UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period September 30, 2022
☐ 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 000-50368
________________________________________________________________
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________________________________________________
| | | | | | | | |
Delaware | | 26-1631624 |
(State of Incorporation) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
145 Hunter Drive, Wilmington, OH 45177
(Address of principal executive offices)
937-382-5591
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
________________________________________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | | ATSG | | NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
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 Regulations 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. (Check one):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | 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 Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of November 9, 2022, there were 72,728,397 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | Page |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Item 1. | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Item 2. | | | |
Item 3. | | | |
Item 4. | | | |
| | | |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION |
Item 1. | | | |
Item 1A. | | | |
Item 2. | | | |
Item 6. | | | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
The financial information, including the financial statements, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 1, 2022 ("2021 Form 10-K").
The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Air Transport Services Group, Inc. at www.sec.gov. Additionally, our filings with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports, are available free of charge from our website at www.atsginc.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities litigation Reform Act of 1995). Words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this filing, and involve risks and uncertainties that are inherently difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements for any number of reasons, including those described in this report and in our 2021 Form 10-K.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, | | December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
ASSETS | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS: | | | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 54,486 | | | $ | 69,496 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $989 in 2022 and $742 in 2021 | 250,548 | | | 205,399 | |
Inventory | 55,322 | | | 49,204 | |
Prepaid supplies and other | 28,281 | | | 28,742 | |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 388,637 | | | 352,841 | |
Property and equipment, net | 2,339,278 | | | 2,129,934 | |
Customer incentive | 85,472 | | | 102,913 | |
Goodwill and acquired intangibles | 495,195 | | | 505,125 | |
Operating lease assets | 61,742 | | | 62,644 | |
Other assets | 154,841 | | | 113,878 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | 3,525,165 | | | $ | 3,267,335 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | | | |
Accounts payable | $ | 186,460 | | | $ | 174,237 | |
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits | 60,170 | | | 56,652 | |
Accrued expenses | 12,910 | | | 14,950 | |
Current portion of debt obligations | 637 | | | 628 | |
Current portion of lease obligations | 21,879 | | | 18,783 | |
Unearned revenue and grants | 37,289 | | | 47,381 | |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | 319,345 | | | 312,631 | |
Long term debt | 1,369,006 | | | 1,298,735 | |
Stock warrant obligations | 715 | | | 915 | |
Post-retirement obligations | 20,140 | | | 21,337 | |
Long term lease obligations | 40,581 | | | 44,387 | |
Other liabilities | 56,810 | | | 49,662 | |
Deferred income taxes | 253,036 | | | 217,291 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 2,059,633 | | | 1,944,958 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note H) | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | | | |
Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, including 75,000 Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock | — | | | — | |
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 74,366,636 and 74,142,183 shares issued and outstanding in 2022 and 2021, respectively | 744 | | | 741 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,039,354 | | | 1,074,286 | |
Retained earnings | 486,231 | | | 309,430 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (60,797) | | | (62,080) | |
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 1,465,532 | | | 1,322,377 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 3,525,165 | | | $ | 3,267,335 | |
| | | |
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
REVENUES | $ | 516,916 | | | $ | 465,955 | | | $ | 1,512,444 | | | $ | 1,251,915 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | |
Salaries, wages and benefits | 169,967 | | | 148,074 | | | $ | 494,526 | | | 431,614 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 83,283 | | | 77,751 | | | $ | 246,726 | | | 224,435 | |
Maintenance, materials and repairs | 41,541 | | | 43,751 | | | $ | 116,657 | | | 131,671 | |
Fuel | 68,620 | | | 50,176 | | | $ | 202,080 | | | 117,210 | |
Contracted ground and aviation services | 18,278 | | | 21,620 | | | $ | 56,762 | | | 55,217 | |
Travel | 29,865 | | | 24,928 | | | $ | 82,544 | | | 61,833 | |
Landing and ramp | 4,210 | | | 4,027 | | | $ | 12,873 | | | 10,162 | |
Rent | 8,383 | | | 5,807 | | | $ | 22,114 | | | 17,401 | |
Insurance | 2,346 | | | 3,178 | | | $ | 7,224 | | | 9,382 | |
Other operating expenses | 17,764 | | | 17,205 | | | $ | 57,968 | | | 48,378 | |
Government grants | — | | | (30,322) | | | $ | — | | | (96,626) | |
| 444,257 | | | 366,195 | | | $ | 1,299,474 | | | 1,010,677 | |
OPERATING INCOME | 72,659 | | | 99,760 | | | $ | 212,970 | | | 241,238 | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | | | | | | | |
Interest income | 56 | | | 8 | | | $ | 80 | | | 36 | |
Non-service component of retiree benefit (costs) gains | 4,635 | | | 4,457 | | | $ | 15,411 | | | 13,370 | |
Debt issuance costs | — | | | — | | | $ | — | | | (6,505) | |
Net gain (loss) on financial instruments | 695 | | | (7,378) | | | $ | 9,402 | | | 37,797 | |
Loss from non-consolidated affiliates | (954) | | | (1,147) | | | $ | (5,577) | | | (1,365) | |
Interest expense | (12,167) | | | (14,459) | | | $ | (33,027) | | | (44,002) | |
| (7,735) | | | (18,519) | | | $ | (13,711) | | | (669) | |
| | | | | | | |
EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 64,924 | | | 81,241 | | | $ | 199,259 | | | 240,569 | |
INCOME TAX EXPENSE | (14,736) | | | (18,878) | | | $ | (45,065) | | | (56,047) | |
EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | 50,188 | | | 62,363 | | | $ | 154,194 | | | 184,522 | |
EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES | 854 | | | 2,309 | | | $ | 1,736 | | | 2,374 | |
NET EARNINGS | 51,042 | | | $ | 64,672 | | | $ | 155,930 | | | $ | 186,896 | |
| | | | | | | |
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | $ | 0.68 | | | $ | 0.85 | | | $ | 2.08 | | | $ | 2.75 | |
Discontinued operations | 0.01 | | | 0.03 | | | 0.03 | | | 0.03 | |
TOTAL BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ | 0.69 | | | $ | 0.88 | | | $ | 2.11 | | | $ | 2.78 | |
| | | | | | | |
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | $ | 0.57 | | | $ | 0.81 | | | $ | 1.76 | | | $ | 2.14 | |
Discontinued operations | 0.01 | | | 0.03 | | | 0.02 | | | 0.03 | |
TOTAL DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ | 0.58 | | | 0.84 | | | $ | 1.78 | | | $ | 2.17 | |
| | | | | | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES | | | | | | | |
Basic | 73,998 | | | 73,721 | | | 73,956 | | | 67,177 | |
Diluted | 88,746 | | | 76,743 | | | 88,980 | | | 75,277 | |
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
NET EARNINGS | $ | 51,042 | | | $ | 64,672 | | | $ | 155,930 | | | $ | 186,896 | |
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: | | | | | | | |
Defined Benefit Pension | 773 | | | 1,362 | | | 1,256 | | | 4,086 | |
Defined Benefit Post-Retirement | 9 | | | 36 | | | 27 | | | 108 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, net of tax | $ | 51,824 | | | $ | 66,070 | | | $ | 157,213 | | | $ | 191,090 | |
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Total |
| Number | | Amount | |
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2021 | 74,202,815 | | | $ | 742 | | | $ | 989,611 | | | $ | 200,234 | | | $ | (75,860) | | | $ | 1,114,727 | |
Stock-based compensation plans | | | | | | | | | | | |
Grant of restricted stock | (761) | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | — | |
Withholdings of common shares, net of issuances | — | | | — | | | (5) | | | | | | | (5) | |
Forfeited restricted stock | (2,800) | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of stock awards and restricted stock | | | | | 2,044 | | | | | | | 2,044 | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | 64,672 | | | 1,398 | | | 66,070 | |
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 | 74,199,254 | | | 742 | | | 991,650 | | | 264,906 | | | (74,462) | | | 1,182,836 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2020 | 59,560,036 | | | 596 | | | 855,547 | | | 78,010 | | | (78,656) | | | 855,497 | |
Stock-based compensation plans | | | | | | | | | | | |
Grant of restricted stock | 121,339 | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | | | | | — | |
Issuance of common shares, net of withholdings | 92,234 | | | 1 | | | (1,242) | | | | | | | (1,241) | |
Forfeited restricted stock | (2,800) | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | — | |
Conversion of warrants | 14,428,445 | | | 144 | | | 131,823 | | | | | | | 131,967 | |
Amortization of stock awards and restricted stock | | | | | 5,523 | | | | | | | 5,523 | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | 186,896 | | | 4,194 | | | 191,090 | |
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 | 74,199,254 | | | 742 | | | 991,650 | | | 264,906 | | | (74,462) | | | 1,182,836 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, cont.
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Total |
| Number | | Amount | |
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2022 | 74,369,138 | | | $ | 744 | | | $ | 1,037,139 | | | $ | 435,189 | | | $ | (61,579) | | | $ | 1,411,493 | |
Stock-based compensation plans | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common shares, net of withholdings | (2,202) | | | — | | | (80) | | | | | | | (80) | |
Forfeited restricted stock | (300) | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of stock awards and restricted stock | | | | | 2,295 | | | | | | | 2,295 | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | 51,042 | | | 782 | | | 51,824 | |
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 | 74,366,636 | | | 744 | | | 1,039,354 | | | 486,231 | | | (60,797) | | | 1,465,532 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2021 | 74,142,183 | | | $ | 741 | | | $ | 1,074,286 | | | $ | 309,430 | | | $ | (62,080) | | | $ | 1,322,377 | |
Stock-based compensation plans | | | | | | | | | | | |
Grant of restricted stock | 109,200 | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | | | | | — | |
Issuance of common shares, net of withholdings | 120,053 | | | 2 | | | (1,521) | | | | | | | (1,519) | |
Forfeited restricted stock | (4,800) | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | — | |
Cumulative effect in change in accounting principle | | | | | (39,559) | | | 20,871 | | | | | (18,688) | |
Amortization of stock awards and restricted stock | | | | | 6,149 | | | | | | | 6,149 | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | 155,930 | | | 1,283 | | | 157,213 | |
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 | 74,366,636 | | | 744 | | | 1,039,354 | | | 486,231 | | | (60,797) | | | 1,465,532 | |
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | $ | 154,194 | | | 184,522 | |
Net earnings from discontinued operations | $ | 1,736 | | | 2,374 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 265,306 | | | 249,574 | |
Pension and post-retirement | $ | 1,662 | | | 5,433 | |
Deferred income taxes | $ | 40,892 | | | 55,023 | |
Amortization of stock-based compensation | $ | 6,149 | | | 5,524 | |
Loss from non-consolidated affiliates | $ | 5,577 | | | 1,364 | |
Net (gain) loss on financial instruments | $ | (9,402) | | | (37,797) | |
Debt issuance costs | $ | — | | | 6,505 | |
| | | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | |
Accounts receivable | $ | (45,149) | | | (38,235) | |
Inventory and prepaid supplies | $ | (9,200) | | | 4,561 | |
Accounts payable | $ | 4,863 | | | 18,261 | |
Unearned revenue | $ | (10,685) | | | (11,545) | |
Accrued expenses, salaries, wages, benefits and other liabilities | $ | 12,789 | | | 7,181 | |
Pension and post-retirement balances | $ | (18,737) | | | (20,743) | |
Other | $ | (1,925) | | | (2,764) | |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | $ | 398,070 | | | 429,238 | |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
Expenditures for property and equipment | $ | (448,358) | | | (428,126) | |
Proceeds from property and equipment | $ | 3,759 | | | 3,524 | |
Investments in businesses | $ | (16,233) | | | (2,155) | |
| | | |
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES | $ | (460,832) | | | (426,757) | |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities | $ | 510,000 | | | 1,430,600 | |
Principal payments on long term obligations | $ | (345,525) | | | (1,758,018) | |
Repurchase of senior unsecured notes | $ | (115,204) | | | — | |
Payments for financing costs | $ | — | | | (3,099) | |
Proceeds from bond issuance | $ | — | | | 207,400 | |
| | | |
Proceeds from issuance of warrants | $ | — | | | 131,967 | |
Withholding taxes paid for conversion of employee stock awards | $ | (1,519) | | | (1,242) | |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 47,752 | | | 7,608 | |
| | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (15,010) | | | 10,089 | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR | 69,496 | | | 39,719 | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR | $ | 54,486 | | | $ | 49,808 | |
| | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | | | |
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized | $ | 39,711 | | | $ | 39,104 | |
Federal and state income taxes paid | $ | 1,735 | | | $ | 1,859 | |
SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH INFORMATION: | | | |
Accrued expenditures for property and equipment | $ | 51,085 | | | $ | 27,358 | |
| | | |
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A—SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. ("ATSG" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Company," "we," "us," and "our") is a holding company whose subsidiaries lease aircraft and provide contracted airline operations as well as other support services mainly to the air transportation, e-commerce and package delivery industries.
