Technology

Gogo Powers Through Rising Costs

air travel
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Airplane Wi-Fi provider Gogo Inc. (NASDAQ: GOGO) reported first-quarter 2014 results before markets opened Monday. The company posted an earnings per share (EPS) loss of $0.20 on revenues of $95.7 million. In the same period a year ago, the company posted an EPS loss of $4.77 on revenues of $70.75 million. The consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters called for an EPS loss of $0.25 on revenues of $94.03 million.

At the end of the first quarter, Gogo claimed more than 2,000 North American commercial aircraft online and 2,250 business air-to-ground (ATG) systems installed. Gogo also installed its first Ku-band satellite service in five airplanes flying commercial international routes for Delta Air Lines Co. (NYSE: DAL).

While revenues rose 35%, expenses rose 30%. Gogo’s explanation is that costs are up because revenues are up in both the North American commercial and business aviation segments. Adjusted EBITDA rose from $2.9 million a year ago to $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2014.

The company’s CEO said:

We had an excellent first quarter, during which we produced strong financial results, achieved several important technical and business milestones, and launched connectivity service on Delta’s international fleet. … We also announced our partnership with Air Canada for its entire North American fleet.

For the fiscal year ending in December 2014, the company expects revenue of $400 million to $422 million and adjusted EBITDA of $8 million to $18 million. The outlook is unchanged from Gogo’s earlier projections. Consensus estimates call for an EPS loss of $0.22 on revenues of $99.84 million in the second quarter and a full-year EPS loss of $0.89 on revenues of $412.9 million.

Gogo shares were up more than 8% in premarket trading Monday, at $11.93 in a post-IPO range of $9.71 to $35.77. The company’s IPO priced at $17 a share last June.

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