UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
_______________________________________________________________
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☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2023
or
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☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File number 001-32959
_______________________________________________________________
AIRCASTLE LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________________________________________________
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Bermuda | 98-0444035 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| |
c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC |
201 Tresser Boulevard, Suite 400 |
Stamford |
Connecticut |
06901 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 504-1020
_______________________________________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share | | N/A | | NONE |
Preference Shares, par value $0.01 per share | | N/A | | NONE |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☑ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
| | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
As of July 7, 2023, there were 14,048 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common shares, par value $0.01 per share.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q
Table of Contents
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| | Page No. |
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Item 1. | | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022 | |
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Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | |
Item 3. | | |
Item 4. | | |
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Item 1. | | |
Item 1A. | | |
Item 2. | | |
Item 3. | | |
Item 4. | | |
Item 5. | | |
Item 6. | | |
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PART I. — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| May 31, 2023 | | February 28, 2023 |
| (Unaudited) | | |
ASSETS | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 136,156 | | | $ | 231,861 | |
| | | |
Accounts receivable | 11,635 | | | 12,855 | |
| | | |
Flight equipment held for lease, net | 6,595,518 | | | 6,567,606 | |
Net investment in leases, net | 266,630 | | | 67,694 | |
Unconsolidated equity method investment | 40,911 | | | 40,505 | |
Other assets | 305,979 | | | 346,330 | |
| | | |
Total assets | $ | 7,356,829 | | | $ | 7,266,851 | |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | |
Borrowings from secured financings, net | $ | 933,005 | | | $ | 752,298 | |
Borrowings from unsecured financings, net | 3,720,956 | | | 3,842,454 | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 198,941 | | | 206,473 | |
Lease rentals received in advance | 48,952 | | | 66,816 | |
| | | |
Security deposits | 63,735 | | | 61,734 | |
Maintenance payments | 497,012 | | | 465,618 | |
| | | |
Total liabilities | 5,462,601 | | | 5,395,393 | |
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Commitments and Contingencies | | | |
| | | |
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | |
Preference shares, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 400 (aggregate liquidation preference of $400,000) shares issued and outstanding at May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023 | — | | | — | |
Common shares, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 14,048 shares issued and outstanding at May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023 | — | | | — | |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,878,774 | | | 1,878,774 | |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | 15,454 | | | (7,316) | |
| | | |
Total shareholders’ equity | 1,894,228 | | | 1,871,458 | |
| | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 7,356,829 | | | $ | 7,266,851 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended May 31, | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | |
Lease rental revenue | $ | 146,735 | | | $ | 144,144 | | | | | |
Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue | 1,073 | | | 2,598 | | | | | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | (7,207) | | | (5,388) | | | | | |
Maintenance revenue | 34,520 | | | 27,099 | | | | | |
Total lease revenue | 175,121 | | | 168,453 | | | | | |
Gain on sale of flight equipment | 42,594 | | | 3,687 | | | | | |
Other revenue | 776 | | | 3,424 | | | | | |
Total revenues | 218,491 | | | 175,564 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | 88,789 | | | 81,318 | | | | | |
Interest, net | 56,891 | | | 50,294 | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative | 20,835 | | | 19,916 | | | | | |
Provision for credit losses | 6,959 | | | 580 | | | | | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 1,097 | | | 4,428 | | | | | |
Maintenance and other costs | 8,533 | | | 8,065 | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | 183,104 | | | 164,601 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | | | (463) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Other | 1,337 | | | — | | | | | |
Total other income (expense) | 1,337 | | | (463) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment | 36,724 | | | 10,500 | | | | | |
Income tax provision | 14,360 | | | 3,329 | | | | | |
Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax | 406 | | | 511 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 22,770 | | | $ | 7,682 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 22,770 | | | $ | 7,682 | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income available to common shareholders | $ | 22,770 | | | $ | 7,682 | | | | | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended May 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | |
Net income | $ | 22,770 | | | $ | 7,682 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash and restricted cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation | 88,789 | | | 81,318 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 4,031 | | | 3,597 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | 7,207 | | | 5,388 | |
Deferred income taxes | 3,812 | | | 2,865 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Collections on net investment in leases | 927 | | | 2,282 | |
Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings | (3,203) | | | 9,076 | |
Gain on sale of flight equipment | (42,594) | | | (3,687) | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | | | 463 | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 1,097 | | | 4,428 | |
Provision for credit losses | 6,959 | | | 580 | |
Other | (397) | | | (508) | |
Changes in certain assets and liabilities: | | | |
Accounts receivable | 3,209 | | | 4,274 | |
Other assets | (3,607) | | | (5,008) | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 2,272 | | | (4,305) | |
Lease rentals received in advance | 9,178 | | | 1,848 | |
| | | |
Net cash and restricted cash provided by operating activities | 100,450 | | | 110,293 | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | |
Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment | (322,151) | | | (63,724) | |
Proceeds from sale of flight equipment | 53,782 | | | 58,233 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments, net of deposits returned and aircraft sales deposits | 4,947 | | | (8,716) | |
| | | |
| | | |
Other | (2,900) | | | — | |
| | | |
Net cash and restricted cash used in investing activities | (266,322) | | | (14,207) | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Proceeds from secured and unsecured debt financings | 624,911 | | | — | |
Repayments of secured and unsecured debt financings | (569,206) | | | (39,923) | |
Debt extinguishment costs | — | | | (291) | |
Deferred financing costs | (527) | | | (1,860) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Security deposits and maintenance payments received | 31,620 | | | 27,911 | |
Security deposits and maintenance payments returned | (6,131) | | | (425) | |
| | | |
Dividends paid | (10,500) | | | (10,500) | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net cash and restricted cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 70,167 | | | (25,088) | |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and restricted cash: | (95,705) | | | 70,998 | |
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period | 231,861 | | | 170,682 | |
| | | |
Cash and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 136,156 | | | $ | 241,680 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended May 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Reconciliation to Consolidated Balance Sheets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 136,156 | | | $ | 241,030 | |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | — | | | 650 | |
| | | |
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | 136,156 | | | $ | 241,680 | |
| | | |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | |
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized | $ | 54,053 | | | $ | 44,275 | |
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | (31) | | | $ | (576) | |
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities: | | | |
Advance lease rentals, security deposits, maintenance payments, other liabilities and other assets assumed in asset acquisitions | $ | 12,927 | | | $ | 339 | |
| | | |
Advance lease rentals, security deposits, maintenance payments, other liabilities and other assets settled in sale of flight equipment | $ | 8,177 | | | $ | 3,800 | |
Transfers from flight equipment held for lease to Net investment in leases and Other assets | $ | 182,818 | | | $ | 17,734 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Shares | | Preference Shares | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | | Total Shareholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance, February 28, 2023 | 14,048 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,878,774 | | | $ | (7,316) | | | $ | 1,871,458 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 22,770 | | | 22,770 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, May 31, 2023 | 14,048 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,878,774 | | | $ | 15,454 | | | $ | 1,894,228 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Shares | | Preference Shares | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Total Shareholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance, February 28, 2022 | 14,048 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,878,774 | | | $ | (49,075) | | | $ | 1,829,699 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 7,682 | | | 7,682 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, May 31, 2022 | 14,048 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,878,774 | | | $ | (41,393) | | | $ | 1,837,381 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business consists of acquiring, leasing, managing and selling commercial jet aircraft.