ATSG's leasing subsidiary, Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc. (“CAM”), leases aircraft to each of ATSG's airline subsidiaries as well as to non-affiliated airlines and other lessees. ATSG's airline subsidiaries, ABX Air, Inc. (“ABX”), Air Transport International, Inc. (“ATI”) and Omni Air International, LLC ("OAI") each have the authority, through their separate U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT") and Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") certificates, to transport cargo worldwide. The Company provides a combination of aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance services for its customers' transportation networks through crew, maintenance and insurance ("CMI") agreements and aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance ("ACMI") agreements and through charter contracts in which aircraft fuel is also included.
In addition to its aircraft leasing and airline services, the Company offers a range of complementary services to delivery companies, freight forwarders, airlines and government customers. These include aircraft maintenance and modification services, aircraft parts supply, equipment maintenance services and load transfer and package sorting services.
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The accompanying unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP and such principles are applied on a basis consistent with the financial statements reflected in our 2021 Form 10-K. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC related to interim financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's results of operations and financial position for the periods presented. Due to seasonal fluctuations, among other factors common to the air cargo industry, the results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the entire year or any interim period. The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. The accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ATSG and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated. Investments in affiliates in which the Company has significant influence but does not exercise control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company's share of the nonconsolidated affiliate's income or loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings and cumulative post-acquisition changes in the investment are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment.
Uncertainties
The Company has experienced disruptions to its operations, such as shortages of personnel, parts shortages, maintenance delays, shortages of transportation and hotel accommodations for flight crews, facility closures and other supply chain related issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of COVID-19 variants could result in reduced revenues, additional costs and supply chain delays for the Company. The extent of the impact that the coronavirus pandemic will have on our future operations and financial results will depend on future developments, including: the duration, spread, severity and recurrence of the COVID-19 variants; vaccination rates, the effectiveness of vaccines, the duration and scope of government orders and local restrictions as well as the extent of the impact of the pandemic on overall economic conditions.
In February 2022, war started in Ukraine, intensifying geopolitical pressures worldwide. While the Company's operations have not been detrimentally impacted directly, additional supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures could have an impact on overall economic conditions, as well as the Company's operations and financial results.
Accounting Standards Updates
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2020-06, "Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity" ("ASU 2020-06"). This new standard removes the separation models for convertible debt with cash conversion or beneficial conversion features. It eliminates the "treasury stock" method for convertible instruments and requires application of the “if-converted” method for certain agreements. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022 using the modified retrospective approach which resulted in the following adjustments:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | December 31, 2021 | | Adoption of ASU 2020-06 | | January 1, 2022 |
Balance Sheet line item: | | | | | | |
Principal value | | $ | (258,750) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (258,750) | |
Unamortized issuance cost | | $ | 2,889 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,889 | |
Unamortized discount | | $ | 24,215 | | | $ | (24,215) | | | $ | — | |
Convertible Debt | | $ | (231,646) | | | $ | (24,215) | | | $ | (255,861) | |
Net deferred tax liability | | $ | (217,291) | | | $ | 5,527 | | | $ | (211,764) | |
Additional paid-in capital | | $ | (1,074,286) | | | $ | 39,559 | | | $ | (1,034,727) | |
Retained earnings | | $ | (309,430) | | | $ | (20,871) | | | $ | (330,301) | |
After adopting ASU 2020-06, the Company's Convertible Notes due 2024 (as defined and discussed in Note F) are reflected entirely as a liability as the embedded conversion feature is no longer separately presented within stockholders' equity, which also eliminated the non-cash discount. Accordingly, earnings no longer reflect the discount amortization expense which was $6.4 million of interest expense, net of income taxes during 2021. After giving effect for the adoption, the effective interest rate on the Convertible Notes is 1.5%.
ASU 2020-06 requires the application of the more dilutive if-converted method when calculating the impact of the Convertible Notes on earnings per diluted share. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 does not change the accounting treatment of shares to be delivered by the convertible note hedges (see Note F) purchased by the Company that are designed to offset the shares issued to settle its Convertible Notes, which are anti-dilutive and not reflected in earnings per diluted share.
NOTE B—GOODWILL, INTANGIBLES AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS
The carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CAM | | ACMI Services | | All Other | | Total |
Carrying value as of December 31, 2021 | | 153,290 | | | 234,571 | | | 8,113 | | | 395,974 | |
Carrying value as of September 30, 2022 | | $ | 153,290 | | | $ | 234,571 | | | $ | 8,113 | | | $ | 395,974 | |
The Company's acquired intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Airline | | Amortizing | | |
| | Certificates | | Intangibles | | Total |
Carrying value as of December 31, 2021 | | $ | 9,000 | | | $ | 100,151 | | | $ | 109,151 | |
Amortization | | — | | | (9,930) | | | (9,930) | |
Carrying value as of September 30, 2022 | | 9,000 | | | 90,221 | | | 99,221 | |
The airline certificates have an indefinite life and therefore are not amortized. The Company amortizes finite-lived intangibles assets, including customer relationship and Supplemental Type Certificates ("STC") intangibles, over 4 to 17 remaining years.
Stock warrants issued to Amazon (see Note C) as an incentive for Amazon subsidiary ASI to lease aircraft from the Company are recorded as a lease incentive asset using their fair value at the time that the lessee has met its performance obligations and if probable of vesting at the time of issuance, and amortized against revenues over the duration of related aircraft leases. The Company's lease incentive granted to the lessee was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | Lease |
| | Incentive |
Carrying value as of December 31, 2021 | | 102,913 | |
Amortization | | (17,442) | |
Carrying value as of September 30, 2022 | | 85,472 | |
The Company has a 49% ownership in a joint-venture agreement with Precision Aircraft Solutions, LLC, to develop a passenger-to-freighter conversion program for Airbus A321-200 aircraft. In April of 2022, the Company acquired a 40% ownership interest in the joint-venture company GA Telesis Engine Services, LLC to provide engine tear-down services to harvest and sell engine parts. The Company accounts for its investment in these joint ventures under the equity method of accounting, in which the carrying value of each investment is reduced for the Company's share of the non-consolidated affiliates' operating results.
The carrying value of the joint ventures totaled $20.6 million and $10.3 million at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and are reflected in “Other Assets” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company monitors its investments in affiliates for indicators of other-than-temporary declines in value on an ongoing basis in accordance with GAAP. If the Company determines that an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred, it recognizes an impairment loss, which is measured as the difference between the recorded carrying value and the fair value of the investment. The fair value is generally determined using an income approach based on discounted cash flows or using negotiated transaction values.
NOTE C—SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
Three customers each account for a significant portion of the Company's consolidated revenues. The percentage of the Company's revenues for the Company's three largest customers, for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | September 30, | | September 30, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Customer | | Percentage of Revenue | | Percentage of Revenue |
DoD | | 31% | | 31% | | 29% | | 26% |
Amazon | | 34% | | 33% | | 34% | | 35% |
DHL | | 13% | | 12% | | 12% | | 13% |
The accounts receivable from the Company's three largest customers as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, | | December 31, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
Customer | | Accounts Receivable |
DoD | | $ | 101,108 | | | $ | 57,998 | |
Amazon | | 76,966 | | | 68,429 | |
DHL | | 17,037 | | | 9,111 | |
DoD
The Company is a provider of cargo and passenger airlift services to the U.S. Department of Defense ("DoD"). The DoD awards flights to U.S. certificated airlines through annual contracts and through temporary "expansion" routes.
DHL
The Company has had long-term contracts with DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. and its affiliates ("DHL") since August 2003. As of September 30, 2022, the Company leased 14 Boeing 767 freighter aircraft to DHL comprised of three Boeing 767-200 aircraft and eleven Boeing 767-300 aircraft, with expirations between 2023 and 2029. Under a separate CMI agreement, the Company operates ten of the Boeing 767 aircraft that DHL leases from the Company and two Boeing 767 aircraft that DHL provides. The Company provides DHL with scheduled maintenance services under the agreement which is subject to renewal in May of 2028. Pricing for services provided through the CMI agreement is based on pre-defined fees, scaled for the number of aircraft operated and the number of flight crews provided to DHL for its network. The Company also provides additional air cargo transportation services for DHL through ACMI agreements in which the Company provides the aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance under a single contract. Further, beginning in third quarter of 2022, the Company began to operate the first two of four Boeing 767 aircraft provided by DHL under an additional CMI agreement which currently runs through August of 2027.
Amazon
The Company has been providing freighter aircraft, airline operations and services for cargo handling and logistical support for Amazon.com Services, LLC ("ASI"), successor to Amazon.com Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. ("Amazon") since September 2015. On March 8, 2016, the Company entered into an Air Transportation Services Agreement (the “ATSA”) with ASI, pursuant to which CAM leases Boeing 767 freighter aircraft to ASI. The ATSA also provides for the operation of aircraft by the Company’s airline subsidiaries, and the management of ground services by the Company's subsidiary LGSTX Services, Inc. ("LGSTX"). As of September 30, 2022, the Company leased 30 Boeing 767-300 and 12 Boeing 767-200 freighter aircraft to ASI with lease expirations between 2023 and 2031.
Amazon Investment Agreement
In conjunction with the execution of the ATSA, the Company and Amazon entered into an Investment Agreement on March 8, 2016 (the "2016 Investment Agreement") and a Stockholders Agreement on March 8, 2016. The 2016 Investment Agreement called for the Company to issue warrants in three tranches granting Amazon the right to acquire up to 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding common shares as described below. The first tranche of warrants, issued upon the execution of the 2016 Investment Agreement granted Amazon the right to purchase approximately 12.81 million ATSG common shares, with the first 7.69 million common shares vesting upon issuance on March 8, 2016, and the remaining 5.12 million common shares vesting as the Company delivered additional aircraft leased under the ATSA. The second tranche of warrants, which were issued and vested on March 8, 2018, granted Amazon the right to purchase approximately 1.59 million ATSG common shares. The third tranche of warrants vested on September 8, 2020, and granted Amazon the right to purchase an additional 0.5 million ATSG common shares to bring Amazon’s ownership, after the exercise in full of the three tranches of warrants, to 19.9% of the Company’s pre-transaction outstanding common shares measured on a GAAP-diluted basis, subject to certain adjustments. The exercise price of the 14.9 million warrants issued under the 2016 Investment Agreement was $9.73
per share, which represented the closing price of ATSG’s common shares on February 9, 2016. Each of the three tranches of warrants were exercisable in accordance with their terms through March 8, 2021 (subject to extension if regulatory approvals, exemptions, authorizations, consents or clearances have not been obtained by such date).
On March 5, 2021, Amazon exercised warrants from the 2016 Investment Agreement for 865,548 shares of the Company's common stock through a cashless exercise by forfeiting 480,047 warrants from the 2016 Investment Agreement as payment. For the cashless exchange, ATSG shares were valued at $27.27 per share, its volume-weighted average price for the previous 30 trading days immediately preceding March 5, 2021. Also on March 5, 2021, Amazon notified the Company of its intent to exercise warrants from the 2016 Investment agreement for 13,562,897 shares of the Company's common stock by paying $132.0 million of cash to the Company. This exercise was contingent upon the approval of the DOT, and the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. After receiving all required regulatory approvals and clearances, Amazon remitted the funds to the Company on May 7, 2021, and the Company issued the corresponding shares of common stock, completing the warrant exercise.
The Company resumed repurchases of its own shares during October 2022 in conjunction with the expiration of certain government restrictions (see Note H) on September 30, 2022. On October 7, 2022, Amazon sold 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock back to the Company for cash of $5.9 million, pursuant to the terms of the 2016 Investment Agreement, as amended on March 5, 2021. This resulted in Amazon maintaining its ownership percentage of less than 19.9% of the Company's outstanding shares at the time.
