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 August 31, 2024
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
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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.) |
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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
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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 October 4, 2024, there were 17,840 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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Item 1. | | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023 | |
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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)
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| August 31, 2024 | | February 29, 2024 |
| (Unaudited) | | |
ASSETS | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 432,564 | | | $ | 129,977 | |
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Accounts receivable | 12,778 | | | 12,518 | |
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Flight equipment held for lease, net | 6,798,327 | | | 6,940,502 | |
Net investment in leases, net | 278,270 | | | 282,439 | |
Unconsolidated equity method investment | 43,709 | | | 42,710 | |
Other assets | 267,907 | | | 271,807 | |
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Total assets | $ | 7,833,555 | | | $ | 7,679,953 | |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | |
Borrowings from secured financings, net | $ | 636,410 | | | $ | 875,397 | |
Borrowings from unsecured financings, net | 3,823,665 | | | 3,823,099 | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 212,315 | | | 219,588 | |
Lease rentals received in advance | 62,894 | | | 52,654 | |
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Security deposits | 71,689 | | | 69,544 | |
Maintenance payments | 558,568 | | | 505,897 | |
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Total liabilities | 5,365,541 | | | 5,546,179 | |
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Commitments and Contingencies | | | |
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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 August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024 | — | | | — | |
Common shares, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 17,840 and 15,564 shares issued and outstanding at August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024, respectively | — | | | — | |
Additional paid-in capital | 2,378,774 | | | 2,078,774 | |
Retained earnings | 89,240 | | | 55,000 | |
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Total shareholders’ equity | 2,468,014 | | | 2,133,774 | |
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Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 7,833,555 | | | $ | 7,679,953 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
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| Three Months Ended August 31, | | Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Revenues: | | | | | | | |
Lease rental revenue | $ | 162,379 | | | $ | 150,351 | | | $ | 324,949 | | | $ | 297,086 | |
Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue | 5,426 | | | 5,085 | | | 10,883 | | | 6,158 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | (6,068) | | | (7,124) | | | (12,717) | | | (14,331) | |
Maintenance revenue | 19,378 | | | 15,046 | | | 61,527 | | | 49,566 | |
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Total lease revenue | 181,115 | | | 163,358 | | | 384,642 | | | 338,479 | |
Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment | 35,416 | | | 4,453 | | | 36,426 | | | 47,047 | |
Other revenue | 137 | | | 145 | | | 773 | | | 921 | |
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Total revenues | 216,668 | | | 167,956 | | | 421,841 | | | 386,447 | |
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Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | 87,675 | | | 86,328 | | | 177,033 | | | 175,117 | |
Interest, net | 62,424 | | | 57,035 | | | 127,237 | | | 113,926 | |
Selling, general and administrative | 20,090 | | | 18,882 | | | 42,145 | | | 39,717 | |
Provision for credit losses | 426 | | | (834) | | | 281 | | | 6,125 | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 5,761 | | | 1,100 | | | 10,972 | | | 2,197 | |
Maintenance and other costs | 4,096 | | | 8,854 | | | 8,539 | | | 17,387 | |
Total operating expenses | 180,472 | | | 171,365 | | | 366,207 | | | 354,469 | |
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Other income: | | | | | | | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | 285 | | | — | | | 285 | | | — | |
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Other | 726 | | | 3,372 | | | 422 | | | 4,709 | |
Total other income | 1,011 | | | 3,372 | | | 707 | | | 4,709 | |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment | 37,207 | | | (37) | | | 56,341 | | | 36,687 | |
Income tax provision (benefit) | 9,028 | | | (5,099) | | | 12,600 | | | 9,261 | |
Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax | 480 | | | 456 | | | 999 | | | 862 | |
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Net income | $ | 28,659 | | | $ | 5,518 | | | $ | 44,740 | | | $ | 28,288 | |
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Preference share dividends | (10,500) | | | (10,500) | | | (10,500) | | | (10,500) | |
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Net income (loss) available to common shareholders | $ | 18,159 | | | $ | (4,982) | | | $ | 34,240 | | | $ | 17,788 | |
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Total comprehensive income (loss) available to common shareholders | $ | 18,159 | | | $ | (4,982) | | | $ | 34,240 | | | $ | 17,788 | |
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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)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | |
Net income | $ | 44,740 | | | $ | 28,288 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation | 177,033 | | | 175,117 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 8,590 | | | 8,321 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | 12,717 | | | 14,331 | |
Deferred income taxes | 9,438 | | | 6,179 | |
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Collections on net investment in leases | 3,477 | | | 1,598 | |
Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings | (9,914) | | | (9,895) | |
Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment | (36,426) | | | (47,047) | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | (285) | | | — | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 10,972 | | | 2,197 | |
Provision for credit losses | 281 | | | 6,125 | |
Other | (1,008) | | | (845) | |
Changes in certain assets and liabilities: | | | |
Accounts receivable | (3,201) | | | 1,437 | |
Other assets | (4,690) | | | (9,723) | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | (19,235) | | | (3,833) | |
Lease rentals received in advance | 12,414 | | | 14,165 | |
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Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities | 204,903 | | | 186,415 | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | |
Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment | (335,410) | | | (379,349) | |
Proceeds from sale or disposition of flight equipment | 329,288 | | | 126,011 | |
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Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments, net of deposits returned and aircraft sales deposits | (1,069) | | | 6,852 | |
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Other | (293) | | | (4,026) | |
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Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities | (7,484) | | | (250,512) | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of common shares | 300,000 | | | 200,000 | |
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Proceeds from secured and unsecured debt financings | 1,048,200 | | | 1,273,709 | |
Repayments of secured and unsecured debt financings | (1,289,386) | | | (963,507) | |
Debt extinguishment costs | 285 | | | — | |
Deferred financing costs | (4,961) | | | (7,536) | |
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Security deposits and maintenance payments received | 73,206 | | | 77,006 | |
Security deposits and maintenance payments returned | (11,676) | | | (10,508) | |
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Dividends paid | (10,500) | | | (10,500) | |
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Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities | 105,168 | | | 558,664 | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents: | 302,587 | | | 494,567 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 129,977 | | | 231,861 | |
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 432,564 | | | $ | 726,428 | |
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)
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| Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
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Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | |
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized | $ | 128,754 | | | $ | 116,827 | |
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 517 | | | $ | 5,631 | |
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities: | | | |
Advance lease rentals, security deposits, maintenance payments, other liabilities and other assets assumed in asset acquisitions | $ | 27,807 | | | $ | 12,927 | |
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Advance lease rentals, security deposits, maintenance payments, other liabilities and other assets settled in sale of flight equipment | $ | 47,607 | | | $ | 11,974 | |
Transfers from flight equipment held for lease to Net investment in leases and Other assets | $ | 6,310 | | | $ | 182,818 | |
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)
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| Common Shares | | Preference Shares | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Total Shareholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance, February 29, 2024 | 15,564 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,078,774 | | | $ | 55,000 | | | $ | 2,133,774 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 16,081 | | | 16,081 | |
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Balance, May 31, 2024 | 15,564 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,078,774 | | | $ | 71,081 | | | $ | 2,149,855 | |
Issuance of common shares | 2,276 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 300,000 | | | — | | | 300,000 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 28,659 | | | 28,659 | |
Preference share dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (10,500) | | | (10,500) | |
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Balance, August 31, 2024 | 17,840 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,378,774 | | | $ | 89,240 | | | $ | 2,468,014 | |
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| 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 | |
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Balance, May 31, 2023 | 14,048 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,878,774 | | | $ | 15,454 | | | $ | 1,894,228 | |
Issuance of common shares | 1,516 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 200,000 | | | — | | | 200,000 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,518 | | | 5,518 | |
Preference share dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (10,500) | | | (10,500) | |
Balance, August 31, 2023 | 15,564 | | | $ | — | | | 400 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,078,774 | | | $ | 10,472 | | | $ | 2,089,246 | |
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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)
August 31, 2024
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda 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 29, 2024.
