JetBlue Airways reported record third quarter operating revenues of $1.7 billion. Revenue passenger miles for the third quarter increased 9.2% to 11.1 billion on a capacity increase of 10.4%, resulting in a third quarter load factor of 85.3%, a decrease of 0.9 point year over year.
Yield per passenger mile in the third quarter was 14.02 cents, up 0.5% compared to the third quarter of 2014. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) for the third quarter 2015 decreased 0.6% year over year to 11.96 cents and operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) was essentially flat year over year at 13.01 cents.
Operating expenses for the quarter decreased 2.0%, or $29 million, over the prior year period. Interest expense for the quarter declined 16.2%, or $5 million, as JetBlue continued to reduce its debt. JetBlue's operating expense per available seat mile (CASM) for the third quarter decreased 11.2% year over year to 10.30 cents. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, third quarter CASM1 increased 2.4% to 7.31 cents.
System on time departures, or D0, decreased 2.4 points year-over-year in the third quarter. System arrival performance, or A14, improved 1.4 points. Completion factor improved 0.5 points.
"We posted another strong result in the third quarter as our revenue growth outperformed the industry and we ran an efficient and safe operation. These results are a testament to the hard work of our 18,000 crewmembers that provide outstanding customer service and inspire humanity each day." said Robin Hayes, JetBlue's President and CEO.
In the third quarter JetBlue had hedges in place for approximately 14% of its fuel consumption. This resulted in a realized fuel price of $1.85 per gallon, a 39% decrease versus third quarter 2014 realized fuel price of $3.05. JetBlue recorded $27 million in losses on fuel hedges settling during the third quarter.
JetBlue has hedged approximately 15% of its fourth quarter 2015 projected fuel requirements using a combination of jet fuel swaps and collars. Based on the fuel curve as of October 16th, JetBlue expects an average price per gallon of fuel, including the impact of hedges and fuel taxes, of $1.77 in the fourth quarter. JetBlue currently has no fuel hedges in place for 2016 or beyond.
JetBlue ended the quarter with $1.1 billion in unrestricted cash and short term investments, or about 18% of trailing twelve month revenue. In addition, JetBlue maintains approximately $600 million in undrawn lines of credit.
During the third quarter, JetBlue repaid $54 million in regularly scheduled debt and capital lease obligations. JetBlue anticipates paying approximately $91 million in regularly scheduled debt and capital lease obligations and plans to buy out the leases on six A320 aircraft during the fourth quarter.
CASM excluding fuel and profit sharing is expected to increase between zero and 2.0% in the fourth quarter 2015 and between zero and 1.0% percent for the full year. This represents a 0.5% reduction to the top end of our full year CASM excluding fuel and profit sharing guidance range.
Capacity is expected to increase between 8.5% and 10.5% in the fourth quarter 2015 and between 8.5% and 9.5% for the full year. The 0.5% increase to the high end of our full year capacity guidance range is a function of additional Mint service driven by higher utilization of our Mint fleet, and continued better than expected completion factor.