On December 22, 2018, the Company announced agreements with ASI to 1) lease and operate ten additional Boeing 767-300 aircraft, 2) extend the term of the 12 Boeing 767-200 aircraft currently leased to ASI by two years to 2023 with an option for three more years, 3) extend the term of the eight Boeing 767-300 aircraft currently leased to ASI by three years to 2026 and 2027 with an option for three more years, and 4) extend the ATSA by five years through March 2026, with an option to extend for an additional three years. The Company leased all ten of the 767-300 aircraft in 2020. In conjunction with the commitment for ten additional 767 aircraft leases, extensions of twenty existing Boeing 767 aircraft leases and the ATSA described above, Amazon and the Company entered into another Investment Agreement on December 20, 2018 (the "2018 Investment Agreement"). Pursuant to the 2018 Investment Agreement, the Company issued Amazon warrants for 14.8 million ATSG common shares. This group of warrants will expire if not exercised within seven years from their issuance date, in December of 2025 (subject to extension if regulatory approvals, exemptions, authorizations, consents or clearances have not been obtained by such date). The warrants have an exercise price of $21.53 per share.
On May 29, 2020, ASI agreed to lease 12 more Boeing 767-300 aircraft from the Company. The first of these leases began in the second quarter of 2020 with the remaining 11 leases commencing in 2021. All 12 of these aircraft leases were for 10-year terms. Pursuant to the 2018 Investment Agreement, as a result of leasing these 12 aircraft, Amazon was issued warrants for 7.0 million common shares, all of which have vested. These warrants will expire if not exercised by December 20, 2025 (subject to extension if regulatory approvals, exemptions, authorizations, consents or clearances have not been obtained by such date). The exercise price of these warrants is $20.40 per share.
Issued and outstanding warrants are summarized below as of September 30, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Common Shares in millions | | |
| | Exercise price | | Vested | | Non-Vested | | Expiration |
| | | | | | | | |
2018 Investment Agreement | | $21.53 | | 14.8 | | 0.0 | | December 20, 2025 |
2018 Investment Agreement | | $20.40 | | 7.0 | | 0.0 | | December 20, 2025 |
| | | | | | | | |
Additionally, Amazon can earn incremental warrants rights of up to 2.9 million common shares under the 2018 Investment Agreement by leasing up to five more cargo aircraft from the Company before January 2026. Incremental warrants granted to Amazon for ASI’s commitment to any such future aircraft leases will have an exercise price based on the volume-weighted average price of the Company's shares during the 30 trading days immediately preceding the contractual commitment for each lease.
For all outstanding warrants vested, Amazon may select a cashless conversion option. Assuming ATSG's stock price at the time of conversion is above the warrant exercise price, Amazon would receive fewer shares in exchange for any warrants exercised under the cashless option by surrendering the number of shares with a market value equal to the exercise price.
The Company’s accounting for the warrants has been determined in accordance with the financial reporting guidance for financial instruments. Warrants classified as liabilities are marked to fair value at the end of each reporting period. The value of warrants is recorded as a customer incentive asset if it is probable of vesting at the time of grant and further changes in the fair value of warrant obligations are recorded to earnings. Upon a warrant vesting event, the customer incentive asset is amortized as a reduction of revenue over the duration of the related revenue contract.
In accordance with the 2016 Investment Agreement, on September 8, 2020, the final number of shares issuable under the third tranche of warrants was determined to be 0.5 million common shares. As a result, under GAAP, the value of the entire warrant grant under the 2016 Investment Agreement was remeasured on September 8, 2020, and its fair value of $221 million was reclassified from balance sheet liabilities to paid-in-capital. In October 2020, upon the execution of the 10th and final aircraft lease of the December 2018 commitment, warrants for 14.8 million shares were remeasured on October 1, 2020, and their fair value of $154 million was reclassified from balance sheet liabilities to paid-in-capital. In December 2021, upon execution of the 12th and final aircraft lease of the May 2020 commitment, warrants for 7.0 million shares were remeasured on December 7, 2021, and their fair value of $82.4 million was reclassified from balance sheet liabilities to paid-in-capital.
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company's liabilities reflected warrants from the 2018 Amazon agreements having a fair value of $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30 , 2022 the re-measurements of warrants to fair value resulted in a gain of $0.1 million and $0.2 million before the effect of income taxes, respectively, compared to net non-operating losses of $9.6 million and gain of $30.8 million before the effect of income taxes, respectively, for the corresponding periods of 2021.
The Company's earnings in future periods will be impacted by the re-measurements of warrant fair value, amortizations of the lease incentive asset and the related income tax effects. For income tax calculations, the value and timing of related tax deductions will differ from the guidance described above for financial reporting.
NOTE D—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s money market funds and interest rate swaps are reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at fair values based on market values from comparable transactions. The fair value of the Company’s money market funds, Convertible Notes (as defined in Note F), convertible note hedges and interest rate swaps are based on observable inputs (Level 2) from comparable market transactions.
The fair value of the stock warrant obligations to Amazon resulting from aircraft leased to ASI were determined using a Black-Scholes pricing model which considers various assumptions, including the Company’s common stock price, the volatility of the Company’s common stock, the expected dividend yield, exercise price and the risk-free interest rate (Level 2 inputs). The fair value of the stock warrant obligations for unvested stock warrants, conditionally promised to Amazon for the execution of incremental, future aircraft leases, include additional assumptions including the expected exercise prices and the probabilities that future leases will occur (Level 3 inputs).
The following table reflects assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of September 30, 2022 | Fair Value Measurement Using | | Total |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents—money market | $ | — | | | $ | 5,294 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,294 | |
Interest rate swap | — | | | 1,077 | | | — | | | 1,077 | |
Total Assets | $ | — | | | $ | 6,371 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,371 | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Stock warrant obligations | — | | | — | | | (715) | | | (715) | |
Total Liabilities | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (715) | | | $ | (715) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2021 | Fair Value Measurement Using | | Total |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents—money market | $ | — | | | $ | 30,042 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 30,042 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total Assets | $ | — | | | $ | 30,042 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 30,042 | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swap | $ | — | | | $ | (3,603) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (3,603) | |
Stock warrant obligations | — | | | — | | | (915) | | | (915) | |
Total Liabilities | $ | — | | | $ | (3,603) | | | $ | (915) | | | $ | (4,518) | |
As a result of lower market interest rates compared to the stated interest rates of the Company’s fixed rate debt obligations, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations, based on Level 2 observable inputs, was approximately $70.7 million less than the carrying value, which was $1,369.6 million at September 30, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was approximately $37.1 million less than the carrying value, which was $1,299.4 million. The non-financial assets, including goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
NOTE E—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The Company's property and equipment consists primarily of cargo aircraft, aircraft engines and other flight equipment. Property and equipment, to be held and used, is summarized as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Flight equipment | $ | 3,440,294 | | | $ | 3,301,113 | |
Ground equipment | $ | 68,762 | | | 64,641 | |
Leasehold improvements, facilities and office equipment | $ | 39,714 | | | 38,769 | |
Aircraft modifications and projects in progress | $ | 383,590 | | | 206,917 | |
| $ | 3,932,360 | | | 3,611,440 | |
Accumulated depreciation | $ | (1,593,082) | | | (1,481,506) | |
Property and equipment, net | $ | 2,339,278 | | | $ | 2,129,934 | |
| | | |
CAM owned aircraft with a carrying value of $1,457.2 million and $1,404.4 million that were under lease to external customers as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
NOTE F—DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Debt obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, | | December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Revolving credit facility | 525,000 | | | 360,000 | |
Senior Notes | 577,974 | | | 697,162 | |
Convertible Notes | 256,639 | | | 231,646 | |
Other financing arrangements | 10,030 | | | 10,555 | |
Total debt obligations | 1,369,643 | | | 1,299,363 | |
Less: current portion | (637) | | | (628) | |
Total long term obligations, net | 1,369,006 | | | 1,298,735 | |
The Company is party to a syndicated credit agreement (as amended, the "Senior Credit Agreement") which includes the ability to execute term loans and a revolving credit facility. Prior to its amendment on April 6, 2021, the Senior Credit Agreement had a maturity date of November 2024 provided certain liquidity measures are maintained during 2024, an incremental accordion capacity based on debt ratios and a maximum revolver capacity of $600 million. The interest rate is a pricing premium added to LIBOR based upon the ratio of the Company's debt to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses ("EBITDA") as defined under the Senior Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2022, the unused revolving credit facility available to the Company at the trailing twelve-month EBITDA level was $259.7 million with additional permitted indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement subject to compliance with other covenants.
On April 6, 2021, the Company amended the Senior Credit Agreement ("Amended Credit Agreement"). The amendment (i) temporarily increased the aggregate amount of the revolving credit facility from $600 million to $1 billion, and subsequently decreased the aggregate amount to $800 million on April 13, 2021, (ii) permitted increases of the revolving credit facility commitments and/or new tranches of term loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the sum of $400 million plus the principal amount of indebtedness that could be incurred at the time of the increase that would not cause the Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) to exceed 3.25 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis, (iii) modified the maturity date of the agreement from November 30, 2024, to April 6, 2026, with such extension of the maturity date being subject to (1) at the election of the lenders, five one-year extensions and (2) an earlier springing maturity date of July 12, 2024, if, on such date, (a) more than $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes (as defined below) remain outstanding and (b) the Company has less than $375.0 million of liquidity at such time, (iv) removed the Collateral to Total Exposure Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) as a financial covenant, and (v) required the Company to repay the balance of all term loans outstanding at the time of the amendment.
On October 19, 2022, the Company amended the Senior Credit Agreement. This amendment i) increased the aggregate amount of the revolving credit facility from $800 million to $1 billion, ii) extended the maturity date of the agreement from April 6, 2026 to October 19, 2027, iii) replaced LIBOR with SOFR as an interest rate benchmark, iv) reduced the collateral to outstanding loan ratio to 1.15:1.00 from 1.25:1:00, v) permits cash dividends and share repurchases provided the secured leverage ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 and the total leverage ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00, and removed the annual limitation on cash dividends and share repurchases which was $100 million.
On January 28, 2020, CAM completed a debt offering of $500 million in senior unsecured notes (together with the "Additional Notes" referred to below, the “Senior Notes”) that were guaranteed by ATSG and certain of its other subsidiaries. The Senior Notes were sold only to qualified institutional buyers in the United States pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and certain investors pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.75% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on August 1, 2020. The Senior Notes mature on February 1, 2028. The indenture for the Senior Notes contains customary events of default and certain covenants which are generally no more restrictive than those set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement. The net proceeds of $495 million from the Senior Notes were used to pay down the revolving credit
facility. The Senior Notes do not require principal payments until maturity but prepayments are allowed without penalty beginning February 1, 2025.
On April 13, 2021, CAM completed its offering of $200 million of additional Senior Notes that were guaranteed by ATSG and certain of its subsidiaries. The additional Senior Notes are fully fungible with the original Senior Notes, treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture governing all the Senior Notes with the same terms (other than issue date and issue price). The proceeds of $205.5 million, net of scheduled interest payable, were used, in conjunction with draws from the revolving credit facility to repay the unsubordinated term loans. Upon retirement of the unsubordinated term loans, the Company expensed debt issuance costs of $6.5 million related to the unsubordinated term loans.
During the nine month period ended September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased Senior Notes having a principal value of $120.0 million in the open market at a 5.5% reducing the Senior Notes carrying value to $578.0 million. The Company recognized a net pre-tax gain of $4.5 million, net of fees, which was recorded under net gain of financial instruments on the income statement during the corresponding period.
The balance of the Senior Notes is net of debt issuance costs of $5.7 million and $7.8 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Under the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement, interest rates are adjusted at least quarterly based on the Company's EBITDA, its outstanding debt level and prevailing LIBOR or prime rates. At the Company's debt-to-EBITDA ratio as of September 30, 2022, the LIBOR based financing for the revolving credit facility bear variable interest rates of 4.1%.
The Senior Credit Agreement is collateralized by certain of the Company's Boeing 777, 767 and 757 aircraft. Under the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain certain collateral coverage ratios set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement contains covenants, including a maximum permitted total debt to EBITDA, a fixed charge covenant ratio requirement, and limitations on certain additional indebtedness and guarantees of indebtedness. The Senior Credit Agreement stipulates events of default, including unspecified events that may have material adverse effects on the Company. If an event of default occurs, the Company may be forced to repay, renegotiate or replace the Senior Credit Agreement.