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 August 31, 2024, 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.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
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 December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 enhances the transparency of income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The standard requires disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation, using both percentages and reporting currency amounts, as well as disclosure of income taxes paid, net of refunds received, disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes and individual jurisdictions. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied on a prospective basis. We are currently evaluating the standard; however, it is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables set forth our financial assets as of August 31, 2024, and February 29, 2024, 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.
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| | | Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2024 Using Fair Value Hierarchy |
| Fair Value as of August 31, 2024 | | 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 | $ | 432,564 | | | $ | 432,564 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | Market |
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Investments, at fair value: | | | | | | | | | |
Investment in debt securities | $ | 5,029 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,029 | | | Income |
Investment in equity securities | 4,989 | | | 1,545 | | | — | | | 3,444 | | | Market/Income |
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Total investments, at fair value | $ | 10,018 | | | $ | 1,545 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 8,473 | | | |
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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
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| | | Fair Value Measurements at February 29, 2024 Using Fair Value Hierarchy |
| Fair Value as of February 29, 2024 | | 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 | $ | 129,977 | | | $ | 129,977 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | Market |
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Investments, at fair value: | | | | | | | | | |
Investment in debt securities | $ | 5,029 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,029 | | | Income |
Investment in equity securities | 5,131 | | | 1,687 | | | — | | | 3,444 | | | Market/Income |
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Total investments, at fair value | $ | 10,160 | | | $ | 1,687 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 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 and six months ended August 31, 2024, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
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 unconsolidated equity method investment.
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 or 3), which includes third-party appraisal data, and an income approach (Level 3), which includes the Company’s assumptions and appraisal data as to the present value of future cash proceeds from leasing and selling aircraft. Level 3 valuations contain significant non-observable inputs. See “Aircraft Valuation” below for further information.
We account for our unconsolidated equity method investment 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 investments, which consist of debt and equity securities, have been valued using either quoted market prices to the extent such securities are traded in an active market (Level 1), or using the income approach for those securities where there is no active market or there is limited market data (Level 3). The fair value of our senior notes is
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
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).
The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at August 31, 2024, and February 29, 2024 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| August 31, 2024 | | February 29, 2024 |
| | | | | | | |
Assets | Carrying Amount of Asset | | Fair Value of Asset | | Carrying Amount of Asset | | Fair Value of Asset |
Investments, at fair value(1) | $ | 10,018 | | | $ | 10,018 | | | $ | 10,160 | | | $ | 10,160 | |
Other investments, net(2) | 4,335 | | | 4,335 | | | 5,079 | | | 5,079 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities | Carrying Amount of Liability | | Fair Value of Liability | | Carrying Amount of Liability | | Fair Value of Liability |
Credit Facilities | $ | 20,000 | | | $ | 20,000 | | | $ | 20,000 | | | $ | 20,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
Term Financings | 643,200 | | | 640,888 | | | 883,451 | | | 885,139 | |
Senior Notes | 3,850,000 | | | 3,837,117 | | | 3,850,000 | | | 3,738,146 | |
_______________
(1)See Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis.
(2)As of August 31, 2024, we had a $4.0 million allowance for credit losses on certain investments in debt securities that are carried at amortized cost – see Note 15.
Aircraft Valuation
Impairment of Flight Equipment
During the three months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded a transactional impairment charge of $5.8 million related to a lease amendment for 1 aircraft. The Company recognized $6.0 million of maintenance revenue for this aircraft during the three months ended August 31, 2024.
During the six months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded transactional impairment charges totaling $11.0 million related to a scheduled aircraft lease expiration and a lease amendment. The Company recognized $24.0 million of maintenance revenue for these aircraft during the six months ended August 31, 2024.
Annual Recoverability Assessment
We will perform our annual recoverability assessment of all our aircraft during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024.
When we perform a recoverability assessment, we measure whether the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the aircraft exceed its net book value. The undiscounted cash flows consist of cash flows from currently contracted lease rentals and maintenance payments, future projected lease rates and maintenance payments, transition costs, estimated down time, and estimated residual or scrap values for an aircraft. In the event that an aircraft does not meet the recoverability test, the aircraft will be adjusted to fair value, resulting in an impairment charge.
Management develops 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.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
If our estimates or assumptions change, including those related to our customers that have entered judicial insolvency proceedings or similar-type proceedings or restructurings, 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.
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 six months ended August 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | |
| Amount | | |
Balance at February 29, 2024 | $ | 6,940,502 | | | |
Additions | 350,962 | | | |
Depreciation | (175,905) | | | |
Disposals and transfers to net investment in leases and held for sale | (306,260) | | | |
Impairments | (10,972) | | | |
| | | |
Balance at August 31, 2024 | $ | 6,798,327 | | | |
| | | |
Accumulated depreciation | $ | 2,173,023 | | | |
Update on Russian Aircraft
The Company leased 9 aircraft to Russian airlines that were unrecoverable following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Company filed claims against the reinsurers of the Russian airlines’ insurance and the Company’s contingent and possessed insurance policies (“C&P Policies”) seeking indemnity.