The Company is controlled by affiliates of Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”) and Mizuho Leasing Company, Limited (“Mizuho Leasing” and, together with Marubeni, our “Shareholders”).
Aircastle is a holding company and conducts its business through subsidiaries that are wholly-owned, either directly or indirectly, by Aircastle.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. However, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2023.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all its subsidiaries, including any Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
We manage and analyze our business and report on our results of operations based on one operating segment: leasing, financing, selling and managing commercial flight equipment. Our Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker.
The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure subsequent to the balance sheet date of May 31, 2023, through the date on which the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q were issued.
Risk and Uncertainties
In the normal course of business, Aircastle encounters several significant types of economic risk including credit, market, aviation industry and capital market risks. Credit risk is the risk of a lessee’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments and to fulfill its other contractual obligations to Aircastle. Market risk reflects the change in the value of financings due to changes in interest rate spreads or other market factors, including the value of collateral underlying financings. Aviation industry risk is the risk of a downturn in the commercial aviation industry which could adversely impact a lessee’s ability to make payments, increase the risk of early lease terminations and depress lease rates and the value of the Company’s aircraft. Capital market risk is the risk that the Company is unable to obtain capital at reasonable rates to fund the growth of its business or to refinance existing debt facilities.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASC 848”). ASC 848 provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to certain U.S. GAAP contract modification requirements for contracts affected by reference rate reform as entities transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to alternative reference rates. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to defer the sunset date of ASC 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the optional expedients in ASC 848.
Effective March 1, 2023, we adopted ASC 848, which has not and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We have one aircraft lease and certain debt financings for which the associated lease rental revenue and interest expense are based on LIBOR. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, LIBOR’s administrator, has ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings and is expected to stop publishing the Overnight, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month USD LIBOR U.S. dollar settings in 2023. In anticipation of that cessation, we commenced the transition of our LIBOR-based contracts to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR” or “Term SOFR”). The optional expedients under ASC 848 have allowed and will allow us to account for contract modifications as continuations of the existing contracts without further reassessments or remeasurements that would otherwise be required under the applicable U.S. GAAP.
For the three months ended May 31, 2023, less than 1% of each our lease rental revenue and interest expense was derived from a floating-rate lease or debt financings that used LIBOR as the applicable reference rate.
Note 2. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value measurements and disclosures require the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
The following tables set forth our financial assets as of May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023 that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Fair Value Measurements at May 31, 2023 Using Fair Value Hierarchy |
| Fair Value as of May 31, 2023 | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | Valuation Technique |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 136,156 | | | $ | 136,156 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | Market |
| | | | | | | | | |
Investment in debt securities | 5,029 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,029 | | | Income |
Investment in equity securities | 5,513 | | | 2,069 | | | — | | | 3,444 | | | Market/Income |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total | $ | 146,698 | | | $ | 138,225 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 8,473 | | | |
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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Fair Value Measurements at February 28, 2023 Using Fair Value Hierarchy |
| Fair Value as of February 28, 2023 | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | Valuation Technique |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 231,861 | | | $ | 231,861 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | Market |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Investment in debt securities | 5,029 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,029 | | | Income |
Investment in equity securities | 5,790 | | | 2,346 | | | — | | | 3,444 | | | Market/Income |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total | $ | 242,680 | | | $ | 234,207 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 8,473 | | | |
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Our cash and cash equivalents consist largely of money market securities that are highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities (Level 1). Our investments in debt and equity securities consist of notes and shares received as a result of claims settlements from various airline customers that had entered into bankruptcy proceedings or similar-type restructurings. Our investment in equity securities that are traded in an active market have been valued using quoted market prices (Level 1). Our investments in other equity securities and debt securities for which there is no active market or there is limited market data have been valued using the income approach (Level 3).
For the three months ended May 31, 2023, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3.
We measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis when U.S. GAAP requires the application of fair value, including events or changes in circumstances that indicate the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable. Assets subject to these measurements include our aircraft and investment in unconsolidated joint venture.
We record aircraft at fair value when we determine the carrying value may not be recoverable. Fair value measurements for aircraft in impairment tests are based on the average of the market approach (Level 2), which includes third party appraisal data, and an income approach (Level 3), which includes the Company’s assumptions and appraisal data as to future cash proceeds from leasing and selling aircraft discounted using the Company’s weighted average cost of capital.
We account for our investment in unconsolidated joint venture under the equity method of accounting. Our investment is recorded at cost and is adjusted by undistributed earnings and losses and the distributions of dividends and capital. This investment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the fair value is less than its carrying value and the decline is other-than-temporary.
Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments, other than cash, consist principally of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments in debt and equity securities, accounts payable and secured and unsecured financings. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying value of these financial instruments because of their short-term nature.
The fair value of our senior notes is estimated using quoted market prices (Level 1), whereas all our other financings are valued using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements (Level 2).
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| May 31, 2023 | | February 28, 2023 |
| Carrying Amount of Asset | | Fair Value of Asset | | Carrying Amount of Asset | | Fair Value of Asset |
Investment in debt securities | $ | 5,029 | | | $ | 5,029 | | | $ | 5,029 | | | $ | 5,029 | |
Investment in equity securities | 5,513 | | | 5,513 | | | 5,790 | | | 5,790 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Carrying Amount of Liability | | Fair Value of Liability | | Carrying Amount of Liability | | Fair Value of Liability |
Credit Facilities | $ | 395,000 | | | $ | 397,725 | | | $ | 20,000 | | | $ | 20,000 | |
Unsecured Term Loan | 155,000 | | | 155,309 | | | 155,000 | | | 151,449 | |
| | | | | | | |
Term Financings | 941,989 | | | 930,841 | | | 761,283 | | | 739,804 | |
Senior Notes | 3,200,000 | | | 3,022,820 | | | 3,700,000 | | | 3,524,563 | |
Aircraft Valuation
Annual Recoverability Assessment
We plan to perform our annual recoverability assessment of all our aircraft during the third quarter of 2023.
Additional customer and aircraft specific recoverability assessments are also performed whenever indicators suggest the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Indicators may include, but are not limited to, a significant lease restructuring or early lease termination, a significant change in an aircraft model’s storage levels, the introduction of newer technology aircraft or engines, an aircraft type is no longer in production, or a significant airworthiness directive is issued. We have focused and will continue to focus on aircraft with near-term lease expirations, customers that have entered judicial insolvency proceedings and any additional customers that may become subject to similar-type proceedings, and certain other customers or aircraft variants that are more susceptible to value deterioration.
The recoverability assessment is a comparison of the carrying value of an aircraft to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. We develop the assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on current and future expectations of the global demand for a particular aircraft type and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third-party industry sources. The factors considered in estimating the undiscounted cash flows are impacted by changes in future periods due to changes in projected lease rental and maintenance payments, residual values, economic conditions, technology, airline demand for a particular aircraft type and other factors, such as the location of the aircraft and accessibility to records and technical documentation.