In September 2017, ATSG issued $258.8 million aggregate principal amount of 1.125% convertible senior notes due 2024 ("Convertible Notes") in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 1.125% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 each year, beginning April 15, 2018. The Convertible Notes mature on October 15, 2024, unless repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The Convertible Notes are unsecured indebtedness, subordinated to the Company's existing and future secured indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables.
Conversion of the Convertible Notes can only occur upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods, beginning in any calendar quarter commencing after December 31, 2017, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Upon the occurrence of certain fundamental changes, holders of the Convertible Notes can require the Company to repurchase their notes at the cash repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. The Company has the right to settle the Convertible Notes in cash, the Company’s common shares or a combination of cash and the Company’s common shares, at the Company’s election. The initial conversion rate is 31.35 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $31.90 per common share). If a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in the offering circular with the Convertible Notes) occurs, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for a specified period of time.
The conversion feature of the Convertible Notes required bifurcation from the principal amount under the applicable accounting guidance. On January 1, 2022 the Company adopted ASU 2020-06 using the modified retrospective approach as discussed in Note A which recombined the value of the previously bifurcated embedded feature with the convertible note and eliminated the discount. The carrying value of the Company's convertible debt is shown below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, | | December 31, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
Principal value, Convertible Notes, due 2024 | | 258,750 | | | 258,750 | |
Unamortized issuance costs | | (2,111) | | | (2,889) | |
Unamortized discount | | — | | | (24,215) | |
Convertible debt | | 256,639 | | | 231,646 | |
In conjunction with the Convertible Notes, the Company purchased convertible note hedges under privately negotiated transactions for $56.1 million, having the same number of the Company's shares of common stock (8.1 million shares) and the same strike price ($31.90) that underlie the Convertible Notes. The convertible note hedges are expected to reduce the potential equity dilution with respect to the Company's common stock and/or offset any cash payments in excess of the principal amount due, as the case may be, upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. The Company's current intent and policy is to settle all Note conversions through a combination settlement which satisfies the principal amount of the Convertible Notes outstanding with cash.
NOTE G—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company maintains derivative instruments for protection from fluctuating interest rates. The table below provides information about the Company’s interest rate swaps (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Expiration Date | Stated Interest Rate | | Notional Amount | | Market Value (Liability) | | Notional Amount | | Market Value (Liability) |
March 31, 2022 | 1.900 | % | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 50,000 | | | $ | (222) | |
March 31, 2022 | 1.900 | % | | — | | | — | | | 75,000 | | | (341) | |
March 31, 2023 | 2.425 | % | | 127,500 | | | 1,077 | | | 133,125 | | | (3,041) | |
The outstanding interest rate swaps are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The effects of future fluctuations in LIBOR interest rates on derivatives held by the Company will result in the recording of unrealized gains and losses into the statement of operations. The Company recorded net gains on derivatives of $0.6 million and $4.7 million for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to net gains of $2.3 million and $4.8 million for the corresponding periods of 2021. The liability for outstanding derivatives is recorded in other liabilities and in accrued expenses.
NOTE H—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Payroll Support Programs
During 2020, two of the Company's airline subsidiaries, OAI and ATI, received government funds totaling $75.8 million pursuant to payroll support program agreements under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). In February 2021, OAI was approved for $37.4 million of additional non-repayable government funds pursuant to a payroll support program agreement under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “PSP Extension Law”). This grant was subsequently increased by $5.6 million. Further, in April 2021, OAI was approved for $40.0 million of additional non-repayable government funds pursuant to a payroll support program agreement under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the "American Rescue Plan").
The three programs are structured in a substantially similar manner. These grants are not required to be repaid if the Company complies with the provisions of the payroll support program agreements under the CARES Act, the PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan. The grants are recognized over the periods in which the Company recognizes the related expenses for which the grants are intended to compensate. The Company recognized the grants as contra-expense during the periods in which passenger flight operations and combi flight operations levels were expected to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. During the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized $30.3 million and $96.6 million of the grants, respectively. The Company recognized all of the CARES Act funds by the end of 2021.
In conjunction with the payroll support program agreements under the CARES Act, OAI and ATI agreed on behalf of themselves and ABX to refrain from conducting involuntary furloughs or reducing employee rates of pay or benefits through September 30, 2020. Thereafter, OAI agreed as a condition of receiving grants under the PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan to refrain from conducting involuntary furloughs or reducing employee rates of pay or benefits through March 31, 2021, and September 30, 2021, respectively. Under the CARES Act, OAI and ATI agreed to limit, on behalf of themselves and certain affiliates, executive compensation through March 24, 2022; maintain certain air transportation service through March 1, 2022 as may be required by the DOT pursuant to its authority under the CARES Act; and maintain certain internal controls and records relating to the funds and comply with certain reporting requirements. OAI further agreed as a condition of receiving grants under the PSP Extension Law and thereafter the American Rescue Plan, to limit executive compensation through October 1, 2022 and April 1, 2023, respectively. In addition, the Company agreed to refrain from paying dividends or repurchasing its shares through September 30, 2022. The Company has repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares of its common stock since the restrictions expired on September 30, 2022.
Lease Commitments
The Company leases property, aircraft, aircraft engines and other types of equipment under operating leases. The Company's airlines operate ten freighter aircraft provided by customers and four passenger aircraft leased from external companies. Property leases include hangars, warehouses, offices and other space at certain airports with fixed rent payments and lease terms ranging from one month to six years. The Company is obligated to pay the lessor for maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses on certain property leases. These expenses are variable and are not included in the measurement of the lease asset or lease liability. These expenses are recognized as variable lease expense when incurred and are not material. Equipment leases include ground support and industrial equipment as well as computer hardware with fixed rent payments and terms of one month to five years.
The Company records the initial right-to-use asset and lease liability at the present value of lease payments scheduled during the lease term. For the nine month period ending September 30, 2022 and 2021, non-cash transactions to recognize right-to-use assets and corresponding liabilities for new leases were $15.9 million and $8.3 million, respectively. Unless the rate implicit in the lease is readily determinable, the Company discounts the lease payments using an estimated incremental borrowing rate at the time of lease commencement. The Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date, including the rate the Company could borrow for a similar amount, over a similar lease term with similar collateral. The Company's weighted-average discount rate for operating leases at September 30, 2022 was 2.4% compared to 2.4% at December 31, 2021. Leases often include rental escalation clauses, renewal options and/or termination options that are factored into the determination of lease payments when appropriate. Although not material, the amount of such options is reflected below in the maturity of operating lease liabilities table. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The weighted-average remaining lease term is 3.3 years and 3.8 years as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
For the nine month periods ending September 30, 2022 and 2021, cash payments against operating lease liabilities were $16.9 million and $15.4 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, the maturities of operating lease liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | Operating Leases |
Remaining 2022 | | $ | 6,000 | |
2023 | | 22,216 | |
2024 | | 17,006 | |
2025 | | 12,302 | |
2026 | | 6,734 | |
2027 and beyond | | 541 | |
Total undiscounted cash payments | | 64,799 | |
Less: amount representing interest | | (2,339) | |
Present value of future minimum lease payments | | 62,460 | |
Less: current obligations under leases | | 21,879 | |
Long-term lease obligation | | $ | 40,581 | |
Purchase Commitments
The Company has agreements with vendors for the conversion of Boeing 767-300, Airbus A321 and Airbus A330 passenger aircraft into a standard configured freighter aircraft. The conversions primarily consist of the installation of a standard cargo door and loading system. As of September 30, 2022, the Company owned fourteen Boeing 767-300 aircraft and seven Airbus A321-200 aircraft that were in or awaiting the modification process. As of September 30, 2022, the Company has agreements to purchase seventeen more Boeing 767-300 aircraft, two more Airbus A321 passenger aircraft and six Airbus A330 passenger aircraft through 2024. As of September 30, 2022, the Company's commitments to acquire and complete the conversion of these aircraft totaled $781.7 million, including estimated payments of $441.1 million through 2023 and the remaining payments through 2026. Actual conversion payments will be based on the achievement of progress milestones.
Guarantees and Indemnifications
Certain leases and agreements of the Company contain guarantees and indemnification obligations to the lessor, or one or more other parties, that are considered reasonable and customary (e.g. use, tax and environmental indemnifications), the terms of which range in duration and are often limited. Such indemnification obligations may continue after expiration of the respective lease or agreement.
Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements
As of September 30, 2022, the flight crewmember employees of ABX, ATI and OAI and flight attendant employees of ATI and OAI were represented by the labor unions listed below:
| | | | | | | | |
Airline | Labor Agreement Unit | Percentage of the Company’s Employees |
ABX | International Brotherhood of Teamsters | 5.9% |
ATI | Air Line Pilots Association | 9.9% |
OAI | International Brotherhood of Teamsters | 5.9% |
ATI | Association of Flight Attendants | 0.8% |
OAI | Association of Flight Attendants | 5.6% |
The labor agreements with ATI 's flight crew members and Omni's flight crew members are amendable at this time. Under the Railway Labor Act, as amended, airline labor agreements do not expire, so the existing contract remains in effect throughout the negotiation process.
Hangar Foam Discharge
On August 7, 2022 the fire suppression system at one of the Company's aircraft maintenance hangars in Wilmington, Ohio malfunctioned and discharged a significant amount of expansive foam. The event impacted employees, three aircraft and equipment in and around the hangar at the time of discharge. The hangar resumed operations after approximately three weeks while the cause of the incident was investigated and the hangar was cleaned and restored. While one aircraft was returned to service, the timeframes needed to return two of the aircraft and related engines to operating condition are not known at this time. The Company maintains insurance for employee claims, remediation expenses, property and equipment damage, customer claims and business interruption subject to customary deductibles and policy limits. The anticipated insurance recoveries related to clean-up expenses, remediation, part repairs and property damages are recorded when receipt is probable. Insurance recoveries in excess of the net book value of the damaged operating assets and for business interruption claims are recorded when all contingencies related to the claim have been resolved. Through September 30, 2022 the Company has recognized charges in operating income, net of recorded insurance recoveries, of $1.0 million for employee coverage, property damage, clean-up and repairs. Work to determine the extent of the damages, business disruption losses, other claims and insurance recoveries is ongoing.
Other
The Company is a party to legal proceedings in various federal and state jurisdictions from time to time arising out of the operation of the Company's business. The amount of alleged liability, if any, from these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty; however, the Company believes that its ultimate liability, if any, arising from pending legal proceedings, as well as from asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims which are probable of assertion, taking into account established accruals for estimated liabilities, should not be material to our financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE I—PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit and Post-retirement Healthcare Plans
ABX sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan for ABX crewmembers and a qualified defined benefit pension plan for a portion of its other ABX employees that meet minimum eligibility requirements. ABX also sponsors non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for certain employees. These non-qualified plans are unfunded. Employees are no longer accruing benefits under any of the defined benefit pension plans. ABX also sponsors a post-retirement healthcare plan for its ABX crewmembers, which is unfunded. Benefits for covered individuals terminate upon reaching age 65 under the post-retirement healthcare plans.
The accounting and valuation for these post-retirement obligations are determined by prescribed accounting and actuarial methods that consider a number of assumptions and estimates. The selection of appropriate assumptions and estimates is significant due to the long time period over which benefits will be accrued and paid. The long term nature of these benefit payouts increases the sensitivity of certain estimates of our post-retirement obligations. The assumptions considered most sensitive in actuarially valuing ABX’s pension obligations and determining related expense amounts are discount rates and expected long term investment returns on plan assets. Additionally, other assumptions concerning retirement ages, mortality and employee turnover also affect the valuations. Actual results and future changes in these assumptions could result in future costs significantly higher than those recorded in our results of operations.
ABX measures plan assets and benefit obligations as of December 31 of each year. Information regarding ABX’s sponsored defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement healthcare plans follow below. The accumulated benefit obligation reflects pension benefit obligations based on the actual earnings and service to-date of current employees.