During the year ended February 29, 2024, the Company received cash settlement proceeds of $43.2 million in settlement of certain of the Company’s claims under the insurance policies in respect of 4 aircraft formerly on lease to 2 Russian airlines. The Company will continue to explore mitigating losses with respect to the 5 other aircraft that were not included in the prior settlement, but it is uncertain whether this will result in any further settlements and, if so, in what amount.
The receipt of the insurance settlement proceeds serve to mitigate, in part, the Company’s losses under its aviation insurance policies. The Company reserves all rights under its C&P Policies. The collection, timing and amount of any future recoveries, including those related to insurance litigation, remain uncertain. Accordingly, at this time, the Company can give no assurance as to when or what amounts it may ultimately collect with respect to these matters.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
Note 4. Lease Rental Revenues
Minimum future lease rentals contracted to be received under our existing operating leases of flight equipment at August 31, 2024 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Year Ending February 28/29, | | Amount(1) |
2025 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 326,347 | |
2026 | | 606,769 | |
2027 | | 531,015 | |
2028 | | 426,904 | |
2029 | | 345,978 | |
Thereafter | | 875,474 | |
Total | | $ | 3,112,487 | |
_______________
(1)Reflects impact of lessee lease rental deferrals.
At August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024, the amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in maintenance payments on our consolidated balance sheets were $33.3 million and $26.6 million, respectively.
Note 5. Net Investment in Leases, Net
At August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024, our net investment in leases consisted of 15 aircraft. The components of our net investment in leases at August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| August 31, 2024 | | February 29, 2024 | |
Lease receivable | $ | 133,839 | | | $ | 142,983 | | |
Unguaranteed residual value of flight equipment | 151,914 | | | 147,170 | | |
Net investment leases | 285,753 | | | 290,153 | | |
Allowance for credit losses | (7,483) | | | (7,714) | | |
Net investment in leases, net | $ | 278,270 | | | $ | 282,439 | | |
At August 31, 2024, future lease payments to be received under our net investment in leases were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Year Ending February 28/29, | | Amount |
2025 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 14,016 | |
2026 | | 17,262 | |
2027 | | 26,160 | |
2028 | | 27,163 | |
2029 | | 26,716 | |
Thereafter | | 65,194 | |
Total lease payments to be received | | 176,511 | |
Present value of lease payments - lease receivable | | (133,839) | |
Difference between undiscounted lease payments and lease receivable | | $ | 42,672 | |
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
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 August 31, 2024, and February 29, 2024, was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| August 31, 2024 | | February 29, 2024 |
Region | Number of Aircraft | | Net Book Value % | | Number of Aircraft | | Net Book Value % |
Asia and Pacific | 63 | | | 28 | % | | 63 | | | 27 | % |
Europe | 91 | | | 31 | % | | 90 | | | 30 | % |
Middle East and Africa | 10 | | | 5 | % | | 9 | | | 5 | % |
North America | 49 | | | 23 | % | | 46 | | | 23 | % |
South America | 29 | | | 12 | % | | 32 | | | 14 | % |
Off-lease | 2 | | (1) | 1 | % | | 3 | | | 1 | % |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 243 | | | 100 | % |
_______________
(1)Of the 2 off-lease aircraft at August 31, 2024, we currently have 1 narrow-body freighter aircraft, which is subject to a lease commitment, and 1 narrow-body freighter aircraft, which we are marketing for lease.
The following table sets forth individual countries representing at least 10% of our Net Book Value as of August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| August 31, 2024 | | February 29, 2024 |
Country | Net Book Value | Net Book Value % | Number of Lessees | | Net Book Value | Net Book Value % | Number of Lessees |
United States | $ | 842,912 | | 12% | 7 | | $ | 806,162 | | 11% | 5 |
India | 698,412 | | 10% | 3 | | 750,498 | | 11% | 4 |
The geographic concentration of our lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended August 31, | | Six Months Ended August 31, |
Region | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Asia and Pacific | 28 | % | | 29 | % | | 28 | % | | 30 | % |
Europe | 32 | % | | 31 | % | | 31 | % | | 30 | % |
Middle East and Africa | 4 | % | | 4 | % | | 5 | % | | 4 | % |
North America | 24 | % | | 23 | % | | 24 | % | | 23 | % |
South America | 12 | % | | 13 | % | | 12 | % | | 13 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
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 August 31, | | Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| Number of Lessees | | Combined % of Lease Rental Revenue | | Number of Lessees | | Combined % of Lease Rental Revenue | | Number of Lessees | | Combined % of Lease Rental Revenue | | Number of Lessees | | Combined % of Lease Rental Revenue |
Largest lessees by lease rental revenue | 2 | | 14% | | 3 | | 21% | | 2 | | 15% | | 3 | | 21% |
For the three months ended August 31, 2024, Spain comprised 16% of total revenue. Total revenue attributable to Spain included $21.7 million from gains on sales of flight equipment and maintenance revenue. For the six months ended August 31, 2024, Spain comprised 11% of total revenue. Total revenue attributable to Spain included $24.5 million from gains on sales of flight equipment and maintenance revenue.
For the three months ended August 31, 2023, total revenue attributable to the United States and India was 13% and 11%, respectively. Total revenue attributable to the United States included $4.1 million from gains on sales of flight equipment. For the six months ended August 31, 2023, no country comprised more than 10% of total revenue.
Note 7. Unconsolidated Equity Method Investment
We have an unconsolidated equity method investment with Mizuho Leasing, which has 9 aircraft with a net book value of $264.9 million at August 31, 2024.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Amount |
Balance at February 29, 2024 | | $ | 42,710 | |
| | |
Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax | | 999 | |
Balance at August 31, 2024 | | $ | 43,709 | |
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
Note 8. Borrowings from Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings
The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured debt financings were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| At August 31, 2024 | | At February 29, 2024 |
Debt Obligation | Outstanding Borrowings | | Number of Aircraft | | Interest Rate | | Final Stated Maturity | | Outstanding Borrowings |
Secured Debt Financings: | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Term Financings(1) | $ | 643,200 | | | 30 | | 2.36% to 7.42% | | 12/27/24 to 06/27/32 | | $ | 883,451 | |
Less: Debt issuance costs and discounts | (6,790) | | | | | | | | | (8,054) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total secured debt financings, net of debt issuance costs and discounts | 636,410 | | | | | | | | | 875,397 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Unsecured Debt Financings: | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes due 2024(2) | — | | | | | 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 | |
2.850% Senior Notes due 2028 | 750,000 | | | | | 2.85% | | 01/26/28 | | 750,000 | |
6.500% Senior Notes due 2028 | 650,000 | | | | | 6.50% | | 07/18/28 | | 650,000 | |
Senior Notes due 2029 | 650,000 | | | | | 5.95% | | 02/15/29 | | 650,000 | |
Senior Notes due 2031 | 500,000 | | | | | 5.75% | | 10/01/31 | | — | |
Revolving Credit Facilities | 20,000 | | | | | 7.50% | | 05/24/25 to 02/08/28 | | 20,000 | |
Less: Debt issuance costs and discounts | (46,335) | | | | | | | | | (46,901) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total unsecured debt financings, net of debt issuance costs and discounts | 3,823,665 | | | | | | | | | 3,823,099 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total secured and unsecured debt financings, net of debt issuance costs and discounts | $ | 4,460,075 | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,698,496 | |
(1)The borrowings under these financings at August 31, 2024, have a weighted average fixed rate of interest of 5.89%.
