 2003. The notes were resold by the initial purchasers to “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The selling securityholders may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus any or all of the notes listed below and shares of our common stock issued upon conversion of those notes. When we refer to the “selling securityholders” in this prospectus, we mean those persons listed in the table below, as well as the permitted pledgees, donees, assignees, transferees, successors and others who later hold any of the selling securityholders’ interests.

      The table below sets forth the name of each selling securityholder, the principal amount at maturity of notes, as of November 4, 2003, that each selling securityholder may offer pursuant to this prospectus and the number of shares of our common stock into which those notes are convertible. Unless set forth below, none of the selling securityholders has, or within the past three years has had, any material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates.

      We have prepared the table below based on information given to us by the selling securityholders on or prior to November 4, 2003. However, any or all of the notes or shares of our common stock listed below may be offered for sale pursuant to this prospectus by the selling securityholders from time to time. Accordingly, no estimate can be given as to the amounts of notes or our common stock that will be held by the selling securityholders upon consummation of any sales pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, the selling securityholders listed in the table below may have acquired, sold or transferred, in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, some or all of their notes since the date as of which the information in the table is presented.

      Information about the selling securityholders may change over time. Any changed information will be set forth in prospectus supplements to the extent we are advised of the changes. From time to time, additional information concerning ownership of the notes and our common stock may rest with certain holders thereof not named in the table below and of whom we are unaware.

1


 

                                         
    Original Principal                   Number of Shares of        
    Amount of Notes   Perentage of Notes   Number of Shares of   Common Stock   Number of Shares of
    Beneficially Owned   Outstanding Before   Common Stock Held   Offered for Sale(1)   Common Stock Held
Name   That May be Sold   Offering*   Before Offering(1)   (2)   After Offering(3)

 
 
 
 
 
1976 Distribution Trust FBO A.R. Lauder / Zinterhofer(4)
    9,000       *       346       346        
2000 Revocable Trust FBO A.R. Lauder / Zinterhofer (5)
    9,000       *       346       346        
Advent Convertible Master (Cayman) L.P. (6)
    7,683,000       5.12       295,499       295,499        
Aftra Health Fund(a) (7)
    270,000       *       10,384       10,384        
AIG DKR SoundShore Oasis Holding Fund Ltd. (8)
    1,000,000       *       38,461       38,461        
AIG DKR SoundShore Strategic Holding Fund Ltd.(9)
    1,000,000       *       38,461       38,461        
Alcon Laboratories(10)
    465,000       *       17,884       17,884        
Allentown City Firefighters Pension Plan(11)
    14,000       *       538       538        
Allentown City Officers & Employees Pension Fund (12)
    20,000       *       769       769        
Allentown City Police Pension Plan (13)
    280,000       *       10,769       10,769        
Alpha US Sub Fund 4 LLC (14)
    336,000       *       12,923       12,923        
Arapahoe County Colorado (15)
    58,000       *       2,230       2,230        
Argent Classic Convertible Arbitrage Fund L.P. (16)
    300,000       *       11,538       11,538        
Argent Classic Convertible Arbitrage Fund II, L.P. (17)
    100,000       *       3,846       3,846        
Argent Classic Convertible Arbitrage (Bermuda) Fund Ltd. (18)
    700,000       *       26,923       26,923        
Argent Low Lev Convertible Arbitrage Fund LLC (19)
    300,000       *       11,538       11,538        
Argent Low Lev Convertible Arbitrage Fund Ltd. (20)
    1,800,000       1.20       69,230       69,230        
Arlington County Employees Retirement System
    409,000       *       15,730       15,730        
Asante Health Systems (21)
    803,000       *       30,884       30,884        
Banc of America Capital Management, LLC (22)(a)
    1,350,000       *       51,923       51,923        
Barclays Global Investors Diversified Alpha Plus Funds c/o Forest Investment Mngt. LLC (23)(a)
    487,000       *       18,730       18,730        
BNP Paribas Arbitrage (24)
    6,500,000       4.33       249,999       249,999        
BNP Paribas Equity Strategies, SNC (25)
    627,000       *       36,775       24,115       12,660  
BP Amoco PLC Master Trust (26)
    482,000       *       18,538       18,538        
British Virgin Islands Social Security Board (27)
    105,000       *       4,038       4,038        
Calamos Convertible Fund — Calamos Investment Trust (28)
    2,500,000       1.67       96,153       96,153        

 

2


 

                                         
    Original Principal                   Number of Shares of        
    Amount of Notes   Percentage of Notes   Number of Shares of   Common Stock   Number of Shares of
    Beneficially Owned   Outstanding Before   Common Stock Held   Offered for Sale(1)   Common Stock Held
Name   That May be Sold   Offering*   Before Offering(1)   (2)   After Offering(3)

 
 
 
 