ABX’s net periodic benefit costs for its defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement healthcare plans are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| Pension Plans | | Post-Retirement Healthcare Plan | | Pension Plans | | Post-Retirement Healthcare Plan |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Service cost | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19 | | | $ | 24 | | | — | | | — | | | 57 | | | 72 | |
Interest cost | 6,075 | | | 5,597 | | | 15 | | | 10 | | | 18,098 | | | 16,791 | | | 44 | | | 30 | |
Expected return on plan assets | (11,738) | | | (11,875) | | | — | | | — | | | (35,215) | | | (35,625) | | | — | | | — | |
Amortization of net (gain) loss | 1,002 | | | 1,764 | | | 11 | | | 47 | | | 1,628 | | | 5,292 | | | 34 | | | 141 | |
Net periodic benefit cost (income) | $ | (4,661) | | | $ | (4,514) | | | $ | 45 | | | $ | 81 | | | $ | (15,489) | | | $ | (13,542) | | | $ | 135 | | | $ | 243 | |
During the nine month period ending September 30, 2022, the Company contributed $1.5 million to the pension plans.
NOTE J—INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes for interim periods is based on management's best estimate of the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the current year, plus any adjustments arising from changes in the estimated amount of taxable income related to prior periods. Income taxes recorded through September 30, 2022 have been estimated utilizing a rate of 23% based upon year-to-date income and projected results for the full year. The recognition of discrete tax items, such as the conversion of employee stock awards and other items, have an impact on the effective rate during a period. As a result, the Company's effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 was 23%. The final effective tax rate for the year 2022 will depend on the actual amount of pre-tax book results by the Company for the full year, the additional conversions of employee stock awards, foreign earnings, executive compensation and other items.
The Company has operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Management expects to utilize the loss carryforwards to offset federal income tax liabilities in the future. Due to the Company's deferred tax assets, including its loss carryforwards, management does not expect to pay federal income taxes until 2026 or later. The Company may, prior to such time, be required to pay some federal tax due to loss carryforward usage limitations and certain state and local income taxes.
NOTE K—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes the following items by components for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Defined Benefit Pension | | Defined Benefit Post-Retirement | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Total | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | | $ | (75,369) | | | $ | (477) | | | $ | (14) | | | $ | (75,860) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actuarial costs (reclassified to salaries, wages and benefits) | | 1,764 | | | 47 | | | — | | | 1,811 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income Tax (Expense) or Benefit | | (402) | | | (11) | | | — | | | (413) | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | 1,362 | | | 36 | | | — | | | 1,398 | | | | | |
Balance as of September 30, 2021 | | $ | (74,007) | | | $ | (441) | | | $ | (14) | | | $ | (74,462) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of January 1, 2021 | | (78,093) | | | (549) | | | (14) | | | (78,656) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actuarial costs (reclassified to salaries, wages and benefits) | | 5,292 | | | 141 | | | — | | | 5,433 | | | | | |
Income Tax (Expense) or Benefit | | (1,206) | | | (33) | | | — | | | (1,239) | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | 4,086 | | | 108 | | | — | | | 4,194 | | | | | |
Balance as of September 30, 2021 | | (74,007) | | | (441) | | | (14) | | | (74,462) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Defined Benefit Pension | | Defined Benefit Post-Retirement | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Total | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2022 | | $ | (61,348) | | | $ | (211) | | | $ | (20) | | | $ | (61,579) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actuarial costs (reclassified to salaries, wages and benefits) | | 1,002 | | | 11 | | | — | | | 1,013 | | | | | |
Income Tax (Expense) or Benefit | | (229) | | | (2) | | | — | | | (231) | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | 773 | | | 9 | | | — | | | 782 | | | | | |
Balance as of September 30, 2022 | | $ | (60,575) | | | $ | (202) | | | $ | (20) | | | $ | (60,797) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of January 1, 2022 | | (61,831) | | | $ | (229) | | | (20) | | | (62,080) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actuarial costs (reclassified to salaries, wages and benefits) | | 1,628 | | | $ | 34 | | | — | | | 1,662 | | | | | |
Income Tax (Expense) or Benefit | | (372) | | | $ | (7) | | | — | | | (379) | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | 1,256 | | | $ | 27 | | | — | | | 1,283 | | | | | |
Balance as of September 30, 2022 | | (60,575) | | | $ | (202) | | | (20) | | | (60,797) | | | | | |
NOTE L—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
ATSG's Board of Directors has granted stock incentive awards to certain employees and board members pursuant to long term incentive plans, the first of which was approved by stockholders in May 2005 and expired in May 2015 and the second of which was approved by stockholders in May 2015 and was amended and restated by stockholders in May 2022. Employees have been awarded non-vested stock units with performance conditions, non-vested stock units with market conditions and non-vested time-based restricted stock. The restrictions on the non-vested restricted stock awards lapse at the end of a specified service period, which is typically three years. Restrictions may lapse sooner upon a business combination, death, disability or after an employee qualifies for retirement. The non-vested stock units will be converted into ATSG common stock depending on performance and market conditions at the end of a specified service period, lasting approximately three years. The performance condition awards will be converted into ATSG common stock based on the Company's average return on invested capital during the service period. Similarly, the market condition awards will be converted into ATSG common stock based on the appreciation of the common stock price compared to the NASDAQ Transportation Index. Board members have been granted time-based restricted stock unit awards that vest after a period of twelve months. The Company expects to settle all of the stock unit awards by issuing new shares of ATSG common stock. The table below summarizes stock-based award activity.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, 2022 | | September 30, 2021 |
| Number of Awards | | Weighted average grant-date fair value | | Number of Awards | | Weighted average grant-date fair value |
Outstanding at beginning of period | 978,188 | | | $ | 17.49 | | | 1,085,023 | | | $ | 17.14 | |
Granted | 283,467 | | | 35.44 | | | 273,845 | | | 26.65 | |
Converted | (178,060) | | | 22.15 | | | (120,830) | | | 25.40 | |
Expired | (3,000) | | | 40.02 | | | (1,200) | | | 26.60 | |
Forfeited | (9,600) | | | 26.74 | | | (5,600) | | | 23.31 | |
Outstanding at end of period | 1,070,995 | | | $ | 21.32 | | | 1,231,238 | | | $ | 18.41 | |
Vested | 322,156 | | | $ | 9.76 | | | 357,499 | | | $ | 9.26 | |
The average grant-date fair value of each performance condition award, non-vested restricted stock award and time-based award granted by the Company in 2022 was $33.84, the fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The average grant-date fair value of each market condition award granted in 2022 was $46.20. The market condition awards granted in 2022 were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation technique based on daily stock prices over three years and using the following variables:
| | | | | |
| 2022 |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.5% |
Volatility | 38.3% |
For the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded expense of $6.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, for stock incentive awards. At September 30, 2022, there was $10.7 million of unrecognized expense related to the stock incentive awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.25 years. As of September 30, 2022, none of the awards were convertible, 322,156 units of the Board members' time-based awards had vested and none of the outstanding shares of the restricted stock had vested. These awards could result in the issuance of up to 1,357,120 shares of ATSG common stock depending on service, performance and market results through December 31, 2024.
NOTE M—COMMON STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per Share
On January 1, 2022 the Company adopted ASU 2020-06 as discussed in Note A. As a result, diluted earnings per share of common stock for the 2022 periods excludes interest charges related to the convertible debt and includes the number of shares that would have been converted at the beginning of the period under the "if-convert" method. The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Numerator: | | | | | | | |
Earnings from continuing operations - basic | $ | 50,188 | | | $ | 62,363 | | | $ | 154,194 | | | $ | 184,522 | |
Loss (gain) from stock warrants revaluation, net of tax | (105) | | | — | | | (155) | | | (23,776) | |
Convertible debt interest charge net of tax | 763 | | | — | | | 2,285 | | | — | |
Earnings from continuing operations - diluted | $ | 50,846 | | | $ | 62,363 | | | $ | 156,324 | | | $ | 160,746 | |
| | | | | | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share | 73,998 | | | 73,721 | | | 73,956 | | | 67,177 | |
Common equivalent shares: | | | | | | | |
Effect of stock-based compensation awards and warrants | 6,637 | | | 3,022 | | | 6,913 | | | 8,100 | |
Effect of convertible debt | 8,111 | | | — | | | 8,111 | | | — | |
Weighted-average shares outstanding assuming dilution | 88,746 | | | 76,743 | | | 88,980 | | | 75,277 | |
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations | $ | 0.68 | | | $ | 0.85 | | | $ | 2.08 | | | $ | 2.75 | |
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | $ | 0.57 | | | $ | 0.81 | | | $ | 1.76 | | | $ | 2.14 | |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of basic earnings per share are less than the shares outstanding due to 367,339 shares and 478,739 shares of restricted stock for 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are accounted for as part of diluted weighted average shares outstanding in diluted earnings per share.
The determination of diluted earnings per share requires the exclusion of the fair value re-measurement of the stock warrants recorded as a liability (see Note C), if such warrants have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share. The dilutive effect of the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding is calculated using the treasury method for periods in which equivalent shares have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. Under this method, the number of diluted shares is determined by dividing the assumed proceeds of the warrants recorded as a liability by the average stock price during the period and comparing that amount with the number of corresponding warrants outstanding.
In conjunction with the offering of the Convertible Notes (see note F), the Company also sold warrants for ATSG common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The amount received for these warrants and recorded in Stockholders' Equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets was $38.5 million. These warrants may result in 8.1 million additional shares of common stock, if ATSG's traded market price exceeds the strike price which is $41.35 per share and is subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the warrant transactions.
NOTE N—SEGMENT AND REVENUE INFORMATION
The Company operates in two reportable segments - CAM and ACMI Services. The CAM segment consists of the Company's aircraft and engine leasing operations. The ACMI Services segment consists of the Company's airline operations, including CMI agreements as well as ACMI, charter service and passenger service agreements that the Company has with its customers. The Company's aircraft maintenance services, aircraft modification services, ground services and other support services, are not large enough to constitute separate reportable segments and are combined in "All other." Intersegment revenues are valued at arms-length market rates.
The Company's segment information from continuing operations is presented below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Total revenues: | | | | | | | |
CAM | $ | 109,496 | | | $ | 92,931 | | | $ | 326,075 | | | $ | 264,802 | |
ACMI Services | 357,375 | | | 330,906 | | | 1,034,963 | | | 851,338 | |
All other | 108,423 | | | 90,292 | | | 318,837 | | | 281,226 | |
Eliminate inter-segment revenues | (58,378) | | | (48,174) | | | (167,431) | | | (145,451) | |
Total | $ | 516,916 | | | $ | 465,955 | | | $ | 1,512,444 | | | $ | 1,251,915 | |
Customer revenues: | | | | | | | |
CAM | $ | 79,975 | | | $ | 71,070 | | | $ | 237,466 | | | $ | 198,546 | |
ACMI Services | 357,319 | | | 330,903 | | | 1,034,881 | | | 851,325 | |
All other | 79,622 | | | 63,982 | | | 240,097 | | | 202,044 | |
Total | $ | 516,916 | | | $ | 465,955 | | | $ | 1,512,444 | | | $ | 1,251,915 | |
The Company's external customer revenues from other activities for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2022 and 2021 are presented below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Aircraft maintenance, modifications and part sales | $ | 34,604 | | | $ | 28,513 | | | $ | 106,766 | | | $ | 91,352 | |
Ground services | 28,204 | | | 22,928 | | | 80,275 | | | 75,410 | |
Other, including aviation fuel sales | 16,814 | | | 12,541 | | | 53,056 | | | 35,282 | |
Total customer revenues | $ | 79,622 | | | $ | 63,982 | | | $ | 240,097 | | | $ | 202,044 | |
During the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2022, the Company respectively recognized $5.8 million and $4.8 million of non lease revenue that was reported in deferred revenue at the beginning of the respective period, compared to $1.1 million and $2.9 million in the respective corresponding periods of 2021. Current deferred revenue of $13.0 million and $8.3 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, for contracts with customers is derived from other activities as described above and CAM non lease revenues. Revenue related to deferred revenue will be recognized based on percentage of completion. Customers are required to pay deposits and may be required to make milestone payments for these services resulting in deferred revenue. Long-term contract assets were $0.0 million and $0.8 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
CAM's leases do not contain residual guarantees. Approximately 12% of CAM's leases to external customers contain purchase options at projected market values. As of September 30, 2022, minimum future payments from
external customers for leased aircraft and equipment were scheduled to be $72.2 million for the remainder of 2022, $247.5 million, $197.3 million, $183.4 million and $157.5 million for the next 4 years ending December 31, 2026, respectively, and $361.9 million thereafter. CAM's external customer revenues for non-lease activities were $9.8 million and $27.1 million for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $2.3 million and $9.2 million during the respective corresponding periods of 2021 for engine services and the sale of spare engine parts.