(2)Repaid at the final stated maturity date.
Secured Debt Financings
Term Financings
On August 28, 2024, we repaid in full the $206.3 million outstanding principal amount of one of our term financings secured by 8 aircraft, including $1.9 million of accrued interest. The secured term financing had a final stated maturity date of September 13, 2024, and we recognized a gain on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million.
Unsecured Debt Financings
5.750% Senior Notes due 2031
On July 18, 2024, the Company and Aircastle (Ireland) Designated Activity Company (“AIDAC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Senior Notes due 2031”) at an issue price of 99.64%. The Senior Notes due 2031 will mature on October 1, 2031, and bear interest at a rate of 5.75% per annum, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2025. Interest accrues on the Senior Notes due 2031 from July 18, 2024.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
Revolving Credit Facilities
As of August 31, 2024, we had $20.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facilities and had $2.1 billion available for borrowing.
As of August 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants in our financings.
AIDAC Guarantees
In connection with AIDAC co-issuing the Senior Notes due 2031 with the Company, AIDAC agreed to fully and unconditionally guarantee (the “AIDAC Guarantees”) the Company’s obligations under its: (i) revolving credit facilities; (ii) 5.250% Senior Notes due 2025; (iii) 4.250% Senior Notes due 2026; (iv) 2.850% Senior Notes due 2028; (v) 6.500% Senior Notes due 2028; and (vi) 5.950% Senior Notes due 2029 (collectively, the “Existing Unsecured Debt”). As a result of the AIDAC Guarantees, the Senior Notes due 2031 rank pari passu in right of payment with the Existing Unsecured Debt.
Note 9. Shareholders' Equity
Issuance of Common Shares
On July 5, 2023, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with its Shareholders, pursuant to which the Company 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. On July 18, 2023, 1,516 Shares in the aggregate were issued to the Shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of $200.0 million. On June 28, 2024, 2,276 Shares in the aggregate were issued to the Shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of $300.0 million, representing the second and final tranche of Shares to be issued under the Subscription Agreement. The number of Shares and the subscription price per share were determined and agreed to by the parties at the time of issuance. The Shares rank pari passu in all respects with other common shares of the Company. The Company has used, and intends to continue to use, the net proceeds from the issuance of Shares for general corporate purposes.
Preference Share Dividends
On March 15, 2024, 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 9, 2024, and accrued as of February 29, 2024.
On September 16, 2024, 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 July 8, 2024.
Note 10. Related Party Transactions
We incurred fees from our Shareholders as part of intra-company service agreements totaling $2.1 million and $2.1 million during the three months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $4.6 million and $4.1 million during the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, whereby our Shareholders provide certain management and administrative services to the Company.
See Note 9 for additional information regarding our Subscription Agreement with our Shareholders and related Shares issuances.
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. In December 2023, the Government of Bermuda enacted the Bermuda Corporate Income Tax Act (the “Bermuda CIT Act”), which imposes a 15% corporate current income tax (the “Bermuda CIT”) effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. The Company expects to become subject to the Bermuda
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
CIT with respect to its fiscal year beginning March 1, 2025 and subsequent years. 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 (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of our unconsolidated equity method investment for the three and six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended August 31, | | Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
U.S. operations | $ | 5,688 | | | $ | 6,588 | | | $ | 10,684 | | | $ | 10,870 | |
Non-U.S. operations | 31,519 | | | (6,625) | | | 45,657 | | | 25,817 | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment | $ | 37,207 | | | $ | (37) | | | $ | 56,341 | | | $ | 36,687 | |
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.
We recognized income tax provisions of $12.6 million and $9.3 million for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023 was 22.4% and 25.2%, respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the mix of profits in taxable and non-taxable jurisdictions.
Ireland and Bermuda Tax Law Changes
On December 18, 2023, Ireland enacted Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023 (the “Finance Bill”) which includes legislative changes for new tax measures and amendments to the Irish tax code, such as provisions to implement the Pillar Two GloBE rules, new outbound payment rules, and a dividend withholding tax, among other changes. The Finance Bill requires a 20% withholding tax be applied to certain payments, such as interest payments, from Irish companies to recipients in no-tax and zero-tax jurisdictions, effective April 1, 2024. The Finance Bill also requires a 25% withholding tax be applied to dividends and distributions, subject to certain exemptions, as well as introduces new interest deduction rules for a qualifying finance company. The Company has determined that there is no current year impact from the law change.
On December 18, 2023, Bermuda enacted the Bermuda CIT Act which imposes the 15% Bermuda CIT that applies to Bermuda businesses that are part of multinational enterprise groups with annual revenue of €750 million or more and is effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. The Company has appropriately considered the impact of the Bermuda CIT and its impact on current and deferred income taxes.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
Note 12. Interest, Net
The following table shows the components of interest, net:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended August 31, | | Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Interest on borrowings and other liabilities | $ | 61,762 | | | $ | 58,133 | | | $ | 123,629 | | | $ | 114,005 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Amortization of deferred financing fees and debt discount | 4,247 | | | 4,290 | | | 8,590 | | | 8,321 | |
Interest expense | 66,009 | | | 62,423 | | | 132,219 | | | 122,326 | |
Less: Interest income | (3,585) | | | (4,736) | | | (4,320) | | | (7,028) | |
Less: Capitalized interest | — | | | (652) | | | (662) | | | (1,372) | |
| | | | | | | |
Interest, net | $ | 62,424 | | | $ | 57,035 | | | $ | 127,237 | | | $ | 113,926 | |
Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies
Rent expense, primarily for the corporate office and sales and marketing facilities, was $0.5 million and $0.6 million, and $1.0 million and $1.3 million for the three and six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
As of August 31, 2024, 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 |
2025 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 1,495 | |
2026 | | 2,815 | |
2027 | | 2,750 | |
2028 | | 2,781 | |
2029 | | 1,987 | |
Thereafter | | 16,005 | |
Total | | $ | 27,833 | |
At August 31, 2024, we had commitments to purchase 11 aircraft for $377.2 million.