 
Calamos Market Neutral Fund - Calamos Investment Trust (29)
    2,500,000       1.67       96,153       96,153        
City and County of San Francisco Retirement System (30)
    1,776,000       1.18       68,307       68,307        
City of New Orleans (31)
    245,000       *       9,423       9,423        
City University of New York (32)
    181,000       *       6,961       6,961        
CNH CA Master Account, L.P. (33)
    2,100,000       1.40       80,769       80,769        
Convertible Securities Fund (34)
    20,000       *       769       769        
Coastal Convertibles LTD (35)
    1,000,000       *       38,461       38,461        
CooperNeff Convertible Strategies (Cayman) Master Fund, L.P.
    681,000       *       32,664       26,192       6,472  
Delaware Pubic Employees Retirement System (36)
    1,862,000       1.24       71,615       71,615        
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (37)(a)
    4,309,000       2.87       165,730       165,730        
Forest Fulcrum Fund LP (38)(a)
    1,344,000       *       51,692       51,692        
Forest Global Convertible Fund Ltd., Class A-5 (39)(a)
    5,017,000       3.34       192,961       192,961        
Forest Multi-Strategy Master Fund SPC, on behalf of its Multi-Strategy segregated portfolio (40)(a)
    1,681,000       1.12       64,653       64,653        

 

3


 

                                         
    Original Principal                   Number of Shares of        
    Amount of Notes   Percentage of Notes   Number of Shares of   Common Stock   Number of Shares of
    Beneficially Owned   Outstanding Before   Common Stock Held   Offered for Sale(1)   Common Stock Held
Name   That May be Sold   Offering*   Before Offering(1)   (2)   After Offering(3)

 
 
 
 
 
Georgia Municipal (41)
    28,000       *       1,076       1,076        
The Grable Foundation (42)
    97,000       *       3,730       3,730        
Grady Hospital Foundation (43)
    159,000       *       6,115       6,115        
HFR Arbitrage Fund (44)
    380,000       *       14,615       14,615        
HFR CA Select Fund (45)
    800,000       *       30,769       30,769        
Hotel Union & Hotel Industry of Hawaii Pension Plan (46)
    170,000       *       6,538       6,538        
Independence Blue Cross (47)
    502,000       *       19,307       19,307        
Jeffreies and Company Inc. (48)
    4,000       *       153       153        
KBC Financial Products USA Inc. (49)(a)
    1,090,000       *       41,923       41,923        
KBC Financial Products (Cayman Islands) Ltd. (50)
    3,515,000       2.34       135,192       135,192        
Laurel Ridge Capital, L.P. (51)
    1,000,000       *       38,461       38,461        
LLT Limited (52)(a)
    236,000       *       9,076       9,076        
Lyxor/Forest Fund Ltd. c/o Forest Investment Mngt LLC (53)(a)
    2,112,000       1.41       81,230       81,230        
Lyxor Master Fund Ref: Argent/LowLev CB c/o Argent (54)
    500,000       *       19,230       19,230        
Mainstay Convertible Fund (55)(a)
    4,470,000       2.98       171,922       171,922        
Mainstay VP Convertible Fund (56)(a)
    2,120,000       *       81,538       81,538        

 

4


 

                                         
    Original Principal                   Number of Shares of        
    Amount of Notes   Percentage of Notes   Number of Shares of   Common Stock   Number of Shares of
    Beneficially Owned   Outstanding Before   Common Stock Held   Offered for Sale(1)   Common Stock Held
Name   That May be Sold   Offering*   Before Offering(1)   (2)   After Offering(3)

 
 
 
 
 
Merrill Lynch Insurance Group (57)
    402,000       *       15,461       15,461        
Municipal Employees (58)
    286,000       *       10,999       10,999        
Nations Convertible Securities Fund (59)
    1,330,000       *       51,153       51,153        
New Orleans Firefighters Pension / Relief Fund (60)
    163,000       *       6,269       6,269        
New York Life Insurance Company (Post 82) (61)(a)
    4,900,000       3.27       188,461       188,461        
New York Life Insurance Company (Pre 82) (62)(a)
    2,245,000       1.50       86,346       86,346        
New York Life Separate Account #7 (63)(a)
    105,000       *       4,038       4,038        
Occidental Petroleum Corporation (64)
    323,000       *       12,423       12,423        
Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (65)
    217,000       *       8,346       8,346        
Policeman and Firemen Retirement System of the City of Detroit (66)
    675,000       *       25,961       25,961        
Polygon Global Opportunities Master Fund (67)
    3,000,000       2.00       115,384       115,384        
Pro-mutual (68)
    902,000       *       34,692       34,692        
Relay 11 Holdings Co. c/o Forest Investment Mngt. LLC (69)(a)
    308,000       *       11,846       11,846        
RBC Alternative Assets LP c/o Forest Investment Mngt. LLC (70)(a)
    410,000       *       15,769       15,769        
San Diego County Employee Retirement Association (71)
    1,000,000       *       38,461       38,461        
Silverback Master Ltd.
    3,500,000       2.33       134,615       134,615        