The Company's other segment information from continuing operations is presented below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Depreciation and amortization expense: | | | | | | | |
CAM | $ | 59,231 | | | $ | 51,383 | | | $ | 171,943 | | | $ | 148,390 | |
ACMI Services | 23,447 | | | 25,649 | | | 72,885 | | | 73,398 | |
All other | 605 | | | 719 | | | 1,898 | | | 2,647 | |
Total | $ | 83,283 | | | $ | 77,751 | | | $ | 246,726 | | | $ | 224,435 | |
Interest expense | | | | | | | |
CAM | 7,908 | | | 9,408 | | | 21,837 | | | 28,303 | |
ACMI Services | 3,693 | | | 4,672 | | | 9,719 | | | 13,668 | |
Segment earnings (loss): | | | | | | | |
CAM | $ | 36,975 | | | $ | 28,502 | | | $ | 111,587 | | | $ | 72,518 | |
ACMI Services | 25,265 | | | 58,225 | | | 69,267 | | | 124,246 | |
All other | (1,182) | | | (1,047) | | | 560 | | | 2,503 | |
Net unallocated interest expense | (510) | | | (371) | | | (1,391) | | | (1,995) | |
Net gain (loss) on financial instruments | 695 | | | (7,378) | | | 9,402 | | | 37,797 | |
Debt issuance costs | — | | | — | | | — | | | (6,505) | |
Other non-service components of retiree benefit costs, net | 4,635 | | | 4,457 | | | 15,411 | | | 13,370 | |
Loss from non-consolidated affiliate | (954) | | | (1,147) | | | (5,577) | | | (1,365) | |
Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations | $ | 64,924 | | | $ | 81,241 | | | $ | 199,259 | | | $ | 240,569 | |
The Company's assets are presented below by segment (in thousands). Cash and cash equivalents are reflected in Assets - All other.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, | | December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Assets: | | | |
CAM | $ | 2,427,780 | | | $ | 2,218,012 | |
ACMI Services | 959,801 | | | 872,311 | |
| | | |
All other | 137,584 | | | 177,012 | |
Total | $ | 3,525,165 | | | $ | 3,267,335 | |
During the first nine months of 2022, the Company had capital expenditures for property and equipment of $69.8 million and $378.3 million for ACMI Services and CAM, respectively.
NOTE O—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The Company's results of discontinued operations consist primarily of changes in liabilities related to self-insurance reserves for medical expenses and wage loss for former employees previously associated with ABX's former hub operations. For the nine month ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, pre-tax earnings from discontinued operations were $2.2 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") has been prepared with reference to the historical financial condition and results of operations of Air Transport Services Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries. Air Transport Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries may hereinafter individually and collectively be referred to as "the Company", "we", "our", or "us" from time to time. The MD&A describes the principal factors affecting our results of operations, financial condition, cash flow, liquidity and capital resources. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") contained in this report and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes prepared in accordance with GAAP contained in our 2021 Form 10-K.
BACKGROUND
We lease aircraft and provide airline operations, aircraft modification and maintenance services, ground services, and other support services to the air transportation and logistics industries. Through ATSG's subsidiaries, we offer a range of complementary services to delivery companies, freight forwarders, e-commerce operators, airlines and government customers. Our principal subsidiaries include our aircraft leasing company (CAM) and three independently certificated airlines (ABX, ATI and OAI).
We have two reportable operating segments:
CAM offers aircraft leasing and related services to external customers and also leases aircraft internally to the Company's airlines. CAM acquires passenger aircraft and manages the modification of the aircraft into freighters. The follow-on aircraft leases normally cover a term of five to ten years. CAM currently leases Boeing 767, 757 and 777 aircraft and aircraft engines.
ACMI Services includes the cargo and passenger transportation operations of our three airlines. Our airlines operate under contracts to provide a combination of aircraft, crews, maintenance, insurance and aviation fuel. Our customers are typically responsible for supplying the necessary aviation fuel and cargo handling services and reimbursing our airline for other operating expenses such as landing fees, ramp expenses, certain aircraft maintenance expenses and fuel procured directly by the airline. Aircraft charter agreements, including those for the DoD, usually require the airline to provide full service, including fuel and other operating expenses for a fixed, all-inclusive price.
Our other business operations, which primarily provide support services to the transportation industry, include providing aircraft maintenance and modification services to customers, cargo load transfer and sorting services as well as related equipment maintenance services. These operations do not constitute separate reportable segments.
At September 30, 2022, we owned 110 Boeing aircraft that were in revenue service. We also owned fourteen Boeing 767-300 aircraft and seven Airbus 321-200 aircraft either already undergoing or awaiting induction into the freighter conversion process at September 30, 2022. In addition to these aircraft, we leased four passenger aircraft from third parties and operated ten freighter aircraft provided by customers for whom we provide services under CMI agreements.
Due to the strong demand for medium widebody and narrow body freighters and as part of our continued growth strategy to expand and diversify our fleet, during 2021 we secured additional aircraft conversion slots over the next few years. We continue to work closely with Israel Aerospace Industries and have forged new conversion relationships with Boeing and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (“EFW”). Further, we perform our own conversions of the Airbus A321 aircraft through a joint venture arrangement.
Customers
Our largest customers are ASI, which is a subsidiary of Amazon, the DoD and DHL.
Revenues from our commercial arrangements with ASI comprised approximately 34% and 35% of our consolidated revenues during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, we leased 42 Boeing 767 freighter aircraft to ASI with lease expirations between 2023 and 2031 and we operate those aircraft for ASI. The aircraft lease terms typically range from 5 to 10 years. We operate six other Boeing 767 aircraft provided by ASI. We also provide ground services and aircraft maintenance services to ASI.
DHL comprised 12% and 13% of our consolidated revenues during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, we leased 14 Boeing 767 freighter aircraft to DHL comprised of three Boeing 767-200 aircraft and eleven Boeing 767-300 aircraft, with expirations between 2023 and 2029. Under a separate CMI agreement, we operate ten of the Boeing 767 aircraft that DHL leases from the Company and two Boeing 767 aircraft that DHL provides. We provide DHL with scheduled maintenance services under the agreement which is subject to renewal in May of 2028. Pricing for services provided through the CMI agreement is based on pre-defined fees, scaled for the number of aircraft operated and the number of flight crews provided to DHL for its network. We also provide additional air cargo transportation services for DHL through ACMI agreements in which we provide the aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance under a single contract. Further, beginning in third quarter of 2022, we began to operate the first two of four Boeing 767 aircraft provided by DHL under an additional CMI agreement which currently runs through August of 2027.
The DoD comprised 29% and 26% of our consolidated revenues during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 respectively, derived primarily from operating passenger and combi charter flights. We utilize our fleet of fourteen passenger aircraft to operate troop movement flights for the DoD. We also operate our four combi aircraft for the DoD, which are capable of simultaneously carrying cargo and passengers on the main deck. We have been providing services to the DoD since the 1990’s, typically under one year agreements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenue and Earnings Summary
External customer revenues from continuing operations increased by $51.0 million, or 11%, to $516.9 million and $260.5 million, or 21%, to $1,512.4 million during the first three and nine months of 2022 compared to the same periods in 2021. Customer revenues increased during the first nine months of 2022, particularly for contracted airline services, aircraft leasing and aviation fuel sales, compared to the previous year's period. Nine additional aircraft have been placed under customer leases since October 1, 2021.
Consolidated net earnings from continuing operations were $50.2 million and $154.2 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $62.4 million and $184.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2021. The pre-tax earnings from continuing operations were $64.9 million and $199.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $81.2 million and $240.6 million for the corresponding periods of 2021. Earnings were affected by the following specific events and certain adjustments that do not directly reflect our underlying operations among the periods presented.
•Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations included net gains of $0.7 million and $9.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively for gains related to the repurchase of debt as well as financial instrument valuations, including warrant obligations granted to Amazon. This compares to pre-tax net losses for remeasurement of financial instruments of $7.4 million and gains of $37.8 million for the corresponding periods of 2021.
•Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations were reduced by $5.8 million and $17.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, for the amortization of customer
incentives given to Amazon in the form of warrants, compared to $5.8 million and $17.3 million for the corresponding periods of 2021.
•Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations included gains of $4.6 million and $15.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, for non-service components of retiree benefit plans compared to net gains of $4.5 million and $13.4 million for the corresponding periods of 2021.
•Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations included losses of $1.0 million and $5.6 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, for the Company's share of joint venture results, including engineering costs to development aircraft modifications, compared to losses of $1.1 million and $1.4 million for the corresponding periods of 2021.
•Pre-tax earnings for the nine month period September 30, 2021 included a one-time charge of $6.5 million to write-off debt issuance costs in conjunction with the restructuring of the Company's debt obligations.
•During the three and nine months period ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized $30.3 million and $96.6 million, respectively, of government grants from the CARES Act, PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan. No government grants were recognized during the nine month period ended September 30, 2022.
•Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations included losses of $1.0 million, net of related insurance recoveries, for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, for the costs of employee coverage, property damage, clean-up and repairs which occurred as a direct result of a foam release after a hangar's fire suppression system malfunctioned.
After removing the effects of these items, adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, a non-GAAP measure (a definition and reconciliation of adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations follows), were $67.3 million and $198.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $60.8 million and $117.9 million for the corresponding periods of 2021. Improved results were driven by additional aircraft leases to external customers, an increase in the number of freighter aircraft we operate and more block hours flown for customers compared to the previous year's periods.
A summary of our revenues and pre-tax earnings from continuing operations as well as a reconciliation of adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations to pre-tax earnings from continuing operations is shown below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | September 30, | | September 30, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Revenues from Continuing Operations: | | | | | | | | |
CAM | | | | | | | | |
Aircraft leasing and related services | | $ | 114,526 | | | $ | 97,960 | | | $ | 341,164 | | | $ | 279,813 | |
Lease incentive amortization | | (5,030) | | | (5,029) | | | (15,089) | | | (15,011) | |
Total CAM | | 109,496 | | | 92,931 | | | 326,075 | | | 264,802 | |
ACMI Services | | 357,375 | | | 330,906 | | | 1,034,963 | | | 851,338 | |
Other Activities | | 108,423 | | | 90,292 | | | 318,837 | | | 281,226 | |
Total Revenues | | 575,294 | | | 514,129 | | | 1,679,875 | | | 1,397,366 | |
Eliminate internal revenues | | (58,378) | | | (48,174) | | | (167,431) | | | (145,451) | |
Customer Revenues | | $ | 516,916 | | | $ | 465,955 | | | $ | 1,512,444 | | | $ | 1,251,915 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pre-Tax Earnings from Continuing Operations: | | | | | | | | |
CAM, inclusive of interest expense | | $ | 36,975 | | | $ | 28,502 | | | $ | 111,587 | | | $ | 72,518 | |
ACMI Services, inclusive of government grants and interest expense | | 25,265 | | | 58,225 | | | 69,267 | | | 124,246 | |
Other Activities | | (1,182) | | | (1,047) | | | 560 | | | 2,503 | |
Net unallocated interest expense | | (510) | | | (371) | | | (1,391) | | | (1,995) | |
Net financial instrument re-measurement gain (loss) | | 695 | | | (7,378) | | | 9,402 | | | 37,797 | |
Other non-service components of retiree benefits costs, net | | 4,635 | | | 4,457 | | | 15,411 | | | 13,370 | |
Loss from non-consolidated affiliate | | (954) | | | (1,147) | | | (5,577) | | | (1,365) | |
Debt issuance cost | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (6,505) | |
Pre-Tax Earnings from Continuing Operations | | 64,924 | | | 81,241 | | | 199,259 | | | 240,569 | |
Add other non-service components of retiree benefit costs, net | | (4,635) | | | (4,457) | | | (15,411) | | | (13,370) | |
Less government grants | | — | | | (30,322) | | | — | | | (96,626) | |
Add charges for non-consolidated affiliates | | 954 | | | 1,147 | | | 5,577 | | | 1,365 | |
Add lease incentive amortization | | 5,822 | | | 5,798 | | | 17,442 | | | 17,295 | |
Add net (gain) loss on financial instruments | | (695) | | | 7,378 | | | (9,402) | | | (37,797) | |
Add net charges for hangar foam incident | | 960 | | | — | | | 960 | | | — | |
Add debt issuance cost | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,505 | |
Adjusted Pre-Tax Earnings from Continuing Operations | | $ | 67,330 | | | $ | 60,785 | | | $ | 198,425 | | | $ | 117,941 | |
Adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, a non-GAAP measure, is pre-tax earnings from continuing operations excluding the following: (i) settlement charges and other non-service components of retiree benefit costs; (ii) gains and losses from financial instrument valuations including warrants issued to Amazon; (iii) customer incentive amortization; and (iv) the start-up costs and expenses of a non-consolidated joint venture. We exclude these items when calculating adjusted pre-tax earnings because they are distinctly different in their predictability or not closely related to our on-going operating activities. We also excluded the recognition of government grants and charges, net of related insurance recoveries, resulting from the malfunction of a fire suppression system in an aircraft maintenance hangar, from adjusted earnings to improve comparability between periods. Management uses adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations to compare the performance of core operating results between periods. Presenting this measure provides management and investors with a comparative metric of fundamental operations while highlighting changes to certain items among periods. Adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.