If our estimates or assumptions change, including those related to our customers that have entered judicial insolvency proceedings, we may revise our cash flow assumptions and record future impairment charges. While we believe that the estimates and related assumptions used in our recoverability assessments are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
Note 3. Flight Equipment Held for Lease, Net
The following table summarizes the activities for the Company’s flight equipment held for lease for the three months ended May 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Amount |
Balance at February 28, 2023 | | $ | 6,567,606 | |
Additions | | 321,805 | |
Depreciation | | (88,553) | |
Disposals and transfers to net investment in leases and held for sale | | (204,243) | |
Impairments | | (1,097) | |
| | |
Balance at May 31, 2023 | | $ | 6,595,518 | |
| | |
Accumulated depreciation as of May 31, 2023 | | $ | 2,264,771 | |
Note 4. Lease Rental Revenues
Minimum future lease rentals contracted to be received under our existing operating leases of flight equipment at May 31, 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Year Ending February 28/29, | | Amount(1) |
2024 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 451,869 | |
2025 | | 528,826 | |
2026 | | 414,434 | |
2027 | | 348,453 | |
2028 | | 278,390 | |
Thereafter | | 833,985 | |
Total | | $ | 2,855,957 | |
_______________
(1)Reflects impact of lessee lease rental deferrals.
At May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023, the amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in maintenance payments on our consolidated balance sheets were $26.0 million and $22.4 million, respectively.
Note 5. Net Investment in Leases, Net
At May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023, our net investment in leases consisted of 14 and 4 aircraft, respectively. The components of our net investment in leases at May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| May 31, 2023 | | February 28, 2023 | |
Lease receivable | $ | 143,191 | | | $ | 31,674 | | |
Unguaranteed residual value of flight equipment | 131,665 | | | 37,287 | | |
Net investment leases | 274,856 | | | 68,961 | | |
Allowance for credit losses | (8,226) | | | (1,267) | | |
Net investment in leases, net | $ | 266,630 | | | $ | 67,694 | | |
During the three months ended May 31, 2023, 10 aircraft were reclassified from operating leases to sales-type leases. Collectability of the lease payments for these 10 aircraft, which was not deemed probable at the effective date of
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
the lease modification, became probable during the three months ended May 31, 2023. Accordingly, we derecognized the carrying amounts of the underlying aircraft and lease payments recorded by us as deposit liabilities and recognized net investments in leases. A selling profit totaling $32.7 million for these 10 aircraft was recognized as a component of Gain on sale of flight equipment for the three months ended May 31, 2023. We also recognized a provision for credit losses totaling $7.0 million for these 10 aircraft during the three months ended May 31, 2023.
The activity in the allowance for credit losses related to our net investment in leases for the three months ended May 31, 2023 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Amount |
Balance at February 28, 2023 | | $ | 1,267 | |
Provision for credit losses | | 6,959 | |
| | |
| | |
Balance at May 31, 2023 | | $ | 8,226 | |
At May 31, 2023, future lease payments to be received under our net investment in leases were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Year Ending February 28/29, | | Amount |
2024 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 17,735 | |
2025 | | 25,284 | |
2026 | | 24,984 | |
2027 | | 25,121 | |
2028 | | 24,911 | |
Thereafter | | 74,317 | |
Total lease payments to be received | | 192,352 | |
Present value of lease payments - lease receivable | | (143,191) | |
Difference between undiscounted lease payments and lease receivable | | $ | 49,161 | |
Note 6. Concentration of Risk
The classification of regions in the tables below is based on our customers’ principal place of business.
The geographic concentration of the net book value of our fleet (flight equipment held for lease and net investment in leases, or “Net Book Value”) as of May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| May 31, 2023 | | February 28, 2023 |
Region | Number of Aircraft | | Net Book Value % | | Number of Aircraft | | Net Book Value % |
Asia and Pacific | 62 | | | 27 | % | | 62 | | | 28 | % |
Europe | 90 | | | 29 | % | | 88 | | | 30 | % |
Middle East and Africa | 7 | | | 2 | % | | 8 | | | 3 | % |
North America | 43 | | | 23 | % | | 38 | | | 20 | % |
South America | 31 | | | 15 | % | | 29 | | | 14 | % |
Off-lease | 11 | | (1) | 4 | % | | 14 | | (2) | 5 | % |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 239 | | | 100 | % |
_______________
(1)Of the 11 off-lease aircraft at May 31, 2023, we have 2 narrow-body aircraft and 1 wide-body aircraft which we are currently marketing for lease or sale.
(2)Of the 14 off-lease aircraft at February 28, 2023, we have 2 narrow-body aircraft and 1 wide-body aircraft which we are currently marketing for lease or sale.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
The following table sets forth individual countries representing at least 10% of our Net Book Value as of May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| May 31, 2023 | | February 28, 2023 |
Country | Net Book Value | Net Book Value % | Number of Lessees | | Net Book Value | Net Book Value % | Number of Lessees |
United States(1) | $ | 679,035 | | 10% | 5 | | $ | — | | —% | — |
_______________
(1) As of February 28, 2023, the United States represented less than 10% of our Net Book Value.
The geographic concentration of our lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended May 31, |
Region | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Asia and Pacific | | | | | 30 | % | | 33 | % |
Europe | | | | | 30 | % | | 29 | % |
Middle East and Africa | | | | | 4 | % | | 5 | % |
North America | | | | | 23 | % | | 17 | % |
South America | | | | | 13 | % | | 16 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
The following table shows the number of lessees with lease rental revenue of at least 5% of total lease rental revenue and their combined total percentage of lease rental revenue for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended May 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| | | | | | | | | Number of Lessees | | Combined % of Lease Rental Revenue | | Number of Lessees | | Combined % of Lease Rental Revenue |
Largest lessees by lease rental revenue | | | | | | | | | 3 | | 21% | | 4 | | 30% |
For the three months ended May 31, 2023, total revenue attributable to Greece was 10% and included $19.2 million of maintenance revenue as a result of scheduled lease expirations for a Greek lessee. For the three months ended May 31, 2022, total revenue attributable to Greece was less than 10%.
