exv99w1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2009 RESULTS

(Fort Smith, Arkansas, April 22, 2009) — Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) today announced a first quarter 2009 net loss of $18.2 million, or $0.73 per share, compared to net income of $8.5 million, or $0.34 per share, in the first quarter of 2008.

“Our first quarter results continue to be hurt by the poor economy and the resulting decline in profitable business,” said Robert A. Davidson, Arkansas Best President and Chief Executive Officer. “ABF’s first quarter results reflect significantly lower freight levels, a very competitive industry pricing environment and our efforts to maintain a high level of customer service.”

“We are taking the steps necessary to improve long-term profitability consistent with providing reliable and safe transportation services,” said Mr. Davidson. “As a result, we have taken additional actions to further align our network labor and equipment capacity with available business levels,” said Mr. Davidson. Since the end of 2008 these actions include:

	•		An additional reduction of over 625 ABF employees resulting in a 23% employee reduction since the fourth quarter of 2006, when ABF first experienced dramatic declines in business

	•		Additional fleet reductions, including 326 tractors and 448 trailers, resulting in an overall 20% decrease in tractors and an 11% decrease in trailers since the fourth quarter of 2006

The overall decrease in ABF’s total employees and equipment fleet mirrors or exceeds the decline in tonnage levels since the fourth quarter of 2006. However, ABF’s operating ratio continues to be adversely affected by the short-term fixed nature of overhead expenses and by the limited ability to obtain needed base rate increases. Though ABF’s customers have benefited from reduced fuel surcharges related to a consistent decline in diesel fuel prices since July 2008, the competitive freight environment has prevented ABF from obtaining sufficient base rate increases to cover non-fuel related cost increases. As a result, despite the significant reduction in labor and other operating costs, ABF’s profitability has suffered.

“Our solid financial position, with an April 15 cash and short-term investment balance of $209 million and minimal debt, continues to provide security and allows a long-term focus during this difficult time,” said Mr. Davidson. “Even in this challenging environment, we remain committed to the organic development of our RPM regional freight initiative that offers significant growth opportunities in an important portion of the LTL market.”

Arkansas Best Corporation

First Quarter 2009

	•		Revenue of $339.7 million, a per-day decrease of 22.9% from prior year quarter of $447.5 million

	•		Net loss of $0.73 per share compared to net income of $0.34 per share in the prior year period

	•		Includes $0.15 per share costs from the ABF RPM initiative compared to prior year quarter of $0.10 per share costs

ABF Freight System, Inc.^®

First Quarter 2009

	•		Revenue of $323.1 million compared to $427.7 million in 2008, a per-day decrease of 23.3%

	•		Tonnage per-day decrease of 15.7% versus 2008

	•		Total billed revenue per hundredweight of $23.85 compared to $26.32, a decrease of 9.4% that is primarily attributable to the steep decline in fuel surcharge compared to the first quarter of 2008

	•		Operating loss of $26.8 million compared to operating income of $12.9 million in 2008

	•		Operating ratio of 108.3% compared to 97.0% in 2008

	•		RPM initiative impacted the operating ratio by 1.9% compared to 1.0% in the prior year period reflecting additional operational changes implemented in the third quarter of 2008

“Although the current economic environment is very challenging, great things are still happening throughout our company. These achievements illustrate the commitment ABF’s employees have to our Quality Process by providing a high level of service to our customers while working safely and efficiently in the midst of a difficult economic environment,” said Mr. Davidson. “Some of ABF’s successes that occurred during this year’s first quarter include:

	•		ABF’s first quarter 2009 cargo claim ratio, a measure of net cash payouts to revenue, was 0.66%, reflecting a slight improvement compared to the full year 2008 figure which was the lowest in ABF’s history.

	•		ABF’s first quarter 2009 workers’ compensation and third-party casualty costs, as a percent of revenue, were below recent ten-year averages.

	•		Linehaul velocity, a measure of the average time required for linehaul movement of trailers between cities, improved by 8%. In addition, the ratio of miles with empty trailers declined by 7%. ABF is currently making further changes to its linehaul network which will result in a more efficient use of system resources. These changes will increase tractor utilization, improve customer transit times and lower costs.