At August 31, 2024, commitments, including $34.4 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 |
2025 (Remainder of fiscal year) | | $ | 64,205 | |
2026 | | 80,132 | |
2027 | | 202,216 | |
2028 | | 30,679 | |
2029 | | — | |
Thereafter | | — | |
| | |
Total | | $ | 377,232 | |
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
August 31, 2024
Note 14. Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following as of August 31, 2024, and February 29, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| August 31, 2024 | | February 29, 2024 |
Deferred income tax asset | $ | 47 | | | $ | 48 | |
Lease incentives and premiums, net of accumulated amortization of $95,925 and $90,408, respectively | 47,368 | | | 37,459 | |
Flight equipment held for sale | 19,173 | | | 19,190 | |
Aircraft purchase deposits and Embraer E-2 progress payments | 47,353 | | | 42,784 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Right-of-use asset(1) | 15,364 | | | 16,053 | |
Deferred rent receivable, net(2) | 13,100 | | | 15,825 | |
Investments, at fair value(3) | 10,018 | | | 10,160 | |
Other investments, net(2)(3) | 4,335 | | | 5,079 | |
Other assets | 111,149 | | | 125,209 | |
| | | |
Total other assets | $ | 267,907 | | | $ | 271,807 | |
______________
(1)Net of lease incentives and tenant allowances.
(2)Net of an allowance for credit losses – see Note 15.
(3)See Note 2.
Note 15. Allowance for Credit Losses
The activity in the allowance for credit losses related to our net investment in leases, other investments, and deferred rent receivables for the six months ended August 31, 2024, was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net Investment in Leases, net | | Other Investments, net | | Deferred Rent Receivables, net | | Total |
Balance at February 29, 2024 | | $ | 7,714 | | | $ | 3,209 | | | $ | 2,146 | | | $ | 13,069 | |
Provision for credit losses | | (231) | | | 742 | | | (230) | | | 281 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance at August 31, 2024 | | $ | 7,483 | | | $ | 3,951 | | | $ | 1,916 | | | $ | 13,350 | |
Note 16. Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following as of August 31, 2024, and February 29, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| August 31, 2024 | | February 29, 2024 |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | $ | 49,478 | | | $ | 68,185 | |
Deferred income tax liability | 109,842 | | | 100,405 | |
Accrued interest payable | 21,716 | | | 27,507 | |
Lease liability | 18,338 | | | 19,193 | |
Lease discounts, net of amortization of $19,888 and $43,519, respectively | 12,941 | | | 4,298 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | $ | 212,315 | | | $ | 219,588 | |
| | | |
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 29, 2024. 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 29, 2024. 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. We are a leading secondary market investor that sources aircraft through various acquisition channels that primarily include other aircraft lessors, airlines through purchase-leaseback transactions, financial institutions and other aircraft owners, and aircraft manufacturers. We have significant experience in successfully managing aircraft throughout their life cycle, including lease and technical management, aircraft redeliveries, transitions, and sales or disposals. We sell aircraft and engine assets, either with a lease attached or on a part-out basis, with the aim of generating profits and reinvesting proceeds. Our aircraft are managed by an experienced team based in the United States, Ireland and Singapore.
As of August 31, 2024, we owned and managed on behalf of our joint venture 253 aircraft leased to 78 airline customers located in 46 countries. The net book value of our fleet (flight equipment held for lease and net investment in leases, or “Net Book Value”) was $7.1 billion as of August 31, 2024. The weighted average age of our fleet was 9.7 years, and the weighted average remaining lease term was 5.3 years. The weighted average utilization rate of our fleet was 99% for the six months ended August 31, 2024. During the six months ended August 31, 2024, we purchased 13 aircraft and sold 12 aircraft and other flight equipment. As of August 31, 2024, we had commitments to purchase 11 aircraft for $377.2 million, with deliveries through the first quarter of 2028, which included estimated amounts for pre-delivery deposits, contractual price escalations and other adjustments.
Our total revenues, net income and Adjusted EBITDA were $421.8 million, $44.7 million and $385.0 million, respectively, for the six months ended August 31, 2024. Cash flow provided by operating activities was $204.9 million for the six months ended August 31, 2024. The Company’s financial performance reflects the continued expansion of global air traffic and strong demand for our aircraft through lease extension requests, primarily due to Original Equipment Manufacturer production issues and delivery delays, as well as the improved financial health of our airline customers.
Growth in commercial air traffic has been correlated with world economic activity and has historically grown at a rate one to two times that of global gross domestic product growth. This expansion of air travel has driven growth in the world aircraft fleet. There are approximately 26,000 commercial mainline passenger and freighter aircraft in the world fleet today. Aircraft leasing companies own approximately 52% of the world’s commercial passenger jet aircraft. Under normal circumstances, we would expect the global fleet to continue expanding at a 2 to 3% average annual rate.
We believe our portfolio, which is primarily comprised of new technology and mid-life, narrow-body aircraft, will remain attractive assets for our airline customers to respond to the growing demand of global air travel. As a leading secondary market investor, we believe that our long-standing business strategy of maintaining conservative leverage and limiting long-term financial commitments positions us well to take advantage of new investment opportunities as they arise.
We employ a team of experienced senior professionals with extensive industry and financial experience. Our leadership team has an average of more than 30 years of relevant industry experience and has effectively enabled us to manage through prior downturns in the aviation industry, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the 2001 terror attacks.
We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our contractual obligations over the next twelve months. As of October 1, 2024, total liquidity of $3.1 billion included $2.1 billion of undrawn credit facilities, $0.5 billion of projected adjusted operating cash flows and contracted asset sales and $0.5 billion of unrestricted cash through October 1, 2025.
Acquisitions and Sales
During the six months ended August 31, 2024, we purchased 13 aircraft for $343.5 million. As of August 31, 2024, we had commitments to purchase 11 aircraft for $377.2 million, with delivery through the first quarter of 2028, which included estimated amounts for pre-delivery deposits, contractual price escalations and other adjustments. As of October 4, 2024, we have purchased 1 additional aircraft and have commitments to purchase 15 aircraft for $566.7 million.
During the six months ended August 31, 2024, we sold 12 aircraft and other flight equipment for net proceeds of $329.3 million and recognized a net gain on the sale of $36.4 million for these aircraft and other flight equipment. As of October 4, 2024, we have sold 1 additional aircraft.