Note 7. Unconsolidated Equity Method Investment
We have a joint venture with Mizuho Leasing which has 9 aircraft with a net book value of $281.9 million at May 31, 2023.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Amount |
Balance at February 28, 2023 | | $ | 40,505 | |
| | |
Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax | | 406 | |
Balance at May 31, 2023 | | $ | 40,911 | |
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
Note 8. Borrowings from Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings
The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured debt financings were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| At May 31, 2023 | | At February 28, 2023 |
Debt Obligation | Outstanding Borrowings | | Number of Aircraft | | Interest Rate | | Final Stated Maturity | | Outstanding Borrowings |
Secured Debt Financings: | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Term Financings(1) | $ | 941,989 | | | 38 | | | 2.36% to 7.52% | | 09/13/24 to 06/27/32 | | $ | 761,283 | |
Less: Debt issuance costs and discounts | (8,984) | | | — | | | | | | | (8,985) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total secured debt financings, net of debt issuance costs and discounts | 933,005 | | | 38 | | | | | | | 752,298 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Unsecured Debt Financings: | | | | | | | | | |
Senior 5.000% Notes due 2023 | — | | | | | 5.00% | | 04/01/23 | | 500,000 | |
Senior 4.400% Notes due 2023 | 650,000 | | | | | 4.40% | | 09/25/23 | | 650,000 | |
Senior Notes due 2024 | 500,000 | | | | | 4.125% | | 05/01/24 | | 500,000 | |
Senior Notes due 2025 | 650,000 | | | | | 5.25% | | 08/11/25 | | 650,000 | |
Senior Notes due 2026 | 650,000 | | | | | 4.25% | | 06/15/26 | | 650,000 | |
Senior Notes due 2028 | 750,000 | | | | | 2.85% | | 01/26/28 | | 750,000 | |
Unsecured Term Loans | 155,000 | | | | | 6.68% | | 02/27/24 | | 155,000 | |
Revolving Credit Facilities | 395,000 | | | | | 6.72% to 6.91% | | 02/28/24 to 05/24/25 | | 20,000 | |
Less: Debt issuance costs and discounts | (29,044) | | | | | | | | | (32,546) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total unsecured debt financings, net of debt issuance costs and discounts | 3,720,956 | | | | | | | | | 3,842,454 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total secured and unsecured debt financings, net of debt issuance costs and discounts | $ | 4,653,961 | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,594,752 | |
(1)The borrowings under these financings at May 31, 2023 have a weighted-average fixed rate of interest of 5.35%.
Secured Debt Financings:
Term Financings
During the three months ended May 31, 2023, we borrowed the remaining $168.7 million available under our full recourse secured financing facility entered into on November 21, 2022 (the “2022 Secured Facility”). As of May 31, 2023, $437.6 million was outstanding under the 2022 Secured Facility in relation to 17 owned aircraft. The 2022 Secured Facility bears interest at a floating rate under the Term SOFR (as defined in the credit agreement governing the 2022 Secured Facility) plus 2.35% per annum and matures on November 21, 2029.
Unsecured Debt Financings:
5.000% Senior Notes due 2023
We repaid the $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.000% Senior Notes due 2023 at their final stated maturity date in April 2023.
Revolving Credit Facilities
On June 5, 2023, one of our unsecured revolving credit facilities was expanded from $245.0 million to $285.0
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
million. This revolving credit facility was further expanded to $325.0 million on July 12, 2023 and matures on May 24, 2025.
As of May 31, 2023, we had $395.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facilities and had $1.4 billion available for borrowing.
As of May 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants in our financings.
Note 9. Shareholders' Equity
On March 15, 2023, the Company paid a semi-annual dividend in the amount of $10.5 million for its Preference Shares, which was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on January 10, 2023, and accrued as of February 28, 2023.
Note 10. Related Party Transactions
We incurred fees from our Shareholders as part of intra-company service agreements totaling $2.0 million and $1.4 million during the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, whereby our Shareholders provide certain management and administrative services to the Company. In addition, the Company purchased parts under a parts management services and supply agreement with an affiliate of Marubeni totaling $0.4 million and $1.7 million during the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Note 11. Income Taxes
Income taxes have been provided for based upon the tax laws and rates in countries in which our operations are conducted and income is earned. The Company received assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. Consequently, the provision for income taxes relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.
The sources of income from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of our unconsolidated equity method investment for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended May 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
U.S. operations | | | | | $ | 4,282 | | | $ | 5,336 | |
Non-U.S. operations | | | | | 32,442 | | | 5,164 | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment | | | | | $ | 36,724 | | | $ | 10,500 | |
Our aircraft-owning subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes. The aircraft owning subsidiaries resident in the United States and Ireland are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
We have a U.S.-based subsidiary which provides management services to our subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. We also have Ireland and Singapore-based subsidiaries which provide management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
The Company’s effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022 was 39.1% and 31.7%, respectively. The movement in the ETR is primarily caused by changes in the mix of the Company’s pre-tax income in its taxable and non-tax jurisdictions.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
Note 12. Interest, Net
The following table shows the components of interest, net:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended May 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Interest on borrowings and other liabilities | | | | | $ | 55,872 | | | $ | 47,241 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Amortization of deferred financing fees and debt discount | | | | | 4,031 | | | 3,597 | |
Interest expense | | | | | 59,903 | | | 50,838 | |
Less: Interest income | | | | | (2,292) | | | (259) | |
Less: Capitalized interest | | | | | (720) | | | (285) | |
| | | | | | | |
Interest, net | | | | | $ | 56,891 | | | $ | 50,294 | |
Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies
Rent expense, primarily for the corporate office and sales and marketing facilities, was $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As of May 31, 2023, Aircastle is obligated under non-cancelable operating leases relating principally to office facilities in Stamford, Connecticut; Dublin, Ireland; and Singapore for future minimum lease payments as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Year Ending February 28/29, | | Amount |
2024 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 2,522 | |
2025 | | 2,933 | |
2026 | | 2,709 | |
2027 | | 2,717 | |
2028 | | 2,748 | |
Thereafter | | 16,716 | |
Total | | $ | 30,345 | |
At May 31, 2023, we had commitments to acquire 12 aircraft for $406.6 million.
At May 31, 2023, commitments, including $39.4 million of remaining progress payments, contractual price escalations and other adjustments for these aircraft, net of amounts already paid, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Year Ending February 28/29, | | Amount |
2024 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 138,239 | |
2025 | | 171,533 | |
2026 | | 96,848 | |
2027 | | — | |
2028 | | — | |
Thereafter | | — | |
| | |
Total | | $ | 406,620 | |
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
May 31, 2023
Note 14. Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following as of May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| May 31, 2023 | | February 28, 2023 |
Deferred income tax asset | $ | 310 | | | $ | 304 | |
Lease incentives and premiums, net of accumulated amortization of $80,679 and $77,722, respectively | 37,985 | | | 54,208 | |
Flight equipment held for sale | 28,705 | | | 59,370 | |
Aircraft purchase deposits and Embraer E-2 progress payments | 40,447 | | | 43,494 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Right-of-use asset(1) | 17,052 | | | 16,930 | |
Deferred rent receivable | 32,420 | | | 35,631 | |
Investments, at fair value | 10,543 | | | 10,819 | |
Other assets | 138,517 | | | 125,574 | |
| | | |
Total other assets | $ | 305,979 | | | $ | 346,330 | |
______________
(1)Net of lease incentives and tenant allowances.