The Company's earnings for the reported periods were impacted by the fair value re-measurement of the Amazon warrants classified in liabilities at the end of each reporting period, customer incentive amortization and the related income tax effects. The fair value of the warrants issued or issuable to Amazon were recorded as a customer incentive asset and are amortized against revenues over the duration of the aircraft leases. Our accounting for the warrants issued to Amazon has been determined in accordance with the financial reporting guidance for financial instruments. For additional information about the warrants issued to Amazon, see the accompanying notes to the financial statements included in this report.
Aircraft Fleet Summary
Our fleet of cargo and passenger aircraft is summarized in the following table as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Our freighters, converted from passenger aircraft, utilize standard shipping containers and can be deployed into regional cargo markets more economically than larger capacity aircraft, newly built freighters or other competing alternatives. At September 30, 2022, we owned fourteen Boeing 767-300 aircraft and seven Airbus A321-200 aircraft that were either already undergoing or awaiting induction into the freighter conversion process.
Aircraft fleet activity during the first nine months of 2022 is summarized below:
•CAM completed the modification of five Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft purchased in the previous year. The aircraft are leased to external customers under multi-year leases. Two of the aircraft are being operated by ABX for the customer.
•CAM purchased six Boeing 767-300 passenger aircraft for the purpose of converting the passenger aircraft into a standard freighter configuration. These aircraft are expected to be leased to external customers during 2023.
•OAI returned one Boeing 767-300 passenger aircraft to CAM. CAM expects to modify this aircraft into a standard freighter configuration and lease it to an external customer in 2023.
•CAM purchased six Airbus A321-200 passenger aircraft for the purpose of converting the passenger aircraft into a standard freighter configuration. These aircraft are expected to be leased to external customers during 2023.
•ATI began to operate two customer-provided Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft.
•ABX began to operate two customer-provided Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft.
•An external customer returned one Boeing 767-200 freighter aircraft to CAM. That aircraft has currently been removed from service.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 | |
| ACMI Services | CAM | Total | | ACMI Services | CAM | Total | |
In-service aircraft | | | | | | | | |
Aircraft owned | | | | | | | | |
Boeing 767-200 Freighter | 5 | | 25 | | 30 | | | 5 | | 26 | | 31 | | |
Boeing 767-200 Passenger | 2 | | — | | 2 | | | 2 | | — | | 2 | | |
Boeing 767-300 Freighter | 2 | | 64 | | 66 | | | 2 | | 59 | | 61 | | |
Boeing 767-300 Passenger | 5 | | — | | 5 | | | 6 | | — | | 6 | | |
Boeing 777-200 Passenger | 3 | | — | | 3 | | | 3 | | — | | 3 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Boeing 757-200 Combi | 4 | | — | | 4 | | | 4 | | — | | 4 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | 21 | | 89 | | 110 | | | 22 | | 85 | | 107 | | |
Operating lease | | | | | | | | |
Boeing 767-200 Passenger | 1 | | — | | 1 | | | 1 | | — | | 1 | | |
Boeing 767-300 Passenger | 3 | | — | | 3 | | | 3 | | — | | 3 | | |
Boeing 767-200 Freighter | 2 | | — | | 2 | | | 2 | | — | | 2 | | |
Boeing 767-300 Freighter | 8 | | — | | 8 | | | 4 | | — | | 4 | | |
Total | 14 | | — | | 14 | | | 10 | | — | | 10 | | |
Other aircraft | | | | | | | | |
Owned Boeing 767-300 under modification | — | | 14 | | 14 | | | — | | 12 | | 12 | | |
Owned Airbus A321-200 under modification | — | | 7 | | 7 | | | — | | 1 | | 1 | | |
Owned Boeing 767 available or staging for lease | — | | 1 | | 1 | | | — | | 1 | | 1 | | |
As of September 30, 2022, ABX, ATI and OAI were leasing 21 in-service aircraft internally from CAM for use in ACMI Services. Of CAM's 25 externally leased Boeing 767-200 freighter aircraft, 12 were leased to ASI and operated by ABX or ATI, one was leased to DHL and operated by ABX, two were leased to DHL and were being operated by a DHL-affiliated airline and ten were leased to other external customers. Of the 64 externally leased Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft, 30 were leased to ASI and operated by ATI, nine were leased to DHL and operated by ABX, two were leased to DHL and are being operated by a DHL-affiliated airline and 23 were leased to other external customers. The carrying values of the total in-service fleet as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were $1,722.9 million and $1,693.0 million, respectively.
CAM Segment
CAM added nine Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft to its portfolio since October 1, 2021. CAM grew its revenues by $16.6 million and $61.3 million during the first three and nine months of 2022, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021.
As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, CAM had 89 and 82 aircraft under lease to external customers, respectively. Revenues from external customers totaled $80.0 million and $237.5 million for the three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $71.1 million and $198.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2021. Since October 1, 2021, CAM placed nine more Boeing 767-300 aircraft with external customers under long-term leases. Additionally, in October of 2021, CAM began to offer engine power coverage to lessees of CAM's General Electric powered Boeing 767-200 aircraft. Under this service, CAM is responsible for providing and maintaining engines for its lease customers as needed through a pool of engines. Revenues from external customers increased $6.7 million and $17.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding periods in 2021 for this engine service. Additionally, CAM generates earnings from the lease of spare engines and the sale of spare aircraft parts. CAM's revenues from the Company's airlines totaled $29.5 million and $88.6 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, compared to $21.9 million and $66.3 million for the corresponding periods in 2021.
CAM's pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, inclusive of internally allocated interest expense, were $37.0 million and $111.6 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 compared to $28.5 million and $72.5 million for the corresponding periods in 2021. Increased pre-tax earnings reflect the nine aircraft placed into service since October 1, 2021 and decreases in internally allocated interest expense of $1.5 million and $6.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021 due to lower company-wide interest expense and debt. Additionally, CAM generates earnings from the lease of spare engines and the sale of spare aircraft parts.Increased pre-tax earnings were offset by increased depreciation of $7.8 million and $23.6 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021 driven by the addition of aircraft.
In addition to the 14 Boeing 767-300 aircraft and seven Airbus A321-200 aircraft which were in the modification process at September 30, 2022, CAM has agreements to purchase seventeen more Boeing 767-300 aircraft, two more Airbus A321-200 aircraft and six Airbus A330 aircraft through 2024. CAM's future operating results will depend on its continuing ability to convert passenger aircraft into freighters within planned costs and within the timeframes required by customers. During the fourth quarter of 2022, we expect to lease to external customers at least three more newly modified Boeing 767-300 freighters and re-deploy one Boeing 767-200 freighter. CAM's future operating results will also depend on the timing and lease rates under which aircraft are redeployed when leases expire. Additionally, CAM's future operating results from engine power services will depend upon engine cycles operated, the number of engine overhauls and the severity of unscheduled maintenance events.
ACMI Services
Total revenues from ACMI Services increased $26.5 million and $183.6 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared with the corresponding periods of 2021. Increased revenues for 2022 reflected a 16% increase in block hours flown for DoD troop movements particularly to Europe for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 2021, as well as ten additional freighter aircraft added to operations compared to the third quarter of 2021, including six more customer-provided aircraft that are not owned by CAM. Revenues also increased due to fuel expenses that are billed through to the DoD and charter customers. The customer fuel portion of ACMI Services revenue increased approximately $12.6 million and $55.8 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2021. As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, ACMI Services included 87 and 77 in-service aircraft, respectively. Total customer block hours increased 3% and 10% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2021, reflecting increases in block hours flown for DHL and Amazon. Block hours for the DoD increased during the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 compared to the previous year, however we operated fewer block hours for the DoD during the third quarter of 2022 compared to 2021, when we supported the evacuation of military and civilian personnel from Afghanistan.
ACMI Services had pre-tax earnings of $25.3 million and $58.2 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $69.3 million and $124.2 million for the corresponding periods in 2021, inclusive of internally allocated interest expense and the recognition of pandemic-related government grants of $30.3 million and $96.6 million, respectively. Pre-tax earnings, excluding the recognition of government grants, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 declined $2.6 million and improved $41.6 million, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. The decline in earnings for the third quarter of 2022 reflects lower DoD block hours compared to the 2021 evacuation flights and increased operating expenses, particularly for flight crews and contracted maintenance services. Improved earnings for the nine month period of 2022 were a result of the increased number of aircraft in operations and more block hours compared to 2021. We experienced increased expense levels for crew premium pay and training, contract labor, aircraft positioning fuel and travel expenses compared to the prior year periods. Internally allocated interest expense decreased $1.0 million to $3.7 million and decreased $3.9 million to $9.7 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021.
Future profitability levels for ACMI Services will depend on a number of factors, including the impact of increasing inflation, potential COVID-19 outbreaks, customer flight schedules, crew member productivity and pay, rising employee wages and benefits, aircraft maintenance schedules, the severity and frequency of unscheduled maintenance events, the number of aircraft we operate and our ability to pass cost increases on to customers.
Recruiting, training and retaining employees and contractors are important factors to our success. Severe disruptions or shortages of qualified employees could have a detrimental impact on our financial results.
Other Activities
We provide other support services to our ACMI Services customers and other airlines by leveraging our knowledge and capabilities developed for our own operations over the years. Through our FAA certificated maintenance and repair subsidiaries, we sell aircraft parts and provide aircraft maintenance and modification services. We also provide mail sorting, parcel handling and logistical support to USPS facilities and similar services to certain ASI hub and gateway locations in the U.S. We provide maintenance for ground equipment, facilities and material handling equipment and we resell aviation fuel in Wilmington, Ohio. Additionally, we provide flight training services.
External customer revenues from all other activities increased $15.6 million and $38.1 million in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. Revenues from fuel sales were up $4.3 million and $17.7 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, while revenues from aircraft maintenance services increased $6.1 million and $15.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. Revenues from higher margin ground services increased $5.3 million and $4.9 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods during the prior year. Pre-tax earnings from other activities decreased by $0.1 million and $1.9 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. Lower earnings reflects disruptions to our aircraft hangar operations due to the malfunction of the fire suppression system, as well as the inflationary impacts, including the rising costs of labor, versus the previous year.
Expenses from Continuing Operations
Salaries, wages and benefits expense increased $21.9 million, or 15%, and $62.9 million, or 15% during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. While the number of total employees was flat compared to the previous year, salaries and wages have been impacted by higher wage rates, including more pilots, benefit costs, and more overtime pay.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.5 million and $22.3 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. The increase reflects incremental depreciation for nine additional aircraft as well as additional depreciation expense for engines that are now being serviced and maintained by CAM under engine power coverage arrangements. We expect depreciation expense to increase during future periods in conjunction with our fleet expansion, engine programs and capital spending plans.
Maintenance, materials and repairs expense decreased by $2.2 million and $15.0 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. Maintenance expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021 included $8.8 million and $27.2 million, respectively, for an engine power-by-the-cycle ("PBC") agreement that expired in September 2021. We are now maintaining these engines through time and material agreements with engine maintenance providers to replace the expired PBC agreement. The decline in PBC expense was offset by increases driven by increased flight operations. The aircraft maintenance and material expenses can vary among periods due to the number of maintenance events and the scope of airframe checks that are performed.
Fuel expense increased by $18.4 million and $84.9 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. Fuel expense includes the cost of fuel to operate DoD charters, fuel used to position aircraft for service and for maintenance purposes, as well as the cost of fuel sales. Fuel expense increased due to the additional block hours for the DoD and due to increases in the price per gallon of aviation fuel compared to the previous year. Aviation fuel rates increased approximately 70% and 58% per gallon for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021.