 

5


 

                                         
    Original Principal                   Number of Shares of        
    Amount of Notes   Percentage of Notes   Number of Shares of   Common Stock   Number of Shares of
    Beneficially Owned   Outstanding Before   Common Stock Held   Offered for Sale(1)   Common Stock Held
Name   That May be Sold   Offering*   Before Offering(1)   (2)   After Offering(3)

 
 
 
 
 
Singlehedge U.S Convertible Arbitrage Fund
    103,000       *       3,961       3,961        
Sphinx Convertible Arb Fund Faster Fund Ltd. (72)
    179,000       *       6,884       6,884        
Sphinx Convertible Arbitrage SPC c/o Forest Investment Mngt. LLC (73)(a)
    179,000       *       6,884       6,884        
SSI Blended Market Neutral L.P. (74)
    326,000       *       12,538       12,538        
SSI Hedge Convertible Market Neutral L.P. (75)
    352,000       *       13,538       13,538        
State of Maryland Retirement Agency (76)
    3,843,000       2.56       147,807       147,807        
Sturgeon Limited (77)
    89,000       *       3,423       3,423        
Tag Associates (78)
    71,000       *       2,730       2,730        
TCW Group, Inc. (79)
    4,390,000       2.93       168,845       168,845        
Topanga XI
    1,146,000       *       44,076       44,076        
Trustmark Insurance (80)
    837,000       *       32,192       32,192        
Univest Convertible Arbitrage Fund Ltd. c/o Forest Investment Mngt. LLC (81)(a)
    308,000       *       11,846       11,846        
Viacom Inc. Pension Plan Master Trust (82)
    15,000       *       576       576        
Wolverine Asset Management, LLC (83)
    2,229,000       1.49       85,730       85,730        
Xavex Convertible 4 Fund c/o Forest Investment Mngt. LLC (84)(a)
    225,000       *       8,653       8,653        
Xavex Convertible Arbitrage 2 Fund (85)
    100,000       *       3,846       3,846        
Zazove Convertible Arbitrage Fund L.P. (86)
    1,250,000       *       48,076       48,076        

 

6


 

                                         
    Original Principal                   Number of Shares of        
    Amount of Notes   Percentage of Notes   Number of Shares of   Common Stock   Number of Shares of
    Beneficially Owned   Outstanding Before   Common Stock Held   Offered for Sale(1)   Common Stock Held
Name   That May be Sold   Offering*   Before Offering(1)   (2)   After Offering(3)

 
 
 
 
 
Zazove Income Fund, L.P. (87)
    1,200,000       *       46,153       46,153        
Zurich Institutional Benchmarkers Master Fund, Ltd. (88)
    2,000,000       1.33       76,923       76,923        
Zurich Institutional Benchmark Master Fund c/o Argent (89)
    100,000       *       3,846       3,846        
Zurich Institutional Benchmarks Master Fund Ltd. (90)
    1,293,000       *       49,730       49,730        
Any other holder of notes or future transferee from any such holder (91)
    42,493,000       28.33 %     1,634,344       1,634,344        
Total
    150,000,000       100.00 %     5,788,357       5,769,225       19,132  


          *          Less than 1%

  1)   The number of conversion shares shown in the table above assumes conversion of the full amount of notes held by such holder at the initial conversion rate of 38.4615 shares per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of notes. This conversion rate is subject to certain adjustments. Accordingly, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may increase or decrease from time to time. Under the terms of the indenture, fractional shares will not be issued upon conversion of the notes. Cash will be paid instead of fractional shares, if any. As of October 31, 2003, we had 26,707,579 shares of common stock outstanding.
 
  2)   The shares of common stock that may be sold upon conversion of the notes by any selling securityholder will not represent 1% or more of our outstanding common stock, except Advent Convertible Master (Cayman) L.P.(1.1%).
 
  3)   Assumes all of the notes and shares of common stock issuable upon their conversion are sold in the offering.
 
  4)   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  5)   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  6)   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  7)   The selling security holder is a fund of Mackay Shields, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
 
  8)   DKR Capital Partners L.P. (“DKR LP”) is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as such, serves as the managing general partner of the investment manager to AIG DKR SoundShore Oasis Holding Fund Ltd. (the “Fund”). DKR LP has retained certain individuals to act as the portfolio manager to the Fund managed by DKR LP. As such, DKR LP and certain portfolio managers have shared dispositive and voting power over the securities.
 
  9)   DKR Capital Partners L.P. (“DKR LP”) is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as such, serves as the managing general partner of the investment manager to AIG DKR SoundShore Strategic Holding Fund Ltd. (the “Fund”). DKR LP has retained certain

 

7


 

      individuals to act as the portfolio manager to the Fund managed by DKR LP. As such, DKR LP and certain portfolio managers have shared dispositive and voting power over the securities.
 