Note 15. Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following as of May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| May 31, 2023 | | February 28, 2023 |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | $ | 48,022 | | | $ | 60,225 | |
Deferred income tax liability | 83,808 | | | 79,990 | |
Accrued interest payable | 43,752 | | | 42,752 | |
Lease liability | 20,048 | | | 19,951 | |
Lease discounts, net of amortization of $45,830 and $45,586, respectively | 3,311 | | | 3,555 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | $ | 198,941 | | | $ | 206,473 | |
| | | |
Note 16. Subsequent Events
On July 5, 2023, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with its Shareholders, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to make a pro rata issuance of the Company’s common shares, $0.01 par value per share (the “Shares”), for an aggregate purchase price of up to $500.0 million. The Shares will be issued in two tranches, with the first tranche expected to be issued in July 2023 for an aggregate purchase price of $200.0 million. The issuance of the second tranche, which is subject to both the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders, is expected to occur during the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2024 for an aggregate purchase price of up to $300.0 million. The number of Shares and the subscription price per share are to be determined and agreed to by the parties at the time of issuance. The Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with other common shares of the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the issuance of Shares for general corporate purposes.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. The results of operations for the periods reflected herein are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for future periods, and our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those described under “Risk Factors” and included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2023. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, and, unless otherwise indicated, the other financial information contained in this report has also been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this report are to, and all monetary amounts in this report are presented in, U.S. dollars.
All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”), other than characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and the global aviation industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “estimates” and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our historical performance and that of our subsidiaries and on our current plans, estimates and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this report. These risks or uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described from time to time in Aircastle’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and previously disclosed under “Risk Factors” in Part I - Item 1A of Aircastle’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2023. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Aircastle expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances.
WEBSITE AND ACCESS TO THE COMPANY’S REPORTS
Statements and information concerning our status as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) for U.S. taxpayers are available free of charge through our website at www.aircastle.com under “Investors — Tax Information (PFIC).”
The information on the Company’s Internet website is not part of, nor incorporated by reference, into this report, or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
OVERVIEW
Aircastle acquires, leases, and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. Our aircraft are managed by an experienced team based in the United States, Ireland and Singapore. Our aircraft are subject to net leases whereby the lessee is generally responsible for maintaining the aircraft and paying operational, maintenance and insurance costs. However, in many cases we are obligated to pay a specified portion of maintenance or modification costs. During the three months ended May 31, 2023, we purchased 7 aircraft and sold 4 aircraft and other flight equipment. As of May 31, 2023, we owned and managed on behalf of our joint venture 253 aircraft leased to 73 airline customers located in 43 countries. As of May 31, 2023, the Net Book Value of our fleet was $6.9 billion. The weighted average age of our fleet was 9.6 years and the weighted average remaining lease term was 5.4 years. As of May 31, 2023, we had commitments to acquire 12 aircraft for $406.6 million, which included estimated amounts for pre-delivery deposits, contractual price escalations and other adjustments.
Our total revenues, net income and Adjusted EBITDA were $218.5 million, $22.8 million and $191.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended May 31, 2023. Cash flow provided by operating activities was $100.5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023. Our leadership team and other senior professionals have extensive industry and financial experience, including managing through downturns in the aviation industry. We believe our platform and personnel have enabled us to effectively manage through recent crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and will position us to take advantage of new investment opportunities when they arise.
Historically, growth in commercial air traffic has been correlated with world economic activity. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, commercial air traffic growth expanded at a rate one to two times that of global GDP growth. This expansion of air travel has driven growth in the world aircraft fleet; and there are approximately 26,000 commercial mainline passenger and freighter aircraft in the world fleet today. Aircraft leasing companies own approximately 49% of the world’s commercial jet aircraft. Under normal circumstances, we would expect the global fleet to continue expanding at a 2 to 3% average annual rate.
As a leading secondary market investor, we believe that our long-standing business strategy of maintaining conservative leverage and limiting long-term financial commitments has enabled us to manage through recent crises. Our portfolio, primarily comprised of a balanced mix of new technology and mid-life, narrow-body aircraft, should remain attractive assets for our airline customers to respond to the growing demand of global air travel.
We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet our contractual obligations over the next twelve months and as of July 7, 2023, total liquidity of $2.6 billion includes $1.5 billion of undrawn facilities, $0.5 billion of equity commitments, $0.4 billion of projected adjusted operating cash flows, $0.1 billion of contracted asset sales and $0.1 billion of unrestricted cash through July 1, 2024.
Fiscal Year 2023 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
As of July 7, 2023, we had 3 off-lease aircraft and 13 aircraft with leases expiring in fiscal year 2023, which combined account for less than 5% of our Net Book Value at May 31, 2023, still to be placed or sold.
Taking into account lease and sale commitments, we currently have the following number of aircraft with lease expirations scheduled in the fiscal years 2024 to 2027, representing the percentage of our Net Book Value as of May 31, 2023, specified below:
•2024: 38 aircraft, representing 12%;
•2025: 31 aircraft, representing 12%;
•2026: 21 aircraft, representing 7%; and
•2027: 29 aircraft, representing 12%.
Acquisitions and Sales
During the three months ended May 31, 2023, we acquired 7 aircraft for $306.3 million. As of May 31, 2023, we had commitments to acquire 12 aircraft for $406.6 million, with delivery through the second quarter of 2025, which includes estimated amounts for pre-delivery deposits, contractual price escalations and other adjustments. As of July 7, 2023, we have acquired 1 additional aircraft and have commitments to acquire 11 aircraft for $377.7 million.
During the three months ended May 31, 2023, we sold 4 aircraft and other flight equipment for net proceeds of $53.8 million and recognized a net gain on sale of $9.9 million for these aircraft. As of July 7, 2023, we have sold 3 additional aircraft.
Finance
We operate in a capital-intensive industry and have a demonstrated track record of raising substantial amounts of capital from debt and equity investors. Since our inception in late 2004, we have raised $2.1 billion in equity capital from private and public investors. We also raised $20.0 billion in debt capital from a variety of sources including export credit agency-backed debt, commercial bank debt, the aircraft securitization markets and the unsecured bond market. The diversity and global nature of our financing sources demonstrates our ability to adapt to changing market conditions and seize new growth opportunities.
We intend to fund new investments through cash on hand, funds generated from operations, maintenance payments received from lessees, unsecured bond offerings, borrowings secured by our aircraft, draws under our revolving credit facilities and proceeds from any future aircraft sales. We may repay all or a portion of such borrowings from time to time with the net proceeds from subsequent long-term debt financings, additional equity offerings or cash generated from operations and asset sales. Therefore, our ability to execute our business strategy, particularly the acquisition of additional commercial jet aircraft or other aviation assets, depends to a significant degree on our ability to obtain additional debt and equity capital on terms we deem attractive.
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.
AIRCASTLE AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the aircraft owned by us as of May 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Owned Aircraft | As of May 31, 2023 | | As of May 31, 2022 |
| (Dollars in millions) |
Net Book Value of Flight Equipment | $ | 6,862 | | | $ | 6,388 | |
| | | |
Net Book Value of Unencumbered Flight Equipment | $ | 5,348 | | | $ | 5,322 | |
Number of Aircraft | 244 | | | 241 | |
Number of Unencumbered Aircraft | 206 | | | 210 | |
Number of Lessees | 73 | | | 74 | |
Number of Countries | 43 | | | 44 | |
Weighted Average Age (Years)(1) | 9.6 | | | 10.4 | |
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years)(1) | 5.4 | | | 5.1 | |
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022(2) | 95.6 | % | | 94.8 | % |
| | | |
Portfolio Yield for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022(3) | 8.7 | % | | 9.2 | % |
| | | |
| | | |
Managed Aircraft on behalf of Joint Venture | | | |
Net Book Value of Flight Equipment | $ | 282 | | | $ | 295 | |
Number of Aircraft | 9 | | | 9 | |
(1)Weighted by Net Book Value.