Fiscal Year 2024 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
As of October 1, 2024, we had 1 off-lease aircraft and 1 aircraft with a lease expiring in fiscal year 2024, which combined account for less than 1% of our Net Book Value at August 31, 2024, remaining to be placed or sold. Of these 2 aircraft, we expect to transition 1 aircraft to a new lessee and sell or part out the other aircraft.
Fiscal Year 2025-2028 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
Taking into account lease and sale commitments, we currently have the following number of aircraft with lease expirations scheduled in the fiscal years 2025 to 2028, representing the percentage of our Net Book Value as of August 31, 2024, specified below:
•2025: 17 aircraft, representing 6%;
•2026: 34 aircraft, representing 12%;
•2027: 31 aircraft, representing 11%; and
•2028: 30 aircraft, representing 10%.
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 $2.6 billion in equity capital from private and public investors, including $500.0 million received during the past 12 months in respect of the Subscription Agreement entered into with our Shareholders – see Note 9 in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. We also have raised $22.5 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 demonstrate 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, equity offerings, 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 August 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Owned Aircraft | As of August 31, 2024 | | As of August 31, 2023 |
| (Dollars in millions) |
Net Book Value of Flight Equipment | $ | 7,077 | | | $ | 6,751 | |
Net Book Value of Unencumbered Flight Equipment | $ | 6,043 | | | $ | 5,208 | |
Number of Aircraft | 244 | | | 239 | |
Number of Unencumbered Aircraft | 214 | | | 201 | |
Number of Lessees | 77 | | | 73 | |
Number of Countries | 46 | | | 43 | |
Weighted Average Age (Years)(1) | 9.7 | | | 9.7 | |
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years)(1) | 5.3 | | | 5.2 | |
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the three months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023(2) | 99.2 | % | | 98.3 | % |
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023(2) | 99.1 | % | | 97.4 | % |
Portfolio Yield for the three months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023(3) | 9.4 | % | | 9.1 | % |
Portfolio Yield for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023(3) | 9.4 | % | | 9.0 | % |
| | | |
Managed Aircraft on behalf of Joint Venture | | | |
Net Book Value of Flight Equipment | $ | 265 | | | $ | 278 | |
Number of Aircraft | 9 | | | 9 | |
(1)Weighted by Net Book Value.
(2)Aircraft on-lease days as a percentage 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 percentage of the average Net Book Value for the period; quarterly information is annualized.
PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Owned Aircraft as of August 31, 2024 | | Owned Aircraft as of August 31, 2023 |
| Number of Aircraft | | % of Net Book Value | | Number of Aircraft | | % of Net Book Value |
Aircraft Type | | | | | | | |
Passenger: | | | | | | | |
Narrow-body - new technology(1) | 61 | | | 37 | % | | 50 | | | 32 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Narrow-body - current technology | 162 | | | 51 | % | | 168 | | | 54 | % |
Wide-body - current technology | 14 | | | 9 | % | | 17 | | | 12 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total Passenger | 237 | | | 97 | % | | 235 | | | 98 | % |
Freighter - current technology | 7 | | | 3 | % | | 4 | | | 2 | % |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 239 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Manufacturer | | | | | | | |
Airbus | 160 | | | 67 | % | | 153 | | | 65 | % |
Boeing | 65 | | | 25 | % | | 67 | | | 27 | % |
Embraer | 19 | | | 8 | % | | 19 | | | 8 | % |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 239 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Regional Diversification | | | | | | | |
Asia and Pacific | 63 | | | 28 | % | | 62 | | | 28 | % |
Europe | 91 | | | 31 | % | | 90 | | | 30 | % |
Middle East and Africa | 10 | | | 5 | % | | 7 | | | 2 | % |
North America | 49 | | | 23 | % | | 43 | | | 23 | % |
South America | 29 | | | 12 | % | | 31 | | | 15 | % |
Off-lease | 2 | | (2) | 1 | % | | 6 | | | 2 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | 244 | | | 100 | % | | 239 | | 100 | % |
(1) Includes Airbus A320-200neo and A321-200neo, Boeing 737-MAX8 and Embraer E2 aircraft.
(2) Of the 2 off-lease aircraft at August 31, 2024, we currently have 1 narrow-body freighter aircraft, which is subject to a lease commitment, and 1 narrow-body freighter aircraft, which we are marketing for lease.
The top ten customers for our owned aircraft at August 31, 2024, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer | | Country | | Percent of Net Book Value | | Number of Aircraft |
IndiGo | | India | | 8.0% | | 13 | |
KLM | | Netherlands | | 5.0% | | 11 | |
LATAM | | Chile | | 4.3% | | 10 | |
American Airlines | | United States | | 4.2% | | 11 | |
Lion Air(1) | | Indonesia | | 4.0% | | 10 | |
Aerolineas Argentinas | | Argentina | | 3.5% | | 7 | |
Frontier Airlines | | United States | | 3.4% | | 5 | |
Wizz Air | | Hungary | | 3.2% | | 5 | |
Vueling | | Spain | | 3.0% | | 8 | |
Viva Aerobus | | Mexico | | 3.0% | | 6 | |
| | | | | | |
Total top ten customers | | | | 41.6% | | 86 | |
All other customers | | | | 58.4% | | 158 | |
| | | | | | |
Total all customers | | | | 100.0% | | 244 | |
(1) Includes 6 aircraft on lease with 3 affiliated airlines.
COMPARATIVE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations for the three months ended August 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended August 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Revenues: | | | |
Lease rental revenue | $ | 162,379 | | | $ | 150,351 | |
Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue | 5,426 | | | 5,085 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | (6,068) | | | (7,124) | |
Maintenance revenue | 19,378 | | | 15,046 | |
Total lease revenue | 181,115 | | | 163,358 | |
Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment | 35,416 | | | 4,453 | |
Other revenue | 137 | | | 145 | |
Total revenues | 216,668 | | | 167,956 | |
Operating expenses: | | | |
Depreciation | 87,675 | | | 86,328 | |
Interest, net | 62,424 | | | 57,035 | |
Selling, general and administrative | 20,090 | | | 18,882 | |
Provision for credit losses | 426 | | | (834) | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 5,761 | | | 1,100 | |
Maintenance and other costs | 4,096 | | | 8,854 | |
Total operating expenses | 180,472 | | | 171,365 | |
| | | |
Other income: | | | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | 285 | | | — | |
| | | |
Other | 726 | | | 3,372 | |
| | | |
Total other income | 1,011 | | | 3,372 | |
| | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment | 37,207 | | | (37) | |
Income tax provision (benefit) | 9,028 | | | (5,099) | |
Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax | 480 | | | 456 | |
| | | |
Net income | $ | 28,659 | | | $ | 5,518 | |
Revenues
Total revenues increased $48.7 million, attributable to:
Lease rental revenue increased $12.0 million, primarily attributable to an increase of $28.1 million related to 36 aircraft purchased since June 1, 2023.