  10.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  11.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  12.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  13.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  14.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  15.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  16.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  17.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  18.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  19.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  20.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  21.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  22.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  23.   Includes $20,000 aggregate principal amount held by Convertible Securities Fund and $130,000 aggregate principal amount held by Nations Convertible Securities Fund, each an affiliate of Banc of America Capital Management, LLC. Eddie L. Cassens, CFA, Managing Director and Yangfang C. Yan, Portfolio Manager, of Bank of America Capital Management, LLC share voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  24.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  25.   Mike Cohen – Vice President of EQD Convertibles Trading at BNP Paribas, has voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  26.   SSI Investment Management, Inc., exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht.
 
  27.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  28.   Nick Calamos, as Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Investments for Calamos Asset Management, Inc., has sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.

 

8


 

  29.   Nick Calamos, as Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Investments for Calamos Asset Management, Inc., has sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  30.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  31.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  32.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  33.   CNH Partners, LLC is the Investment Advisor of the Selling Security Holder and has sole voting and dispositive power over the Registrable Securities. Investment Principals for the Advisor are Rober Krail, Mark Mitchell, and Todd Pulvino. They have voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  34.   Eddie L. Cassens, CFA, Managing Director and Yangang C. Yan, Portfolio Manager have voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  35.   Jay Lurie, a principal of Harbor Capital Management LLC, has voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  36.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  37.   Includes $1,609,000 aggregate principal amount held by Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (“Deutsche Bank”) and $2,700,000 aggregate principal amoung held by DBAG — London, an affiliate of Deutsche Bank. Deutsche Bank is a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  38.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  39.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  40.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  41.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  42.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  43.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  44.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  45.   Gene T. Pretti, a principal of this entity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities.
 
  46.   SSI Investment Management, Inc. exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht.
 
  47.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  48.   SSI Investment Management, Inc. exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht.

 

9


 

  49.   KBC Financial Produccts USA Inc. exercises voting and investing control over any shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the securities owned by this selling holder. Luke Edwards, Managing Director, exercises voting and investment control on behalf of KBC Financial Products USA Inc.
 
  50.   KBC Financial Products Cayman Islands Ltd. exercises voting and investment control over any securities of common stock issuable upon conversion of the securities owned by the selling holder. Mr. Ivan Rehder, Managing Director, exercises voting and investment control on behalf of KBC Financial Products (Cayman Islands) Ltd.
 
  51.   Van Nguyen, John Illyzzi, Andrew Mitchell, Nathaniel Newlin, Timothy Walton, and Venkatesh Reddy are the controlling persons of Laurel Ridge Capital, L.P. and share voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  52.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  53.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  54.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  55.   The selling security holder is a fund of Mackay Shields, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
 
  56.   The selling security holder is a fund of Mackay Shields, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
 
  57.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  58.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  59.   Eddie L. Cassens, CFA, Managing Director and Yangang C. Yan, Portfolio Manager share voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  60.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  61.   The selling security holder is a fund of Mackay Shields, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
 
  62.   The selling security holder is a fund of Mackay Shields, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
 
  63.   The selling security holder is a fund of Mackay Shields, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
 
  64.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  65.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  66.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  67.   The Board of Directors of Polygon Global Opportunities Master Fund: Alex Jackson, Byron Kruef, Brandon Jones, Erik Caspersen, Greville Ward, Reade Griffith, have voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  68.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.

 

10


 

  69.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  70.   Forest Investment Mngt. LLC is 100% owned by Forest Partners II LP. Michael A. Boyd Inc., is the General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  71.   Gene T. Pretti, a principal of this entity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities.
 
  72.   SSI Investment Management, Inc. exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht.
 
  73.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  74.   SSI Investment Management, Inc. has voting and dispositive power over these shares. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht.
 
  75.   SSI Investment Management, Inc. has voting and dispositive power over these shares. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht.
 
  76.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  77.   Sturgeon Limited shares dispositive power with CooperNeff Advisors, Inc. CooperNeff Advisors, Inc. exercises sole voting power with respect to these securities.
 
  78.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  79.   Thomas Lyon, Managing Director of TCW Group, Inc., has voting and dispositive power over these securities.
 
  80.   Advent Capital Management, LLC is the investment advisor of this entity and Paul Latronica, a vice president of the investment advisor, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of the securities held by this entity.
 
  81.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  82.   SSI Investment Management, Inc. exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht.
 
  83.   Rober Bellick, Chris Gust and Eric Henschel share voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  84.   The selling securityholder is controlled by Forest Partners II LP, of which Michael A. Boyd is General Partner. Michael A. Boyd is the principal of Michael A. Boyd Inc. and exercises sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  85.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  86.   Gene T. Pretti, a principal of this entity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities.
 
