Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq: AIRM) reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Revenue increased 14% to $252.4 million from $221.3 million in the year-ago quarter.  For the nine-month period, revenue increased 4% to $657.8 million, up from $634.6 million in the prior-year nine-month period.  For the quarter, net income increased 28% to $35.6 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, as compared with 2012 third quarter net income of $27.8 million, or $0.71 per diluted share. Net income for the nine-month period decreased 32% to $49.1 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, compared to $71.7 million, or $1.84 per diluted share, for the prior-year period.  Financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 include operations associated with the Company’s acquisition of Sundance Helicopters, Inc., a Grand Canyon tour operator (Sundance), on December 31, 2012.  Revenue generated by Sundance during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $16.0 million and $42.4 million, respectively.

The current year after-tax quarterly earnings were increased by $0.7 million associated with the cumulative effect of changes in expected blended state income tax rates, compared with a $0.7 million reduction in after-tax earnings in the prior-year quarter for similar changes.  Prior year after-tax quarterly earnings were further reduced by $0.6 million associated with a net loss on disposition of assets.

Third Quarter Highlights
Community-based patient transports were 14,570 during the current-year quarter, compared with 14,829 in the prior-year quarter, a 2% decrease.  Patients transported for community bases in operation greater than one year (Same-Base Transports) decreased by 6%, or 854 transports, while weather cancellations for these same bases increased by 436 transports compared with the prior-year quarter.  Requests for community-based service decreased 3% for bases open greater than one year. Net revenue per patient transport increased 18% to $12,141, compared with $10,316 in the prior-year quarter.

Maintenance expense, excluding Sundance, decreased $1.8 million, or 7%, compared with the prior-year quarter, while flight hours decreased by 8%.  Excluding Sundance, fuel expense increased by $0.3 million, or 5%, as compared with the prior-year quarter.  Fuel expense per flight hour increased 6% over the prior-year quarter.

For the third quarter, Air Medical Services revenue increased by 8% to $230.8 million compared with $212.8 million in the prior-year quarter, while its segment net income increased by 21% from $52.7 million to $63.6 million.  Sundance generated segment net income of $3.8 million on revenue of $16.0 million during the quarter.  United Rotorcraft Division’s external revenue decreased 33% to $5.6 million compared with $8.4 million in the prior-year quarter, while its external segment net income decreased from $1.7 million in the prior-year quarter to a loss of $0.4 million in the current-year quarter.

The Company also provided an update on preliminary October 2013 flight volume.  Total community-based transports increased 1% to 4,703 during October 2013, compared with 4,674 in October 2013.  October 2013 Same-Base Transports decreased by 116 transports, or 3%, while weather cancellations increased by 46 transports compared with October 2012.

Aaron Todd, CEO, stated, “Our third quarter reflects a return to growth in earnings fueled by strong growth in net revenue per patient transport and more moderate maintenance expenditures as anticipated.  Our growth in net revenue per transport reflects more stable year-over-year payer mix and has been realized while reducing our days’ sales outstanding, which decreased from 108 days as of September 30, 2012 and 99 days as of June 30, 2013, to 92 days as of September 30, 2013 based on 90-day annualized net revenue.  We are also very pleased that our investment in Sundance and the tourism sector continues to generate accretive financial results, in line with our initial expectations.”

The Company will discuss these results in a conference call scheduled today at 4:15 p.m. Eastern. Interested parties can access the call by dialing (855) 601-0049 (domestic) or (720) 398-0100 (international) or by accessing the web cast at www.airmethods.com. A replay of the call will be available at (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international), access number 94368497, for 3 days following the call and the web cast can be accessed at www.airmethods.com for 30 days.

Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services in the United States. The United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. The Tourism Division is comprised of Sundance Helicopters, Inc., which provides helicopter tours and charter flights, primarily focusing on Grand Canyon tours. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 400 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.