(2)Aircraft on-lease days as a percent of total days in period weighted by Net Book Value.
(3)Lease rental revenue, interest income and cash collections on our net investment in leases for the period as a percent of the average Net Book Value for the period; quarterly information is annualized.
PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Owned Aircraft as of May 31, 2023 | | Owned Aircraft as of May 31, 2022 |
| Number of Aircraft | | % of Net Book Value | | Number of Aircraft | | % of Net Book Value |
Aircraft Type | | | | | | | |
Passenger: | | | | | | | |
Narrow-body - new technology(1) | 49 | | | 31 | % | | 28 | | | 19 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Narrow-body - current technology | 173 | | | 54 | % | | 187 | | | 63 | % |
Wide-body - current technology | 18 | | | 13 | % | | 22 | | | 16 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total Passenger | 240 | | | 98 | % | | 237 | | | 98 | % |
Freighter - current technology | 4 | | | 2 | % | | 4 | | | 2 | % |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 241 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Manufacturer | | | | | | | |
Airbus | 158 | | | 65 | % | | 156 | | | 65 | % |
Boeing | 68 | | | 27 | % | | 74 | | | 30 | % |
Embraer | 18 | | | 8 | % | | 11 | | | 5 | % |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 241 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Regional Diversification | | | | | | | |
Asia and Pacific | 62 | | | 27 | % | | 70 | | | 32 | % |
Europe | 90 | | | 29 | % | | 87 | | | 28 | % |
Middle East and Africa | 7 | | | 2 | % | | 10 | | | 4 | % |
North America | 43 | | | 23 | % | | 34 | | | 17 | % |
South America | 31 | | | 15 | % | | 25 | | | 13 | % |
Off-lease | 11 | | (2) | 4 | % | | 15 | | (3) | 6 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 241 | | 100 | % |
(1) Includes Airbus A320-200neo and A321-200neo, Boeing 737-MAX8 and Embraer E2 aircraft.
(2) Of the 11 off-lease aircraft at May 31, 2023, we have 2 narrow-body aircraft and 1 wide-body aircraft which we are currently marketing for lease or sale.
(3) All 15 off-lease aircraft at May 31, 2022 have been placed on lease, sold or disposed.
The top ten customers for our owned aircraft at May 31, 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer | | Country | | Percent of Net Book Value | | Number of Aircraft |
IndiGo | | India | | 8.5% | | 13 | |
LATAM | | Chile | | 6.8% | | 13 | |
KLM | | Netherlands | | 4.8% | | 10 | |
Viva Aerobus | | Mexico | | 4.0% | | 7 | |
Lion Air(1) | | Indonesia | | 3.8% | | 9 | |
American Airlines | | United States | | 3.6% | | 9 | |
Aerolineas Argentinas | | Argentina | | 3.2% | | 6 | |
Volaris | | Mexico | | 3.2% | | 6 | |
Air Canada | | Canada | | 3.2% | | 5 | |
Iberia | | Spain | | 3.0% | | 14 | |
| | | | | | |
Total top ten customers | | | | 44.1% | | 92 | |
All other customers | | | | 55.9% | | 152 | |
| | | | | | |
Total all customers | | | | 100.0% | | 244 | |
(1) Includes 4 aircraft on lease with 3 affiliated airlines.
COMPARATIVE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations for the three months ended May 31, 2023 as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended May 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Revenues: | | | |
Lease rental revenue | $ | 146,735 | | | $ | 144,144 | |
Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue | 1,073 | | | 2,598 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | (7,207) | | | (5,388) | |
Maintenance revenue | 34,520 | | | 27,099 | |
Total lease revenue | 175,121 | | | 168,453 | |
Gain on sale of flight equipment | 42,594 | | | 3,687 | |
Other revenue | 776 | | | 3,424 | |
Total revenues | 218,491 | | | 175,564 | |
Operating expenses: | | | |
Depreciation | 88,789 | | | 81,318 | |
Interest, net | 56,891 | | | 50,294 | |
Selling, general and administrative | 20,835 | | | 19,916 | |
Provision for credit losses | 6,959 | | | 580 | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 1,097 | | | 4,428 | |
Maintenance and other costs | 8,533 | | | 8,065 | |
Total operating expenses | 183,104 | | | 164,601 | |
| | | |
Other income (expense): | | | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | | | (463) | |
| | | |
Other | 1,337 | | | — | |
Total other income (expense) | 1,337 | | | (463) | |
| | | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment | 36,724 | | | 10,500 | |
Income tax provision | 14,360 | | | 3,329 | |
Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax | 406 | | | 511 | |
| | | |
Net income | $ | 22,770 | | | $ | 7,682 | |
Revenues
Total revenues increased $42.9 million, attributable to:
Lease rental revenue increased $2.6 million, primarily attributable to an increase of $22.8 million related to 29 aircraft purchased since March 1, 2022.
This was partially offset by:
•a $5.9 million decrease due to lease extensions, amendments, transitions, and other changes;
•a $5.8 million decrease due to lease terminations;
•a $5.8 million decrease related to the sale of 14 aircraft since March 1, 2022; and
•a $2.6 million decrease related to the timing of payments for customers for which lease rental revenue was recognized using a cash basis of accounting rather than an accrual method.
Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue decreased $1.5 million, primarily related to the sales of 8 aircraft since March 1, 2022.
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended May 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Amortization of lease premiums | $ | (2,987) | | | $ | (2,555) | |
Amortization of lease discounts | 244 | | | 129 | |
Amortization of lease incentives | (4,464) | | | (2,962) | |
| | | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | $ | (7,207) | | | $ | (5,388) | |
The amortization of lease incentives increased $1.5 million, primarily related to the transition of aircraft to new lessees.
Maintenance revenue. For the three months ended May 31, 2023, we recorded $34.5 million of maintenance revenue related to maintenance payments received by us and recognized into income as a result of scheduled lease expirations.
For the three months ended May 31, 2022, we recorded $27.1 million of maintenance revenue, of which $23.9 million related to payments received on maintenance letters of credit for 2 freighter aircraft that were previously leased to a Russian airline. In addition, we recorded maintenance revenue of $2.1 million related to the scheduled lease expiration of 1 narrow-body aircraft.
Gain on sale of flight equipment. During the three months ended May 31, 2023, we sold 4 aircraft and other flight equipment for gains totaling $9.9 million. We sold 4 aircraft and other flight equipment during the three months ended May 31, 2022 for gains totaling $3.7 million.