  87.   Gene T. Pretti, a principal of this entity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities.
 
  88.   Gene T. Pretti, a principal of this entity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities.
 
  89.   Nathaniel Brown, as principal of this entity, exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities.
 
  90.   SSI Investment Management, Inc. exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to these securities. Major shareholders of SSI Investment Management are John Gottfurcht, George Douglas and Amy Jo Gottfurcht. Zazove Associates LLC exercises sole voting or dispositive power with respect to 1,000,000 of these securities.
 
  91.   Information concerning other selling securityholders will be set forth in prospectus supplements from time to time, if required.

 

11


 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

     The following information may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the best information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements 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 our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our 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,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential” or other similar words indicating future events or contingencies. Some of the things that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations are: economic conditions; the continued impact of terrorist attacks, global instability and potential U.S. military involvement; our significant indebtedness; downgrades of our credit ratings; the competitive environment and other trends in our industry; changes in laws and regulations; changes in our operating costs including fuel; changes in our business plans; interest rates and the availability of financing; liability and other claims asserted against us; labor disputes; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and inflation. For a discussion of these and other risk factors, see our prospectus dated October 7, 2003 with respect to the notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion thereof, particularly “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 thereof. 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. We operate 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 our business or events described in any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform them to actual results.

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

     On October 21, 2003, we reported third quarter net income of $40.7 million, or $1.52 per share, compared to net income of $12.5 million, or $0.47 per share, in the third quarter of 2002.

     For the nine months ending September 30, 2003, net income was $29.6 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $75.5 million, or $2.84 per share, during the same period in 2002. Excluding government compensation received in 2003 and a write-off of goodwill in 2002, the company’s net loss for the first nine months of 2003 was $14.7 million ($0.55 per share) versus a loss of $24.4 million ($0.92 per share) for 2002. The 2003 government assistance amounted to $71.4 million ($44.3 million after tax) under the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act. The 2002 net loss included $51.4 million, or $1.93 per share, related to the write-off of goodwill in connection with the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142.

     Operationally, Alaska Airlines’ passenger traffic in the third quarter increased 12.3 percent on a capacity increase of 9.3 percent. Alaska’s load factor increased 2.0 percentage points to 72.5 percent compared to the same period in 2002. Alaska’s operating revenue per available seat mile (ASM) increased 4.5 percent, while its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel decreased 3.9 percent. Alaska’s pretax income was $50.1 million, compared to $13.1 million in 2002.

     Horizon Air’s passenger traffic in the third quarter increased 9.9 percent on a 6.7 percent capacity increase. Horizon’s load factor increased by 1.9 percentage points to 66.5 percent compared to the same period in 2002. Horizon’s operating revenue per ASM increased 6.7 percent, while its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel decreased 5.1 percent. Horizon’s pretax income was $19.5 million, compared to $5.9 million in 2002.

     We had cash and short-term investments at September 30, 2003 of approximately $749 million compared to $636 million at December 31, 2002. The increased balance reflects the receipt of $71.4 million of government compensation and $123.2 million net proceeds received in connection with the completion of a private placement of floating rate convertible bonds on March 21, 2003. The company’s debt-to-capital ratio, assuming aircraft operating leases are capitalized at seven times annualized rent, was 78 percent at September 30, 2003 compared to 77 percent as of December 31, 2002.

     A summary of financial and statistical data for Alaska Airlines and Horizon as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures can be found on pages 15 to 17 below.

     We are the parent company of Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc.

12


 

ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(In Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

                                   
      Three Months   Nine Months
      Ended September 30   Ended September 30
     
 
      2002   2003   2002   2003
     
 
 
 
Operating Revenues:
                               
Passenger
  $ 570.7     $ 645.8     $ 1,552.0     $ 1,678.2  
Freight and mail
    21.1       22.6       59.4       63.6  
Other — net
    28.8       33.8       85.0       89.7  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Total Operating Revenues
    620.6       702.2       1,696.4       1,831.5  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating Expenses:
                               
Wages and benefits
    224.1       237.9       638.8       697.5  
Contracted services
    22.2       24.4       69.3       74.5  
Aircraft fuel
    82.7       94.7       222.6       265.0  
Aircraft maintenance
    35.8       42.4       121.3       140.2  
Aircraft rent
    48.3       49.2       141.6       146.1  
Food and beverage service
    18.6       17.6       49.9       46.6  
Commissions
    7.2       4.6       31.1       11.4  
Other selling expenses
    32.5       31.5       96.2       87.7  
Depreciation and amortization
    34.4       32.7       100.7       98.2  
Loss (gain) on sale of assets
    (0.3 )     0.1       (0.8 )     0.2  
Landing fees and other rentals
    38.1       43.3       103.9       120.6  
Other
    51.5       45.0       150.9       139.3  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Total Operating Expenses
    595.1       623.4       1,725.5       1,827.3  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating (Loss) Income
    25.5       78.8       (29.1 )     4.2  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Nonoperating Income (Expense):
                               