	•		As previously announced, Arkansas Best Corporation was included on the 2009 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies, published by Fortune magazine. Arkansas Best was the highest ranked less-than-truckload motor carrier among the Most Admired Trucking companies.

“Internally, in anticipation of improving business levels, ABF will focus on sustaining our superior customer service and attention to specific customer requirements while working to maximize the profitability of individual accounts,” said Mr. Davidson. “In addition, this month will conclude the formal strategic analysis that began in the fourth quarter and which was designed to validate our corporate strengths and identify future external opportunities for maximizing shareholder value.”

Conference Call

Arkansas Best Corporation will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the 2009 first quarter results. The call will be today, Wednesday, April 22, at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (877) 275-1257 or (706) 634-6529 (for international callers). Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on Friday, May 15, 2009. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 (for international callers). The conference call ID for the playback is 93511720. The conference call and playback can also be accessed, through Friday, May 15, on Arkansas Best’s website at arkbest.com.

Company Description

Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a transportation holding company. ABF Freight System, Inc., Arkansas Best’s largest subsidiary, has been in continuous service since 1923. ABF provides transportation of less-than-truckload (“LTL”) general commodities throughout North America. More information is available at arkbest.com and abf.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” Terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “prospects,” “scheduled,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by their nature subject to uncertainties and risk, including, but not limited to, current adverse economic conditions; the impact of any limitations on our customers’ access to adequate financial resources; availability and cost of capital; shifts in market demand; weather conditions; the performance and needs of industries served by Arkansas Best Corporation’s subsidiaries; future costs of operating expenses such as fuel and related taxes; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; relationships with employees, including unions; union and non-union employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer pension plans; governmental regulations and policies; costs of continuing investments in technology; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the cost, integration and performance of any future acquisitions; competitive initiatives, pricing pressures and the effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base freight rates; and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Arkansas Best Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) public filings.

The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on Arkansas Best Corporation and its subsidiary companies.

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2009			2008
	(Unaudited)
	($ thousands, except share and per share data)

OPERATING REVENUES	$	339,677		$	447,511

OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS		368,278			434,359


OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(28,601	)		13,152

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and dividend income		930			1,819
Interest expense and other related financing costs		(341	)		(339	)
Other, net		(1,082	)		(511	)

		(493	)		969


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(29,094	)		14,121

FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES
Current (benefit) provision		(19,408	)		5,201
Deferred provision		8,471			376

		(10,937	)		5,577


NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	(18,157	)	$	8,544


EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic	$	(0.73	)	$	0.34
Diluted		(0.73	)		0.34


AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		25,038,626			24,873,651
Diluted		25,038,626			25,093,540


CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED AND PAID PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.15		$	0.15

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


	March 31		December 31
	2009		2008
	(Unaudited)		Note
	($ thousands, except share data)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	58,001	$	100,880
Short-term investment securities		130,538		117,855
Accounts receivable, less allowances (2009 — $3,365; 2008 — $3,513)		110,880		111,452
Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2009 — $1,028; 2008 — $1,001)		6,716		6,611
Prepaid expenses		12,632		10,670
Deferred income taxes		35,409		36,079
Prepaid and refundable income taxes		36,621		17,661
Other		6,327		6,982

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		397,124		408,190

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and structures		237,459		235,861
Revenue equipment		494,565		514,503
Service, office and other equipment		152,120		150,524
Leasehold improvements		21,529		21,697

		905,673		922,585
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization		473,566		473,010

		432,107		449,575

OTHER ASSETS		48,132		50,636

GOODWILL		63,887		63,897


	$	941,250	$	972,298

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2008 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS — continued


	March 31			December 31
	2009			2008
	(Unaudited)			Note
	($ thousands, except share data)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Bank overdraft and drafts payable	$	8,676		$	15,189
Accounts payable		51,231			51,646
Income taxes payable		165			758
Accrued expenses		150,455			147,540
Current portion of long-term debt		162			159