We also recognized selling profit totaling $32.7 million related to the reclassification of 10 aircraft from operating leases to sales-type leases during the three months ended May 31, 2023 – see Note 5 in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other revenue. The three months ended May 31, 2022 included $1.5 million of payments received on general security letters of credit for aircraft that were previously leased to Russian airlines and $1.8 million of security deposits retained by us in connection with an aircraft lease amendment. We collected the remaining letters of general security credit totaling $0.6 million during the three months ended May 31, 2023.
Operating expenses
Total operating expenses increased $18.5 million, attributable to:
Depreciation expense increased $7.5 million primarily attributable to an increase of $10.4 million related to 29 aircraft acquired since March 1, 2022, partially offset by a decrease of $5.5 million resulting from 18 aircraft sold since March 1, 2022.
Interest, net increased $6.6 million due to a higher average cost of borrowing and higher weighted average debt outstanding of $154.5 million.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million, primarily due to an increase in personnel costs and ongoing Russian litigation expenses.
Provision for credit losses increased $6.4 million, primarily related to a $7.0 million allowance for credit losses recorded during the three months ended May 31, 2023 resulting from the reclassification of 10 aircraft from operating leases to sales-type leases – see Note 5 in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impairment of aircraft. We recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million during the three months ended May 31, 2023.
During the three months ended May 31, 2022, the Company wrote off the remaining book value of 8 narrow-body aircraft in Russia that had not been returned to us totaling $4.4 million.
Maintenance and other costs: Maintenance and other costs increased $0.5 million, primarily attributable to higher aircraft insurance premiums, partially offset by lower costs due to the timing of transition of aircraft to new lessees.
Income tax provision
Income tax provision. Our income tax expense was $14.4 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 39.1% and 31.7% for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase is attributable to changes in the mix of pre-tax income in taxable and non-taxable jurisdictions.
Aircraft Valuation
Annual Recoverability Assessment
We plan to perform our annual recoverability assessment of all our aircraft during the third quarter of 2023.
Additional customer and aircraft specific recoverability assessments are also performed whenever indicators suggest the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Indicators may include, but are not limited to, a significant lease restructuring or early lease termination, a significant change in an aircraft model’s storage levels, the introduction of newer technology aircraft or engines, an aircraft type is no longer in production, or a significant airworthiness directive is issued. We have focused and will continue to focus on aircraft with near-term lease expirations, customers that have entered judicial insolvency proceedings and any additional customers that may become subject to similar-type proceedings, and certain other customers or aircraft variants that are more susceptible to value deterioration.
The recoverability assessment is a comparison of the carrying value of an aircraft to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. We develop the assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on current and future expectations of the global demand for a particular aircraft type and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third-party industry sources. The factors considered in estimating the undiscounted cash flows are impacted by changes in future periods due to changes in projected lease rental and maintenance payments, residual values, economic conditions, technology, airline demand for a particular aircraft type and other factors, such as the location of the aircraft and accessibility to records and technical documentation.
If our estimates or assumptions change, including those related to our customers that have entered judicial insolvency proceedings, we may revise our cash flow assumptions and record future impairment charges. While we believe that the estimates and related assumptions used in our recoverability assessments are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Organization and Basis of Presentation” in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above.
RECENT UNADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our business is very capital intensive, requiring significant investments in order to expand our fleet and to maintain and improve our existing portfolio. Our operations have historically generated a significant amount of cash, primarily from lease rentals and maintenance collections. We have also met our liquidity and capital resource needs by utilizing several sources over time, including:
•various forms of borrowing secured by our aircraft, including term facilities, term financings and limited recourse securitization financings for new aircraft acquisitions;
•unsecured indebtedness, including our current unsecured revolving credit facilities, term loan and senior notes;
•asset sales; and
•sales of common and preference shares.
Going forward, we expect to continue to seek liquidity from these sources and other sources, subject to pricing and conditions we consider satisfactory.
During the three months ended May 31, 2023, we met our liquidity and capital resource needs with $100.5 million of cash flows from operations and $53.8 million of proceeds from the sale of aircraft and other flight equipment.
As of May 31, 2023, the weighted-average maturity of our secured and unsecured debt financings was 2.6 years and we were in compliance with all applicable covenants.
We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet our contractual obligations over the next twelve months and as of July 7, 2023, total liquidity of $2.6 billion includes $1.5 billion of undrawn facilities, $0.5 billion of equity commitments, $0.4 billion of projected adjusted operating cash flows, $0.1 billion of contracted asset sales and $0.1 billion of unrestricted cash through July 1, 2024. In addition, we believe payments received from lessees and other funds generated from operations, unsecured bond offerings, borrowings secured by our aircraft, borrowings under our revolving credit facilities and other borrowings and proceeds from future aircraft sales will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital resource needs over the next twelve months. Our liquidity and capital resource needs include payments due under our aircraft purchase obligations, required principal and interest payments under our long-term debt facilities, expected capital expenditures, lessee maintenance payment reimbursements and lease incentive payments.
Cash Flows
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended May 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Net cash flow provided by operating activities | $ | 100,450 | | | $ | 110,293 | |
Net cash flow used in investing activities | (266,322) | | | (14,207) | |
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities | 70,167 | | | (25,088) | |
Operating Activities:
Cash flow provided by operating activities was $100.5 million and $110.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The three months ended May 31, 2022 included $25.4 million of payments received on maintenance and general security letters of credit for our former Russian lessees. Excluding the impact of these letters of credit, cash provided by operating activities increased primarily due to the continued increase in customer collections, including the repayment of lease deferrals.
Investing Activities:
Cash flow used in investing activities was $266.3 million and $14.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase of $252.1 million was primarily attributable to a $258.4 million increase in cash paid for the acquisition and improvement of flight equipment. During the three months ended May 31, 2023, we acquired 7 aircraft as compared to 1 aircraft during the three months ended May 31, 2022.
Financing Activities:
Cash flow provided by financing activities was $70.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023 as compared to cash flow used in financing activities of $25.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2022. The net cash increase of $95.3 million was primarily attributable to an increase in proceeds from secured and unsecured financings, net of repayments.
Debt Obligations
For complete information on our debt obligations, refer to Note 8 in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations consist of principal and interest payments on debt financings, aircraft acquisitions and rent payments pursuant to our office leases. Total contractual obligations decreased to $5.8 billion at May 31, 2023 from $6.0 billion at February 28, 2023, due to lower aircraft purchase commitments, partially offset by higher outstanding debt and the related interest thereon.
Capital Expenditures
From time to time, we make capital expenditures to maintain or improve our aircraft. These expenditures include the cost of major overhauls necessary to place an aircraft in service and modifications made at the request of lessees. For the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred a total of $24.4 million and $27.2 million, respectively, of capital expenditures, including lease incentives, related to the improvement of aircraft.
As of May 31, 2023, the weighted average age by Net Book Value of our aircraft was approximately 9.6 years. In general, the costs of operating an aircraft, including maintenance expenditures, increase with the age of the aircraft. Our lease agreements call for the lessee to be primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft. Maintenance reserves are generally paid by the lessee to provide for future maintenance events. Provided a lessee performs scheduled maintenance of the aircraft, we are required to reimburse the lessee for scheduled maintenance payments. In certain cases, we are also required to make lessor contributions, in excess of amounts a lessee may have paid, towards the costs of maintenance events performed by or on behalf of the lessee. We may incur additional maintenance and modification costs in the future in the event we are required to remarket an aircraft, such as in the event of a lessee default or a lessee fails to meet its maintenance obligations under the lease agreement.