Interest income
    6.0       5.5       16.1       11.5  
Interest expense
    (11.2 )     (13.3 )     (34.7 )     (38.6 )
Interest capitalized
    0.6       0.4       1.4       1.9  
U.S. government compensation
    0.4             0.5       71.4  
Other — net
    (2.0 )     (3.2 )     8.9       2.7  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    (6.2 )     (10.6 )     (7.8 )     48.9  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) before income tax and accounting change
    19.3       68.2       (36.9 )     53.1  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    6.8       27.5       (12.8 )     23.5  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) before accounting change
    12.5       40.7       (24.1 )     29.6  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
                (51.4 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 12.5     $ 40.7     $ (75.5 )   $ 29.6  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
                               
Earnings (loss) before accounting change
  $ 0.47     $ 1.53     $ (0.91 )   $ 1.11  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
                (1.93 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
  $ 0.47     $ 1.53     $ (2.84 )   $ 1.11  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
                               
Earnings (loss) before accounting change
  $ 0.47     $ 1.52     $ (0.91 )   $ 1.11  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
                (1.93 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
  $ 0.47     $ 1.52     $ (2.84 )   $ 1.11  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Shares used for computation:
                               
 
Basic
    26.549       26.660       26.543       26.621  
 
Diluted
    26.562       26.796       26.543       26.680  

13


 

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (unaudited)

                 
    December 31   September 30
(In Millions)   2002   2003

 
 
Cash and marketable securities
  $ 636     $ 749  
 
   
     
 
Total current assets
    976       1,123  
Property and equipment—net
    1,780       1,951  
Other assets
    125       165  
 
   
     
 
Total assets
  $ 2,881     $ 3,239  
 
   
     
 
Current liabilities
    778       861  
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    857       1,041  
Other liabilities and credits
    590       654  
Shareholders’ equity
    656       683  
 
   
     
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 2,881     $ 3,239  
 
   
     
 

14


 

Alaska Airlines Financial and Statistical Data

                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30   Nine Months Ended September 30
   
 
                    %                   %
Financial Data (in millions):   2002   2003   Change   2002   2003   Change
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues:
                                               
Passenger
  $ 468.0     $ 532.5       13.8 %   $ 1,275.5     $ 1,380.1       8.2 %
Freight and mail
    19.7       21.4       8.6 %     55.6       59.8       7.6 %
Other — net
    24.7       31.4       27.1 %     72.2       83.0       15.0 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Total Operating Revenues
    512.4       585.3       14.2 %     1,403.3       1,522.9       8.5 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Operating Expenses:
                                               
Wages and benefits
    184.9       198.7       7.5 %     524.1       578.7       10.4 %
Contracted services
    18.9       20.5       8.5 %     59.8       60.9       1.8 %
Aircraft fuel
    70.7       81.6       15.4 %     190.1       227.6       19.7 %
Aircraft maintenance
    31.6       35.2       11.4 %     103.3       117.7       13.9 %
Aircraft rent
    32.1       31.1       -3.1 %     95.7       92.8       -3.0 %
Food and beverage service
    17.8       17.0       -4.5 %     47.9       44.8       -6.5 %
Commissions
    13.2       17.6       33.3 %     43.9       38.0     -13.4 %
Other selling expenses
    26.1       25.8       -1.1 %     78.8       71.0       -9.9 %
Depreciation and amortization
    29.2       29.7       1.7 %     85.7       87.8       2.5 %
Loss on sale of assets
    0.5       0.8     NM     0.7       1.3     NM
Landing fees and other rentals
    30.1       33.6       11.6 %     82.2       93.5       13.7 %
Other
    38.5       34.5     -10.4 %     111.3       102.9       -7.5 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Total Operating Expenses
    493.6       526.1       6.6 %     1,423.5       1,517.0       6.6 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Operating Income (Loss)
    18.8       59.2     NM     (20.2 )     5.9     NM
 
   
     
             
     
         
Interest income
    6.4       4.6               17.5       10.3          
Interest expense
    (11.3 )     (11.2 )             (35.0 )     (33.9 )        
Interest capitalized
    0.5       0.2               1.0       1.3          
U.S. government compensation
    0.2                     0.3       52.8          
Other — net
    (1.5 )     (2.7 )             7.7       2.7          
 
   
     
             
     
         
 
    (5.7 )     (9.1 )             (8.5 )     33.2          
 
   
     
             
     
         
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax and Accounting Change
  $ 13.1     $ 50.1     NM   $ (28.7 )   $ 39.1     NM
 
   
     
             
     
         
Operating Statistics:
                                               
