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Exhibit 99.1 SALA - Saia Reports Record Second Quarter Results JOHNS CREEK , GA – July 29 , 2021 - Saia , Inc. ( Nasdaq : SAIA ) , a leading transportation provider offering national less - than- truckload ( LTL ) , non - asset truckload , expedited and logistics services , today reported second quarter 2021 financial results . Diluted earnings per share in the quarter were $ 2.34 compared to $ 1.07 in the second quarter of 2020 . Highlights from the second quarter operating results were as follows : Second Quarter 2021 Compared to Second Quarter 2020 Results • • Revenue was $ 571.3 million , a 36.6 % increase Operating income was $ 82.9 million , a 132.4 % increase Operating ratio of 85.5 compared to 91.5 LTL shipments per workday increased 15.3 % LTL tonnage per workday increased 23.1 % LTL revenue per hundredweight increased 10.5 % LTL revenue per shipment rose 17.9 % to $ 277 " It is great to report record second quarter results only about a year removed from the onset of the COVID - 19 pandemic , " stated Saia President and CEO , Fritz Holzgrefe . “ Our operating ratio of 85.5 % in the quarter is the best OR for any quarter in our history . We had a very good quarter in terms of service and our cargo claims ratio of 0.54 % is also a record , " added Holzgrefe . " Shipper demand remains strong early in the third quarter and we continue to hire drivers and dockworkers across all areas of our service map , ” said Holzgrefe . " We were pleased to announce the opening of our Hagerstown , Maryland terminal in June and we expect to open additional terminals during the second half of the year . We continue to maintain and operate one of the cleanest diesel fleets in the industry . During the quarter , we commenced pilot programs using alternative fuel tractors by adding two all - electric tractors and five compressed natural gas ( CNG ) tractors , ” concluded Holzgrefe . Saia Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer , Douglas Col added , " Total shipments in the second quarter were an all - time quarterly high and we are working hard to accommodate our customers ' needs in an environment where we are experiencing a very tight labor market . ” “ With rising operational costs , we focused more than ever on the profitability of the added volumes and our 10.5 % increase in yield pushed our revenue per shipment to a record $ 277 , up nearly 18 % over last year , " said Col.