Actual maintenance payments to us by lessees in the future may be less than projected as a result of several factors, such as in the event of a lessee default. Maintenance reserves may not cover the entire amount of actual maintenance expenses incurred and, where these expenses are not otherwise covered by the lessees, there can be no assurance that our operational cash flow and maintenance reserves will be sufficient to fund maintenance requirements, particularly as our aircraft age. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Business – Risks related to our leases – If lessees are unable to fund their maintenance obligations on our aircraft, we may incur increased costs at the conclusion of the applicable lease” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2023.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We entered into a joint venture arrangement in order to help expand our base of new business opportunities. This joint venture does not qualify for consolidated accounting treatment. The assets and liabilities of this entity are not included in our consolidated balance sheets and we record our net investment under the equity method of accounting. See Note 7 in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
We hold a 25% equity interest in our joint venture with Mizuho Leasing and as of May 31, 2023, the net book value of its 9 aircraft was $281.9 million.
Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Operations
At May 31, 2023, more than 99% of our leases were payable to us in U.S. dollars. However, we incur Euro and Singapore dollar-denominated expenses in connection with our subsidiaries in Ireland and Singapore. For the three months ended May 31, 2023, expenses, such as personnel and office costs, denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar totaled $5.7 million in U.S. dollar equivalents and represented 27% of total selling, general and administrative expenses. Our international operations are a significant component of our business strategy and permit us to effectively source new aircraft, service the aircraft we own and maintain contact with our lessees. Therefore, our international operations and our exposure to foreign currency risk will likely increase over time. Although we have not yet entered into foreign currency hedges, if our foreign currency exposure increases, we may enter into hedging transactions in the future to mitigate this risk. For the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred insignificant net gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.
Management’s Use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We define EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-U.S. GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance.
This measure provides an assessment of controllable expenses and affords management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals, as well as achieving optimal financial performance. It provides an indicator for management to determine if adjustments to current spending decisions are needed.
EBITDA provides us with a measure of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges on our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our operating results. Accordingly, this metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that management can impact in the short-term, namely the cost structure, or expenses, of the organization. EBITDA is one of the metrics used by senior management and the Board of Directors to review the consolidated financial performance of our business.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (as defined above) further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance as that term is defined in the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes. Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants.
The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended May 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| | | | | |
Net income | | | | | $ | 22,770 | | | $ | 7,682 | |
Depreciation | | | | | 88,789 | | | 81,318 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | | | | | 7,207 | | | 5,388 | |
Interest, net | | | | | 56,891 | | | 50,294 | |
Income tax provision | | | | | 14,360 | | | 3,329 | |
EBITDA | | | | | 190,017 | | | 148,011 | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | |
Impairment of flight equipment | | | | | 1,097 | | | 4,428 | |
| | | | | | | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | | | — | | | 463 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | $ | 191,114 | | | $ | 152,902 | |
Limitations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
An investor or potential investor may find EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA important measures in evaluating our performance, results of operations and financial position. We use these non-U.S. GAAP measures to supplement our U.S. GAAP results in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools and should not be viewed in isolation or as substitutes for U.S. GAAP measures of earnings (loss). Material limitations in making the adjustments to our earnings (loss) to calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, and using these non-U.S. GAAP measures as compared to U.S. GAAP net income (loss), income (loss) from continuing operations and cash flows provided by or used in operations, include:
•depreciation and amortization, though not directly affecting our current cash position, represent the wear and tear and/or reduction in value of our aircraft, which affects the aircraft’s availability for use and may be indicative of future needs for capital expenditures;
•the cash portion of income tax provision(benefit) generally represents charges (gains), which may significantly affect our financial results; and
•adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance as that term is defined in the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes which may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not alternatives to net income (loss), income (loss) from operations or cash flows provided by or used in operations as calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should not rely on these non-U.S. GAAP measures as a substitute for any such U.S. GAAP financial measure. We strongly urge you to review the reconciliations to U.S. GAAP net income (loss), along with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. We also strongly urge you to not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. In addition, because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this report, may differ from and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest rate risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in the level of interest rates and the spread between different interest rates. These risks are highly sensitive to many factors, including U.S. monetary and tax policies, U.S. and international economic factors and other factors beyond our control. We are exposed to changes in the level of interest rates and to changes in the relationship or spread between interest rates. Our primary interest rate exposures relate to our floating-rate debt obligations. Rent payments under our aircraft lease agreements typically do not vary during the term of the lease according to changes in interest rates. However, our borrowing agreements generally require payments based on a variable interest rate index, such as LIBOR, SOFR or an alternative reference rate. Therefore, to the extent our borrowing costs are not fixed, increases in interest rates may reduce our net income by increasing the cost of our debt without any corresponding increase in rents or cash flow from our securities. Our borrowing agreements may provide a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest as entities continue to transition away from LIBOR due to reference rate reform. There is no assurance that any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, LIBOR.
Sensitivity Analysis
The following discussion about the potential effects of changes in interest rates is based on a sensitivity analysis, which models the effects of hypothetical interest rate shifts on our financial condition and results of operations. Although we believe a sensitivity analysis provides the most meaningful analysis permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, it is constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and by the inability to include the extraordinarily complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled. Although the following results of a sensitivity analysis for changes in interest rates may have some limited use as a benchmark, they should not be viewed as a forecast. This forward-looking disclosure also is selective in nature and addresses only the potential interest expense impacts on our financial instruments. It also does not include a variety of other potential factors that could affect our business as a result of changes in interest rates.
As of May 31, 2023, a hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rate on our borrowings would result in an interest expense increase/decrease of $8.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, over the next twelve months.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). This term refers to the controls and procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of May 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of May 31, 2023.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f), that occurred during the quarter ended May 31, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not a party to any material legal or adverse regulatory proceedings.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the disclosure related to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2023, as filed with the SEC.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)
Information on our ESG initiatives can be found on our website at www.aircastle.com under “About – ESG.” The information on the Company’s website regarding our ESG initiatives is not part of, nor incorporated by reference, into this report, or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | |
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3.1 | | | |
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3.2 | | | |
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3.3 | | | |
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4.1 | | | |
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4.2 | | | |
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4.3 | | | |
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4.4 | | | |
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4.5 | | | |
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4.6 | | | |
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4.7 | | | |
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4.8 | | | |
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4.9 | | | |
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10.1 | | | |
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31.1 | | | |
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31.2 | | | |
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32.1 | | | |
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32.2 | | | |
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101 | | The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2023, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended May 31, 2023 and 2022; and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.* | |
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | |
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104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |
* Filed herewith.
** Certain attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K.
ØØ Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: July 12, 2023
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| AIRCASTLE LIMITED |
| (Registrant) |
| By: | /s/ Dane Silverman |
| | Dane Silverman |
| | Chief Accounting Officer and Authorized Officer |