Revenue passengers (000)
    3,978       4,280       7.6 %     10,787       11,335       5.1 %
RPMs (000,000)
    3,673       4,126       12.3 %     10,022       10,946       9.2 %
ASMs (000,000)
    5,207       5,693       9.3 %     14,602       15,611       6.9 %
Passenger load factor
    70.5 %     72.5 %   2.0 pts     68.6 %     70.1 %   1.5 pts
Breakeven load factor
    69.4 %     65.9 %   -3.5 pts     71.4 %     71.6 %   0.2 pts
Yield per passenger mile
    12.74 ¢     12.91 ¢     1.3 %     12.73 ¢     12.61 ¢     -0.9 %
Operating revenue per ASM
    9.84 ¢     10.28 ¢     4.5 %     9.61 ¢     9.76 ¢     1.5 %
Operating expenses per ASM (a)
    9.48 ¢     9.24 ¢     -2.5 %     9.75 ¢     9.72 ¢     -0.3 %
Operating expenses per ASM excluding fuel (a)
    8.12 ¢     7.81 ¢     -3.9 %     8.45 ¢     8.26 ¢     -2.2 %
Fuel cost per gallon
    81.6 ¢     88.7 ¢     8.7 %     77.9 ¢     89.6 ¢     15.0 %
Fuel gallons (000,000)
    86.6       92.0       6.2 %     243.9       253.9       4.1 %
Average number of employees
    10,465       10,114       -3.4 %     10,167       10,079       -0.9 %
Aircraft utilization (blk hrs/day)
    11.2       11.1       -0.9 %     10.7       10.6       -0.9 %
Operating fleet at period-end
    102       109       6.9 %     102       109       6.9 %

NM = Not Meaningful

(a)  See Note 1 on Page 17

Note:
Certain reclassifications have been made to the September 30, 2002 statements of operations to conform to the September 30, 2003 presentation.

15


 

Horizon Air Financial and Statistical Data

                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30   Nine Months Ended September 30
   
 
                    %                   %
Financial Data (in millions):   2002   2003   Change   2002   2003   Change
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues:
                                               
Passenger
  $ 110.0     $ 127.2       15.6 %   $ 294.9     $ 326.8       10.8 %
Freight and mail
    1.4       1.2       -14.3 %     3.8       3.8       0.0 %
Other — net
    5.2       4.3       -17.3 %     16.4       11.7     -28.7 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Total Operating Revenues
    116.6       132.7       13.8 %     315.1       342.3       8.6 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Operating Expenses:
                                               
Wages and benefits
    38.7       39.2       1.3 %     113.2       118.8       4.9 %
Contracted services
    5.3       5.7       7.5 %     15.6       18.4       17.9 %
Aircraft fuel
    12.0       13.1       9.2 %     32.5       37.4       15.1 %
Aircraft maintenance
    4.2       7.2       71.4 %     18.0       22.5       25.0 %
Aircraft rent
    16.2       18.1       11.7 %     45.9       53.3       16.1 %
Food and beverage service
    0.8       0.6       -25.0 %     2.0       1.8     -10.0 %
Commissions
    1.3       0.9       -30.8 %     5.7       2.1     -63.2 %
Other selling expenses
    6.4       5.7       -10.9 %     17.4       16.7       -4.0 %
Depreciation and amortization
    4.9       2.7       -44.9 %     13.9       9.5     -31.7 %
Gain on sale of assets
    (0.7 )     (0.7 )   NM     (1.4 )     (1.1 )   NM
Landing fees and other rentals
    8.6       10.3       19.8 %     22.8       28.2       23.7 %
Other
    12.5       9.7       -22.4 %     37.5       32.6       -13.1 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Total Operating Expenses
    110.2       112.5       2.1 %     323.1       340.2       5.3 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Operating Income (Loss)
    6.4       20.2       215.6 %     (8.0 )     2.1     -126.3 %
 
   
     
             
     
         
Interest income
    0.2       0.2               0.6       0.5          
Interest expense
    (0.6 )     (0.6 )             (1.6 )     (1.9 )        
Interest capitalized
    0.1       0.2               0.4       0.6          
Government compensation
    0.2                     0.2       18.6          
Other — net
    (0.4 )     (0.5 )             1.3                
 
   
     
             
     
         
 
    (0.5 )     (0.7 )             0.9       17.8          
 
   
     
             
     
         
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax and Accounting Change
  $ 5.9     $ 19.5     NM   $ (7.1 )   $ 19.9     NM
 
   
     
             
     
         
Operating Statistics:
                                               
