Virgin Galactic Raises Ticket Prices to $450,000, Delays Commercial Flights 2 Quarters, and Reports $94 Million 2nd Quarter Net Loss (Image Credit: SNN)
On July 11, Richard Branson returned from a suborbital journey declaring the start of a new era of flight that would make outer space open to everyone, and promoting a raffle for two averagenauts to fly aboard early flights of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo.
Today, Virgin Galactic announced it was hiking the cost of those seats from $250,000 to $450,000 for new ticket buyers. It was the second time the company has raised ticket prices even before any paying passengers have flown. In 2013, the price rose from $200,000 to $250,000. The first paying passengers haven’t even flown yet.
“For the private astronaut market, the Company will have three consumer offerings: i) a single seat; ii) a multi-seat couples / friends / family package; and iii) full-flight buy out. Pricing for these offers will begin at $450,000 per seat. Sales will initially open to the Company’s significant list of early hand-raisers, prioritizing the Spacefarer Community, who, as promised, will be given first opportunity to reserve their place in space. A follow-on priority list will be opened to customers interested in reserving future spaceflights,” the company said in a press release.
Virgin Galactic said microgravity research and professional astronaut training flights will cost $600,000 per seat.
Virgin Galactic announced another delay in the start of commercial flights from the first quarter to the third quarter of 2022 due to additional time required to refurbish the 13-year old WhiteKnightTwo carrier airplane that launches SpaceShipTwo vehicles from about an altitude of about 50,000 ft.
The space tourism company reported a net loss of $94 million for the second quarter, an increase from the $72 million the company lost in the second quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $56 million, compared with a loss of $54 million in Q2 2020. The company had $552 in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30.
To sum up, the new era of human spaceflight Branson promised last month is still a year away. In the meantime, Virgin Galactic will be adding new customers to a queue of approximately 600 existing ticket holders, some of whom have been waiting 16 years for flights. And it will be quite some time before Virgin Galactic will be able to make good on its long-standing promise to reduce ticket prices to as low as $50,000.
Virgin Galactic full press release is below.
Virgin Galactic Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Quarter of Strong Operational Progress Including:
Successful Completion of Third Spaceflight; First Spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico; Unity 21 in MayApproval from FAA for Full Commercial Launch License in JuneSuccessful Completion of Fourth Spaceflight; First With a Full Crew; Unity 22 in July
Reopening Sales, with Prices Beginning at $450,000 Per Seat
Next Rocket-Powered Spaceflight, Unity 23, Targeted for Late-SeptemberAugust 05, 2021 04:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time
LAS CRUCES, N.M.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“Virgin Galactic” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated aerospace and space travel company, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.
“In the second quarter, we made meaningful progress towards commencing commercial service in 2022. We successfully completed two spaceflights from New Mexico — the latest carrying a full crew of mission specialists in the cabin and garnering an extraordinary global media and consumer response. In addition, we received FAA approval to expand our existing launch license, marking the first time the FAA has licensed a Spaceline to fly customers to space,” said Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic. “Leveraging the surge in consumer interest following the Unity 22 flight, we are excited to announce the reopening of sales effective today, beginning with our Spacefarer community. As we endeavor to bring the wonder of space to a broad global population, we are delighted to open the door to an entirely new industry and consumer experience.”
Business Highlights:
On July 11, 2021, successfully completed first fully crewed spaceflight. This spaceflight marked VSS Unity’s 22nd flight and its fourth spaceflight. The flight fulfilled test objectives including evaluating the cabin and customer experience.On May 22, 2021, successfully completed first spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico. This spaceflight marked VSS Unity’s 21st flight and its third spaceflight. The flight fulfilled test objectives including confirming the technical readiness of the spaceship’s upgraded flight controls and horizontal stabilizers. The flight also carried revenue-generating scientific research experiments.In June, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) updated the Company’s existing commercial space transportation operator license to allow the spaceline to fly customers to space. The adjustment marked the first time the FAA has licensed a spaceline to fly customers.In June, we announced a new contract for a human-tended research spaceflight. The company will fly Kellie Gerardi, a researcher for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), on a dedicated research flight, during which Kellie will conduct experiments and test new healthcare technologies while she is in space.Total retention of existing Future Astronaut reservations remained steady at approximately 600, as of June 30, 2021.Announced plans to reopen sales effective today. For the private astronaut market, the Company will have three consumer offerings: i) a single seat; ii) a multi-seat couples / friends / family package; and iii) full-flight buy out. Pricing for these offers will begin at $450,000 per seat. Sales will initially open to the Company’s significant list of early hand-raisers, prioritizing the Spacefarer Community, who, as promised, will be given first opportunity to reserve their place in space. A follow-on priority list will be opened to customers interested in reserving future spaceflights.Announced that the next rocket-powered spaceflight, Unity 23, is targeted to occur in late-September from Spaceport America in New Mexico. This flight will be a revenue-generating flight with the Italian Air Force.
Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights:
Cash position remains strong, with cash and cash equivalents of $552 million as of June 30, 2021.In July, the Company completed an “at-the-market” equity offering program (the “ATM Offering”). In connection with the ATM Offering, the Company filed a prospectus supplement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to offer and sell up to $500 million of shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time. The Company ultimately generated $500 million in gross proceeds through the sale of approximately 13.7 million shares of common stock. The Company intends to use the net proceeds generated from the ATM Offering for general corporate purposes, with a priority on expansion of its spaceship fleet.GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses of $39 million, compared to $26 million in the second quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses of $26 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $21 million in the second quarter of 2020.GAAP research and development expenses of $36 million, compared to $37 million in the second quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP research and development expenses of $31 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $34 million in the second quarter of 2020.Adjusted EBITDA totaled $(56) million, compared to $(54) million in the second quarter of 2020.Net loss of $94 million, compared to a $72 million net loss in the second quarter of 2020.Cash paid for capital expenditures totaled $1 million, compared to $6 million in the second quarter of 2020.
COVID-19 Impact
The Company is continuing to experience ongoing delays to its business and operations due to COVID-19. The Company continues to operate under strict protocols and follows rigorous health and safety procedures, in line with CDC, state and local guidelines, to ensure employee safety.
Conference Call Information
Virgin Galactic will host a conference call to discuss the results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) today. To access the conference call, parties should dial (844) 200-6205 and enter the conference ID number 997887. The live audio webcast along with supplemental information will be accessible on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investors.virgingalactic.com. A recording of the webcast will also be available following the conference call.
About Virgin Galactic Holdings
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is a vertically integrated aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. It is developing a spaceflight system designed to connect the world to the wonder and awe created by space travel and to offer customers a transformative experience. You can find more information at https://www.virgingalactic.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), including statements regarding the Company’s spaceflight systems, markets and expected flight schedule. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in Amendment No. 2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.virgingalactic.com. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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