This was partially offset by:
•a $10.7 million decrease related to the sale of 32 aircraft since June 1, 2023; and
•a $5.4 million decrease due to lease extensions, amendments, transitions and other changes.
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Amortization of lease premiums | $ | (2,949) | | | $ | (2,795) | |
Amortization of lease discounts | 985 | | | 223 | |
Amortization of lease incentives | (4,104) | | | (4,552) | |
| | | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | $ | (6,068) | | | $ | (7,124) | |
Maintenance revenue. For the three months ended August 31, 2024, we recorded $19.4 million of maintenance revenue primarily related to maintenance payments received by us and recognized into income due to scheduled aircraft lease expirations and engine redeliveries. Maintenance revenue also includes, to a lesser extent, certain cash maintenance reserves retained by us in connection with aircraft lease amendments.
For the three months ended August 31, 2023, we recorded $15.0 million of maintenance revenue primarily related to maintenance payments received by us and recognized into income as a result of scheduled lease expirations.
Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment. During the three months ended August 31, 2024, we sold 10 aircraft and other flight equipment for gains totaling $35.4 million.
For the three months ended August 31, 2023, we sold 6 aircraft and other flight equipment for gains totaling $4.5 million.
Operating expenses
Total operating expenses increased $9.1 million, attributable to:
Depreciation expense increased $1.3 million, primarily attributable to an increase of $9.7 million related to 36 aircraft acquired since June 1, 2023. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $7.9 million related to 34 aircraft sold since June 1, 2023.
Interest, net increased $5.4 million due to a higher average cost of borrowing, partially offset by a lower weighted average debt outstanding of $137.5 million.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, primarily due to litigation expenses associated with the litigation discussed in “Update on Russian Aircraft” and the timing of litigation activities.
Impairment of aircraft. During the three months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded a transactional impairment charge of $5.8 million related to a lease amendment for one aircraft. The Company recognized $6.0 million of maintenance revenue for this aircraft during the three months ended August 31, 2024.
During the three months ended August 31, 2023, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million.
Maintenance and other costs decreased $4.8 million, primarily attributable to lower volume of aircraft transitions. The three months ended August 31, 2023 included higher costs due to the timing of transition of aircraft to new lessees, which largely related to aircraft for which the previous lease was terminated early, and the aircraft was repossessed from the prior operator.
Other income
Total other income decreased $2.4 million. The three months ended August 31, 2023, included additional cash received in connection with claims settlements from various airline customers that had entered into bankruptcy proceedings or similar-type restructurings.
Income tax provision (benefit)
Income tax provision (benefit). We recognized an income tax provision of $9.0 million for the three months ended August 31, 2024, as compared to an income tax benefit of $5.1 million for the three months ended August 31, 2023. The increase is attributable to changes in the mix of profits in taxable and non-taxable jurisdictions.
Results of Operations for the six months ended August 31, 2024, as compared to the six months ended August 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Revenues: | | | |
Lease rental revenue | $ | 324,949 | | | $ | 297,086 | |
Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue | 10,883 | | | 6,158 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | (12,717) | | | (14,331) | |
Maintenance revenue | 61,527 | | | 49,566 | |
Total lease revenue | 384,642 | | | 338,479 | |
Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment | 36,426 | | | 47,047 | |
Other revenue | 773 | | | 921 | |
Total revenues | 421,841 | | | 386,447 | |
Operating expenses: | | | |
Depreciation | 177,033 | | | 175,117 | |
Interest, net | 127,237 | | | 113,926 | |
Selling, general and administrative | 42,145 | | | 39,717 | |
Provision for credit losses | 281 | | | 6,125 | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 10,972 | | | 2,197 | |
Maintenance and other costs | 8,539 | | | 17,387 | |
Total operating expenses | 366,207 | | | 354,469 | |
| | | |
Other income: | | | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | 285 | | | — | |
| | | |
Other | 422 | | | 4,709 | |
| | | |
Total other income | 707 | | | 4,709 | |
| | | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment | 56,341 | | | 36,687 | |
Income tax provision | 12,600 | | | 9,261 | |
Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax | 999 | | | 862 | |
| | | |
Net income | $ | 44,740 | | | $ | 28,288 | |
Revenues
Total revenues increased $35.4 million, attributable to:
Lease rental revenue increased $27.9 million, primarily attributable to an increase of $54.1 million related to 43 aircraft purchased since March 1, 2023.
This was partially offset by:
•a $20.1 million decrease related to the sale of 33 aircraft since March 1, 2023; and
•a $6.1 million decrease due to lease extensions, amendments, transitions and other changes.
Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue increased $4.7 million, primarily related to the reclassification of 12 aircraft to sales-type leases, partially offset by the sale of 1 aircraft since March 1, 2023.
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Amortization of lease premiums | $ | (6,191) | | | $ | (5,782) | |
Amortization of lease discounts | 1,679 | | | 467 | |
Amortization of lease incentives | (8,205) | | | (9,016) | |
| | | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | $ | (12,717) | | | $ | (14,331) | |
The amortization of lease discounts increased $1.2 million due to the acquisition of aircraft.
Maintenance revenue. For the six months ended August 31, 2024, we recorded $61.5 million of maintenance revenue primarily related to maintenance payments received by us and recognized into income as a result of scheduled aircraft lease expirations and engine redeliveries. Maintenance revenue also includes, to a lesser extent, certain cash maintenance reserves retained by us in connection with aircraft lease amendments.
For the six months ended August 31, 2023, we recorded $49.6 million of maintenance revenue primarily related to maintenance payments received by us and recognized into income as a result of scheduled lease expirations.
Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment. During the six months ended August 31, 2024, we sold 12 aircraft and other flight equipment for gains totaling $36.4 million.
During the six months ended August 31, 2023, we sold 10 aircraft and other flight equipment for gains totaling $14.3 million. The six months ended August 31, 2023 also included selling profit totaling $32.7 million related to the reclassification of 10 aircraft from operating leases to sales-type leases.
Operating expenses
Total operating expenses increased $11.7 million, attributable to:
Depreciation expense increased $1.9 million, primarily attributable to an increase of $19.0 million related to 43 aircraft purchased since March 1, 2023. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $15.0 million related to 35 aircraft sold since March 1, 2023.