Revenue passengers (000)
    1,334       1,376       3.1 %     3,621       3,671       1.4 %
RPMs (000,000)
    424       466       9.9 %     1,128       1,224       8.5 %
ASMs (000,000)
    657       701       6.7 %     1,795       1,950       8.6 %
Passenger load factor
    64.6 %     66.5 %   1.9 pts     62.8 %     62.8 %   0.0 pts
Breakeven load factor
    61.6 %     56.2 %   -5.4 pts     65.0 %     62.8 %   -2.2 pts
Yield per passenger mile
    25.92 ¢     27.29 ¢     5.3 %     26.15 ¢     26.70 ¢     2.1 %
Operating revenue per ASM
    17.74 ¢     18.93 ¢     6.7 %     17.55 ¢     17.56 ¢     0.1 %
Operating expenses per ASM
    16.76 ¢     16.05 ¢     -4.3 %     17.99 ¢     17.45 ¢     -3.0 %
Operating expenses per ASM excluding fuel (a)
    14.94 ¢     14.18 ¢     -5.1 %     16.18 ¢     15.53 ¢     -4.0 %
Fuel cost per gallon
    81.9 ¢     90.3 ¢     10.3 %     80.1 ¢     91.9 ¢     14.7 %
Fuel gallons (000,000)
    14.7       14.5       -1.4 %     40.6       40.7       0.2 %
Average number of employees
    3,518       3,368       -4.3 %     3,463       3,375       -2.5 %
Aircraft utilization (blk hrs/day)
    7.7       8.2       6.5 %     7.4       7.9       6.8 %
Operating fleet at period-end
    63       61       -3.2 %     63       61       -3.2 %

NM = Not Meaningful

(a)  See Note 1 on Page 17

Note:
Certain reclassifications have been made to the September 30, 2002 statements of operations to conform to the September 30, 2003 presentation.

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Note 1:

Pursuant to new guidelines issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are providing the following reconciliation of non-GAAP performance indicators to their comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. Our disclosure of operating costs and cost per available seat mile, excluding fuel, provides us the ability to measure and monitor our performance both with and without the cost of aircraft fuel as both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to economic and political factors beyond our control. We also believe that disclosing net income (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share excluding non-recurring items is helpful to investors in evaluating our operational performance because we believe the reimbursements received from the government and the write-off of goodwill are non-recurring events. The following table reconciles operating expenses excluding fuel and operating expense per ASM excluding fuel for Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc.:

                                 
Alaska Airlines, Inc.:                                
($ in millions)   Three Months Ended September 30   Nine Months Ended September 30
   
 
    2002   2003   2002   2003
   
 
 
 
Operating expenses
  $ 493.6     $ 526.1     $ 1,423.5     $ 1,517.0  
ASMs (000,000)
    5,207       5,693       14,602       15,611  
Operating expenses per ASM
    9.48 ¢     9.24 ¢     9.75 ¢     9.72 ¢  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating expenses
  $ 493.6     $ 526.1     $ 1,423.5     $ 1,517.0  
Less: aircraft fuel
    70.7       81.6       190.1       227.6  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating expense excluding fuel
  $ 422.9     $ 444.5     $ 1,233.4     $ 1,289.4  
ASMs (000,000)
    5,207       5,693       14,602       15,611  
Operating expense per ASM excluding fuel
    8.12 ¢     7.81 ¢     8.45 ¢     8.26 ¢  
 
   
     
     
     
 
                                 
Horizon Air Industries, Inc.:                                
($ in millions)                                                                                                                                      
    2002   2003   2002   2003
   
 
 
 
Operating expenses
  $ 110.2     $ 112.5     $ 323.1     $ 340.2  
ASMs (000,000)
    657       701       1,795       1,950  
Operating expenses per ASM
    16.76 ¢     16.05 ¢     17.99 ¢     17.45 ¢  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating expenses
  $ 110.2     $ 112.5     $ 323.1     $ 340.2  
Less: aircraft fuel
    12.0       13.1       32.5       37.4  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating expense excluding fuel
  $ 98.2     $ 99.4     $ 290.6     $ 302.8  
ASMs (000,000)
    657       701       1,795       1,950  
Operating expense per ASM excluding fuel
    14.94 ¢     14.18 ¢     16.18 ¢     15.53 ¢
 
   
     
     
     
 

The following table summarizes Alaska Air Group, Inc.’s net earnings (loss) and diluted income (loss) per share during 2002 and 2003 excluding certain non-recurring items and as reported in accordance with GAAP (dollars in millions):

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,
   
    2002   2003
   
 
    Dollars   Earnings Per Share   Dollars   Earnings Per Share
   
 
 
 
Net income and diluted EPS excluding Government compensation
  $ 12.2     $ 0.46     $ 40.7     $ 1.52  
Government compensation, net of tax
    0.3       0.01              
 
   
     
     
     
 
Reported GAAP amounts
  $ 12.5     $ 0.47     $ 40.7     $ 1.52  
 
   
     
     
     
 
                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
    2002   2003
   
 
    Dollars   Loss Per Share   Dollars   Earnings Per Share
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share excluding non-recurring items
    ($24.4 )     ($0.92 )     ($14.7 )     ($0.55 )
Change in accounting principle relating to goodwill
    (51.4 )     ($1.93 )            
Government compensation, net of tax
    0.3       0.01       44.3       1.66  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Reported GAAP amounts
    ($75.5 )     ($2.84 )   $ 29.6     $ 1.11  
 
   
     
     
     
 

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