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		210,689			215,292

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion		1,423			1,457

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES		74,616			89,472

OTHER LIABILITIES		15,939			17,314

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		33,082			24,017

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued 2009: 26,718,027 shares; 2008: 26,702,222 shares		267			267
Additional paid-in capital		269,500			268,396
Retained earnings		449,356			471,360
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,677,932 shares		(57,770	)		(57,770	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(55,852	)		(57,507	)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		605,501			624,746


	$	941,250		$	972,298

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2009			2008
	(Unaudited)
	($ thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$	(18,157	)	$	8,544
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		19,333			19,291
Other amortization		73			73
Pension settlement expense		—			1,093
Share-based compensation expense		1,123			1,127
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		1,008			300
Deferred income tax provision		8,471			376
Gain on sales of assets		(717	)		(1,873	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		(583	)		(4,307	)
Prepaid expenses		(1,962	)		(2,103	)
Other assets		2,895			4,671
Accounts payable, taxes payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities ⁽¹⁾		(30,311	)		(1,993	)

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(18,827	)		25,199


INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of capital leases		(1,968	)		(2,581	)
Proceeds from asset sales		2,086			10,674
Purchases of short-term investment securities		(44,277	)		—
Proceeds from sales of short-term investment securities		31,595			78,604
Capitalization of internally developed software and other		(1,243	)		(1,242	)

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(13,807	)		85,455


FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments on long-term debt		(39	)		(106	)
Net change in bank overdraft		(6,513	)		(3,579	)
Payment of common stock dividends		(3,847	)		(3,803	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and other		154			—

NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(10,245	)		(7,488	)


NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(42,879	)		103,166
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		100,880			93,805

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	58,001		$	196,971


(1)		2009 includes $15.5 million of contributions to the Company’s nonunion pension plan.

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA,
OPERATING RATIOS AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS


	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2009					2008
	(Unaudited)
	($ thousands)
OPERATING REVENUES
ABF Freight System, Inc.⁽¹⁾	$	323,113				$	427,747
Other revenues and eliminations		16,564					19,764

Total consolidated operating revenues	$	339,677				$	447,511


OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
ABF Freight System, Inc.⁽¹⁾
Salaries, wages and benefits	$	233,497		72.3	%	$	257,723		60.3	%
Fuel, supplies and expenses		50,528		15.6			81,858		19.1
Operating taxes and licenses		10,514		3.3			11,939		2.8
Insurance		3,503		1.1			4,833		1.1
Communications and utilities		3,971		1.2			4,009		0.9
Depreciation and amortization		18,610		5.8			18,556		4.3
Rents and purchased transportation		27,886		8.6			36,021		8.4
Gain on sale of property and equipment		(717	)	(0.2	)		(1,874	)	(0.4	)
Other		2,164		0.6			1,802		0.5

		349,956		108.3	%		414,867		97.0	%


Other expenses and eliminations		18,322					19,492


Total consolidated operating expenses and costs	$	368,278				$	434,359


OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
ABF Freight System, Inc.⁽¹⁾	$	(26,843	)			$	12,880
Other income (loss) and eliminations		(1,758	)				272

Total consolidated operating income (loss)	$	(28,601	)			$	13,152


(1)		Includes U.S., Canadian, and Puerto Rican operations of ABF affiliates.

ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC.
OPERATING STATISTICS


	Three Months Ended March 31
	2009		2008		% Change
	(Unaudited)

Workdays		62.5		63.5
Billed Revenue⁽¹⁾ / CWT	$	23.85	$	26.32		(9.4	)%
Billed Revenue⁽¹⁾ / Shipment	$	304.14	$	334.30		(9.0	)%
Shipments		1,064,325		1,288,290		(17.4	)%
Tonnage (tons)		678,697		818,131		(17.0	)%
Tons/Days		10,859		12,884		(15.7	)%


(1)		Billed Revenue does not include revenue deferral required for financial statement purposes under the company’s revenue recognition policy.

Includes U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican operations of ABF affiliates.

Contact:		Ms. Judy R. McReynolds, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Telephone: (479) 785-6281

		Mr. David Humphrey, Director of Investor Relations Telephone: (479) 785-6200

END OF RELEASE