Contracted ground and aviation services expense includes navigational services, aircraft and cargo handling services, baggage handling services and other airport services. Contracted ground and aviation services decreased
$3.3 million and increased $1.5 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. Contracted ground and aviation services vary with the level of passenger airline operations. Declines in these expense for the third quarter of 2022 correspond with the decline in passenger block hours compared to the third quarter of 2021. The increases for the year correspond to increased flying volume.
Travel expense increased by $4.9 million and $20.7 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. In addition to the increased number of crew member and flying volumes, travel expense increased due to significantly higher airfares and hotels rates compared to a year ago.
Landing and ramp expense, which includes the cost of deicing chemicals, increased by $0.2 million and $2.7 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021, driven by increased flying volumes for our customers' express cargo networks.
Other operating expenses increased by $0.6 million and $9.6 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2021. Other operating expenses include professional fees, employee training, utilities, commission expense to our CRAF team for DoD revenues and other expenses.
Operating results included a pre-tax expense credit of $30.3 million and $96.6 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021, respectively, to recognize grants received from the U.S. government under the CARES Act, PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan. For additional information about these grants, see Note H of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
Non-Operating Income, Adjustments and Expenses
Interest expense decreased by $2.3 million and $11.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding periods for 2021. Interest expense declined primary due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2020-06, "Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity" and the effects of interest rates swaps. See Note G for additional information about the interest rate swaps. ASU No.2020-06 resulted in the elimination of the discount on the convertible notes and accordingly the reduction of discount amortization to interest expense. See Note A for additional information about ASU No. 2020-06. We expect interest expense to increase in future periods due to increases in our revolver balances as we expand CAM's fleet and increased interest rates which are derived from our Senior Credit Agreement.
During the second quarter of 2022 the company repurchased $120.0 million of its Senior Notes par value in the open market resulting in a net pre-tax gain of $4.5 million, net of fees, which was recorded under net gain on financial instruments on the income statement during the corresponding period. The Company recorded unrealized pre-tax gains on financial instrument re-measurements of $0.7 million and $9.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, compared to pre-tax losses of $7.4 million and gains of $37.8 million for the corresponding periods in 2021. The pre-tax gains for 2022 are primarily a result of the impact of higher market interest rates on the interest rate derivatives that we held. (See Note G for additional information about the interest rate derivatives.). The pre-tax gains for 2021 are primarily a result of re-valuing the stock warrants granted to Amazon. The warrant values generally increase or decrease with corresponding increases or decreases in the ATSG share price during the measurement period. Additionally, the value of certain warrants depends partially on the probability that such warrants will vest upon the execution of aircraft leases. Increases in the probability of warrants vesting results in higher liabilities and losses. In December 2021, most of the outstanding warrants were reclassified from liabilities to paid in capital and are no longer subject to periodic reevaluation. (See Note C for additional information about the Amazon warrants.)
Non service components of retiree benefits resulted in net gains of $4.6 million and $15.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 compared to net gains of $4.5 million and $13.4 million for the corresponding periods of 2021. The non service component gain and losses of retiree benefits are determined by actuaries and include the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses stemming from changes in assumptions regarding discount rates, expected investment returns and other retirement plan assumptions. Non service components of retiree benefits can vary significantly from one year to the next based on investment results and changes in discount rates used to account for defined benefit retirement plans.
The provision for income taxes for interim periods is based on management's best estimate of the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the current year, plus any adjustments arising from changes in the estimated amount of taxable income related to prior periods. Income taxes recorded through September 30, 2022 have been estimated utilizing a 23% rate based upon year-to-date income projected results for the full year. The recognition of discrete tax items such as the conversion of employee stock awards, officer compensation, the issuance of stock warrants and other items have an impact on the effective rate during a period.
The effective rate from continuing operations for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 was 23%. The effective tax rate is affected by the discrete tax items in which expense and benefits for tax purposes are different than required by generally accepted accounting principles. The effective tax rate before including the effects of the warrant re-measurement, incentive amortizations and the other adjustments for adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations (see items in the table above) was 23% for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30 2022, respectively. The effective tax rate before including the effects of the warrants was 24% for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021.
Discontinued Operations
The financial results of discontinued operations primarily reflect workers' compensation cost adjustments and other benefits for former employees previously associated with ABX's former hub operations pursuant to which ABX performed package sorting services for DHL. Gains related to the former sorting operations were $2.2 million for the first nine months of 2022, compared to $3.1 million for the corresponding period of 2021. Gains during 2022 and 2021 were primarily a result of reductions in self-insurance reserves for former employee benefit claims.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
Net cash generated from operating activities totaled $398.1 million and $429.2 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Cash flows from operating activities included $83.0 million from government payroll support programs during the first nine months of 2021. The decrease in government grant support was offset by improved cash flows generated from additional aircraft leases to customers and increased operating levels under the ACMI Services segment. Cash flows from operations can vary among periods depending on the timing of customer payments received as well as vendor payments we make at the end of a period. Cash outlays for pension contributions were $1.5 million and $1.8 million for the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Capital spending levels were substantially the result of aircraft modification costs and the acquisition of aircraft for freighter modification. Cash payments for capital expenditures were $448.4 million and $428.1 million in the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively. Capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2022 included $303.0 million for the acquisition of six Boeing 767-300 aircraft, six Airbus A321-200 aircraft and freighter modification costs; $135.0 million for required heavy maintenance; and $10.4 million for other equipment. Capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2021 included $278.5 million for the acquisition of 14 Boeing 767-300 aircraft, one Airbus A321-200 aircraft and freighter modification costs; $140.9 million for required heavy maintenance; and $8.7 million for other equipment.
During the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, we contributed $16.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, to our two joint-ventures. Our joint-venture with Precision Aircraft Solutions, LLC, developed a passenger-to-freighter conversion program for Airbus A321-200 aircraft and our joint-venture with GA Telesis Engine Services, LLC will provide engine tear-down services to harvest and sell engine parts.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $47.8 million and $7.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the first nine months of 2022, we made debt payments of $345.5 million, we drew $510.0 million from the revolving credit facility and we paid $115.2 million to retire Senior Notes. During the first nine months of 2021, we made debt principal payments of $1,758.0 million and we drew $1,430.6 million from the revolving credit facility. During the first nine months of 2021, we received $207 million in proceeds from the issuance of Additional Senior Notes as well as received $132 million from Amazon for the exercise of warrants for the Company's stock.
Commitments
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had 21 aircraft that were in or awaiting modification to a freighter configuration. Additionally, we placed non-refundable deposits and have agreements to purchase 17 more Boeing 767-300 passenger aircraft, two more Airbus 321-200 and six Airbus A330 aircraft through 2024. We expect to purchase additional aircraft for modification in 2023. The Company outsources a significant portion of the aircraft freighter modification process to non-affiliated third parties. The modification process primarily consists of the installation of a standard cargo door and loading system. We estimate that total capital expenditures for 2022 will be approximately $625 million, of which the majority will be related to aircraft purchases and freighter modifications. Actual capital spending for any future period will be impacted by aircraft acquisitions, maintenance and modification processes.
Liquidity
At September 30, 2022, the Company had $54.5 million of cash balances and $259.7 million available from the unused portion of the revolving credit facility under its Senior Credit Agreement as described in Note F of the accompanying financial statements. We expect our operations to continue to generate significant net cash in-flows after deducting required spending of approximately $195 million for heavy maintenance and other sustaining capital expenditures during fiscal year 2022. To expand our fleet, we estimate that capital expenditures for aircraft purchases and freighter modifications will total $430 million for fiscal year 2022. We believe that the Company's current cash balance, forecasted cash flows provided from its customer leases and operating agreements, combined with borrowing availability under its Senior Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to fund the expansion and maintenance of our fleet while meeting our contractual obligations, other commitments and working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. In October 2022, we amended the Senior Credit Agreement. See Note F for additional information.
Continued global disruptions in supply chains and labor shortages may delay aircraft modification projects, pushing contractual obligations into later periods, and could have an impact on the projected amount of capital expenditures.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The MD&A and certain other disclosures included elsewhere in this report are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of the financial statements requires us to select appropriate accounting policies and make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingencies. In certain cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques which could be applied. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our selection of policies and the estimation techniques we use, including those related to revenue recognition, post-retirement liabilities, bad debts, self-insurance reserves, valuation of spare parts inventory, useful lives, salvage values and impairment of property and equipment, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and on various other assumptions that are believed by management to be reasonable under the circumstances. Those factors form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources, as well as for identifying and assessing our accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. By their nature, these judgments are subject to uncertainty. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
For information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements and the expected impact on our annual statements, see Note A "SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES" in the accompanying notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Except as provided in Note A, our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from those disclosed in our 2021 Form 10-K.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates and changes in the price of jet fuel. The risk associated with jet fuel, however, is largely mitigated by reimbursement through the agreements with its customers.
Market risks have not materially changed from those disclosed in Item 7A of the Company's 2021 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of September 30, 2022, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based upon the evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in the Company's "internal control over financial reporting" (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during its most recently completed fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022 that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are currently a party to legal proceedings in various federal and state jurisdictions arising out of the operation of the Company's business. The amount of alleged liability, if any, from these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty; however, we believe that the Company's ultimate liability, if any, arising from the pending legal proceedings, as well as from asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims which are probable of assertion, taking into account established accruals for estimated liabilities, should not be material to our financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The Company faces risks that could adversely affect its condition or results of operations. Many of these risks are disclosed in Item 1A of the Company's 2021 Form 10-K.
In addition to the risks previously disclosed, the recent outbreak of war in Ukraine and the emergence of COVID-19 variants in China and other countries may result in further supply chain disruptions. These matters, coupled with inflationary pressures, could have an impact on overall economic conditions as well as the Company's operations and financial results.
As disclosed in Note H of this report, on August 7, 2022 the fire suppression system discharged at one of our aircraft maintenance hangars in Wilmington, Ohio, impacting employees, three aircraft, and equipment in and around the hangar. We expect that employee claims, property and equipment damage, customer claims and certain costs of business interruption will be covered by insurance, subject to customary deductibles and policy limits. However, our operating results may be impacted by losses and liabilities that are not covered by our insurance. Additionally, property losses will be recognized as they become known to us and related expenses as they are incurred, however insurance proceeds may not be recognized until later periods. As a result, the impact on our earnings may vary from period to period. The timeframes needed to return all aircraft and engines to operating condition are not known at this time. If some or all of these assets remain inoperable for an extended period of time, our operating results could be negatively impacted.
Other risks that are currently unknown to management or are currently considered immaterial or unlikely, could also adversely affect the Company.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On August 5, 2014, the Board of Directors of ATSG authorized the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of ATSG's outstanding common stock. In May 2016, the Board of Directors amended the Company's common stock repurchase program to increase the maximum repurchase amount from $50.0 million to $100.0 million. In February 2018, the Board of Directors increased the repurchase authorization from $100.0 million to $150.0 million (less amounts previously repurchased). The authorization does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares or establish a time frame for any repurchase and the Board of Directors may terminate the repurchase program at any time. Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program. There were no repurchases made during the third quarter of 2022. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had repurchased 6,592,349 shares and the maximum dollar value of shares that could then be purchased under the program was $61.3 million.
The share repurchase program was suspended until the CARES Act, PSP Extension Law and American Rescue Plan restrictions on the repurchase of shares lapsed after September 30, 2022. For more information, see Note H of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in this report.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this report.
| | | | | |
Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibit |
| |
| Material Contracts |
| |
10.1 | |
| |
10.2 | |
| |
10.3 | |
| |
| Certifications |
| |
31.1 | |
| |
31.2 | |
| |
32.1 | |
| |
32.2 | |
| |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document |
| |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
| |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
| |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document |
| |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
| |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
| |
____________________
(1)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2022.
(2)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2022.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC., |
| | | | a Delaware Corporation |
| | | | Registrant |
| | | | |
| | | | /S/ RICHARD F. CORRADO |
| | | | Richard F. Corrado |
| | | | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: | November 9, 2022 | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | /S/ QUINT O. TURNER |
| | | | Quint O. Turner |
| | | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer |
Date: | November 9, 2022 | | | and Principal Accounting Officer) |