Interest, net increased $13.3 million due to a higher average cost of borrowing, partially offset by a lower weighted average debt outstanding of $29.6 million.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.4 million, primarily due to litigation expenses associated with the litigation discussed in “Update on Russian Aircraft” and the timing of litigation activities.
Provision for credit losses decreased $5.8 million. During the six months ended August 31, 2023, we recorded a credit provision of $6.2 million related to the reclassification of 10 aircraft from operating to sales-type leases.
Impairment of aircraft. During the six months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded transactional impairment charges totaling $11.0 million related to a scheduled lease expiration and a lease amendment of one aircraft. The Company recognized $24.0 million of maintenance revenue for these aircraft during the six months ended August 31, 2024.
During the six months ended August 31, 2023, we recorded impairment charges of $2.2 million.
Maintenance and other costs decreased $8.8 million, primarily attributable to lower volume of aircraft transitions. The six months ended August 31, 2023 included higher costs due to the timing of transition of aircraft to new lessees, which largely related to aircraft for which the previous lease was terminated early, and the aircraft was repossessed from the prior operator.
Other income
Total other income decreased by $4.0 million. The six months ended August 31, 2023, included additional cash received in connection with claims settlements from various airline customers that had entered into bankruptcy proceedings or similar-type restructurings.
Income tax provision
Income tax provision. We recognized income tax provisions of $12.6 million and $9.3 million for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023 was 22.4% and 25.2%, respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the mix of profits in taxable and non-taxable jurisdictions.
Aircraft Valuation
For complete information on impairment of flight equipment, refer to Note 2 in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and “Comparative Results of Operations” above.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Organization and Basis of Presentation” in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above.
RECENT UNADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to the 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:
•unsecured indebtedness, including our current unsecured revolving credit facilities and senior notes;
•various forms of borrowing secured by our aircraft, including term facilities, term financings and limited recourse securitization financings for new aircraft acquisitions;
•asset sales; and
•issuance 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 six months ended August 31, 2024, we met our liquidity and capital resource needs with $204.9 million of cash flows from operations and $329.3 million of proceeds from the sale or disposition of aircraft and other flight equipment.
As of August 31, 2024, the weighted average maturity of our secured and unsecured debt financings was 3.5 years, and we were in compliance with all applicable covenants.
We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our contractual obligations over the next twelve months. As of October 1, 2024, total liquidity of $3.1 billion included $2.1 billion of undrawn credit facilities, $0.5 billion of projected adjusted operating cash flows and contracted asset sales and $0.5 billion of unrestricted cash through October 1, 2025. 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
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
Net cash flow provided by operating activities | $ | 204,903 | | | $ | 186,415 | |
Net cash flow used in investing activities | (7,484) | | | (250,512) | |
Net cash flow provided by financing activities | 105,168 | | | 558,664 | |
Operating Activities:
Cash flow provided by operating activities was $204.9 million and $186.4 million for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase is attributable to higher customer cash collections and maintenance payments received by us and recognized into income during the six months ended August 31, 2024, partially offset by higher cash paid for interest.
Investing Activities:
Cash flow used in investing activities was $7.5 million and $250.5 million for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Proceeds from the sale or disposition of aircraft and other flight equipment increased $203.3 million during the six months ended August 31, 2024.
Financing Activities:
Cash flow provided by financing activities was $105.2 million and $558.7 million for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of $453.5 million was primarily attributable to a $551.4 million increase in repayments of secured and unsecured financings, net of borrowings, partially offset by a $100.0 million increase in proceeds from the issuance of our common stock.
Debt Obligations
For complete information on our debt obligations, refer to Note 8 in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations primarily 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 August 31, 2024 from $6.1 billion at February 29, 2024, due to lower outstanding debt and aircraft purchase commitments, partially offset by higher interest obligations.
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 six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, we incurred a total of $15.0 million and $44.3 million, respectively, of capital expenditures, including lease incentives, related to the improvement of aircraft.
As of August 31, 2024, the weighted average age by Net Book Value of our aircraft was approximately 9.7 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 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 a number of 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 29, 2024.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have an unconsolidated equity method investment in an aircraft leasing entity with Mizuho Leasing. We hold a 25% equity interest in this entity, which was established to help expand our base of new business opportunities. As of August 31, 2024, the Net Book Value of its 9 aircraft was $264.9 million.
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 the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Operations
At August 31, 2024, approximately 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 six months ended August 31, 2024, expenses, such as personnel and office costs, denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar totaled $10.5 million in U.S. dollar equivalents and represented approximately 25% of total selling, general and administrative expenses.
Our international operations are a significant component of our business strategy and permit us to more 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 six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, 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 and six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023:
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| Three Months Ended August 31, | | Six Months Ended August 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| |
Net income | $ | 28,659 | | | $ | 5,518 | | | $ | 44,740 | | | $ | 28,288 | |
Depreciation | 87,675 | | | 86,328 | | | 177,033 | | | 175,117 | |
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives | 6,068 | | | 7,124 | | | 12,717 | | | 14,331 | |
Interest, net | 62,424 | | | 57,035 | | | 127,237 | | | 113,926 | |
Income tax provision (benefit) | 9,028 | | | (5,099) | | | 12,600 | | | 9,261 | |
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EBITDA | $ | 193,854 | | | $ | 150,906 | | | $ | 374,327 | | | $ | 340,923 | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | |
Impairment of flight equipment | 5,761 | | | 1,100 | | | 10,972 | | | 2,197 | |
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Gain on extinguishment of debt | (285) | | | — | | | (285) | | | — | |
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Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 199,330 | | | $ | 152,006 | | | $ | 385,014 | | | $ | 343,120 | |
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 income (loss). Material limitations in making the adjustments to our income (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 not to 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 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.
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 August 31, 2024, a hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rate on our borrowings would result in an interest expense increase/decrease of $3.2 million and $3.2 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 August 31, 2024. 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 August 31, 2024.
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 August 31, 2024, 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 29, 2024, 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 “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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4.5 | | | |
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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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4.10 | | | |
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4.11 | | | |
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4.12 | | | |
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4.13 | | | |
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4.14 | | | |
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4.15 | | | |
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4.16 | | | |
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10.1 | | | |
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | |
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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 August 31, 2024, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2024 and February 29, 2024; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three and six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023; and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.* | |
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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: October 10, 2024
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| AIRCASTLE LIMITED |
| (Registrant) |
| By: | /s/ Dane Silverman |
| | Dane Silverman |
| | Chief Accounting Officer and Authorized Officer |